"Lauren is pregnant with my child. She’s going to stay here until she gives birth."

I stared at him, unable to breathe, unable to think. My husband—the man I had spent years loving, the man I had fought beside through every trial—was standing before me, saying this like it was nothing.

Pregnant?

My lips parted, but no sound came out at first. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, a deafening roar that drowned everything else.

“What do you mean pregnant?” My voice shook, disbelief thick in my words. “She can’t be. I’m your wife.”

Ryan exhaled heavily, as if he was already exhausted by this conversation. “Yes, you’re my wife. Yet you’re useless and infertile.” His words were sharp, cutting straight through me. “You know how important it is for me to have an heir, Alicia. Can you not understand that?”

My stomach clenched at the accusation, the reminder of all my failures.

Five years.

For five years, I had tried everything. I had taken every prescribed medication, followed every fertility treatment, adjusted my diet, changed my entire lifestyle. I had hoped, prayed, and wished for the one thing that Ryan had wanted more than anything—a child.

And when I thought he had accepted it, when I believed he had made peace with it, this happened.

Lauren—his secretary. Pregnant with his child.

No.

I shook my head, stepping back as the truth of it settled into my bones like ice. “No, I wouldn’t understand that,” I whispered, my voice gaining strength as I looked him in the eye. “Because you’re cheating on me.”

Ryan scoffed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “No, Alicia, it’s not cheating. She’s just going to bear our child. It’s like surrogacy.”

I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Surrogacy?” I echoed, shaking my head in disbelief. “Is that what you call it now? A surrogate?” My voice dripped with mockery as I took a step closer, my anger burning through the initial shock. “A surrogate that you fucked? You didn’t ask me about this.”

His jaw tightened. “I’m doing this for the good of our company, our family,” he said, his tone filled with irritation, as if I was the one being unreasonable. “Can you please stop overreacting? You’re still my wife. You still have everything.”

I stared at him, my vision blurring with unshed tears. Everything?

I had wealth, a beautiful home, a marriage that I thought was built on love and trust. But what good was all of that when I didn’t have his heart?

I swallowed hard, my voice breaking as I whispered, “But not your heart.”

Ryan let out a harsh laugh. “That’s ridiculous.”

Is it? Before he could say anything else, a soft voice interrupted us.

“I’m sorry,” Lauren said as she stepped into the room. Her hands were clasped in front of her, her expression meek, yet I wasn’t blind to the way her eyes flickered with something else. Satisfaction. “It seems like you’re fighting because of me. Maybe it’s not a good idea for me to stay here. I’ll find somewhere else to live until I give birth.”

Ryan immediately turned to her, his frustration vanishing. His gaze softened as he reached out, touching her arm in reassurance. “No, that won’t be necessary. You’re staying.”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. He had never looked at me that way. Not in years.

He turned back to me, his tone dismissive. “Alicia, cook something for Lauren. We’re hungry.”

My body went rigid.

I let out a disbelieving scoff, crossing my arms. “I’m not your maid, Ryan. I’m your wife. And she’s your secretary. Ask her.”

His expression darkened instantly.

Then—slap!

My head snapped to the side from the force of it. My cheek burned, the sting spreading through my skin as the sound echoed in the air. My breath caught, shock numbing my body as my vision blurred.

Ryan had hit me. I slowly lifted my gaze to him, my eyes wide, my mind struggling to comprehend what had just happened.

“You know that’s the only thing you could do to be useful to me,” Ryan muttered coldly. “Yet you still don’t want to.”

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he shoved me. I stumbled back, gripping the edge of the couch to steady myself, my body trembling.

“Let’s go, Lauren,” he said, his voice void of any remorse. “Let’s just eat outside.”

I watched as he led her out the door without a second glance, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence of our once-perfect home.

Tears slipped down my cheeks as I pressed a hand to the burning mark on my face. My heart ached, shattering into pieces that I knew I could never put back together.

One moment, Ryan was telling me he loved me. One moment, we were still a couple, still hoping, still dreaming of a child that was supposed to be ours.

And now, he had another woman pregnant.

His secretary.

Lauren.

How had I not seen this coming? Had I been that blind?

Or maybe… maybe I had just been stupid.

All those business trips. The late nights at the office. The way he had started pulling away from me.

It had never been about work.

It had been her all along.

I clenched my fists, my body trembling with a mix of grief and fury.

I had been a fool.

But I wasn’t a fool anymore.

Ryan had betrayed me. He had humiliated me, discarded me like I was nothing. He had chosen another woman, built a future without me.

If he could do that…

Then so could I.

The bitterness of whiskey burned down my throat, but it wasn’t enough to numb the pain twisting in my chest. I sat alone at the corner of the dimly lit bar, the glow of neon lights reflecting against my untouched glass.

Ryan’s betrayal was still fresh, a wound that refused to stop bleeding. The image of his cold, indifferent expression as he stood beside Lauren, defending her, choosing her—it was a memory I couldn’t escape.

How did it come to this?

My phone buzzed on the table, pulling me from my thoughts. I hesitated before picking it up, my fingers trembling slightly as I unlocked the screen.

A message.

From the private investigator I had secretly hired among Ryan’s staff.

“Mrs. Brooks, I have the information you asked for. Ryan and Lauren have been seeing each other for over a year now. Their relationship started long before the pregnancy. I’ve attached the necessary documents, including their private exchanges and records of the trips they took together.”

A year. A full year.

My vision blurred with unshed tears as I scrolled through the messages, the receipts, the undeniable proof of their affair.

The business trips. The expensive gifts Ryan had showered me with every time he returned home.

I had thought it was love. Thought it was his way of making up for the disappointment we felt whenever yet another pregnancy test turned negative.

But now, I saw it for what it truly was.

Guilt. Ryan had been cheating on me for an entire year.

He had been coming home from her bed and lying beside me, whispering words of love as if they meant something.

I tightened my grip around my phone, nearly crushing it in my palm. A sharp exhale left my lips as I forced myself to pull away from the despair threatening to consume me.

This wasn’t the time to break. I would never let them see me broken.

With shaking fingers, I dialed my lawyer’s number. The line rang once before a familiar voice answered.

"Alicia?”

“Draft the divorce papers,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

There was a pause. “…Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

I was on my fourth drink when I overheard a conversation a few feet away from me.

“He’s looking for a bride? Just like that?”

“Yeah, apparently. Tyler Wright is desperate for a wife. Said he doesn’t care about love, just needs someone to play the role.”

Tyler Wright. My head snapped up at the name, my vision sharpening as I turned toward the direction of the voices.

And then I saw him. Sitting at the VIP section, a glass of bourbon in his hand, his expression unreadable.

Ryan’s biggest rival. The man my parents had originally arranged for me to marry before I had stubbornly chosen Ryan instead.

I had once given up Tyler for the love of my life. And look where that had gotten me.

A slow, dangerous smile curled my lips as an idea formed in my mind. I grabbed my glass and stood up, making my way toward him with steady, deliberate steps.

His gaze lifted as I approached, recognition flashing in his eyes before suspicion settled in.

I slid into the seat across from him, resting my glass on the table. “What do you say to marrying me?”

Tyler’s brows shot up, clearly taken aback. “Excuse me?”

I smirked. “After all, we were supposed to be together, weren’t we?”

He leaned back, amusement flickering in his sharp gaze. “You’re already married.”

“Not after a week,” I corrected smoothly.

Tyler studied me for a long moment before letting out a short laugh. “You’re serious?”

“Deadly.” I leaned forward slightly, my tone turning almost playful. “I heard there’s an upcoming elite gathering next week.” I tilted my head. “And you’re the host, aren’t you?”

His eyes darkened. “What are you getting at?”

I held his gaze, my smirk unwavering. “Turn it into our wedding venue.”

Tyler let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “And what exactly do I get out of this?”

I lifted a brow. “You need a bride. That’s me.” My voice dipped lower, turning sharper. “And let’s not pretend you don’t want to get back at Ryan. He stole that business deal from you last year, didn’t he?”

His smirk widened, his interest piqued.

I leaned back, raising my glass to him. “So? Do we have a deal?”

Tyler exhaled slowly, his smirk turning into something unreadable. Then, with a nod, he raised his own glass.

“Yeah,” he said. “We have a deal.”

A slow satisfaction spread through me as I clinked my glass against his.

“See you at the altar, then.”

When I arrived home, I was greeted with a sight that made my stomach churn. Lauren sat comfortably on my couch, one hand rubbing her belly as she stuffed food into her mouth like she was a damn queen.

Her lips curled into a satisfied smile as she looked up at me. “Oh, you’re back.”

I ignored her, stepping past her toward the stairs. But then she spoke again.

“I’m sorry, you know. About what happened.”

I stopped in my tracks.

She sighed dramatically. “I didn’t mean to ruin your marriage, but—”

I turned sharply. “But you knew he was married,” I snapped, my voice cutting through the air. “Yet you still spread your legs for him.”

Lauren smirked. “Well, he wanted me. What was I supposed to do?” She tilted her head. “And now, I’m carrying his child.”

I clenched my fists, my body shaking with rage. “Aren’t you ashamed?”

Her smirk widened, turning cruel. “You should be the one ashamed, Alicia.” Her voice dripped with mockery. “You couldn’t give him a child. You’re useless. Pathetic.”

Something inside me snapped. I lunged at her, and she retaliated, her nails digging into my skin as we crashed against the furniture.

“Bitch!” Lauren hissed.

“You ruined my life!” I screamed, shoving her back.

In the chaos of our struggle, we stumbled toward the balcony, neither of us willing to back down. My breath came in ragged gasps as we grappled with each other, our movements frantic, desperate—

Then suddenly—The world tilted.

A scream tore through the air.

And then—

Nothing.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

Pain. It was the first thing I felt when I opened my eyes.

A sharp, unbearable pain that made every breath feel like a battle. My body was heavy, every limb aching, and when I tried to move—nothing. A strangled whimper escaped my lips as I lay there, helpless.

And then it all came rushing back. Tears welled in my eyes as the memories slammed into me. Lauren and I had been fighting, screaming, clawing at each other, and then—suddenly, we had both gone over the edge.

With great effort, I turned my head slightly, my gaze shifting to the hospital room around me. White walls. The sterile scent of antiseptic. The distant hum of machines.

I opened my mouth to call for help, my voice hoarse, weak. “Please… help—”

The door burst open. I flinched as Ryan stormed inside, his face twisted in fury.

“You selfish bitch!” His voice was like thunder, echoing through the small space. His eyes burned with rage, his hands clenched into tight fists.

I barely had the strength to respond. My throat was dry, my voice barely above a whisper. “Ryan… I—”

“You nearly killed her!” He towered over me, his presence suffocating. “Lauren is in critical condition! And our baby—” His voice cracked, his entire body trembling. “You killed our child!”

My breath hitched. No.

I shook my head frantically, panic seizing my chest. “I didn’t mean it! It wasn’t me! She started it, Ryan, she—”

His hand shot out, gripping my wrist with bruising force. I cried out in pain as he yanked me upright, my broken body screaming in agony.

“Shut up!” he roared. “I don’t want to hear your pathetic excuses!”

Tears streamed down my face as I gasped, the pain unbearable. “Please—Ryan—”

But he wasn’t listening. He dragged me out of the hospital bed, ignoring my screams of pain as he pulled me through the halls. I could barely stand, my legs weak, my vision blurring from the agony coursing through my body.

“Ryan, stop—please! This is enough!” I sobbed, my nails digging into his wrist in a desperate attempt to break free.

But he didn’t stop. He didn’t even hesitate.

The elevator doors slid open, and before I could process what was happening, he shoved me inside. My stomach twisted with dread as I realized where he was taking me.

No.

No, no, no—

The rooftop. My breath hitched as we stepped out onto the open space. The wind howled around us, sending a violent chill through my already broken body. The city stretched out below, an endless abyss of glittering lights and death.

I staggered back, my body shaking.

“Ryan, please,” I begged. “Don’t do this.”

But his face was cold. Emotionless.

“If I had known you were nfertile, I would have never married you,” he spat, his words cutting through me like a blade. You were nothing but a waste of my time.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, my heart hammering in my chest. “Ryan—”

“You’re useless, Alicia.” His voice was low, filled with pure hatred. “And since you have no purpose—”

His lips curled into a cruel smirk.

“Then you might as well die.”

My eyes widened in horror. “No—”

His hands slammed into my shoulders.

And then—

I was falling.

The world blurred into a rush of wind and lights, my body weightless as I plummeted through the night.

I screamed.

Tears streamed down my face as memories flashed before my eyes.

Ryan, holding me for the first time. Ryan, kissing me under the stars, whispering promises of forever. Ryan, sliding a ring onto my finger, telling me I was his everything.

Had it all been a lie? Had I been nothing more than a disposable piece in his perfect life?

I wanted to hate him. But as I fell I realized I had already wasted too much of my love on a man who would never love me back.

I closed my eyes. And let the darkness take me.

I woke up to the sound of voices. My eyelids fluttered open, the blinding white of the hospital room making me wince. My body ached, every bone feeling like it had been shattered and stitched back together.

I wasn’t dead. I was alive.

A soft gasp escaped my lips as I turned my head slightly. A nurse stood beside me, adjusting the IV drip. When she noticed I was awake, her eyes widened in surprise.

“You’re awake,” she said gently. “You’re incredibly lucky to be alive.”

I blinked, my mind struggling to process her words. “W-Why?”

She offered me a small, kind smile. “There was a maintenance crew cleaning the windows when you fell. You landed on their safety slide before hitting the ground.”

A choked breath escaped me. I had survived.

I should have felt relief. But all I felt was emptiness.

Tears pricked my eyes as reality sank in. I had hoped—even in the smallest, most foolish part of me—that Ryan would be here. That despite everything, he would at least care.

But then, outside my hospital room, I heard the nurses whispering.

“He’s been here all night.”

“Of course, he has. She’s still in a coma.”

“Poor man. Losing their baby must have devastated him.”

I stiffened. They weren’t talking about me. They were talking about Lauren.

Ryan had been here all night… but not for me. A fresh wave of pain crashed over me, worse than any physical injury I had endured.

Tears slipped down my cheeks as I curled my fingers into the hospital sheets. I had given everything to Ryan. My love, my devotion, my loyalty.

And he had chosen her. Even after trying to kill me, he still chose her. I bit my lip, suppressing the sobs threatening to escape.

I didn’t know how much time had passed when I felt someone grab my wrist.

My eyes shot open. Ryan. His grip was bruising, his eyes filled with pure rage.

“I can’t believe you’re not yet dead after what happened.”

My breath hitched. “Ryan—”

“I told you what would happen if anything happened to my heir.” His voice was sharp, dangerous. “And now—”

His fingers tightened, his face twisting into something monstrous.

“I’m really going to make sure you will die!”