Chadwick Gabriel’s phone rang suddenly
He glanced at the screen, then his gaze darted to me, a flicker of unease undeniable
A moment later, he stepped out onto the balcony, deliberately lowering his voice
But insidious fragments of his conversation pierced my ears
“He good, okay? I’ve got something to take care of won’t be long I’ll bring you desserts ”
When he turned back around, the tenderness on his face still lingered. He walked over, the quilt in his eyes thinly veiled.
“There’s an emergency at the company I need to handle it, but I’ll be back later to have dinner with you.
I nodded silently
Johnson looked at him, frowning “Is something wrong?”
“Just a minor issue
They exchanged looks, a silent code between them, as if I couldn’t see right through it
In the end, Johnson followed Chadwick out.
At the door, they both turned back to look at me
Chadwick’s gaze was soft, almost romantic: “Jess, wait for me. I’ll be back tonight.”
Johnson gave me the same doting look. “Get some rest, little sis. I’ll take you to the hospital for a follow–up tomorrow.”
I smiled and nodded. The door closed with a quiet click.
But it felt like a wall slamming shut between us, cutting off the last thread of hope I had been foolish enough to hold onto.
Now I was alone in the vast, empty apartment.
The clock on the wall ticked relentlessly, each loud, sharp beat echoing the hammer blows against my bruised, wounded
heart
It felt like they were killing me, little by little, in the name of love.
That night, Chadwick never came back
He only sent a text:
[Swamped with work. Gotta stay at the office tonight. Get some rest, babe.]
And Johnson, who had promised to take me for my follow–up? He didn’t show up either.
I took a cab to the hospital by myself.
After the checkup, just as I was about to leave, a commotion nearby drew my attention
It
I turned instinctively and froze. It was like I was as if liquid ice surged through my veins, freezing me in place
Chadwick Gabriel was right there, carefully supporting Vivian Ayla with both hands, his expression overflowing with
Chapter 2
concern and gentleness.
Johnson was on her other side, his tone cautious, worried.
“Slow down. The doctor said you’re showing signs of a possible miscarriage. You can’t overexert yourself right now.”
I stood there, paralyzed.
Vivian… was pregnant?
She looked up at Chadwick with mock annoyance, her voice sticky–sweet, “This is your fault. You stayed out so late last night and didn’t come back. That’s why I almost lost the baby.”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s all my fault,” Chadwick said quickly, one arm around her shoulders, the other cradling her belly. There was no mistaking the warmth in his eyes.
“I’ll stay by your side from now on, okay?”
“You’re such a good husband,” she said with a giggle, tears turning into smiles.
Johnson added with a smile of his own, “As long as you take care of yourself, we’ll all do whatever you want.”
The three of them stood there against the light, so bright it hurt to look.
Vivian leaned into Chadwick’s chest.
“Will you always treat me like this, sweetheart?”
“Of course. You’re my wife. And you’re carrying my child. How could I not?”
His voice, so agonizingly gentle it barely sounded real, was the same one he’d once reserved only for me.
Johnson chuckled beside them. “You’re spoiling her rotten.”
But his tone carried no reproach–only fondness.
Vivian burst into delighted laughter.
I felt the metallic taste rise in my throat again.
Clutching my mouth, I forced myself to swallow it down. I turned and fled.
Not long after, my phone buzzed.
It was messages from Johnson:
[How did the check–up go, sweetheart?]
[I was caught up at work and couldn’t get away–next time I’ll definitely go with you.]
I stared at the screen and laughed bitterly–tears spilling down my cheeks.
When I got home, I took a freezing cold shower.
The chill cleared my mind.
But Chadwick’s voice kept echoing in my ears: Chapter 3
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“You’re my wife…”
I picked up my phone and sent a message to a contact with no profile picture.
“Steve, can you help me look into Chadwick Gabriel?”
Ten minutes later, the call came.
“Jess,” the voice on the line said carefully, “I just confirmed–your divorce with Chadwick was finalized six months ago.”
“His current wife… is Vivian Ayla.”
My stomach twisted in pain. I curled up on the sofa, laughing and crying all at once.
It was too ridiculous. Too cruel. I had become a walking joke.
In just three years, someone else had completely taken my place.
The voice on the line was tense. “Jess? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Really, I’m okay,” I replied, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “And… I’m ready to marry you.”
“…What? Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
Chapter 3
