Pregnant & Betrayed, I Built A New Life

Chapter 2

Audrey's POV:

"Audrey, what are you doing here?"

Tristan's hand froze.

The shock on his face quickly faded, replaced by his usual indifference.

He shifted sideways, blocking the narrow gap in the doorway as if he were trying to keep me from seeing what was inside.

The sight stung.

I stepped around him and pushed my way into the room.

The ward fell silent.

"Audrey, what are you doing here?" Dad was the first to recover. He forced a smile.

"Didn't we tell you to stay home and get some rest?"

I drew a deep breath, fighting back the burning in my eyes.

My throat felt painfully tight. It took me a long moment before I could finally speak.

"I heard everything you just said."

Dad's expression slowly fell.

At some point, he had already stepped in front of Elena, shielding her from me.

"Audrey, just listen to me. We were only—"

"Only what?"

I cut him off, my voice trembling.

"Hiring actors? Putting on a show? You all spent half a month putting on an act just so I'd walk away with nothing—so Tristan and Elena could be together!"

Smack!

Mom slammed the bowl down on the bedside table, her eyes flashing with impatience.

"Can you stop being so unreasonable, Audrey? We did all this for your own good! You and Tristan were never right for each other! If the marriage wasn't working, you should've ended it sooner. We helped you get it over with. Don't be so ungrateful!"

I looked at her flushed face and gave a bitter smile.

"I wasn't right for him? Then Elena is?"

I turned to look at my sister.

She was curled up beneath the blankets, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Don't blame Mom and Dad, Audrey. It's my fault."

She sniffled, her voice breaking.

"If you're angry, take it out on me. Just… please don't make things harder for Mom and Dad."

Her whole body trembled beneath the covers.

Tristan rushed to her bedside and pulled her into his arms.

"Elena, don't cry. The doctor said you can't get worked up."

He carefully wiped the tears from her cheeks.

When he looked back at me, all the tenderness was gone.

His eyes were cold.

"Audrey, are you done? Elena is pregnant. She can't handle this kind of stress. And besides, there's nothing left between us. Dragging this out helps no one. Elena and I love each other. Our feelings are real."

He said it without the slightest hesitation, as if it were the most obvious truth in the world.

Mom and Dad exchanged a glance.

Then they nodded in quiet satisfaction.

Looking at him, I suddenly remembered the day, two years ago, when he proposed to me.

He had worn that exact same look of determination.

He'd gotten down on one knee in front of my entire family and sworn that he'd never betray me for as long as he lived.

I almost laughed.

My lips twitched into a smile, but tears of pure coldness slipped down my cheeks.

I was just about to tell them I would let them have each other when Elena suddenly lifted her tearful face from Tristan's chest.

"Audrey, please don't blame Tristan. This is all my fault. I'm the one who seduced him. If you want to hit someone or yell at someone, take it out on me! Just don't hurt him or Mom and Dad."

I stared at her fragile, tear-streaked face and almost found it amusing.

Ever since we were kids, whenever Elena did something wrong, all she had to do was obediently admit her mistake, apologize, and take all the blame onto herself.

Then the punishment would never reach her.

In eighth grade, she was bullied at school.

I rushed in to protect her and ended up needing three stitches in my neck.

She cried and knelt on the floor, apologizing to our parents and saying she wished she had been the one who needed stitches.

Mom and Dad immediately helped her to her feet, their hearts melting.

In college, she got dumped by her boyfriend.

She called me crying, saying she didn't want to live anymore.

I ran all the way to the lake to find her.

She was crying so hard in my arms that I lost my footing and fell into the water.

The lake was freezing in the middle of winter, cold enough to feel like a thousand knives against my skin.

When I finally opened my eyes, I heard her sobbing to Mom that it should have been her who fell into the water.

Mom had been so terrified that she could do nothing but pray.

As long as Elena obediently admitted her mistakes, there would always be a way out for her.

Elena started to climb out of bed.

The sudden movement was so violent that it startled everyone.

Tristan immediately caught her.

"Elena, don't move!"

His voice was full of panic.

Mom rushed over to help her too.

Then she turned around and screamed at me.

"Look what you've done! You've scared your sister half to death! Get out!"

Elena buried her face against Tristan's chest, sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath.

"I'm sorry… It's all my fault. Audrey, please don't be angry."

As she spoke, she snuggled even closer into Tristan's arms.

Then she pressed a hand to her stomach, suddenly frowning in pain.

Tristan shot to his feet, panic and concern flashing across his face.

When he looked at me again, his voice was as cold as ice.

"Audrey, you're not welcome here. Leave. Now."