Bianca remained silent, her gaze unfocused as she lay on the cold bathroom floor. She could still feel the echoes of the depraved intimacy beside her just a few minutes ago. The disgust that had churned within her was now a heavy weight pressing against her chest.

She had wanted to open her eyes in that moment, to confront them, to expose their betrayal, but she knew it wouldn't change anything. Screaming, crying, or even confronting them would only make things worse. She wasn't weak, but she had to be strategic—she had to play her part until the time was right. If she was to leave this life behind, she needed to endure now. It was the only way she would get out without being destroyed in the process.

Erick stood by the door, his face pale, his voice trembling slightly when he spoke. "Bianca?" His voice cut through the stillness and for a split second, his concern seemed genuine. He hesitated as if waiting for a response, but Bianca kept her eyes closed, maintaining her silence.

She could hear his breathing grow more rapid, the tension mounting with each passing second. His anxiety was palpable, as though his own guilt was suffocating him. Bianca's heart hardened. She wanted to lash out, but she knew better.

Finally, when the silence had stretched to a length, Bianca spoke, her voice soft and measured. "I just woke up. Where were you?"

Erick's body seemed to release the tension it had been holding. He let out a breath that sounded almost like a relief, though there was a subtle shakiness to it. He quickly moved toward her, crouching down to offer his hand. "I went out for a glass of water." His eyes were full of concern now, but they didn't meet hers directly. He could barely mask the faintest hint of discomfort. "Bianca, are you okay?"

Bianca ignored his outstretched hand, her eyes fixed on the floor. Her stomach twisted and the nausea she had been holding back surged forward with alarming intensity. She barely had time to turn her head as she dry-heaved violently, trying to keep it contained.

Erick's face showed the kind of worry he reserved for someone he truly cared about. "Bianca, I'm worried about you. Are you sure about this pregnancy?" His voice softened, filled with a mix of concern and a subtle plea that didn't go unnoticed.

Bianca shook her head, but the pain in her chest intensified. She didn't need to hear his doubts. She had already made up her mind about the baby, about everything. Her silence was her shield now. She could feel his gaze on her, but she didn't look up. "I'm fine," she said flatly, her words an icy dismissal.

Bianca maneuvered herself back into bed. She could still feel the faintest traces of bile in the back of her throat, but she fought to keep them at bay. She had to endure if she intended to deliver the blow three months later, ensuring it would be a devastating strike—one that would seem like both mother and child perished.

Erick stayed by her side for a few moments longer, his presence heavy. But he said nothing more.

After a few moments of tense silence, Sabrina entered the room, her steps light but purposeful. She came in with the same fake sweetness that had been her hallmark during their earlier exchange. Bianca closed her eyes tighter, wishing for nothing more than to sink into the bed and disappear. She couldn't afford to engage with her, not now. She let Erick take over, leaving the room without saying a word.

***

The night stretched on in near silence. Erick returned later, his voice soft as he settled beside Bianca. "Sabrina wanted to stay and take care of you, but I sent her away." He lay down beside her, pulling her closer into his arms. "If you still feel unwell, let me know and I'll call the doctor."

Bianca's body tensed as his warmth surrounded her. She didn't respond to him. Her thoughts were elsewhere, racing, plotting her next move. His voice, soft and insincere, echoed in her mind, but she didn't trust him anymore. It was a long time before she fell into an uneasy sleep, the quiet of the house pressing down on her chest like a vice.

***

The next morning, Bianca's adoptive parents called, the news of her pregnancy spreading quickly. They were on their way back from a trip, eager to celebrate. Bianca felt a sudden pang of dread, but she masked it quickly.

The drive to the Harper Family home was long and silent, with Erick occasionally glancing at her, his face unreadable. Bianca's mind was elsewhere. The thought of facing her adoptive parents felt like stepping into an arena for a fight she was unprepared for.

When they arrived, the house was filled with the clatter of preparations, the smells of a meal being readied. Martha, her adoptive mother was already bustling around, putting the finishing touches on the meal with the help of the housekeeper. The familiar sights of the home did nothing to ease Bianca's discomfort. She felt like a stranger in her own skin.

As they sat down to eat, Martha smiled warmly, her attention shifting to the pregnancy. "Is it a boy or a girl?" she asked, her tone light and full of excitement.

"We haven't checked yet," Erick replied, his voice smooth, his expression gentle as he glanced toward Bianca. "Whether it's a boy or a girl, I'll love it no matter what."

His words, meant to sound affectionate, carried an undercurrent of something darker. Sabrina's eyes narrowed and she shot Erick a pointed glare. He met her gaze and gave a small, reassuring smile in return, one that Bianca noticed with increasing discomfort. The once pleasant exchanges now felt like cruel mockery. She could feel the betrayal in every word, in every glance.

Sabrina's smile only grew wider, her eyes dancing with mischief. It was sickening.

Bianca couldn't stomach it any longer. Excusing herself from the table, she feigned fatigue, stating she wasn't feeling well. Erick wanted to accompany her, but his phone rang, pulling him away.

She walked slowly to her room, but as she passed her parents' room, she heard hushed voices that made her freeze.

"No matter how you look at it, Bianca is just an adopted daughter. She can't compare to a biological one. It's best if Sabrina can take Erick away from her." Edward, her adoptive father, spoke coldly.

"Sabrina, you need to work harder and get pregnant with Erick's child as soon as possible," Martha replied, her voice dripping with the same calculated ambition.

The words pierced Bianca's heart like a dagger. The glass in her hand slipped from her fingers, shattering on the floor and she staggered, trying to keep herself upright.

So, her parents had known all along. They had all known about the affair. She had been the only fool, the only one in the dark. The weight of that realization nearly crushed her.

When the voices inside the room stopped, Bianca didn't need to look up. She knew they had seen her.

Martha stammered out her name in surprise, but Bianca's gaze was cold. She turned slowly, her eyes narrowing as they landed on Sabrina, who stood there with a smug, satisfied smile on her face.

Bianca couldn't hold it in any longer. With a sharp movement, she slapped Sabrina hard across the face. The force sent Sabrina stumbling back, her hand flying to her cheek in shock, but then she laughed, the sound cruel and mocking.

"Sis, haven't you always been good at enduring?" Sabrina taunted, her tone laced with venom.

Bianca stood frozen in the living room, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst from her chest. Sabrina's words sliced through the air, each one sharper than the last.

"I've sent you pictures of your husband cheating and yet you pretend not to see them," Sabrina sneered, her voice dripping with malice. "Last night, I had sex with him right next to you and you still managed to fake sleep. Why aren't you playing deaf and blind now, sis?"

Bianca's breath came in ragged bursts and her body trembled as though it couldn't contain the weight of the truth crashing down on her. She had known, of course, but hearing it from Sabrina's mouth, seeing the cruel delight in her sister's eyes, was a wound that cut deeper than anything Bianca had anticipated.

Her chest heaved violently, the pain of betrayal searing through her. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall. Not now. Not when they were looking at her with such contempt. "Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sabrina's lips curled into a sadistic smile. "Of course," she said coldly. "Because I'm going to be Mrs. West. Why don't you just give it up, sis? You've been a pathetic Mrs. West anyway." Her words were a dagger aimed directly at Bianca's heart and with each syllable, the last vestiges of their sisterly bond were shattered. The facade of affection that had once existed between them crumbled into nothing, revealing the ugly greed and coldness that had been festering beneath the surface all along.

Bianca's legs began to tremble and she felt as if the ground beneath her was giving way. Her body swayed, but she steadied herself by gripping the edge of the table, the cool wood grounding her in that moment. Martha's voice sliced through her thoughts, filled with the same icy authority that had always been present in her presence.

"Bianca, think about it. You've had Sabrina's life for years. If you have any conscience at all, you'll end this pregnancy, divorce Erick and give him back where he belongs—with Sabrina."

The words were a poison, each one twisting in her gut, making it harder to breathe. Bianca's eyes blurred with tears as her chest constricted, unable to take in the magnitude of what was being asked of her.

Before Bianca could process anything further, the front door creaked open and Erick's voice rang out, heavy with confusion and concern. "What's going on?"

He froze in the doorway, his eyes wide as he took in the scene. Bianca stood before him, her face flushed with anger and humiliation, while Sabrina stood beside her, an expression of malicious triumph on her face.

Sabrina's gaze flickered quickly and before anyone could say a word, she burst into fake tears, her sobs loud and dramatic. "Erick, Bianca found out about us."

Hearing his name snapped Erick out of his stupor, but it was too late. His face went ashen, his breath catching in his throat. Panic seized him, his mind racing for a believable explanation. He looked at Bianca, his eyes pleading, but she saw only fear. He'd been caught. "Bianca..." he whispered, his voice desperate.

Bianca's heart was pounding in her chest, but her anger had risen to a boiling point. She no longer cared for explanations, no longer cared about saving face. With every ounce of strength she had left, she lifted her hand and slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed through the room and for a brief moment, the world stood still.

"Erick, you've really outdone yourself," she said, her voice low and filled with contempt.

Martha let out a shrill scream, her face pale with shock. "Bianca, how could you slap Erick?"

But Erick, in his panic, barked at her, his eyes frantic. "Shut up!" he snapped, his voice rising. He turned back to Bianca, reaching out for her hand. "Bianca, listen to me, I can explain. Just please, let me explain!"

Bianca didn't even glance at him. Instead, her gaze stayed cold, unwavering. "Explain?" she sneered, her voice frosty. "Explain what? That you didn't cheat? That you didn't sleep with Sabrina?"

His mouth opened, but no words came out. The panic was overwhelming, drowning out any coherent thoughts. He could see the derision in her eyes, feel the weight of her disgust in the air. And in that moment, he knew that everything he had ever taken for granted was slipping away.

The silence that followed was thick and suffocating. Bianca's tear-filled eyes locked with his for a long moment before she turned away, not sparing him a second glance. Her footsteps were sharp and deliberate as she walked past him, leaving the room without another word.

***

The drive home was quiet. Bianca sat in the passenger seat, her hands tightly clasped together in her lap, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. The world seemed blurry through her tears, but she didn't wipe them away. She let them fall, each one a silent testament to the pain she could no longer suppress.

Once inside the house, the weight of the silence suffocated her. She turned to face Erick, who had followed her in. He stood in the doorway, his hands wringing nervously as he looked at her.

"Erick," Bianca said softly, her voice filled with a strange calmness that didn't match the chaos inside her. "We're getting a divorce."

The color drained from Erick's face immediately. His mouth opened and closed, as if he couldn't comprehend the words that had just left her lips. "No," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Bianca, I was wrong. You can hit me, scold me, whatever you want. Just don't leave me. I can't live without you. Please, don't leave me. I won't let you leave me, not even if I die."

His words were desperate, tinged with a possessiveness that made Bianca's skin crawl. His eyes were wide, frantic and in them, she saw the obsession he had always tried to hide. It was a suffocating, consuming fear that twisted his features into something unrecognizable.

A shiver ran through Bianca, her stomach churning. She remembered him locking her in the house after a fight, fearing she'd leave. She remembered the threats, the control, the ever-present fear beneath his charm. She couldn't let it happen again.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. "Erick, I need some time alone," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

But he wasn't ready to let go. In the next instant, Erick dropped to his knees, his face twisted in an expression of utter desperation. "Bianca, give me another chance, please. Please..."

Bianca didn't look at him as she turned and walked upstairs, her steps deliberate and firm. She could hear him pleading behind her, but it only felt distant, like the sound of someone shouting in a dream.

She closed the door to her room behind her and leaned against it, her chest tight with emotion. A strange sadness welled up inside her. If he was so afraid of losing her, why had he cheated?

The next day, as Bianca descended the stairs, she paused at the top. She glanced at Erick, still kneeling on the floor, his face a mask of despair.

The house felt quiet, the air thick with tension. Bianca stood on the stairs, her body rigid as Erick's hoarse voice pierced the silence. "Bianca..."

She could feel the heat of his gaze on her, but it didn't matter. Her heart was already a stone in her chest, cold and unfeeling. Slowly, she turned to face him, her tear-filled eyes meeting his. She let the tears fall, just enough to make her seem vulnerable, to make her seem like she was still in love with him—like she still cared.

"Erick," Bianca began, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and sadness. "I truly hate you, but I also truly love you. I..." Her words trailed off, leaving just enough room for him to fill in the gaps, to believe for a moment that he might still be able to win her back.

A flicker of joy, too quick to hide, shot across Erick's face. His shoulders relaxed, the weight of his guilt momentarily lifting as he saw the glimmer of hope in Bianca's eyes. He took a step forward, his hands reaching for her and in one swift motion, he enveloped her in his arms.

"Bianca, I won't do it again," he said desperately, his voice cracking. "Forgive me this once and we'll live our lives properly from now on. I swear I'll change. We'll start over. I'll make things right."

Bianca's heart hardened at the words. Cheating wasn't something you just apologized for and moved past. It wasn't a mistake—it was a choice. Her mind screamed at her to push him away, to make him see the truth, but she simply stood there, allowing him to hold her, hiding the bitterness behind her eyes.

'Cheating is either something you do or you don't. Erick, do you even hear yourself?' Bianca thought to herself, her mind a whirlwind of disgust and resentment. She glanced briefly out the window, seeking refuge in the outside world, anything to escape the claustrophobia of this moment.

But just as she thought she might break free, the door slammed open and Sabrina appeared in the doorway, her face contorted with anguish. Sabrina's eyes locked onto Bianca with a mixture of guilt and defiance, but it was clear she had no intention of backing down.

Sabrina didn't waste any time with pleasantries. Dropping to her knees, she sobbed pitifully, her tears flowing freely as she begged for Erick's attention. "Please, sis," she cried, her voice breaking with false humility. "I love Erick. You can still be Mrs. West. I won't fight you for it. Just let me be with him. Please..."

Her plea hung in the air like a thick fog. Bianca's chest tightened and for a split second, she thought she might suffocate from the absurdity of it all. How was it possible that this woman, the one who had betrayed her most, could kneel before her and act as though she were the victim?

Tears streamed down Sabrina's face and her voice cracked with desperation. Despite the tears, a cold smirk tugged at the corners of Bianca's lips. She stood tall, her posture unwavering, as she watched Sabrina's pathetic performance. It was almost comical, how Sabrina thought she could beg for forgiveness when everything had already been laid bare.

Bianca's voice, when it came, was laced with disdain. "You're okay with being a secret mistress for the rest of your life?" she asked, her words cold and sharp, cutting through Sabrina's pretense.

Sabrina's expression faltered for a fraction of a second before she quickly forced a smile. "You will always be Mrs. West, sis," she replied, her tone strained but trying to sound convincing.

Bianca didn't flinch. She looked at Sabrina as though she were a stranger. But then her gaze shifted to Erick and she asked, "What about you? Do you love Sabrina?"

The question hung in the air like a storm cloud waiting to break. Erick's eyes darted between the two women, panic flashing across his face. He loved Bianca—that much was true—but he had also fallen for Sabrina. In the midst of his confusion, his hesitation spoke volumes.

"I love you the most," he finally said, his voice a weak attempt at reassuring her. But the words were hollow and even he could hear the uncertainty in them. His heart was divided and the shame of it clung to him like a shadow.

Bianca's lips curled into a bitter smile, her eyes narrowing. She could see through his feigned sincerity and it only made her loathe him more. His evasiveness was all she needed to hear.

With a final glance at both of them, she turned on her heel and left the room. Her silence, however, was misconstrued by Erick and Sabrina as a sign of concession. Erick's face softened, a relieved smile tugging at his lips as he basked in the belief that he had narrowly escaped disaster.

He thought to himself how lucky he was compared to his friends. He had a wife who loved him so much, a wife who, even after discovering his betrayal, couldn't bring herself to leave him. It was a twisted sense of triumph, one born from his conviction that Bianca's love would always be his safety net.

Bianca, however, understood the grim reality all too well. Forgiveness, she knew, wouldn't bring about any kind of remorse. It would only breed more hurt, more humiliation and more betrayal.

After their dirty secret had been exposed, Erick's feelings for Sabrina became painfully clear. No longer did he hide behind the excuse of work. He openly spent time with her, often calling Bianca from her place. "Bianca, be good. Don't wait up for me tonight," he'd say casually. Eventually, the calls stopped altogether.

Erick's actions became more brazen and he began to push Bianca's boundaries further, testing her resolve time and time again. She knew that if she gave in now, it would make things even worse. She couldn't seem weak in his eyes, so she made a show of resistance, of anger. But deep down, every argument, every fight, only fed into Erick's belief that he could do whatever he wanted without consequence.

One weekend, when Erick didn't come home yet again, he made yet another excuse. "Bianca, Sabrina has a cold and no one's there to take care of her. I'll stay with her tonight."

Bianca's response was nothing but silence, a silence that spoke volumes. After hanging up, she didn't waste a second. Without another word, she began to quietly gather all the funds she had managed to save over the years. She had made up her mind. The day she would leave was fast approaching.

***

As the hours stretched into the quiet of the night, Bianca was left alone with her thoughts. The phone rang suddenly, its sharp tone slicing through the silence. Bianca glanced at the screen and saw Elisa's name.

"Bianca," Elisa's voice was urgent, but Bianca could hear the concern beneath it. "I have two things to tell you."

Bianca's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"

"It turns out Sabrina's not simply interested in Erick," Elisa explained. "She's here for revenge against the Wests. I haven't found out what they did to her, though."

Bianca's blood ran cold. She had known Sabrina was dangerous, but this? This was something else entirely.

"Should I tell Erick about this?" Elisa asked, her voice cautious.

In the past, Bianca would have immediately answered with an emphatic "Yes." She would have wanted to protect Erick from Sabrina. But now, she shook her head.

"No need," Bianca said, her voice steady. "Erick has chosen Sabrina himself and he should bear the consequences."

There was a pause on the other end of the line and then Elisa let out a relieved sigh. "Not telling him is the right move. Losing you for a scheming woman? He'd deserve it."