From Despising Me to Crying for Me

Sheila had always been acutely aware that Jacques did not love her. Despite this, she meticulously orchestrated their marriage, driven by a fervent hope to secure a future with him. However, on the day she was due to give birth to their child, Jacques chose to leave her for his first love, Vivian. In that moment, when he prioritized Vivian over the life of their unborn child, Sheila was plunged into a profound despair. Six years later, fate brought them together again. This time, upon seeing Sheila, Jacques asked with reddened eyes, "Sheila, who said you could leave me?" Sheila's lips curved into a cold smile as she replied, "Mr. Thomas, please get it straight. This time, it is I who do not want you anymore." From that day forward, Jacques embarked on an intense and relentless quest to win back his estranged wife... ****** At Oakpond Hospital, Sheila lay on the hospital bed, her gaze fixed on the man before her, her heart brimming with anticipation and joy. Today was the day she would deliver their child. Three years ago, after five years of unwavering devotion, she had finally married Jacques. Her love for him was boundless. She strove tirelessly to be the perfect wife in every way. Jacques sat on a nearby sofa, seemingly oblivious to Sheila's longing gaze. He glanced up from the documents he was reviewing, his eyes devoid of emotion. Though his gesture was simple, it carried an air of regality. Suddenly, his phone lit up, causing Sheila's heart to race with apprehension. In the next instant, Jacques put the call on speaker. On the other end was the hauntingly familiar voice of Vivian, Jacques's beloved woman. "Jacques, I got hurt. Can you come see me?" "Yes. Wait for me," Jacques responded before standing up. But Sheila clutched the hem of his clothes, pleading, "Jacques... I'm about to give birth. Even if you must go, can't you wait until after the baby is born?" Jacques's reply was chilling. "It's you giving birth, not me. I’m of no use here." His words pierced her heart like icy arrows. Sheila knew that Vivian had a heart condition and had once saved Jacques's life. Yet, surrounded by medical experts, what could Jacques, a layman, contribute? He had already spent a fortune on Vivian's treatment, without which she might have long passed away. Hadn't he contributed enough? Jacques, so astute, surely saw through Vivian's intentions. Watching him prepare to leave, Sheila struggled to rise but, weighed down by her pregnancy, she tumbled off the bed. "Jacques, I’ve never begged you before. Please, just this once, stay by my side and our child's." Yet, Jacques departed without a backward glance, leaving Sheila to cry helplessly on the cold floor. Moments ago, she had felt on top of the world, but now fate had delivered its harshest blow. The door opened once more. Was Jacques returning? But her hopes were dashed when Marion, Vivian's younger sister, entered instead. Marion approached Sheila smugly, looking down on her with disdain. "Sheila, stolen love must eventually be returned!" Sheila laughed bitterly, tears welling up. It was Vivian who had ended things with Jacques first! Sheila didn’t steal his love. As emotions surged within her, Sheila's belly began to cramp painfully. She dragged herself towards her phone, but Marion snatched it first. "Oh, trying to reach Vivian?" "Give it... to me..." Sheila pleaded weakly. "Fine, catch!" Marion threw the phone to the ground, then stomped on Sheila's hand with her high heel. "You shameless woman! Married or carrying Jacques's child means nothing; you can't win his heart!" Marion dialed the phone and held it to Sheila's ear, only for the call to be hung up immediately. When she tried again, she realized she had been blocked. Sheila's heart sank completely. "Now you know your worth to Jacques, don’t you? You're worthless!" Marion crouched down, grabbed Sheila's hair, and started a live stream, framing Sheila as someone who had stolen her sister's boyfriend. "I'm... I'm not!" Sheila cried out, but the live stream comments flooded with a***e. Everyone believed Sheila was the homewrecker, unaware of the true story. Sheila was the legitimate wife, and it was Vivian who had rejected Jacques first. None of this was her fault! Marion's cruel words drew a surge of traffic to the live stream, catapulting Sheila into viral infamy. "How does it feel, Sheila? Happy to be internet famous? Tell everyone how it feels to be abandoned on your delivery day!" Sheila lifted her head, glaring fiercely at Marion, despite the contractions. Suddenly, Sheila laughed—a laugh that unsettled Marion deeply. "I'm laughing at how pitiful you are, living in Vivian's shadow, willing to be a maggot," Sheila said. As soon as these words were spoken, Marion looked as if she had been struck at a sore spot, her expression twisting in pain. Indeed, she was envious of Vivian. Despite being biological sisters, everyone always seemed to see only Vivian, never her! She refused to be content with playing second fiddle for her entire life, yet she had no outlet for this frustration. As a result, Sheila became the target of her pent-up anger. But what she hadn’t anticipated was that Sheila would strike a raw nerve. Enraged, Marion grabbed Sheila's hair violently. "How dare you insult me? Tell me, how does it feel to be abandoned? Do you still want to be the mistress?" With fading consciousness, Sheila used her last strength to whisper, "Fine... I'll speak. I, Sheila, am willing to divorce Jacques! I will never see him again!"