I had thought that a childless marriage could be just as blissful until the woman with her protruding belly stood before me.

My husband, my childhood sweetheart, said, "I just need a child!" His arm was around her, his eyes filled with happiness.

I thought to myself, "You got cuckolded, didn't you? There's no way that could be your kid!

After all, come on! The infertility issue isn't with me; it's with you!"

1

"This is just an accident, but what can I do now she's pregnant?" Jaxton said, his frustration palpable as he puffed on a cigarette, his brow furrowed in irritation.

I stood there, stunned, as he continued, his voice growing more strained, "Look, this situation is what it is. She's not going to affect us. I... I need a child."

His voice trailed off, faltering under the weight of his admission.

I felt a rush of indignation, thinking, "A child? But we'd already agreed on being child-free! You promised me you only needed me for the rest of your life!"

A wave of questions and grievances surged within me, but I was at a loss for words. My instinct was to run, yet I suddenly realized that Jaxton had always been my refuge.

I'd always been weak, and Jaxton had disciplined me many times for it.

Yet each time, I would end up snuggling into his embrace, whispering with a smile, "But I still have you, right?"

At those words, Jaxton would tighten his hold on me, resting his head on mine with a mixture of resignation and affection. "I just can't win with you."

It was baffling how I couldn't reconcile the person in front of me with the Jaxton I knew.

I understood that people changed, but how could it be so unrecognizable?

"Louisa, here's the deal. Once the baby is born, I'll give her a sum of money and send her abroad, okay?" Jaxton said, gripping my shoulders with a look of impatience that felt like a sharp sting.

His gaze made me feel like I was the unreasonable one.

I pushed him away with a forceful shove, and with a look of cold determination, I slapped him hard.

Jaxton stood there, stunned, as if he couldn't believe I'd react this way. It was out of character for me, the usually mild-mannered one.

"Louisa! You..."

Without a word, I gave him another sharp slap, my eyes cold and unfeeling.

"Jaxton, you're disgusting. Let's get a divorce."

Jaxton and I had grown up as childhood friends, living across the hall from each other.

We attended the same elementary, middle, and high schools and even ended up at the same university. Jaxton had sacrificed his chance to attend a better school just to be with me, which made his mother resent me deeply.

I never expected Jaxton to go to such lengths for me. I even watched him carefully when it came time to choose his major and was surprised when he changed his plans on a whim.

When I approached him with tear-filled eyes, he just laughed it off, pulling me into his arms with a carefree smile. "With your sweet nature, how could I trust you won't be bullied if I'm not around? I can't risk it."

He gently wiped my tears away, his youthful warmth enveloping me. He nuzzled my neck, much like a loyal dog showing affection for its owner. "Don't cry! If you want to thank me, then just marry me."

So, we spent our college years in a bubble of sweet affection. As Jaxton began to make a name for himself and start his own business, I was by his side through the ups and downs.

We didn't achieve success overnight; we failed several times and sometimes had to squeeze into tiny rooms. We couldn't afford to use the air conditioner and would huddle together for warmth, but we found comfort in each other and made light of our struggles.

Eventually, we succeeded. Jaxton became a formidable CEO, and I became the elegant first lady in his company.

Yet, fate had its own plans. During our pre-marital checkup, I was diagnosed with infertility.

Belinda Munoz, Jaxton's mother, stormed into our house and pleaded with me, her voice choked with emotion. "Louisa, please just let him go. I only have one child. The Munoz family line cannot end here. Please, just let Jaxton go."

"Mom, what are you doing?" Jaxton quickly followed, pulling his mother up and giving me an apologetic look. He then dragged her away.

Somehow, Jaxton managed to convince his mother, and she no longer opposed our marriage.

He even came to me later, his voice firm and serious as he said, "I will only love you in this lifetime, you're the only one I need."

I really, really believed him at that moment.

But even the most passionate feelings could fade under the wear and tear of time. Our once-fierce love gradually settled into a quiet routine.

Still, I always thought we were deeply in love with each other.

Now, it just seemed ridiculous.

At 35, Jaxton had matured, and his career was thriving. His thoughts were no longer those of an 18-year-old.

He needed an heir, someone to inherit his vast wealth, a child of his own blood.

This idea, vague at first, took root in his heart.

He needed a child, and I couldn't give it to him.

So, when that woman called me, I felt a sense of inevitability.

Jaxton's infidelity wasn't without warning signs. I had noticed his strange behavior more than once, but I always comforted myself, convincing myself not to overthink it. I was just deluding myself.