Adeline’s Pov
A few hours after Ethan stormed out of my hospital room I was discharged. The doctor stared at me with pity shining in his eyes.
“Please, Mrs. Morales, you have to take it easy. Anything else that happens from here your life could be in serious danger,” the doctor said.
I didn't say a word as I signed the divorce papers then I stumbled outside. My legs were shaking and my lower belly was in so much pain.
I half expected Ethan to be waiting outside, especially since he's been blowing up my phone with text messages since reminding me to come home and help Amber.
Ethan wasn’t there to pick me up. Of course, he wasn’t, what was I expecting from a man who had left me for dead twice?
When I got home, the house was alive with laughter and clinking glasses. Blue and gold decorations hung everywhere, balloons tied to the stair rails, and a large banner stretched across the living room:
“Welcome Baby Jared Morales.”
It took me a second to realize today wasn’t just Clara’s baby shower. It was also our second wedding anniversary.
And yet, not a single flower, not a single glance from Ethan, hinted that he even remembered.
Ethan’s friends who had arrived early were staring at me when I walked in, their eyes filled with mock pity as they whispered.
“There she is. I can’t believe she still lives here.”
“She really thought Ethan would forget Clara? They grew up together and he's been in love with her.”
“I heard she lost her child and now she's barren. Poor thing, she's so in love with Ethan she doesn't want to leave him.”
Each word sliced through me like glass, but I kept walking, not sparing them a glance.
When I reached the grand hall, Clara stood in the middle, radiant in a silk blush gown, glowing with the fullness of pregnancy. Ethan stood beside her, adjusting her shawl, his expression soft, almost worshipful.
I had seen him look at me that way once. Now it felt like a lifetime ago.
“Adeline,” Ethan said curtly, barely sparing me a glance. “You’re home. Clara’s shower starts in an hour. Make sure everything is ready.”
My voice came out low and steady. “Of course. I wouldn’t want to ruin your big day.”
He frowned, clearly irritated, but before he could speak further, Clara turned to me with that syrupy smile that hid venom.
“Oh, Adeline, you’re just in time! The cake and gifts are ready, but I’m missing one small detail. Could you please prepare something for me to eat?” she asked.
I frowned, “There are a lot of maids here, get one of them to do it.”
“Oh… it’s just you make really good meals for pregnancy so I just thought… Never mind, I'll get one of the maids,” Clara said, feigning sadness.
Ethan stopped her as he turned to me, “You have nothing else to do, Adeline. Make yourself useful and prepare a meal for her!”
I limped toward the kitchen when Clara’s voice sounded, “Uhm, Adeline please be a darling and help me get the files for Ethan to sign. He promised to give me a new car today and I've arranged the paperwork.”
I went to the desk and saw the paperwork of the car, it was the Lamborghini I've been telling Ethan to buy for me but yet he didn't get it now he's gotten it for Clara with a customized plate number.
I scoffed and slipped the two documents into the car paperwork and took it to Ethan who signed all the documents without reading them.
“At least even if you're barren now you’re still useful in the office,” Ethan said in a cutting tone.
I bit back the tears and took the documents to the kitchen. I removed the divorce papers and the assets transfer he had signed and smiled.
Just a few more days and I’ll be out of this hellhole forever.
—
By the time the guests arrived, the house sparkled like a palace. Music played softly, and laughter bounced off the marble walls. Clara was everywhere, glowing, adored, and surrounded.
I stood at the back, half-invisible.
Ethan’s mother, Mrs. Morales, swept into the room in a flowing gown, her pearls gleaming.
“Clara, my dear!” she exclaimed, kissing her cheek. “You look stunning. Look at that belly. Finally, a grandchild!”
Her sharp eyes landed on me. “Adeline. You’re back.”
“Yes, Mother,” I said quietly.
She sniffed, her lip curling. “You should’ve stayed in the hospital. You’ll only bring bad luck here. You couldn’t even keep a child alive, yet you want to stay in this family?”
Clara placed a gentle hand on Mrs. Morales’s arm. “Don’t say that. Adeline didn’t mean for the accident to happen.”
Mrs. Morales sighed dramatically. “You’re too kind, Clara. A barren woman like her should learn humility. It’s no surprise Ethan lost interest. Men need heirs, not bad omens.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
I clenched my fists so tightly my nails bit into my palms. “My son didn’t die because I’m barren,” I said, my voice trembling. “He died because your son killed him.”
The room fell silent.
Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Adeline!”
“She did it!” I shouted, pointing at Clara. “She told you to take my stem cells for her. You killed our child to save her!”
Gasps echoed through the hall.
For a moment, Ethan looked uncertain. Then Clara flinched, covering her mouth, her eyes wide with fake tears.
“I… I can’t believe you’d say that,” she whispered. “I never wanted this. Ethan, please, don’t let her ruin today.”
“Enough, Adeline,” Ethan said coldly. “You’re embarrassing yourself. This is Clara’s day, not your pity show.”
I took a step back, tears burning my eyes. “Do you even remember what today is?”
He blinked, confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Our anniversary.”
There was silence then laughter followed as Mrs Morales and some of the guests snickered including Clara’s friends.
Clara smiled faintly. “Oh, I didn’t know. You poor thing. I guess the dates got mixed up.”
Mrs. Morales chuckled. “Don’t start drama, Adeline. This is a celebration of life, not of your mistakes.”
I felt my throat close.
Before I could say another word, Clara suddenly gasped, clutching her stomach. “Ethan… my baby!”
Ethan rushed to her side immediately. “Clara! What happened?”
Between sobs, she whispered, “It’s… it’s Adeline. She… she served me food earlier. I think it had peanuts… I told her I’m allergic!”
The room erupted in chaos. Guests murmured, eyes turning toward me with disgust.
“What kind of woman does that?”
“She’s jealous!”
“She wants to harm the baby!”
“Adeline!” Ethan shouted, fury flashing across his face. “What did you do?! If anything happens to Clara or my child, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!”
My lips parted, but no sound came out. I wanted to scream that it was all a lie, but no one would listen.
He scooped Clara into his arms and turned away without another glance. “I’m taking her to the hospital. Don’t follow us.”
The door slammed behind him.
I stood alone in the hall, surrounded by their laughter fading down the driveway.
The guests avoided my gaze, whispering like vultures as they filed out of the house.
I looked at the cake, the decorations, the roses, all celebrating the woman who had taken everything from me.
My hands shook as I touched the envelope on the table, the one holding his signed papers.
A bitter smile curved my lips.
“Happy anniversary, Ethan,” I whispered. “You just signed your empire away.”
