Chapter 1

I was three months pregnant.

My husband, David Lane, showed up with his ex-girlfriend, Emily Brooks, and her newborn in tow.

"Emily will be staying at our place to rest and recover after giving birth," David said.

Just like that, I lost my master bedroom, my supplements, and my standing in this family.

When I overheard that jaw-dropping secret, I couldn't help but chuckle.

I wasn't going to carry this bastard's child anymore.

I wasn't going to be the fool anymore.

I booked the abortion. I was about to hand them a real special gift: an abortion and a divorce, all at once.

*****

Three months pregnant, I nestled into the couch, quietly feeling the little flutters of life in my belly.

I heard a key click into the lock.

David walked through the door.

I greeted him with a gentle smile, but that smile faltered instantly when I noticed who was standing behind him—Emily, his ex. She looked as pale as a sheet.

Right behind them was Helen Lane, my mother-in-law, cradling a baby in her arms.

I frowned and looked at them.

David's eyes flickered, and his voice sounded uncertain. "Sophia, Emily just had the baby, and there's no one to look after her. Her place is a total dump. I... I brought her here so she can recover after giving birth."

I thought I must have heard it wrong.

"Who? And recovery at whose home?" My voice came out sharp, disbelief written all over my face.

Emily, eyes rimmed red, shrank back behind David.

Helen shot me an impatient glare, her hand instinctively patting the baby in her arms.

She said, "Keep it down. You're scaring the baby. Poor Emily—she's had a rough time. The Lane family and hers go way back, so what's wrong if Dave helps her out for old times' sake?"

"Help? This is my home. I'm pregnant. And you want your ex to move in and recover here? David, have you completely lost it?" I was shaking with rage.

David's face darkened. "Sophia, why are you being so harsh? I know this is our home, but it's a special situation. Can't you just be a little kinder? Emily's really struggling right now."

"Kinder? You actually brought your ex-girlfriend home to upset your pregnant wife. David, your idea of kindness is something else." I nearly screamed, unable to hold back my frustration.

"Don't raise your voice." Richard Lane, my father-in-law, was the last one to step in, lugging bags. He wore his trademark scowl, his eyes landing on me with the same old disapproving, critical look.

He said, "Stop acting so sensitive if you want to be part of this family. Emily staying here is no big deal. Just another seat at the table. It's Helen who'll do the looking after—not you."

Helen was fussing over the baby, completely ignoring me.

"Alright, Dave. Don't just stand there. Take Emily's luggage to the master bedroom. It's got a private bathroom, perfect for her recovery."

"The master bedroom is my room. You can't let her sleep there." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I felt my blood run cold.

David frowned, but didn't say a word or move.

Helen shot me a glare, her temper flaring up at me in an instant. "Sophia, Emily just had the baby. Her body's still weak, and recovery's tough.

"The master bedroom has its own bathroom, so it's obviously the best spot for her right now. Don't be so self-centered. Try showing some empathy, will you?"

I actually laughed out loud, disbelief and anger mixing, and then looked over at David, praying he'd act like a real husband and back me up.

But David just dodged my gaze, his tone all sweetness—as if he could smooth things over. "Sophia, let's stay in the guest room for a bit, okay? You're still able to move around easily, and honestly, the guest room's not so bad—"

"No." I cut him off. "David, I'm pregnant with your child. You brought your ex into our house, and now you want me to give up my room for her? How could you even think of that? It's sick."

David finally lost his patience and started turning everything on me. "Sophia, seriously, it's just switching rooms. Can you stop being so unreasonable?"

I stared at him, my heart dropping to the floor. "I'm the unreasonable one? I'm heartless? I'm your wife, David. Emily's got her own man to help her out with the baby. Why are you sticking your nose in and bending over backward for her?"

David's eyes flickered with panic, and he was rendered completely speechless.

Emily started sobbing. "David, Helen, Richard, it's alright. Sophia's going through a lot herself. I shouldn't have come and caused all this trouble. I'll just look for a cheap rent instead and find a nanny."

"What are you talking about? Nobody takes care of you like family does.

"I treat you like my own daughter, so don't be afraid." Helen grabbed Emily's arm and then shot me a glare. "This is my son's house, too. What's so hard about letting someone else use a room?"

David ran his hand through his hair, frustration written all over his face, and let out a heavy sigh.

He said, "Sophia, can't you just show a little generosity? I really don't feel right sending Emily and the baby to some cheap rent. Like Dad said, it's just an extra seat at the table. Can't you just drop it already?"

Richard just lost it, practically barking at me now, "Enough. There's nothing to argue about. David, go pack up Sophia's things and get Emily into the master bedroom so Emily can rest."

A crushing wave of humiliation swallowed me whole.

I wanted to argue, but David took my arm and pretty much dragged me off toward the guest room.

David said, "Sophia, just hear me out. Emily's really been through so much."

David's actions made it painfully clear where his loyalties were.

I didn't even glance at him, my voice cold. "Get out."

David was taken aback, stood there for a few seconds, then sighed and closed the door behind him.

Outside, I could hear Helen comforting Emily. "Emily, go get some rest. Don't worry about something. Richard and I are both here for you. You can count on us to take care of you."

Every word they said while fussing over Emily felt like a knife twisting in my heart.

Emily wasn't just David's ex—she was his childhood sweetheart.

Back in college, they were the couple everyone envied.

After they went their separate ways, everyone seemed to have a different story about why it happened.

But once David and Emily split, I was the one who chased after him, reckless and obsessed.

A year ago, David got wasted and out of nowhere asked me to marry him.

At the time, I really thought my patience had finally been rewarded.