That evening, Preston came home early and immediately began preparing dinner.

Dinner was ready, with various dishes spread out on the table. Preston enthusiastically introduced each dish, explaining its health benefits while looking at me expectantly.

I tasted each dish and complimented him, which made him smile with satisfaction.

"I'm glad you like it. Thanks to Brianna, really. I helped her assemble a bookshelf today and she gave me a lot of pregnancy recipes," he said.

Suddenly, I lost my appetite.

At that moment, Preston's phone screen lit up. Normally, during dinner, he would never respond to messages, only taking urgent calls. But this time, he looked at the screen and picked up the phone.

After reading it, he handed the phone to me. "Look, Brianna really cares about you. She just sent me more pregnancy tips to make sure I take good care of you."

I didn't take the phone. Instead, I murmured, "I'm full," and went back to the bedroom.

This time, Preston didn't follow me immediately.

Preston and I met when I was in grad school. He was already a successful entrepreneur, invited by the school to give a lecture. I never expected to see him again, but after his speech, he stopped me as I was leaving.

From that day on, he pursued me with fervor. Having always been a good girl with a lack of self-esteem, I found his attention confusing and initially rejected him. But he never gave up. Despite his busy schedule, he came to the school every day to have meals with me. When he traveled for work, he always brought back gifts. When I was busy in the lab, he stayed up all night outside and then walked me back to my dorm.

After a year of his relentless pursuit, we got together.

On the day we started dating, he was over the moon, eager to announce his happiness to the whole world.

After graduation, we naturally got married. I worked at a research institute post-marriage, but I found out I had difficulty conceiving. I eventually quit my job to focus on trying to get pregnant.

However, after three years, my stomach remained flat. Preston's mother constantly found faults with me, but he always defended me, never considering giving up on me. I even overheard him discreetly inquiring about adoption conditions at an orphanage.

Then, last month, I suddenly felt nauseous. Preston, concerned, took me to the hospital.

After numerous tests, the doctor told me I was pregnant.

I looked at Preston excitedly, but he showed no reaction. He was engrossed in a conversation on his phone, a slight smile on his lips, clearly pleased by some message he received.

"Honey? Honey? Honey?" I called out three times before he snapped out of it.

"We're having a baby!" I exclaimed.

Initially, he was frozen in surprise, then he wanted to hug me but stopped himself, afraid to squish our baby. He put down his phone and dashed out of the office, running wildly through the hospital.

I picked up his phone. The password was still my birthday. I unlocked the screen to find the WhatsApp chat window open.

Brianna: "I saw a puppy while shopping. It looks just like the one we used to have."

Preston: "Did you get it?"

Brianna: "No, I can't afford it."

Preston: "I'll pay for it, and I'll cover all the dog food too!"

There was an immediate large money transfer. She replied with an adorable "Thanks, boss" sticker.

I scrolled up through their conversation. It was mostly about their daily lives and sharing funny memes. Nothing overtly inappropriate, but it was very frequent, and it made me feel uneasy.

I had never liked Brianna.

She was Preston's ex-girlfriend, and his first love.

Back then, they started the company together, but as the company grew, their disagreements only intensified. Brianna had a strong personality, and after a major conflict erupted between them, she left the country in a fit of rage.

Before she left, Brianna didn't ask for anything.

Later, she returned to the country, and Preston wanted to make it up to her, so he was especially indulgent towards her.

The night he found out I was pregnant, after taking care of me, Preston posted on Instagram announcing he was finally going to be a father. The comments section was filled with congratulations.

But he only responded to Brianna's reply.

"So, when are you going to have a baby? Let me be a godfather."

"Me? With whom? With you?"

"No, with your boyfriend."

Even in the dark, I could tell from his exposed teeth that he must have been grinning at that moment.

The next day, when I checked his Instagram again, all comments between him and Brianna were gone.

I awoke the following day to hear noise outside.

In the kitchen, Preston was making breakfast while Brianna assisted him, and the room was filled with laughter.

Seeing me get up, Preston quickly greeted me, "Honey, you're awake. Brianna insisted on visiting you and brought lots of maternity items. You freshen up, breakfast will be ready soon."

I politely thanked Brianna.

She responded with a smile that held an ambiguous meaning.

During breakfast, Preston took care of me in every way possible. Just as he was peeling shrimp for me, Brianna spoke softly, "Oh, I'm so jealous of Nadia. She has someone to peel shrimp for her, unlike me, who can only eat dog food."

Preston heard this and diverted the shrimp meant for me into Brianna's mouth, "Eat up, maybe then you'll shut your mouth."

Brianna giggled non-stop.

The meal left me with no appetite.

After breakfast, I went to rest while Preston washed the dishes. When I went to the kitchen for a drink of water, I saw Brianna hugging Preston from behind.

Preston spoke indulgently, "Alright, stop messing around, let go."

Brianna replied, "No, let me hold on for a while."

Preston smiled and was about to pry Brianna's hands away when he saw me standing at the kitchen door.

He quickly pushed Brianna away and walked rapidly toward me, a bit flustered, "Honey, why did you come out? If you need anything, just call me."

I asked directly, "What were you doing?"

He hurriedly explained, "She was only helping me tie my apron."

I pretended not to hear their conversation and said, "Oh."

Brianna squeezed next to me, "Nadia, I'm really jealous of you having such a great husband. Handsome, wealthy, and most importantly, he loves you."

I looked at her playfully, "Does your boyfriend not treat you well? Doesn't he love you?"

Brianna was about to say something, but Preston interrupted her, "Alright, I'll take you home."

Then he turned to me, "Honey, her computer is broken, so I’ll take her home and help her fix it. Be good and wait for me to come back."

Brianna gave me a provocative look, but I said nothing.

It wasn't until the door closed that I realized they had left.

I wanted to ask Preston if he remembered his promise from last week to help me check my laptop. It had stopped making sound, but he kept saying he didn't have time to deal with it.

Preston, who said he'd be back soon, didn't return by dinner time. I finished my takeout and fell asleep on the couch while playing with my phone.

In the middle of the night, I was awakened by the sound of the door opening.