My husband had this strange-looking piece of meat in the fridge for half a year, and he never touched it. I got curious. What was so special about it? I secretly took it for testing. Turns out, it was a two-month-old embryo. When I got home, I frantically searched through every drawer and closet until I found it: a miscarriage report. On it, signed beside my husband’s name, was another woman’s name. My husband. He’d hidden it from me. He’d had a child with another woman. Five years of marriage, a bond that felt unbreakable. In that single horrifying moment, it all crumbled into a sick joke. When Leo got back, that box of meat was gone from the fridge. He rushed into my study, his voice laced with panic. “Skylar, have you seen the box of meat I put in the fridge?” I looked up at him, my fists clenched so tight my knuckles were white. I wanted to scream, to ask him why he’d betrayed me. But in the end, I just set my book down, pretending to be utterly unfazed. “Oh, that weird-looking stuff? I fried it up with some peppers for lunch. Honestly, it wasn’t bad.” “What?! You *ate* it?!” Leo’s eyes went wide, filled with a horrified disbelief. “Skylar, are you out of your mind?!” I let out a cold laugh. “It’s just meat, Leo. Why are you making such a big deal?” His face instantly flushed, his voice trembling as he demanded, “How could you eat *it*? That was mine! You ate my things without asking! Have you become so disrespectful?” “Eating a piece of meat is disrespectful now?” “It wasn’t just a piece of meat!” Leo’s face was beet red, his chest heaving with uncontrolled anger. I just found it darkly amusing. “Then what was it?” He bit down hard on his lip, a flash of profound grief crossing his face. He looked like he wanted to say something, but then he just choked back his tears and said, “Nothing… I don’t feel well tonight. I’ll sleep in the guest room.” With that, he turned and walked into the guest room. Five years of marriage, and this was the first time he’d ever yelled at me, the first time we’d slept in separate rooms. The irony was so bitter, it made my stomach churn. If that box of meat meant so much to him, then why did he let *her* get rid of it in the first place? For five years, Leo had been, in my eyes, the perfect husband. He was gentle, attentive, worked hard, and meticulously looked after my every need. My stomach was sensitive, so he’d spend hours perfecting recipes that were easy on my stomach. I often had social obligations that involved drinking, and he always had a hangover cure ready for me. In front of others, he was an ideal partner. So how could this wonderful man have a child with someone else? I couldn’t believe it, couldn’t accept it. It felt like a venomous sting deep in my heart, a searing, bone-deep pain. The name on the miscarriage report, I recognized it: Chloe Meng, Leo’s college junior. Chloe had pursued Leo for years. Even after we were married, she shamelessly clung to him. She’d cried, begged, threatened to jump into a river, even slit her wrists for him. She’d tried every trick in the book. But Leo had always seemed disgusted by her persistence. He’d constantly complain to me about how annoying Chloe was, how her pursuit bothered him, how he couldn’t stand the sight of her. Then, one night, I took a few friends with me and we jumped Chloe on her way home. We gave her a good beating, leaving her bruised and bloody. I warned her to stay away from my husband. After that, Leo never mentioned Chloe again. I thought she’d finally gotten the message. I never imagined that a year later, Leo’s name would appear on Chloe Meng’s miscarriage report, right there in the “partner” section.
That night, Leo and I went to bed angry. The next day, he met up with his friends for drinks. I put my work aside and secretly followed him. Through a crack in the door of a dimly lit private room at a bar, I caught a glimpse of Leo, his arm intimately wrapped around a woman. She was leaning against him on the couch, her arms around his waist, her face flushed with shyness. Even in the low light, I recognized her instantly: Chloe Meng! If there had been any doubt before, it was now crystal clear: that embryo, that lost life, was Leo and Chloe’s! A surge of white-hot fury rushed through me, and my fists clenched tight. Just as I was about to burst in, I heard one of Leo’s friends speak up. “Leo, Chloe chased you for years, and you never gave her the time of day. What finally changed your mind?” I froze. Leo turned his head to glance at Chloe, a doting smile on his face. “I wasn’t going to accept her, honestly. But then, that time my wife had her jumped and beat her until she was bruised and bloody… Chloe still showed up at my office, crying, saying she’d never give up on me, even if it killed her. I don’t know why, but in that moment, my heart just… softened.” After he spoke, they looked at each other, smiled, and then kissed right there, in front of everyone. The room erupted in hoots and cheers. I stood frozen outside the door, as if struck by lightning. So, my rage, my attempt to protect my marriage, had actually created the perfect opportunity for them to get together? A sharp, needle-like pain pricked at my chest, tightening until I could barely breathe. As my heart twisted in agony, Leo and Chloe finally broke apart, lingering in their embrace. Chloe cupped Leo’s face, her voice thick with emotion. “Leo, I’ll never love anyone but you. Only death can separate us.” Tears welled in Leo’s eyes, his face full of profound emotion. “Chloe, if I’d known being with you would be this incredible, I would have accepted you sooner. Don’t worry, for the rest of our lives, I’ll give you everything, except the title.” I stared at the sickeningly sweet scene before me, my heart aching to its very core. Suddenly, all my strength to confront them, to demand answers, drained away. I turned around and walked away, numb and disoriented. I floated like a ghost, aimlessly making my way to the bar. I ordered several strong drinks and drank until I was completely wasted. Five years of marriage. Eight years together. From college until now, Leo and I had been a couple for eight long years. Back then, to marry him, I’d given up an opportunity to study abroad. I didn’t ask for a dowry, just married him. After we wed, I’d always been a devoted wife, attentive, caring, always making sure he was comfortable. He didn’t want kids, so I’d used the excuse of being infertile to keep both our parents quiet. But in the end, he’d had a child with another woman, behind my back. Eight years of a relationship, shattered by one persistent woman. How utterly laughable.
Drunk, I stumbled out of the bar. Night was falling, the sky a heavy twilight. Suddenly, brilliant fireworks exploded in the sky, dazzling and mesmerizing. As I walked by the river, I ran into Leo and Chloe again. This time, his friends weren’t there. It was just the two of them, passionately kissing beneath the vibrant display of fireworks. They looked like something out of a fairy tale. In that instant, I couldn’t hold back anymore. A monstrous surge of rage erupted within me. I raised my hand and lunged at Chloe, screaming, “Bitch!” Chloe was caught off guard. My slap sent her stumbling back a few steps before she lost her balance and fell to the ground. The back of her head hit a rock, leaving her head bleeding. Leo’s eyes widened in horror. He immediately rushed to her side. “Chloe, are you okay?!” He spun around, his eyes blazing, and yelled at me, “Skylar, what the hell are you doing?! Are you insane?!” Me? Insane? “Leo, that’s what I should be asking *you*!” I pointed at Chloe on the ground, my voice sharp with fury. “Tell me, what were you doing with her just now?!” Leo didn’t even flinch, instead, he frowned in disgust. “Are you drunk again? How many times have I told you, drink less! You always go crazy when you drink, acting like some unreasonable shrew!” Unreasonable? I actually laughed. Leo ignored my anger. He tenderly wiped the blood from Chloe’s head, his eyes reddening, his voice choked with emotion. “Chloe, get up. I’ll take you to the hospital.” The sight of it sliced through me again. My husband, right now, was tearing up for another woman. I angrily raised my fist and lunged at Chloe again. But Leo stepped in front of Chloe and forcefully slapped me across the face. “Skylar, haven’t you caused enough trouble?! Can you just stop your drunken tantrums?!” His gaze was cold, like ice. In five years of marriage, he had never looked at me like that before. I stared at him, suddenly feeling like I was looking at a complete stranger. A fresh wave of agonizing pain ripped through my chest. Leo gently helped Chloe up, his face full of concern, and then he brutally shoved me aside. I stumbled, lost my footing, and tumbled into the freezing river beside us. *Splash!* The icy cold hit me, making me gasp and shiver. Leo didn’t even look back. Chloe called out to him, “Leo, your wife…” “Forget her!” Leo’s voice was as cold as a stranger’s, without a trace of warmth, as he walked away without so much as a glance at me in the water. “She can swim. A little dip will do her good, help her sober up!” With that, he walked away, helping Chloe, not once looking back. I tried to swim to the bank, but my thigh suddenly cramped up. I couldn’t move it. Finally, I sank into the river in despair, letting the frigid water fill my lungs. The violent sensation of drowning choked me, consuming me completely. My heart turned to ash. … When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed. A kind passerby had rescued me. Leo didn’t check on me at all. It wasn’t until the next afternoon that he finally called. His voice sounded tired, laced with subtle accusation. “Skylar, Chloe is out of danger. You went too far this time. You hit her head, and she almost got a concussion! Luckily, Chloe is big-hearted and isn’t holding it against you. But in the future, you absolutely can’t be so reckless!” My heart was a barren wasteland. His only concern was Chloe’s injury, completely oblivious that his wife had nearly drowned yesterday. After a brief silence, Leo lowered his voice and tried to explain. “Skylar, you misunderstood yesterday. Chloe and I are just good friends. It’s not as complicated as you think.” “Friends?” I laughed coldly. “Friends kiss?” Leo’s voice immediately turned icy. “You were drunk last night, you must have seen things! Chloe and I didn’t kiss! It was Chloe’s birthday yesterday, and I was just celebrating with her by the river. Can you just let it go? I’ve given you so much these past years. Am I not allowed to have other friends?” I hung up the phone. I was physically and mentally exhausted. I had no strength left to argue with him.
After being discharged, I claimed I had a business trip and didn’t go home for two weeks. Leo seemed busy caring for the injured Chloe and didn’t press me for details. It was Eleanor, Leo’s mom, who called me. It was the same old song and dance. “Skylar, when are you finally going to give me a grandchild?” In that moment, I found her words so bitterly ironic. She probably had no idea that she was supposed to have a grandchild, but her own son had personally snuffed out its life. “I’m not planning on having children.” “Not planning on it?” Eleanor’s voice rose sharply, a furious shout. “If you’re not having children, then what good are you to the Miller family? Your background is nothing special, your career’s a joke, and you can’t even pop out a kid. What good are you? I should have never agreed to Leo marrying you!” I knew Leo’s parents had always looked down on me these past five years. Before, for Leo’s sake, I had always endured it. But now, I didn’t have to keep quiet anymore. “Anyway, let’s not talk about that for now,” Eleanor paused, then lowered her voice. “Next week is Leo’s dad’s sixtieth birthday. You and Leo both need to come home. Make sure to prepare a grand gift for him. Don’t you dare embarrass my son!” I was silent for a moment. Then, I smiled. “Alright.” Oh, I would definitely give them a grand gift. … In the blink of an eye, it was Arthur’s sixtieth birthday party. When I arrived at the Miller family mansion, the grand hall was already packed with relatives and friends, buzzing with conversation and laughter. What surprised me was that Chloe was there too. Leo made no effort to hide her, introducing her to relatives and friends one by one. My face set in a grim expression, I walked towards them and asked coldly, “Leo, it’s your dad’s birthday today. Why did you bring that persistent pest, Chloe, here?” Before Leo could answer, Arthur rushed forward. “Skylar, what kind of talk is that? Chloe is my god-daughter! We met fishing. Don’t you dare be rude to her!” “God-daughter?” I was stunned. I hadn’t realized that not only had Leo’s heart drifted, but even his parents were slowly being charmed by Chloe. I, on the other hand, had become a complete outsider. Chloe suddenly extended a glass of wine towards me, her face plastered with a fake smile. “Sister-in-law, you’ve arrived just in time! I’d like to propose a toast! Honestly, you misunderstood last time. Leo was just celebrating my birthday, nothing more. And even though you almost gave me a concussion last time, thanks to Leo’s careful attention, my injuries are almost healed.” “What?!” Arthur heard her words and looked at me in shock, his nostrils flaring with anger. “Skylar, the injuries on Chloe’s head last time, *you* did that? Chloe has no quarrel with you! Are you insane?!” “Godfather, please don’t be angry,” Chloe said, feigning concern. “My injuries aren’t serious, and I’ve already forgiven Sister-in-law.” Chloe forcefully placed the wine glass in my hand, smiling artificially. “Sister-in-law, let’s drink this glass, and we can put this behind us.” With that, she raised her own glass and chugged it. I glared at her, my fingers tightening around my glass. Then, I abruptly flipped it over, splashing all the wine onto her face. “Chloe Meng, who the hell wants to put anything behind them with you?!”
“Skylar, what are you doing?!” Arthur’s eyes widened in outrage. “Chloe was being nice, toasting you. What is your attitude?!” Eleanor’s face was dark as she scolded me. “Skylar, it’s your dad’s birthday today. Are you deliberately trying to ruin the party?!” Chloe wiped the wine from her face, her shoulders trembling slightly as she feigned hurt. “Sister-in-law, do you have some misunderstanding about me? If I did something wrong, please tell me. I’ll apologize, okay?” “Chloe Meng, you know exactly what you did! Stop pretending!” No sooner had the words left my mouth than Leo stepped forward and savagely slapped me. His eyes were wide with fury, his face terrifyingly grim. “Skylar, don’t you dare take this too far! Chloe was being kind, toasting you, even humbling herself to apologize to you, and you’re still targeting her? What is your problem?!” “My problem?” I laughed, a bitter, angry sound. “I’d like to ask *you* and *her* what your problem is!” Chloe quickly stepped in to mediate. “Leo, darling, please don’t argue with Sister-in-law. It’s Godfather’s birthday today. Don’t let me upset him!” With that, she pulled a gift box from her bag and, like a child showing off a treasure, opened it in front of Arthur. “Godfather, this is the gift I prepared for you. Do you like it?” Arthur’s anger vanished the moment he saw the gift in her hand. “A top-grade red jade!” Arthur beamed, his mouth unable to close. “Chloe, you’re so thoughtful! Truly my good daughter!” “This jade must be hundreds of thousands, right?” Eleanor’s eyes sparkled. “Chloe, I had no idea you were so wealthy!” Chloe smiled, feigning shyness. “It’s just a small token of my appreciation. I hope Godfather likes it.” Then she turned to me, a provocative smirk on her lips. “Sister-in-law, what grand gift did *you* prepare for Godfather? Why don’t you show it to everyone?” “Yeah, let’s see it!” The relatives chimed in, echoing her. Watching Chloe’s smug face, I wanted to laugh with bitter irony. I knew she wanted to humiliate me in front of everyone. But I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction! “A grand gift? Of course!” In front of all our friends and family, I slowly pulled out a sealed, clear plastic box. I parted my lips and spoke softly, “This… is the grand gift I’m giving to my father-in-law!” Chloe froze instantly. Leo’s pupils constricted, his gaze locked on the box in my hand, his face turning deathly pale. Arthur frowned, looking confused. “What is that? A box of meat?” Eleanor exploded in anger, scolding me. “Skylar, Chloe bought your dad jade worth hundreds of thousands, and what did *you* prepare? Something so tacky and inappropriate!” The surrounding relatives and friends began whispering, mocking me for being cheap and embarrassing. I remained calm, my eyes fixed on Leo and Chloe, and slowly began to speak. “Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, haven’t you always wanted a grandchild? What I’m holding in my hand… is the grandchild you’ve been so eagerly awaiting!”
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