At our seventh anniversary dinner, my husband said just one thing. “Babe, pass the lemon juice.” My best friend instantly rose and passed it to him. I stared, stunned. Chloe quickly explained. “Habit,”she said. “We’re always passing things at family dinners. Do you need some lemon, Valerie?” “No, thank you.” I kept my smile perfectly in place. My fork clattered to the floor. Bending to pick it up, I saw it: my husband’s leg and Chloe’s, tangled under the table, snapping apart. After the party, I told Mark calmly. “Let’s get a divorce.” Mark was shocked. “What the fuck?! Because she passed me the lemon juice?!” Mark turned on me, furious. “Your leg was tangled with hers under the table,” I stated, my voice cold. Mark scoffed. “You’re imagining things. I stretched. My leg brushed hers. That’s it. What, am I not allowed long legs now?” He wouldn’t admit a thing, so I pressed harder. “You also cut her favorite salmon for her, poured her favorite orange juice. Since when do you know Chloe’s favorites?” Mark’s face darkened. “Valerie, have you lost your mind? I was being hospitable. Since when is that a crime?” I didn’t stop. “No wonder she’s stayed single. Tell me, Mark. When did it start with you two?” Mark fell silent, then stormed out, slamming the door. I sank into a chair, overwhelmed, staring at the messy table. We met in college. I came from money but never held his humble start against him. For two years, I was the one who paid the bills. He had always been gentle with me. And yet he cheated. With my best friend. At 11 PM, he still wasn’t home. I went straight to Chloe’s bar. Before I even pushed open the door, I heard Mark’s complaining voice from inside. “You guys know I’m being bullied by my crazy wife, and you’re laughing? Don’t you have any sympathy?” The room was packed, mostly with our mutual friends. Chloe toyed with a glass, leaning against Mark. “Whose fault is it for being so careless, calling me ‘babe’ right in Valerie’s house?” “I thought she wouldn’t be so sensitive. Guess I was wrong, she still figured it out.” She set down her glass and lit a cigarette with the limited-edition lighter I’d given her for her birthday last year. But as she took a drag, Mark casually took the cigarette from her. “You’re pregnant, you can’t smoke!” “Fine, fine. Whatever you say. No smoking. After all, you’re the father of my baby, so you’re the boss.” She stroked her still-flat stomach, resting her head on Mark’s shoulder, a smile playing on her lips. All the blood in my veins turned to ice in that instant. Chloe and Mark weren’t just having an affair; they were having a baby!
“Honestly, Valerie’s such a fool, always insisting on that child-free lifestyle.” “She’s been pampered too much, so she doesn’t know how to think about others.” Everyone around them was siding with the cheating couple. And my husband, Mark, held Chloe’s hand, saying deeply. “Chloe, the fact that you’re willing to bear my child makes you the love of my life!” Hearing his words, tears streamed down my face, and I almost collapsed. My mother had a difficult childbirth when I was born, suffering a massive hemorrhage and passing away before she could even hold me. Because of this, I’d always been terrified of childbirth, and I told Mark about it early in our relationship. But Mark had held me tight then, saying. “Meeting you in this lifetime is enough for me. Children aren’t important at all. My love for you won’t diminish one bit!” I was so touched back then. But now, seeing Mark’s heartfelt gaze toward Chloe, I knew I had been wrong! Just then, someone asked. “Are you two planning to hide it from Valerie forever?” Everyone looked at them expectantly. Mark immediately shook his head. “Chloe and Valerie have been friends for over twenty years. I don’t want to see their friendship ruined. Besides, my business is deeply intertwined with Valerie’s family’s empire. I can’t afford to divorce her.” So, the fundamental reason Mark stayed with me was purely for personal gain. A ripple of murmurs went through the room, and some cast sympathetic glances at Chloe. “Chloe, you’re such a proud person. Are you really content with this?” Chloe kissed Mark, then replied. “Who even cares about marriage anymore? Besides, isn’t this… more thrilling?” Laughter filled the private room, but I felt like I’d fallen into hell. Even worse, I was the last one in our friend group to know about it. With tears streaming down my face, I walked out of the bar and dialed the legal department. “Prepare the divorce papers for me. I want Mark to leave with nothing. Also, I need you to do a few other things for me…”
The following day was the eightieth birthday of Mark’s grandfather, David Davies. But when I walked through the estate gates, I found Chloe inside, seated as if she were family. Mark’s mother was holding her hand warmly, her face alight with fond attention. “Chloe, dear, pregnant women need to focus on nutrition. You’re too thin; it breaks my heart to see. From now on, I’ll prepare your three meals a day, and Mark will bring them to you every day!” Chloe smiled sweetly and innocently, showing no hint of panic when she saw me enter. “Valerie, it’s such a big day, why are you only just arriving? I’ve been waiting for ages.” Before I could answer, Mark’s mother interjected. “She’s a privileged rich girl, it’s a wonder she came at all, why expect so much?” Mark’s mother finished, then immediately offered a strawberry to Chloe. “This strawberry is so sweet, eat more.” I sat across from Chloe. “When did you get pregnant? Mark’s mother knows, but I’m still completely in the dark.” A flicker of guilt crossed Chloe’s face, then she smiled. “Just found out. I was planning to tell you today.” “Yes, pregnant women have a special aura about them. Those of us who’ve had children can spot it right away!” Mark’s mother chimed in, smoothing things over, but not forgetting to take a jab at me. “Valerie, you haven’t had children, so you wouldn’t understand.” I ignored her, my gaze still fixed on Chloe. “Who’s the baby’s father? When are you two planning to get married?” Sensing the coldness in my voice, the smile on Chloe’s lips faded slightly. “I don’t believe in marriage. I never planned to.” But I smiled. “Are you really willing to let your child be branded as illegitimate, laughed at by other kids at school?” Chloe’s face cycled between green and white, glaring at me, unable to utter a word. Just then, Mark, who hadn’t appeared yet, finally entered, assisting Grandpa David. The moment he saw Chloe at the dining table, his face instantly changed. “Chloe, what are you doing here? Who invited you?” “I invited Chloe!” Mark’s mother suddenly stood up and declared loudly. Then she pointed at me and scolded. “Mark’s grandfather is over eighty, and you still haven’t given us an heir! Now that Chloe has finally conceived Mark’s child, of course I have to invite her!” Mark was furious, almost jumping up. “Mom, what are you talking about? Chloe and I are innocent; how could she be carrying my child?” He desperately winked at his mother, but she pushed him away. “What’s there to hide? It’s Valerie’s fault for not being able to have children! And now she dares to be so brazen, calling my grandson illegitimate!” “I’ve wished for this grandson for so long, how can I allow anyone to insult him like this!” Mark was on the verge of tears, about to explain, but Chloe stood up, looking directly at me. “Valerie, you already knew, didn’t you?” “Since it’s come to this, I won’t hide it from you anymore. I am indeed pregnant with Mark’s child.” “All these years, I’ve seen how good he’s been to you and all his sacrifices. I’ve envied you, and I’ve also resented you for not appreciating what you had, for not even being willing to have a child for him.” “You don’t treasure such a good man, but there are plenty of women who want him!” Right in front of me, she grabbed Mark’s hand and declared confidently. “Everything Valerie can give you, I can give you too! I’m tired of holding back. Today, I’m going to be with you openly!” Mark’s eyes flickered, calculating. Then, decisively, he took Chloe’s hand. His gaze when he looked at me was final. “Since the truth is out, Valerie, let’s make this clean. We’ll divorce. I don’t want a cent of yours. But the Davies Corporation is mine. I built it. You won’t lay a finger on it.” I looked at his utterly shameless face and laughed. Without me, how could a poor student like him have gotten his first round of funding? How would he have taken it public in a decade? It didn’t matter. I had more than just revenge in mind. I had a better game to play. Right there, in front of them both, I took out my phone. “It’s Valerie Yates. The corporate ambush on Hayes Group and Davies Corporation can now commence.”
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