At my baby’s one-month celebration, my husband—my partner of three years—did something I never imagined he was capable of. Right in front of me, he handed our baby to his ex. His first love. And then, as if that wasn’t enough, he encouraged the baby to call her “Mom.” I froze, my mind reeling from the shock. But when the realization hit me, I rushed forward to stop him, only to be shoved aside like I was nothing. “Why are you being so selfish?” he snapped, glaring at me like I was the one in the wrong. “Sarah can’t have children. She just wants to know what it’s like to be a mom for once. What’s the big deal? The baby’s too young to even understand—it’s just a couple of words!” I stared at him, speechless, as Sarah—Sarah—looked down at me, holding my baby like she had every right to. Her expression was soft, almost pitying, but her words cut deeper than any knife. “I’m so sorry, Amanda,” she said, her voice dripping with practiced regret. “Not being able to have children is the one thing I’ve always wanted to experience. It’s my only regret in life.” She smiled faintly, stroking my baby’s tiny cheek as if she belonged to her. “Joshua went through so much to make this happen for me,” she added, her eyes glancing at my husband—her Joshua, I realized bitterly. “I couldn’t bear to refuse him after everything he’s done.” She paused, letting out a theatrical sigh as if she were the victim. “Don’t worry, though,” she continued, her tone so sweet it made me sick. “When the baby’s older, I’ll give him back to you. And then I’ll leave. I promise.” Her words echoed in my ears, but instead of anger, something else took over. A strange, calm clarity. I got to my feet, brushed myself off, and looked at both of them with a steady gaze. My voice was calm—too calm—but firm. “Alright,” I said. “I’ll grant both of your wishes.” Three years of marriage. Three years of lies. It was time to walk away. …
The moment I said those words, the room went silent. At first, the people around me looked shocked. But then their expressions shifted—disdain replaced surprise. To them, I was just the pathetic woman hopelessly in love with Joshua. From high school to college, from graduation to marriage, I had chased him for years—years where I lost every ounce of self-respect. Everyone knew it. They called me desperate behind my back, a woman who had long since thrown away her dignity for a man who never cared. Even Joshua was stunned. He stared at me, clearly not expecting what I’d just said. The words of blame he had been about to hurl at me froze on his tongue. “What?” He blinked as if he hadn’t heard me correctly. He never thought I’d agree so easily. No, not me—the woman who always fought him tooth and nail every time Sarah’s name came up. We had argued countless times before, like when he abandoned me in the pouring rain to rush off and comfort Sarah. Or when I was pregnant, and he barely came home, while Sarah’s social media was filled with pictures of the two of them together—day after day. But now? I didn’t have the strength to argue anymore. When he handed Coco to Sarah. When he encouraged Coco to call her “Mom.” That was the moment I finally woke up. The marriage I had fought so hard for—the marriage I thought I wanted so desperately—was over. I looked at Joshua, my voice calm and steady, with none of the tears or pleading he must have expected. “Well, Joshua,” I said. “I wish you and your perfect little family all the happiness in the world.” “But Coco? I’m taking her with me.” Coco, sensing the tension in the air, waved her tiny hands and whimpered. But when she couldn’t find my familiar scent, her cries grew louder and more desperate. Her cries tore through me, sharp and painful. She had been the sweetest baby in the world since the day she was born—rarely crying, always calm, never making a fuss. Even during late-night feedings, she wasn’t difficult. I had always thought she was a gift from above. But now, I realized that from the moment she was conceived, Coco had been nothing more than a piece in Joshua’s game. He never cared about her. Not really. To him, Coco wasn’t his daughter—she was just a tool. A pawn to make Sarah happy. I clenched my fists, swallowing the lump in my throat as I stared at him. “Coco’s hungry,” I said, my voice trembling with barely restrained anger. “She’s coming with me.” Coco squirmed in Sarah’s arms, her tiny body wriggling and pushing away from the unfamiliar woman holding her. It was obvious she wanted nothing to do with Sarah. Sarah’s face twisted with irritation as she tried to comfort her, but Coco only cried harder. After a few failed attempts, Sarah’s eyes began to water in frustration. “Well,” she said with a bitter laugh, “it looks like Coco doesn’t like me very much.” Then, as if she were discarding a broken toy, she handed Coco to one of the bodyguards standing nearby. The sight of it made my blood boil, and I rushed forward, pulling Coco into my arms. Her cries softened instantly, her tiny fingers clutching my shirt as I whispered to her, gently soothing her sobs. Behind me, Joshua reached out to pat Sarah’s hand, his voice soft and comforting. “It’s okay,” he said. “She’s still young. She doesn’t recognize people yet.” And then, with a smile that made my stomach turn, he added, “Give it some time. I’ll make sure she spends more time with you. She’ll learn to listen to you.” His voice dropped into something almost tender. “Soon enough, she’ll be your daughter too.” The words hit me like a slap to the face. I held Coco tighter, ignoring Sarah’s smug expression as I turned to face Joshua. “Joshua,” I said coldly, every word precise and deliberate. “We’re getting a divorce.” “And Coco? She’s coming with me.” For a moment, Sarah’s expression faltered, her smug smile replaced by genuine surprise. Joshua looked at me like I had just spoken in a language he didn’t understand. Then his face darkened, his brows furrowing as he spoke, his voice laced with irritation. “Amanda,” he snapped, “don’t use divorce as some childish tantrum. Grow up.” I didn’t respond. I didn’t argue. I simply turned on my heel, holding Coco close as I walked toward the door. Behind me, Joshua’s voice rang out, sharp and angry. “Amanda! Don’t take this too far!” And then Sarah’s sickly sweet voice chimed in, trying to calm him down. “It’s okay, Joshua. Coco’s probably just hungry, and Amanda’s upset. She didn’t mean those things—she’s just stressed.” I didn’t look back. The moment I stepped outside the hotel, the tears I had been holding back finally spilled over. Guilt clawed at my chest, nearly overwhelming me. I had failed Coco. My blind, pathetic devotion to Joshua had allowed him to hurt me again and again without consequence. He was so certain I’d never leave him, so confident I’d always stay, that he didn’t even try to hide his betrayal anymore. And now, because of me, my daughter had almost been taken from me. Coco’s tiny face was bright red from crying, her sobs shaking her little body. My tears fell harder as I gently squeezed her hand, trying to calm her. “It’s okay, Coco,” I whispered. My voice shook, but I forced myself to sound steady. “Mommy’s here. Mommy won’t let anything happen to you.” As long as I’m here, you’ll be safe. You don’t need a father like Joshua. Not anymore.
It was nearly dawn when Joshua finally came home. The bedroom door creaked open, and the sharp scent of alcohol hit me like a punch in the face. I turned my head instinctively, a wave of nausea rising in my stomach. Joshua’s cheeks were flushed the telltale red of someone who’d had too much to drink. He saw me sitting on the edge of the bed, tossed his jacket carelessly onto the chair, and collapsed next to me without a word. I stood, ready to leave, but before I could take a step, his hand grabbed my wrist. He looked up at me, his eyes hazy and unfocused, but there was something in his gaze—an attempt at charm, maybe even guilt. “Are you mad?” he slurred, the words slow and deliberate like a child trying to soothe a parent. “Come on, it’s not what you think. There’s nothing going on between me and Sarah. You know about her accident—she can’t have kids. Coco’s just… the one thing she’ll never have.” His tone softened like he truly believed he was being reasonable. “I was just trying to make her happy. That’s all. Besides, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone else around to help with Coco?” As he spoke, he leaned closer, his breath warm and reeking of alcohol. “I know what I said earlier was harsh, but you’re overreacting. I’m just helping her. You’re making this into a bigger deal than it is.” His grip tightened slightly, and his voice hardened. “And Amanda, stop throwing around the word ‘divorce’ every time you’re upset. What would people think if they heard about this? You’re embarrassing yourself.” I stared at him, his words dripping with condescension, and something inside me snapped. How dare he blame me? How dare he talk about embarrassment when he let Coco call another woman “Mom”? When he publicly said that Coco would be Sarah’s child, did he think of me then? Did he care how humiliated I felt? I yanked my wrist free from his grasp, the disgust on my face unmistakable. “I’ll be sleeping in the guest room tonight,” I said coldly. I headed for the door, but before I could open it, his hand shot out again, gripping my arm even harder this time. His tone shifted, sharp and impatient now. “I’ve already explained everything to you. What more do you want?” “Amanda, don’t be so selfish,” he said, his voice rising with frustration. “Sarah can’t have kids! All I asked was for Coco to call her ‘Mom.’ What’s the big deal?” I turned to face him, finally meeting his gaze. This was the man I had spent years loving, the man I thought I’d spend my life with. But now, as I looked at him, all I could feel was disgust. “You know exactly how you feel about Sarah,” I said, my voice cold and steady. “I’m not stupid, Joshua.” “But let me make one thing clear: I will never let you drag Coco into this.” “And as I’ve already said, we’re done. I want a divorce.” I didn’t wait for his response. I opened the door and walked out, ignoring the sound of something crashing behind me as his anger boiled over. The guest room was next to Coco’s nursery. Before going to bed, I quietly pushed open her door. She was fast asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling with every breath. The sight of her calmed me, if only for a moment. I leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. “Goodnight, my love,” I whispered. Then I closed the door and went to the guest room. The next morning, Joshua was gone. I didn’t need to ask where he was. Since I’d gotten pregnant, he’d been homeless and less. And where did he spend his time? I already knew. I got up and went straight to Coco’s nursery. But when I opened the door, the crib was empty. My heart stopped. Panic surged through me as I searched the room, checking every corner, every inch of the space, as if she could somehow be hiding. But she was gone. The fear was suffocating, my hands trembling as I reached for my phone. I was ready to call the police when a notification popped up on the screen. #J Group CEO Attends Charity Gala with Wife and Daughter!# My stomach twisted as I opened the link. The video began to play, and there they were—Joshua and Sarah, standing arm in arm, smiling for the cameras. And in Sarah’s arms… Coco. My Coco. Her little nose was red, her eyes puffy, as if she’d been crying. The sight of her like that shattered something inside me. I knew Joshua wouldn’t answer my calls. He never did when it mattered. So I didn’t bother trying. Instead, I grabbed my coat and my car keys. I didn’t care about the speed limit. I didn’t care about anything except getting to that gala. Coco was mine. And no one—not Joshua, not Sarah—was going to take her away from me. … The ceremony had just ended. Sarah clung to Joshua’s arm, walking gracefully toward the sleek black luxury car parked outside. Coco was cradled in her arms, fast asleep, oblivious to the world around her. I pulled up, stepped out of my car, and stormed toward them without hesitation. Sarah noticed me first. Her expression flickered for just a moment before she plastered on a look of wide-eyed innocence. “Amanda! What a surprise,” she said, her voice syrupy sweet. “What brings you here?” I ignored her completely and turned to Joshua instead. “She’s barely a year old, Joshua!” I snapped, my voice sharp and cutting. “How could you bring her to a place like this? What if something happened to her?” Joshua shrugged, unfazed by my anger. “Don’t be so dramatic,” he said dismissively. “Sarah wanted to see Coco, and we had the ceremony to attend. It made sense to bring her along.” He gestured toward the baby in Sarah’s arms as if to prove a point. “Look—she’s fine, isn’t she?” Sarah chimed in with a soft laugh. “Exactly, Amanda. You’re overthinking this. She’s perfectly okay. You really need to stop worrying so much.” I didn’t bother responding to her. My focus was on Coco. I stepped forward and took her from Sarah’s arms. My movements were abrupt, almost frantic, but even then, Coco didn’t stir. That was when the first wave of panic hit me. I touched her face, and my heart sank. Her skin was burning hot to the touch. “Coco?” I whispered, shaking her gently. “Coco, wake up!” She didn’t move. My legs felt like they were about to give out as I turned to Joshua, my voice trembling with anger and fear. “Joshua!” I shouted, my voice echoing louder than I intended. “She’s your daughter! How could you not notice she has a fever? She’s burning up!” Joshua blinked at me, clearly caught off guard. For a moment, he just stood there, his expression blank. “I—I didn’t realize…” he stammered. “She seemed fine earlier…” I couldn’t take it anymore. Hugging Coco tightly to my chest, I turned and ran back to my car. There was no time to argue, no time to waste. I needed to get her to the hospital. I drove as fast as I dared, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. I kept glancing at Coco in the rearview mirror, her tiny body still and lifeless. When we arrived, the doctors rushed her in immediately. I could barely breathe as I waited outside, pacing back and forth, my heart pounding in my chest. Finally, a doctor came out to speak with me. “You brought her in just in time,” he said, his tone serious but calm. “If you’d waited any longer, it could have been much worse.” The relief was overwhelming, but it was quickly swallowed by guilt. I stepped into the room where Coco was now resting. She looked so small, hooked up to the IV. Her fever had started to go down, and her breathing was steady again, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had failed her. Tears blurred my vision as I sat by her bedside. I wiped them away quickly, pulling out my phone and dialing my parents. The call connected almost immediately. “Mom,” I said, my voice cracking. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m divorcing Joshua.” There was a pause on the other end, and then my mother’s voice came through, filled with concern. “What happened? Is Coco okay?” I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice as I explained everything—how Joshua had taken Coco to the ceremony, how he hadn’t even noticed she was sick, how close we had come to losing her. In the background, I could hear my father’s angry voice. “That man has no heart!” he fumed. “Coco is his own daughter! How could he be so careless?” My mother’s voice was calmer but no less determined. “Amanda, listen to me,” she said firmly. “Just come home. Bring Coco with you. We’ll handle the rest.” My mom wasn’t just offering comfort—she was a force to be reckoned with. Her connections in the business world ran deep, and she knew some of the best lawyers in the city. I knew she would make sure I had everything I needed to end this marriage. “Okay,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. After hanging up, I reached out and gently touched Coco’s forehead. Her fever had finally broken. I let out a long breath, the tension in my chest easing just a little. I stayed by her side the entire night, refusing to leave her for even a moment.
After a full day and night on an IV drip, Coco finally woke up. My mom came to the hospital to help me take care of her, giving me a chance to go home and pack. I didn’t take much—just the necessities. I didn’t need anything else from that house. But as I stepped out the door with my suitcase in hand, a car pulled up, screeching to a stop in front of me. Joshua. He got out quickly, and of course, Sarah was right behind him. Her eyes immediately landed on the suitcase I was holding. She blinked in surprise, and then tilted her head with a smile that was anything but innocent. “Amanda,” she said, her tone light and curious, “are you going somewhere?” Joshua’s gaze followed hers, and the moment he saw the suitcase, his face darkened. His jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed dangerously. “Amanda,” he said sharply, “what’s the meaning of this?” I looked at him, calm but cold. “What do you think it means?” I said evenly. “We’re getting divorced. There’s no reason for me to stay here anymore.” Joshua’s expression shifted, his anger visibly rising. He stepped forward and grabbed my arm, his grip hard enough to make me stop in my tracks. “Who said you could leave?” he growled. Before I could respond, Sarah stepped in, her voice soft and sweet, playing her part perfectly. “Joshua, don’t be so harsh,” she said, placing a hand on his arm. “Amanda’s just upset. If you talk to her calmly, I’m sure she’ll come around. She’s probably just overreacting because of what happened with Coco…” She paused, casting me a quick, apologetic glance. “I mean, yesterday was partly my fault, after all…” Her words hit me like gasoline on a fire. Joshua’s grip loosened as he turned to her, clearly annoyed. But then he turned back to me, his voice dripping with frustration. “Overreacting,” he repeated, almost scoffing. “It was just a fever, Amanda. Kids get sick all the time. Why do you have to blow everything out of proportion?” He crossed his arms, his tone sharper now. “Do you even hear yourself? You’re always so tense, always making everything into a crisis. What’s the point? Do you even realize how exhausting you’ve become?” His words cut deep, but this time, I didn’t hold back. I raised my hand and slapped him across the face. The sound echoed in the driveway, sharp and unforgiving. Joshua froze, his eyes wide with disbelief, one hand slowly reaching up to touch his cheek. Sarah gasped and rushed to his side. “Joshua! Are you okay?” she cried, her voice filled with concern as she leaned in to inspect him. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “Do you think I’m the problem here?” I said, my voice trembling with anger. I pulled out my phone, opened Sarah’s social media, and shoved it in Joshua’s face. “Look at this,” I said, my tone icy. “Do you even remember what you’ve done?” “Were you there for Coco when she was born?” “When she was sick, where were you? Who were you with?” I took a step closer, my voice growing louder with each question. “Do I need to remind you of every single time you failed her? Failed us?” Joshua didn’t say a word, but Sarah’s eyes welled up with tears. She sniffled, looking at me like she was the victim. “Amanda,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “I know you’re upset… I—I’m leaving for the U.S. soon. I won’t bother you anymore, I swear. Please, just… don’t take this out on Joshua. He really cares about you.” Her performance was flawless, but it only made me feel sick. I smiled coldly, not bothering to hide my disgust. Then, without hesitation, I slapped her, too. This time, the sound was even louder. Sarah stumbled back, clutching her cheek in shock as tears spilled down her face. Joshua immediately snapped out of his daze and rushed to her, shielding her like she was some fragile treasure. “What the hell is wrong with you, Amanda?” he shouted, his voice filled with anger. I smirked, unfazed by his reaction. “Get out of my sight,” I said coldly, my tone laced with disdain. “Both of you. You’re disgusting.” I turned on my heel, dragging my suitcase toward my car. Just before getting in, I looked over my shoulder one last time. “The divorce papers will be sent to you tomorrow,” I said. “Make sure you sign them.” Joshua’s voice roared behind me as I started the engine. “Amanda! Don’t you dare walk away from me! You’ll regret this!” But I didn’t bother looking back. Later that night, I arrived at my parents’ house. My mom had already brought Coco home from the hospital. She was asleep in the guest room, her tiny face peaceful and calm. For the first time in days, I felt like I could finally breathe. My mom came over and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry,” she said firmly. “The lawyer I hired is one of the best. We’ll make sure you get full custody of Coco. No one is taking her away from you.” Her words were like a lifeline, grounding me in the middle of the chaos. “It hasn’t been easy for you,” she added softly. “But you’ve done everything you could. You’ve been so strong, Amanda.” I nodded, but the weight of everything finally broke me. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself cry. I buried my face in my mom’s shoulder, and all the anger, pain, and exhaustion poured out of me in waves. … Three days had passed since I sent the divorce papers to Joshua. He still hadn’t signed them. When it became clear he was just stalling, I told my lawyer to proceed with filing for divorce in court. That finally got a reaction. Joshua called me later that day, his voice dripping with irritation. “Amanda, what are you trying to do?” he snapped. “First the divorce papers, now you’re dragging a lawyer into this? You really want to take this to court?” He paused, and then softened his tone slightly, though it was more condescending than apologetic. “Look, I know… last time was my fault. I should’ve noticed something was wrong with Coco. I admit that. Okay? But do we really have to keep dragging this out? I’m apologizing here. Can’t you just… let it go?” I didn’t say anything, so he kept going. “And Sarah… she’s been a close friend of mine for years. She just got back to the country, and then—” he hesitated for a moment, and then sighed heavily. “And then she found out she can’t have kids. Do you know how hard that is for her? She’s going through a lot right now. She doesn’t deserve this from you.” His tone shifted again, more impatient now. “Look, there’s an event tomorrow night. Come with me.” It wasn’t a request. It sounded more like a reluctant compromise as if he were doing me a favor. In the past, I might’ve been eager for an invitation like this. Joshua rarely took me to events like these. He always said I “wasn’t cut out for that kind of thing,” that my place was at home, managing the household. But now? I couldn’t care less. I kept my voice calm, almost disinterested. “Will Sarah be there?” “Her studio is hosting the event,” he replied as if that explained everything. “Fine,” I said. “I’ll go.” The next evening, I drove myself to the venue. When I arrived, Joshua was waiting for me outside. Without a word, he led me into the banquet hall, where the crowd immediately began to take notice of us. Joshua was quickly drawn into conversations about business, but I could feel the curious stares following me everywhere. The whispers were impossible to ignore. It wasn’t hard to understand why. To them, Sarah was the woman who belonged at Joshua’s side. She was the one splashed all over the tabloids, the one everyone assumed was the woman in his life. And me? I was a stranger in their world, someone they’d never seen before. Joshua had never brought me to events like this. In fact, most people in his circle didn’t even know he was married. Even Coco’s full-month celebration had been a small, private affair with just close family and friends. So tonight, standing beside him, I was a shock to everyone in the room. Finally, someone couldn’t resist asking. One of the guests turned to Joshua, offering a polite smile. “And this lovely lady is…?” Joshua started to respond, but I cut him off before he could say a word. “His wife,” I said with a calm, confident smile. The man’s expression froze for a moment, and then shifted as he glanced at Joshua with a mixture of surprise and something else—disgust, maybe, or pity. Joshua’s face tightened, his jaw clenching as he leaned closer to me. “What the hell are you doing?” he hissed under his breath. I smiled at him, unfazed. “What’s wrong?” I said lightly. “I’m just telling the truth.” Soon, the event officially began. The lights dimmed, and all eyes turned to the stage as Sarah stepped out. She was dressed in a stunning custom gown, the kind that screamed exclusivity and wealth. Under the spotlight, she looked poised, elegant, and completely in control. She was the picture of grace as she walked to the center of the stage, ready to deliver her speech. But before she could say a word, I raised my voice, cutting through the silence like a knife. “Sarah,” I called out loud enough for everyone to hear. The room went still, all eyes turning toward me. “Before you start,” I said, my voice steady and clear, “don’t you think there’s something you need to explain to me first?”
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