I entered the car that was supposed to be a gift for William, my hands trembling as I gripped the steering wheel. A crushing feeling tore through my chest.

This gift was too precious for a traitor like him. Without hesitation, I started the engine and drove the car back home.

I waited a few minutes, as the car disappeared from my sight. I deliberately called someone, telling them the car would be donated to someone who needed it more, not to someone who had betrayed me.

I entered the house, seeing the small party I had thrown to surprise my husband. I had even made a cake for him. The meal served on the table beside the swimming pool, full of romance, ended painfully.

I had been waiting for William to come home to celebrate our wedding day, just the two of us. I waited for him until 10 p.m.

I tried to track William's location using the app on my phone. It turned out he was at Serena's house. I thought they were giving me a surprise, but instead, I was shocked by their betrayal.

I slammed the wine glass on the floor. The glass shattered like my heart.

"I was stupid, so stupid. Why am I only realizing everything now?"

My memory drifts to happy times with William, the laughter and jokes that now feel like a nightmare. A picture of our wedding, William's smile so warm, yet now so far away. The pain gnaws at my heart like a poison spreading through my body.

I wanted to scream, wanted to shout to the world that William had betrayed me. However, the tears poured out, leaving a huge sense of emptiness. I crawled into the pool, letting the cold water soak my body. Maybe this water could ease some of the pain crushing my soul.

***

Today, William threw a party to commemorate our third wedding anniversary, inviting his friends and coworkers.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the party preparations, my heart feels tight. The balcony of the house is bathed in flickering party lights, a sight that used to excite me. Now, every detail is heartbreaking.

I saw William standing at the door, smiling broadly to greet me. His smile, which once felt so warm, now felt cold in my eyes. A fake smile, covering his rottenness behind my back.

"Honey, you are so beautiful today. No, I mean, actually, every day makes me admire you more and more, honey."

Look at that intoxicating seduction. Should I get into the drama here too? I smiled, trying to keep my cheeks from turning red from the tears welling up in my eyes.

He hugged me, but his embrace was bland, a formal hug accompanied by a pretend smile.

We seemed to be a spectacle now. Many were amazed by our romance. They teased us, making William laugh crisply, as if proud.

"Honey, I'm glad we can celebrate this party. Remembering our three years of love. May it last forever like this." William looked at me deeply, his hand stretched out to fix my hair.

My eyes caught Serena standing behind the crowd of guests. She was wearing a red dress, looking at me with a cold expression. Her smile seemed to mock the sadness I was trying to hide.

"Hi Sis, congratulations on your third wedding anniversary. May you continue to be happy, forever."

Selena approached me and William, hugging me, giving good wishes. But I guessed that prayer was only on her lips, not from her heart.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Tonight, I have to be strong. I have to pretend to be happy, even though my heart is bleeding.

William took my hand, his eyes looking at me gently. "You know, honey, I love you very much. Tonight, I want you to have fun."

His words stuck to my ears like an electric shock.

"I'm grateful that you can accompany me tonight," I replied, my tone trying to sound cheerful.

Inwardly, however, I laughed at his words.

"Love? What kind of love are you talking about?" I thought to myself.

My eyes caught Serena standing by William's side, whispering into his ear. Her mocking smile returned, reinforcing the suspicions lurking in my heart.

"I'm going to get a drink, honey," William said, releasing my hand.

I stared at his retreating back, feeling the emptiness spreading inside me. This party was an insult to the pain I knew. I felt trapped in a disgusting play, forced to pretend to be happy in front of everyone who witnessed my husband's infidelity.

****

My hands felt cold like my heart was freezing. It's been almost an hour since William returned. Where is he?

He said he wanted to get me a drink, but he didn’t come back. I don’t even see Serena here. I wandered around, looking for her among the guests.

“Honey? Where are you?” I called out softly, but my voice was drowned out by the lively music.

I tried to find William among the crowd but didn’t see him anywhere.

I walked into the house, hoping William was there. As I passed our bedroom, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

My heart was racing uncontrollably. I pressed my ear against the door, listening to the sighing sounds with a trembling heart.

“William? Is he here?” I mumbled.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I had to see with my own eyes what was going on inside that room.

With trembling hands, I turned the doorknob. To my surprise, the door was unlocked.

I stepped inside slowly, my heart gripped by fear. When I opened it, I froze in place.

William and Serena, lying on the bed, their bodies entwined. They were oblivious to my presence, too engrossed in their embrace.

I covered my mouth, holding back the scream that wanted to explode. Pain, anger, and betrayal overwhelmed me.

I leaned against the wall, my body trembling violently. My left hand instinctively stroked my still-flat stomach.

"My son, this is too painful for mom. Do you feel it too, son?" I whispered, my voice hoarse with tears. The baby I'm carrying must be feeling what I'm feeling right now.

I reach for my cell phone, which is lying in my bag. My fingers tremble as I try to open the video app. I must capture this moment. The moment when I saw my husband and my own sister making out lustfully.

I was transfixed in front of the mirror, staring at my pale, haggard reflection. My hair was tangled, my eyes were puffy, and my face was covered in traces of tears.

"I... I... was too stupid. Why has it only been three years since all his rottenness was revealed?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

I don't know how long I was cooped up inside this bathroom, staring at my own reflection. I felt slumped in unspeakable sadness.

The bathroom door opened abruptly. Serena stepped in, looking at me with a forced smile. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead, the traces of the heated battle with William still evident.

"Hi, sister!" she greeted me, pretending to be cute.

I looked at her with a disgusted gaze. How could she dare to look at me with a smile that seemed to say, 'I won!'

Serena took out a red lipstick from her bag and applied it to her lips with a casual motion.

"How does it feel to be a bitch for my husband?" I asked piercingly, my voice trembling with anger.

Serena rounded her eyes, her jaw hardening. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb, Serena," I replied coldly. "I saw everything you did."

I fixed her with a piercing stare. "You destroyed our family. You ruined my life."

Serena tried to approach me, but I backed away.

"Sister, it's not my fault, it's William's. I can't refuse him," she said, her face wearing a guilty look.

I laughed at her words. "Don't lie!" I shouted. "You enjoyed that! You ruined my life on purpose!"

Serena looked at me with a terrified gaze. "I didn't want to destroy our family! Really!"

I shook my head slowly.

"I don't believe her nonsense, Serena!" I stared at her sharply, ignoring her words.

The guilty look on her face suddenly changed. She laughed, a laugh that sounded like a saw creaking. The guilty face she had shown me earlier seemed to vanish into thin air, replaced by a horrible laugh of mockery.

"That's what I want, I want you to feel the same pain I once felt." Serena's eyes sparkled with triumph.

I was dumbfounded. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Serena openly admitted to her cruel deeds, even showing her joy at the pain I was feeling.

"You... savage! What did I do wrong, Serena? All this time I've always obeyed your wishes," I shouted, my voice trembling with anger.

Serena smiled sarcastically.

"Yes, you did. But you know, Mom always praised you as if you were her only child." She walked slowly, recounting something from the past.

"Good Lily, smart Lily, and the most understanding Lily! Mother always praised you like that, while I was just labeled as a spoiled and ignorant child."

I paused, surprised by Serena's words. She smiled with a grin, but I saw sadness in her eyes.

"We're a family, Serena. You and I are neither enemies nor rivals." I held Serena's shoulders, looking at her intently. I tried to make her realize, but instead, she threw my hand away violently.

"Don't pretend to be nice to me, Sis. You're taking all the attention, including our parents'." Serena stared at me sharply, harboring a deep grudge.

"Look at me now! I've taken the attention of William, the man you love. You're just a boring doll to him. I'm the one he actually loves."

I stared at her with a hateful gaze, as if she were waving a war flag in front of me.

"You? You're just a bitch who ruined my family, Serena. You'll never defeat me." I pointed at Serena's face, my voice trembling with anger.

Serena approached me, looking into my eyes with a sinister gaze.

"We'll see who wins. I'll make sure you're destroyed."

I tried to push away the fear eating at my courage, but I hid it. I pushed Serena’s body away and chose to leave.

The party was still lively, but I felt isolated, like a small island in the middle of a vast ocean.

"Honey, I'm sorry I forgot your drink. Earlier, my stomach seemed to have a problem. Sorry for making you wait so long," William said, handing me a drink. I accepted the glass and put on a smile.

"Thank you. It's okay, honey. Did you eat something wrong?" I feigned concern, even though I knew he was in love with Serena and had forgotten about his promise.

"I don't know. But, it's better now. I've taken the medicine." I nodded, trying to believe his lie.

"Honey, a friend of mine is there. Can I go over there to join them?" William asked, looking toward the garden where some of his friends were chatting.

"Yes, go and meet them." William kissed my forehead before leaving. I stared at his retreating back, and slowly, my smile faded. My pain rushed into my chest. He was good at sweet words, but his actions behind my back were painful.

William was in the center of the crowd, chatting with his friends. I could see the smile on his face.

"My sister, aren't you with William?" Serena's voice boomed in my ears. I paused, looking at her sharply.

"Did William not invite you to welcome his friends? It's so sad." Serena covered her mouth with her hand, smiling mockingly.

"Shut up, Serena!" I snapped, not liking her words.

"Why? I feel so sorry for you here. Let me accompany you. You should be beside your husband right now, not here, poor Lily."

I gave her a cold stare. She continued to mock me, making me sick.

"Why are you asking me that? How much do you care about me?" I retorted sarcastically. Serena was silent, but her face still lit up with satisfaction.

I looked back at William, watching him laugh with his friends. Pain engulfed my soul.

Serena approached again, her eyes shining with satisfaction.

"You know, Lily, my older sister. I don't even have to try hard to make you feel small. William always does it for me. Soon, he'll dump you!" she said slyly, her voice like a snake's whisper.

I clenched my fists, restraining myself from falling for her provocations.

"Serena, what do you really want from me?" I asked sharply, suppressing my irritation.

Serena smiled sarcastically, her arms folded across her chest.

"I just want to see you accept reality. You're nothing more than a neglected wife, who only exists to be an appendage. William deserves someone more interesting... maybe someone like me," she said, then chuckled.

"If that's what you think, Serena, then you're more pathetic than I ever imagined. Wanting a married man shows how empty your life is."

Serena's laughter faded instantly, her face hardening. "How dare you!" she snarled, her voice rising.

I moved closer, keeping my gaze sharp and firm. "And how dare you keep bothering someone who just wants to enjoy his time in peace. If William doesn't want to be here with me, that's my business. It has nothing to do with you."

Serena looked stunned for a moment but quickly recovered, flashing her sly smile again.

"Oh, Lily, you're so naive. But fine, I'll leave you alone... for now. Just enjoy your loneliness. Without a husband and children in your life."

Serena showed her arrogance. The anger she kept provoking boiled over.

"Shut up! You mean you're insulting my barrenness like that?" I snarled sharply.

"Yes, is there any other name for a woman who can't get pregnant, Lily? You're just a barren woman!" Serena smirked, her words testing my patience. My hand quickly slapped her cheek.

Serena was startled, holding her cheek. I smiled triumphantly at having retaliated.

"Shut up, bitch! You're just a woman who warms William's bed temporarily."

Serena's eyes blazed with anger.

"I'm not his bitch, Lily. But I am a lover sipping the sweet honey of love." She leaned closer, her body towering over mine.

"As for you, pathetic wife, you are no more special than me. So... once again, you call me a bitch, I'll rip your mouth out." Her hands gripped my arms, her nails scraping my skin. Blood started to seep from the scratches.

"Let go, Serena, it hurts! Have you lost your mind?" I tried to remove my hand, but her grip only tightened.

"Just enjoy the pain, Lily. I'll be happy to see you in this pain!" Unable to take it anymore, I reached for the table where I had put William's drink. Quickly, I poured the glass on her face.

Serena screamed in shock, the cold drink drenching her face, making her hair stick to her cheeks.

"You dare douse me, damn it!" she yelled, furious.

I broke free from her grip. "You're crazy!" I pushed her, trying to get away.

Serena fell, her body hitting the cold marble floor. Silence. All eyes turned to us; the bustling party suddenly quieted. William, who had been chatting with guests, ran over to me.

Serena made a sad face, looking tearful. William swiftly helped her up, his face darkening at her soaked clothes.

"What did you do to Serena? Look at her wet clothes, and you pushed her. She's your sister." William's voice trembled with anger as he slapped me.

My cheek burned, but the pain in my heart was worse. I looked at him, my eyes welling up.

"She started it first. She said I was barren!" I tried to explain.

"You shouldn't take offense. What Serena said was true." William's words pierced my heart. It felt like a boulder crushing my chest.

Serena drew closer to William, crying bitterly.

"Earlier, my sister insulted me as a bitch because I was close to you. She also attacked me. I was so scared."

William stroked her hair gently, his eyes full of disappointment as he looked at me.

"You've gone too far, Lily. You've ruined the party."

I swallowed hard, trying to hold back my tears.

"Come with me. Serena must be cold. She needs to change her clothes. Give her your best ones."

With an angry tone, William carried Serena, her arms wrapped around him.

Before leaving, he apologized to the guests for the commotion. The party resumed, though many whispered about the incident.

I reluctantly stomped my feet, following them to my room.