I was bursting with excitement, ready to call my husband and share the good news: my father, Robert Reed, the wealthy businessman from New York, had finally accepted him. The issues with his company’s funding would soon be resolved.

Just as I was about to make the call, I saw a post from Liv Henry, Bennett’s business partner, on Instagram. She had uploaded an ultrasound image with the caption, "Love defies convention." Bennett had liked it, and in an impulsive moment, I liked it too and commented, "Congratulations, congrats!"

Then, the post disappeared.

Bennett called me, his voice seething with anger. "Stop making trouble! Liv is pregnant with my child, and she's the daughter of the richest man in New York. Marrying her will fix all our funding problems. We need a divorce."

I was thunderstruck. My father had another daughter?

Just five minutes earlier, my parents had called, saying that for the sake of the child, they were willing to accept Bennett. Tears of joy had filled my eyes as I prepared to tell Bennett the truth—that my father was indeed Robert Reed—and invite him home with me tonight. With his financial struggles, my father would surely help him.

Yet, when I opened Instagram, Liv’s post appeared before me: an ultrasound image captioned, "Love defies convention." Bennett had already liked it, so I did too and commented, "Congratulations! Congrats!"

Liv, being Bennett’s business partner, was intelligent and capable. We'd met several times, and she always greeted me warmly, calling me "sister-in-law" in a friendly manner. But as far as I knew, Liv wasn’t married. Did she have a boyfriend?

Seconds later, the post disappeared.

Bennett called, furious from the outset. "Stop making trouble! Liv is pregnant with my child. She's the daughter of the wealthiest man in New York, and marrying her will solve all our funding issues. We should get a divorce."

I was paralyzed by shock. Liv, the daughter of New York’s wealthiest man? Then who am I supposed to be?

It took a moment to grasp that Bennett wasn’t joking.

In disbelief, I nearly screamed, "What are you saying? Have you lost your mind?"

He was unnervingly calm, not a hint of guilt in his voice. "I’m serious. This is the situation, and you just have to accept it."

My voice shook, "What about our baby? What do you plan to do?"

"I’ve talked it over with Liv. She can accept you and the baby, but she doesn’t want to be in the shadows."

"We’ll get divorced first. I’ll marry Liv, and you’ll still be my wife. I’ll take good care of you and the baby."

Bennett sighed, as if offering some grand romantic gesture. "Kylie, I love you. To make sure you and the baby have a better life, this is the only way."

"If you don’t want to live under the same roof, that’s fine. Liv has a summer home where she’ll stay."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Could these words really be coming from a rational person?

"Bennett, you must be dreaming!!"

With all my strength, I hurled my phone against the wall.

I had been in love with Bennett since our college days—a total of eight years—and we had been married for two. When I decided to marry him, despite his modest means, I severed ties with my parents. I even declared to them, "I’ll prove you wrong about Bennett." But in just two short years, I faced a harsh reality.

The storm outside raged with thunder and lightning as I spent the night crying on the floor. I couldn’t wrap my head around how Bennett had become this way, or if perhaps he had always been like this and I was just too blind to see it. When did he start his affair with Liv? Had they been sneaking around right under my nose, laughing at how naive I was? God, I was so stupid, never doubting Bennett for a second.

I cried all night, and Bennett didn’t come home. He must have been with Liv, probably celebrating in bed. I gently caressed my restless baby bump, feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt. I’m sorry, baby!

By the time I dragged my exhausted body out of the bedroom the next day, it was nearly noon. Bennett walked in as I opened the door, carrying a bag from Jean’s Café, a place known for its lavish brunches. Our eyes met, and he, likely out of guilt, avoided my gaze. He casually placed the pricey pastries on the dining table.

“You’ve always wanted to have brunch from Jean’s, right? I brought some for you today.” Yes, I had always wanted to go, but he always said, “Next time. I’ve been so busy lately.” “Besides, it’s so expensive. What’s the big deal?”

And yet he finally found the time to go, suddenly not concerned about the cost? And he brought me leftovers. Did he think so little of me now?

I sat across from him, glanced at the pastries, and gave him a sarcastic smile. “Congrats! You’ve landed the heiress. You can visit Jean’s whenever you want now.”

Bennett let out a deep sigh. “Stop being so sarcastic. I thought you’d understand after mulling it over all night. Kylie, marrying Liv is strictly for the business. She can help my career! I made it very clear over the phone that you’re still the woman I love most. Even without the marriage certificate, I’ll take care of you and the baby.”

He took out the divorce papers and even had a pen ready for me. “Sign it. You don’t have another choice.”

“I don’t have another choice? How do you know I don’t?” Bennett frowned. “The baby is already over four months along. Are you really going to be so heartless as to not bring him into the world?”

“If you keep the baby, it’s been over two years since you worked. The outside world isn’t easy, and you have no family support. How will you raise the child alone? Kylie, don’t be stubborn. I’ve already planned for you and the baby’s future. I promise I won’t let you down.”

His words cut through me like cold, sharp knives. From Liv’s ultrasound report, it was clear her pregnancy was at least three months along. Bennett had waited until now to confront me so that my pregnancy would be too far along, forcing me to rely on him. Looking at the man I once thought I’d love forever, he seemed like a complete stranger.

If I were truly a helpless girl with no support, I’d indeed have no other choice. But unfortunately for him, he was wrong.

I forced a grim smile as I picked up the divorce agreement and scanned its contents carefully. As expected, he wanted me to walk away with virtually nothing, leaving me with only this three-bedroom apartment.

"The divorce can go ahead, but I'm not signing this agreement," I said through clenched teeth. "You're the one who cheated, not me, so why should I be the one left with nothing? You should be leaving empty-handed, not me!"

Bennett seemed nonchalant, almost as if he had anticipated my reaction. "I have nothing but debt anyway," he said coolly. "Even this apartment is already mortgaged to the bank."

What was he implying?

How could he possibly have only debts and no assets?

I was still reeling from the shock when Bennett's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and answered it in a gentle tone. "I'll be there soon, just hang tight."

It was clear that Liv was on the other end, impatiently waiting for him.

Bennett hung up and looked at me with irritation. "Just sign it, don't drag this out any longer."

I seethed with anger. "Did you stash our marital assets away?"

He avoided the question, only saying, "Assets aren't important. I'll make sure you and the baby are taken care of."

I gritted my teeth. "The divorce will happen, but I'm not letting this shady asset transfer during our marriage go unchecked."

My family has influence, but this injustice is unbearable.

How could he treat me like this?

"What are you going to do? Lawyer up and come after me?" Bennett sneered. "Do you even have the funds to hire a lawyer?"

"What good will it do to fight me tooth and nail for you or the baby?"

Our standoff continued, interrupted by the sharp sound of his phone ringing again.

Bennett clenched his fists. "Kylie, don't hold it against me!"

He then stood up, grabbed me roughly, and forced my fingerprint onto the divorce papers. During our struggle, my swollen belly slammed painfully into the corner of the table, but Bennett didn't let up. He shoved the pen into my hand, holding my wrist and forcing me to sign despite my agony.

With the agreement in his grip, Bennett immediately picked up Liv's call and walked out.

"Bennett, you bastard!!"

"I hate you!!"

He glanced back at me from the hallway, his expression full of guilt and helplessness. "Kylie, I don't want it to be like this either!"

"You know the sacrifices I've made to climb up. The company is heading into its next round of financing, and without Liv's backing, all my efforts will crumble!"

"I love you, Kylie!! Trust me, this is the only path for you, me, and our baby to have a better life."

With that, he slammed the door shut.

The pain in my abdomen was relentless. I looked down to see a streak of blood trailing down my leg.

As anger boiled within me, a torrent of fear crashed over me.

I couldn't stand anymore. I collapsed onto the floor, summoning all my remaining strength to reach for the phone on the coffee table to dial an ambulance.