During our honeymoon abroad, riots broke out.
In a desperate attempt to save Lydia Jenkins, my newlywed husband, Eddie Trulock, shoved me out of the car.
I was left behind, forced to survive a week alone in the middle of a war zone. It was like living in hell. Just when I had lost all hope, my childhood friend found me. He pulled me out of the darkness, proposed to me and was overjoyed when he learned I was pregnant.
At what I thought was the happiest moment of my life, I overheard a conversation that shattered everything.
I saw him talking with Brice Loski.
“Juliana is already pregnant,” he said. “Once the baby is born, we can use the umbilical cord blood to save Lydia.”
Brice asked, “Is it really worth it to marry someone you don’t love and have a child just for Lydia?”
My childhood friend also my current husband gave a bitter smile. “If you can risk your life for her, I can sacrifice my whole life for her.”
“As long as Lydia can be healthy and happy, I’m willing to do anything.”
It was only then that I realized—this seemingly happy marriage had been a setup from the very beginning.
Both of my husbands had only one person in their hearts: Lydia.
Since that was the case, there was no reason for me to cling to a marriage built on lies and indifference.
But why, after I left, did the man who claimed he didn’t love me lose his mind longing for me?
——
When I received the results of my prenatal checkup, I was excited to share the good news with Eddie. But at the VIP ward, I stumbled upon a scene I never could have imagined.
My ex-husband and my current husband were both gathered around Lydia’s hospital bed, attending to her every need.
Eddie—who had always been cold and distant—was looking at Lydia with such gentleness, it seemed his eyes might overflow with tears.
“Lydia, don’t worry. I’ve already arranged the best medical team for you. As soon as the baby is born, we’ll proceed with the surgery.”
“Will Juliana agree?” Lydia asked. “She was already hurt so badly the last time. If anything else happens, I’m afraid she won’t be able to bear it…”
“Lydia, you’re too kind.”
Eddie gently stroked her hair and comforted her softly.
“You don’t need to worry about her feelings. If it weren’t for you, she never would have experienced my love. She should be grateful to you.”
Inside the room, it was all peace and tenderness.
Outside, I stood frozen, my tears falling silently.
I suddenly remembered the day Brice had abandoned me.
In a foreign land ravaged by war, at my most desperate and helpless moment, Eddie had walked toward me through the chaos, against the flow of panicked crowds. He pulled me into his arms in the midst of the gunfire and explosions.
Looking into my eyes with deep emotion, he said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
“No matter where we are, no matter what happens, as long as I’m alive, I’ll protect you with everything I have.”
At that moment, I had foolishly believed I had found true love—that Eddie was my salvation.
Little did I know, he was the one who truly pushed me into the abyss.
Rescuing me, marrying me and having a child with me… It was all for Lydia.
As my tears fell, they washed away the last trace of love I had for Eddie.
I turned to the doctor and said quietly, “Please schedule an abortion for me. I want to terminate this pregnancy.”
The doctor looked at me, stunned.
“Are you sure? Your husband was so thrilled when he heard you were pregnant—his eyes were filled with tears. If he finds out…”
I cut her off. “He’s not my husband.”
He was a liar who destroyed my life.
The doctor let out a long sigh and said nothing more.
After the procedure, I sat in the hallway, pale and weak.
Eddie came rushing over, carrying a box of fruit.
“Juliana, you must’ve been anxious. I went to buy your favorite cherries. How did the prenatal checkup go? Is the baby okay?”
