Chapter 1
Seven hours ago, I was bitten by a venomous snake.
My husband, Oscar, showed no concern for my injury. Instead, he pushed my convulsing body aside and carefully caught that "precious snake."
All because the snake belonged to Brynn, his beloved secretary.
Six hours ago, I was loaded into an ambulance amid excruciating pain and dizziness.
He indifferently made a call to Brynn, asking if something had gone wrong with the snake.
Three hours ago, the doctor informed me I had lost my three-month-old unborn child.
He was busy flirting with Brynn.
At that moment, I came to my senses.
Five years of marriage had ultimately reached its end.
I dialed my lawyer's number. "Marshall, please help me prepare the divorce paperwork."
*****
Lying on the hospital bed, I watched the sunlight outside the window, my voice so calm I barely recognized myself.
Marshall was clearly caught off guard on the other end, but he didn't hesitate to say yes.
As soon as I hung up, my phone rang again. It was Oscar.
"Annie, could you bring some oatmeal to the office? The healthy kind you always made for me," he said.
His voice was all soft and sweet, like he wasn't the same guy who just stood there and watched me collapse a few days ago.
I replied coldly, "I just got out of the hospital."
"I know you're feeling better now; that's why I want your oatmeal," he said.
I touched my empty belly, my expression icy, and hung up on Oscar without a second thought.
Then I opened the delivery app and ordered some healthy oatmeal, having it sent straight to my door.
Half an hour later, I was standing outside the Pacheco Group building, warm oatmeal in hand.
"Excuse me, who are you here for?" The receptionist stopped me at the front desk, sounding polite.
"I'm here to see Oscar. I'm his wife," I said.
"Mr. Pacheco?" The receptionist shot me a mocking smile. "Are you sure? Because his wife is actually..." she trailed off.
"She says she's Mrs. Pacheco." A couple of employees nearby snickered. "We get people like her all the time, always trying to sneak into Mr. Pacheco's office."
I frowned, clutching the takeout container of oatmeal, about to call Oscar when I heard a familiar voice behind me.
"Annie," Oscar called out.
He had appeared out of nowhere in the lobby, dressed in a sharp suit, his face unreadable and cold.
Everyone stared in shock as Oscar walked straight up to me, shot the gossiping staff a frosty look, and tugged me toward the elevator. "Come with me," he said.
I followed him into the elevator, and neither of us said a word the whole way up.
When we reached the top floor, Oscar led me straight to the office. But it wasn't his. It was Brynn's office.
When Oscar opened the door, Brynn was reclining in her leather chair, hand pressed to her forehead. As soon as she saw Oscar, she looked up at him, all fragile and helpless. "Mr. Pacheco."
When Brynn noticed me, a flash of panic crossed her eyes, but she quickly switched back to her pitiful act. "Annie, you're here too. How's your recovery going?"
I watched her performance with a cold stare, not bothering to respond. Before I could say anything, Oscar took the oatmeal I had brought and placed it on Brynn's desk.
"Enough with that," Oscar said, sounding dismissive. "This is Annie's oatmeal. It's the best for you."
I stood there, watching every move he made, and suddenly, the whole thing felt like a cruel joke.
It was her snake that nearly killed me, and because of it, I lost my child.
Oscar asked me to bring him oatmeal right after I got out of the hospital. I actually thought he wanted it for himself. Turns out, it was for Brynn.
I snapped, "Did you forget? It was her snake that cost me our child."
Brynn's eyes filled with tears in an instant. "Annie, I never meant for this to happen. Jelly is always so gentle. I never thought she'd do such a thing."
Seeing her like that, Oscar frowned. "It was an accident; Brynn feels terrible about it. Don't be so petty. Since you've brought the oatmeal, just go home and rest."