Chapter 1

1

My husband cheated, or rather, he returned to his old ways.

The glowing screen of his phone revealed their plans to meet tomorrow.

Beyond anger and unease, what I felt more was sadness. I already have a child in my womb.

My husband's ex had a clear plan: for him to divorce me and abort the child.

However, since my husband's betrayal, things couldn't progress as they had planned.

I've been married to my husband for two years, and he's been very caring towards me.

Today is his birthday, and I left work early, buying plenty of his favorite dishes, planning to show off my cooking skills.

When he opened the door, I took out the gift I had prepared long ago to celebrate with him.

But he was in a disinterested mood.

He put down his chopsticks after eating only a few bites and kept staring at his phone. I thought he had important work discussions with colleagues.

Afraid he might be too tired, I jokingly asked if he was waiting for messages from a beauty.

Allen noticed my gaze and somewhat nervously looked away.

"It's work-related."

"I'm going to take a shower."

After saying this, he glanced at his phone again and turned with some disappointment into the bathroom.

I nodded in confusion and tidied up the dishes, putting them into the dishwasher.

I was a bit aggrieved and disappointed, after all, none of my careful preparation received a response.

Feeling a bit melancholic, I returned to the living room and turned on the TV.

Absent-mindedly switching channels, I tried to find something interesting to watch.

While changing channels, his phone suddenly rang once.

Remembering how he kept staring at his phone after putting down the chopsticks, I felt curious about what he was waiting for.

The water was still running in the bathroom, I picked up his phone, entered the numeric password, and unlocked it.

I had once asked him why he set this password, to which he casually laughed it off, saying he set it randomly a long time ago and felt too lazy to change it.

There was only one message in his WeChat, sent by his ex.

Because I spotted the avatar at once, which Allen had purposefully pinned at the top.

"Meet at the Envoyor Hotel tomorrow."

That's where Allen and I spent our honeymoon.

As if awakened suddenly, I immediately understood Allen's abnormality.

I thought about how Allen had been absent-minded and indifferent these past few days.

Turns out there really is a traceable pattern when someone decides to go astray.

In our two-year marriage, outsiders see us as inseparable and sweetly in love.

I have always been caring and considerate towards Allen, and he has always been understanding and tolerant toward me; we've supported each other and been relatively comfortable.

If not for seeing it with my own eyes, even I wouldn't believe that a relationship like ours would have cracks.

I wanted to get angry, to confront him, to shout furiously and ask why, but when I angrily charged to the bathroom door, I saw my own reflection on the glass.

Instinctively touching my belly, I suddenly realized I'm no longer alone, I have to act responsibly for another life.

I pressed the phone screen off, returned it to the table as if nothing happened, trying to hold up my own world.

Allen and I have been married for two years, and we have a baby arriving soon. Even if his ex truly returned, I believe he'd make the right choice for our baby.

I kept persuading myself not to be impulsive and numbly went back to the room.

1.

Allen and I met through a blind date.

At that time, I had just ended an eight-year-long relationship, with my partner cheating first.

My ex and I had already met each other's parents, and both sides were quite satisfied.

We had even picked out the wedding dress and prepared everything for the engagement ceremony, including all the invitation cards.

Upon discovering his infidelity, I felt as if my heart was being torn apart, but I managed to maintain my dignity, broke up with him gracefully, and then locked myself in a room crying for three days.

It took me a long time to accept that reality, and I went on a blind date at my parents' suggestion.

That's when Allen was introduced to me by relatives and friends.

With a mindset of trying once or twice, I agreed to meet Allen.

I knew there was someone he held dear in his heart; he told me so when we first met.

I have to say his honesty raised my affection for him. I don't mind that he has someone in his heart; on the contrary, I even felt a bit relieved.

I also have someone in my heart. Even though we separated cleanly, I have to admit that the emotions from the past eight years aren't so easily erased.

Allen Carter probably has some affection for me as well. After that successful blind date, he often asked me out, and before we knew it, we got our marriage certificate.

From the time we met to getting our certificate, it was less than a month. But since both of our families knew each other well and supported the marriage, two people who each had someone else in their hearts ended up together just like that.

Allen and I are the typical case of love after marriage. After we got married, he was always very good to me, offering tea, grabbing chores, considerate in every detail.

So gradually, I accepted him from the bottom of my heart. Naturally, we had a baby. The arrival of this little life completely dispelled my other concerns.

I have been pregnant for two months. I didn't expect that during this time, Allen's ex would come back.

But if my ex were to come back to find me, I would definitely refuse him decisively.

Allen is so good to me; it doesn't seem like it's an act. I believe he has feelings for me too.

Moreover, with the bond of a child, I trust that Allen would make the same choice as I would.

For my baby's sake, I should choose to trust his father once.

I heard the door open, and in the darkness, I heard Allen come in.

"Grace, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Allen's voice held some surprise, and curiously, I picked up my phone to check the time; it was already half-past eleven.

I had been absentmindedly doing some mental preparation and did not realize how late it had gotten. But what about Allen?

When I was sitting alone in the bedroom, what was Allen doing? Chatting with his ex? What were they talking about?

I had no idea, but I knew that since I got pregnant, Allen, who constantly cared for me, had suddenly gone to bed without noticing that I hadn't even washed up.

Through the little light coming in from the window, I seemed to see a smile on Allen's face as he tucked himself into bed.

I touched my belly, talking to myself: Baby, mom will definitely find out the situation first and won't act impulsively.

2.

I saw with my own eyes Allen and Bella being all loving and sweet.

Yes, I followed Allen.

On my first day of stalking Allen, I saw him having lunch with Bella, who even threw the luxury item Allen had carefully selected on the ground.

Allen bent down low, constantly apologizing.

I barely slept all night, so when Allen got up, even though he moved lightly, I was still woken up.

Today is Saturday, supposedly a day off. Allen had never gotten up this early before when on vacation.

I opened my eyes in a daze, listening to the noises outside.

First the sounds of washing, then the buzzing of an electric shaver.

The faint sound of water, muffled by the slightly open door, reached my ears.

After shaving, Allen returned to the bedroom, and I quickly closed my eyes.

I heard the sound of the cupboard door opening, followed by the rustling of clothes. Allen seemed to spend a long time choosing his outfit. During this time, I watched him with a blank expression.

Allen was so focused on his choice, he didn't even notice me watching him all along.

Until I heard the door close, I got up. Unlike Allen's dithering, I randomly grabbed an outfit I rarely wore from the wardrobe and put it on.

I quietly followed Allen out the door.

I rarely saw Allen so happy. He first went into a nearby flower shop; I waited outside for a while and saw him come out empty-handed. I couldn't say what I felt, perhaps a bit relieved.

But then I saw Allen's face beaming with a smile. My heart skipped a beat.

I followed Allen to the various luxury stores, watching as he personally carried one gift box after another, moving from store to store. In each shop, the attendant would say a few words, and Allen would laugh, a truly joyful laugh. Then he'd readily pay for many things—bags, cosmetics, necklaces, earrings.

We've been married for two years, and Allen has never bought me these things.

We shopped for so long, from morning till noon, and I watched my husband patiently and meticulously select so many women's items.

I saw Allen glance at his watch and finally walk out of the shopping mall.

Allen drove the car we chose together when we got married to the hotel where we spent our honeymoon.

At the hotel entrance, I saw someone timely hand him a bouquet of vibrant red roses. The fiery red seemed to scorch my eyes painfully.

This hotel is quite large, not only with excellent accommodation but also with superb dining downstairs. For some reason, Allen and his ex didn't book a private room but rather sat in a window-side corner.

I sat by the flowerbed not far from the two, feeling a pang in my heart.

Allen, smiling like a child, handed the large bouquet of red roses to Bella, who indifferently placed them aside.

Bella's makeup was exquisite, and her features were equally refined.

A type many men would see as their unattainable beloved.

Allen seemed unaware of Bella's indifference, gently smiling as he showed her the gifts he had spent all morning picking out.

I watched dazedly as Bella impatiently tossed the gift boxes on the ground, then frowned and said something. I watched Allen repeatedly bend down, apologizing, trying to please Bella.

I watched as Bella gave Allen the cold shoulder, sitting on the chair without giving him a proper look.

I took out my phone and captured this filthy scene in the small corner where they hadn't noticed.

In a daze, I returned home. This house, once filled with sweet memories between Allen and me, now felt empty, just like my heart.

I felt extremely cold, a kind of cold devoid of human warmth, so I shivered as I reached for the remote and turned on the TV.

It seemed even the TV was against me.

The TV was playing the part from Xia Family's Three Daughters where Yang Zhenzhen gets betrayed.

To be honest, I'm in a more ironic situation than Yang Zhenzhen; Yang Zhenzhen got betrayed, but at least Mason loves her. As for me, does Allen love me?

If this question had been asked before yesterday, I would have nodded without any doubt. Allen has been so good to me; how could he not love me?

But now, I'm no longer sure. Real love should be like what Allen feels for Bella: tolerating even the most pretentious behavior, accepting the most willful and unruly traits.

I cried; I felt a chill all over my body. I've been betrayed once again.

I want a divorce.

3.

My husband promised to marry another woman.

When Allen promised Bella he'd marry her, I was right beside him.

My heart suddenly felt like it was cut by a knife, throbbing with pain.

I turned off the TV. Sitting on the sofa, my hand unconsciously stroked my belly over and over.

This little life, barely two months old, has already strived to show its presence to me.

These two months of anorexia, nausea, and weakness, I've gradually accepted its existence, the complex happiness that once intoxicated me.

I don't know how long I sat at home before Allen finally came back.

When the sound of the lock echoed, I was still immersed in psychological struggle.

Allen's face wore a hint of frustration; he paused for a bit upon seeing me.

"Grace, why haven't you slept yet?"

I suddenly raised my head, outside the floor-to-ceiling windows lay the city's night view, brilliantly lit, bustling with cars.

I forced myself to perk up, giving Allen a faint smile.

"Husband, where did you go today, why did you return so late? You didn't answer when I called."

"Company gathering, everyone handed in their phones to fully enjoy the fun. Sorry Grace, didn't tell you in advance, you're worried, right?"

I nodded.

Of course, worried sick. Worried how you'd explain when you came back, worried that Bella would really take you away, worried that our baby won't have a father before it's even born.

But what's laughable is that you only hesitated for a moment before quickly coming up with an excuse. When you were with Bella, did you think about how to deal with me?

If you did, should I be glad I still have a place in your heart?

If not, should I be glad to realize that your previous thoughtful care was all an act?

My heart ached with throbs once again.

"Grace, what's wrong? Why is your face so pale? Is the baby bullying you again?"

I pursed my lips, remained silent, my eyes fixed on Allen's worried face.

Strangely, this worry doesn't seem fake.

Could there really be someone who can comfortably keep one foot in two boats?

I was puzzled.

"Grace, look, I bought you lots of gifts today; it's a reward for you and the baby."

I watched as Allen carried in those gift boxes that I saw Bella throw on the ground today, unpacking them one by one to show me.

I didn't feel any surprise; instead, a wave of sadness washed over me.

"I feel uncomfortable; I'll go to bed first."

After speaking, I fled the living room as if trying to shake something off.

As I closed the bedroom door, I saw Allen sitting in the shadow where I had sat during the day on the sofa, lighting a cigarette.

I stayed alone at the bedroom windowsill for a while, then got up to use the bathroom.

Allen hadn't entered the bedroom; I thought he was asleep on the sofa. So, I opened the door quietly, hoping he wouldn't notice I was coming out.

"Bella, I definitely will divorce her, don't worry..."

Allen stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a phone, "There's just no reason right now... Plus, Grace is pregnant... I know, I know, I'll hurry up; I promise I'll marry you."

I felt as if I had fallen into an ice cellar.

Silently, I retreated back to the bedroom, lay properly, wrapping the quilt tightly around me.

But it's still so cold.

At that moment, I knew I definitely want a divorce.

4.

It's not just about divorce. I'm different from Allen Carter. Allen is somewhat of a rich second generation. Getting a divorce now doesn't really affect him, but I still have the baby in my belly. I can't be without money.

For my baby's sake, I must make Allen pay dearly.

Thinking about these future plans, I drifted off to sleep. I was startled awake when the sky was just getting light, instinctively reaching out to touch the bedding beside me, it was cool, no one was there.

I felt that I couldn't delay any longer; I had to take some action. I quickly got up, changed my clothes, washed up hurriedly, and went out the door.

I knew Allen's mother liked me very much. Initially, she was the one who wholeheartedly facilitated this marriage, and after the marriage, she took good care of me.

I also knew Allen was very filial, especially attentive to his parents' words.

So, I invited his mother to stay with us for a few days, claiming that Allen and I missed her.

His mother was all smiles, saying that she didn't want to disturb the intimacy of young people, but she couldn't resist my sweet-talking, so she moved in eventually.

Gracefully chatting with his mother, we returned home, and Allen had just sat up from the sofa, unshaven and looking rather haggard.

I deliberately opened the door loudly and chatted with his mother loudly, just to wake him up. As expected, his mother frowned after entering.

"Why haven't you shaved? So sloppy, what does that look like?"

Allen awkwardly smiled but still came over to help with the luggage.

"Mom, why are you here?"

"Grace missed me and invited me to stay for a few days. What, do you have a problem with that?"

Allen unexpectedly glanced at me, but still smiled warmly, handing us slippers while tidying the luggage into the guest room.

"How could a son have a problem with that? Even if Grace doesn't miss you, you're welcome to stay anytime." Allen took over from my hand, leading the old lady into the room.

With his mother around, Allen reverted to his old self and was often with me, considerate and attentive.

But this isn't a long-term solution.

After staying a few days and seeing that our marital relationship "hadn't changed," his mother found an excuse to go home to accompany the old man and moved back.

The first day after his mother moved out, Allen left without a word.

I deliberately took a detour, coincidentally walking in front of them.

I watched the two of them sticking together like glue and coldly sneered in my heart.

"Honey, why are you here too?"

I pretended not to recognize Bella Blake and walked up as if I had just seen her, asking in a perfectly curious tone, "Honey, who is this?"

Bella gave me an unreadable look, while Allen's expression looked a bit awkward.

Allen said, "Grace, you go home first. I have some things to discuss with a colleague."

I stared into his eyes, replying word by word, "No, I want to be with you."

I asked, "Can't I join you?"

In Allen's eyes was first panic, then anger, mixed with some helplessness.

"Be good, Grace, go home first," Allen said.

"What if I say no?" I replied.

We got into an argument, and I ended up leaving because Allen slapped me.

In front of his beloved, he hit me, the wife who had been with him for two years.

After two years of marriage, this was the first time Allen hit me.

Thinking about bits and pieces of our life, I couldn't hold back any longer and left in tears.

5.

Wandering around aimlessly in the street breeze, I didn't know where I was going all afternoon, but I ended up at my doorstep.

I let out a bitter laugh, swiped my fingerprint, and went inside. I knew something was off with me, so I specifically took leave from work. Maybe it was because of the pregnancy that my boss easily agreed.

Every day I stayed at home alone, flipping through old photos, reminiscing about my time with Allen. Saying I wasn't sad would be a lie, just like it was with an ex.

I tried to handle everything calmly and rationally, but I couldn't deceive my own heart. I was very upset, and these pains made my pregnancy nausea worse. Every day I was violently dry-heaving, gut-wrenchingly.

For three whole days, Allen hadn't returned home once.

I didn't know where he was staying these days, if he went to work or not, and if not, what he was doing. I just stayed in the empty house waiting every day, not even knowing what I was waiting for.

Bella somehow got my WeChat, maybe from Allen's phone, and she added me, and I accepted.

She sent a photo of Allen lying shirtless in bed, then sent a provocative emoji.

I suddenly and violently dry-heaved.

She said, "Get divorced. It's not good for anyone to drag this out."

A blaze of nameless rage surged in me, my fingers gripping the phone tightly, knuckles turning white and feeling sore from the grip.

Even if I wanted to divorce Allen, it wasn't up to Bella Blake to order me!