Ethan looked uneasy. He glanced at me briefly before shifting his gaze to Nora, as if sensing the tension between us.
"Zoey," he called softly, trying to ease the atmosphere.
"I know this is sudden, but I hope you can accept it. Jackson needs someone who understands him, and Nora has been taking care of him for a long time. She knows him best."
I let out a bitter chuckle. "Oh? So now you think I’m not good enough to take care of him?"
Ethan was silent for a moment, his face visibly tense.
"That’s not what I meant. I just want to make sure Jackson doesn’t feel out of place. This is for the good of all of us."
I stared at him deeply, searching for something in his eyes—hesitation, guilt, or maybe even the courage to confess. But all I found was a faint trace of despair.
Nora gave a small smile. "Ethan is right, Zoey. I’m not here to replace you. I just want to help."
Help? I didn’t believe that for a second.
"With only one functional hand, I don’t think you’re capable of taking care of Jackson," she said bluntly.
She was openly mocking me. I shot her a sharp look, but Ethan gently took my left hand.
"Zoey, I need you to trust me. This is for your health. Once you recover, you can take care of Jackson."
His hand was warm, but it felt foreign.
I used to trust Ethan completely.
But now?
I slowly pulled my hand away. "Alright," I said flatly. "You've already made your decision, haven’t you? So all I can do is accept it."
Ethan looked at me as if trying to make sure I was really okay. But I didn’t give him the chance.
I turned away, my eyes landing on Jackson, who still stood close to Nora.
****
I stood at the doorway, watching a scene that had become increasingly frequent.
Ethan came home from work, carrying several branded shopping bags in his hands. Without hesitation, he handed the gifts to Nora and Jackson.
“This is for you, sweetheart.” Jackson cheered excitedly.
“Do you like it?” Ethan gently ruffled the boy’s hair.
Jackson nodded, opening a box containing expensive sneakers. Meanwhile, Nora received a designer handbag with a faint smile.
“Thank you, Ethan,” Nora said softly.
My chest burned with the anger I struggled to contain.
“Is this your new habit?” I asked coldly.
Ethan turned to me, smiling as if I had simply misunderstood.
“Sweetheart, this is just a reward for Nora. She’s been taking good care of Jackson.”
I crossed my arms. “And Jackson? Do you have to shower him with expensive gifts every day?”
Ethan sighed. “I just want him to feel loved. He lost his parents, Zoey. You know why.”
Ethan was busy drowning Nora and Jackson in attention and gifts, while I became more invisible in my own home.
My baby was gone, yet it wasn’t me he embraced, it wasn’t me he comforted.
Ethan had never given me gifts.
But what did gifts mean if they couldn’t bring my baby back?
"Zoey, in a few days, there will be a party to introduce Jackson as our family's heir. Let’s start preparing. I want you to choose the decorations," Ethan said, just as I struggled to suppress my anger.
****
I stood beside Ethan, in the place that was supposed to be mine. But tonight, I was nothing more than an ornament next to him—just a wife in name.
On the other side, Nora stood beside Jackson, her hand gently patting the boy’s shoulder. At a glance, they looked like a perfect little family.
Ethan raised his wine glass, his voice ringing throughout the room.
“From today on, I want you all to know that Jackson is part of the Anderson family. He is the heir I will protect and raise to the best of my ability.”
Cheers and applause filled the room, accompanied by hushed whispers that stabbed into my ears.
"Finally, the Anderson family has a male heir."
"Poor Zoey, she couldn't give Ethan an heir. Such a pity."
"Nora is just a babysitter, but look at how she stands beside Ethan. They look more suited for each other."
My fingers curled into fists at the sides of my gown. I wanted to scream, to shove away every sympathetic gaze and whispered judgment that stripped me bare.
I turned and walked away, unable to endure it any longer. But as soon as I stepped into the empty hallway, another set of footsteps followed me.
I stopped.
"Nora."
My fists tightened, my breath unsteady.
Nora gave a faint smile. "How does it feel to be pushed aside, Zoey?”
