When the school caught fire, my husband violently pushed me, causing me to tumble down the stairs even though I was two months pregnant. Pain seared through my abdomen, and I felt a wetness beneath me. Meanwhile, my son protected his gentle female tutor, passing right by me and shoving me aside again.

“Damn it, you're everywhere.”

After returning home from the hospital, I found a pregnancy test report that didn't belong to me. On it was written a simple note:

“So happy! I'm going to be a big brother. I adore Teacher Tessa.”

I packed all my clothes into luggage and texted my boss:

“Boss Harlow, I am willing to accept your offer. I will depart next week for my assignment abroad.”

As I finished speaking, the bedroom door was suddenly pushed open.

I had just ended my phone call when I met my husband's look of extreme disdain.

“I have plans with our son. You can't go abroad; cancel the trip.”

That familiar commanding tone. My husband, Jason Morgan, had been like this throughout our years of marriage.

I put away my phone and spoke calmly, “I'm going with my best friend.”

Hearing this, Jason relaxed as if a burden was lifted, and he sat on the bed. Moments later, he patted my shoulder, as if comforting me:

“Samuel has a break next month; I will have time too. How about we take a family trip to Europe?”

I knew Jason and our son only liked to do relaxing, intimate activities with the school's beautiful tutor—Tessa Garrett.

I quietly nodded and continued folding clothes into the suitcase.

Jason's expression froze, but he continued, “Well, that's settled then.”

Before I could respond, Jason's phone rang. Tessa's exclusive ringtone filled the room.

A woman's sweet voice came from the receiver, and I felt the burn from my injury intensify. They both loved her, she was willing to be Samuel’s stepmother, and it seemed they were about to become a real family. I had no intention to stand in their way.

Samuel came barreling into the room, his eyes glittering as he looked at Jason.

“Dad, Teacher Tessa is going to be my godmother! I am so happy!”

He hadn’t noticed me, but his expression changed to displeasure and disdain when he saw me.

“Teacher Tessa can still go to work every day despite her burns, but Mom doesn’t do anything except live in luxury, spending Dad’s money. What else can she do?”

Jason smiled and lightly patted Samuel’s head, chiding him softly not to speak to me that way.

Samuel clung to Jason’s sleeve, whining like a child, “Dad, let’s go find Teacher Tessa! I can’t wait for her to be my new mom!”

Jason quickly covered Samuel’s mouth, his expression warning him.

He turned to me and, looking slightly nervous, explained, “Alice, don’t listen to him; he only has you as his mother.”

I responded with a hint of indifference, “It’s okay, it’s nice to have someone else care for him.”

Tessa was Samuel's tutor. Before she appeared, our family was relatively harmonious. But things began changing without me noticing. Jason started praising her constantly, and our son, who once clung to me, began crying for Tessa to be his mom.

“Mom, you should learn from Teacher Tessa. She doesn’t control me like you do, not even stopping me from eating chips. I can do whatever I want at her place!”

After a huge argument over this, I received a united front from my husband and son against me.

Half a month ago, Jason and I attended Samuel’s parent-teacher meeting. A fire broke out unexpectedly.

I wanted to save Samuel, but Jason pushed me away and I stumbled down the stairs. The pain in my abdomen was excruciating, and blood stained my skirt. Yet, Jason and Samuel protected Tessa, walking past me and shoving me aside once more.

It was only at the hospital that I found out I had lost our two-month-old baby.

Returning home from the hospital, I received a pregnancy report from Tessa, with a note from Samuel expressing his adoration for both Tessa and her unborn child.

It seemed my husband, who once professed to love me, and my son were about to create a new family with another woman.

The pain in my heart overshadowed the discomfort in my abdomen. I turned away and wiped the tears from my eyes.

It didn’t matter anymore.

Soon, I would be gone, and I wouldn’t be an obstacle for father and son anymore.

I didn't get out of bed until the afternoon.

Even after drinking a few sips of hot water, the pain in my lower abdomen didn't subside; it only grew worse.

Thankfully, I had cooked some soup before going to sleep.

I struggled to the kitchen, hoping to drink some soup to replenish my strength. But just as I reached for the spoon, someone scolded me.

"Why do you have to fight with a sick person for food? Why are you so greedy?"

Jason stood beside me and took the pot of soup away.

"Luckily, Samuel didn't inherit your sneaky habits."

I didn't know when he had come back, but his tone carried a hint of impatience.

"I made this; how is it stealing?"

I pointed at the burnt food in the trash can, "What you cooked is over there."

Jason awkwardly held the pot, smiling sheepishly, "Tessa hurt her leg and can only eat bland food. I thought this was something I made."

"I'm sorry, I wrongly accused you."

"You should rest. I'll make some noodles and bring them to you later."

In all the years we'd been married, this was the first time Jason apologized to me, and I never thought it would be for another woman. He had never stepped into the kitchen, claiming that the kitchen was inherently a woman's domain.

But now, he would cook for Tessa.

Love and indifference can be so obvious.

I quietly drank my soup. As I picked up the spoon, my pajama sleeve slipped down, revealing my bare wrist.

Jason furrowed his brows, staring at my wrist for a long moment before asking, "Where is your bracelet?"

Our token of love, which I always wore, whereas Jason's had long vanished.

I looked at him calmly, "It was burned in the fire, don't you remember?"

If he looked closely, he could see the freshly healed scar on my forearm.

"I'm sorry. Once I'm through this busy period, I'll buy you a new one."

His eyes shifty, avoiding mine.

What is Jason busy with?

Busy taking good care of Tessa. Busy forming a new family with her. Whatever he was busy with, it had nothing to do with me.

I showed little reaction, just continued quietly drinking my soup.

Jason's face showed a hint of remorse as he spoke sincerely, "I know I've been neglecting you, but Tessa saved Samuel in the fire. Whether Samuel recognizes her as his godmother or I am kinder to her, it's what I owe her."

I helplessly placed a hand on my lower abdomen, feeling a slight sense of relief.

If neither my father nor my brother like me, the baby would suffer even after being born. And besides, they don't even know about the baby.

"Mom, what you made tastes terrible. Godmother's cooking is a hundred times better than yours."

Samuel watched the bowl of soup expectantly, waiting for me to rise to the challenge like before and prepare a whole feast, determined to compete with Tessa.

Jason glared at him warningly and immediately took the bowl, offering me an excuse, "Don't listen to our son. Let me have a taste and see for myself."

I merely placed the pot to my right and stood up to ladle another bowl.

"If you don't like it, you can go eat at Tessa's."

Jason seemed ready to scold me for competing for attention, but his gaze locked onto the living room wall.

"Where is our family photo? Haven't you had enough with these tricks to gain favor?"

I wiped my mouth, lifted my head, and met his gaze.

"The picture frame fell, glass shattered all over. I haven't cleaned up yet, just put the photo away."

Jason's furrowed brows relaxed, but his gaze still held confusion as he looked at me:

"I promise you, once Tessa recovers, I'll keep my distance from her, just like before."

"We are the real family."

"By the way, tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. Book a restaurant for us, and we'll have dinner together."

It was Jason's usual tactic.

—Givemeaslaponthewristandthenasweettreat.

In the eyes of both father and son, I was never a wife and mom, just a beck-and-call nanny and maid.

His tone towards me was always condescending, devoid of any pity.

The phone rang at just the right moment, Samuel glanced at it briefly and then leaned in with a sweet demeanor, "Mom, your cooking is really delicious, I was just joking earlier." The longing in his eyes was genuine. I smiled quietly, not saying anything more.

Jason took my phone and tapped on it, "Book this restaurant. Their head waiter just called."

Before leaving, he asked me with a full smile, "Alice, I'll bring groceries home tonight. Make sure you wait for me here!"

Samuel laughed beside him, covering his face. We looked like we used to, still a happy family.

As the front door closed, my phone vibrated wildly. My colleague's voice was nearly breaking through the receiver, "Alice, did you set the fire at Samuel's school? The internet is flooded with this news. Someone found out your home address and is heading your way…”

I forced myself to stay calm, my voice trembling as I asked, "I remember our company is responsible for the school's network security. Can you check the surveillance footage from that day?"

My colleague didn't respond, her voice was cut off by the incoming call.

I answered, but it was endless layers of insults. I hung up, only for another number to ring.

Ring, hang up. I hastily dialed Jason's number, only for his cold, transformed tone to greet me.

"Alice, Tessa is pregnant, and she saved Samuel's life during the fire. Take the blame for the school fire, for her."

"Her health can't handle this. You're healthy, you can bear it."

"Just think of it as an apology to you from me and Samuel. We'll make it up to you in the future."

I heard Tessa's laughter through the receiver, softly thanking me.

But why did they dump the blame on me, never asking if I was willing?

My phone was constantly bombarded with curse messages, most asking why I set the fire, why didn't I die.

Despite my long-standing decision to leave, my heart ached deeply.

"How dare you decide for me something I didn't do!"

"You know I'll be cyberbullied. What am I supposed to do?"

"I have a job, a career...”

I was frantic, questioning Jason.

But he interrupted me strongly.

"Is Samuel's life less important than your job and reputation? You think your son's life is secondary to your career!"

"Even if you lose everything, I'll support you."

I laughed bitterly.

"Setting a fire at school is murder, it's a crime!"

Jason laughed smugly,

"Murder? A crime? There's no casualty, it won't blow up. You'll just suffer a few days of insults. Besides, your shitty job doesn't matter if you quit."

Suddenly, a piercing pain surged through my lower abdomen.

Who said there were no casualties!

My two-month pregnant baby wasn't a life? But neither of them ever asked or cared.

I suddenly recalled that year, Samuel begging me to give him a little sister, both he and Jason squatting beside me like knights guarding their princess.

They looked at me with full expectancy:

"If we had a sister at home, I'd spoil her to the heavens!"

"No, it's mom who should be spoiled, mom is the princess!"

Now, my husband and biological son stabbed me one after the other.

"Fine, as you said, I'll take the blame for her."

And our feelings for each other dissolved.

Jason thought I agreed too readily and hesitated for a few seconds, ultimately saying okay.