"Pregnant? What's the big deal."
Chloe pulled a pregnancy test report from her bag, blinked playfully, and handed it to Derek.
"I wanted to surprise you, but someone ruined it. Guess I have to announce it early."
"Derek, I'm younger than Grace—better odds for a son. You'll let me keep it, right?"
Derek was so thrilled he could barely think straight.
"Of course. You and Grace are both women I love. Both of you pregnant at the same time? Best gift heaven could give me."
He pushed me aside without thinking, bent down, and scooped up Chloe—standing barefoot on the cold floor.
"How many times have I told you? The floor's freezing—no bare feet. You little dummy, you never listen."
Chloe hooked her arms around his neck and looked straight at me, triumph flashing across her face.
"Grace, my baby's almost three months along. If nothing goes wrong, I'll give Derek a son before you do. When that happens, your kid won't need new clothes—he can wear my son's hand-me-downs."
I stood frozen, hands and feet like ice.
Derek scraped her nose affectionately.
"Chloe, you're always so thoughtful."
He reached out to stroke her belly, then turned to me with a smile.
"You two can go through pregnancy together now—share tips, keep each other company. Thanks to me, you won't be lonely. Even pregnant, you'll have a companion."
He looked enormously pleased with himself, mentally sneering at those doctors who'd diagnosed him with low sperm motility.
He whipped out his phone and posted: "To all the bastards who said I couldn't do it—how's that slap feel? Next spring, I'll be a dad twice over. Can't help it. Guess I'm just too humble normally."
Before I even left the building, congratulations flooded my phone.
The family group chat exploded.
Some fawned: "Derek's wife, you're incredible—twins in one pregnancy!"
Others begged for fertility tips, everyone wanting two-for-one to save trouble.
I ignored them all and typed a single message, face cold as stone:
"Everyone's misunderstanding. Derek has issues in that department. I'm not capable of carrying twins—this one only survived after seven or eight hundred thousand in miscarriage-prevention shots at the hospital."
"His little mistress is more impressive since she's young. Got pregnant in just three months, and she guarantees it's a boy. Direct your questions to her—she's got more experience."
Derek's parents were honest, down-to-earth retired factory workers. Family reputation meant everything to them.
They also knew gratitude. Without my support through the lean years, Derek wouldn't have any of this.
So they traveled all the way from their hometown and ordered Derek to cut ties with Chloe immediately.
Chloe burst into tears on the spot, clutching her stomach, wailing that it hurt.
Mrs. Gentry Sr. had seen it all before. She spat directly in Chloe's face and let loose.
"You shameless little tramp. This family will never acknowledge a loose woman like you. Take that bastard in your belly and get the hell out—far as you can go."
Chloe couldn't take the humiliation. She dropped to her knees and begged me.
"Grace, I know you told Auntie. But I don't blame you. I didn't know my place—I actually thought I could have Derek's love like you do. I'm not worthy. I'll leave right now."
She wiped her tears, stood up in a huff, and walked out.
