After finding out I was pregnant, I rushed to share the news with my husband, Logan Gibson, only to walk in on him holding Leah Ellis in his arms, the so-called real daughter his adoptive parents had just discovered.

She choked out through her tears, “Logan, I’m not your wife, so wouldn’t our child be illegitimate?”

Logan gently brushed away her tears, his voice soft and full of promise. “Don’t worry. I’ve known all along that Cecilia’s real parents are rich. Once I get my hands on her inheritance, I’ll marry you. She’s easy to fool. She’s been clinging to me for years. When the time comes, I’ll make her give you her place.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks. Three years ago, when my adoptive parents found Leah, they cast me aside without a second thought. On my way out, I was kidnapped, and the injuries I suffered nearly ruined my ability to ever conceive.

Back then, Logan, my childhood friend, ignored every whisper and rumor and insisted on marrying me.

I thought he was my safe harbor. I never imagined he would be the storm that drowned me.

The medical report lay crumpled in my hand as I gently touched my lower abdomen.

Since Logan had only ever schemed against me, then this child didn’t need him as a father.

I turned around and called my biological father, the one from the wealthy family.

“Dad, I’ve made up my mind. One week from now, I want to leave this place with my child, and I want Logan to walk away with nothing.”

He agreed without hesitation and booked the flight for exactly one week later.

Seven days. Just enough to finalize the divorce, tie up the loose ends, and deliver one final parting gift.

…

Logan pressed a kiss to Leah’s lips. After their lingering intimacy, he whispered tenderly, “Leah, you’re the only one I’ve ever loved. I want to give you and our child the best life possible.”

But the moment he spoke about me, his voice turned cold, so cold it sent a chill straight through me. The affection he gave Leah pierced my heart like a blade.

Three years ago, when he proposed, he had said, “No matter who the real daughter of the Ellis family is, you’re the only one I love.”

Hearing those same words now, it was clear he meant them far more this time.

Suddenly, Leah said sweetly, “Why don’t you let her raise the baby after I give birth? Just say it’s your child together, then it’ll be easier to squeeze more of her inheritance.”

Logan chuckled. “My Leah really is the cleverest.”

The medical report crumpled beneath my fingers. I drew a slow, steady breath and gently touched my belly.

This child had come to me against all odds. I wasn’t giving him up.

But what I would give up was this twisted marriage and the man who had buried love beneath greed.

I turned away and made a call.

“Dad.” Logan had no idea that my real parents had already found me. I had even refused to acknowledge them just so I could stay by his side.

“Cecilia! Daddy’s here!” My father’s voice brimmed with joy. I had never taken the initiative to call before.

“I’m divorcing Logan,” I said steadily. “And I want him to walk away with nothing. One week from now, can you take me away?”

He didn’t even pause. “I’ll book the flight now. Logan might be cunning, but he’s nothing compared to our family. He was never worthy of you.”

“Cecilia, your mother and I are just relieved that you’ve finally come to your senses.”

His words made me smile bitterly. He was right. I truly hadn’t been thinking clearly.

Just to have a child with Logan, I went through weekly treatments at the hospital.

Each session was agonizing, and every time, I quietly wished he would be there for me.

But he never showed up. Not even once.

Last month, I saw him and Leah walking out of the obstetrics and gynecology department together.

Logan said, “I wanted to surprise you, but I ran into your sister at the hospital. She didn’t look well, so I stayed with her for a checkup.”

I believed him without question. Even when I held Leah’s medical report in my hands, I never imagined the child she carried could be his.

Logan was right about one thing: I really was the easiest person to fool.

But in just a week, I wouldn’t have to face these lies anymore.

I asked a lawyer to prepare the divorce agreement. On my way out of the office, I happened to overhear a conversation.

“Only you two could come up with something so heartless. But how can you be sure Cecilia will actually agree to raise the baby for you?”

It was Logan’s friend, Lewis Jenkins.

Logan said, “She can’t have kids, and she’s so in love with me. Do you think she’d let me go without a child? She’s obedient and easy to fool. A little sweet talk is all it takes.”

When Lewis still sounded doubtful, Logan snorted. “Wanna bet? If she says no, I’ll give her to you. Teach her to ‘behave,’ how about that?”

His tone was crude. Each word drove another nail into my chest.

Lewis was infamous in our circle, vicious, vulgar, and brutal in bed. More than one girl had been hospitalized after spending a night with him. Some barely made it out alive.

To let him teach me to behave, I knew exactly what Logan meant.

Fine. When I leave in a week, I’ll make sure they receive one final gift.

That evening, Logan brought up his twisted plan in front of Leah.

But as his confident eyes landed on me, I gave a calm shake of my head.

“I refuse.”

“Alright, Cecilia… What?”

He couldn’t believe it. He was so used to my silence and my obedience that he never expected me to say no.

“You refuse?” His face contorted with rage. “How can you refuse? You can’t even have children! Do you expect me to live without an heir?”

Even after seeing his true nature so clearly, disappointment still gnawed at me.

“Do you remember what you said to me back then?” I asked, my throat tightening with every word.

Back then, I hesitated to accept his proposal, but he had looked so sincere and full of promise.

“Cecilia, I don’t care whether we have children. To me, you matter most. You’re the only one I love, the only one I want.”

The moment I reminded him of the past, guilt flickered across his face. But just then, his phone rang.

The caller ID glowed: “Leah.”

Logan glanced at me, then turned away to answer, his voice soft and tender. “Don’t be scared. I’m coming right now.”

When he turned back to me, his gaze was cold, void of emotion. “I have something to handle. As for the child, there’s no room for negotiation.”

“Don’t forget, I saved you. I took you in and married you, knowing you couldn’t have children. I’ve loved you and sacrificed so much. Can’t you do this one thing for me?”

His gaze brimmed with disappointment. “When did you become so selfish?”

Selfish? Was it selfish to finally stop being the fool? To no longer let myself be used and lied to?

Fine, then. For the rest of this week, he could prepare himself because he was about to see just how selfish I could be.

Not long after Logan left, my adoptive father called.

“So, you’re refusing to raise Leah’s child?”

So that was it. Logan had gone running to them, playing the victim. Turns out, they were all in on it, conspiring together to deceive me like I was nothing.

But I had already been kicked out by the Ellis family three years ago. What right did they have to meddle in my life now?

“This is my business,” I replied coldly. “It has nothing to do with you.”

My adoptive father’s voice exploded through the phone. “You ungrateful wretch! How dare you speak to me like that!”

Then my adoptive mother took over, her tone softer but her words just as cruel.

“Leah’s not married. She can’t raise the child on her own. And since you can’t have children anyway, raising it would be a blessing for you both.”

“I don’t have a sister,” I said flatly. “And whether I can have children or not, it’s none of your concern.”

“Don’t be ungrateful!” my adoptive father roared. “If Leah wasn’t unwilling to get rid of the baby, do you really think this kind of ‘opportunity’ would fall to you? Don’t forget, you owe her!”

I never understood what exactly did I owe her? Did I have to keep losing everything just to settle a debt I never agreed to?

My adoptive father kept yelling on the other end, but I ended the call and blocked their numbers without hesitation.

In a week, I would be gone. And with that, they'd be out of my life for good.

The next day, I stepped out briefly. When I returned, the house had completely changed.

Every wall used to be adorned with Logan’s paintings, each one crafted with me quietly by his side, watching his brush glide across the canvas, stroke by stroke.

Now, the walls were bare. Empty. Lifeless. My memories vanished.

A maid walked past and muttered, “Sir brought Miss Leah home. She said the paintings made her uncomfortable and might not be good for the baby. So Sir ordered them all moved to the basement.”

I didn’t stop to ask anything more. I ran.

Down in the basement, I found what remained of my love, ripped apart, shredded beyond repair. My hands trembled as I sifted through the pieces, one painting after another. Torn slashed and destroyed.

And then I realized that one was missing.

I rushed back upstairs and ran right into Leah on the staircase.

Seeing me, she curled her lips into a mocking smile. “Sister, looking for this?”

It was a painting I had done of Logan resting in the sunlight, peacefully sketching beside me.

It used to be the image I cherished most.

“Give it back to me.”

Leah tilted her head. “You really do paint well, sister. In the future, make a few more for my baby!”

The moment she mentioned the baby, a stabbing pain shot through my chest. “I will not raise your child.”

Her smile twisted into something cruel. “You’re just a barren hen clinging to Logan, and you're still not satisfied! If I hadn’t come back, you wouldn't have even had the chance to marry him. Now we ask you to raise my child, and you dare act ungrateful?”

I let out a cold laugh. “Oh, so you do know what shame is? Living under the same roof as me and my husband, pregnant with another man’s child, is that your idea of dignity?”

She didn’t flinch. Instead, she smugly patted her belly. “How do you know the baby isn’t Logan’s?”

Her smug attitude made my stomach turn. I didn’t want to argue anymore. I simply stretched out my hand.

“Give the painting back.”

To my surprise, Leah actually handed it over.

But the very next second, she let out a shrill scream and suddenly tumbled backward.

“Leah!” Logan appeared out of nowhere, catching her in his arms.

Before I could even make sense of what had happened, he turned and kicked me hard.

“Cecilia! How could you be so cruel? You knew she was pregnant and still pushed her?”

I hit the floor with a sharp thud. The pain made it nearly impossible to breathe, let alone speak.

“I didn’t…”

“Don’t blame her,” Leah cut in sweetly, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. “It’s my fault. She must be upset because I’m pregnant. Maybe she just lost control.”

Logan took the paper, glanced at it, and his fury reignited. He shredded it on the spot and flung the pieces in my face.

“You’re still faking a pregnancy to trick me? I’m warning you. You apologize to Leah right now!”

I stared at the man I once loved, stunned. My mind felt numb as I dropped to my knees, fumbling through the torn scraps, grabbing hold of a corner like it could somehow make this all make sense.

Tears streamed down my cheeks, and the pain made my voice tremble.

“Look closely; the date on the report is yesterday. I didn’t even know about your plan back then!”

Logan sneered, his voice cold. “You’ve really committed to this act, and you even remembered to backdate the report. Do you think that’ll actually make me believe you?”

“You disgust me even more.”

Leah gently stroked his chest and whispered, “Don’t be mad, Logan. I’m not feeling well. Can you carry me upstairs to rest?”

I tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through my foot.

“Logan, my foot, it’s hurt.”

I reached out to grab his sleeve, only to be shoved away.

He lifted Leah into his arms, looking down at me with scorn.

“Stop pretending. You’re not even pregnant, so why act so pathetic?”

After they left, a servant came over to help me up.

But his gaze held thinly veiled disapproval. “Madam, it might not be right for Sir to bring Miss Leah back, but you two still need a child. Can’t you just endure it?”

I stared at him in disbelief. “Even you think this is my fault?”

He lowered his head, avoiding my eyes.

Then he picked up the fallen painting and handed it to me.

“Miss Leah will be staying in the master bedroom. Sir has ordered your things to be packed. Since your foot is injured and it's hard for you to climb the stairs, you’ll stay in the guest room downstairs for now.”

The frame was cracked in several places, completely beyond repair.

Looking around at what used to be the love nest between Logan and me, I let out a bitter smile.

“It seems this house no longer has a place for me.”

That was fine. I’d be gone in less than a week anyway. I didn’t want to leave behind even a trace of attachment.

That night, I took the divorce agreement and made my way upstairs.

The study door was open. I saw Leah sitting on Logan’s lap.

He gently pinched her cheek.

“I thought you weren’t feeling well. Why aren’t you resting in bed?”

“I missed you,” Leah murmured sweetly, rubbing her face against my husband’s hand, drawing him into a deep kiss.

I let out a quiet sound. The two of them quickly pulled apart and looked toward me.

A flicker of triumph flashed in Leah’s eyes, while Logan actually looked slightly guilty.

He let go of her and stepped toward me.

“Cecilia, don’t misunderstand. Leah wasn’t feeling well, and I was worried she had a fever…”

It's such a weak excuse; it almost made me laugh.

I asked coldly, “You check for a fever by kissing her?”

Logan faltered, then stiffened his expression.

“When did you become so aggressive?”

He remembered the argument we had yesterday. After that, he received a call from Lewis.

“How’s it going?”

Logan knew exactly what the man was referring to: the bet. But he wasn’t willing to admit defeat, nor was he willing to let Lewis get near his wife.

So he lied.

“Everything’s going smoothly. Cecilia even volunteered to bring Leah home and care for the baby.”

With his friends cheering in the background, he made up his mind to turn that lie into truth.

On one hand, he did want to witness his child’s growth. On the other, his wife had grown increasingly disobedient, even daring to talk back. In his mind, she needed to be taught a lesson.

That thought gave him confidence, and he began berating me.

“If you hadn’t pushed Leah, she wouldn’t be feeling unwell! She even said she doesn’t need your apology. You should be grateful.”

I had no energy to argue about such filth. My mind was already elsewhere on how to make him sign.

Logan mistook my silence as guilt. Feeling triumphant, his tone softened.

“Cecilia, I know you’re upset. Just endure it for now. Once the baby is born, I’ll make it up to you.”

“Until then, Leah will depend on you to care for her. If there’s anything you want, just ask, and I’ll give it to you.”

Though everything he said made me sick, that final sentence landed exactly where I wanted.

I turned to the last page of the divorce agreement and placed it before him.

“Sign this.”

“What is this…”

“Logan.”

Just as Logan reached for the agreement, Leah’s sudden moan cut through the air. He turned instantly.

“Leah, what’s wrong?”

Tears welled in her eyes as she reached for him. “My stomach hurts… Logan, the baby…”

Without hesitation, he spun toward her. I quickly grabbed his sleeve.

He moved so fast that I lost my balance, pain exploded through my injured foot, and my vision blurred for a second.

Clenching my teeth, I demanded, “Sign it first!”

His face twisted in rage. “Leah’s stomach hurts, and you still care about this? That’s your child too! You heartless woman, are you wishing for…”

“Sign!” I shouted, cutting him off, refusing to let go of his sleeve.

He threw me a venomous glare and snatched the pen.

“There! Happy now? Don’t cause any more trouble.”

Before he even finished speaking, he had already rushed to Leah and scooped her into his arms.

“I’m taking you to the hospital now.”

As he passed the doorway, he shoved me aside without hesitation. I stumbled and crashed to the floor. Pain shot through my foot like a blade. I gasped out loud, unable to hold back the cry.

Logan didn’t even glance back.

But the woman in his arms turned to look at me, eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction.

She was gloating. Between her and me, Logan had made his choice. And he would always choose her.

But maybe my heart had already shattered beyond repair because even her triumphant stare no longer hurt.

I lowered my gaze to the divorce agreement in my hand and whispered silently to myself that I didn’t need Logan’s affection anymore. In five days, I would disappear from his life for good.