Colleen Homer, my husband’s ex, posted an ultrasound photo on Facebook with the caption: "Grateful to my sperm donor. I thought all hope was lost, but now look—I’m having a baby!"
That donor? My husband, Alexander.
I forced myself to hit the like button and comment, "That’s great, happy for you!" Inside, I felt anything but happy.
Moments later, Alexander called, frantic. “Veronica, please don’t overreact! I was just helping Colleen out, okay? Don’t make this worse!”
I ended the call, too numb to respond. For the first time, divorce felt like a real option.
***
I gently stroked my belly, taking a deep breath as a profound sense of regret consumed me. I wanted to apologize to the tiny life within me, explaining that "your father does not seem to accept you". However, as soon as the words formed on my lips, tears welled up, soaking my cheeks.
I had intended to surprise Alexander with the news of my pregnancy on his birthday. I was two months along, and this has been a long-awaited moment. Unfortunately, Alexander had shown little interest in intimacy and had always expressed aversion to the idea of children, considering them a burden. He even urged me to use birth control.
Given our similar backgrounds in a dangerous, illegal environment, I could empathize with his belief that children could be a source of vulnerability.
Then, just the other day, I saw him researching baby things, creating spreadsheets for expectant moms and newborns. Foolishly, I believed that he was finally accepting our future and warming up to the idea of having a child together.
Now I realized he wasn’t preparing for me at all— he was doing it for Colleen.
That evening, Alexander came home earlier than usual. He called for me from the hallway, but I stayed silent in the bedroom. After a while, I heard the shower, then felt him slip into bed beside me.
I felt the warmth of his hand as it crept onto my waist, the first time he had taken the initiative to be affectionate towards me. He pressed closer, nuzzling my neck as he tried to mend our relationship. It was as if he were trying to reignite the passion that had dwindled between us.
But I ignored his advances, turning away and closing my eyes. He leaned closer, whispering sweetly in my ear, "Nothing happened between us, sweetheart. It was purely science. We didn't even touch each other during the process."
"Does it have to be you?" I asked, trying to stay calm. "Couldn’t someone else do it?"
"It had to be me," he sighed. "But once the baby’s born, I won’t have anything more to do with her. You understand, right?"
My silence must have seemed like acceptance because he moved closer, trying to be intimate. I pushed his hand away, harder this time.
"What more do you want, Veronica?" he snapped. "This alliance is important! If this is what it takes for security between the families, then I’ll make the sacrifice. Why can’t you understand that?"
I sat up, my voice steady but pained. "Do you really think I don’t understand? There are other ways to secure this connection. Isn’t her father your godfather? Isn’t that enough?"
"It’s not enough," he said sternly. "You know the rules, Veronica. We need more reassurance."
I smiled sadly, shaking my head. "Or maybe this isn’t about reassurance. Maybe it’s about her. After all this time, do you still—"
He slapped me before I could finish. "Stop acting like a jealous wife! I could’ve kept this from you, spared you the pain, but I was honest because that’s what a husband should do! And now you’re making me the bad guy?"
I touched my stinging cheek, shaking. "You hit me?"
He grabbed his coat, clearly ready to leave. "Where are you going?" I asked, following him to the door. "We’re not done talking. Are you going to see her?"
He pulled away from me. "Didn’t I choose you after all these years?"
"W-what do you mean?"
He didn't answer, just gave me a sneer. Dread washed over me as I reached for him, but he pushed me away, harder this time. I stumbled onto the edge of the cabinet, the sharp pain jolting through me.
Alexander didn't help me. He just looked at me—maybe there was guilt in his eyes—but then he slammed the door behind him, leaving me alone.
I laughed bitterly at the mess my marriage had become, at how blind I’ve been. Apologies meant nothing to him—they were just words to get me to forgive him. And I always did it because I loved him.
But now, I’m paying the price for that love.
As I struggled to my feet, a dull ache radiated through my body. My thoughts were clouded with the weight of all we've been through, the lies, the betrayal. But then, something pulled me back to the present—something warm and wet. I glanced down, and my breath caught in my throat.
Blood.
Everything around me blurred, the room spinning as panic sets in.
Episode 2The next morning, Alexander didn't return home. I wasn't surprised to find him missing. It wasn't unusual. His assistant, Edward Seville, called multiple times, looking for him, saying he hadn't arrived at the office.
How would I know? He usually avoided dealing with me.
Putting it all together, there was only one place I could think of: somewhere with Colleen, probably an OB-GYN's office.
I was also going somewhere. After making an appointment, I took a cab to the hospital. I knew that my baby was no longer inside me. I wanted to rush to the hospital last night, but I couldn't muster the strength. Since Alexander didn't want the baby, it was better for it not to be born than to face such a cruel reality.
The doctor sadly announced that I had miscarried.
With a heavy heart, I completed the necessary tests to ensure my body was okay, and then I went to settle the bills. As I was finishing, I bumped into two familiar figures: my husband and his ex.
Alexander quickly gave me an accusing look, almost scolding. "Veronica? What are you doing here?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I shifted my eyes to his ex. She avoided my gaze and tried to reason with my husband.
"Alex, don't speak to her like that. Why can't she be here? Maybe she also wanted to see the baby." Colleen looked at me innocently as she caressed her still flat belly. "Veronica must be here just to check on us, right?"
Her words really bothered me. I could only pretend to laugh and respond, "Yeah, you're right. How could I not be here?"
I gave Colleen a meaningful look. "After all, it's the baby of MY. OWN. HUSBAND. I should ensure that it is growing well."
Colleen suddenly paled and defended, "I k-know. Please don't misunderstand."
"Oh, did I misunderstand something?" I scoffed. "Aside from it not being in my womb, isn't it Alexander's child? As his legal wife, I should have a say on this. What do you think?"
Alexander intervened, shoving me away in the process. "What are you doing, Veronica? Stop making trouble. If you want to check the child, then just check it. Don't say anything unnecessary."
I had just had a miscarriage, so his slight shove was enough to knock me to the ground. I winced as I felt the dull pain creeping up in my abdomen. Colleen came forward to help me, but out of Alexander's sight, she gave me a mocking smile.
I shoved her away, feeling a wave of disgust. I tried to steady myself against the wall, but she collapsed beside me, clutching her stomach and crying out dramatically, as if in pain. She even had the nerve to look at me with hurt in her eyes, as though questioning why I’d pushed her after she'd tried to help me up.
Alexander rushed to Colleen's side, helping her up before turning to me, fury in his eyes. "If anything happens to her, Veronica, you'll regret it!"
Pain surged through me, cold sweat beading on my skin as I watched him care for her. I couldn’t tell if the ache came from the physical strain or the emptiness inside me. In that moment, I realized it was probably for the best that the baby was gone—because a man who couldn’t love his wife would never love his child.
When I returned to the villa, I logged onto Facebook, desperate to vent to my friends. But before I could, Colleen's latest post caught my eye—a photo of a man's back.
I recognized it instantly.
It was Alexander.
Her caption read: "Having a man who loves me makes me feel so safe."
The comments were all from his friends:
Sebastian Go: "That doesn’t look like your husband’s back, ha!"
Nash Dan: "Nice one! You've won back your goddess!"
Lester Morris: "So this is the sperm donor. Congrats!"
Alexander tried to rein in his friends with a thinly veiled reprimand:
Alexander: "Come on, boys, I’m just helping out. You trying to drive my wife away?"
His buddies liked the comment and fell silent—except for Sebastian.
Sebastian: "Don’t act like that! She’s not worth it. You’ve been with Colleen since high school, and everyone knows you can’t let her go. Stop fooling yourself!"
Sebastian, Alexander’s lifelong best friend, never liked me. To him, I wasn’t good enough—never as pretty or perfect as Colleen. He made sure I knew it.
But now, with thoughts of divorce weighing heavily on my heart, I felt a chilling detachment. I typed my response: “Don’t worry. That’ll happen soon.”
Then I uploaded two photos — my ultrasound and the miscarriage certificate. Tears blurred my vision as I hit send, a haunting ache settling deep within me, leaving me to wonder if I’d ever be whole again.
My caption read: “My dad didn’t want me, so my mom let me go. I hope you’re happy.”
Episode 3Within moments of posting the photos, my phone erupted with notifications. Messages poured in from family—my parents and in-laws— but none from Alexander. I waited an hour, foolishly hoping he might reach out, thinking there could still be a chance for reconciliation. His silence, however, only deepened my regret.
Finally, I texted my mom: "I'll be home later. I'll explain everything then."
I hurriedly packed my things and drove to my parents' house. As soon as I walked in, they cornered me with a barrage of questions. Mom’s eyes were puffy and red from crying, and even Dad looked shaken, though he tried to mask it.
When I shared the news about Alexander's "sperm donation," Mom pulled me into a tight hug, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed, "I warned you he’d hurt you!"
Dad remained silent, smoking a cigarette, his hand resting on the gun tucked in his waistband. After a long pause, he finally muttered, "Good riddance."
My parents had never liked Alexander. I had pursued him for seven years, and when he finally agreed to date me, I ignored all the warnings, believing I could make him fall in love. I was clearly mistaken.
I learned the hard way that love cannot be forced. A decade of my life taught me that painful truth all too well.
A day later, I saw Alexander pulling into my parents' driveway. He jumped out of the car and stormed over. The men guarding the house moved to stop him, but I waved them off, letting him approach.
"Veronica, what the hell is going on?" He looked me over, his eyes landing on my stomach. "You had a miscarriage? How did this happen?"
I stared at him, numb.
"And why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?"
His questions made me nauseous, but I wasn’t in the mood to argue. Ignoring his anger, I turned to close the door.
He grabbed my arm, gripping it tightly. "Is this about Colleen? I told you, once the baby’s born, I’m cutting ties with her! I’ve made sacrifices for us. What more do you want?"
His shamelessness hit me like a punch, and I couldn’t hold back—I slapped him hard. "I’m not worth it, right? You should find someone better. The divorce papers are on the way. Sign them."
I yanked my arm free, signaling the guards my father had left to protect me. Alexander glanced at them warily and stepped back. As I walked away, I heard him yell, "If you leave now, don’t expect me to take you back!"
Come back? Not a chance. In fact, I should thank him. This whole mess made me realize how much better off I am without him.
For weeks, Alexander still hadn't signed the divorce papers. It wasn’t until my father threatened him that he finally texted me.
[I'll come by tomorrow, make Sebastian and the others apologize. Stop overreacting. I'm tired of this. Don’t make me choose between you and Colleen.]
[Look, I said I'd distance myself, but she's pregnant and needs help. You know her husband's not around.]
As always, Alexander pretended to be torn, but his actions spoke louder than his words. He consistently chose Colleen. We'd had this argument countless times. He always found an excuse—claiming he stayed close to her for the benefit of her Mafia family, that without her connections, his family's business would collapse.
Same story, different day.
When Alexander noticed I hadn't replied, he called me right away. "Darling, I’ve booked a restaurant for everyone to apologize. Please don’t make a scene."
I replied casually, "Is Colleen coming?"
"Of course," he said. "So, how about it?"
"Fine," I answered. "But if they want to apologize, it better be sincere, not just for show."
"I know. I've already told them." He paused, his hesitation evident. "Should I drive you tomorrow?"
"No need," I countered. "It’s better to handle this separately."
Alexander hesitated, clearly wanting to argue, but sensing my resolve, he reluctantly accepted my decision.
The next day, I arrived late to find Alexander and his friends waiting, dissatisfaction etched on their faces. Wasting no time, I slapped the divorce papers into Alexander's hands before he could voice a complaint.
His shock was palpable as he read the documents, his face flushing with anger. "I told you they'd apologize! Why are you still bringing this up?"
Colleen, seated beside him, was in tears as she tried to soothe him. "It's my fault! If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have had a miscarriage, and you wouldn't be divorcing!"
"How could it possibly be your fault?" Alexander frowned, shifting his focus between us. "Is this some sort of joke? Are you trying to threaten me?"
Before I could respond, Colleen seized the moment, brandishing a knife and pointing it at her stomach. "Then let's not have this baby! I feel guilty!"
Alexander rushed to intervene. "Veronica, how sick are you? Blaming an unborn child?"
Exhaustion washed over me as I sat down. My expression was void of emotion. "Since you won't sign the divorce papers, I've sought help from someone," I said coolly.
They all stared at me, curiosity piqued.
I smiled and gestured to the side, where a man stepped into view. His stoic demeanor radiated danger.
"W-Why are you here?" Colleen stammered, her eyes wide at the sight of her husband.