Betrayed by Love “Beep… beep…” The thirty-second call went unanswered. Caleb still hadn’t picked up. I had reheated the dishes on the table three times already. The homemade ice cream cake had melted into an unsightly puddle, worse than tears. My fingers gently caressed the gift box beside me. Inside was my pregnancy report. This was meant to be Caleb’s birthday surprise. I had imagined countless times how he would react upon seeing this gift. Perhaps he would be surprised, maybe delighted. It might even bring a change to our hopeless marriage. However, as time ticked away minute by minute, hope began to fade. I stubbornly sat in place, unwilling to give up. A part of me still clung to the slim chance that he was just temporarily delayed. Finally, at two in the morning, the door creaked open. My heart clenched tightly as I stood up from the darkness. Filled with joy, thinking Caleb had returned, I prepared to welcome him. However, the scene before me was like a sharp blade piercing straight into my heart. In the faint moonlight, Caleb had Natalie pinned against the wall. His lips urgently pressed against hers, his hands tightly gripping her waist as if trying to merge her into his body. “You know what? When I sleep with her, all I can think about is you,” Caleb’s voice, tinged with drunkenness, reached my ears with crystal clarity. “That one time with her, it was all forced. I felt disgusted when I woke up.” As these words registered, my world seemed to collapse. The gift box slipped from my hand, hitting the ground with a crisp, jarring thud. Their movements froze abruptly. Caleb turned his head, his gaze colliding directly with mine. A flash of panic and guilt crossed his eyes, but it was quickly masked by that familiar coldness. Caleb frowned slightly, seemingly displeased by my presence. I stood there, feeling as if all the blood in my body had instantly frozen, my hands and feet turning ice-cold. It was Natalie… Caleb’s ex-girlfriend, the one who had once abandoned him, had returned. Anger, sorrow, and despair intertwined into an invisible net, binding me tightly. “Aria, what are you doing there?” Caleb’s voice was cold, devoid of any warmth. I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, but my throat felt blocked, unable to produce a sound. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. “Since you’ve heard everything, there’s no point in hiding it,” Caleb’s tone remained icy. “I never loved you. Marrying you was nothing but a forced choice.” I looked at him, the last glimmer of hope in my heart completely shattered. The past gentleness and care, those seemingly beautiful moments, were all just my one-sided wishful thinking. Caleb turned his head, speaking softly to Natalie, his eyes full of adoration. “It’s late, you shouldn’t go back.” He looked at me again, his voice leaving no room for negotiation. “Tonight, I want Natalie to stay.” I gazed at him, feeling as if the person before me was a complete stranger. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself. “Fine, do whatever you want.” I tried to keep my voice steady, but the trembling tone betrayed my devastation. I turned and staggered back to the bedroom. That night, Caleb didn’t step into the room once. As morning sunlight filtered through the window, the house, which should have been filled with warmth, was permeated with a suffocating atmosphere. I hadn’t eaten all night and couldn’t sleep. My head was pounding from crying over last night’s events. When I walked out of the room on an empty stomach, I saw Caleb and Natalie in the kitchen, laughing and making breakfast together. Their intimate behavior made me feel like an intruder in my own home. Natalie noticed me and immediately put on a warm smile. To me, it seemed nothing but fake. “Aria, you’re up! Caleb and I made breakfast especially. Come and try some.” As she spoke, she walked towards me with a bowl of soup. Looking at the bowl, my stomach suddenly churned. The morning sickness from my pregnancy had been getting worse lately, and just the smell of food was making me nauseous. I quickly covered my mouth and ran to the bathroom. “Ugh…” I dry heaved in the bathroom, feeling so sick I could barely stand up straight. When I finally managed to pull myself together and wash my face, I returned to the dining area to find the atmosphere had turned ice cold. “Aria, what’s your problem?” Caleb’s voice was full of anger, his brows furrowed and eyes full of accusation. “Natalie kindly made you breakfast, and this is how you treat her goodwill?” I looked at Caleb, my heart full of hurt. “I didn’t mean to, I—” I tried to explain, but before I could finish, Natalie interrupted me. “Caleb, don’t be like that. Maybe my cooking isn’t good, and that’s why Aria doesn’t like it. I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm.” Natalie’s eyes were slightly red, putting on a pitiful act. But I caught the glimpse of triumph in her eyes. “Enough with your act!” I finally exploded, shouting. “I’m not feeling well and can’t eat. Is that a problem?” “Not feeling well?” Caleb’s eyes were filled with suspicion. “Don’t use that excuse to avoid apologizing!” “Natalie spent all morning making this breakfast. Not only are you ungrateful, but you’re also making a scene!” I looked at Caleb in disbelief. How could he think of me like this? “Who’s making a scene here?” “Why should I apologize just because I can’t eat?” There was no way I would bow my head to Natalie. Caleb impatiently cut me off. “Whether you’re really unwell or not, you must apologize to Natalie!” I raised my head defiantly, tears welling up in my eyes. “I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?” Caleb’s face darkened further. “You’re still being stubborn!” “If you won’t apologize, then drink this soup. You can’t disregard Natalie’s kindness!” I looked at the steaming hot bowl of soup, my heart filled with desolation. It was seafood chowder, the dish I hated most. After five years of marriage, he couldn’t even remember this. “Caleb, how can you treat me like this!” “Are you going to drink it or not?” Caleb’s eyes held no warmth, only a cold command. In his heart, Natalie’s feelings would always be more important than mine. Looking at this man I once loved deeply, who now seemed so unfamiliar, I was filled with anger and resentment. “I won’t drink it!” The next second, Caleb grabbed the bowl and forcefully tried to pour the soup into my mouth! The scalding temperature made me struggle, but I was no match for Caleb’s strength. As my head tilted back, the steaming hot soup burned its way down my throat. It wasn’t just my body that was scalded, but my heart as well! Using all my strength, I pushed Caleb away. With a loud crash, the bowl shattered into pieces. I looked at the cold Caleb and the smugly triumphant Natalie, and spoke each word deliberately. “Are you satisfied now?” Without waiting for their reaction, I rushed out the door, leaving without looking back. At the hospital, a nurse was cleaning and disinfecting my scalded tongue with saline solution. Her brows were tightly knitted. “Try to avoid injuries during pregnancy,” she advised. “It’s not advisable to use burn medication in the first five months of pregnancy. You’ll just have to bear with it for now.” “And you’re allergic to seafood. It’s good you didn’t drink much. Don’t you know what you can and can’t eat at your age?” I nodded vacantly, letting out a bitter laugh. Being forced to drink that soup had not only scalded my tongue. My throat and stomach were still burning and numb. “Being so careless, you might lose the baby, you know? You young people are really reckless!” she added. Finally, to be on the safe side, she suggested I check on the baby’s condition. I thanked her with a pale face, but didn’t tell her that none of this mattered anymore. Because I had decided not to keep this child. Originally, I had planned to surprise Caleb with the news of its arrival. But he had shattered my expectations and joy with his own hands. I clutched the registration slip tightly, my knuckles turning white, as I mechanically headed towards the obstetrics department. My steps were unsteady, each one feeling like I was walking on knife edges. As I sat in the waiting area, a familiar voice crashed into my ears. “Natalie, be careful! Don’t fall!” It was Caleb! I instinctively shrank back, like a startled deer. My hands involuntarily clutched at my clothes. Caleb was supporting Natalie, both of them walking over, chatting and laughing. Their happy appearance was like a sharp blade, stabbing straight into my already battered heart. He noticed me and stopped in his tracks, looking over with a puzzled expression. “Aria? What are you doing here?” Natalie followed Caleb’s gaze and looked at me, a flash of malice in her eyes. Just then, her number was called. Caleb told her to wait while he went to get the test results. Natalie nodded obediently, but as soon as he left, her face turned ugly as she walked towards me. She took out her phone, opened a video, and held it up to my face, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Aria, I didn’t want you to know this originally.” “But you’d better understand where Caleb’s heart truly lies.” The video showed Caleb at a classmate reunion, the night he got drunk. His friend asked him, “Caleb, I heard Natalie is coming back soon. What are your plans?” Caleb replied carelessly, “We’ve cleared up our misunderstanding. Anyway, I’ve sworn to treat her well and not let her suffer any grievances, regardless of our relationship status.” Combined with the tenderness in his eyes and the teasing from those around him, someone spoke up for me. “But your wife has been really good to you too. She loves you so much and has waited for you faithfully for so many years. I think you should forget about Natalie and just live happily with your wife.” Caleb took a drag on his cigarette and laughed coldly. “Her, sincere? She’s just like her father, only knowing how to force people with their methods.” “Otherwise, why would I marry a woman I don’t love?” “I’ve been good enough to her all these years, but I will never touch her!” The more he drank, the more unfocused his eyes became, and he kept calling Natalie’s name, his voice full of longing and deep affection. “Did you see that?” Natalie leaned in close to me, lowering her voice and enunciating each word. “The one who isn’t loved is the real third wheel. I’m pregnant too, and I know you look like that today because you’re pregnant as well. But you and that bastard in your belly shouldn’t exist. Caleb has always loved me from the beginning to the end. You’re nothing but a substitute who can’t even show her face in public. Know your place.” Every word was like a poisoned dagger, stabbing straight into my heart. My breathing instantly became rapid, my chest heaving violently. Caleb returned with the papers. Noticing the tense and strange atmosphere, he asked suspiciously, “What’s going on?” Natalie had already reverted to her gentle demeanor, linking her arm with Caleb’s. “Nothing, Aria just came for a health check-up.” “No wonder she wouldn’t eat my soup this morning. She really wasn’t feeling well.” “Caleb, don’t be angry with Aria anymore.” Caleb’s sharp gaze fell on me, as if trying to see through me. “You’re really unwell, not lying? Usually, you’re as strong as an ox. Only Natalie is naive enough to believe your act.” I trembled, opened my mouth, but my throat was dry. The words “I’m pregnant” almost slipped out, but I swallowed them back hard. I bit my lower lip tightly, my mind replaying the video Natalie had just shown me. The last shred of hope in my heart was completely shattered. Seeing my pale face, a complex emotion flashed in Caleb’s eyes. But he didn’t say anything more, turning to hand the papers to Natalie. His tone was so gentle it could almost drip water, his face wearing a smile I hadn’t seen in a long time. “The baby is doing well. Are you relieved now?” The two embraced lovingly, like an inseparable couple. Many people around cast envious glances at them. I averted my gaze, hearing the arrangements for me to enter the operating room. When I regained consciousness, the baby was already gone. I felt weak all over, unable to even sit up straight. Lying alone on the bed, I shed silent tears, but I didn’t regret this decision. During the days I focused on recovering in the hospital, Caleb didn’t call even once, which I was glad for. After being discharged, I returned home. Caleb and Natalie were cuddled up on the sofa, feeding each other. Seeing me push open the door, they stopped their actions. Caleb was the first to react, standing up angrily. “Aria, what do you mean by this?” “Do you know how many days you’ve been away from home? You even dared to block my number!” I didn’t speak, just stared at him silently for a moment. “Do you really care whether I stay in this home or not?” “It seems you two were quite happy while I was gone.” Hearing the sarcasm in my voice, Caleb awkwardly avoided my gaze. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with them and headed straight for the bedroom. Soon after, Caleb pushed open the door and came in. A trace of apology crossed his face. “I’ve been busy taking care of Natalie these past few days because she’s pregnant and not feeling well. I’m sorry for neglecting you.” Saying this, he took out a large gift box and thrust it in front of me. “It’s a new custom-made necklace. Do you like it?” “Let me put it on you.” I subtly avoided him, not at all interested in his casual attempt at appeasement. Caleb wasn’t annoyed and started speaking earnestly. “I haven’t had time to accompany you properly lately, but I promise I’ll treat you well in the future.” “I’ve already been forced into marriage by you and your father. What more do you want? So don’t mind Natalie’s presence.” “She’s just divorced and pregnant. I pity her and want to take care of her, that’s all.” He looked at me and said without hesitation, “As long as you don’t mind her presence, and we three can live well together, I can still treat you as well as before.” I stared at him, speechless, amused by his matter-of-fact words. Then, pointing at the door, I coldly said one word. “Get out.” As he left, he cast a disdainful glance at me, shaking his head to indicate that I didn’t know what was good for me. I kept a cold face and called my father with a grievance. “Dad, I’ve already bought a ticket to go abroad. I want to live with you and mom.” “I’m never coming back.”
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