By the third year of our marriage, my husband had transferred all his affection to his mistress.

On our anniversary, she staged a dramatic fake suicide attempt. While I went for my prenatal checkup, she pretended to slash her wrists.

My husband knew she was faking it, yet he indulged her antics, telling me it was all harmless fun.

Until the day his company went public, I was invited to the ribbon-cutting ceremony as the CEO's wife. I thought he was finally ready to treat me with dignity, but he arrived fashionably late with his mistress on his arm.

The oblivious guests assumed she was the new secretary and jokingly suggested she dance on stage. Instead, my husband shoved my six-month pregnant self forward.

"Surely none of you have ever seen a heavily pregnant woman perform a dance! How about my wife gives us a demonstration?"

Despite my desperate pleas, he forced me onto the stage. My belly slammed against a nearby table, sending waves of pain through me.

In a daze, I heard my husband’s cold voice:

“The doctor assured me that your pregnancy is stable—it won’t cause a miscarriage!”

“I’ve arranged for someone to photograph you. If you don’t want to dance here, then you’ll perform elsewhere. Maybe it’ll attract a few more business partners for me!”

When I awoke in the hospital, the first thing I did was contact a lawyer to prepare divorce papers.

I then went straight to the hotel suite where Calvin Rodriguez was staying but overheard a raucous conversation from inside.

“Calvin, you’re really going to auction off your wife? Aren't you afraid someone might actually take her?”

Calvin's disdainful voice cut through:

“She’s a bloated, out-of-shape woman. Do you think anyone would truly want her? Honestly, just touching her makes me feel sick!”

Next came Daisy Williams’ wheedling voice:

“Calvin, don’t say that. Maybe lots of people have never seen a pregnant woman dance. Some eccentric individuals might find it appealing!”

“True, Bodie, her face isn’t half bad. If no one else bids, I might snag her for the minimum price.”

The room echoed with mocking laughter.

“I always thought Calvin cared deeply for his wife, but who knew he could be so heartless?”

Calvin sneered dismissively:

“That show of concern was all for grandma’s benefit—since she controlled all the shares.”

“But now the company has successfully gone public, and grandma has transferred all shares to me. Regina Murphy’s usefulness as a tool has come to an end.”

“Besides, she dared to try to embarrass Daisy, as if she’s anything worth noticing. I want her to understand that anyone I choose to protect is untouchable.”

“Calvin, I just worry she’ll find out and cause trouble. You know she’s disliked me for ages, plus she’s pregnant with your family’s first grandson.”

“She’s just a parasite; what right does she have to make demands? Without grandma, she’s nothing.”

“There are plenty of women in the world who can bear children. Only the ones I acknowledge can claim to be the Rodriguez family's heir.”

As the mocking voices continued, a cold sensation spread across my face, like my heart was being squeezed by a giant hand, making it hard to breathe.

It turns out Calvin’s care for me was only a ruse to deceive grandma. No wonder that since I became pregnant, he wouldn’t even sleep in the same room with me. He said he didn’t want to harm the baby, but really, he just found me repulsive.

Finally, I understood why his gaze at me was so different from his gaze at Daisy Williams. One was dismissive; the other was filled with warmth.

My family and the Rodriguez family have been friends for generations, and Calvin and I were promised to each other from childhood.

Unfortunately, my family went bankrupt when I was ten. My parents feared the Rodriguez family wouldn’t honor the promise and planned to take me abroad.

But Grandma Lea insisted on me being her granddaughter-in-law and kept me here.

Calvin isn’t the type to be easily influenced, yet he married me without protest. I always thought he liked me deep down.

In the first six months of our marriage, he was genuinely kind to me, and I basked in the illusion of happiness.

Until the day Calvin went on a business trip, and I received an unexpected photograph of him and Daisy wrapped in a close embrace.

Only then did I realize he had been secretly seeing someone else.

I cried, protested, but each time Calvin easily placated me.

He said that some interactions couldn’t be avoided due to business dealings, as refusing to engage would lead to exclusion.

And I believed him.

But I never imagined this was the real truth...

Thinking of this, I dialed Grandma Lea's number, speaking numbly:

“Grandma, you promised me before that if Calvin ever hurt me, I could leave the Rodriguez family at any time. Does that still stand?”

Calvin arrived at the hospital the next day, behaving as if everything was perfectly normal. He gripped my hand with a nervous energy, apologizing earnestly: "Sweetheart, I'm sorry! I just wanted you to help enliven the event on stage, but I didn't mean to hurt you or the baby."

His tone seemed genuinely concerned, yet the glaring lipstick stain on his collar was hard to ignore. "Daisy is just a bit of fun. There's no reason to take her seriously; she doesn't threaten your position," he reassured me. "You must remember, we've known each other since childhood, and the person I truly love is you."

I looked up into his seemingly sincere eyes. Without the call that afternoon, I might have believed him. But knowing the truth, I couldn't trust a single word he said. I couldn't understand why he was pretending in front of me. Hadn't he already gotten Lea's shares as he wished?

The night I was discharged, he knocked on my door holding a set of provocative clothing. "Sweetheart, we've been sleeping in separate rooms for six months. I can't believe you haven't missed me. How about wearing this for your husband?"

Surprised, I glanced at him. His eyes were slightly bloodshot, filled with the familiar desire I knew too well. Yet, I shook my head firmly. "I'm exhausted. I need to rest."

Calvin's passion mostly dissipated upon hearing my refusal. His tone turned annoyed, impatient: "You're not still upset about yesterday, are you? I've already apologized. Can't you stop making a big deal out of it? Change into these clothes, or do you want your husband to help you?"

He started tugging at my clothes. The terror of being undressed in public returned. This time, without hesitation, I grabbed the outfit from Calvin's hand and dashed into the bathroom. The attire barely covered anything, but I knew if I didn't change, Calvin wouldn’t let me off easily.

When I emerged, he was snapping photos of me with a camera. I screamed, trying to dodge, but Calvin subdued me quickly, tying my wrists and ankles to the bed. On the other side of the camera were several leering men.

"She's the one up for auction, Regina Murphy. Pregnant, but with a face like hers, she's quite the prize!"

"Honestly, I've never been with a pregnant woman before. I’m definitely in on the bidding!"

"I heard she’s going to perform a dance at the auction, hahahaha, can't wait!"

Listening to these obscene, vile comments, tears rolled from the corners of my eyes. The intense humiliation made my stomach cramp painfully. My mouth was gagged; all I could do was helplessly look at Calvin, hoping he would mercifully let me go. Calvin understood my silent plea. He put down the camera, walked over, and gently wiped away my tears. But his gaze carried no warmth.

"You've let me take pictures much bolder than this before, why the sudden bashfulness now?" he taunted. "I told you, since you didn't want to dance at the opening ceremony, I've found another venue for you."

Then, he raised the camera again. The number of gawking men increased, their words becoming more and more degrading. I stopped struggling, lying in defeat, feeling all affection for Calvin dissolve completely.

After what felt like an eternity, Calvin finally released me. "Remember in the future, Daisy isn't someone you can provoke. Just be a good Mrs. Rodriguez."

With that, he left my room without a backward glance. I immediately wrapped myself tightly in the sheets, but the cold clung to my body, refusing to go away.

Later that night, Daisy messaged me again via WhatsApp:

[Dear Sister-in-law, the live stream was a success. Even though you're pregnant, many wealthy men are eager to spend the night with you.]

[The highest bid came from a seventy-year-old man, and Calvin has agreed to sell you to him. I've heard he's a bit twisted, so be sure to protect the baby in your belly. Otherwise, Mrs. Rodriguez's title might change hands!]

Upon seeing those two messages, I was at a loss for words.

I immediately grabbed my phone and went to find Calvin Rodriguez, who was video chatting in an inappropriate state with Daisy Williams.

Ignoring his flushed face and the disarray around him, I directly placed the two texts in front of him.

After reading them, Calvin sheepishly looked away.

However, he quickly started making excuses for himself and Daisy:

"Daisy is young; she loves to joke around. You took it too seriously, didn't you?"

"The suggestion that you should dance at the gala was just a way to get you to back off from Daisy. The other message was just playful banter between us."

"You're my wife—how could I ever suggest anything like that involving you?"

"Pregnant women often get overly worried; it's late. You should go back to your room and rest. I would feel terrible if you got exhausted."

His dismissive and insincere words twisted a knife in my heart.

For the last three years, I had been his wife, carrying his children.

Yet all he seemed to think about was Daisy Williams.

Clenching my fists tightly, I became numb to any physical pain.

As I was about to turn and leave, Calvin suddenly called out to me:

"I've prepared something special at tomorrow night's gala just for you."

Hearing this, I instinctively shook my head and declined:

"I'm not going. Take Daisy with you."

At this, Calvin's expression immediately darkened:

"Why are you making a scene now? If I bring Daisy, you'll get jealous over nothing."

"I know yesterday was tough for you. Tomorrow, just choose whatever you want at the gala. Think of it as my apology to you."

"You're different from Daisy. Daisy is focused on her career, while you don't work. You stay at home like a couch potato. Think about how your baby feels if you're not occupied."

Suddenly, I felt utterly ridiculous and pathetic.

Before marrying Calvin, I had a career of my own.

But after we married, he insisted I stay home so I wouldn't overwork myself.

Yet now, I am seen as nothing more than a useless freeloader.

Seeing me silent, with my head down, Calvin's patience ran thin.

"You must come with me tomorrow. That's final. I have things to do, so go back and rest."

The next day, it seemed he was worried I'd back out, as he kept an eye on me the entire day.

Only when I obediently got into the car with him did he finally relax.

While he wasn't paying attention, I discreetly sent a text to Lea Rodriguez.

As soon as the car stopped at the gala's entrance, Daisy Williams, who had been waiting, came over.

She looked at my belly with a mocking smile and remarked:

"I heard you're six months pregnant, but your belly doesn't look that big! No wonder everyone still compliments your figure!"

The next moment, someone chimed in:

"Our Calvin is always generous, willing to share his treats with his buddies. We've never seen a pregnant woman dance a jig. Why don't you give us a show?"

Laughter erupted around us.

Many, there for the spectacle, eagerly joined in.

Some even began eyeing me inappropriately.

Shame washed over me once more.

I frowned, my expression firm:

"Have you all had your fun?"

Only then did Calvin step in to smooth things over:

"Honey, they're just messing with you. Surely you're not upset?"

Seeing my face remain unchanged, Daisy raised her glass and approached me:

"It's my fault for speaking out of turn. I toast you as an apology."

Though her words were apologetic, her eyes held a malicious glint.

Realizing they intended to use me as part of some game, I suddenly understood.

The drink must be spiked.

I pushed the glass away, coolly replying:

"I'm pregnant. I can't drink."