Five Months Pregnant, My Husband Booked an Entire Maternity Retreat for Another Woman

Five months pregnant, when I went to book my prenatal care, I discovered my CEO husband, Liam, had booked out the entire luxurious maternity retreat.

Thrilled, I snapped a picture to post on Instagram.

But as I raised my phone, I saw Liam tenderly leaning into Stella, his widowed sister-in-law's swollen belly, his voice impossibly gentle.

"Stella, thank you for blessing me with another child. My life is finally complete."

My heart seized, I couldn't breathe.

Back home, I hired a private detective to dig into Liam's past.

After his brother's death, he secretly became the guardian of Stella's child, giving her a home, all behind my back.

I sat numbly all night, the pain suffocating, as I slowly slipped off my wedding ring.

I couldn't stay with a man who was unfaithful.

Footsteps approached.

I quickly wiped away the tears stinging my eyes.

The rich scent of roses filled the air, but it couldn't mask the unfamiliar perfume clinging to Liam.

Liam wrapped his arms around me from behind, pressing a soft kiss to my temple.

"My dearest Chloe, here are the passionate red roses you adore."

I took the flowers, forcing a brittle smile.

"Is this the surprise you wanted to give me? I thought it was that necklace I loved from the auction."

Liam's gaze darted away, trying to hide his guilt.

"I heard that necklace was already reserved. It was impossible to snatch it away."

I sneered, a bitter laugh bubbling up as I watched Liam lie.

Last week, news spread about a stunning sapphire necklace at the auction, and Liam knew how much I loved blue.

He had vowed to buy it for me.

But just moments ago, I'd seen him with my own eyes, fastening that very necklace around Stella's neck.

The image of Liam and Stella kissing so passionately, unable to tear themselves apart, churned my stomach.

I stumbled to the trash can, violently throwing up.

Liam, panicked, immediately called the family doctor.

But the next second, his phone vibrated wildly.

A fragile female voice echoed from the speaker.

"Liam, I accidentally slipped in the bathroom..."

The man who was always so calm and composed suddenly grabbed the doctor and rushed out of the apartment.

I watched his frantic retreat, tears finally streaming down my face.

Before Liam's brother died unexpectedly, he had asked Liam to take good care of his wife and child.

Back then, Liam's entire focus had been on his widowed sister-in-law.

When Stella grieved, drinking herself into oblivion all night, he abandoned me even as I suffered from a raging fever.

When Stella collapsed from emotional distress, refusing to eat, he left me, unconscious and miscarrying in the rainy night.

I had always assumed Liam was just trying to protect their broken family, swallowing my complaints, burying my resentment deep down.

But I never imagined that his sense of responsibility would morph into love for his sister-in-law.

He had betrayed me, becoming another woman's husband, another child's father.

With all my strength, I ripped off the wedding ring from my ring finger and hurled it into the trash can.

The glass window reflected a woman's pallid face, her hair disheveled, looking like a complete lunatic.

My swollen pregnant finger was raw and bleeding where the ring had chafed it.

Once I calmed down, I dialed the pinned contact, my voice hoarse.

"Mom, I want to come home."

Liam didn't come home all night.

I released the roses in my arms, tossing them into the trash without a second thought.

A notification popped up, reminding me it was time for my prenatal check-up today.

I gently stroked my growing belly. Through my skin, I felt a faint kick.

Even if Liam had cheated, the baby was innocent.

It was my flesh and blood, my precious treasure.

I grabbed my previous check-up results and asked the housekeeper to prepare the car for the hospital.

The corridor was bustling with people, every couple's face radiating joyful smiles.

I sat on a cold bench, waiting, when a familiar voice unexpectedly pierced my ears.

I looked up, and my heart plummeted into an ice-cold abyss.

Liam was carefully supporting Stella, the worry in his eyes undisguised.

He carried her pink handbag and an assortment of breakfast items.

I suddenly remembered when I first found out I was pregnant; my morning sickness had been terrible.

Liam, out of concern, dropped everything to learn how to cook nutritious meals for pregnant women.

I had been angry, scolding him for not knowing what was important.

Liam had clawed his way up from a corporate greenhorn to CEO, pouring countless hours and effort into his career.

He'd pulled all-nighters on projects, flattered clients and drank until he collapsed, and nearly suffered a heart attack from overwork

I couldn't bear to see the man I loved ruin himself, covered in scars.

I had humbly called my mom for help, begging her to support Liam.

And to protect Liam's pride, I had never mentioned it to him.

I just couldn't understand how the Liam who once stayed up all night, eyes red from exhaustion, promising me a happy future, could have cheated.

The hospital loudspeaker suddenly crackled, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Chloe Miller, please proceed to consultation room 103."

Not far away, Liam finally saw me.

His gaze dropped, filled with guilt, then he quickly strode towards me.

A warmth spread across my wrist as Liam leaned down, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from my forehead.

"Why didn't you call me to come with you?"

I looked past him at Stella, suppressing the bitterness in my heart, and gave a light laugh.

"I was afraid you wouldn't have time."

Liam frowned, sighing helplessly as he explained.

"After my brother passed, Stella was pregnant and had no one else to rely on."

"Don't overthink it, Chloe. I'm just fulfilling my brother's responsibilities."

Seeing us at a stalemate, Stella clutched her pregnant belly and rushed over, her face anxious.

She shielded Liam, her eyes red, and grasped my hand.

"Chloe, please don't be angry with Liam."

"It's all my fault for bothering him. I promise I'll never appear before him again."

I said nothing, yet Stella was already crying, tears cascading down her face.

Liam pulled her into his embrace, his eyes as dark and stormy as a brewing tempest.

"Chloe, can't you show some empathy?"

"She's my sister-in-law, she's family!"

And what about his wife?

Weren't spouses supposed to be the closest people to each other?

The loudspeaker sounded again, urging me to go for my check-up.

I bit the inside of my cheek, and as I turned, I quickly wiped away my tears.

Of course, I didn't miss the triumphant, challenging glint in Stella's eyes.

She deliberately exposed the ambiguous red marks on her collarbone, then wept piteously in Liam's arms.

Last night, the private detective's photos showed Liam tenderly removing Stella's nightgown, the two of them spending a passionate night together.

And I? I had foolishly waited all night for a man who would never come home.

After the check-up, Liam, to my surprise, was waiting at the door.

He gripped my hand, like a devoted husband to his beloved wife.

"How was it?"

I subtly pulled my hand away.

"The doctor said the baby's heartbeat is a little faint and advised me to try and stay cheerful."

Liam nodded, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say more.

Stella stood not far away, coughing softly.

So Liam ruffled my hair. "I'll take Stella home first, then I'll come back to pick you up."

The tiny flicker of hope in my heart was thoroughly extinguished by a bucket of cold water.

I forced out a weak smile.

"Okay."

But after waiting three hours in the cold wind outside the hospital, Liam never appeared.

I pulled out the voluntary waiver of assets in case of divorce that Liam had handwritten for me years ago and sent it to my lawyer.

Back home, I started packing my luggage to leave.

The door slammed open with a kick.

Liam stormed in, grabbing my wrist, his voice sharp with accusation.

"If you have a problem, you should take it out on me!"

I frowned in confusion, then Liam roughly shoved me against the wall.

A torrent of curses rained down on me.

"Thank God I managed to swerve away from that truck, or Stella and the baby would have been crushed!"

"Chloe, you're a cold-blooded killer."

My bracelet snapped without warning, clattering to the floor at my feet.

It was the love knot bracelet Liam had braided for me himself.

I winced in pain, looking directly into Liam's eyes.

"What on earth are you talking about?"

A muffled shuffling sound came from the hallway.

Stella, pale-faced, leaned against the doorframe, her wrist wrapped in a thick bandage.

She bit her lower lip, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

"Chloe, I know you don't like me, but my baby is Liam's own nephew."

"You went too far today."

An unknown fury surged within me, and I violently broke free from Liam's grip.

"I didn't do anything! And I would never stoop to such a base method to harm you!"

I angrily advanced on Stella, who retreated, tears welling up.

A sharp slap echoed, and a searing pain spread across my cheek.

Liam watched me with cold eyes, his large frame completely shielding Stella.

I stood frozen.

His gaze held anger, contempt, hatred C everything but the slightest trace of the trust he once had in me.

He had promised me he would unconditionally trust me, unconditionally stand by me, no matter what.

A sharp pain jolted my lower abdomen, and I leaned against the wall, slowly sliding down to the floor.

But Liam didn't even spare me a glance, disdainfully shifting his foot away.

As if he feared I would contaminate him.

I bit down hard, refusing to show any vulnerability.

The room was filled with Stella's fragile sobs and Liam's soft comforts.

I suddenly remembered two years ago, when our whole family went on a cruise.

Stella and I accidentally fell overboard simultaneously. She was an excellent swimmer, while I was a complete non-swimmer.

But Liam's first instinct was to save Stella.

Only after Stella was taken to the hospital and confirmed to be unharmed did he remember me, sinking into the depths of the ocean.

I lost control, smashing the glass cup beside me.

Shards of glass flew everywhere, cutting Liam's hand.

He winced in pain, but his first concern was whether Stella had been hurt.

Upon seeing a tiny scratch on Stella's finger, he anxiously scooped her into his arms, then coldly ordered the housekeeper.

"Don't let anyone send food to Chloe today. And from now on, without my permission, she is not allowed to leave and harm anyone!"

The door slammed shut, the distinct click of the lock piercing my eardrums.

My stomach began to ache belatedly, a sharp, violent pain.

I nervously clutched my abdomen, a warm wetness spreading between my legs.

My beige dress was stained with a large patch of crimson, my mind a complete blank.

Amidst the intense contractions, I frantically crawled to the door, pounding on it like a madwoman.

My voice trembled with fear.

"Liam, I'm bleeding"

"Please, open the door! Take me to the hospital"

The footsteps outside the door paused, then grew clearer, closer.

A sliver of hope ignited in my heart, and I shifted my body to make room for the door to open.

The doorknob turned slightly, then I heard Liam's cold, mocking voice.

"Chloe, I'm not falling for your childish tricks anymore."

My heart instantly stopped beating, and I pounded on the bedroom door like a madwoman.

"Liam, come back! I'm not lying!"

"My stomach really hurts The baby is in danger"

But only dead silence answered me.

My phone wasn't nearby, what could I do? Who could save my baby?

Blood pooled on the floor, terrifying, and my stomach felt like it was being torn apart by a thousand knives.

Just before losing consciousness, I finally remembered the SOS bracelet my mom had given me.

With all my remaining strength, I crawled to the bedside table, found the bracelet, and pressed the emergency button.

Consciousness completely faded, and I collapsed onto the cold floor.

When I next regained awareness, my nose was filled with the pungent smell of disinfectant.

I immediately touched my abdomen, but it was flat.

Realizing I had lost my most precious treasure, I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

The doctor stood nearby, sighing regretfully.

"If she had been brought in earlier, perhaps the baby could have been saved."

This was the second time. This was the second time this had happened.

Liam, you are the real murderer.

A stranger by my bedside handed me a plane ticket, his voice respectful.

"Miss, your mother has arranged everything for you."

"Please be at the airport in three hours to depart for home."

My tears soaked into the pillow, and my phone chimed.

It was an unknown message.

The photo showed Liam, his left hand holding a little boy who bore a striking resemblance to him, and his right arm around a pregnant Stella.

If he weren't my husband, the scene would have been so warm and touching.

I screamed helplessly, tears streaming down my face.

The Liam who had once knelt and begged me to marry him, the Liam who had always prioritized me, was truly dead.

As the plane was about to take off, I dragged my weak body to complete the discharge process.

Standing at the entrance of my home, I heard a woman's cheerful laughter from inside.

I froze, my legs heavy as if filled with lead.

Pushing open the door, I saw Liam busy in the kitchen, wearing an apron.

Stella and her son were cozily watching TV on the sofa, smiling.

They looked like a happy couple, and I was the intruder, the outsider in this home.

Liam didn't notice my flat abdomen, or my pale face.

He simply glanced at me indifferently.

Stella smirked triumphantly, then feigned surprise, like a startled deer.

Liam, afraid I would bully his darling, rushed over with a ladle in hand.

"You hurt Stella, so I brought her home to take care of her, as an atonement for your sins."

I numbly nodded, all strength seemingly drained from my body.

Seeing my docile expression, Liam patted my head, satisfied.

"I stewed your favorite chicken soup. Go wash your hands quickly."

"Apologize properly to Stella, and we can put this whole incident behind us."

I said nothing, quietly returning to my room to collect my important documents.

Liam was attentively serving soup to Stella and her son, not sparing me a single glance.

I quietly walked out the door, and not a single soul noticed.

Childish laughter echoed from inside the house, and I could no longer control my grief, bursting into helpless tears.

The bodyguard stood not far away, silently waiting for me to finish crying, then escorted me all the way to the airport.

As the plane took off, I broke my SIM card, and threw away the rings, necklaces, and everything Liam had given me.

From then on, Liam and I would be strangers.