Chapter 1

My wife, Cheryl Collins, had suffered four miscarriages before, each for different reasons. It wasn't until her fifth pregnancy that she barely held onto the baby.

After all we'd been through, I wanted to treasure this child more than anything in the world.

But then, one day, I overheard her chatting with her best friend, Stacey Hall.

Cheryl said, "I was so careless before, getting pregnant with Eden's babies. Good thing I found a way to get rid of them all.

"Now I'm finally carrying Eric's baby. I'm going to be a mother."

That was when the truth finally dawned on me. Those weren't miscarriages. Cheryl did everything she could to avoid giving birth to my children.

*****

"Come on, let's go grab a bite," one of my coworkers said, throwing an arm around my shoulder.

After work, he practically dragged me along, insisting we had to hang out together no matter what.

But with my pregnant wife Cheryl waiting at home, I had to turn him down.

I hurried to the supermarket to pick up the food I'd ordered earlier, planning to make her a big dinner.

Just as I reached the door, I heard her chatting with her best friend Stacey.

"That idiot Eden? He's not worth having a child with. The thought of carrying his baby makes me sick," Cheryl said.

"Thank goodness I'm finally pregnant with Eric's child. Now I'll finally get to be a mom," she added with a hint of excitement.

My blood ran cold. My hands were shaking so hard that I couldn't stop them.

So none of those miscarriages were accidents. She never wanted to have my child. And the baby I thought was a miracle sent from above actually belonged to her and Eric.

Cheryl always acted like she loved me more than anything. But secretly, she hated me so much that she went through four miscarriages just to avoid having my child.

"Hon, you're home already?" Cheryl blurted out, surprise flickering on her face.

She fumbled with her phone, quickly hiding it away as if nothing had happened.

"I skipped dinner with my coworkers and came straight home," I said, trying to sound casual.

When she saw I seemed normal, she moved closer with a gentle smile, took my hand, and placed it on her belly.

"Feel that? The baby's moving," she said softly.

Every time I felt the baby kick before, my heart could barely contain all that happiness. But now? Nothing but a twisted mess of disgust and rage.

"Cheryl, you aren't keeping any secrets from me, are you?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Her smile faltered for a split second—the kind of look one gave when they were caught off guard.

"N-no, not at all," she tried to play it cool, but her voice betrayed her.

"Good," I replied, forcing a smile onto my face.

I was trying so hard to hold back, but my voice came out all choked, the pain leaking out no matter how hard I tried to keep it down.

"Honey, what's up? Did someone make you upset?" Cheryl asked, her voice laced with concern.

I stared at her panicked expression, searching for any sign that she didn't mean it. But she played her part perfectly—not a single hint slipped through.

"You must be starving. I'll go make us something to eat," she said, putting on her usual gentle act.

As I stood in the kitchen, staring at the gentle curve of her belly, a dark thought suddenly popped into my mind.

"Honey, I'm off tomorrow. How about we invite Eric over for dinner?" I said, trying to sound casual.

Cheryl jumped so hard that she dropped her spoon with a loud clatter.

She stared at me, totally confused.