Chapter 1

My ex-crush, Chloe, suddenly texted me to meet her at the hospital, claiming she was carrying my baby.

She specifically told me to wear a three-piece suit and come early, promising me a "life-changing surprise."

When I arrived at the hospital entrance, Chloe didn't look sick or pregnant at all. Instead, she burst into loud laughter, turning to her group of frat-boy best friends.

"Look at him! He actually wore a suit! And he’s holding organic nuts and custom gourmet donuts meant for pregnant women!"

"He really showed up! Go ahead, boys—order that Birkin bag you promised me."

Chloe turned toward me with a smug, mocking smirk.

"Julian, it was just a joke! Did you seriously fall for something so ridiculous?"

I stared quietly at Chloe and her giggling entourage, not uttering a single word.

One of the guys beside her sneered:

"Damn, what a pathetic simp. No matter how absurd Chloe's lie is, he still buys it hook, line, and sinker."

The rest of the guys chimed in, laughing at how obediently I trailed behind Chloe.

They thought that no matter how brutally she humiliated me, I’d always stick to her like a desperate puppy.

What they didn't know was that I was actually at this hospital to accompany my real lover for her prenatal checkup.

I saw right through it. Today was just another sick bet Chloe made with her boys to watch me make a fool of myself.

Having just lost an expensive designer bag in the wager, her guy friends glared at me with pure disgust.

"Fucking loser! Because of your stupidity, I just lost a ten-thousand-dollar bag!"

"Doesn't he have any self-awareness? He’s never even touched Chloe's hand, yet he thought he got her pregnant!"

"What an idiot! He must have a brain defect!"

They laughed uncontrollably, but their words couldn't hurt me anymore. I was completely numb to it.

Then, one of them noticed the bag in my hand.

"Wait, this clown actually bought prenatal snacks and premium donuts?"

"Perfect timing. We’ve been waiting out here forever and I'm starving! Julian, hand that bag over. Feed us!"

I pulled the bag closer to my chest and shook my head firmly.

"These aren't for you. They're for my wife."

The guys rolled their eyes aggressively. "Oh, playing hard to get when it’s time to serve us?"

"It’s just some cheap nuts and trash donuts!"

"Having us eat your food is a privilege! Hand them over, Julian, now!"

My expression hardened. "I told you. These are for my wife's energy boost during her checkup."

My wife, Serena, was still on her way from her parents' estate. I had just arrived ten minutes early.

Chloe scoffed, crossing her arms disdainfully. "Julian, drop the tough guy act. Give it here!"

Her guy friends immediately joined in the mocking. "Dumbass, weren't you dying to lick Chloe's boots? Here's your golden chance—take it!"

I hadn't spoken to Chloe in six months. I had long given up on her.

Refusing to waste any more breath, I turned to walk past them into the lobby.

Instantly, the guys stepped forward and blocked my path.

Chloe strutted right in front of me, glaring down at me like an entitled queen.

"Julian, me eating your food is doing you a favor!"

"Don't ruin my mood today. Don't be ungrateful!"

She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

I looked at her, my eyes cold and dead.

I had already known about their stupid bet last night.