At that moment, I changed my mind. I tore up the signed divorce papers.
If you won’t let me go, Dereck, then I’ll stay—for revenge.
I decided to carry Connor’s child to term.
Time passed quickly.
Claire found every excuse to flaunt her presence in front of me.
Her pregnancy was three months ahead of mine, and she treated her larger, more prominent belly as a badge of honor.
She often strutted in front of me, deliberately emphasizing her baby bump with an air of triumph and provocation.
Now, the internet was abuzz with gossip about the two pregnant women in Dereck’s life.
In places I couldn’t see, whispers followed me like shadows.
[This is such a mess. Could it really be that he got two women pregnant at the same time? What kind of man does that?!]
The gossip online spread like wildfire, but Dereck seemed more exhilarated than ever. He took this impending new life very seriously, more so than I had anticipated.
He began canceling numerous live streams and public appearances to prioritize me.
Every morning, he woke up early to prepare a nutritious breakfast, carefully bringing it to my bedside and watching me eat each bite.
In the evenings, he drew warm baths for me, massaged my swollen legs, and hummed lullabies to my growing belly before bed.
Sometimes, my hand would instinctively rest on my rounded stomach, but instead of maternal joy, my face reflected only icy indifference.
While Dereck was meticulously counting down to my due date, I was planning my escape.
