I had always known that my mother-in-law disliked me.

To her, I was the man Melissa didn’t want—someone clinging pathetically to her precious daughter, a disgrace to Adriana. After so many miscarriages, her disdain for me only deepened.

Still, because she was Adriana’s mother—and because I believed the problem might truly lie with my own body—I swallowed the guilt and endured her scorn.

And Adriana… at least she used to defend me, even if just a little. That was enough to keep me silent.

But now, her heart and attention were entirely on Khalil.

She didn’t even remember I existed.

For a fleeting moment, I wanted to scream the truth, to reveal everything. But in the end, I didn’t.

I had already decided to leave—what point was there in fighting back now?

Wordlessly, I turned and went upstairs.

That’s when I noticed Khalil’s bedroom door was slightly ajar.

Something compelled me to walk toward it.

Inside, what I saw nearly tore me apart.

Khalil—disheveled and half-dressed—was pressed against Adriana, who lay beneath him.

“Adriana, you really do love me the most. Melissa can’t have kids—if Allen has a child first, she’ll lose her right to inherit the company. Who knows how much I’ll suffer because of that.”

Adriana’s breath was uneven, her cheeks were flushed with lust. She asked gently, “Is Melissa treating you well? Has she been mean to you?”

“No,” he chuckled. “Ever since we successfully combined our fertilized egg, she thinks she’s really pregnant. Keeps praising how manly I am, spoiling me like crazy. She's also afraid that I'll be tired so massage my feet, and even treating me better in bed.”

Adriana’s smile faltered. There was a trace of bitterness in her voice.

“As long as she treats you well... as long as you’re happy... then I have no regrets.”

“Adriana, you’ve done so much for me. I can’t marry you, but I can give myself to you. Tonight, I’m yours.”

Adriana finally gave in, lifting her face to meet his lips. The two fell into a frenzied embrace, losing themselves in each other.

I had never imagined that the always cold, restrained Adriana could be so reckless—so lost in passion.

Tears fell silently as I turned and stumbled back to the guest bedroom.

She didn’t come back the entire night.

—

The next morning, Adriana looked at me with an apologetic smile.

“Allen, I really meant to come back last night. But Mom pulled me aside to talk for hours—I just couldn’t get away.”

I didn’t expose her lie. I simply turned toward the door and waited for her.

That’s when a bucket of cold, greasy slop came crashing down over my head.

Khalil stood in front of me, still holding the empty slop bucket, grinning like the devil.

“So, Allen... how’d you like the way Adriana looked under me last night?” he taunted.

He had left the door open on purpose.

Smirking, he added, “Losing a child hurts, doesn’t it? But hey, that won’t be a problem for you anymore. Adriana can’t carry your children ever again.”

“You had the audacity to keep getting her pregnant? Trying to compete with me for the role of Lawson Group’s CEO’s husband? Keep dreaming.”

“Adriana gave everything up for me. She willingly forfeited her inheritance, endured countless painful extractions—just so she could fuse with my sperm. Even those dead babies of yours... they became my nourishment.”

My head shot up, my voice trembling.

“What did you say?”

He sneered, lips curling in triumph. “Why do you think Adriana never let you see the babies after she miscarried? She always said they were buried, right? No—she just didn’t want you to know. I told her eating them would strengthen my body.”

A wave of despair, rage, and disbelief crashed over me.

That’s why she never let me see the babies?

For Khalil... she went that far?

He laughed cruelly.

“Don’t give me that pitiful look. Who can you blame but yourself? Useless father, useless man. Your kids were only ever good enough to feed me.”

I couldn’t take it anymore.

With all the strength in my broken heart, I raised my hand and slapped Khalil hard across the face.

But the slap never landed on Khalil’s face.

Adriana yanked him behind her and took the blow for him.

She shoved me hard to the ground, glaring at me with fury.

“Allen! What are you doing?!”

Khalil pouted, eyes full of a fake grievance. “Adriana, I was just trying to comfort Allen... I didn’t want him to feel too sad about losing the baby.”

“But he got jealous and said I stole the future position as chairman’s husband, then tried to dump slop on me. I panicked and pushed him—it wasn’t on purpose! I even apologized, but he tried to hit me. He said he wanted my child to grow up fatherless!”

Before I could say a word, Adriana turned to me, her face was clouded with gloom. “Allen, I never knew you were such a vain, petty man.”

“You couldn’t protect our child because you’re weak. Why take it out on Khalil? He was just being kind to you. Stop coveting what doesn’t belong to you. Apologize to him. Now.”

I’m weak?

I looked at her face—so familiar, yet suddenly so foreign.

“Adriana,” I asked quietly, “those babies I lost... where did you really send their bodies?”

She frowned.

“Of course I buried them properly. I’ve told you that before.”

Tsk. The Oscars owed her an award. She was a remarkable actress—her lie almost sounded sincere.

I took a slow breath.

“You’re right, Adriana. I shouldn't have wished for something that was never mine. Don’t worry—I won’t fight Khalil anymore.”

With that, I turned and walked away without hesitation.

Adriana stared after me, a flicker of unease flashing across her face. She opened her mouth to call out to me—but Khalil tugged on her arm.

“Adriana... the slop splashed on me. I think I’m having an allergic reaction. Will you take me to the hospital?”

She hesitated for two seconds. Then she stayed with him.

Back at home, I gathered everything Adriana had ever given me over the years—every gift, every letter, every memory.

I tossed it all into a metal burner.

Just as I pulled out our marriage certificate, my phone buzzed with a message.

I glanced at it and saw Khalil's name popped up.

[Allen, I pretended to have an allergic reaction—and Adriana panicked. She called the top dermatologists from all over the country to rush in and treat me.]

[Even if they weren’t local, she insisted on flying them in by helicopter. Aren’t you jealous?]

I didn’t reply.

I watched our marriage certificate curl and blacken in the flames—reduced to ashes.

I wasn’t worried Adriana would see. Because I knew—she wasn’t coming home tonight.

Sure enough, her call came later that evening.

“Allen, Khalil’s allergic reaction got worse. He’s really uncomfortable. Melissa is overseas on bed rest, so as her aunt, I have to help take care of him. Don’t be upset.”

I remembered the picture Khalil had sent earlier.

He was lounging comfortably, eating fruit that Adriana had cut herself—his skin was glowing, without a trace of discomfort.

“I understand,” I said calmly. “The patient comes first. Take good care of him.”

She paused, then softened her voice.

“Allen, I didn’t mean to be harsh with you today. I know you’re grieving the baby.”

“But Khalil is the father of the Lawson family’s future heir. You and I... we can’t carry on the family line anymore. If anything happens to him, and Melissa gets upset, I’m afraid my parents wouldn’t be able to bear it.”

I almost laughed.

Why bother making so many excuses?

“Just stay home, okay? Tomorrow is your birthday. I booked the best hotel and prepared a big surprise. I’ll come pick you up first thing in the morning.”

But morning came and went.

And still—she didn’t return.

I placed the signed divorce papers neatly on the table.

Then I scheduled a voice recording to send to her automatically.

Recipient: Adriana.

After tying up all the loose ends, I picked up my suitcase—and headed for the airport.

Just as I arrived at the airport, Adriana called again.

“Sorry, Allen. A few partners suddenly showed up at the company to discuss the next season’s fashion collaborations—I really can’t get away.”

“I’ve asked my assistant to pick you up and take you to the hotel. Remember how you always wanted me to design a suit for you? I finally did. I’m sure you’ll look amazing in it.”

“Mm. Okay.”

I hung up.

My eyes drifted to two nearby girls who were huddled over the phone, looking at pictures and chatting excitedly.

“Wow! I can’t believe Miss Lawson is not only good-looking but also such a talented menswear designer. I’d go be a man just to wear those clothes!”

“As if being a man is enough to get one. This entire fashion show is exclusive—every single outfit was designed by Miss Lawson for her husband. Hundreds of pieces, all one-of-a-kind, made from the finest fabrics.”

“And it’s a private event too—she didn’t want to disturb her husband. Thank God your boyfriend works as a department head at Lawson Group, or we’d never get to see these sneak peeks.”

In the photo, Khalil had his arm around Adriana’s shoulder, grinning widely as they strolled through a display of elegant, custom-made garments—every single one crafted just for him.

The Lawson Group was a major player in the fashion industry, and Adriana’s talent as a designer was extraordinary.

I used to tease and beg her, hoping she’d design just one suit for me.

She always said she was too busy.

That she couldn’t spare the time.

And yet she had designed hundreds for Khalil.

I remembered her earlier message about designing me a suit as a surprise—and that self-satisfied tone she used to announce it.

It all felt like a cruel joke.

My flight began boarding. I powered off my phone and stepped onto a plane bound for Australia.

—

At that same moment, Adriana had just finished helping Khalil pick out his outfits and arrived at the hotel where she’d arranged Allen’s birthday celebration.

She pictured him walking through the doors in the suit she had designed—handsome, glowing, and radiant.

But he never came.

Only her assistant showed up, flustered and pale.

“Miss Adriana... something is wrong. Mr. Hudson is gone.”