My wife had left a box of oddly shaped meat in the fridge, and for over half a year, she hadn’t touched it. Curious about this precious meat, I secretly took it for testing. The result? It was a two-month-old embryo. Back home, I tore through drawers and cabinets until I found it: an abortion record. On the record, my wife’s name was signed, alongside another man’s. My wife had secretly aborted someone else’s child, right under my nose. Five years of a perfect, inseparable marriage – it all became a cruel joke in that single moment. When Chloe returned, the box of meat in the fridge was gone. She rushed into my study, her voice laced with panic. “Adam, have you seen that box of meat I put in the fridge?” I looked up at her, my fists clenched so tight my knuckles turned white. I wanted to scream, to demand why she had betrayed me. But in the end, I just lowered the book in my hands, feigning a casual nonchalance. “Oh, that weird-looking stuff? I fried it with some chili for lunch. Surprisingly, it tasted pretty good.” “What?! You ate it?!” Chloe’s eyes widened in horror. “Adam, are you out of your mind?!” I sneered. “It’s just meat. Why are you making such a fuss?” Her eyes instantly welled up, her voice trembling as she accused me. “How could you eat it?! That was mine! You ate my stuff without permission! Have you become so disrespectful of me?!” “Eating a piece of meat is being disrespectful?” “It wasn’t just a piece of meat!” Chloe’s face flushed crimson, her chest heaving with rage. I just found it hilarious. “Then what was it?” She bit her lower lip hard, a flash of grief crossing her face. She looked like she wanted to say more but held back her tears. Finally, she choked out, “Nothing… I’m not feeling well tonight. I’ll sleep in the guest room.” With that, she turned and disappeared into the guest room. Five years of marriage, and this was the first time she had ever yelled at me. It was also the first time we’d slept apart. I found it utterly ironic. If she cared so much about that box of meat, why had she aborted it in the first place? For five years, Chloe had always been the perfect wife in my eyes. She was gentle and considerate, meticulously taking care of my every need, managing every household detail. I had stomach issues, and she’d meticulously research special recipes for me. When I had business dinners and drank too much, she’d always thoughtfully prepare a hangover cure. In public and private, she was the ideal partner. But how could such a wonderful woman get pregnant with another man’s child? I couldn’t believe it, couldn’t accept it. My heart felt like it had been viciously stung, the pain piercing me to the bone. I recognized the name on the abortion record: Liam Scott. He was a guy who’d pursued Chloe relentlessly back in college. Liam had chased Chloe for years. Even after Chloe and I got married, he still shamelessly clung to her for several more years. For her, he’d cried, begged, even jumped into a river and cut his wrists, trying every desperate stunt imaginable. But Chloe always claimed she found his advances repulsive. She’d constantly complain to me about how annoying Liam was, how his pursuit bothered her, how she didn’t like him at all and got irritated just seeing him. Later, I took a few of my buddies and went to find Liam. Under the cover of darkness, my friends and I ambushed Liam on his way home. We beat him senseless, leaving him with a bloody, swollen face. I warned him to stay away from my wife. After that night, Chloe never mentioned Liam again. I thought he’d finally heeded my warning and stopped bothering her. I never imagined that a year later, his name would appear in the “partner” column of her abortion record.
That night, Chloe and I parted ways on bad terms. The next day, she made plans to go shopping with her friends. I dropped everything I was doing and secretly followed her. I trailed them all the way to a bar. Through the crack in the door of a dimly lit private room, I caught a glimpse of Chloe intimately settling into a man’s lap. The man had his arm around her waist, leaning back on the sofa, a look of doting affection on his face. Even in the low light, I instantly recognized him: it was Liam Scott! If I had any doubts before, they were completely erased now. That aborted embryo had to be Liam’s! A surge of white-hot fury instantly shot through me. My fists clenched tight. Just as I was about to burst in, I heard Chloe’s friend, Maya, speak up. “Chloe, Liam chased you for years, and you never budged. What finally made you give in?” I froze. Chloe tilted her head, glancing at Liam, and chuckled shyly. “I wasn’t going to accept him, but then… that time, my husband had someone beat him up. He was left bloody and bruised, but he still came to my office, crying and saying he’d rather die than give up on me. I don’t know why, but in that moment, I suddenly softened.” After she finished speaking, they exchanged a knowing smile and kissed passionately right there in front of everyone. The private room erupted with cheers and jeers. And I stood outside the door, stunned, as if struck by lightning. So, all that time, I was furious, defending her honor, only to accidentally create the perfect opportunity for them to get together? A sharp, piercing pain spread across my chest, like a thousand needles, making it hard to breathe. As my heart ached, Chloe and Liam reluctantly pulled apart. Liam cupped Chloe’s face, declaring his love deeply. “Chloe, besides you, I’ll never love anyone else in this life. Only death can separate us.” Tears welled up in Chloe’s eyes, her face filled with emotion. “Liam, if I’d known being with you would be this wonderful, I would have accepted you sooner. Don’t worry, for the rest of my life, I’ll give you everything, except for my official status.” I stared blankly at the intensely affectionate scene before me, my heart aching to its very core. Suddenly, all the strength to confront them drained out of me. I turned around and walked away, feeling utterly lost. I felt like a wandering ghost, making my way to the bar, where I ordered several strong drinks and drank myself into a stupor. Five years of marriage. Eight years of dating. From college until now, Chloe and I had been together for a full eight years. Back then, to marry her, I gave up a chance to move abroad and even swallowed my pride, agreeing to live with her family and effectively put their needs before my own. After we married, I was always good to Chloe. I handed over my paycheck, always attentive to her every need. She didn’t want kids, so I even made up a story about my own fertility issues, just to keep both our families from pressuring us. But in the end, she got pregnant with another man’s child, all behind my back. Eight years of a relationship, undone by one shamelessly persistent man. How pathetic.
I stumbled out of the bar, completely drunk. Night was falling, heavy and dark. Suddenly, bright fireworks burst across the sky, dazzling and mesmerizing. As I passed by the riverbank, I saw Chloe and Liam again. This time, no friends, just the two of them, passionately embracing and kissing under the brilliant fireworks. They looked like a pair of star-crossed lovers. In that instant, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. A colossal rage erupted inside me. I swung my fist, charging hysterically towards Liam. “You bastard!” Liam was caught off guard by my punch, stumbling back a few steps before losing his balance and falling to the ground. The back of his head hit a rock, splitting open and bleeding. Chloe gasped in horror and immediately rushed to his side. “Liam, are you okay?!” Her eyes blazed with fury as she turned and snapped at me. “Adam, what are you doing?! Are you insane?!” Me? Insane? “Chloe, that’s what *I* should be asking *you*!” I pointed at Liam on the ground, my voice rising in a furious demand. “Tell me, what were you doing with him just now?!” Chloe showed no remorse, instead wrinkling her nose in disgust. “Are you drunk again? How many times have I told you to drink less! You always go crazy when you drink, acting like some barbaric brute!” I’m the brute? I let out a bitter laugh. Chloe ignored my rage, her face filled with tenderness as she wiped the blood from Liam’s head. Her eyes turned red, and her voice choked. “Liam, get up quickly. I’ll help you to the hospital.” This scene stabbed at my eyes once again. My wife, her eyes red with concern for another man. I furiously raised my fist, charging at Liam again. But Chloe stepped in front of Liam, and slapped me hard. “Adam, have you caused enough trouble?! Can you stop being such a drunken maniac?!” Her gaze was cold, like ice. Five years of marriage, and this was the first time she had looked at me with such eyes. I stared blankly at the woman before me, suddenly feeling like she was a complete stranger. A piercing, bone-deep pain flared in my chest again. Chloe tenderly helped Liam away, and as she did, she gave me a harsh shove. My foot slipped, and I stumbled precariously, falling into the frigid river beside us. *Splash!* A bone-chilling cold engulfed my entire body, making me shiver violently. Chloe didn’t bat an eye. Liam called out to her. “Chloe, your husband…” “Forget him!” Chloe was as indifferent as a stranger, not even glancing at me in the water. Her voice was utterly devoid of warmth. “He can swim. A little dip might help him sober up!” With that, she helped Liam and walked away without looking back. I tried to swim to shore, but my leg suddenly cramped, leaving me powerless. In the end, I could only despair as I sank into the river, letting the icy water flood my lungs. A fierce sense of suffocation, like a beast, brutally consumed me. My heart was dead. … When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed. A kind passerby had rescued me. Chloe made no effort to check on me. It wasn’t until the next afternoon that she finally called. Her voice on the phone was tired, laced with a hint of complaint. “Adam, Liam’s out of danger, but you went way too far this time! You hit the back of his head, and he almost got a concussion! Luckily, Liam is generous and isn’t holding it against you. But from now on, you absolutely cannot be so reckless!” My heart felt utterly dead. Her only concern was Liam’s injury, completely unaware that her own husband had almost drowned in the river yesterday. After a brief silence, Chloe lowered her voice, trying to explain. “Adam, you misunderstood yesterday. Liam and I are just good friends; it’s not as complicated as you think.” “Friends?” I scoffed. “Do friends kiss?” Chloe’s voice instantly turned cold. “You were drunk last night; you must have imagined it! Liam and I didn’t kiss at all! It was Liam’s birthday yesterday, and I was just with him setting off fireworks by the river. Can you stop overthinking everything? I’ve given you so much over the years; am I not allowed to have other friends?” I hung up immediately. I was physically and mentally exhausted. I had no strength left to argue with her.
After being discharged from the hospital, I made an excuse about a business trip and didn’t go home for two weeks. Chloe seemed busy taking care of the injured Liam, and she didn’t press me much. It was my mother-in-law, Mrs. Davies, who suddenly called me. It was the same old, tired conversation. “Adam, when are you finally going to give me a grandchild?” In that moment, I found it incredibly ironic. She probably had no idea that she *could* have had a grandchild, but her own daughter had personally destroyed it. “I don’t plan on having children.” “Don’t want them?” Mrs. Davies shrieked, her voice sharp and loud. “If you’re not going to have kids, what good are you to our family? Your background is ordinary, your job isn’t great, and you can’t even produce a child. What’s the difference between you and a good-for-nothing? I never should have agreed to Chloe marrying you!” I knew. For five years of our marriage, my in-laws had always looked down on me. Before, for Chloe’s sake, I had always chosen to endure it. But now, I had no reason to swallow my anger. “Anyway, let’s not talk about that,” Mrs. Davies paused, then suddenly lowered her voice. “Next week is your father-in-law’s sixtieth birthday. You and Chloe both need to come home. Remember to prepare a big gift for your father-in-law. Don’t you dare embarrass my daughter!” I froze for a moment. Then, I chuckled. “Alright.” When the time comes, I’ll definitely give you all a *big* gift. … In the blink of an eye, it was my father-in-law’s sixtieth birthday banquet. When I arrived at the Davies’ family home, the grand hall was already packed with relatives and friends, drinks clinking, buzzing with lively chatter. To my surprise, Liam was there too. Chloe made no attempt to hide him, introducing him to every relative and friend one by one. I walked towards them, my face set in a dark scowl, and coldly demanded, “Chloe, it’s your dad’s birthday today. What are you doing bringing this pesky leech, Liam, here?” Before Chloe could reply, Mr. Davies rushed over. “Adam, what kind of talk is that? Liam is my godson. We met fishing. You have no right to be rude to him!” “Godson?” I was stunned. I had no idea that not only had Chloe’s heart wandered, but even my father-in-law was gradually falling under Liam’s spell. I, on the other hand, had become a complete outsider. Liam suddenly extended his wine glass towards me, a fake smile plastered across his face. “Brother-in-law, you’re just in time. I’d like to propose a toast! You actually misunderstood last time; Chloe was just celebrating my birthday. Nothing more. Even though you almost gave me a concussion last time, thanks to Chloe’s careful nursing, my injuries are almost healed.” “What?!” Mr. Davies stared at me in shock, his nostrils flaring in anger. “Adam, *you* caused Liam’s head injury last time? Liam has no grudge against you. Are you insane or something?!” “Godfather, please don’t be angry. My injuries are fine, and I’ve already forgiven brother-in-law.” Liam forcefully shoved the wine glass into my hand, feigning a polite smile. “Brother-in-law, drink this glass, and we’ll let bygones be bygones.” With that, he raised his own glass and drained it. I glared at him, clutching the wine glass in my hand. Then, I suddenly flipped it, splashing all the contents directly onto his face. “Liam, who the hell wants to let bygones be bygones with you?!”
“Adam, what are you doing?!” Mr. Davies’s eyes widened in outrage. “Liam was being kind enough to toast you! What is wrong with your attitude?!” Mrs. Davies’s face also darkened as she scolded me. “Adam, it’s your father-in-law’s birthday today! Are you deliberately trying to ruin the party?!” Liam wiped the wine from his face, his shoulders slumping slightly as he feigned a wronged expression. “Brother-in-law, do you have some misunderstanding about me? If I’ve done something wrong, please tell me. I’ll apologize, okay?” “Liam, you know exactly what you’ve done. Stop playing innocent!” As soon as the words left my mouth, Chloe stepped forward and slapped me hard. Her eyes were wide and blazing, her face terrifyingly dark. “Adam, don’t go too far! Liam was kind enough to toast you, and he even humbled himself to apologize! Why are you still targeting him?! What do you mean by this?!” “What do *I* mean?!” I laughed, enraged. “I’d like to ask *you* and *him* what you mean!” Liam quickly stepped in to mediate. “Sister Chloe, please don’t argue with brother-in-law. It’s Godfather’s birthday today; let’s not make him unhappy because of me!” With that, he pulled a gift box from his pocket and presented it to Mr. Davies like a treasure. “Godfather, this is the gift I prepared for you. Do you like it?” Mr. Davies’s anger instantly vanished when he saw the gift in Liam’s hands. “Top-grade red jade!” Mr. Davies beamed, unable to close his mouth. “Liam, you’re so thoughtful. You truly are my good son!” “This jade must be worth hundreds of thousands, right?” Mrs. Davies’s eyes lit up too. “Liam, I didn’t realize you were so wealthy!” Liam gave a bashful smile. “Just a small token of my appreciation. I hope Godfather likes it.” Then, he turned to me, a provocative smirk on his lips. “Brother-in-law, what grand gift did *you* prepare for Godfather? Why don’t you bring it out for everyone to see?” “Yeah, let’s see it!” The relatives chimed in. Watching Liam’s smug expression, I felt a mocking urge to laugh. I knew he wanted to publicly humiliate me. But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction! “A grand gift? Of course!” In front of all our relatives and friends, I slowly pulled out a sealed, clear plastic box. My lips parted slightly. “This is the grand gift I’m giving my father-in-law!” Liam froze. Chloe’s pupils contracted sharply, staring intently at the box in my hand, her face instantly turning ghostly pale. Mr. Davies frowned, asking doubtfully, “What is that? A box of meat?” Mrs. Davies bristled with anger, scolding me. “Adam, Liam bought your father-in-law jade worth hundreds of thousands! And you? What kind of shameful thing have you prepared?!” The relatives and friends gathered around began to whisper, scoffing at my cheapness and calling me an embarrassment. Unfazed, I stared at Chloe and Liam, and spoke in a low, chilling voice: “Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, haven’t you always wanted a grandchild? What I’m holding in my hand… is the grandchild you’ve been eagerly awaiting!”
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