Sabrina's POV

Phyll’s face also darkened as he glared at me.

“Sabrina, everyone came here out of kindness to see you and the baby. You didn’t even bother to make a meal, and now you’re kicking them out? Are you trying to embarrass me? Barbara would never act like this. That’s why she’ll always be a real friend to me…”

The word "friend" snapped something inside me.

Without thinking, I grabbed a glass of water and hurled it at his feet, shouting, “Get out! Both of you!”

It was the first time I’d ever raised my voice like that, so the room instantly went silent.

Barbara, however, only rolled her eyes before smiling sweetly and clinging to Phyll’s arm.

“Forget it. If Sabrina doesn’t want to cook, then she doesn’t have to. Let’s just eat out.”

She tilted her head at me, still pretending innocence, and added, “Honestly, Sabrina, Phyll and I are just like ironclad friends. We’ve been bathing together and scrubbing each other’s backs since we were kids. It has become a habit for us. Nothing else. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been the one to give him a child.”

Then she tugged on Phyll’s sleeve. “Come on, let’s go. Give her time to cool down. I heard women get all loose after childbirth, and when their emotions run high, they might even wet themselves. Don’t make her any angrier.”

She smirked and added loudly enough for everyone to hear, “If she ends up peeing her pants again, how can I even get to eat? I don’t wanna starve tonight!”

The room erupted in laughter as everyone crowded around Phyll and Barbara, ushering them out the door.

I must’ve been more upset than I realized, because not long after, a sharp pain stabbed my chest and a fever swept over me.

Soon, my phone rang, and it was Phyll. His tone was softer now, maybe because he remembered I hadn’t eaten yet.

“Babe, what do you feel like eating? I’ll bring something back for you later.”

I gritted my teeth against the pain and answered weakly, “I think I’ve got mastitis. Could you take me to the hospital? Or at least come home to watch the baby so I can go myself—”

But before I could finish, his temper snapped.

“Sabrina, will you quit it already? Barbara lost her appetite thanks to you. I had to feed her myself just so she’d eat a few bites. And now you’re faking sick just to trick me into coming home?”

His voice even grew colder as he added, “You, married women, are all the same—paranoid and suspicious. What, just because I’ve got a wife, I’m supposed to give up my friends? If Barbara and I really wanted something more, do you think you’d even matter? You’re ridiculous.”

And with that, he hung up on me.

I let out a bitter laugh and was about to call an ambulance when my phone rang again. This time, it was my brother, sounding cheerful.

“Sabrina, guess what? I’ll be back in the country tomorrow. Surprise! How are things with you and Phyll?”

I caught a glimpse of my pale reflection in the window. Before everything went black, I whispered, “Scott… I want a divorce.”

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital.

An IV was hooked into my arm, and my son was sleeping quietly beside me.

Phyll rushed in with a smile, acting as if nothing had happened.

“Babe, you’re awake! The neighbors told me you were taken away in an ambulance this morning. I nearly panicked to death! I bought your favorite crab rangoon. Hurry, eat them while they’re hot. See? Your husband’s always looking out for you.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

When I was brought here last night, I’d already been burning up with dehydration. If my brother hadn’t noticed something wrong in my voice and called the ambulance for me, I didn’t even know what would’ve happened.

The hospital had called Phyll over and over again throughout the night, but he never picked up.

Meanwhile, Barbara had been busy updating her social media with photos of Phyll feeding her dinner, the two of them drinking from the same glass, and even dancing closely like lovers.

I lifted my head and said flatly, “Phyll, haven’t I told you more than once I’m allergic to crab?”

He froze, caught off guard, then fumbled for an excuse.

“Babe, I didn’t mean to. I just—”

“You just forgot,” I cut him off. My voice was calm, but sharp. “Because it’s not important to you. Right?”

Sabrina's POV

I let out a bitter laugh and added, “Of course. Those crab rangoons aren’t for me because they’re Barbara’s favorite. To you, she’s always the one that matters most.”

My voice grew colder as I went on.

“Remember last year? You had that huge client meeting, but Barbara insisted on tagging along. Then she accused the client of looking at her funny, and without a word, you punched him. The company lost tens of millions over that deal. In the end, it was I, an eight-month pregnant woman, who knelt on my knees, begging the client to forgive you in the summer heat. I collapsed from heatstroke, went into labor early, and nearly lost my life because of that. And where was your so-called ‘friend’ then? Hiding, right?”

Not letting him interrupt, I quickly added, “We’ve been married for four years, Phyll. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve had to clean up the messes you two created? You can spoil her all you want, but I’m done covering for you. Let’s get a divorce.”

In that instant, anger flashed in Phyll’s eyes.

“Sabrina, you’re really making a big deal out of nothing. So I forgot you were allergic to crab. Why drag up the past?”

He raised his voice, his tone full of accusation. “Yeah, I didn’t get to pick up the phone last night, but you’re already an adult. Can’t you manage your own emotions? Now, they had to put you on antibiotics, which means the baby can’t have breast milk. Barbara said breastfeeding is the healthiest. And here you are, ruining his health. I’m not even blaming you for that, so how dare you talk divorce with me?!”

Before I could reply, the hospital room door swung open.

Barbara burst in, threw herself into Phyll’s arms, and tugged at his ear with a pouty grin.

“Well, there you are, Phyll! We’ve been looking for you everywhere. Did you forget today’s our twentieth anniversary of knowing each other? Everyone’s waiting downstairs for you!”

Phyll immediately wrapped his arms around her, and in a soft and indulgent tone, he replied, “Relax. When have I ever forgotten our anniversary?”

Then he shot me a cold glance and said, “As for what you just said, I'll pretend I didn’t hear a thing. I’ve got other things to do. Take this time to calm yourself down.”

But before he could walk away, I grabbed his sleeve, staring straight into his eyes.

“Phyll, I’m still hooked up to an IV. You’re really going to leave me here alone with our baby?”

Barbara rolled her eyes and stuck out her lip. “So what if you had a baby? Is it a big deal? Women are always such a headache. Phyll, if you dare ditch me tonight, then I'll cut you off forever. Our friendship is over!”

With that threat, Phyll shoved me away impatiently and spat, “Your left hand’s on an IV, but your right hand works just fine. And isn’t it always the mother who looks after the child? Why are you acting so spoiled?”

Without another glance at me, he carried Barbara toward the door, bellowing, "You dare threaten to cut me off, huh? Seems like someone needs a spanking."

She giggled, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “Threatening to spank me now? Go ahead if you’ve got the guts! But hold me tighter, my pants are slipping!”

Phyll smirked as he patted her backside. “Then let them slip. The sound will be even better that way.”

The other patients in the ward stared at me, some with pity, others with ridicule, like I was nothing more than a joke.

Not long after, my brother arrived with a housekeeper from abroad in tow.

He handed my baby to the nanny and exploded in fury. “So this is how Phyll takes care of his wife? That bastard’s supposed to be some big-shot CEO, yet he won’t even hire you a nanny?”

I had mentioned it before, hiring help. But Phyll refused, saying you could never trust outsiders. Moreover, the one we might get might just dillydally. So instead, he promised he’d take care of me himself.

But from pregnancy up until now, nearly three months since the baby was born, he hadn’t changed a single diaper. He was too busy fooling around with Barbara and their friends.

Seeing me stay quiet, my brother’s eyes softened with pain.

“Sabrina, no matter what you decide, I’ll support you. Look at you, you’ve wasted away.”

He then tried to cheer me up with a smile. “Perfect timing, too. The new mall I invested in the neighboring city just opened today. Once your IV is done, let’s go eat something good. My treat.”

Sabrina's POV

The moment we stepped into the mall, I spotted Phyll not too far ahead, standing inside a lingerie boutique. One arm was wrapped around Barbara, while the other helped her pick out lingerie.

Their friends crowded around, teasing, “I remember back in college, Barbara was flat as a board. But look at her now! I heard it’s all thanks to Phyll.”

“Phyll, huh? Didn’t know your skills were that good,” the other friend chimed in.

Barbara laughed behind her hand, giving the speaker a playful glare. “Don’t talk nonsense. Careful, or his old hag at home will feed you diapers as well.”

Everyone snickered with open disdain.

“Let her hear, who cares? If it weren’t for Phyll, I would’ve told her off already. That orphan with no parents isn’t even worthy of him.”

“Exactly. And she keeps bragging about saving one of Phyll’s projects. As if he needed her help. He’s got powerful backers behind him. She’s just full of herself, always trying to act touched by her own little gestures.”

“Right. Before she showed up, our group was so much more relaxed. Luckily, Phyll didn’t drag her along today. Honestly, dude, why don’t you just dump her already? Stick with Barbara instead. Keep it in the family, if you know what I mean.”

“Though,” one added, “I did hear Sabrina once say she’s got a brother overseas doing business. Didn’t mention what kind, though.”

Barbara clung tighter to Phyll’s arm, her tone dripping with mockery. “Women love to brag. These days, even a dishwasher calls himself a restaurant owner. Who knows, maybe her brother’s just a professional trash picker. Foreign Beggar’s Association chairman, maybe? Hahaha!”

She flipped her hair and smirked. “See, I don’t play those games. I just brag that Phyll bought me a four-million-dollar jewelry set because it's real. And hey, don’t say I never helps you keep peace at home. Here, take these freebie earrings back to Sabrina later, like always.”

Her words hit me like a bucket of ice water.

Four years of marriage, and Phyll had never once spent a full anniversary with me.

Every time we were about to go out, Barbara would call, saying she was sick or had sprained her ankle. And Phyll would drop everything with no hesitation. Later, he’d bring me some cheap pair of earrings or a ring as “compensation.”

I told myself to be understanding since Barbara once even praised me in front of everyone, calling me generous, telling Phyll he should make it up to me.

But now I see. Even the “make-up gifts” were just her leftovers.

Barbara walked into the fitting room, and within seconds, she tossed lingerie over the curtain straight into Phyll’s face.

“Phyll, I can't put them on! Get in here and help me before I freeze!”

The others burst into laughter.

“Phyll, Barbara said earlier you’d be the one putting on every single piece she tries today. Better get in there now!”

“Knock it off,” Phyll chuckled, but his legs carried him straight into the fitting room without hesitation.

As the door swung open, I caught a glimpse of Barbara’s bare, tanned shoulders before he pulled her into his arms and quickly slammed the door, shielding her from any eyes but his.

Soon, her playful scolding drifted through the door. “Can’t even button it right. What are you sniffing for?”

“Wait, did you change perfume? That’s not what you wore yesterday.”

The friends outside whooped and hollered like it was a wedding night prank.

Even the store clerk turned beet red, probably never having seen something so shameless.

Beside me, my brother’s forehead pulsed with rage. He was ready to storm in and drag them both out, but I clutched his arm tight.

“Scott, that store’s cameras. They’ve got audio too, right?”

He gave a stiff nod.