8#08

8

Wanda's eyes welled up uncontrollably. Witnessing the scene firsthand was far more heartbreaking than any image could have conveyed.

After childbirth, her closeness with Eric had diminished significantly. She had foolishly believed it was due to his concern for her post-pregnancy condition.

Now, she understood it was merely because he had found satisfaction elsewhere and couldn't be bothered to pretend interest in her.

Her phone buzzed. Another suggestive message from Christina appeared on the screen.

This time, it showed a disheveled bathroom and ripped dark hosiery.

She typed, "Can you guess what Mr. Gordon just did? It's just jewelry, right? Take it if you want. His affection belongs to me anyway."

Wanda refrained from blocking her, as Christina still had a role to play in the coming days.

Her gloomy thoughts were interrupted by a distant cry. "Mommy! Mommy, where are you?"

The heart-wrenching sound snapped her back to reality. Wanda dried her eyes and exited the room.

Ben rushed towards her like a small tornado and threw himself into her embrace. "I thought Mommy had abandoned me! Waaaaah.…"

Tears clung to his eyelashes as if he'd endured an unthinkable injustice. "Mommy, promise you'll always take me with you wherever you go."

Hearing the commotion, Eric hurried over. He paused briefly at the touching scene but couldn't shake an unsettling feeling.

He approached them and presented Wanda with the necklace. "I unexpectedly met a client. Our conversation went on longer than anticipated."

Wanda's shaking fingers grazed the familiar piece of jewelry. Once, she had believed that marrying Eric would provide the family she yearned for.

But not all men were like her father, who remained devoted to one woman his entire life. Most were like Eric. They were unfaithful, skilled at maintaining appearances.

Perhaps overwhelmed by it all, Wanda fell ill with a high temperature upon returning home.

Feeling her body's intense heat through the night, Eric panicked. He lifted her and rushed to the hospital.

When she regained consciousness, a nurse greeted her with a friendly smile and offered water. "Mrs. Gordon, you're finally awake! You've been feverish for three days and nights. Mr. Gordon and your child never left your side."

She continued, "I don't understand your worries. If I had a husband and child who cared for me so deeply, I'd be overjoyed."

The nurse sighed and after advising Wanda to think positively and release her concerns, she left the room.

As Wanda glanced at the calendar to verify the date, Christina sauntered in, her belly visibly swollen.

"I'm expecting, and it's Mr. Gordon's baby." She tossed the pregnancy report at Wanda.

"And?" Wanda inquired, her voice slightly muffled from her recent illness.

"This child needs a father, so please divorce Mr. Gordon," Christina demanded.

She hadn't anticipated becoming pregnant, but it served as a perfect reason to remove Wanda from the picture.

"Is Eric aware?" Wanda asked.

"He'll know soon enough. I wanted to inform you first."

Christina swallowed hard as she recalled Eric's warning.

"My birthday is on the fourteenth. If you can lure him away from the press conference, I'll initiate the divorce," Wanda stated.

"Are you serious? You won't deceive me?" Christina asked skeptically.

"I'll do as I say," Wanda replied.

It wasn't just about divorce; she would vanish from Eric's life forever.

When Eric saw Christina, his expression darkened. "Why are you here?" he questioned.

"Mr. Gordon, this is my first pregnancy. Knowing that Madam has given birth before, I came to seek some advice..."