"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.

"What have I ever done to betray you?"

I stepped closer to Nathan and whispered, "Mr. Cresswell, have you lied so much that you no longer remember whose womb holds your child?"

Nathan froze. Realizing Evelyn and her family were still nearby, he opened his mouth to reprimand me.

But before he could say a word, I dismissed him with a wave of my hand.

"Don't worry. I'll leave now. I won't get in the way of your family reunion."

The instant Nathan mentioned sending me away, Evelyn's stomach miraculously felt better.

She immediately stopped insisting on going to the hospital and instead "kindly" urged Nathan to help me pack my things.

I let out a bitter laugh and gestured toward the bedroom.

"My luggage is already packed. You can bring it down. I'm leaving now."

Nathan stared at me, disbelief written all over his face.

Without further delay, I slipped on my coat and headed for the door.

"I was planning to stay at Deborah's place for a few days anyway," I said.

With a sigh of relief, Nathan rushed upstairs to help me with my luggage. He even thoughtfully hailed a cab for me.

After all, his car was already packed with Evelyn's belongings.

There was simply no room left for me.

I sat in the cab, watching the villa where I'd lived for three years slip away into the distance.

I no longer felt any attachment inside.

The car was silent. I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by exhaustion.

It felt like I'd been living in a long dream—one that stretched across the first half of my life.

Loving Nathan had consumed a third of that time.

However, it took only three months to see who he truly was.

The moment I learnt the truth, my love for him disappeared.

The car gradually rolled to a stop in front of Deborah's house.

I opened the door and stepped out. Weighed down by my rounded belly and thick coat, my movements were somewhat awkward.

Shortly after, my phone lit up with multiple messages from Nathan.

"Valerie, just give me a few more months. I promise I'll come back for you."

"Once things are settled with Evelyn, I'll clear your name along with our child's."

"The three of us will never be separated again."

He seemed completely unwavering in his promises.

I simply smiled, choosing not to reply.

Pulling my suitcase behind me, I walked toward Deborah's house.

There would be no room left for disappointment or compromise.

All that remained was a sense of freedom.

Goodbye forever, Nathan.

This was the last time our paths would cross.

From now on, there would be nothing left between you and I.

The next day, I found myself lying in a cold, sterile operating room.

I knew that once I closed my eyes and opened them again, this child would no longer exist in this world.

Still, my heart carried no trace of regret.

I refused to let my child carry a burden of shame that wasn't theirs to bear.

As my consciousness began to fade, I slowly closed my eyes.

But even then, my tears streamed down without restraint.

Just as Nathan was about to board the plane, his phone suddenly rang. It was his friend, Jeremy Talerico.

"Congratulations, Nathan! Looks like you can finally get rid of that deadweight at home," Jeremy said.

Nathan's expression hardened. "What are you talking about?"

Jeremy froze, caught off guard by Nathan's unexpected question.

"Aren't you aware? I just saw Valerie at the hospital.

"She's scheduled for an abortion. In fact, she's already in the operating room."

The words hit Nathan like a cold wave, leaving him stunned.

His hands shook as he ended the call.

Without hesitation, he left Evelyn behind and bolted out of the airport.

No matter how much she urged him to get on the plane, he was deaf to her pleas.