Chapter 2

Maybe it was because she hadn't been sleeping well, but there were dark circles under her eyes. This sudden pregnancy was clearly something she hadn't anticipated either.

Her best friend, Sarah, walked over and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Chloe, you only have two choices now."

"First, break up with Ethan. Second, get an abortion and cut ties with Tyler forever."

These two options seemed to put Chloe in a tough spot. She was usually decisive, never one to hesitate like this.

She cupped her stomach for a long time, unable to let go.

"No, I won't get an abortion."

"This baby is the symbol of what Tyler and I lost. Since I can't be his wife, I'll give birth to his child as a keepsake."

Standing outside the door, the blood in my veins turned to ice.

So, the cheating video that ruined my reputation was Chloe's doing all along. Her entire goal was to get rid of me so she could satisfy her lust with Tyler.

Was their "regret" really just about sleeping together? I let out a bitter, silent laugh.

What shocked me even more was that my parents-in-law and my own mother knew everything. They had teamed up to deceive me.

I remembered when the video played on the screen. My mother-in-law had slapped me across the face, and my father-in-law had dragged me out by my hair.

My mother had apologized to everyone in shame, calling me a worthless beast.

And Chloe had wept, claiming I had broken her heart, promising she would make me pay.

My fingernails dug deep into my palms until they bled. My chest felt suffocated, filled with an agonizing, choking pain.

I leaned my back heavily against the wall, standing there like a hollow shell.

Inside, Chloe had made her decision.

"I won't break up with Ethan. I know how to separate love from marriage."

"Ethan loves me. He caters to my every whim, and he's a stable provider. He's the perfect husband material."

"Oh, come on. Doesn't Tyler have money too?" Sarah teased.

Chloe took a sip of her juice.

"Tyler is too dominant—the classic arrogant alpha male type. He's great as a lover, but not for marriage."

Instantly, the room erupted into laughter.

"So you're saying Ethan is just your golden retriever backup husband?"

"How can you bully him like that?"

"Haha, totally!"

Sarah suddenly stopped laughing, her tone turning dead serious.

"But wait, let me ask you something."

Everyone's curiosity was piqued by Sarah's sudden change in tone.

"You and Tyler couldn't have gotten pregnant from just that one night, right?"

"You guys must have hooked up multiple times!"

Chloe's face flushed bright red, looking like an innocent, naive girl.

Seeing her reaction, everyone sat up straight, eager for the gossip.

"Of course it wasn't just once," Chloe mumbled.

"Every time Ethan is out of the house, we hook up... you know how it is..."