Lucy stared at the pregnancy test results in her hand, her heart overflowing with pure joy. After ten long years of marriage, she was finally going to have her own baby. Tears of happiness streamed down her face as she exited the doctor’s office.

“What does the result say?” Ashley, her closest friend, approached quickly. “Oh God, stop crying. Let’s stay hopeful for next time.”

Lucy laughed through her tears at her friend’s attempt to console her. She held up the report, her eyes brimming. “Take a look.”

Ashley snatched the papers and scanned them. Her curious expression slowly transformed into pure delight. “Oh my God!” she screamed. “You’re pregnant!”

She threw her arms around Lucy, and the two women bounced around the hospital corridor in celebration. A nurse soon approached, politely reminding them they were disturbing the peace. Ashley laughed and dragged Lucy outside. They stood in front of the hospital entrance, reading the words on the paper over and over again.

“I can’t believe this, Ashley. I’m pregnant. I’m finally pregnant,” Lucy cried happily.

“Yes, you are! And I’m going to be a godmother.”

They laughed together for several minutes, soaking in the joy. Eventually, Lucy headed home while Ashley returned inside to pick up her five-year-old daughter, Mira, who had sprained her ankle.

As Ashley passed through the pediatrics department, she froze mid-step.

There, standing beside a woman, was Marcus — Lucy’s husband. The most shocking part was that Marcus was cradling a newborn baby in his arms. Jaycee, Lucy’s stepson, whom Ashley immediately recognized, was holding the woman’s hand. Before they could turn and spot her, Ashley quickly ducked behind a corner and hid.

“Dad? Where are we going now?” Jaycee’s voice echoed down the hall. “I don’t want to go home and see Lucy. Her wrinkled face irritates me all the time.”

“Jaycee, don’t say that. She’s your mom, remember?” a sweet female voice replied.

Ashley recognized it instantly — Clara. Marcus’s high school sweetheart, the one who had broken up with him when his family went bankrupt.

“No, she’s not. I don’t even like her. I want *you* to be my mom. You treat me better than she does.”

“She’s just disciplining you, sweetheart.”

“No, she doesn’t. She doesn’t let me eat ice cream, she doesn’t allow me enough sleep, and she won’t even let me play video games.”

“Stop throwing tantrums, JC. Let’s go get your baby sister and head home.”

Ashley stepped out of her hiding spot just in time to watch them leave the corridor. Her mind raced. Why was Marcus carrying a baby? And why had Jaycee called the infant his sister? Hands shaking, she pulled out her phone and dialed Lucy.

“Ashley, why are you calling? Have you reached home yet? How’s Mira’s leg?” Lucy’s cheerful voice came through.

“No, I’m still at the hospital.”

“Okay… Is everything alright?”

“I just…” Ashley’s voice faltered. She wasn’t sure how to break the news.

“Ash? Are you still there?”

“Uhm, yes. Have you broken the news to Marcus and Jaycee yet?” she asked instead.

“No, they’re not back yet. They went on their father-son vacation.”

“Oh, okay.” Ashley decided not to say anything for now. “Take care of yourself, especially now that you’re going to be a mother.”

She heard Lucy’s happy sigh. “I will. I can’t wait to tell Marcus and Jaycee. They’re going to be so happy.”

“I hope so,” Ashley mumbled.

“What?”

“Nothing. I have to go get Mira now.”

After ending the call, Ashley stood frozen, her mind swirling. Clara was back, and Lucy had no idea. She didn’t know her husband and son had been spending time with Clara under the guise of a “father-son vacation.” And whose baby was that?

---

Lucy moved around the kitchen humming happily as she prepared dinner for her husband and son. Marcus had called earlier to say they would be home today and that he had big news to share. Lucy had excitedly replied that she also had wonderful news for them.

She arranged the dishes on a tray and carefully carried everything to the dining table. After glancing at the wall clock, she returned to the kitchen for the desserts, then hurried upstairs to freshen up.

She slipped into her favorite white flared dress, the one with delicate pearls along the neckline. Before heading downstairs, she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her hands instinctively rose to her forehead, smoothing out the faint wrinkles. Jaycee had always complained about them, saying they disgusted him and that he didn’t like having a “wrinkly old woman” as a stepmother.

After one final check of her appearance, Lucy grabbed the pregnancy report and descended the stairs. As she entered the living room, she heard a car pulling into the villa. She stood in the center of the room, clutching the paper tightly, her heart racing with anticipation.

Jaycee entered first, pushing a stroller. Lucy blinked in confusion. Had they somehow already found out about her pregnancy?

“JC, how did you—”

Her words died when she heard the sharp click of heels on the marble floor. A stunning woman walked into the living room. Lucy’s first thought was how gorgeous she looked — until recognition hit her like a slap. The woman looked exactly like her ex-best friend… and Marcus’s ex-lover, Clara.

Another wave of shock crashed over her as Marcus followed, a baby nestled in his arms.

“M-Marcus…” Lucy’s voice trembled. “Whose baby is that?”

"Lucy! Long time no see." Clara beamed, stepping forward with open arms. "I’ve missed you."

Lucy stood frozen in confusion. As far as she remembered, she and Clara had not been on good terms even before Clara left for abroad. Why was she acting like they were still best friends?

Before Lucy could respond, Clara leaned in close and whispered in her ear, “I’m back now and I am staying for good.”

Clara pulled away with the brightest smile and returned to stand beside Marcus. Lucy stared at the scene before her, her heart skipping a painful beat. They looked like the perfect family of four.

“Are you just going to stand there?” Jaycee hissed. “Serve us dinner. I’m famished.”

Lucy snapped out of her daze and noticed the disdainful look on Jaycee’s face. Though she had grown used to his cruelty, the words still stung.

“Dinner is served,” she replied quietly.

They walked past her toward the dining room. Clara took the seat next to Marcus while Jaycee sat beside her. Marcus gently handed the baby to Clara. The three of them picked up their cutlery and began eating without her.

“Why are you just standing there?” Marcus finally glanced up.

“Lucy, please can you make some baby formula for her?” Clara asked sweetly. “I’m too tired to breastfeed right now.”

“Why didn’t you make enough porridge? You know I like it,” Jaycee whined. “You never do anything right.”

Lucy stood there, stunned. Before she could find her voice, the sound of suitcase wheels rolling across the floor echoed from the doorway. Stella, her mother-in-law, marched in majestically. The moment her eyes landed on Clara, she gasped with delight and rushed over.

Stella scooped up the baby and cooed happily. Lucy couldn’t take it anymore. She took a deep breath and raised her voice.

“What the hell is going on? Why is she here?”

Everyone stopped and stared at her as if she had lost her mind. Marcus quickly looked away, avoiding eye contact.

“Clara is staying here from today onward,” Stella declared.

“What?”

“What don’t you understand?” her mother-in-law sneered.

“Why is she here with a baby? What exactly is she doing in my house?”

“First of all, this is my son’s house, not yours,” Stella shot back. “Secondly, she has every right to be here with my granddaughter.”

“What are you talking about?” Lucy asked, dread twisting in her stomach.

“Since you couldn’t give my son a child, Clara has done what you couldn’t — she has given Jaycee a sibling,” Stella replied proudly.

The words slammed into Lucy like a blow. She turned to Marcus. “The baby… the baby is yours?” she asked in disbelief.

“I’ll explain everything later. Let’s just eat,” Marcus replied coldly.

“Lucy, get me more porridge,” Jaycee groaned.

Fighting back tears, Lucy hurried into the kitchen. Her hands trembled as she dished out the remaining porridge. After quickly wiping her eyes, she returned to the dining room.

Everyone looked happy except her. Marcus was diligently piling food onto Clara’s plate. Jaycee was peeling crabs and feeding them to Clara. Stella was cradling the baby and feeding her formula. The atmosphere was warm and lively — a picture-perfect family.

“What are you standing there for?” Jaycee asked irritably. “Serve the food already.”

“JC, don’t talk to your mom like that,” Clara scolded softly.

“She’s not my mom,” he countered.

Lucy’s hands shook as she placed the porridge in front of Jaycee. Looking around the table, there was no food left for her. She had prepared this special dinner for the three of them, but now she had nothing.

“It’s your fault you didn’t prepare enough,” Marcus said. “Go to the kitchen and make something for yourself.”

“Don’t say that, Marcus,” Clara interjected sweetly. “I’m sure Lucy is already tired. Let the maids prepare something for her.”

Jaycee scoffed. “There are no maids. She fired all of them so she could be a full-time housewife.”

Clara burst into laughter. “Oh my God, are you serious?” she asked, wiping tears of amusement. “Who even wants to be a housewife these days?”

“Only her,” Jaycee replied. “My classmates’ moms are beautiful and successful. But her face is all wrinkled, and all she does is housework.”

Clara shook her head with fake pity. “Lucy, you were once the most intelligent student on campus. I never expected you to end up like this. Many women today fight to stand alongside men in high places, but you… you’re happily doing chores.”

The remark hit Lucy like lightning. She opened her mouth but no words came out.

“That’s enough. JC, don’t talk with food in your mouth,” Marcus reprimanded.

Lucy stared in disbelief. Was that really all he had to say? Not wanting to humiliate herself further, she turned and picked up the pregnancy report from the table.

“Lucy?” Marcus called as she headed for the stairs. “The guards will come up shortly to move your belongings out of the master bedroom.”

“What?”

“Clara is moving into it.”

Lucy stood there, mouth agape, for a long moment. She couldn’t comprehend the whirlwind of events unfolding today. First, the overwhelming joy of discovering she was pregnant. Then, her ex-best friend suddenly appearing in her home with a baby — Marcus’s baby. And now, she was being asked to vacate her own bedroom.

“No,” Lucy said firmly, standing her ground. “She is not taking over our room, Marcus. There are plenty of large guest rooms she can choose from.”

“Don’t make a fuss, Lucy. That’s the biggest room in the house, and she needs it for herself and the baby.”

“She can take any other room. I’m not giving up my matrimonial bedroom to her.”

“Marcus, there’s no need for you two to argue,” Clara interjected, her voice dripping with self-pity. “It seems Lucy is still holding onto old grudges. I’ll just take the baby and leave.”

Her words were innocent but they carried an underlying threat — if she didn’t get the room, she would take the baby with her.

“That’s exactly why you couldn’t give my son a child,” Stella’s sharp voice cut through. “The baby belongs to Marcus, so Clara has every right to take over your room. After all, she succeeded where you failed.”

“Lucy, stop making a fool of yourself. You’re being a wicked stepmother right now,” Jaycee added.

Their words sliced through Lucy’s heart like a blade. The worst part was Marcus’s silence. He sat there peeling crabs onto Clara’s plate, saying nothing as his mother and son insulted her.

“Marcus, you—”

“Pack your belongings and move to another room,” Marcus said calmly, not even looking up. “Don’t make things difficult for the baby.”

Seeing that even Marcus wouldn’t defend her, Lucy clutched the pregnancy report tightly and headed upstairs. Everything was falling apart. She was losing her husband and her place in the family to another woman, and she felt powerless to stop it.

She pushed open the door to their master bedroom and stared in disbelief. She had personally decorated every inch of this room — from the curtains to the bedside lamps. Everything had been chosen with love. Her gaze lingered on the bed where she and Marcus had slept together for ten years.

A knock sounded at the door. “Ma’am, Mr. Hayes sent us to move your belongings.”

Lucy opened the door and sat on the edge of the bed, numb, as the guards efficiently packed her clothes, bags, shoes, and even her toiletries.

“There’s no need to remove the curtains too,” she said quietly.

The guards exchanged glances. One of them finally spoke. “Ma’am, the mistress said to remove everything.”

“What about Marcus’s belongings?” she asked, noticing none of his things had been touched.

“They will remain here, ma’am.”

Her mind reeled. Did that mean they planned to sleep together in this room? No — she couldn’t allow that. Lucy stormed downstairs immediately.

The lively chatter downstairs died the moment she entered the room.

“Marcus, can I have a word with you?”

The silence was deafening. “Is it important right now?” he asked. “I’m kind of busy.”

“It is,” Lucy replied firmly.

Marcus stood up and followed her out of earshot.

“What is going on?” Lucy demanded the second they were alone.

Marcus gave her a flat, annoyed look. “You’re the one who called me out here.”

“Don’t act dumb. What is Clara doing here after everything she did?”

“You’re still holding onto that?” Marcus asked, exasperated. “It’s been ten years, Lucy. Move on.”

Lucy’s mouth fell open. She couldn’t believe this was the same Marcus who had once hated Clara.

“Is that all you wanted to talk about?” he asked impatiently. “If not, I’d like to go back.”

Lucy swallowed hard. In all their years together, Marcus had never spoken to her in such a cold tone. He might not have loved her romantically, but he had always shown her respect.

“Is that baby really yours?” she asked, the question burning in her chest.

Marcus opened and closed his mouth several times before finally nodding.

Tears slipped down Lucy’s cheeks. “So you’ve been cheating on me,” she said, her voice breaking. “And everyone knows — your mom, even Jaycee.”

Marcus stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders. She struggled against his grip, but he held firm.

“Leave me alone, you cheater!” she screamed, trying to break free. “How could you do this to me? You said you didn’t want another baby. You said Jaycee was enough. Why did you go to her?”

“Calm down!” Marcus shouted, startling her.

Lucy froze. In ten years of marriage, Marcus had never once raised his voice at her. Today, everything was changing drastically.

“I didn’t lie when I said I didn’t want more children,” he continued. “Clara came to me pleading. She wanted a baby but wasn’t married and didn’t trust anyone else. You’ve always wanted a child, and I knew my mother’s constant pressure was getting to you. So I decided to kill two birds with one stone.”

Lucy stared at him in confusion. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I didn’t have sex with her. At least trust me a little,” he said, gripping her shoulders tighter. “The baby was conceived through IVF.”