It’s common knowledge that Theo, the powerful figure in East City, has been deeply in love with me for eight years and proposed 99 times. Touched by his devotion, I was willing to give up my adventurous career and return from Iceland to the cozy and peaceful East City. But in the third year of our marriage, Theo brought home a pregnant woman. That’s when I discovered that while he was planning to propose, he had also found someone to fill my place in his absence. “Fiona, I know you still dream of exploring and don’t want children. I’ll give you your freedom.” “Keep the child, and once they’re born, you’ll be their mom.” I looked at him quietly, my eyes betraying a smile through tears. “Are you really giving me freedom, or is it that Theo’s family can’t be without an heir?” “Or is it you, Theo, who, despite claiming to love me the most, have been unfaithful time and again?” I glanced at the face next to him, all too familiar, feeling a churn in my stomach. “Theo, is this what you call love?” The man kneeling on the ground froze. Theo lifted his head, his eyes full of agonized affection. “Fiona, it’s my fault. Those times you kept rejecting me, I felt frustrated and lost, and that’s why I acted so foolishly…” “After marriage, we had agreed on our relationship! This accident happened because I was drunk and ran into Lydia. She looks so much like you…” I forced a smile on my stiff face. “So you just went along with it, waiting eight months until her belly was too big for an abortion before telling me, leaving me no choice but to accept it?” Theo was at a loss for words, but Lydia started crying first. “Sister Fiona, don’t blame Theo. I kept it a secret; he didn’t know.” “If you want to punish someone, I’ll take it. I’ll make it up to you!” She was about to kneel but was stopped. Theo, with a stern face, scolded her: “With such a big belly, be more careful. Do you want to intentionally harm the child and let people think Fiona’s being hard on you, being cold-hearted?” “Stand aside!” He turned to me gently: “Fiona, I know you’re kind and wouldn’t want to make things hard for a pregnant woman, so I’ll handle her for you.” I just found it incredibly laughable. Did he really think I couldn’t see this was to protect Lydia? I watched as his eyes revealed tension and worry, something even Theo himself hadn’t noticed—replacing the pure love that once was. My heart felt like it was pressed hard into spicy liquor, suffocating and choking. I closed my eyes, trying to steady the tremor in my voice. “What if I say, I don’t accept this child?” Theo’s brow furrowed, his usually gentle and composed face full of conflict and pain. “Fiona, you know how much I love you. No matter what happens, your place in my heart won’t change.” “I can promise, once the child is born, Lydia will be sent abroad, and you’ll never see her again, and the child will only acknowledge you…” Theo said a lot, but never mentioned getting rid of the child or sending them away. Yes, I know Theo loves me. But if I forgive this time, this child will become a thorn in my heart. Constantly reminding me of betrayal. I steadied my gaze. Just as I was about to speak, Lydia suddenly cried out: “Ah, my stomach hurts!” “Theo, what should I do? Am I going into labor?” Theo’s face changed, and without hesitation, stood up, holding Lydia. “Fiona, I need to take her to the hospital. I’ll explain when I get back!” But I clearly saw the mockery on Lydia’s face, not a hint of pain. I bit my lip. “Theo, don’t go.” He paused. “If you leave now, don’t ever…” “Sorry Fiona! I’ll send her to the hospital and be right back… in ten minutes…” The door slammed shut with a loud thud as the man rushed out, leaving the room empty. I slowly slid to the ground. Suddenly, I received a text. It was a photo of two hands placed over a pregnant belly, with the message: “A family together, who really is the outsider?”
I gasped for breath. The tears I held back finally burst forth uncontrollably. I clutched my phone tightly. Before I could gather my thoughts, another call came through. It was Theo’s mother. “Fiona, I heard about the child.” “You’re upset, but think about it. You’ve been married to Theo for three years without a child. If you can’t have one, you can’t stop others, right?” “Don’t get mad at my harsh words—having this child benefits you, doesn’t it? You get a child without giving birth, isn’t that great…” Theo’s mother always had a lot to say about me and didn’t miss the chance to lecture. I suddenly felt calm. “You think it’s a good thing?” “If you’re so open-minded, was Theo also brought back by Father-in-law?” As expected, the other end erupted in curses. “…When my son was smitten by you, I knew you were the biggest trouble of his life!” I hung up. Theo’s mother’s last words lingered in my ears. I’m Theo’s trouble? But isn’t he also mine? Theo fell in love with me at first sight in college and pursued me relentlessly. Even after being rejected repeatedly, he never gave up. After college, I joined the World Expedition Team and flew to the North Pole, but he followed closely, persistently declaring his love. His 99 meticulously planned proposal videos are still widely circulated online. My heart wasn’t made of stone, and his persistence eventually moved me. I gave up my dreams for true love. But having been used to the freedom of wandering, trying to adapt to a stable life was difficult. I always suppressed the restlessness of being confined. Now, the pure love that initially moved me is gone. Everything around me was silent. A thought grew clearer in my mind. … I never waited for Theo to come home, only a call of complaint. “Fiona, Mom said you scolded her… Please understand, she just wants a grandchild.” Suddenly, I heard a woman’s playful voice on the other end. Theo’s voice abruptly stopped. Listening to the sounds of him covering the phone, I sighed and softly said: “Theo, let’s divorce.” As expected, he disagreed and started sweet-talking. But I’d heard enough meaningless apologies. I hung up decisively and quickly packed my things. Besides the essentials, I could leave everything else and buy them again. Perhaps my past exploration experiences influenced my mindset—being decisive is crucial. And a failed relationship is the same. I knew Theo was still at the hospital. The nearest hospital was at least half an hour away. He couldn’t make it in time. —But I underestimated Theo’s madness. When I saw the steady Cayenne behind me speeding up, almost blowing the tires, my heart skipped a beat. Theo’s car looked like it had been in a collision, but he still recklessly accelerated. Fearing an accident, I reluctantly stopped the car. “Theo, what do you want?” Looking at the man with a restrained and fierce gaze, my suppressed emotions exploded like a tsunami. “You say you love me but found a stand-in for sex. You cheated after marriage, both physically and mentally filthy.” “Theo, I’ve let you and your family be together. Why won’t you let me go?” The love I thought was worth giving up my freedom for was a bubble from the start. The sad thing is, I’ve silently endured for three years. Every word was like blood. Theo’s eyes reddened, and he knelt with a thud. “Fiona, I didn’t betray you. The child was an accident. Later, I couldn’t bear to see you hurt from childbirth…” I shook off his hand clutching my clothes, coldly curling my lips. “Stop with the sweet talk, Theo. I can’t accept unfaithful love. Besides… we’re not right for each other.” “Perfect timing, the child will be born, and you can be a family. We’re done.” With that, I turned to my car. But suddenly, pain shot through the back of my neck. The last thing I saw before darkness was Theo’s frenzied expression.
When I woke up, I found myself back in the bedroom. “Fiona, don’t think about leaving me.” Looking at Theo, who seemed utterly exhausted, the word “confinement” crossed my mind. I turned my head away, unwilling to look at him any longer. Theo didn’t seem to care. “Fiona, the PR department has announced that you’re pregnant. Now everyone in East City knows you’re about to…” I let out a bitter laugh, full of anger. “How could I not know I’m pregnant?” Theo took a deep breath, sounding worn out: “Don’t be difficult, Fiona. Of course, this child can only be yours.” “Lydia will be giving birth soon. Just keep calm for now. Once the baby is born and I take care of Lydia, we will…” I cut him off coldly. “Get out.” Theo wanted to say more, but a phone call interrupted him. “Theo, I’m feeling terrible. The doctor said the mother needs the father’s support, or it will affect my mood and delivery…” Lydia’s frail, pleading voice came through the phone. Concern flickered in Theo’s eyes as he looked at me hesitantly. When I stayed silent, he got angry. “Fiona, you don’t want to see me, but someone else is desperate for my company.” “If you keep quiet, I’ll really leave.” Theo threw down a “Fine, don’t regret it” and left in a huff. Even though I was thoroughly disappointed, watching Theo leave still made my heart ache. I collapsed onto the bed to calm my emotions. After a long while, I dialed a number. “My dear, what a surprise to hear from you today.” “I even heard in Iceland that Mrs. Theo is pregnant. Your husband used to be so attached to you; now that you’re about to give birth, he must be with you every day…” I interrupted her softly. “That child isn’t mine.” The conversation came to a halt, and I could almost picture the shock on the other end of the line. I chuckled self-deprecatingly and continued: “I’ll send you my details later. Please book me a flight for the afternoon two days from now…” Before I could finish speaking, the door was pushed open. I quickly hung up the phone. Looking up, I met Lydia’s face. “Fiona, you don’t look well.” “What? Upset because I could get Theo to leave with just one phone call?” “I thought you knew Theo chose my child and would step back on your own. I didn’t expect you’d shamelessly hold onto your position.” Lydia’s face was full of arrogance, unlike the timid and obedient manner when we first met. I retorted without hesitation. “You’re about to give birth and still running around. Aren’t you afraid that the only leverage you have might be lost?” I looked at her steadily. “Having a child and thinking it will help you climb up?” Lydia was furious but didn’t act, only whispering harshly: “Having a child might not work, but what if it drives you two apart?” The next moment, she clutched her belly and fell backward. She didn’t fall because a pair of strong arms appeared behind her. Theo protected Lydia, his eyes filled with anger, shouting at me for the first time: “What are you doing! No matter what’s between us, Lydia is pregnant and innocent. How can you lay hands on her!” Lydia looked at Theo with gratitude, half aggrieved, half coquettish: “Theo, I feel awful, but I don’t want you to argue with Fiona because of me. It’s all my fault…” Watching Theo comfort her softly, bitterness spread in my mouth. I tugged at the corner of my mouth, got out of bed, and slowly walked forward. “I laid hands?”
“Watch closely, this is me really laying hands!” Before they could react, I slapped Lydia across the face. Her head turned, her cheek instantly swollen with a clear handprint. Theo’s eyes widened in shock, and he shoved me hard. “Have you lost your mind, Fiona! She’s pregnant!” My thigh hit the glass edge of the coffee table, leaving a long gash, blood gushing out, and the sudden pain made my face pale. I clearly saw the disappointment in Theo’s eyes. “When did you become so vicious and unforgiving?” I bit my lip, sneering. “Have I changed, or have you? Oh wait, if I had known you were cozying up to me while sleeping with someone else, I would never have accepted your proposal.” I glared at him, word by word: “Theo, you disgust me.” Theo’s breath caught, and he suddenly slapped me. Caught off guard, I almost fell over. A buzzing sound filled my ears. In the swirling dizziness, the face of the man I once loved was so clear. Facing my bitter smile, Theo realized what he had done. His arms around Lydia relaxed, his lips quivering as if to speak, but was interrupted. “Theo, I’m feeling so awful…” Theo hesitated for a moment, complex emotions flashing in his eyes, but finally, they settled into indifference. “Fiona, think about what you’ve done. I’ll take Lydia back to the hospital first.” A part of my heart collapsed. I lowered my head, eyes blank. In the following days, Theo was nowhere to be seen, but a renovation team arrived. They said Theo wanted to change the house layout to set up a nursery. I found it all incredibly ridiculous, but outwardly, I acted obedient and compliant. Seeing this, Theo agreed to let me go to the hospital to wait for Lydia to give birth. As Lydia was wheeled into the delivery room, she was still restless, mouthing provocations at me. I tugged at the corner of my mouth, took a few steps forward, but Theo grabbed my wrist, clutching it tightly to the cold iron chair. I hated pain and restraints, and Theo knew that. Once upon a time, he treated me like a treasure, afraid I’d get hurt. But now, my wrist was bruised, and he didn’t notice the scars on my thigh from the other day. Theo didn’t notice my thoughts, frowning: “Fiona, I only let you come if you promised not to cause trouble.” “Just wait for Lydia to give birth, then you can be the first to hold the baby, get close.” I looked deeply at the man in front of me, smiling lightly, with a hint of relief and ease. “Okay.” Theo was taken aback. He looked at my calm, seemingly desireless expression, suddenly feeling a sense of panic. But Theo’s mother was urging him, and he had to suppress his chaotic emotions. … Lydia gave birth to a son. Theo’s family PR department immediately announced the joyous news of Mrs. Theo’s smooth delivery, and the internet was filled with congratulations. The hospital room was also filled with joy, Theo’s mother couldn’t stop smiling. Theo looked at the exhausted new mother with gentle eyes, completely forgetting he promised to let me hold the baby first. Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, I quietly left the room. But just as I stepped into the Jeep waiting at the hospital entrance, Theo’s trembling voice called from behind. “Fiona, where are you going?” I turned to face Theo’s panicked face. In his eyes was a humble plea as he quickly ran toward me. “Don’t…” The car started, and I gave Theo a bittersweet smile. “Theo, this is goodbye for good.” That day, Theo was supposed to attend a press conference, but he was a no-show.
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