LOVED BY MY EX HUSBAND'S STEP BROTHER

Olivia, please consider this carefully: Are you absolutely certain you want me to draft the divorce papers? Sonia’s voice, laced with hesitation and concern, came through the phone. Consider this: this signature will mark the end of your relationship with Lucas. The whiskey scorched Olivia’s throat as she gazed at the amber drink, though its heat couldn’t erase the sting of her earlier humiliation. She gripped the phone more tightly with her fingers. “Yes,” she finally uttered. I’m leaving him. Alright, I will finalize everything and send it to you, Sonia said, but should, in case you change your mind, do reach out to me on time, okay? Sure, thank you. After hanging up, Olivia looked out there. window. It was supposed to be her fifth anniversary with Lucas. They have been together for 5 years. Good, five years of loveless marriage, midnight tears, depression, emotional damage, and a continuous reminder of her barrenness. Few people were present: her family, as well as few of Lucas' family, friends, and a few of Lucas's colleagues at work. Among them includes Nyla, his secretary. I have been moving around the hall, greeting guests with the same polite smile that was starting to ache on my face. Thank you for coming, I kept saying over and over, like a line I had memorized. Everyone looked happy, music played softly in the background, glasses clinked, and people laughed like everything in the world was perfect from the outside, it probably looked like a beautiful celebration. Five years of marriage Five years with the man I loved All eyes were on me. Well, that's because dressed in my best outfit, I don’t want to look like my problem. I don’t want to give the world the impression that we are not living happily in my marriage. And even if I speak up, who will believe me?? I had just finished greeting another when I turned to walk past one of the tables and collided with someone. The drink in my hand tipped forward, Liquid splashed across the woman’s dress My heart dropped Oh my God, I'm so sorry, I said quickly, reaching for a napkin. But the woman jerked away from me as if I had done it on purpose. What the hell do you think you are doing ? she snapped. Her voice was loud enough that the people closest to us immediately turned When I looked up, I recognized her. Miss Nyla Before I could say anything else, her eyes swept over me with pure disgust. “You clumsy, barren woman” The words echoed so sharply that it felt like the entire hall heard them. The music stopped The room feels silent Slowly everyone turned to look at us. My chest tightened. “Sorry, Miss Nyla,” I said quietly, trying to keep my voice steady. It was a mistake. Keep your mouth shut, you ugly, illiterate witch A few people gasped. Are you trying to ruin my beauty?? What if I slipped and lose my unborn child? No wonder you are barren The word heat harder this time I felt my body get stiff One of her friends stepped forward, placing a hand One of her friends stepped forward, placing a hand on her arm. “It’s okay, Nyla,” she said with a small laugh. “She’s just miserable. Don’t let her ruin your night.” A few of them chuckled like this was all some kind of joke. My legs suddenly felt weak. Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not here. Not in front of everyone. Slowly, I lifted my head and searched the crowd. My eyes found lucas. My husband. The man I loved. For a moment, I waited. I expected him to step forward… to say something, anything that would stop this humiliation. Defend me. Speak for me. But he didn’t. He didn’t even look at me. Instead, Lucas walked straight past me. Toward her. Toward Nyla. I watched as he reached her side, his face filled with concern. That was when the tears I had been holding back finally slipped down my cheeks. I couldn’t stay there another second. The whispers, the stares, the pity on people’s faces it was suffocating. So I turned and walked out. The moment I stepped outside, my walk turned into a run. The cool night air hit my face, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me. What did I do to deserve this? Why is my life like this? Why can’t I just live a normal life like everyone else? It was never my fault that I couldn’t give Lucas a child. I had gone to the doctors. So many doctors. Countless tests, hospital visits, prayers. Every single result said the same thing. There was nothing wrong with me. Yet somehow, the blame always came back to me. I kept running until my legs started to ache. I didn’t even realize where I was going until I saw the dim lights of a small bar down the street. Somehow, I found myself walking inside. The place smelled of alcohol and old wood. A few people sat scattered around, minding their own business. I slid onto a stool at the counter and wiped the remaining tears from my face. “I need a drink,” I whispered. Right now, I don’t want to think about what has happened. I didn’t want to remember the humiliation, the silence, the way my husband walked past me like I didn’t exist. I just wanted to drink. Maybe if I drank enough, the pain in my chest would finally stop hurting. Because tonight felt like the final straw. Someone pushed another drink toward me, and I took it without thinking. I needed it. I needed something strong enough to burn away the shame still crawling under my skin, something to quiet the voices, the stares, the laughter that wouldn’t stop replaying in my head. Five years. Five whole years. We started as children innocent, foolish, in love with the idea of forever. And somehow, that childish love grew into a marriage people admired. They used to look at us like we were perfect, like we were meant to be. Now it just feels ridiculous. Like I’ve been living inside a lie everyone else believed more than I did. My phone rang at some point. I don’t even remember when I answered, but I must have because the next thing I knew, Sonia was there. “Olivia!” Her voice cut through the haze in my head, sharp and urgent. I blinked, trying to focus as she slid into the booth across from me. Her face was tight with worry, her eyes scanning me like she was trying to piece me back together. “Why are you drunk? What happened? Weren’t you supposed to be at your anniversary ceremony? Did Lucas do something?” I looked at her, really looked this time and that was when the tears came again. “They." My voice cracked, and I swallowed hard, but it didn’t help. “She called me barren. In front of everyone.” The word still feels like it’s stuck in my throat, choking me from the inside. I let out a broken laugh, shaking my head. “And Lucas,” My chest tightened painfully. “He just stood there. He didn’t say a word. Not to her! not to me.” That hurt more than anything else. “He knows, Sonia,” I whispered. “He knows I’m innocent.” My fingers curled tightly around the glass, but I barely felt it anymore. “How do I even tell you? "My voice dropped, quieter now, like I was ashamed of the truth. “My husband barely touches me.” Saying it out loud made it real in a way I’d been avoiding. “I’ve done everything,” I went on, my words tumbling over each other. “Tests, scans, more tests! They all say the same thing there’s nothing wrong with me.” My vision blurred again. So what else am I supposed to do?” My voice broke completely now. “Tell me, Sonia, what else can I do?” The tears came harder, unstoppable, dragging everything down with them. I didn’t even try to hold them back this time. I felt her arms around me before I realized I was leaning into her. “It’s okay,” she murmured, holding me close like I might fall apart if she didn’t. “It’s okay, baby, you don’t deserve this.” I wanted to believe her. God, I wanted to. Her voice shifted, then softer, but firm in a way that made my chest tighten. “I’ll finalize the divorce papers,” she said quietly. “I’ll send them to you as soon as possible.” Divorce. The word settled heavily in my chest. I returned home and sat on the living room sofa, staring at my phone. After calming down my anger, I had to face the reality of being divorced. The house looks empty with just the cook in the kitchen. After resting for a while, I walked up to the bedroom and began to pack my things. My hand moved mechanically, folding clothes and placing them in a suitcase. Hanging in the closet were the matching pajamas we bought on our honeymoon in London. On the dresser sat a small angel figurine we brought back from France. On the wall were photos we took on the beach, laughing, kissing under the sunset. Each item silently spoke of past sweetness. Yet now they stab my heart like knives. How had I not noticed the signs? How had I been so blind? I opened the dresser drawer to retrieve some personal belongings. My wedding rings caught the light, mocking me. Then I saw it. The marriage certificate With trembling hands, I picked it up and flipped to the first page, revealing two young radiant faces. My smile was so bright it hurt to look at it. Lucas’s eyes shone with pure joy. It was 1 October, five years ago. When Lucas confessed his love to me, it felt like a dream come true. Getting married to the love of my life. The only man who stood by me during my hard times, he has always been there to defend and protect me from the people I call family. Olivia, are we really getting married today? With all the excitement in his voice,I promise to love you till eternity. I had believed every word. I had thought that we were meant to be forever. But now….. I stared at my beaming smile in the photo, a strand of tears left my eyes. But before it fell down, I heard the familia sound of a car engine downstairs. My heart stopped. The garage door rumbled open, footsteps on the stairs. “Sweetheart, I’m back,” Lucas' voice echoed from downstairs, cheerful and casual. Panic seized my chest. I hurriedly shove the marriage certificate back into the drawer. I wiped my eyes frantically and tried to appear normal. The bedroom door was still open. I couldn’t let him see the suitcase. Lucas pushed the door open, his face lightening up when he saw me. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around me from behind. His embrace had once been my safe place. Now I only feel nausea rising in my throat. I could smell an unfamiliar scent on his skin, sweet vanilla shower gel. He had obviously showered somewhere else before coming home. Are you okay baby? Look, I’m sorry about the drama my secretary displayed earlier, okay? I nodded, I tried my best to resist the urge to shove him away. He pulled an exquisite jewelry box from his jacket pocket. “Baby, look what I got for you.” He opened the box with a flourish. Inside lay an exquisite diamond necklace.the stones caught the bedroom light, throwing rainbow patterns on the walls. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Lucas’s eyes sparked with pride.” Turn around so i can put it on you.” I mechanically turned around .I felt like a puppet with cut strings. Lucas’s fingers traced my neck as he fastened the claps. The cold metal pressed against my skin. The diamond felt heavy, suffocating. “Perfect”, Lucas stepped back to admire his handiwork. His satisfaction was obvious.” Tomorrow night is Grandma’s birthday party. The entire family will be there. With this necklace you will definitely be the most beautiful woman in the room.” Do i need to go? I asked him. Of course, you need to go." You’re my wife,” Lucas said, looking at me with what seemed like genuine affection. He learned to kiss me, but I quickly pushed him away. “You should shower first,” I said, turning my face away. "He nodded, seemingly unbothered.” Good idea. He grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. The shower turned on. Steam began seeping under the door. My phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. I glanced at the screen. A f*******: message. My blood turned to ice. On the screen was a photo. A woman lying half naked with Lucas. Hickey and scratches covered her pale skin. The photo literally shows the secretary with Lucas in a hotel room. Below it shows a pregnancy test tube signifying negative, showing that the person is pregnant. Below the image was a message that made my world crumble :[ Hello Barren, b***h, does the necklace look good ? I picked it out especially for you. And yes, the test tube belongs to me. I am pregnant with Lucas Baby.] I felt the surge of nausea wash over me. I quickly removed the necklace from my neck. Without hesitation, I tossed it into the bedroom trash can. The diamond clinked against the metal bin. I rushed into the guest bathroom and turned on the shower. The scalding water burns my skin, but I don't care. I grabbed the shower gel and frantically scrubbed my neck and body. I needed to remove every trace of Lucas, every memory of his touch. My skin turned red from the harsh scrubbing, but I still fell dirty. The thought of that woman carrying my husband's child, the necklace on her neck, the hickey and marks all over her body makes me sick and shattered. I imagined the woman screaming while under Lucas made my stomach lurch. The bathroom door suddenly opened. Lucas stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on me through the glass shower door. His gaze traveled over my wet hair, down my shoulder, following the water droplets that traced my curves. Lucas’s breathing became heavy. His eyes burned with lust.” Olivia, you are so beautiful," he said, his voice thick with desire. I heard his voice and immediately wrapped myself with a towel. I stepped out of the shower, but the thought that he might have looked at that other woman the same way made me nauseous. “ Don't come near me.” I took a step back, but Lucas was already approaching. “Honey, what’s wrong?” He reached out to touch my cheek, but I quickly dodged his hand. Lucas didn’t give up. Instead, he pulled me into his arms. His hand began wandering over my body, caressing my back through the towel. Then they moved lower. “Baby, I want you,” he whispered in my ear. His breath was hot against my skin. My body went rigid. I tried to pull away, but Lucas was much stronger. His hand moved to my breast, his thumb brushing over the sensitive skin. His other hand slides down toward my inner thigh. “Let's make love, baby. Who knows we might be lucky, and you will take in this time, okay?” His voice was filled with longings. I felt ice water flood my veins. I thought of the photos that woman had sent. The same hands that were touching her now had been all over another woman’s body just hours ago. “Get away from me!” I pushed him with all my strength. Lucas, I’m tired! I don't want to do this right now! Lucas stumbled backward, startled by my sudden fury. He stared at my face, confusion clouding his features. “ Honey, I’m sorry,“ his voice immediately filled with guilt. “ I shouldn’t have pushed you. I just want you so badly. I love you so much. Watching Lucas' apologetic expression, I felt a mixture of emotions churning my stomach. This man had been gentle and caring towards me for over five years. I couldn’t reconcile that version of him with the man who another woman is carrying his baby. But the facts were undeniable. Those photos. The pregnancy test kite. The necklace in the trash can. That night, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Lucas was breathing even beside me. The painful image replayed in my mind repeatedly. I didn’t sleep until dawn. The next morning, I woke up with dark circles under my eyes. My reflection in the mirror looked hollow and tired. “Baby, are you feeling okay?” Lucas asked with concern. “You look exhausted. Maybe you should rest today.” I shook my head. I’m fine. We need to get ready for your grandma’s birthday party.” As we drove through the gates of the Roland family estate, a black Roll-royce suddenly roared past us. It stopped directly in front of the main entrance. The license plate read "LUCIAN -1" Lucas's hands tightened on the steering wheel. His face darkened instantly. "This bastard Lucian," he muttered under his breath. Lucian Roland was Lucas' step-brother. His father married Lucian's mother after his mother left with another man. Both parents later died in a car accident. Despite being younger than Lucas, Lucian had intimidated his step-brother. He had refused to join the family business, starting his own company at a young age instead. That company was now worth three times more than the Roland Group. Lucian was known for being brilliant, ruthless, and vendictive. Last year, he had overheard Lucas making disparaging comments about him at a business dinner. As punishment, Lucian had refused a potential partnership that would have brought Roland Group hundreds of millions in revenue. Lucas parked behind the Rolls-Royce. As I stepped out of the car, my high heel caught in the gravel driveway. I wobbled, about to fall backward, Suddenly, a pair of deep, dark eyes. The man was tall and imposing, probably around twenty-eight. His features were sharp and perfectly sculpted. High cheekbones, a straight nose, a strong jawline. He wore a tailored dark gray suit that emphasized his broad shoulder and lean build. This was Lucian Roland. "Careful," Lucian said. His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of genuine concern gaze. Lucas appeared beside us ,his face flushed with jealousy. He roughly grabbed my hands and pulled me away from Lucian. "Thanks, but don't bother next time," he said tersely. His voice was tight with barely controlled anger. He dragged me towards the manor entrance. After we had walked a few steps, he leaned close to my ear. "Olivia, you know i don't like you getting too close to other men," he whispered harshly. " Not even my step-brother." I must laugh at the irony. Here was Lucas, another woman is carrying his child, acting possessive about me talking to her step-brother. "So you'd rather have your wife fall flat on her face in front of the Roland family estate?" I replied coldly. Lucas immediately backed down. " Honey, that's not what I meant. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea." I ignored him and continued walking toward the entrance. The Roland family manor was impressive, with its grand foyer and crystal chandelier. But I felt no joy at being here. In the living room, Lucas's grandmother, Arora, immediately called out with a beaming smile. " Olivia, Lucas, you're here! Com sit down!" I took a deep breath and forced a polite smile. Whatever her feelings about Lucas, she still respected his grandparents. Mr Alexa had always treated her kindly. "Hello ,grandpa. Hello, grandma,"she greeted them warmly. Arora's eyes lit up as she watched Lucas and Olivia approach.she had been trying to convince Lucian to settle down for years. "Come, sit here next to me," Arora patted the sofa beside her. as they settled in, Lucian entered the living room. Arora's expression immediately shifted to disapproval. "Look at Lucas, "she said pointedly to Lucian. "He's got his company running smoothly, and his wife is absolutely beautiful.they might be giving us a great-grandchild soon." Her voice grew stern." And you? You're almost thirty and still single.if you don't bring a girlfriend to the next family gathering, don't bother coming at all!" Lucian's gaze flicked towards Lucas, then settled on Olivia. His lips curved into a half-smile. "Yes,"he said quietly." Really beautiful."