“Of course, it’s good news that you’re pregnant, Julie. I was just surprised. Go on and get your checkup," Tracy said.

While I was having the checkup, Blake gently patted my head to soothe me before he stepped out.

In the past, I might not have thought much of such a gesture. However now, as I watched his retreating back, suspicion crept into my heart like a shadow.

After the examination, I walked out to find the seat outside empty. I wandered through the hallway and eventually found him in the stairwell. He was standing close to Tracy.

Tracy's delicate brows were knitted tightly, her expression laced with dissatisfaction as she demanded, "You promised me she would never get pregnant. How could this happen?”

Blake pulled her gently into his arms and brushed away her frown with a practiced hand then coaxed her, “It was an accident. We’ve always been careful. I’ll take care of it, Tracy. I’ll personally ensure this child doesn’t see the light of day.”

His tone softened, almost pleading. “Don’t let this small issue upset you. You know it hurts me to see you like this.”

I stumbled back to the seat outside the examination room, my legs barely supporting me. His words kept echoing in my head. Small issue. He said it was a small issue. So, killing his unborn biological child was a small issue for him. Tracy's happiness was a big issue for him.

"Have the checkup finished?" he asked. “I just had to go to the toilet for a moment. Let me ask the doctor if the results are ready.”

His voice brought me back to reality, I nodded silently and watched as he disappeared into the doctor’s office. He emerged from the doctor's office after a long time with sorrowful eyes. He squatted in front of me at eye level with me. "Julie," he began cautiously, “I need to tell you something, but you have to promise me you won’t get upset.”

Then he continued, "The baby's test results are a bit bad, there are problems with its development, so we can't … keep this child."

Though I had braced myself for this, I had to try and save it. I locked my gaze on Blake's and said seriously, "I only ask you this just once. Please, be honest with me."

The moment Blake nodded solemnly, I emphasized every word I said, "This child … is there truly something wrong with it? Do we really have to let it go?"

For a split second, hesitation flickered in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared and before I could see it clearly, he had already answered my question, "Yes."

I kept my eyes trained on his, as his words shattered me. I gave up the fight, closed my eyes and nodded woodenly.

Seeing my agreement, Blake immediately sprang into action and arranged the operation with the hospital.

I had to admit that the efficiency of the Maxwell Family's private hospital was excellent. It only took an hour before I was wheeled into the operation room.

When I woke up, the operation had finished and I was sent back to the ward. I placed my hand gently over my now-empty belly and without realizing it, tears started to rain down my face. The place that was filled with my child yesterday was empty now.

The door creaked open and Blake entered, walked toward me and wiped away my tears with his thumb gently.

“Don’t cry, Julie,” he murmured. “We’re still young, Dear. There will be more children in the future.”

His word was like a big hand that gripped my heart tightly. Will there really be more? Can I trust you?

Before I could voice my thoughts, a sickeningly sweet voice interrupted us, “Oh, Julie, don’t be so sad! The baby might be gone, but you still have Blake. Look at how much he cares for you."

She continued, "Even though the doctor said you didn’t need to stay in the hospital, Blake insisted. He was so worried about you that he arranged for you to rest here for a few days before he was convinced."

Then she added, "Coincidentally, I haven’t been feeling well either for the past two days. I’ll be staying here to take care of my pregnancy. Don't you think this is nice? We are keeping each other company."

When I raised my eyes, I could not help noticing the triumph that flashed in Tracy's eyes.

I actually did not know Tracy well. All I knew about her was that she and Blake were childhood sweethearts and they were friends since childhood.

It wasn't until the Maxwell brothers stayed in the country when they went to college and Tracy went abroad to study that they broke off contact.

I met Devon during our university days. From the first moment I saw him, I was smitten. My infatuation led me to pursue him relentlessly. From the very beginning, he had told me that he had an ex-girlfriend. They had to part ways because of a long-distance relationship.

After we got together, Devon reassured me multiple times that she had left the country with her entire family and would never return. “We’re over. There’s no possibility of us being together again,” he had said. I naively believed him.

Our relationship grew stronger and soon he introduced me to his family and friends, including his older brother, Blake.

However, on our wedding day, everything unraveled. When Devon received news that Tracy had returned, he left me standing at the altar and ran to Tracy to marry her without hesitation.

At that moment, I realized that, in our four years together, not once had he truly let go of her. Yet, I had not realized that the person who considered Tracy as his first love was not just Devon. All this time when Devon waited for Tracy to return, Blake was also waiting silently for her.

I stared coldly at Tracy, my voice icy as I spoke to her, "You should address me as sister-in-law."

Tracy froze. She was taken aback by my words. Blake immediately stepped in front of her protectively. He then chided me, "Julie, she’s just trying to bond with you. Must you blow things out of proportion?”

Then he said helplessly, "Forget it. You’ve just had surgery and you’re in a bad mood. Get some rest. I need to head back to the office.”

Just like that he and Tracy left me alone. The sight of their retreating figures felt like a cold wind tearing through the gaping hole in my heart.

Blake was Devon's brother and I was Blake's wife. As Blake's wife, it was normal for Tracy to address me as her sister-in-law. Yet, to state the obvious, I was left abandoned, with my husband walking away from me mere hours after I underwent an abortion operation. He did not want to pretend anymore in front of Tracy.

I did not know how the time but even after the night fell, Blake had not returned.

Suddenly, a muffled but indecent and intimate voice entered my ears. I slipped out of the bed and followed the sound. The door of the next ward was slightly ajar. When I peeked through the narrow crack, I saw Blake and Tracy were tangled in an intimate embrace. Their voice laced with desire and lust.

"You had deprived me of your touch for the past three months, you don't have any idea how much I miss you," murmured Blake.

Tracy's coquettish voice tinged with the pleasure of hearing his words, "Don't be too hasty. The doctor said we shouldn’t be too vigorous. She’s right next door, after all. What if she hears us?”

Blake didn’t pause for a second. “Don’t worry. This is the Maxwell Family's hospital. The soundproofing here is excellent. Besides, I locked the door.”

The moment he said this, Tracy, who was lying beneath him, suddenly turned her eyes and met mine. At that moment, it dawned on me that she had left the door open on purpose. She wanted me to see this because she wanted me to understand my place.

When I saw her triumphant smile, I lowered my eyes, shut the door considerately and sealed their intimate secret.

For the three years of our marriage, I had never seen Blake lose his composure just like that. Even in our intimate moments, he had always been so gentle toward me. I had always thought he was naturally reserved by nature, turned out I did not ignite his passion at all.

The next morning, Tracy strolled into my room. There was a proud look on her face as she pulled a small pouch from her waist and then dumped the contents on my bed. It was a fine grayish-white powder.

“How was the show last night? Do you enjoy it? That was just a little punishment for daring to get pregnant," mocked Stacy.

"Yet, what difference does it make that you’re pregnant? Your child doesn’t even deserve to be born. Since the only person in Blake's heart is me, he will make sure that your child doesn’t compete with mine for inheritance rights in the future, by not letting it be born."

"He can't bear to see any obstacle on my child's future or me for that matter. He is willing to sacrifice everything for me." Then she added cruelly, "Even your parents. They can never find peace in the afterlife and their ashes can only be my protection talisman."

I jerked my head up and a shaky voice came out from my mouth, "What did you just say?"

Tracy chuckled scornfully. Her face lightened up with satisfaction seeing my expression then she said, "After your parents passed away, you were barely hanging on, weren’t you? So, Blake personally arranged their funeral."

Then she spoke again, "A fortune teller once told me the reason for my misfortune abroad was the lingering bad luck. Your parents, dying so tragically, left their restless spirits behind. Their ashes, made into this talisman, will help me ward off all the bad luck."

"It seems the fortune teller is right. Since the death of your parents five years ago, I have been using this amulet, my life has been so much better."

My pulse raced. A fire of rage roared inside me and it was about to break free.

BLAKE MAXWELL!! How could he do it! How dare he!

I could not hold back any longer. I raised my hand and flung it viciously across Tracy's cheek. Tracy clutched her cheek and was about to throw curses toward me when suddenly Blake's sharp alarm voice rang out, "Julie! What are you doing?"

When she heard his voice, Tracy's smug expression instantly shifted into a pitiful one as she sobbed, "I only thought you would be upset because you had just lost your child and I want to comfort you. Why do you think I came here just to show off my pregnancy?"

Then she added, "I know you resent me for being with Devon, but that’s all in the past. Aren’t you and Blake happy now?”

Blake's sorrowful eyes zeroed in on Tracy's red and swollen cheek. Then his gaze became fiery as he looked at me to roar at me, "Julie, what the hell are you doing? How could you be so cruel? She’s pregnant!”

I ignored his anger and my eye met his without wavering and my voice was steady but ice-cold, "Let me ask you ... tell me, where are my parents' ashes?"

He froze as confusion flashed across his face. “Of course, they’re buried in the cemetery. Why are you asking about this?”

The expression on Tracy's face changed, she pulled Blake's hand and said, "Blake, I don’t feel well. My stomach … something’s wrong. Please, take me for a check-up. I’m scared it might be something wrong with the baby.”

Blake hesitated. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he helped Tracy to leave the room.

The moment they left the ward, I grabbed my belongings and walked out of the hospital. As soon as I got home, I gathered my ID and bank card and left. Before I did, I signed the divorce papers I had prepared in advance and left them neatly on the coffee table.

Blake! Tracy! I vowed. The next time we meet, I’ll make sure I'll give the two of you some unforgettable gifts.