Chapter 3

Whenever she spoke to me, she was sweet and cute, making me look like the villain.

Seeing her tears, I couldn't bear to drive her away, so I made peace with her.

I even personally made broth for her and ensured she had a nutritious diet.

During this time, she indeed kept a respectful distance from Declan, which made me more comfortable serving her.

Keira had a healthy pregnancy with my care, turning plump and healthy.

Ten months later, Keira went into labor.

That day, Declan suddenly took leave and went with me to the hospital.

"Didn't you say there's a multi-million project? Why come to the hospital?" I didn't understand Declan's actions.

Declan didn't look at me but anxiously watched the maternity ward door, brushing me off, "It's okay, it won't affect it."

For a moment, Declan felt so unfamiliar to me.

While I was full of doubts, Keira's eight-pound son was born healthy.

When the doctor opened the maternity ward and asked who Keira's husband was, Declan rushed in like a rocket, "It's me, it's me, I'm her husband."

"Congratulations, this is your son." The doctor placed the baby in Declan's arms for him to hold first.

Me: "..."

What was I feeling?

Like eating something vile.

Soon after, Keira was wheeled out by the nurses.

Although she had just given birth, because she was young, she recovered well.

Keira was soon settled in a private hospital room.

Looking at the delicate newborn, I sincerely said to Keira, "Congratulations, this baby looks so much like you."

Keira gazed at the baby with gentle eyes, her tone filled with maternal love, "He not only looks like me, but he looks more like his father."

Then she side-eyed Declan.

Did she mean the baby looked like Declan?

Yet Declan didn't deny it and seemed more excited about the baby than Keira.

I was very upset.

I felt suffocated in this environment, so I went out for some air.

Just as I stepped out, I realized I hadn't taken my bag.

When I turned back to get it, I overheard Declan and Keira's conversation.

"Darling, this is our son. Your wife can't give you a baby, but I can. Are you happy?"

I noticed her give Declan a sidelong glance.

Was she implying that the child resembled Declan?

Surprisingly, Declan didn't refute it. He seemed even more thrilled about the child than Keira did. A surge of anger rose within me. Feeling suffocated by the situation, I stepped outside to catch my breath.

Just as I left, I realized I'd forgotten my bag. When I turned back to retrieve it, I overheard Declan and Keira's conversation through the door.

"Darling, this is our son. Your wife can't give you a child, but I can. Are you happy?"

"Keira, you did such a great job. The boy is absolutely adorable."

"Yes, what a cute child. We have a son now."

Their conversation felt like a knife cutting through me. One was my best friend, the other my husband.

I recalled how my best friend had given me ten thousand to "borrow" my husband, and I had actually agreed. Now, the ridiculousness of it all hit me like a slap in the face. I wanted to burst in, scream, and tear them apart. But I restrained myself, taking a deep breath to calm down.

I should have known there couldn't be an appropriate relationship between them, but I trusted Declan's integrity. Reality, however, proved me wrong. Declan had betrayed me, and Keira was a traitor.

I composed myself, pretending nothing had happened, grabbed my bag, and left.

That night, I went out to drown my sorrows, drinking until I was a wreck. I drank, vomited, then drank and vomited again. No one knew the depths of my pain, feeling as if I were being torn apart and ground to pieces.

Declan, the man I loved most, had always assured me of his character. Yet, he had fathered a child. His integrity was worthless, absolute garbage.

That night, I betrayed Declan and ended up in bed with a younger guy.

Then I acted as if nothing was amiss, waiting for Keira and their little family of three to return. I watched as Declan personally prepared postpartum meals for Keira.

"Keira, the child is born. Can you divorce my husband now?"

Hearing my words, Keira held her son, looking pitiful and aggrieved. "But the child is still young. He can't be without a father..."

"Declan isn't your child's father. You had a sham marriage." I pretended to know nothing.

Keira cried, holding her child, appearing weak and helpless. Hearing the commotion, Declan rushed in angrily and said to me, "Phoebe, what are you trying to say? Keira is still in her postpartum period; can she afford to cry now? What about the risk of postpartum complications?"