On my wedding day, Nicholas, my fiancé, was found with my sister, Kailani, in the lounge, and I became the butt of everyone's jokes. That was when Gianni, my childhood friend, stepped up before everyone's eyes and proposed to me, loudly promising to protect me.

After we were married, he treated me with great care and respect. Unfortunately, he seemed unable to consummate our marriage. It wasn't until this year, after undergoing IVF, that I finally became pregnant. Since then, he pampered me even more.

I thought he was my real destination, until the day I overheard a conversation between him and his friend, Travis.

"Gianni, that's too much. Maxine's been nothing but good to you. How could you swap the embryos so Maxine would carry Kailani’s child because she didn’t want to go through childbirth?"

"With the baby due in two months, what’s your plan?"

He paused for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"Once the baby is born, I’ll give it to Kailani, fulfilling her wish."

"As for Maxine, I'll just tell her the baby didn’t survive."

"I'll spend the rest of my life with her, making it up to her."

So that's how it was.

The tenderness and care I thought were meant for me were all meant for her. I turned around and scheduled a procedure.

I wouldn’t keep this tainted child, and I wanted out of this sham of a marriage.

"Are you worried Maxine will discover what you’re doing?"

Gianni was quiet for a moment before speaking.

"She won't find out."

"You're that sure?"

"She trusts me," he said with confidence. "As long as I say it, she won’t question it."

After a pause, Travis spoke again, his voice lower. "Just don't regret it."

He laughed off the concern, dismissing it casually, "I won't."

Standing outside the door, my fingers dug into my palms so tightly, the pain barely registered. I was there to bring him some clothes, worried he wasn't dressing warmly enough with the cold weather. But right then, it felt as if a knife had plunged into my chest, a bitter cold slicing through me.

I staggered back home, barely having the strength to turn on the lights, collapsing onto the sofa, shivering uncontrollably from the chill.

My stomach lurched, my head spun, tears silently flowed from the corners of my eyes, too drained to brush them away.

The sound of the door unlocking echoed, marking his return. The tap of his leather shoes grew closer until he stood beside the sofa, bending over, his voice tender and filled with concern.

"Why are you sitting in the dark? The housekeeper said you hadn't eaten, that your stomach was acting up again."

He reached out, gently moving hair from my forehead, his brow furrowed with worry. "Maxine, what’s the matter?"

He knelt down, placing his hand over mine, his voice soft and comforting. "You shouldn't skip meals; it's not good for the baby."

I looked at him, at the facade of gentle care he presented. Turns out a person's affection could be mere performance.

Four years ago, on what should have been my wedding day, my fiancé was caught cheating with my sister. My parents pressured me to let go of my fiancé, insisting family must protect one another, and that outsiders shouldn’t witness our discord. They announced Kailani as the bride in front of everyone.

Back then, Gianni stepped up, dramatically proposing to me. At that moment, I thought he was the one pulling me from the abyss.

After we wed, I stayed by his side, quietly supporting him.

Using my sharp instincts in the stock market, I helped him invest and strategize. In just a few years, his company transformed from an unknown small business to a rising star in the financial world.

This year, when we did IVF and finally got pregnant, everything seemed perfect. He held me close, saying this child was a long-awaited blessing, his smile and gentle gaze almost pulling me in.

But this, too, was just another lie.

If he can pretend, why shouldn’t I?

I blinked softly, my lips curling into a faint smile.

"Nothing, just feeling a bit worn out."

My voice was gentle, touched with fatigue, revealing nothing unusual.

He sighed with relief, gently urging me, "Rest early, dear."

Alright, I'll keep up the act for three more days.

In three days, this farce will end.

The next morning, Gianni accompanied me to my prenatal check-up. Throughout the appointment, he was attentive, asking the doctor all sorts of questions. The doctor smiled and remarked, "Your husband is really attentive. You don't find many men with such responsibility these days."

Gianni held my hand, his eyes filled with warmth. "This child is a long-awaited blessing. Of course, I'll take good care of everything."

As we left the examination room, we bumped into Kailani. She was wearing a loose summer dress, and as soon as she saw us, a self-satisfied look flickered through her eyes. I glanced at her conspicuously protruding belly and couldn't help but smirk inwardly. No wonder she'd claimed it was a coincidence to be pregnant at the same time as me. She'd planned this all along.

She walked up to me with a mischievous grin. "Hey, sis, when's your due date?" She reached out to touch my belly. My gaze turned icy, and I swatted her hand away.

"What do you think you're doing?" Kailani's face darkened, a flash of irritation crossing her eyes.

Just as she was about to speak, I lowered my head, placed a hand over my stomach, and murmured weakly, "My stomach... it hurts a little..."

Her words caught in her throat, her smug expression disappearing instantly. Gianni immediately supported me, sounding worried. "Did the check-up take too long? Do you want to head back and rest?"

His voice was filled with concern, but I clearly saw his reassuring gaze fixed on Kailani. I lowered my eyes and softly said, "I need to use the restroom."

He frowned, wanting to come with me, but I waved him off. "No need, you wait here."

He hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. "Take care."

I headed to the restroom, and as soon as I shut the door, I saw him hurrying away. Unsurprisingly, he was going to comfort Kailani.

I quietly followed and stood at a distance, watching him calming her down with a patient and gentle tone.

Kailani pouted, "Have you developed feelings for her? She was so rude to me just now, and you didn't even stand up for me. Deep down, do you still have feelings for her?"

Gianni sighed helplessly, softly consoling her, "I'm just thinking about the child. After all, she is..."

He didn't finish his sentence but pulled a beautifully crafted jewelry box from his pocket, taking out a brand-new bracelet and gently placing it on her wrist. His voice was tender, "Here's the new bracelet you wanted last time. I got it for you."

Kailani's expression softened, a satisfied smirk appearing on her lips. "I made a lot from that stock you recommended last time. Got any more tips for me?"

Standing there watching the scene unfold, I couldn't help but find it laughably absurd. Gianni, using everything of mine to please her.

After turning away, I took out my phone and made a call. "Hi, I just need to confirm the surgery schedule."

"Yes, everything will be ready for tomorrow."

Behind me, Gianni's familiar footsteps came to an abrupt stop.

"Tomorrow?" His voice carried a hint of confusion. "Where are you going?"

I turned to face him, meeting his gaze with a faint smile. "I've scheduled a prenatal photoshoot. I thought a family portrait might be a nice keepsake."

His expression shifted slightly, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

I deliberately raised an eyebrow, my tone lighthearted. "What? You don’t want to join me?"

He opened his mouth, his eyes evasive. "It's not that... I'm just worried you'll get too tired, and I have a meeting at the office tomorrow. Maybe we should reschedule?"

Looking at him, I chuckled softly, my voice gentle and understanding. "It's fine, work is important. I can go alone."

He seemed to relax, smiling as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "You're so understanding. What would I do without you?"