Chapter 2
Chad hadn't left.
He was standing by the flower bed downstairs, holding a woman in his arms.
The woman was wearing a loose dress, her belly slightly rounded.
It was my so-called best friend, Beatrice Paul.
She was crying like a damsel in distress, and Chad was gently wiping her tears while shooting a vicious glare up at my window.
[The homewrecker is finally moving in. These two have zero shame, acting out their pathetic drama right downstairs.]
[Beatrice is holding a pregnancy test, flashing it at Chad on purpose. Classic move—forcing him to divorce.]
[Chad's such a fool, still thinking the baby's his, when Beatrice has been cheating on him behind his back for ages.]
Wait, what?
The baby isn't Chad's?
I stared wide-eyed, my eyes glued to that comment.
[No spoilers up front! Let the FL have her fun!]
[Man, Chad's really pathetic—so eager to play daddy to someone else's kid.]
I took a deep breath, forcing down the anger bubbling inside me.
If you two are stupid enough to come begging for trouble, don't blame me for going savage.
I pulled out my phone, turned on the camera, and aimed it at the two of them downstairs.
If we're going to make a scene, let's make it a big one.
Let the whole neighborhood see these shameless cheaters for what they really are.
I opened up the neighborhood group chat.
"Chad, since you won't leave, let's air it all out right here in front of everyone," I sent a voice message to the group.
"Hey neighbors, come downstairs and catch the show! My husband Chad is down there with his pregnant side chick, trying to kick me out with nothing."
My message blew up the group chat.
This place was packed with old-timers who'd lived here for decades.
Normally, if someone lost a cat, the whole block would know. But with gossip this wild, everyone was itching to see the show.
In less than two minutes, the place was swarming with people.
Downstairs was packed with nosy neighbors.
Chad and Beatrice were surrounded, with everyone whispering and pointing at them.
Chad's face went livid.
He probably never expected that the gentle, dutiful wife he thought he knew would snap like this.
Beatrice was so scared she clung to Chad for dear life.
I stood on the balcony, looking down at them from above.
The real show was just getting started.
Downstairs, Chad was getting roasted by the old folks, his face red with embarrassment.
"Chad, that's just not right. Emily's such a good wife. How could you do something like this?"
"Yeah, and bringing back a pregnant woman? You're trying to drive Emily crazy!"
"That woman looks familiar. Isn't she Emily's friend? Guess some people don't care about poaching from their own backyard."
Beatrice hid behind Chad, clutching her belly and putting on her best damsel-in-distress act.
"Everyone, you've got it all wrong. Chad and I are truly in love... Emily just can't have kids, and Chad was the only son in his family. They can't let the bloodline die out..."
Her voice was barely a whisper, but just loud enough for everyone around to hear.
Playing the "motherhood card" and acting all pitiful was her go-to move.
Sure enough, some of the more traditional old folks started to waver.
"Well... not having kids is a big deal in our culture, but still, this isn't right..."
Chad noticed the tide was turning, so he puffed up with confidence.
"Everyone, what else can I do? Emily just can't have kids. I can't let my family's bloodline die out, right? If she agrees to the divorce, I'll make it up to her!" he said.
Compensation? Seriously?
Are you actually going to use my own money to pay me off?
I snorted, turned around, and grabbed a basin of dirty water from inside.
I walked to the balcony and didn't hold back—I dumped a bucket of water right on the two of them sneering at me below.
Bullseye.
Chad and Beatrice were instantly soaked, looking like a couple of drowned rats.
The crowd let out a collective gasp and quickly backed away.
Chad furiously wiped his face and pointed at me. "Emily! Are you crazy?"
Beatrice screamed even louder. "My dress! Chad, my belly hurts..."
I leaned over the railing, flashing a bright, mocking smile. "Sorry, guess my hand slipped. Who was it saying I have health issues?
"My checkup from last month is right there on the table—fit as a fiddle! But Chad, did you ever fix that low sperm count? And now she's pregnant? Don't tell me you're playing daddy to someone else's kid!"
The crowd burst into shocked chatter.
Chad's face turned dark red with embarrassment.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
[Hell yeah! The FL is a total badass!]
[Chad's panicking. His low sperm count is legit, but the doc said it was just unlikely, not impossible, so he fell for Beatrice's lies.]
[The kid Beatrice's carrying? She actually got pregnant by a client while working as a hostess at the club.]
Seeing those comments, I felt even more sure of myself.