Chapter 3

He shoved me away. "Aubrey, are you crazy?!"

Seeing Ethan, Chloe instantly burst into breathless sobs. "Ethan, I don't know why Aubrey is doing this to me!"

But my eyes were fixed on Ethan. "She threw away our children."

Ethan's eyes darkened for a moment.

Chloe quickly interjected, "How was I supposed to know what was in that old box? Besides, your first four children weren't even viable embryos. And now you're using dead children to insult me?"

"Aubrey, how can you be so vicious? Aren't you afraid your children's vengeful spirits will come back to haunt you?"

Chloe certainly knew how to twist things. My four children were all lost because of her, yet she managed to completely absolve herself.

I expected Ethan to reprimand Chloe, but instead, he frowned. "I've told you before not to keep those unlucky things in the house."

I stared at Ethan in disbelief. So, our children were just "unlucky things" to him.

Of course, why couldn't I see it? If he truly cared about our children, how could he have let them miscarry?

"Enough, Aubrey. Do you want to lose yet another child?"

Ethan knew my obsession with having children.

He always knew how desperately I wanted to bear his children, so he used that to manipulate me.

But our fifth child was already gone when I was attacked by those internet trolls supporting Chloe.

I sneered at Ethan. "Neither you nor I deserve to have children."

With that, I tried to leave, but Ethan blocked me. "It's my father's birthday tomorrow. You have to be there."

At his words, I couldn't help but scoff. "Everyone knows you married Chloe. Why would I, your ex-wife, show up?"

Ethan immediately frowned. "Look, this is your chance to atone. My parents know you're pregnant and are willing to overlook everything. Just go, okay?"

"I'm not going." My gaze was firm.

After saying that, I ignored Ethan completely and turned to leave.

But I didn't expect Ethan to retaliate by sabotaging people who were friendly with me.

Soon after, Ethan sent me a message: [If you don't come, I guarantee they'll suffer greatly.]

I didn't reply, so Ethan exposed me on Ins.

The compromising video from his and Chloe's wedding had only been known by a few people, but now everyone knew.

Suddenly, I was a pariah.

The same people who had assaulted me at the hospital now came out to speak for what they called 'justice': [Boycott Aubrey Stone...]

My company even issued a statement announcing my termination.

People I didn't even know, who claimed to be close to me, started coming forward.

[Yes, I was Aubrey Stone's classmate, she was like this even in school.]

[I can't believe Aubrey Stone got together with Ethan Stone and still wasn't satisfied.]

[She's had three abortions. It's because the children weren't Ethan's at all. Only Ethan could put up with it, anyone else would have beaten Aubrey Stone to death.]

My social media accounts were attacked within half an hour. My DMs were flooded with insults telling me to die.

I saved all of them and sent them to my lawyer.

But I didn't expect this to be just the beginning.

Knowing I was under attack from all sides, Ethan launched a series of further actions.

His goal was singular: to force me into submission.

After making a phone call to arrange things, I replied to Ethan's message: [Okay, I'll be there on time tomorrow.]

Before going, I went to the hospital and placed my fifth child in an exquisite box.

That night, I stayed at my small apartment, but Chloe was restless all night.

She kept sending me intimate videos of her and Ethan, or recordings of Ethan slandering me.

[Aubrey can't compare to you. You're the one I care about most.]

[Even though Aubrey is pregnant now, I still want to have a child with you.]

[Chloe, no one will ever break us apart again.]

I forwarded all of these to my lawyer as well.

My lawyer immediately sent a happy emoji: [You're definitely going to win.]

Yes, Ethan had grandly married Chloe, yet he never even bothered to finalize the divorce with me.

It showed just how little he valued me.

In Ethan's eyes, I was just someone with no family support.

Fortunately, this also allowed me to see his true colors.

Early the next morning, I was yanked awake by Ethan.

He glared at me, "Are you ever going to stop? Chloe doesn't even mind you being my mistress, yet you keep stirring up trouble. Do you really want me to throw you out to be satisfied?"