Chapter 1

I loved Blake for ten years, and finally, after his first love dumped him, I became his wife.

I overestimated Blake’s love for me, and I underestimated the devastating impact of the woman who still held his heart captive.

When I was pregnant, he was accompanying her to prenatal check-ups.

When the doctors gave me a death sentence, he was taking care of her, ensuring her pregnancy was safe.

When I miscarried, he was by her bedside, waiting for her to give birth.

But when I wanted a divorce, he regretted it!

Mia Thompson’s giggling on my phone was jarringly loud in the hands-free clinic.

Mia was the one Blake had always held a torch for, the one he could never truly have. I was just the desperate wife who had practically begged him to marry her when he was down on his luck.

Blake's tone, as always, was impatient. “You’re already at the hospital, what are you stirring up now? You know Mia’s pregnancy is delicate and she needs someone to look after her. If you’re sick, go see a doctor. Can I cure you? I’m hanging up, bye!”

Before the dial tone, I heard Mia’s voice, sweet and faint: “Blake, I’m not feeling well…”

A chill swept through my entire body.

I put my phone away and looked at Daniel Davis, whose brows were tightly furrowed across the desk. “I’m keeping this baby,” I said.

Professor Daniel, looking grim, was my childhood best friend and now a renowned OB/GYN specialist at this hospital.

Daniel held my report, his face somber. “Stomach cancer. If we terminate the pregnancy now and pursue aggressive treatment, there’s still hope…”

I cut him off before he could finish. “No! No termination. I’m giving birth to this child.”

I was terrified of dying, but I couldn’t bear to give up the child in my belly, Blake and my child.

When I got home and pushed open the door, I saw Blake massaging Mia’s legs.

Watching the two of them, a picture of domestic bliss, it hit me. He’d merely claimed he wanted me to go stay at his family’s estate for my pregnancy so I’d vacate the space.

“Don’t overthink it, she’s just staying for a little while,” Blake explained dismissively when he saw me suddenly return.

The discomfort in my stomach made me nauseous again.

Seeing me clutch my chest, my face pale, Blake’s movements as he propped a soft pillow under Mia suddenly faltered. Maybe it was my imagination, but for a split second, I thought I saw a hint of concern in his eyes.

“Serena isn’t that petty, Blake. Saying that makes Serena sad!” Mia’s sweet, teasing complaint made him quickly adjust the pillow for her again.

Watching his careful attentiveness, my heart twisted painfully. It felt like ages since he’d been that gentle with me.

Mia, who had left Blake to impulsively marry a wealthy man years ago, hadn’t had an easy life. Her husband was known for having multiple mistresses. Every time they argued, she’d call Blake, pouring out her heart to him, tearfully claiming she’d sacrificed her feelings back then just to ensure Blake and I could be happy.

No matter how I explained, Blake never believed me.

Every time Mia called, Blake would rush to her side without hesitation.

In this marriage, I gave everything, yet I still loved him so pathetically.

My gaze fell on the pillow in Blake’s hand. It still had our sweet wedding photo printed on it, now propped behind another woman by the very man in the picture.

A dull ache settled in my chest.

Mia, meanwhile, was delicately holding Blake’s arm, her eyes meeting mine with a triumphant, challenging smirk.

“Oh, Serena, I’m so sorry. I just asked Blake to pick you up from the hospital, but he was worried about my health and couldn’t leave me alone. It’s all my fault, don’t be angry with him…”

It was laughable. Mia was acting like she was fighting over a man with someone on her deathbed.

Her voice was still so sickeningly sweet, exactly as hateful as I remembered.

“Why bother with her? Can’t a grown woman get home by herself?” Blake snapped. Mia’s smirk widened.

“I need to talk to you. Come up when you’re done.” I bypassed the two on the couch and headed straight upstairs.

This marriage, tainted by a third person, had dragged on for too long. I was dying soon, and stubbornly, I wanted an answer.

An answer about me, Mia, and him.