Chapter 1

At the dinner table, my husband Julian’s female bestie, Rebecca, wrapped her arm around his shoulder. She looked at him with a beaming smile and said:

"Happy 3rd wedding anniversary, bro!"

"But hey, I have some even better news for you. I’m pregnant with your baby. I’m already three months along."

"Thanks for working so hard with me during that time."

I was instantly frozen in shock, unable to utter a single word. My hand lost all strength, and my wine glass slipped, shattering onto the hardwood floor.

Julian just smiled:

"We’re best friends. Helping you out is what I’m supposed to do."

Hearing the crash, he sat there, frowning at me:

"Why are you so clumsy?"

"Rebecca was worried about being single forever and not having a kid to take care of her when she’s old. I didn’t trust any random guy out there to help her, so I decided to step in."

"Besides, didn't you say you were terrified of childbirth? Rebecca and I grew up together; we know everything about each other. I'm planning on raising this child with her.

This way, the burden of raising a kid is lighter on us. Plus, the baby gets two moms. Isn't that great?"

Rebecca shrugged indifferently:

"I’m fine with whatever. Any kid raised by you will definitely turn out amazing."

"Chloe, Julian and I have been best friends since we were kids. He was just helping me have a baby. It’s not like he cheated. If he ever actually cheated on you, I’d be the first to beat his ass."

As she spoke, she playfully punched Julian in the chest.

Julian raised his hands in mock surrender, looking at her with a fond smile:

"With you keeping me in check, who would dare cheat?"

Watching them laugh and flirt right in front of the romantic dinner table I had spent hours preparing, I felt like a complete stranger in my own home.

I pushed myself up from the floor, a piece of broken glass burying itself deep into my palm.

Seeing me stand up, Julian offered a casual word of concern:

"Are you okay? Remember to clean up the floor in a bit. Rebecca might step on it if she walks over here."

My hand trembled violently from the sharp pain, but he didn't even look.

After saying that, Julian turned back to Rebecca, asking curiously:

"Have you thought of a name for the baby?"

Rebecca smiled:

"How about Juliana? It combines Julian and Rebecca. It’s perfect."

Julian nudged her with his elbow, though she was still clinging to his shoulder:

"Oh, please. You are so narcissistic."

The candlelit glow from the dinner I had personally set up illuminated their faces, making them look like the perfect couple.

Suddenly, Rebecca arched her back slightly, clutching her chest.

Julian turned anxiously to support her. "What’s wrong? Are you trying to extort me?"

Rebecca lifted the hem of her shirt, practically inviting Julian to touch her and check.

"My chest suddenly feels really tight and sore."

Julian went along with her movement, touching her to examine it.

"I didn't hit you there. It's not even red. Is this karma for being so narcissistic?"

"Wait, you’re pregnant. Could your breasts be engorged already?"

Julian massaged her to soothe the pain, looking at Rebecca with deep concern:

"Does this feel any better?"

The casual familiarity of their movements made my stomach churn with violent disgust. This was clearly not their first time.

The baby wasn't even born yet. How could she be experiencing engorgement?

But Julian didn't even try to hide his intimacy with her.

"Do you even know how to do this? It seems Chloe hasn’t trained you well enough. Maybe I need to teach you, so you don’t make her uncomfortable in the future."

My eyes stung with hot tears. I couldn't take it for another second. Without saying a word, I turned around and slammed the bedroom door shut.

Their voices outside suddenly cut off.

Then, Julian came over and kicked the door hard, his voice dripping with impatience.

"Chloe, what kind of tantrum are you throwing now?"

"Rebecca is pregnant and already feeling unwell. If you slam the door like that and scare her into a miscarriage, are you going to take responsibility?"

I lay on the bed, tears silently streaming down my face.

Outside, Rebecca comforted him:

"Alright, my boy. Not every girl is as easygoing as me. Don't try to reason with her right now. Just apologize."

Immediately, Julian’s voice came through the door:

"I'm sorry, I was wrong. Please forgive me, Chloe. Open the door."

I didn’t open it. After a long while, Julian’s voice came again.

"Whatever. Calm down on your own. I’m going to drive Rebecca home first."

The sound of footsteps faded, and the front door clicked shut.

I was left entirely alone in the house.

I looked around the bedroom, which I had decorated with roses and candles to create a romantic, festive atmosphere. Now, it only made me feel sick.

I swept the roses off the bed, grabbed a pair of scissors, and shredded the lingerie I had planned to wear tonight.

Then, I went to the living room, threw everything into the fireplace, and let the candles burn them to ashes.

On our third anniversary, he gifted me the privilege of being a stepmother.

This Valentine’s Day was truly unforgettable.

I had always known he had a female bestie who was too close for comfort.

Every time he went out to party, Rebecca was always by his side. She showed up more consistently than I did, to the point where his colleagues often mistook her for his wife.

I had fought with Julian over this before.

But they both swore to me that they were purely platonic, and they claimed they had already clarified things with everyone.

I didn't want to be the jealous, crazy wife, but the suspicion remained like a thorn in my heart.

I didn’t sleep at all, staying up alone in the dark.

The next morning, Julian finally came back, carrying a bag of bagels and coffee.

He set the breakfast on the table, his tone coaxing.

"Alright, don't be mad anymore. I talked to Rebecca all night. It’s true I should have run this by you first. That was my bad."

"But you know Rebecca. She’s a total tomboy and a firm believer in the childfree-by-choice lifestyle. We were literally just helping a friend out."

He paused, holding out a bagel to me.

"And think about it. With this kid, won't the pressure to give my parents grandkids be completely gone? It’s a win-win."