Levy’s POV
I returned home after my recovery period.The moment I crossed the threshold,Renata was already standing there with her son.They welcomed me with smiles that felt like daggers.
I forced myself to hide my grim expression.I wanted to act as if everything was fine.But inside,my heart was in turmoil.Renata pulled me into a tight embrace,as if I were the most important person in her life.
"I'm so sorry for what you've been through,"she said softly.
In the past,I would have returned her hug enthusiastically.I would have poured out all my emotions,holding nothing back.Renata had been my best friend since university—the only person I had ever trusted completely.
But now,after knowing the truth…After discovering that my own best friend had betrayed me with my fiancé,I was utterly shattered.
I wanted to scream,to demand answers.Why did they do this to me?Why did they make me feel like the villain,like someone who needed to be erased?
Carlos,who stood beside Renata,seemed to notice the shift in my demeanor.So did Renata.They exchanged glances,as if silently panicking.
"Are you okay?"Carlos asked,his voice slightly stiff.
I looked at him blankly."I'm tired.I want to rest."
Renata immediately stepped forward,taking control of my wheelchair."I'll take you to your room,"she said,her voice full of feigned concern.
On the surface,nothing had changed.Renata still appeared to be the caring friend.She prepared everything for my comfort—the blanket,the pillows,even a glass of warm water on the bedside table.I watched her every move with sharp eyes.
"Why?"
My heart was breaking.All this attention was just an act.For years,I had been deceived by her false kindness.
"What's wrong?"Renata finally noticed my gaze.
I swallowed hard,trying to suppress the storm of emotions raging inside me."Why did you do this to me,Renata?"
My empty stare met her face,which pretended not to understand.I wanted to believe that this was all just a nightmare.That the betrayal had never happened.
But my last shred of hope was crushed when the door opened and a man walked into the room.
Carlos smiled."This is my friend.He's a notary.He's here to process Paul's adoption papers."
I froze.
Carlos continued,ignoring my shock."After this,Paul will officially be our adopted son."
I hadn’t even asked.There was no point.I just stared blankly as the documents were placed in front of me.
"Just sign it,"Carlos said,as if this were a mere formality.
My hands trembled as I reached for the pen.My body felt cold.The pen slipped from my fingers before I could sign my name.
"You're not fully recovered yet,Levy.No need to strain yourself.A thumbprint will suffice."
Before I could protest,my hand was guided to the ink pad and pressed onto the paper.My fingerprint remained there—a forced agreement.
I stared at the mark I had left,my vision hazy.Meanwhile,Carlos and Renata beamed with joy.For a moment,they nearly embraced but quickly held back.
"Daddy,does this mean I can call you Daddy now?"Paul cheered.
Carlos laughed,lifting the boy high into the air.They looked like the perfect family.
I gave a bitter smile.My lover and my best friend were celebrating their happiness right in front of me—without a hint of guilt.
"Thank you,Levy.Finally,we’ll be a family forever,"Carlos said.
A family?No.You built a family on the ruins of my life.I was merely the sacrifice for your happiness.
"Levy,Renata is grateful to you.Why are you so quiet?You’ve been so cold to her.Be nicer—she's sharing her child with you,"Carlos said.
I wanted to laugh.She wasn’t sharing.I was the one giving everything.She was the one taking.
I remembered the past.I had once sacrificed my grades for Renata—doing her assignments,letting her copy my work,even taking the punishment in her place.I had willingly accepted the professor’s reprimand just to protect her reputation.I thought she was my true friend—someone who would stand by me through thick and thin.
But in the end,I was a fool.I had shared everything with her,and without realizing it,she had taken everything from me—including my fiancé.
And now Carlos had the audacity to tell me to be kind to her?
I took a deep breath,pushing down the nausea rising in my chest.I couldn’t take it anymore.
"I want to rest.Can you all leave me alone?"
Carlos shrugged."Fine.If you need anything,call me."He looked annoyed but tried to act concerned.
"Daddy,let’s play!"Paul whined.
Carlos smiled and immediately picked him up."Let’s go to the playground!"
I watched them with vacant eyes.
"Mommy,come on!"Paul called out to Renata.
Renata looked at me for a moment before saying,"I'm leaving now,Levy.I hope you don’t misunderstand.We just want to have fun for Paul's happiness."
I forced a thin smile and nodded."Go ahead."
But inside,I cursed them.Wasn’t this what they had always done behind my back?
When the door closed,I stared blankly at the ceiling.
How long had their relationship been going on?If Paul was three years old,that meant their affair had lasted much longer...or perhaps even before I was with Carlos.
My mind spun wildly.I tried to recall moments when the three of us were together.I reached for the drawer and pulled out an old photo album.Page after page,I examined every picture—until the truth hit me.
In every photo,Carlos was always by Renata’s side.He always looked at her with a different smile.
Memories flooded back.Carlos had been the most anxious person when Renata was about to give birth.He had waited for her at the hospital and was even the first to hold her baby.I had been there,too.
I had thought it was normal.Renata had no family to support her,so Carlos and I were the ones by her side.She had told me that her boyfriend refused to take responsibility for the baby.He had abandoned her.I had felt sorry for her,which was why I never questioned Carlos’s involvement in helping raise Renata’s child.
He bought clothes,toys,and Paul’s favorite food.He even set up a fund for the boy’s future.I had been proud of Carlos.I had thought I was lucky to have a man who was so responsible.If he was this caring toward his best friend’s child,he would surely be an amazing father to our future children.
But in reality,it wasn’t just a sense of responsibility.It was because Paul was his biological son.
And I,like a fool,had failed to see it—even when it had been right in front of me all along.
I gasped for air,my breath ragged.Then my eyes landed on my phone.I opened social media.
A new post on Renata’s account showed the three of them at the playground.The comments below made my blood boil.
"Such a perfect family!Paul looks so much like Carlos!"
I used to think so too.But Renata had always denied it,saying Paul resembled his absent father.
And once again?I had believed her without question.
My chest tightened.I let out a scream,releasing the unbearable pain burning inside me.Then,I grabbed my phone and dialed a number.
"Help me plan a car accident.I will fake my death so that he will never see me again!"
