When I was eight months pregnant with my child, I received an alert notification from my husband’s car system saying that his car had exploded. When I rushed to the location to the parking lot, I was shocked to find my husband and my stepsister were having sex in the car.

My stepsister, Celine Llewelyn, asked smugly with a flushed face, “James, wouldn’t Adrianne hate us to death if she knew that all ten of her miscarriages were because you gave those embryos to me for experiments?”

My husband, James Goldwyn, just smirked in response.

“She’s just a lab rat. Even if she knew, what could she do? Everything I have belongs to you and our child. When this baby she’s carrying also miscarries, I’ll use her infertility as a reason to throw her out.”

“Only then I can be with you forever,” he continued.

His movements grew faster as he responded. Soon enough, they both reached their climax. Tears streamed down my face as I watched them.

This marriage had been a lie from the beginning.

Even my unborn children were nothing but guinea pigs. It seemed that Celine believed she had taken everything from me. What she didn’t know was that my real father had returned just a week earlier. He was the CEO of a multinational company.

I had made my decision to end this nightmare of a marriage. So, I took out my phone to call my father.

“Dad, you once asked me to come live with you. I agree now. But I have one request. Cancel your partnership with the Goldwyn Group. I want James to lose everything!”

After I ended the call, I booked a flight for one month later. Once the divorce papers were finalized, I could finally leave James. But after I really left, he appeared again before me as he begged to get back together with eyes full of regret.

***

“Miss Abernathy, your resignation papers have been sent to Mr. Goldwyn. Only after he signs them, you can leave the company.”

I just stared at the document in front of me and nodded calmly, responding, “Thank you.”

Meanwhile, the head of HR Department couldn’t help but sigh as he asked, “Miss Abernathy, aren’t you and Mr. Goldwyn married? Why make such a big scene? Should I remind Mr. Goldwyn? After all, he still cares about you.”

I gave a sneer when I heard it.

If someone had told me that before I learned the truth, I would’ve believed it. I always thought James Goldwyn was just not good with words. But his love for me was as strong as mine for him. I truly believed we loved each other deeply.

Even after ten miscarriages because of the so-called genetic problems, I never gave up trying to give him a child. James always looked at me with guilt and pain, blaming himself for everything. I thought he loved me more than his own life.

That was until I caught him with Celine Llewelyn, my stepsister, in the parking lot.

That was when I finally learned the truth. All ten of my children were taken from me by their own father because Celine needed test subjects.

They hadn’t even planned to spare the babythat I had been carrying. Together, they wanted to destroy me and take everything that was mine.

But now that I knew the truth, they were the ones who would lose everything!

With that thought, I took the resignation letter and shook my head at the head of HR.

“No need. James will find out soon.”

Holding both the resignation and divorce papers, I walked into the office. I didn’t knock the door. When I stepped inside, James and Celine were in each other’s arms. The moment I looked up, they just finished kissing.

Celine flashed me a fake smile as she said, “Adrianne, don’t misunderstand. I almost fell just now, but I was lucky that James caught me in time.”

James walked over smoothly and pulled me into his arms, telling me, “Adrianne, I missed you so much. Don’t stay away for so long next time.”

Their pretension worked perfectly. Once Celine said that, she quickly left the office. I couldn’t help but notice how faint her lipstick was. In fact, it was barely visible. Their behavior was so obvious. But it I had just been too blind to see it before.

Before reaching the door, Celine turned back with a mocking smile as she then spoke, “Oh, Adrianne, your baby’s already eight months along. Let me take over the Venus Group project you’re handling. James already agreed. I’ve spent so much time and effort on this too, after all.”

As she spoke, she licked her lips seductively. Immediately, James’ body stiffened when he held me. I could feel his erection. They dared to flirt right in front of me!

I couldn’t hold it in anymore, so I quickly pushed James away. His eyes flashed with annoyance, but he then forced a smile.

“Adrianne, Celine has a point. Your body can’t handle stress right now. Besides, Celine is the famous perfumer Queen. As a perfumer yourself, you should know how talented she is. The Venus Group partnered with us because of her.”

“That’s why you need to let Celine take over the project. You’re not that gifted in perfumery anyway. It’s better for you to focus on the baby.”

A flicker of contempt appeared in his eyes. I couldn’t help but scoff in silence. It turned out that Celine dared to pretend to be me when I was the real Queen!

Back then, the Goldwyn Group would’ve gone bankrupt long ago if I hadn’t joined the Goldwyn Group and brought my own perfume formulas. I kept my identity secret because I didn’t want to pressure James. I never thought he’d believe Celine’s lies without question.

Venus Group wanted to work with me, the real Queen, not Celine. If I left, the deal would collapse. Coincidentally, the contract was due in just one month.

So, I gave a cold smile and agreed easily.

“Alright, I’ll let her take over tomorrow.”

James looked thrilled, but he then asked, “Why not today?”

I nodded indifferently. Just then, his phone rang. James frowned, but he then answered it. It was a multimedia message. A photo of Celine in revealing clothes.

He quickly locked the screen, but I had already seen it. Pretending not to notice, I handed him the resignation and divorce papers.

“What’s this?” he asked, reaching for them.

“Just some documents that need your signature,” I said calmly.

His phone rang again. He answered, lowering the volume, but Celine’s flirtatious voice still carried through.

“James, didn’t you see the pictures I sent? I’m waiting at the usual place. If you don’t come soon, someone else might take your spot.”

After hearing that, James moved fast after he heard Celine. He rushed to sign his name without even checking what the papers were. Then, he pushed me away without a second thought. My back hit the sharp edge of the desk. A pain shot through me so suddenly to my head. It caused my vision to be blur because of the pain. Yet, James didn’t even bother to look at me.

He then nervously told me, “Adrianne, the documents are signed. I have things to do. I’m leaving.”

Without further ado, James hurried out. I knew he was going to continue his affair with Celine. A few minutes later, my phone buzzed. It was a message from an unknown number, showing a picture of James lying on top of Celine.

I didn’t react. Instead, I just saved the photo. After that, I made an appointment at the hospital for an abortion. I had conceived this child out of love for James.

But since that love was gone, I couldn’t keep the baby. As I was wheeled into the operating room, tears filled my eyes. Just then, my phone rang again.

“Adrianne, the baby you’re carrying is mine. Please don’t abort our baby!”

My eyes widened in shock. After all, I could not believe what I was hearing. The person on the other end of the phone was not James. Rather, it was Oscar Melrose.

Oscar had been my childhood sweetheart. Before I went to Cambridge University, he left the UK. Hence, we lost contact.

Yet, how could the child in my womb be his? Even though it sounded impossible, I stopped the operation.

“Oscar, do you really know what you’re saying?”

My voice felt heavy as I asked him.

Indeed, I had a small hope in what he just said. This was the only pregnancy I had carried to eight months. If James and the others had not caused my miscarriages, I would not have thought of ending it. But because of everything they did, I had planned to let it go.

If … if the baby was really Oscar’s …

On the other end, Oscar laughed softly.

“Adrianne, have you forgotten I came back eight months ago? You only had James in your heart, so how would you even notice me?”

“But that night, you took my virginity. Your baby is definitely mine. I already did a paternity test. If you want, I can send you the results now.”

The moment I heard his confident voice, it made me breathe out for the first time in a long while. When I finally calmed down, I realized I was crying.

Oscar continued to talk, “Adrianne, what’s on your mind? You know that I hate the idea of my woman having my child with someone else.”

Hearing that, I answered Oscar seriously over the phone, “In a month, I’ll be single. Come get me. I’m going to Spain. But I have one condition.”

“You must work with the Venus Group and launch a strike at the Goldwyn Family. I want the Goldwyn Group wiped out. I want James to be left with nothing.”

There was a short pause from Oscar’s end, but he eventually laughed before agreeing without hesitation.

After we finished planning, I dragged my tired body back to the mansion. Before I entered, I heard Celine’s high, loud moans. Her voice was full of seduction, mixed with James’ low moans and echoed through the house. I clenched my teeth and stared at the sight.

The place Celine had mentioned was our home. The bed they used was my favorite bed. They had made love on it!

The bedroom floor was covered with torn pieces of the wedding photos of me and James. The proof of our love had now turned into props for their affair. Finally, Celine, who was still lost in her satisfaction, noticed my presence.

Celine looked straight at my angry face. Instead of being scared, she showed an arrogant smile. After that, she raised her voice even louder as if to challenge me on purpose. My hands curled into tight fists. I wanted to rush in.

But my divorce agreement with James had been submitted to the City Hall.

If things got out of control and he found out what happened, I was afraid I might not be able to leave so easily. Thinking of it, I turned around to go back downstairs to the entrance of the mansion.

Celine’s smug smile still appeared in my mind as I called James. The phone rang three times before he finally picked up.

I asked softly, “James, I’m back. Can you come to the door to meet me? I’m feeling a little down.”

On the other end, I heard him curse under his breath. It was then followed by Celine’s annoyed voice But in the end, he agreed.

“Okay, wait for me. I have something to tell you.”

Soon, James came hurrying down the stairs. It was obvious that he was in a rush. After all, the marks on his neck and chest hadn’t been fully covered. Not to mention, his shirt buttons were half undone.

As soon as he saw me, he said directly, “Celine isn’t feeling well. Also, she needs data for her experiment. I happen to have the same kind of perfumery you use here, so I’ll let her stay in the house for a while.”

My whole body stiffened.

When James came closer, a strong scent of Celine’s perfume hit my nose. It was so strong it almost smelled rotten.

James and Celine had been having affairs right next to me, making me their fool. But now, it became even more crazy.

Celine even wanted to live in my home!

Before I could respond, Celine appeared at the top of the stairs with red marks on her body. She was still flushed, clearly showing what she had just been doing.

She showed a smug smile as she said, “Adrianne, James is so kind to let me stay here for a while. I’ll make sure to repay him well.”

Her voice was soft and seductive when she talked, while her eyes lingering on James with obvious flirtation. I saw James’ Adam apple moved hard beside me.

I coldly refused, telling her, “I refuse. My perfumery is not suitable for anyone else. If you need something, you can find another place.”

James’ face darkened immediately.

Celine came down two steps, tugging gently at his sleeve. Her face was full of fake sadness.

“James, did I do something wrong? Why is Adrianne treating me like this? Maybe I should just leave.”

After that, she turned to leave. But James grabbed her hand, starring with disappointment.

“Adrianne, when did you become so selfish? Celine only wants to stay for a short while. Why can’t you agree? If you really mind it, then you can move out for now. Your due date is close anyway. I’ll arrange a hospital stay for you.”

His tone sounded calm, but the message was clear. If I refused to let Celine stay, then I should be the one to leave. And if I left, it would be easier for them to harm the baby inside me.

Thinking of this, I forced a smile while my tears started to well up. But I forced them back down.

“Fine, I’ll leave now.”

Without glancing at either of their faces, I turned and went upstairs. The sheets on the bed were a mess, while the smell in the room unbearable. But I ignored it and started packing my things.

That was when I noticed all the gifts James and I had exchanged to celebrate our seven-year wedding anniversary had been torn apart or smashed and thrown onto the floor. My chest tightened painfully.

Even though I already knew James no longer loved me, I had never imagined he would destroy our memories and use them as tools for his pleasure with Celine.

After a while, I quickly held my feelings.

Both Celine and James soon came upstairs to watch me silently as I packed.

Seeing the cold look on my face, Celine couldn’t resist mocking me as she made a remark, “Adrianne, I’m so sorry. My dog did this. I never thought it would. I’m really sorry, Adrianne. Should I beat it to help you vent your anger?”

She pushed all the blame onto her little dog, Bella, like it was nothing.

I didn’t even look at her, choosing to packing my things carefully.

When I was almost done, I suddenly noticed something that the small pearl necklace my father had left me was missing.