Men? No Kidding

My husband, the man I've loved and cherished for years, has a child with another woman. And yet, all I can do is grit my teeth and swallow the bitterness because I cannot have children of my own. I thought that by accepting the child, we could go back to the way things were. But I couldn't have been more wrong. Instead of things improving, my husband doubled down. He'd profess his love for me while openly parading his mistress into our home. During the day, the mistress played the role of a devoted mother, feeding the baby. At night, she exchanged flirtatious glances with my husband over the dinner table. My mother-in-law, not one to miss an opportunity, took the mistress and her baby to my family's villa, boasting shamelessly. Her taunts still ring in my ears, "What use is a wife who can't even lay an egg?" Then came the worst of it. The mistress accused me of trying to harm the baby. I thought my husband would defend me, but instead, I walked in on him and her, tangled together in our marital bed. That was the final straw. I threw down the divorce papers. But the moment I signed those papers, I had no idea I was stepping into an even darker hell. ***** At the party celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary, Chloe Bennett's phone buzzed. She glanced down to see a photo of a rosy-cheeked baby, angelic and perfect. Before she could process it, another message came through. A: Do you like her? She's Daniel's daughter. Chloe's grip on her phone tightened as the words sank in. For a moment, she couldn't think straight. "Chloe, what are you looking at?" Daniel Murphy's familiar voice pulled her back. He slid an arm around her shoulders, his tone warm and affectionate. Chloe blinked away her thoughts and locked her screen. "Oh, it's nothing." "Come on, I've got something to show you." She followed him, her heart heavier with every step. It has to be some sick joke, she told herself. After all, they'd known each other their whole lives, growing up side by side from childhood sweethearts to husband and wife. If there was one thing she was sure of, it was that Daniel would never betray her. He led her to the balcony, and as he pulled her close, fireworks suddenly erupted across the night sky. The vibrant colors illuminated their faces, bathing them in warm, kaleidoscopic light. "Chloe," Daniel whispered, holding her tightly from behind. "We'll have so many more anniversaries to celebrate together." His promise, so heartfelt and sincere, melted her doubts. Chloe tilted her head back with a smile, and their lips met in a kiss as tender as it was passionate. It was nearly 10 PM by the time the party ended. They had just finished seeing off their last guests when her phone buzzed again. A: Do you believe me now? One call, and he'll come running to me. Chloe turned her head just in time to see Daniel frowning at his phone. He stepped aside to take the call. When he returned, his expression was apologetic. "Chloe, something urgent came up at work. I need to head out for a bit." Chloe forced a smile, though her chest felt tight. "Alright. Drive safe." They kissed goodbye, and she watched as he drove away. For a moment, she sat in her car, trying to convince herself to let it go. But her instincts had other plans. She started the engine and followed him. The farther his car drove, the more Chloe's heart sank. His route veered away from the office and into the suburbs. Eventually, he pulled up to a villa. Chloe recognized the place immediately. Half a year ago, Daniel had shown her pictures of it, saying he was helping a friend look for a property. She watched him get out of the car and walk into the villa without a moment's hesitation. Her phone buzzed again. Daniel: Chloe, I'll be working late tonight. Don't wait up for me. Chloe's vision blurred as tears welled up. She tried to start the car, but her hands trembled, her mind reeling with what she had just seen. By the time she got home, the house felt suffocating. She sat in the rocking chair in their bedroom, staring blankly at the wedding photo on the wall. She lit a cigarette, but it took several shaky attempts to get the flame going. The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about what he might be doing right now. Was he holding that woman the way he used to hold her? Kissing her? The thought made her stomach churn. She bolted to the bathroom, heaving until there was nothing left but bile. Collapsing next to the toilet, she let the tears fall silently. "Chloe, why are you sleeping in here?" A familiar voice roused her. She blinked, her vision clearing to see Daniel crouched beside her. The sight of his face made her stomach twist again. She turned away and retched, though nothing came out. Daniel rubbed her back soothingly, then left to grab some stomach medicine. When she returned to the bedroom, her mother-in-law, Madison White, was already there, a smug look on her face. "It's not like you're pregnant," Madison muttered under her breath. "What's with the dramatics?" Chloe wiped her tears, keeping her composure as she stepped out of the bathroom. The moment Madison saw her, her tone shifted, becoming unnaturally sweet. "Chloe, I came to discuss something with you." "Mom," Daniel interrupted, handing Chloe the medicine. "Here, take this." Chloe shook her head. "I'm fine." Madison shot her son an annoyed look before turning back to Chloe, her smile returning. "You and Daniel always wanted a child, didn't you? Well, there's a newborn up for adoption. It's perfect timing."