Chapter 2

That night, Ethan didn't stay home.

Because Chloe said her baby was moving a lot and her stomach hurt, he immediately found an excuse to go keep her company.

Four years of dating, three years of marriage—I had always thought Ethan loved me.

Until Chloe came back. Until she got pregnant with someone else's child.

It seemed like everything suddenly changed.

My husband, who had loved me reasonably well, devoted himself to caring for another woman.

I was locked in this dark prison.

Slowly wearing down all my love for him.

Disappointment accumulated until it disappeared completely.

So it was time for me to leave.

The next day for my birthday party, Ethan said he'd pick me up himself and called several times to urge me.

But when I went out, only the bodyguard's car was at the door.

"Joanna, I have something to deal with here."

"You go ahead first, I'll be right there."

I had no hope to begin with, so how could there be disappointment?

The biting winter wind cut across my cheeks like a sickle.

But I couldn't feel any pain.

Just like my feelings for Ethan.

From disappointment to despair—no pain could hurt me anymore.

The car stopped in front of a club.

I frowned but still got out.

Led by the bodyguard, I walked into a private room.

But I didn't recognize a single person inside.

Their strange looks seemed to see right through me, full of mockery and disdain.

As if I were trash, they kept their distance.

"She cheated on Ethan and still has the nerve to let him throw her a birthday party."

"Ethan is so pathetic, and he's even allowing her to keep that bastard child."

"I don't know what Ethan sees in her. She can't even compare to Chloe's little toe."

They spoke loudly enough, deliberately saying it for me to hear.

See? This was Ethan's masterpiece.

He couldn't bear to watch Chloe face her parents' criticism.

But he never thought about how the harm I suffered because of them was a thousand times worse than what Chloe faced.

I could not care about myself, but I couldn't bear for my child to be condemned by everyone like this.

I stood up, planning to leave.

This birthday party didn't seem to welcome me anyway.

But when I pulled open the door, I saw Ethan and Chloe standing outside.

One looked away guiltily, the other showed a triumphant smile.

I knew they had been at the door listening.

Listening to how the people in the room insulted me.

Listening to how the people in the room mocked me.

But he said nothing, just let Chloe pull me back inside.

"So the birthday girl arrived first. It's all my fault—I'm clumsy moving around with this belly."

"Ethan was worried I'd be uncomfortable in another car, so he insisted on picking me up."

Chloe proudly stroked her own belly, then looked at mine.

As if saying, so what if you're pregnant too?

Because of her words, jeering sounds erupted around us.

"Since childhood, Ethan has always doted on Chloe exclusively."

"When your baby is born, will there be good news soon?"

"Don't forget to invite us to the wedding."

Amid the congratulations, they seemed to forget I was still Ethan's wife.

They also seemed to forget this wasn't some engagement party.

But rather a birthday party Ethan was throwing for me to make up for his guilt.

Watching their faces, I couldn't control a wave of nausea.

I had just stood up to leave when somehow I caught Ethan's attention.

He frowned at me and said coldly:

"This is your birthday party. What would it look like if you left?"

"It's just morning sickness. Endure it and it'll pass."

But the next second, Chloe also retched.

He immediately nervously helped her sit down and pulled a sour lemon candy from his pocket.

Personally tore open the wrapper, personally fed it into her mouth.

Jeering sounds erupted around us again.

I closed my eyes.

My birthday party had become part of their public display of affection.

They acted like a real married couple, chatting and laughing with their mutual friends.

While I was just forgotten in the corner.

They hadn't even prepared a birthday cake.

How absurd and laughable.

This was the birthday party Ethan prepared for me.

I held back my tears and swallowed all the bitterness.

I should really say congratulations, Ethan.

Because in two more days, I would completely leave him.

He could give the position of Mrs. Shaw to the person he cared about.