My Husband Let His Pregnant Ex Move Into Our Home

Chapter 3

Instinctively, Christian shielded Riley behind him. His voice was laced with anger. "This is a delicate time. Can you rein in that nasty temper of yours?"

His protective stance over Riley hit Chloe like a sledgehammer, shattering the very last thread of her patience.

The stinging burn on the back of her hand was nothing compared to the crushing agony in her chest. She raised her eyes, meeting his gaze with a cold, hollow mockery. "If you're so heartbroken for her, then take care of her yourself."

With that, she spun on her heel and retreated to her bedroom.

That night, a torrential storm descended upon the city. Thunder roared, and jagged flashes of lightning sliced through the gap in the curtains, illuminating Chloe’s pale face.

She huddled in the corner of her bed, shivering uncontrollably.

She had been terrified of thunderstorms since she was a little girl. Christian knew this.

In the past, on stormy nights just like this, he would pull her tightly into his arms. He’d tease her, muttering, "Why are you girls always so scared of a little thunder?" But his large hands would gently stroke her back over and over again, patiently staying awake with her until dawn broke.

He had promised her himself. He had sworn that once Riley got pregnant, they would sleep in separate rooms, and everything would go back to normal.

But right now, footsteps echoed outside her door. They didn’t even pause outside her room before heading straight into Riley's.

Through the walls, she clearly heard his tender whisper. "Don't be afraid, Riles. It's just thunder. I'm right here with you."

Chloe squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to indulge in another memory.

She didn't know how much time had passed when the mattress beside her suddenly dipped. Christian was back.

His hand reached out, roaming restlessly over her waist as he tried to pull her close.

Chloe yanked the covers tight around herself, her brows knitted in repulsion. "It's late. I want to sleep."

With her back turned to him, she couldn't see the sudden, stunned look that flashed across the man's face.

The next morning, Christian took Riley to the hospital to share the good news with his grandmother.

Just as they were heading out the door, Chloe stepped into their path, a freshly printed document in hand.

"Christian. Sign this." She held the divorce papers out to him, her voice perfectly steady.

Assuming it was just some mundane household or business document, Christian didn't even bother looking at it. He snatched the pen, hastily scribbled his signature, and walked out the door with his arm securely wrapped around Riley.

Staring down at his bold, sprawling signature on the agreement, a profound sense of relief washed over Chloe.

She returned to her room and began swiftly packing her bags.

Just as she zipped up her suitcase, her phone rang. It was Christian. His tone was a sharp command. "Riles left her ultrasound report at home. Bring it to the hospital right now."

Before she could even respond, he hung up.

Chloe closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and finally picked up the report. Bundling herself up tightly to avoid being recognized, she hurried to the hospital.

As she entered the busy hospital lobby, she accidentally bumped into a passerby, dropping the folder. The man bent down, picked it up, and handed it back with a smile.

Chloe mumbled a quick thanks and hurried toward the VIP ward, completely unaware that the man was staring at her retreating back, a malicious glint in his eyes.

Inside the hospital room, the matriarch lay in bed, looking frail but with eyes shining brightly.

When Chloe handed over the ultrasound report, the old woman snatched it away, beaming from ear to ear. "Riley always makes us proud. The Ford family needs a dignified, proper daughter-in-law like you. The child you bear will undoubtedly be exceptional!"

After showering Riley with praise, she shot a vicious, sidelong glance at Chloe. Her tone dripped with acidic contempt. "Unlike some cheap showgirl who spends her days parading around for attention. A child from her would be entirely unpresentable. She doesn't even deserve to step foot through the Ford family's doors."

Every word was a knife to the heart.

Chloe clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

And Christian? He stood by her side, his eyes cast down, utterly silent. He didn't offer a single word of defense, allowing his grandmother to trample Chloe’s dignity into the dirt.

In that moment, the final shred of her illusion about him evaporated.

After returning home from the hospital, Christian ordered Chloe around like a servant, demanding she look after Riley. From running her bathwater to cooking a late-night snack, she was kept running off her feet.

She finally managed to finish her chores and dragged herself back to her room to rest. But the next second, the door flew open, and Christian stormed in. He grabbed her wrist with a grip so bruising it felt like he was trying to crush her bones. Fury blazed in his eyes.

"Chloe, you better explain this right now! What exactly is going on between you and Director Sullivan?!"

Chloe stumbled forward, her head spinning in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Christian practically threw his phone in her face. The trending topics on the screen had blown up the entire internet.

#ChloeSterlingCaughtTwoTiming

#ChloeSterlingPregnancyTestResultsLeaked_WhosTheFather

The attached photos showed her chatting with Director Sullivan during her audition. Beside them was a maliciously cropped photo of the ultrasound report she had delivered today. The narrative accused her of being pregnant with a bastard child while stringing along both Christian and the director.

Chloe stared in disbelief, her voice trembling. "This is completely fabricated! That report belongs to Riley, and my relationship with Director Sullivan is strictly professional!"

Hearing the commotion, Riley sauntered into the room. Seeing them fighting, she deliberately fanned the flames. "But if there's nothing going on between you two, why would people say such horrible things? You just never know how to respect yourself."