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My Ex-Husband Watched Me Marry My Childhood Sweetheart
NovelShort
Hoàn thành
On the day I won the design competition, the first thing I received wasn’t the gold trophy, but a livestream of my husband cheating with his widowed sister-in-law. During the press conference, all e...
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第1章
On the day I won the design competition, the first thing I received wasn’t the gold trophy, but a livestream of my husband cheating with his widowed sister-in-law.
During the press conference, all eyes watching the show fell on me.
They all believed that I, who was deeply in love with Lorenzo Ortiz, would cry right there as I used to and once again become a trending headline.
But I simply held my eight-month pregnant belly, calmly accepted the award, and then went to find a private lawyer to prepare a divorce agreement.
“Ma’am, are you certain? This was already your second time coming to file for a divorce. If you changed your mind again, you would be placed on the firm’s blacklist.”
I smiled bitterly.
“I’m sure, and I want to remove the father and keep the child.”
The first time I caused a scene about divorce, I had just learned I was pregnant. Lorenzo was caught in photos taken by paparazzi, holding hands with his widowed sister-in-law at an amusement park.
That time, I ran there in tears to confront them for cheating, creating chaos across Beaverton. I said I would end the pregnancy and divorce him, but I got into a car accident instead, almost losing both my life and the baby.
And Lorenzo, to save me, stayed awake for two days and gave me three blood transfusions.
After I woke up, his face looked pale as he knelt beside me and admitted his fault.
“Wife, the day before yesterday was my brother’s death anniversary. My sister-in-law missed him so much and begged me to act like my brother and stay with her for a day. I gave in for a moment and agreed.”
“I know I was wrong. I won’t do it again. Can you give me another chance?”
Looking at Lorenzo’s exhausted face after saving me, I couldn’t stop my heart from softening.
I also knew that Lorenzo’s brother had died in a kidnapping case while protecting him, and I understood that he felt guilty toward his widowed sister-in-law, who had a young child.
For the child’s sake, I chose to give him another chance.
For the following eight months, Lorenzo showed himself as a devoted husband and a responsible father, and he even sent his widowed sister-in-law abroad.
That was until last night, when I got three provocative photos sent by his widowed sister-in-law.
The photos showed a hundred used condoms after she had been with Lorenzo, Lorenzo kneeling on the floor in a humble posture as he kissed her toes, and Lorenzo dressed in a servant outfit while cooking in the kitchen.
I spent the entire night in tears and finally came to my senses.
Since Lorenzo had broken his promise to love only me, I no longer needed to hold on to a marriage without loyalty.
I wanted to remove the father and keep the child, return home, and continue living as the only daughter of a powerful, wealthy family.
.......
But why, after I had taken my child and walked away for good, and was preparing to marry my childhood sweetheart, New York’s wealthiest man, Diego Peterson, did Lorenzo suddenly burst into my wedding, kneel down, and plead with me not to marry another man?
1
On the day I received the championship award at an international design competition, the first surprise that reached me was a live broadcast.
On the screen, Lorenzo was deeply kissing his late brother’s wife, surrounded by 9,999 roses.
And just twelve hours earlier, Lorenzo had been crouching in front of me, gently kissing my eight-month pregnant belly, saying he would be the first to send me flowers when I received the award.
At the press briefing, everyone unexpectedly turned their eyes toward me, showing pity and curiosity from fresh gossip.
"President Bailey…"
Beneath the platform, the assistant who guided me to prepare for stepping up had sweat across his forehead. "Do we need to stop this livestream room?"
I spoke in a quiet voice, "No need."
"Isn’t it already my turn? I step onto the stage to receive the award."
"Not going to wait for President Ortiz to show up?" the assistant asked softly.
I shook my head. "I will not wait."
The crowd, who had been expecting to see the drama, were also shocked.
The paparazzi believed they would watch me lose control and cry like I had eight months before, letting them get a shocking news title.
But I simply did not do that.
I got up, followed the steps to walk onto the stage to accept the award, and quietly finished reading my thank-you speech.
The voices below were no longer kept quiet. "What happened to Vienna Bailey? Why does she not make trouble?"
“Last time when she caught him cheating with a young model, didn’t she almost lose both herself and the baby?”
“Yeah, it caused a scene across the whole city. She said she would end the pregnancy and divorce, but after he apologized, she forgave him.”
“Everyone knows Vienne chased Lorenzo for five years before she got him. How could she really go through with a divorce?”
“Maybe she plans to rush to the rose field after receiving the award and break them apart?”
Laughter followed one after another.
Their gazes were like wolves eyeing fresh meat, locked on me as they watched closely for my next move.
I heard their whispers but said nothing, only gazing out the window.
In the night sky, drones kept forming different shapes one after another.
The shifting lights reflected in my eyes, beautiful and grand, yet gone in an instant.
I had spent three years preparing for this design competition just to win first place.
I once believed that, at the most shining moment, I would hold the hand of the one I loved most and accept the trophy.
But that hope fell apart.
At this moment, my heart was not as calm as those paparazzi claimed.
Still, after crying through the entire night, I had no tears left to shed.
After getting the award, I did not head home but went straight to a law firm to draft a divorce agreement.
“Ma’am, are you sure? This is your second visit for a divorce. If you regret it again, you will be added to the blacklist.”
The lawyer attempted to talk me out of it, assuming I would not truly go through with divorcing Lorenzo.
I showed a bitter smile.
“I’m sure, and I want to remove the father and keep the child. Draft the agreement for me.”
I handed over the black card to the lawyer, and he immediately agreed with a smile.
I thought back to the first time I caused a scene about divorce. It was when I had just found out I was pregnant.
Back then, paparazzi had photographed Lorenzo holding hands with his widowed sister-in-law while they were at an amusement park. I rushed over like I had lost my mind, pulling at both of them in the street, crying and shouting about divorce and ending the pregnancy, making it known across the whole city.
After I ran out of the park, I was involved in a car accident, nearly losing both myself and the child.
I was in rescue for two whole days. Lorenzo stayed beside my hospital bed without closing his eyes, watching over me for two days and nights, and gave me three blood transfusions.
When I woke up, his face was pale, and right in front of everyone, he dropped to his knees before me.
“Wife, the day before yesterday was my brother’s death anniversary. My sister-in-law missed him deeply and begged me to pretend to be him and keep her company for a day. I gave in and agreed.”
“I know I was wrong. I won’t ever do it again. Can you give me another chance?”
Looking at Lorenzo’s drained face after he saved me, I couldn’t keep my heart firm.
I also knew that his brother had died in a kidnapping case to protect him, and that he carried guilt toward his widowed sister-in-law with a young child.
For the child’s sake, I decided to give him another opportunity.
Over the following eight months, Lorenzo, before me, had been a devoted father and a proper husband, and he also sent his widowed sister-in-law overseas.
I thought the matter from before was truly only an accident.
Until last night, when three photos that showed up on my phone felt like three hard blows to my face.
One hundred used condoms were left in a messy pile inside the trash can.
Lorenzo, down on his knees on the ground, was bending his head to kiss the woman’s toes.
And he, who never handled house chores, dressed in a male servant uniform while making food in the kitchen.
The message was sent by Lorenzo’s widowed sister-in-law, Ariella Gray.
Through the whole night, my heart felt broken, and even breathing caused pain.
So those past months when Lorenzo showed care and love in front of me were all a lie!
He had never truly ended things with his widowed sister-in-law, and even stayed with her, doing all intimate things!
I wept for a long time, and only when morning came did I calm myself and step onto the stage for the award.
But everything still fell apart because of the live broadcast.
My stomach was struck by the baby. I slowly came back to awareness and called Diego Peterson, the richest man in Beaverton, who had once been promised to me when we were young.
"You say that as long as I agree, you can complete the engagement with me anytime. Does that still stand?"
Diego’s usual lazy tone came through with a light smile.
“Of course, you’ve come to your senses? When are we getting the certificate?”
“Give me ten days. I need to finalize the divorce first.”
Since Lorenzo had already betrayed his vow to love only me, I no longer needed to cling to a marriage that was already broken.
Back then, while I was chasing Lorenzo as he started his career, I kept my identity hidden to protect his pride, never telling him I was the only daughter of a powerful, wealthy family overseas.
I had originally planned that once the child was born, I would bring him and the baby back to claim my family name and take over the business, but now he was no longer fit to return with me.
After returning to the villa, Lorenzo held my waist and spoke in a soft, helpless tone.
“Baby, your eyes are so red. Did you cry? That live broadcast today was just an act for attention. Don’t take it seriously.”
“I’ve already talked to her. As long as I help her start as a streamer, and she can earn her own money, she won’t bother us anymore.”
“Let’s help her one last time, okay?”
I looked at the man I had loved for five years and been married to for three, and my heart ached as if something was slowly eating at it.
The kissing was just acting, then what about the hundreds of condoms?
What about him kissing her feet?
What about him wearing that servant outfit?
Would he only admit he cheated when Ariella gave birth to his child?
I forced myself to hold back the urge to question him out loud and handed him the divorce papers.
“Do as you like. I recently took an interest in a house, sign it.”
第2章
As soon as I stopped talking, Lorenzo took the file, held the pen, and signed his name on the last sheet.
Looking at his clear and smooth signature, it felt like something inside my chest had emptied out.
All those years of emotion ended so simply with that one stroke.
The lawyer acted quickly. Once I gave him the agreement, in less than a week, I could part from Lorenzo.
After Lorenzo signed, he reached forward and rested his hand on my swollen belly, his touch natural and familiar, "Baby, do you miss Daddy?"
"Yesterday, Daddy didn’t attend Mommy’s award event. There is a reason… right? Our baby is so gentle, you won’t blame Daddy."
When he spoke, his voice was light, as if he had only skipped a usual gathering.
My belly moved slightly.
My throat felt tight, and I felt drained.
Lorenzo was always like this.
No matter what he did outside, as long as he returned to me, he became that kind husband again, that father who truly waited for the child to be born.
That version of him made me think, for a moment, as if nothing had changed, as if, as long as I chose not to see or hear, he had never betrayed me.
But a false hope was still not true.
Once betrayal took place, it remained.
I chose to leave him.
Lorenzo seemed to sense my cold attitude, his voice holding a bit of doubt.
"Wife, you are so quiet today. I thought you would be like last night, calling again and again until I answer."
"Isn’t that what you want?"
I answered calmly.
"A smart, obedient wife who does not question how you return kindness."
Lorenzo clearly paused.
But soon, Lorenzo reached out, pulled me into his arms, and lowered his head to kiss the corner of my forehead.
“This is right, wife. You’re becoming more and more understanding.”
“To me, she’s just family. That kiss on the livestream was only an act, nothing.”
Nothing.
Those four words felt like a thin layer of dust, settling lightly yet choking me until it was hard to breathe.
I suddenly thought back to a long time ago.
Lorenzo and I had shared our first kiss, so serious and shy.
That day, his eyes were filled with only me, his face flushed, his voice firm.
“You are the first person I kiss, and the only one.”
In the end, time had worn love away.
A kiss had also turned into nothing more than an ordinary act.
I did not notice when my nails had already pressed into my palm, the small, sharp pain spreading little by little.
"I understand."
I cut off Lorenzo, wanting to take back the signed agreement.
"Wife, which house do you like?"
Seeing what I did, Lorenzo picked up the document again. "I will help you look at it."
I did not stop him and instead felt a quiet hope.
If Lorenzo opened it and found that it was not a house purchase contract but a divorce agreement, what would he do?
But in the next moment, a loud sound of glass breaking came from the bedroom, followed by a short cry from a woman.
Lorenzo’s face changed at once, and he quickly dropped the document and turned to run into the bedroom.
My heart, which had just lifted, dropped straight down.
Forget it, what am I still hoping for?
Even if Lorenzo knew it was a divorce agreement, it would only cause me more problems.
I placed the divorce agreement into my bag and followed Lorenzo to check what had happened.
What I saw in the bedroom made my breathing stop.
Ariella stood next to my bed with red eyes, and on the floor lay the broken wedding photo.
The frame was cracked, and the glass was in pieces.
But Lorenzo did not even look at it.
He gently held Ariella’s hand, lifting her fingers, lowering his head to blow on them. "How can you be so careless? Is the cut deep? Does it hurt?"
Ariella stuck out her tongue in a playful way.
"How do I know you placed the wedding photo by the bed? It is dangerous. I was only helping you remove a risk."
After she spoke with a smile, as if only then seeing me at the door, her face paused and quickly showed a bit of awkwardness.
"Ah, sorry, sister-in-law, I bothered you."
"The water pipe in my house broke. I cannot bathe. Lorenzo lets our mother and child stay here for a while…"
My fingers tightened a little, and remembering those three photos made me feel sick.
Lorenzo looked at Ariella with clear worry and care.
I only felt foolish. These past months, sending Ariella abroad made me lose the chance to see their lies earlier.
Although I no longer wanted to love Lorenzo, it did not mean I would accept Ariella going too far.
I spoke with sarcasm, "Can it be that sister-in-law cannot even afford a hotel, or do you think living in my marital home feels better?"
Lorenzo frowned at once and cut me off without thinking,
"Can you speak more gently? She is my sister-in-law. Bringing my brother’s orphan to stay in a hotel, how would that look if people find out? It is not like there are no rooms at home."
It felt like as long as Ariella held the title of sister-in-law, whatever she did was seen as fine.
Before I could speak, she had already gently pulled Lorenzo’s sleeve and said quietly, "I only want to look at your room. I don’t mean anything else."
"It’s my fault." Her tone sounded upset. "I cause you to argue… maybe I should go."
After Lorenzo spoke, a small hint of regret crossed his eyes, as if he realized his tone toward me had been too strong.
Hearing this, he quickly reached out and drew Ariella into his arms.
"Why go?"
His voice softened at once.
"Don’t overthink. I decide things in this house. If I say you can stay, then you can stay."
Lorenzo’s words felt like a hard slap across my face.
How long had it been? I no longer had any right to decide things in this house.
Ariella lifted her head from his arms, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes, and asked softly, "Then what about the broken wedding photo?"
Her eyes moved to the pieces on the floor.
Lorenzo followed her gaze, glanced once, and said without care.
"Since it's dangerous, just throw it away."
I suddenly looked at Lorenzo. After making sure he didn't say it wrong, I let out a laugh.
"Alright, then throw it away."
"Anyway, it isn't anything important."
Lorenzo probably didn’t expect me to agree so easily. He had only said it without thinking.
Didn’t I value the wedding photos the most?
Before, no matter how bad our arguments got, I never wanted to touch those wedding photos.
But he didn’t know the reason I cared about them was that the day we got the certificate was the happiest day for me, and I held onto that day tightly.
But now, nothing matters anymore.
第3章
I turned around and called the servants, telling them to get rid of all the wedding photos in the house.
A slight surprise showed on Ariella’s face, and she smiled. "Sister-in-law is really kind."
"Lorenzo, see how thoughtful your sister-in-law is. She’ll surely agree to my next request, right?"
Then I heard Lorenzo speak in a direct tone.
"Miguel is weak and gets cold easily. Our room faces the sun. Let sister-in-law and Miguel stay there together."
I didn’t think Lorenzo would say such words, asking me, a pregnant woman, to give up the room.
And Lorenzo had been ready for me to get angry, holding back many words.
But I agreed instead.
"Alright, but there are many of my things in the room. I’ll move them out first."
Before, I would have argued and refused to move, but now, since I’d be leaving in a few days, moving earlier or later made no difference.
Lorenzo almost said it wasn’t needed, but Ariella spoke first, "Then I really trouble you, sister-in-law."
Lorenzo had to hold back his thoughts. He moved closer, held my hand, and said in a low voice.
"Wife, three days later is the baby welcome party. I’ll make it special for the baby as compensation, alright?"
"I know."
I replied softly.
Then I started to arrange the bedside cabinet. Inside were my ID card and household register.
My belly suddenly ached. I stumbled without noticing, my hand pressed against the broken glass on the ground, and blood flowed out right away.
And Lorenzo had already gone with Ariella to pick up her child, Miguel, not noticing it at all.
After I became pregnant, my pain felt much stronger, and at this moment, it hurt so much that tears came down.
I couldn’t help remembering that, even when I bent down, Lorenzo would get very worried and wouldn’t let me do heavy or tiring work alone.
But once Ariella showed up, everything was put before her.
I pushed away the sadness in my heart, quietly packed my important things into my bag, and hid them well.
As for the rest, I let the servants throw everything away.
Even though none of them were worth bringing back to my wealthy family, I didn’t want to leave my things for Ariella to use.
Cars carried the items out one by one, and the house quickly became half empty.
My throat felt blocked, I bit the inside of my mouth, and my hand rested on my stomach, gently rubbing it.
"Baby."
I asked in a low voice, "If in the future Daddy and Mommy get a divorce, will you blame Mommy?"
The baby in my stomach moved once.
I already knew the answer in my heart.
After getting rid of the things, I went to the company by myself.
I started to check the shares, organize the projects, and divide the team and resources under me.
I wouldn’t take any of Lorenzo’s assets.
But this company was built by me and him from nothing, so I had to take the part that belonged to me.
After all, I didn’t want the mistress to benefit.
The assistant asked me, "President Bailey, do you want to take control of Stetson Mall?"
I paused and didn’t answer right away. Instead, I planned to go to Stetson Mall and take a look.
This mall, from design to building to later operation, was planned step by step by Lorenzo and me.
It held the years we built everything from nothing, and it was proof of our love and time together.
Even if we were going to divorce, I still felt reluctant about this mall. It was like my first child.
But when I reached the mall, I was stopped at the entrance.
The manager looked troubled.
"President Bailey, you can't go in. President Ortiz has reserved the whole mall today to celebrate Ms. Gray’s son’s birthday."
Reserved the whole place?
With a dark face, I pushed the manager aside and rushed to the fifteenth floor.
On the rooftop, inside the glass flower room I built for my future child, Lorenzo had already brought Ariella and her child there first.
The three of them looked peaceful and happy.
They really knew how to choose a place for a birthday.
I called the assistant in a cold voice and said, "I have to take Stetson Mall."
I wouldn’t let Lorenzo ruin what I built and use this place to please other women.
Over the next two days, I moved my focus away from Lorenzo, but he still stood out strongly.
Every day, after briefly greeting the baby, he would take Ariella and Miguel out to do live streaming.
Through the live stream, I saw him take the mother and child skiing, surfing, and shooting.
Two days of that life looked richer than spending a whole month with me.
I didn’t say anything. I blocked the live stream and continued preparing for the baby welcome party.
This was a newly popular event to welcome a baby. I had planned this day eight months earlier.
Even though the baby hadn’t been born yet, I didn’t want to break the promises I made to her.
On the day of the event, guests gathered around me, and words of congratulations came one after another.
Everything went well until the noise rose at the entrance.
Ariella led the child into the hall. She wore costly and refined clothes, and the boy named Miguel kept looking around.
The next moment, like a wild bullet, he suddenly rushed toward the beautiful cake in the center.
第4章
“Bang!”
My eyes shrank. Before I could stop it, I could only watch as the cake made by a top pastry chef over three days and nights was smashed apart by him.
The mood at the party changed at once. My head rang, and blood rushed up.
Without thinking, I ran forward and shoved the child away.
“Get out, who lets you come in!”
Miguel cried loudly, the sound sharp and hard.
“Sorry… sorry…”
Ariella quickly rushed over, her face in a panic and hurt, “I just want to come give you my blessing and bring the child to see things, I really don’t expect it to turn out like this…”
Her voice shook, and her eyes turned red fast.
Lorenzo hurried over, his face full of worry.
“Lorenzo.” I looked straight at him, my voice cold and tight.
“Do I say today’s party is very important to me?”
“Do I say random people aren’t allowed to come in and mess up the place?!”
After I said those words, the area went completely quiet.
Ariella’s face turned pale at once.
She clearly didn’t expect me to say such harsh words in front of so many people.
“It’s my fault…” her voice broke.
“I don’t know if you don’t welcome me… if I know earlier, I don’t come…”
As she spoke, as if she felt deeply hurt, she stepped back and hid behind Lorenzo.
The people around had already started whispering.
Their eyes moved between us, clearly watching the scene with interest.
I only felt like I couldn’t breathe.
Lorenzo had already bent down, lifted Miguel, and gently comforted him.
“It’s okay, don’t cry, tell me, did you fall?”
Miguel cried softly and shook his head, his eyes wet, just like Ariella.
After making sure the child was fine, Lorenzo’s face slowly darkened.
He looked up at me, his eyes cold and unfamiliar.
“Vienne, I think you’ve been more reasonable these days.”
“I don’t expect you’re still the same as before, making a scene for no reason, losing your temper at any moment!”
“I kindly brought my sister-in-law and nephew to the gathering, and I’m wrong? And what do you mean by messy people?”
“When you say this, how do you expect others to see me? If this spreads, they’ll think I treat my widowed sister-in-law unfairly.”
As he spoke, with slight frustration.
“When do you become so self-centered? You can’t even accept a child, and you even push him?!”
I was so angry that I laughed.
Even though I clearly said Ariella and her child weren’t allowed to show up, Lorenzo still brought them and ruined everything.
In the end, I was the selfish one.
I lifted my head and looked at Lorenzo, my voice slowly turning cold.
“Lorenzo, you let someone else’s child ruin the baby’s welcome party, and you call that selfless?”
His face darkened right away.
He clearly didn’t expect that I would say this in front of so many people and not save his pride.
“Vienne!” Lorenzo’s voice rose at once.
“Don’t I bring Miguel here to make things lively for the baby? You really don’t know how to value kindness!”
After he spoke, as if he didn’t want to argue anymore, he reached out, pulled Ariella close by the shoulder, held her in his arms, and turned to leave.
I stayed where I was and took a deep breath.
My chest felt tight and painful.
But I still turned back, forced a smile again, and said sorry as I saw the guests out one by one.
When the last guest left, the hall became completely empty. I slowly raised my hand and softly held my belly.
“Sorry, baby, mommy can’t give you a perfect welcome party.”
My heart felt heavy. I turned and walked upstairs, going to the glass flower room on the fifteenth floor, hoping to settle myself.
There was a small room inside, a little place I had prepared for the child. The key had always stayed only with Lorenzo and me.
But when I reached the door, a bit of unease rose in my heart.
Because the door stood open.
When I saw inside clearly, my whole body froze where I stood.
Everything that once filled the room was gone!
Only a mess stayed on the floor.
The Barbie dolls were cut into pieces, the cloth dolls were torn apart, and all those toys for girls lay on the ground like thrown trash.
And those toys meant for boys, not one was left.
I didn’t have to guess to know who did this.
Sure enough, when I opened Ariella’s social page, I saw her silly son holding the toys I had prepared for the baby, smiling happily.
The caption said: “Thank you, Godfather, for getting these gifts. Miguel likes them so much!”
I bit my teeth hard, my chest hurting so much I could barely breathe.
If these things were just casually bought, it would’ve been fine, but they weren’t.
These were all limited-edition gifts I had gathered little by little over these eight months for the baby!
I looked through information, asked doctors, chose materials, and considered safety one by one. Since I didn’t know if the baby was a boy or a girl, I prepared everything I thought the child might like;
From one year old to eighteen years old, what to play with and what to use, I had already sorted and bought ahead.
Some were made by me on order, some were fixed, cleaned, and kept by me myself.
I had slowly filled this room bit by bit.
I had even prepared everything for her up to eighteen years old.
But now nothing was left!
Everything was taken by Lorenzo and given to the mistress’s child!!
My throat tightened, and it became hard to breathe.
I lost control, held my belly, turned, and rushed downstairs.
At the office entrance on the fourteenth floor, just as I reached the hallway, I was stopped.
Miguel stood there, holding my Transformer toy, his eyes showing some malice.
“Bad woman!” he shouted at me, “Go die! You’re not allowed to bother my dad and mom while playing!”
As he spoke, he lifted the toy in his hand and threw it at me.
第5章
Play?
My heart dropped, and I walked past him coldly, then pushed open the office door right away.
The scene inside the office hit my eyes with nothing hidden.
The desk was messy, papers spread everywhere, Lorenzo stood beside it with untidy clothes, Ariella was partly held in his arms, her hair loose, her face red.
I was at least a married woman, with just one smell, I could tell what had happened.
My stomach suddenly turned, and I felt sick.
The moment Ariella saw me, she froze, then quickly moved closer into Lorenzo’s arms.
And Lorenzo, without thinking, tightened his hold.
Showing a protective position.
I stood at the door, my fingers gripping the frame tightly, pain tightening in my stomach.
“Lorenzo.”
My voice shook.
“The toys I prepared for the baby, where are they? Why do you give those things to Miguel?”
Ariella’s eyes turned red right away.
“Sister-in-law, don’t be mad. We just saw a room full of toys in the glass flower room. Miguel liked them a lot. Lorenzo let him choose what he liked. We didn’t expect that they were prepared by you for the baby…”
“I’ll let Miguel give the things back to you now.”
“Give back? How can they be given back? The things were all ruined by you!”
I lost control of my voice in anger, and Lorenzo cut me off with impatience.
“Enough, Vienne. Who are you talking to with such a harsh tone? Ariella is your sister-in-law!”
“You already scared the child in front of so many people at the party just now. These things, just treat them as compensation from you as the aunt. Whether Miguel takes them to play or breaks them, that’s his choice.”
Compensation?
My mind buzzed.
“Lorenzo.” I stared at him, my voice almost shaking. “You clearly know those were prepared by me for our child—”
“Can you stop making a scene out of nothing?”
Lorenzo cut me off right away, his brows and eyes cold. “They’re just some useless stuff. Is it necessary to come here and cause trouble?”
He looked at me like I was someone unreasonable.
“Or do you have to make everyone feel awkward before you’re satisfied?”
Any toy in that room, taken out casually, was a limited edition worth tens of thousands.
In Lorenzo’s words, they had turned into useless junk.
I had once thought that even if he wasn’t faithful, even if he didn’t love me anymore, at least he was sincere to the child and could still be a good father.
But everything had turned out to be just my imagination.
The child wasn’t even born yet, and he could already give the child’s things to the mistress’s child. After the child was born, what would I face? I didn’t even dare to think.
I stood there, my heart hurting so much that even breathing became hard.
Seeing that I didn’t speak, Lorenzo stepped forward instead.
As if nothing had happened, he bent down, his eyes falling on my stomach, his tone gentle like giving charity.
“Baby, when the time comes, Dad will buy you the most expensive, the best toys, okay?”
“These messy things, just let big brother play with them first. Our baby is a generous, good baby.”
He reached out and pinched my face, as if nothing had happened.
“Don’t keep a straight face, wife. We can buy them again when the time comes. Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you and the baby.”
Lorenzo thought I was still as easy to comfort and fool as before.
Even then, he likely still believed I couldn't see the clear tension between him and Ariella.
But I had already noticed the condoms they quickly tucked away beneath the files.
If it had been before, I would've surely called out their vile affair no matter what.
But now, I didn't have the energy to ask anything anymore.
Anyway, I planned to walk away.
As for their ugly affair, I would gather everything and reveal it to the paparazzi on the day of divorce, not today.
I stared at Lorenzo’s face, once so familiar to me, and felt it was odd and almost laughable.
Back then, we had stayed in this office, working through so many late nights together, building everything from zero to now.
I remembered how he used to fall asleep at the desk, and I also recalled the first time he finished a deal, when he held me tight and laughed like a kid.
Back then, he had said this place would be where our future began.
But now.
Everything here felt so filthy that it made me sick.
I turned around and walked out.
I didn't want to look again.
But as I got to the door, someone suddenly stopped me.
Miguel came running over at some point, glaring at me, his eyes showing hate.
“Bitch!” he shouted, “When I grow up, I'll beat you to death! The baby in your belly is also a bastard!”
I shook with anger, my hands tightening without control, but seeing his still young face, I didn't do anything.
I only wanted to move him aside and leave.
But before my hand reached him, Ariella had already rushed over.
She quickly grabbed the child, then her body fell back, hitting the floor hard.
“Ah!”
She screamed in pain, her face going pale at once.
“If you’re angry, take it out on me!” she said, holding the child close, her voice breaking, “Don't harm the child!”
Right after, a loud slap echoed around us.
My face snapped to the side, my ears buzzing.
Lorenzo stood before me, breathing fast, his eyes hard and cold.
“Vienne, have you done enough damage?”
第6章
“When do you turn into this?” His tone held back anger. “Jealous, mean, can’t even accept a kid, not the same as before.”
I stayed in place, one side of my face hurting with heat.
My fingers curled tighter little by little, and even my knuckles looked white.
The last small piece in my chest broke apart right then.
I laughed in anger, forcing myself to keep my voice from shaking.
“What are you saying about change? Do I need to question nothing, worry about nothing, always act calm and understanding, just to prove I didn’t change?”
“Then what about you, Lorenzo? Didn’t you change, too? Are you still the Lorenzo who said he would love only me?”
Lorenzo clearly froze for a second, his eyes shifting away.
A sharp pain suddenly hit my stomach, my breath stopped, my body dropped without control, I could only crouch down, my hand pressing over my belly, and cold sweat quickly covered my back.
Lorenzo’s face shifted, and he stepped closer without thinking.
“Wife, what’s wrong with you?”
“Lorenzo, Miguel lost consciousness!” But before he could reach me, Ariella quickly caught Miguel, her voice shaking as she called his name.
Without stopping, Lorenzo turned back, picked up the child, and walked away, not even looking at me again.
When he reached the door, he seemed to think of me and turned back to leave a line.
“Wife, calm down. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”
The room went quiet once more.
I crouched where I stayed and closed my eyes. I had already made up my mind not to cry for this man again, but the tears still wouldn’t stop.
Lorenzo.
I had regretted it long ago.
If I hadn’t fought with my family because of you and hadn’t left the place that should have protected me without thinking, maybe I wouldn’t have reached this point today.
How could I be this foolish, believing you would love me for life?
After I got back home, I kept getting ready to leave.
Ariella sent me three awful photos. I couldn’t eat or sleep, and before I go, I have to leave three big gifts for this cheating pair.
These past few days, Lorenzo seemed to think I had become more understanding.
To make up for it, he started buying me things more often, jewelry, presents, and all kinds of costly toys for the child.
I had someone throw all of those things away.
Lorenzo didn’t notice at all.
Because he was busy staying with Ariella, bringing her and Miguel in front of different cameras, building attention, and talking online.
Comments online kept coming. Some said that even the cold Lorenzo could be this gentle when he meets the person he loves.
When I read that line, my heart moved a little.
That kind of praise used to belong to me in that circle before.
Five years earlier, several men bothered me in a narrow street, and it was Lorenzo, still studying at the university, who brought me out of that mess.
At that time, I felt something change inside me.
Later, I worried he might feel less than me, so I hid who I was and acted like my family was only at the same level as his.
I stayed by his side from having nothing to having something, quietly gave him help, supported him through the hardest time, and little by little turned that distant man into someone who smiled at me and would bow his head for me.
During these five years, I gave so much effort, and only then did that cold man slowly become warm.
The Lorenzo who loved me used to be the most admired boyfriend and husband in that circle.
When I got sick, he stayed by my bed all night, and in front of others, he never hid that I was the only one for him.
But now I understand I was never his only one.
In his heart, Ariella was.
When he was younger, she was the sister-in-law he looked up to.
Later, she became the widowed sister-in-law he needed to care for.
After that, she turned into a woman he could stay close to in a proper way.
And I was only a part that could be replaced.
There were only two days left before I left.
That day was his mother’s sixtieth birthday. She had treated me well, so in both feeling and reason, I should go.
I went by myself.
After all, Lorenzo didn’t come home, and he didn’t come to pick me up.
But when I walked into the banquet hall, I saw Lorenzo standing in the middle of the crowd. Ariella held his arm. Their clothes clearly matched, and their expressions looked natural and close.
Miguel, who looked like Lorenzo, stood beside them and made them seem like a real family.
And I stood by the doorway, like an outsider.
When the nearby relatives noticed me, their faces changed a little. They likely thought I would cause a scene like before.
But I just looked away, walked over, gave the gift to his mother, and smiled as I wished her good health on her birthday. My tone stayed calm, and my manners were proper.
I didn’t look at him again.
Lorenzo stood there, his face going stiff for a moment.
I didn’t cause any trouble. He should’ve felt at ease, but instead, he became strangely annoyed.
第7章
As if not satisfied with how calm I was, Lorenzo suddenly spoke, “I plan to move Miguel’s registration under my name.”
“When my brother passed away, the child had just been born. His registration was never settled. This can’t be delayed anymore. I’ll raise Miguel from now on.”
“Don’t be upset. I’ve thought this through carefully.”
I looked at him without emotion, only feeling a little tired.
“As you wish.”
I cut him off.
Lorenzo froze. “What?”
“I said, as you wish.” My voice was so calm that even I found it unfamiliar. “Handle it however you want.”
“Then from now on, Miguel will be our child.”
Lorenzo said it casually, even with a hint of closeness.
“I’ll treat him well. He’ll definitely take care of us when we’re old. Anyway, yours is probably a daughter.”
I followed his gaze and looked over.
Miguel was also staring at me.
In his eyes, there was only disgust.
Take care of us when we are old?
He likely hoped even more that I would simply vanish.
I gave a careless nod.
“Hmm, you’re right.”
He could register if he wished.
In any case, I would soon no longer belong to this family.
Even if he planned to remarry Ariella next, I wouldn’t bother to look again.
For a brief moment, the Ortiz family seemed confused. Their gazes shifted between him and me, but no one spoke up.
At the banquet, Lorenzo mingled with the guests, yet his eyes kept drifting back to me.
I acted as if I didn’t notice, turned away, and walked toward the restroom.
Unexpectedly, just as I was about to leave, the door was locked from the outside.
I twisted the handle twice, my tone turning cold. “Who is outside? Open the door.”
No one replied.
The next moment, a bucket of freezing water suddenly poured down from above.
The cold soaked me from head to toe at once, and my whole body shook hard.
At the same time, the light went out.
Darkness closed in.
Just as I was about to speak, a voice came from the dark.
“Bitch, stay here quietly and wait to die.”
I quickly turned my head. “Miguel? What are you doing? Open the door!”
Miguel’s voice sounded cold, nothing like a child.
“If you and that bastard die, everything in the Ortiz family will belong to my mom and me.”
I shook with anger, my voice unable to hold it back. “Do you know what you’re saying? Open the door!”
But the only reply I got was the sound of footsteps fading away.
Soon, everything outside went completely silent.
Cold water slid down my clothes, chilling me to the bone.
My stomach suddenly tightened hard.
I knew I couldn’t stay locked in the restroom like this for long.
With shaking hands, I took out my phone and called Lorenzo.
No answer.
I clenched my teeth and called again.
“Lorenzo… answer the phone…” My voice shook.
No reply.
Third time.
Fourth time.
I couldn’t hold back the choking sob anymore.
“Answer… please…”
“Something’s wrong with the baby… I’m so scared…”
The other side of the call stayed silent.
The next moment, the signal suddenly cut off.
The screen showed no service.
Fear crept up little by little.
At that moment, I heard footsteps outside the door.
I almost rushed over and hit the door.
“Is anyone there? Please let me out!”
The person outside paused for a moment, their voice a bit weak.
“Ma’am… I was just listening to Ariella and watching you…”
I recognized it.
A distant relative of the Ortiz family.
My tone turned cold. “How much did Ariella give you?”
She paused. “One million…”
I clenched my teeth. “I’ll give you ten times that.”
She was clearly shocked. “Ten times? That’s ten million… can you pay that?”
The pain in my stomach kept rising again and again. I could barely stand, my hand pressing hard on my belly.
“I will.” My voice was rough. “Let me out now. I’ll give it right away.”
Outside stayed quiet for a long time.
She was unsure.
I was about to fall, cold sweat running down my forehead. “Hurry!”
Finally, there was a “click.”
The door opened.
That person was still uneasy. While holding me, she quickly said, “I already called emergency for you. You can’t break your word.”
I couldn’t hear clearly anymore.
Because at that moment, I felt warmth running down my legs.
The amniotic fluid broke!
My eyes were full of fear. I held her hand tightly, my voice shaking badly.
“Hospital…”
“Quick… take me to the hospital…”
“I’m going into premature labor…”
第8章
By the time the baby was born, it was already daylight.
She was a small bundle, wrapped in a white blanket. Her skin showed an unhealthy red, and her breathing was so light it could barely be heard.
I only looked once and knew she was much smaller than a full-term baby.
My heart felt tightly held. I raised my hand, my fingers trembling badly, but I still moved closer step by step and softly touched her face.
“I’m sorry…”
My throat felt tight, my voice hoarse and unfamiliar. “It’s mom’s fault.”
She could have stayed inside my belly a bit longer, not needing to come into this world so early, so suddenly.
“It’s Mom who didn’t protect you well.”
The doctor stood nearby and quietly explained the situation, saying the baby needed to stay in an incubator for monitoring. Although she was premature, her vital signs were still fairly stable for now.
I heard it in pieces, but my mind felt unusually clear.
“The child’s father…” the doctor paused for a moment.
I cut him off. “Don’t notify Lorenzo.”
The doctor was clearly startled for a second, but he still nodded.
When the baby was wheeled away, I kept watching that door.
Only after the door fully shut did I slowly close my eyes.
Not long later, the ward door was pushed open.
When Lorenzo came in, his face looked so dark it was scary, and anger pressed between his brows.
“Are you satisfied?”
I lay there, too weak to even lift my eyes, yet his question still shocked me.
“Vienne, do you have to make things this final?”
He coldly laughed, his tone turning harsher.
“During last night’s livestream, Ariella was attacked by a group of haters. They kept calling her a mistress. She held on alone until she broke down and almost cut her wrists in the bathtub to commit suicide.”
“Those online trolls, you arranged them, right?”
He looked at me, his eyes cold with no warmth.
“Just because I didn’t pick up your call?”
“You’ve gone too far.”
I silently laughed.
Lorenzo actually believed I did this.
“Ariella is my brother’s wife, the person my brother worried about most before he died. Why did you push her this far?”
“You have me, you have a child, you have a complete family. What else are you unhappy with?”
“She almost died. Do you know what Miguel would do if she died?”
So Lorenzo came here not because I was lying in a hospital bed.
He came to stand up for Ariella.
The blanket covered my body, hiding my already flat stomach.
He didn’t notice.
I didn’t remind him either.
“Then do you know—”
I looked at him, my tone calm.
“I was locked in the restroom at the banquet, soaked with ice water, and the door was locked from the outside.”
“I almost died in there, and I almost… lost the child.”
Lorenzo’s brows tightened at once.
“What does that have to do with Miguel?”
He reacted fast, his tone turning cold. “Are you trying to say Ariella taught him?”
Before I could speak again, he cut me off.
“Vienne, don’t blame everything on her. Do you think I’d believe you making things up about them now?”
At that moment, the last bit of warmth in my heart went out.
I didn’t want to speak anymore.
No hurt, no anger, no wish to argue.
I just looked at him, at the man I once loved without thinking, my voice so soft it was almost unheard.
“Believe whoever you want.”
Anyway, it didn’t matter anymore.
Lorenzo’s expression changed slightly.
He paused, then still said, “Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. I’ll make it up to you. As long as you’re willing to apologize to Ariella, we’ll have dinner at night and settle this.”
After speaking, he turned and left, already assuming I would agree.
When the door closed, the room became quiet again.
Not long after, the lawyer called.
“President Bailey, everything has been completed. Your divorce agreement with Lorenzo is now in effect. You are free.”
“Regarding the lawsuit against Ariella and her child, we have compiled all the evidence you sent, and Ariella will soon receive a notice from the court.”
My assistant also contacted me quickly, saying the company transfer was fully finished.
I felt my body grow lighter. I got up, found the baby, and held her in my arms.
She slept quietly, a small bundle against my chest, her breathing faint but real.
I lowered my head to look at her, my voice very soft.
“Let’s go, okay?”
“Mom will take you away.”
Leave this place.
Leave everyone.
Apology, anniversary, none of it will happen anymore.
All that's left for them is the revenge I've prepared with surprise.
Lorenzo, I wonder what you’ll do when you receive the three big gifts I prepared for you.