###Chapter 1

“Divorce? Are you sure?!” Greta Benz, my lawyer friend, jumped up from her chair. It was clear she was shocked. “Robert would even risk his life for you. Everyone knows that. Now that you’re finally pregnant, you want to leave him?”

I looked down at my slightly round belly. My throat felt tight.

So, yesterday was our third wedding anniversary. Robert didn’t show up. He said he had to work overtime at the last minute. I was about to leave the restaurant when my phone buzzed. On a gossip website I often visit, a post had become trending:

[My wife is pregnant, but my adopted sister doesn’t like the idea of me having a child with another woman. How can I convince my wife to have an abortion?]

The comments were full of anger. But the person who posted it pinned one reply to the top:

[Just tell her the baby has a birth defect. Say the child will suffer if born. It’s for her own good. She’ll agree to abort.]

I frowned. How can a person be this cruel?

Just as I closed the page, Robert sent me a video call request.

“Oh my God,” he said, sending me a photo of a medical report. His voice sounded full of pain. “The doctor told me our baby has serious problems… If the baby is born, it will only suffer. Darling, let’s give it up.”

My stomach tightened. My hands turned cold. I almost dropped my phone.

No.... It must be a coincidence. Robert would never treat me like that.

But then another message appeared—an email from an unknown sender.

In the photo attached, a young woman was leaning closely against my husband. The man who was always distant from other women was kissing her deeply. There was no sadness on his face.

The message read:

[My brother loves me so much. I told him I hate the idea of him having a child with another woman. So he tricked her into having an abortion and came to be with me right away.]

I could only see her side profile, but I recognized her immediately. She was Robert’s adopted sister, Silvia.

I fell back into my chair. Tears rolled down before I could stop them.

My father cheated when I was young. Because of that, I never believed in true love. Robert chased me from the time he was sixteen until I was twenty-three. For eight years, he slowly melted the ice around my heart.

Everyone said he treated me like a princess. I once believed I was luckier than my mother.

Meanwhile, in the internet post, my own husband held Silvia like a fragile treasure. Under the sunset, they looked like the perfect ending of a romantic movie.

It made me sick. I felt like my heart was being torn apart.

I always told myself they were just close as siblings. But what kind of brother kisses his sister like that?

I slowly closed my eyes. I remembered the earthquake three years ago. In the ruins, he was covered in blood but still protected me despite getting hurt himself.

“Ayla, I love you. Forever…”

His “forever” only lasted until Silvia grew up. Then, I had to let him go.

Holding back the sharp pain in my chest, I spoke softly, “Hey, Reta. I'm serious. Please help me prepare the divorce papers.”

***

.

“The divorce agreement will take effect once it’s signed. But your immigration application is a different story though. I had asked someone to start the process right away as we speak.”

“Thank you, Reta.”

I put the document into my bag and took a deep breath. I felt dazed. Eleven years together… and it ended so suddenly.

I had just stepped out of the law firm when a black Mercedes stopped sharply in front of me.

“Baby, why are you here?”

The car window rolled down. Robert seemed pale as he stared at the law firm’s sign. “Wait, isn’t Greta a divorce lawyer?”

He quickly got out of the car and pulled me inside. “I called you so many times. Why didn’t you answer?”

I had never seen such fear on his face before. If he was really that afraid of losing me… then why did he betray me?

“My battery's dead,” I said softly, pulling my arm away and forcing a smile. “My best friend Hannah found out her husband cheated on her. She asked me to help her talk to a divorce lawyer. Well, since Reta specializes in that, here I am.”

“I see…” Robert let out a long breath of relief, though he looked obviously anxious. “I thought you were leaving me.”

That handsome, hurt expression used to make my knees weak. Now it felt like a poisonous rose vine, slowly wrapping around my heart and suffocating me.

I lowered my gaze. My voice trembled slightly. “What about you, Robert? You wouldn’t cheat on me, right?”

His body stiffened for a second. Then he held my face and looked at me deeply. “Never. If you don’t believe me, I’d cut my heart out to prove it.”

Robert didn't realize he smelled strongly of Silvia’s perfume, yet he spoke to me with the sweetest words.

He pulled me into his arms. His voice was hoarse, “I can’t bear the thought of you suffering for the rest of your life because of this baby. I’d rather die. I already scheduled the abortion surgery. It’s in three days.”

He added, “I promise. We can have another baby.”

Such thoughtful reasons. Such sincere words. But there would never be another baby from our relationship.

I looked down at my five-month belly. I remembered that right after we got married, Robert was diagnosed with low fertility. The chance of us having a child was very small.

To protect his reputation as the heir of the Kleinn family, I told everyone the problem was mine. After that, my mother-in-law never treated me kindly again.

“The Kleinns cannot end with this generation. If you can’t give birth, you should leave on your own,” she said.

Robert had fought fiercely with her. He said he loved me and that children didn’t matter.

We began a long and painful journey trying to conceive. He took countless medicines every day, often feeling so sick he wanted to throw up. Every time we failed, he knelt in front of me and said, “I’m sorry.”

The day the doctor confirmed I was pregnant, Robert held me and cried so hard his whole body shook. “Ayla, I will protect you and our baby with my life.”

And really, Robert seemed so perfect.

If a stranger lightly bumped into my belly, he would immediately call a doctor for a full check-up.

At gatherings, if a male friend tried to open the door for me, he would step in quickly. “I’ll do it. She’s under special protection right now. Nothing can happen to her.”

He canceled important business meetings to attend expensive parenting classes. He became a VIP member at a maternity store and bought the newest baby products in large quantities.

Everyone knew him as a loving husband and devoted father.

So when Robert lied to me, I endured the pain and asked myself, trembling, “Was there anything truly wrong? All the previous check-ups showed our baby was healthy.”

“Some problems only appear later in pregnancy,” Robert said, his eyes red. He held the medical report up to the camera. “Look here. There are multiple serious abnormalities. Even if our baby is born, it will only suffer.” He looked heartbroken.

Yet, as I stared at the scar on his chin, I felt nothing but cold spreading through my body.

###Chapter 2

Three years ago, Robert proposed to me in front of his company building. Suddenly, an earthquake struck.

The building shook violently. The ground cracked open. Without much thoughts, Robert pulled me under him to protect me.

A falling pillar hit him so hard that he coughed up blood. Broken stones cut into his skin and his chin was split open. But he still used his body to shield me, creating a small safe space.

“Ayla, as long as you’re safe, it's worth it. Even if I had to die....”

Who else in this world would love me like that? Not even my father. After we were rescued, I put on the engagement ring through my tears. I thought that was the beginning of happiness.

Unfortunately, the same man who seemed to love only me had shown signs of betrayal long before.

The first time he went with me to a prenatal check-up, he got a message that Silvia had severe menstrual pain. He immediately stood up to leave.

“Silvy needs someone to take care of her. You’re at the hospital. You’re safe.”

The first time I felt the baby move, I excitedly took his hand to let him feel it. He pulled his hand away almost immediately.

“Wait. Silvy just texted me. She’s afraid of the dark. I need to help her fall asleep.”

I once vomited so badly from morning sickness that I was throwing up bile. Yet, when he saw Silvia post on Instagram that she planned to stay out overnight, he slammed the door and left me alone.

Who was truly the most important person in his heart? The answer was obvious. But I covered my eyes and lied to myself.

In the end, Robert even cried. His tears fell onto my neck. My body trembled. I didn’t want to look at his fake sorrow anymore.

“Let’s just do it your way,” I said calmly. “By the way, it’s your mother’s birthday soon. I prepared a gift in your name. I just need your signature for the payment.”

I took out the divorce agreement, opened it to the signature page and slid it in front of him. My palms were sweating. I was afraid he would read it carefully.

Just then, Silvia’s special ringtone rang. Robert answered immediately.

Her voice was slightly drunk. “Brother, there’s a guy who wants to take me home. Should I go with him?”

Robert’s face changed instantly. The veins on his forehead stood out. “Don’t you dare! Send me your address. Now.”

I watched the man in front of me turn into an angry wolf, his eyes full of jealousy and possessiveness.

The last time he looked like that was on our honeymoon cruise. I had glanced at a handsome foreign man at another table. Robert’s face darkened. He carried me back to our suite and didn’t let me leave the room for seven days.

That same intensity was still there. Only now, it was for someone else.

After hanging up, Robert finally remembered I was there. “Silvy’s drunk. I need to pick her up. You can take a taxi home, okay?”

He was leaving his pregnant wife alone on a cold night, for another woman.

I pushed the agreement toward him again. “Sign first.”

Without even looking at it, Robert quickly signed his name.

***

The moment my taxi arrived, I saw Robert's car sped away. He even ran past a red light, not caring about his own safety.

I stood alone on the empty street, feeling like a discarded doll.

It was past midnight when I got home. As soon as I walked in, I saw Silvia lying on the bed in a sheer lace nightdress, eating snacks casually.

I stared at her. “Why are you in my house?”

She pouted and pretended to be shy. “I had a fight with someone and went to a bar to make him jealous. I said I might leave with another guy and he immediately came to drag me away.”

As she spoke, she pulled her neckline slightly lower, revealing obvious marks on her skin. She smiled mischievously. “I didn’t expect him to get so jealous. He couldn’t even wait until we got home.”

My nails dug into my palms as pain spread through my body. In the past, I tried to believe they had only kissed on the cheeks only, now all my illusions were finally gone.

I stepped forward angrily, ready to tell her to leave.

Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed my shoulders from behind. “Ayla, I know you’ve been upset these days. Look what I bought for you.”

I turned around. It was the newest limited-edition Chanel dress—my favorite style.

But I felt nothing. It wasn’t love. It was guilt.

“Go take a shower and try it on after,” he said gently.

Robert pushed me lightly toward the bathroom.

I turned on the shower but realized I hadn’t brought clean clothes. When I opened the door, the scene in front of me froze my blood.

My husband was holding Silvia tightly on the sofa. He wasn’t even trying to hide it. He knew I usually took a long shower.

I gripped the doorframe to keep myself standing.

“You’re so good to her,” Silvia said mockingly. “Congratulations. Everyone says you’re the perfect husband.”

Robert lowered his head and kissed her. “Jealous? Do you think I didn’t prepare something for you?”

After some rustling, he picked up a velvet box from the floor. Inside was a sapphire necklace, the stone large and dazzling.

“It was hard to get. There’s only one in the world,” he said.

I understood. What he gave me could be bought anytime. But, what he gave Silvia was unique.

“Oh my God!” Silvia wrapped her arms around his neck. “I only mentioned it once. Yet, you spent millions for me?”

“If you want the moon, I’ll bring it to you,” he whispered near her ear. “Just wear it, don't make too much fuss. I don't want Ayla to find out.”

I couldn’t watch anymore. I ran back into the bathroom and threw up over the toilet.

“Divorce her and Mary me,” Silvia said softly. “Okay?”

“I can’t. You’re my sister in name,” Robert replied. “Besides, I love Ayla. If I lose her, I’ll go crazy.”

Then why couldn't you control yourself, Robert?

My phone vibrated. A text message appeared:

[I've got special connections. Your immigration paperwork will be done in five days.]

Robert. In five days, I’d be waiting to see you go crazy!

###Chapter 3

The sound of running water filled the bathroom, mixed with faint, suppressed noises from outside.

I stayed in the shower for quite long until everything outside became completely quiet; until the tears on my face were washed away.

I lifted my head and calmly put on my clothes, my expression cold. I saw our room had been cleaned up. But Robert didn’t notice that there was still a small wet stain under the dressing table.

Disgusting.

I took out my phone and snapped a photo. I saved it together with the video I had recorded earlier.

I went downstairs to get a glass of water. As soon as I reached the hallway, I saw Robert coming out of the kitchen with a bowl of hangover soup.

Silvia leaned against him, pretending to be drunk. “It’s too hot,” she said softly.

He lowered his head and gently blew on the soup to cool it. She then complained that her hair was messy. So, Robert picked up a comb and carefully brushed it for her, like it was something he had done many times before.

My nose stung with bitterness. I remembered how, once, I drank so much at a business dinner to help him secure a deal that I ended up with stomach bleeding. He had only asked the housekeeper to cook porridge for me.

I once asked him to comb my hair. He laughed and said, “I’m a grown man. I don’t know how to do that.”

My legs felt numb, but I forced myself to stand still. I didn’t want to walk in and look like an unwanted extra in their love story. I didn't want to be the jealous wife in a bad novel.

Eventually, Robert half-carried Silvia to the guest room.

I turned to go downstairs, feeling dizzy. Suddenly, my foot slipped. I fell hard down the stairs.

“Ah!” A sharp pain shot through my stomach. I curled up on the floor. I felt something warm slowly flowing down my legs.

My face turned white.

“Madam!” Aunt Poppy, our housekeeper, ran over in panic. When she saw the blood, she froze in fear. “I-I tried to call Mr. Kleinn, but he told me not to disturb him no matter what. He said even if the sky fell, he was busy taking care of Ms. Kleinn.”

I bit my lip and asked her to call a taxi for me. I went to the hospital alone.

***

The nurse asked anxiously, “Where is the patient’s guardian? There’s a risk of miscarriage. We need a family member’s signature!”

I weakly opened my eyes and grabbed her sleeve. “I’ll sign… the baby… I don’t want to keep it.”

My voice was soft, but it wasn't exactly an easy decision. Besides, Robert already planned to persuade me into abortion. He had the heart to say that despite us having this child after so much effort...

If my child's father no longer wanted it, then I'd let my baby go.

The doctor hesitated. “But we can try to save—”

“No need.” I closed my eyes. Tears slid down silently.

On the cold operating table, the bright white lights made me dizzy. The sound of medical instruments was cruel. Each movement felt like something was being cut out of my heart.

I bit my lip until I tasted blood, refusing to make a sound.

***

When I woke up, it was already morning. Ignoring the nurse’s advice to rest, I took a taxi home.

As soon as I entered the house, a man pulled me tightly into his arms.

Robert looked worried. “Where did you go so early, sweetheart? You scared me to death!”

Wasn’t it you who said not to disturb you even if the sky fell?

I almost laughed. I almost told him he no longer had to worry about his “dear sister” being upset because of the baby. Even so, I said calmly, “I went out for some fresh air.”

“Next time, let me go with you. I worry about you,” he said with relief. He led me upstairs and quickly helped me change into the new dress.

Robert didn’t even notice that my stomach was no longer round.

Today was his mother’s birthday. It would also be the last time I attended a dinner with the Kleinns.

His parents never liked me. They blamed me for not giving them a grandchild. They also believed I had made Robert too obsessed with love… so obsessed that he almost died in the earthquake.

But, they wouldn’t need to worry about that anymore. What they should worry about was the scandal their family was about to face.

The moment I discovered Robert's betrayal, I swore that even if I went to hell, I would take him down with me.

“Where is your dear sister?” I asked sharply, looking around when I didn’t see Silvia.

“My parents sent a car to pick her up early this morning,” Robert said. He seemed to notice my tone and kissed my cheek. “Relax. Silvy is just my sister. You know how much my parents spoil her. If I don’t take good care of her, they won’t forgive me.”

Yes. You take very good care of her. Even in bed. I was so sure his proud, reputation-loving parents would be very satisfied with his achievements.

When we arrived at the Kleinn's estate, Robert went to park the car.

I walked inside, then stopped.

The living room was lively. Theodore and Mary, Robert's parents, were sitting on the sofa. Silvia sat between them, leaning sweetly against Mary’s shoulder.

Mary took a jewelry box from a servant and carefully put a jade necklace and earrings on Silvia.

“Our Silvy is turning twenty soon. This is an early birthday gift from Mom. It's the Kleinn Family heirloom.”

Mary's face was full of love, pride and warmth. It was an expression I had never seen directed at me.

Theodore frowned with disgust. “It was supposed to go to my daughter-in-law… But when I think about that useless woman. Sure, she’s finally pregnant after so long, but her baby turns out abnormal. Ugh, it makes me sick!”

He added, “And she even dares to harass our daughter? I’ll teach her a lesson!”