A Deadly Secret of My Husband’s Secretary

On the day of my three-month prenatal check-up, I received a devastating diagnosis—mid-to-late stage liver cancer.

Heartbroken and overwhelmed, I rushed to my husband’s company, desperate to find solace in his arms. But what I saw shattered me even more.

Through the glass of his office door, I watched him in a passionate embrace with his secretary. She was visibly pregnant. The image struck me like a bolt of lightning.

Feigning concern, she whispered breathlessly, “In three months, I’ll give birth. The doctor said we shouldn’t have sex anymore…”

Then she added, “Mr. Howard, our child will be born before your legitimate one. If your wife finds out, she’ll kill me and the baby!”

But my husband didn’t stop. He only gripped her tighter.

“If anyone’s the mistress here, it’s her. If she dares make trouble, I’ll arrange a divorce and make sure she walks away with nothing!”

I clutched my medical report, shoved it into my bag and wiped away my tears.

He was the one who betrayed me first. So don’t blame me for keeping this child… and leaving him behind.

That same morning, I had stood at the hospital with trembling hands, reading the results that confirmed I had advanced liver cancer. I had wanted to lean on him—to cry, to be comforted. Instead, I was met with betrayal.

After witnessing the affair with my own eyes, I stepped into the corridor and made a phone call.

“Big brother… I regret everything. Give me a week to sort things out. I’ll come to Europe, I promise. I’ll leave the baby with you. Once it’s born… it’ll take our surname for him.”

My brother’s voice was firm but warm.

“It’s good you’ve come to your senses. Our parents may be gone, but you’ll always be the only princess of the Griffin Family. Come back to us. We’ll never let anyone hurt you again.”

Tears blurred my vision. “I’m sorry, Brother. I was selfish all those years…”

As I ended the call, I glanced through the glass once more. Their naked bodies were tangled on the office sofa. I doubled over, suddenly nauseous.

I had been feeling ill for days. I’d begged Bruce Howard to accompany me to the hospital, but he claimed he was busy—too swamped with work to even come home. Now I understood what he’d really been busy with… entertaining his secretary in the company’s pleasure palace.

A tear slipped down my cheek. I wiped it away with the back of my hand. It was cold. Just like my heart at that moment.

Inside, I could hear her again.

“In three months, I’ll give birth. The doctor said we can’t anymore…” Tessa’s voice was filled with worry.

“Mr. Howard, our baby will arrive before your wife’s. She’ll kill me if she finds out!”

She shyly tried to push him away, but I saw clearly how her body twisted seductively beneath his.

Bruce didn’t stop. He only kissed her deeper, moved faster.

“What are you afraid of? Elise won’t find out. We’ve kept this up for so long and she still has no idea. In fact, she recently praised you to me—said you were ambitious, responsible, that even while pregnant, you didn’t let it affect your work.”

He chuckled.

“Even if she does find out, I’ll protect you. In this country, the eldest son inherits everything. The baby in your womb is the Howard Family’s firstborn. Everything I have will go to him one day. Elise wouldn’t dare touch you.”

Tessa bit her lip nervously.

“But she’s the only daughter of the Griffin Family… That family lineage has existed for a hundred years. If her brothers find out, they won’t take this lightly.”

Bruce scoffed.

“The Griffin Family? They’re finished. She’s no longer the high-and-mighty Miss Griffin. At best, she’s just a stray dog now.”

He sneered as he ran a finger along her lips.

“The one who isn’t loved is the real mistress. If she keeps acting out, I’ll push for a divorce and kick her out with nothing.”

His cruel words chilled me to the bone.

A year ago, Bruce’s former secretary resigned and Tessa took her place. That was when he suddenly became “busy.” Every night, he worked late. I visited him more than once and each time, she was there too. They looked close, but nothing inappropriate ever happened in front of me—so I chose to trust him.

Then she got pregnant. Bruce came home even less.

Three months ago, he collapsed from exhaustion and had to be hospitalized. His mother forced him to come home and rest.

During that week, the man I had always believed was self-disciplined and restrained transformed into someone ravenous. We made love day and night.

I soon became pregnant.

I thought that with our child on the way, he would finally put his family first. That he’d spend time with me, be there for me. But I was wrong.

The moment his mother’s watchful eye was gone, he dove back into work—late nights, excuses, absence. He didn’t even attend a single prenatal visit with me.

I had no idea the child in Tessa’s womb was his—and was four months older than mine.

“If it weren’t for the unexpected pregnancy, I wouldn’t have dared interfere with your marriage…” Tessa whispered sweetly.

“Thank you, Mr. Howard. Thank you for letting me keep the baby and for taking care of me.”

She kissed him deeply.

Bruce rolled her beneath him and growled,

“Tessa, I should be the one thanking you. Everything I have now—this success, this position—it’s all thanks to you.”

He spoke shamelessly.

“A man like me, with power and status, it’s only natural to have children in different places. Elise grew up in a wealthy family. She should understand—she should learn to be magnanimous and know when to look the other way.”

Then he laughed.

“I only have two children—yours and hers. That’s not excessive. She should be content.”

Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway. I ducked into the shadows.

Two employees passed by, chatting quietly as they peeked into the office.

“Secretary Holmes is so lucky. She’s only been here a short time and already landed a rich husband.”

“Mr. Howard really dotes on her. I heard he personally arranged everything for her after she got pregnant.”

My stomach twisted violently and pain shot through my abdomen.