The Lie I Married: My Husband's Darkest Secret

A month after I gave birth,, he flew overseas.

Alone in the house, I was tidying his study when I found a hospital bill beside the shredder. The date on it matched my delivery date exactly.

Stella's POV

A month after I gave birth, Julian flew overseas for a conference.

In the sprawling mansion, I had little to do, so I began to tidy his study.

Near the shredder, I noticed a crumpled piece of paper. He must have missed it. Against my better judgment, I picked it up and carefully smoothed it open.

It was a hospital bill from a private clinic. The date was the same as the day I'd given birth.

My eyes froze on the patient's name at the top.

Luna Evans.

Luna Evans? Julian's childhood sweetheart, the woman who should have disappeared from my life three years ago. Back then, she had harassed Julian relentlessly. She had even charged at me with a knife during our engagement party. Julian kicked her away, and his family forced her overseas. How could she be back? And why was her hospital bill in his study?

My heart dropped. A cold dread wrapped around me. I forced myself to breathe, my eyes scanning down, line by line.

Emergency C-section...

Postpartum hemorrhage protocol...

Specialized neonatal care...

...

Total: three hundred seventy-eight thousand dollars.

My fingers turned cold. I remembered everything so clearly: Julian told me I'd given birth naturally that day. He said he'd hired the best obstetrician for me, and the total cost was just over a hundred thousand dollars.

But here it was-C-section, postpartum hemorrhage. Every item on that bill contradicted what I remembered.

An absurd, chilling thought began to swell uncontrollably inside me. If this bill was real...then what had really happened to me? And whose child was this, the one I had tenderly cared for all this past month?

I had to see Julian immediately and get to the bottom of this. I dialed his number. His voice, as gentle as always, came through the receiver. "Stella, what's wrong? I'm at an out-of-town conference, and the signal here is bad."

Another conference. My heart clenched, and I abruptly hung up. I didn't believe he was out of town. Clutching the paper, I spun around and ran towards the underground parking garage.

The huge mansion was deserted. I headed straight for the parking garage. Just as I reached the elevator, a familiar black Bentley glided silently in, pulling into its exclusive spot not far away.

The car door opened, and Julian, who should have been hundreds of miles away at a conference, stepped out. He walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, and carefully helped a woman out.

It was Luna Evans. Julian had his arm half-around her waist, his movements tender.

My blood instantly froze. I yanked myself back, hiding behind a massive supporting pillar. The cold concrete pressed against my back, a bone-chilling cold.

Their conversation drifted clearly to my ears.

"My sweet girl," Julian's voice was filled with doting affection and concern. "The doctor said you had a postpartum hemorrhage. You need to rest properly. Why are you running around?"

Postpartum hemorrhage?! Exactly like the bill. I clamped my hand over my mouth, desperate not to make a sound.

Luna leaned weakly into his embrace, her voice soft, "I miss Leo. Julian, will Stella treat Leo well?"

Leo was the nickname Julian had chosen for our baby. My heart ached painfully.

Julian sighed, pulling her closer. "Luna, I know I owe you too much. But don't worry. I arranged for her to undergo deep hypnosis and used new medication. She will only remember giving birth to Leo herself, fighting for him. She will love him more than anything. It is foolproof. No one will ever know."

Tears fell from Luna's face. "But I hid it from you back then. I thought I was dying, that's why I insisted on keeping the baby. I'm afraid she might break."

"She won't." Julian's voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt. "From today, Leo is Stella's son. Her only purpose is to be his mother."

I slid down behind the pillar, my stomach twisting. All the sweet words that had once made me so happy now echoed like a cruel joke. He had said, "Stella, I'll only love you in this life." He had said, "Stella, marrying you is the greatest fortune of my life." He had said, "Stella, I'll give you and our child the most perfect home."

...To use drugs and hypnosis to steal my life, to make me willingly mother his and another woman's child. It was sickening. My hands and feet went cold as my mind slowly cleared.

Then I remembered. Years ago, when Julian's grandfather was still alive, I had helped him organize his study. I'd seen a secret file, locked deep inside his safe.

He had looked at me with a complicated expression and explained it was a medical report from Julian's teenage accident. The conclusion was clear: Julian had been left permanently infertile.

To protect the family's stability and Julian's peace of mind, his grandfather and father had suppressed the report together. They hid the truth from everyone, even from Julian and his own mother. His grandfather only urged me to forget what I'd seen and never speak of it.

Back then, I was already pregnant. I'd thought the old man was confused, or that it was someone else's report, or a misdiagnosis. I hadn't given it another thought.

But now I knew. It wasn't a mistake, and the old man hadn't been confused. That was the truth.

A bitter, self-mocking smile touched my lips as I made my decision.

First, I would contact an immigration agency and expedite my application for permanent residency abroad. I didn't want to stay here a moment longer.

Second, I remembered that secret report on Julian's infertility. I would package that diagnosis into the most exquisite of gifts-a parting present for him.

I suddenly burned with curiosity. What expression would that man wear, so arrogantly sure of his own virility, when he discovered the heir he had schemed so carefully for was not his at all.

Stella's POV

Back at the house, a piercing cry erupted from the nursery.

The sound stabbed at my eardrums.

I stood at the doorway, watching the tiny life in the crib kicking its legs, a surge of repulsion swelling within me.

The nanny walked out, her face full of reproach. "Ms. Stella, where have you been? You didn't answer your messages. Leo has been crying for almost half an hour, and nothing seems to comfort him."

I ignored her, my gaze fixed on the baby's small face.

The resemblance. It was too striking.

Those eyes, those brows, they were clearly Luna's spitting image.

How could I have been so blind before, never once suspecting?

As I was thinking, I heard the front door open. Julian was back.

He first frowned, chastising the nanny in a tone filled with protectiveness. "Stella isn't feeling well. Why are you rushing her?"

After that, he skillfully picked up Leo, gently bouncing him. In just a moment, the baby's cries gradually subsided.

He carried Leo over to me, reaching out to caress my face, his voice soft. "Stella, why do you look so pale? Didn't you get enough rest?"

My stomach churned, and I instinctively turned my head away from his touch.

His hand froze in mid-air, a flicker of darkness crossing his eyes, but it quickly returned to normal.

He handed Leo back to the nanny, saying softly, "You take Leo back to his room. I'll talk to Stella."

The nanny seemed to sigh in relief, hurrying away with the baby.

Only the two of us were left in the living room.

Julian wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, resting his chin in the crook of my shoulder. "What's wrong? Are you upset because I sounded rushed on the phone?"

I closed my eyes, letting him hold me, my body rigid and unmoving.

"I'm tired," I murmured.

"Alright, I've prepared some herbal tea for sleep. Drink it and get some rest."

He turned and walked to the kitchen. A moment later, he returned with a steaming cup of richly fragrant herbal tea.

This was the custom sleep-aid blend he had started making for me when I was preparing for pregnancy. He said it would relax my nerves and help me sleep better.

I took the cup, my fingertips icy cold.

Meeting his expectant gaze, I obediently brought the cup to my lips, pretending to take a sip.

While he turned to straighten the sofa, I swiftly poured the tea into a nearby potted plant.

"It tastes good," I said, putting down the empty cup, my voice calm.

"Glad you like it," Julian said, walking over and smiling with satisfaction. "Go get some sleep now."

I nodded, not looking at him again, and went back to the bedroom. Lying in bed, my back to the door, I forced my breathing to remain steady.

Late at night, rustling sounds came from beside me.

I snapped my eyes open in the darkness.

I felt Julian lift the covers and get out of bed. His movements were extremely light, as if he was afraid of waking me.

I immediately got up, stealthily following him.

I watched him go to the elevator and press the button for the top floor.

The top floor of this building was a penthouse apartment, not for sale to the public.

My heart sank inch by agonizing inch. I didn't follow him into the elevator, turning instead towards the fire escape.

In the stairwell, the sound-activated lights flickered on and off.

I walked barefoot on the cold concrete, step by step, upward.

At the stairwell landing on the top floor, I stopped, slipping into the deep shadows.

The elevator doors opened.

Julian stepped out.

And the apartment door was already ajar.

Luna, wearing a sexy silk nightgown, immediately rushed into his arms.

"Baby, what took you so long?" Her voice held a playful whine. "Having to wait for Stella to fall asleep every night must be so hard."

Julian lowered his head and kissed her lips.

"Don't worry, the medication I give her not only ensures deep sleep but also continuously reinforces the memories I've implanted in her. There won't be any slip-ups."

"That's good." Luna stood on her tiptoes, pecking him on the lips. "Come in, I miss you so much."

They embraced, kissing passionately, and walked into the brightly lit apartment.

The door slowly closed before my eyes.

I leaned against the cold wall, my blood running cold.

So, that sweet-smelling herbal tea every night was a sedative.

So, my husband would wait for me to fall asleep every night before going upstairs to meet his lover.

This deception was even more sickening than I had imagined.

I fought back the urge to rush over and smash that door open.

I turned and went downstairs.

Julian didn't return until dawn.

As usual, he embraced me from behind, placing a soft kiss on my neck.

"Stella, how about we take Leo to the beach for a getaway this weekend? Just the three of us."

I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting back the tears that welled up.

"Sounds good."

Stella's POV

At the private fitness club, in the indoor pool.

Julian put his arm around my shoulder, pointing to a woman in a bikini not far away. He smiled as he introduced her, "Stella, this is the new swimming instructor I hired for you. She's won several championships."

My gaze fell on the woman's face, and my heart turned icy cold.

It was Luna.

She had short hair and wore exaggerated sunglasses, but I'd recognize that pitiful, delicate look anywhere, even disguised.

I didn't say anything, just nodded faintly.

Luna walked over, giving me a smile. "Hello, Ms. Stella. Let's do some warm-up exercises first."

I obediently walked to the edge of the deep end, bending down to stretch.

The moment my hands touched my toes, a cold hand suddenly shot out from beneath the water, clamping onto my ankle!

A tremendous force pulled me, and I instantly lost my balance, being dragged violently into the water.

"Mmph!"

The cold pool water instantly flooded my mouth and nose. I couldn't swim at all, and the pain of choking made it impossible to call for help. I could only struggle desperately in the water.

On the shore, Julian's face changed drastically, and he was about to jump in.

"Julian, don't rush!" Luna, however, held him back. "I'm a good swimmer. I'll save Stella!"

With that, she dove into the water and quickly swam towards me.

Julian stood at the edge of the pool, a flicker of emotion in his eyes as he watched Luna's selfless actions.

I felt Luna not only fail to pull me ashore but instead use all her strength to press me firmly down towards the bottom of the pool!

Luna was trying to drown me!

A strong will to survive erupted. I fought back with all my might, my nails leaving several bloody scratches on Luna's arm.

The suffocating sensation intensified. Just as my consciousness began to fade, the pressure from above suddenly loosened.

Luna finally dragged me ashore.

"Stella!"

Julian rushed over, but his first reaction wasn't to check on me, who was barely conscious. Instead, he knelt down, tenderly cupping Luna's arm.

Several scratches on it were beading with blood.

"How did you get so hurt?" His brows furrowed, his voice full of reproach.

Luna began to sob pitifully. "I was just too anxious, Julian. If this leaves a scar, it will affect my future endorsements."

Julian's heartache deepened.

Ignoring me, who was still lying on the ground, he pulled Luna into his embrace, comforting her softly. "Don't be afraid. I'll call the best dermatologist. There won't be a single scar left on you."

In my hazy state, I heard their conversation clearly.

Suddenly, I coughed violently, spitting out several mouthfuls of pool water.

Julian finally snapped back to reality. He released Luna, quickly walked to my side, and swept me into his arms.

"Stella, are you alright? I'm taking you to the hospital!"

Holding me, he turned to Luna and said, "Luna, you come too. Bring Leo. We'll meet at the hospital."

Leaning against Julian's broad chest, I could clearly hear his steady, powerful heartbeat.

How could this man, without a flicker of emotion, tenderly soothe his lover, then turn around and play the devoted husband to me?

Did he have no heart at all?

I closed my eyes, letting cold tears stream from the corners of my eyes.

I might as well have drowned.

Stella's POV

I woke up in a private hospital room, completely alone.

From the hallway, I heard two orderlies whispering.

"I've truly seen it all. Julian was so worried about those scratches on Luna's arm that he called in the best dermatologists in the entire hospital for a consultation. But his legitimate wife, who was unconscious from drowning, was just left with a temporary orderly, not even a single inquiry."

"You don't know the story? That Luna is Julian's true darling. I heard Stella is the real homewrecker, using her family's status to steal Luna's boyfriend. Now she's faking a drowning to get sympathy? Serves her right!"

I listened quietly, my heart feeling numb. So, in everyone's eyes, I was the malicious homewrecker.

The hospital room door opened, and a young orderly walked in-one of the two who had just been talking. She looked at me with disdain.

"Awake already? Tough one, aren't you?" she sneered. "I advise you to be smart and divorce Julian immediately. Stop occupying someone else's lover. Luna is my best friend. Julian is deeply in love with her. A woman like you, who destroys other people's relationships, doesn't deserve happiness."

I was too weary to argue with her. I simply closed my eyes and said calmly, "I need to rest."

Seeing my aloof demeanor, the orderly flew into a rage. She picked up a new IV bag, hung it on the stand, and roughly jammed the needle into the IV port on the back of my hand. As she adjusted the flow rate, I caught a flash of malice in her eyes. She deliberately twisted the knob to its fastest setting.

"Hmph, putting on airs," she muttered under her breath, then turned and left the room.

Not long after she left, I knew something was wrong. A cold liquid was spreading through my veins, and my heart began convulsing out of control. My breath turned ragged. The orderly had given me the wrong medication.

I fought to reach the call button beside my bed. The hallway outside stayed silent-no nurses came running. I suddenly realized they were probably all in Luna's room.

My vision began to blur. My body grew colder. With the last of my strength, I fumbled for the phone on my pillow and dialed Julian.

A long series of tones echoed before the call finally connected. I tried to speak, but his impatient voice cut through first.

"Busy."

Then, the line went dead.

Stella's POV

When I woke up in the hospital, Julian was standing by my bedside.

Seeing my eyes open, he immediately grasped my hand, his voice hoarse. "Stella, I'm so sorry. I was dealing with an urgent overseas matter, and my phone was on silent. I never thought..."

The regret in his eyes seemed genuine, but I merely watched him perform, numb.

"What about that orderly?" I asked.

"I've already fired her and instructed my lawyers to sue her. There will be no leniency." He gently stroked my hair. "Don't worry, nothing like this will ever happen again."

I listened to his reassuring words, but my heart felt empty. After comforting me for a few moments, he quickly glanced at his watch and stood up.

"I have an important meeting at the office. I really have to go. You rest well. I'll be back to be with you as soon as the meeting is over."

With that, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead, then left in a hurry.

I watched his retreating back and gently curved my lips into a slight smile.

His excuse was always "a meeting."

Discharged from the hospital, I arrived home to see Julian's mother gleefully video-calling someone on her phone, holding the baby.

On the other end of the screen was Luna.

"Come on, say 'Mommy'," Julian's mother said, her voice full of doting affection.

The baby babbled. She beamed, unable to hide her joy.

When she saw me enter, her face immediately darkened. She ended the video call and coldly swept her gaze over me.

"So delicate, just a little drowning, and you have to stay in the hospital for so long. How many company matters has Julian delayed because of you?" She shoved an insulated container into my hands. "Take this soup to Julian. Learn to be a supportive wife. Stop causing him trouble all the time."

I took the container, turned, and walked out without a word.

Arriving at Julian's company, I pushed open the door to his CEO's penthouse office and, to my surprise, found Luna already there.

She wore sunglasses, covering half her face, but the triumphant smile on her lips couldn't be hidden.

"Stella, here to see Julian? Bad timing, he just stepped out for a meeting."

I couldn't be bothered with her. I placed the insulated container on the table and turned to leave.

"Stop!"

Luna suddenly stood up and grabbed my arm.

She deliberately bumped into me, at the same time, spilling the hot coffee she was holding all over her own chest!

"Ah!"

She cried out in pain, and a large brown stain instantly spread across her white shirt.

Her eyes turned red, and tears streamed down her face instantly.

"Stella, I know you misunderstood me, but how could you lay hands on me?"

Just then, the office door opened.

Julian walked in.

Seeing this scene, Luna cried even harder, her face stained with tears.

He walked straight past the sobbing Luna, quickly came to my side, and anxiously scrutinized me from head to toe. "Stella, are you alright? Did anything splash on you?"

I shook my head.

He finally sighed in relief, then turned, his face dark, and sharply rebuked Luna. "Who told you to come here? Get out!"

Luna froze, she seemed stunned by his reaction.

Under Julian's cold gaze, she could only sob pitifully and run out.

Only the two of us were left in the office.

He pulled me into his arms and whispered, "Stella, I love you. Only you. Don't read too much into things, alright?"

His voice was soft, but then it shifted. "But your emotions have been unstable lately. You get provoked too easily...you've hurt people."

I broke free and looked at him coldly. "I didn't push her."

"Alright, alright, I believe you." His reassurance was perfunctory. He glanced at his watch. "I really have to get to this meeting. You go home and wait for me."

He left in a hurry once again.

I didn't move. I just stepped closer to the door and looked out through the gap.

Down the hall, he caught up with Luna.

"I'm living like I'm in hiding! Luna sobbed. Julian, about what happened back then...I found new evidence. I can prove Stella framed me."

He pulled her gently into an embrace and promised softly. "Luna, don't worry. I'll clear your name. From now on, you can walk anywhere openly, proudly."

I watched them hold each other, silent.

My heart had turned to ice.