Nathan could now certainly feel at ease about going abroad with Evelyn.

After all, he wouldn't have to return for months.

What he didn't know was why his parents—who had been living comfortably overseas—had suddenly decided to come back.

Unbeknownst to him, they were fully aware of every vile, inhumane thing he had ever done to me.

I let out a cold laugh, choosing not to object.

After all, I was the one who had asked Deborah to return.

I knew I could never break free from Nathan's grip on my own.

Noticing my lack of response, he crouched down, a hint of affection shining in his gaze.

"I love you, Valerie.

"Once Evelyn gives birth, I'll definitely come back to you."

I dismissed his words as nothing more than empty promises.

Even if he meant them now, it didn't change anything.

One word from Evelyn would be enough for him to break his promise to me.

Because of that, I couldn't bring myself to believe him again.

In just three more days, he would be free of me.

He could give himself fully to being the father of Evelyn's child.

That night, Nathan was absent from home.

Evelyn claimed she was experiencing intense fetal movements, so he quickly found an excuse to stay by her side.

We had been together for four years and married for three.

I had always been certain that Nathan loved me.

But everything shifted the moment Evelyn came back, pregnant with another man's child.

The person who had once sworn his love to me had now given his heart to someone else.

As I remained trapped in this desolate place, my love for Nathan slowly withered away.

With each passing day, my disappointment grew, taking everything from me.

I finally realized it was time to let go.

My birthday party was scheduled for the following day.

Nathan had insisted on picking me up himself. He kept calling over and over, urging me to hurry.

But when I walked outside, only the bodyguard's car was waiting.

"Hey Valerie, something came up on my end.

"Go ahead and start without me. I'll be there soon."

Having expected nothing from the start, I was spared from disappointment.

The biting winter wind cut across my cheeks like knives, yet I couldn't feel a thing.

Likewise, my feelings for Nathan had grown completely numb.

Between disappointment and despair, pain no longer held any power over me.

The car soon pulled up in front of a country club.

Despite the frown on my face, I eventually stepped out.

Led by the bodyguard, I made my way into a private room.

There wasn't a single familiar face inside.

Their cold, penetrating stares seemed to strip me bare, full of mockery and contempt.

It felt like I was just another piece of trash they couldn't be bothered with.

"Despite cheating on Nathan, she still has the nerve to ask him for a birthday celebration."

"Nathan is far too pitiful. I can't believe he's letting her keep that kid that isn't his."

"I don't even know what Nathan sees in her. She's nothing compared to Evelyn."

They spoke loudly, making sure every word hit me like a blow.

All of this was Nathan's handiwork.

While he couldn't bear to watch Evelyn face her parents' wrath, he never once considered the agony I was enduring because of them.

What Evelyn suffered was a whisper against the storm that followed in my wake.

Though I could withstand it myself, the thought of my child being torn apart by that same cruelty broke me beyond repair.

I stood up, ready to walk away.

After all, this so-called birthday party was never meant for me.

When I opened the door, Nathan and Evelyn were waiting just outside.

One avoided my eyes, while the other smiled triumphantly.

I knew they'd been there the entire time.

Every cruel word said about me must have reached their ears.

Yet despite it all, Nathan stayed silent, allowing Evelyn to drag me back inside.

"I didn't realize the birthday girl got here so early. It's my fault. Walking around with this belly is a struggle.

"Nate didn't want me riding in another car. He was worried I'd be uncomfortable, so he insisted on picking me up himself."

With that, Evelyn proudly stroked her stomach, her gaze lingering on my belly.

It felt like she was silently saying, "You're pregnant too, but look who's really being taken care of."

Her words sent a ripple of laughter through the room.

"Nathan's been doting on Evelyn since they were kids."

"Once the baby's born, are you two planning to tie the knot?"

"Don't forget to invite us to your wedding!"

Caught in the flood of congratulations, it felt like no one remembered I was still Nathan's wife.

They seemed to have forgotten this wasn't an engagement party at all.

Nathan had only organized this party to ease his own guilt.

Looking at their faces, I couldn't help but feel a wave of nausea.

Just as I was about to stand and leave, Nathan's attention suddenly shifted to me.

With a frown, he said coldly, "This is your birthday party. How can you just walk out like that?

"It's only morning sickness. Tough it out. It won't last forever."

But the next second, Evelyn gagged.

Nathan's expression tightened as he gently eased her into a seat. He dug into his pocket and pulled out some medication.

With a cup of water ready, he carefully helped her swallow the pills.

Laughter and teasing bubbled up around us again.

I shut my eyes.

My birthday party had turned into a showcase of their affection.

They acted like a married couple, sharing laughs and stories with their friends.

Meanwhile, I was left alone, slowly fading into the background.

There wasn't even a cake to mark the occasion.

The whole situation felt almost laughable.

Apparently, this was Nathan's version of a birthday party for me.

I held back my tears, burying the bitterness deep within.

Maybe I should be the one congratulating Nathan.

In just two days, I'd be out of his life for good.

The title of "Mrs. Cresswell" could finally belong to the woman he truly cared for.

That night, I chose to stay.

I sat quietly in the corner, watching the farce of a birthday party unfold around me.

It wasn't until the room was empty that Nathan realized I was still there. He stepped forward and offered me a ride home.

Though he was my husband, it felt like I was heading back to a stranger's house.

Before he could speak again, Evelyn stepped forward and caught his arm.

"Nathan, I'm tired. I need to go home and rest."

He gently brushed her hair back. "Is the baby acting up again? Let's get you home early."

Without another word, he wrapped his arm around her and walked away.

Once again, I was stuck riding in the bodyguard's car.

I felt like nothing more than a clown.

I touched my cheek, waiting for tears that never came.

At the height of suffering, it seemed pain could simply burn itself out, leaving only numbness behind.

I couldn't begin to fathom what was going through Nathan's mind.

If he truly cared for his childhood sweetheart, why would he marry me and have a child with me in the first place?

If he wanted the world to see just how much he adored Evelyn, why didn't he just divorce me?

Why would he insist on keeping our child, condemning both of us to a life of mockery and ridicule?

I barely slept that night.

By late morning, the doorbell jolted me awake.

Evelyn had arrived, accompanied by her parents—Donald Lowry and Joanne Sykes.

The moment Joanne saw me, her lips curled into a sneer.

"Did you forget you're pregnant with another man's child? How dare you still call yourself Mrs. Cresswell?

"I'm curious how your parents raised such a disgraceful daughter."

Donald looked at me with equal disdain.

"Enough. There's no point in wasting words on someone like her."

"I can't even bear to look at her."

Without another word, Donald and Joanne began lugging their suitcases upstairs.

I watched them leave, trying to make sense of everything myself.

How could they raise such a shameless daughter?

I was left alone in the living room.

Evelyn stepped forward, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

"It doesn't matter that you're married to Nate and carrying his child.

"You'll never stand a chance against me and my baby.

"By the way, Nate's already said that once my baby is born, they'll be recognized as the firstborn and carry the Cresswell name.

"As for your illegitimate child, Nate's only agreed to take them in as a foster. They'll still have your last name."

Evelyn's smug grin barely even fazed me.

I'd grown numb to her petty tactics long ago.

I moved aside, prepared to walk away.

But before I could take a step, Evelyn collapsed to the floor, tears pouring down her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry, Valerie. It's all my fault," she sobbed.

Her anguished cries sent Joanne and Donald rushing in.

In a fit of rage, Joanne lunged at me like a madwoman.

At that moment, the villa door swung open, and Nathan rushed in.

Just as I was about to speak, Joanne shoved me, sending me sprawling to the floor.

She slapped me hard across the face, screaming filthy, vulgar insults.

"Mrs. Lowry—"

Nathan intervened, a flicker of pity in his eyes.

But before he could say another word, Evelyn broke down and threw herself into his arms.

"Nate, you said once the baby was born, my parents could stay with us.

"My place is too small. There's no way it can fit five people."

"All I did was ask Ms. Sanchez if she was comfortable with it, and completely out of the blue, she slapped me."

With that, Evelyn brought one hand to her face, the other instinctively shielding her stomach.

Her sobs intensified, bursting out uncontrollably.

The noise made my head spin.

The spot where I'd been struck throbbed. It was probably already swollen.

Meanwhile, Evelyn's palms remained smooth and pale.

Sensing Nathan's troubled gaze on me, I wiped away my tears and stood up silently.

It didn't matter anymore that he had once vowed to protect and cherish me for life.

Just when I needed him the most, he became the shield for another woman's reckless behavior.

Perhaps our marriage had been a mistake from the very start.

Since he couldn't let go of his childhood sweetheart, letting me go became the only option.

Tomorrow marked the day I'd finally leave him behind.

......

Worried about the baby, Evelyn insisted on going to the hospital for a checkup.

Meanwhile, Joanne demanded that I apologize.

Nathan stood between us, his gaze fixed on my swollen face.

In the end, he chose his childhood sweetheart over me.

"Valerie, I'll take Evelyn to the hospital first.

"My mom just came back from abroad. When I return, I'll take you to her.

"I made a promise to Evelyn, so I hope you understand where I'm coming from. I don't want to be the kind of person who doesn't keep their word."

This was the man who had shared my bed for three years, yet here he was, bragging about the promises he made to another woman.

He seemed to have already forgotten the vows he once made to me on our wedding day.

Back then, he swore to love me forever.

Every promise—both the ones he honored and the ones he broke—was wiped away the moment Evelyn returned.

I swallowed the sadness in my heart. I was desperate for this charade to be over.

"Valerie, I love you," Nathan said.

Seeing my stoic expression, he quickly added, "No matter what you've done to betray me, my love for you has never changed."

His words struck me as downright absurd.