After finding out I was pregnant, I rushed to share the news with my husband, Logan Gibson, only to walk in on him holding Leah Ellis in his arms, the so-called real daughter his adoptive parents had just discovered.
She choked out through her tears, “Logan, I’m not your wife, so wouldn’t our child be illegitimate?”
Logan gently brushed away her tears, his voice soft and full of promise. “Don’t worry. I’ve known all along that Cecilia’s real parents are rich. Once I get my hands on her inheritance, I’ll marry you. She’s easy to fool. She’s been clinging to me for years. When the time comes, I’ll make her give you her place.”
Tears slipped down my cheeks. Three years ago, when my adoptive parents found Leah, they cast me aside without a second thought. On my way out, I was kidnapped, and the injuries I suffered nearly ruined my ability to ever conceive.
Back then, Logan, my childhood friend, ignored every whisper and rumor and insisted on marrying me.
I thought he was my safe harbor. I never imagined he would be the storm that drowned me.
The medical report lay crumpled in my hand as I gently touched my lower abdomen.
Since Logan had only ever schemed against me, then this child didn’t need him as a father.
I turned around and called my biological father, the one from the wealthy family.
“Dad, I’ve made up my mind. One week from now, I want to leave this place with my child, and I want Logan to walk away with nothing.”
He agreed without hesitation and booked the flight for exactly one week later.
Seven days. Just enough to finalize the divorce, tie up the loose ends, and deliver one final parting gift.
…
Logan pressed a kiss to Leah’s lips. After their lingering intimacy, he whispered tenderly, “Leah, you’re the only one I’ve ever loved. I want to give you and our child the best life possible.”
But the moment he spoke about me, his voice turned cold, so cold it sent a chill straight through me. The affection he gave Leah pierced my heart like a blade.
Three years ago, when he proposed, he had said, “No matter who the real daughter of the Ellis family is, you’re the only one I love.”
Hearing those same words now, it was clear he meant them far more this time.
Suddenly, Leah said sweetly, “Why don’t you let her raise the baby after I give birth? Just say it’s your child together, then it’ll be easier to squeeze more of her inheritance.”
Logan chuckled. “My Leah really is the cleverest.”
The medical report crumpled beneath my fingers. I drew a slow, steady breath and gently touched my belly.
This child had come to me against all odds. I wasn’t giving him up.
But what I would give up was this twisted marriage and the man who had buried love beneath greed.
I turned away and made a call.
“Dad.” Logan had no idea that my real parents had already found me. I had even refused to acknowledge them just so I could stay by his side.
“Cecilia! Daddy’s here!” My father’s voice brimmed with joy. I had never taken the initiative to call before.
“I’m divorcing Logan,” I said steadily. “And I want him to walk away with nothing. One week from now, can you take me away?”
He didn’t even pause. “I’ll book the flight now. Logan might be cunning, but he’s nothing compared to our family. He was never worthy of you.”
“Cecilia, your mother and I are just relieved that you’ve finally come to your senses.”
His words made me smile bitterly. He was right. I truly hadn’t been thinking clearly.
Just to have a child with Logan, I went through weekly treatments at the hospital.
Each session was agonizing, and every time, I quietly wished he would be there for me.
But he never showed up. Not even once.
Last month, I saw him and Leah walking out of the obstetrics and gynecology department together.
Logan said, “I wanted to surprise you, but I ran into your sister at the hospital. She didn’t look well, so I stayed with her for a checkup.”
I believed him without question. Even when I held Leah’s medical report in my hands, I never imagined the child she carried could be his.
Logan was right about one thing: I really was the easiest person to fool.
But in just a week, I wouldn’t have to face these lies anymore.
I asked a lawyer to prepare the divorce agreement. On my way out of the office, I happened to overhear a conversation.
“Only you two could come up with something so heartless. But how can you be sure Cecilia will actually agree to raise the baby for you?”
It was Logan’s friend, Lewis Jenkins.
Logan said, “She can’t have kids, and she’s so in love with me. Do you think she’d let me go without a child? She’s obedient and easy to fool. A little sweet talk is all it takes.”
When Lewis still sounded doubtful, Logan snorted. “Wanna bet? If she says no, I’ll give her to you. Teach her to ‘behave,’ how about that?”
His tone was crude. Each word drove another nail into my chest.
Lewis was infamous in our circle, vicious, vulgar, and brutal in bed. More than one girl had been hospitalized after spending a night with him. Some barely made it out alive.
To let him teach me to behave, I knew exactly what Logan meant.
Fine. When I leave in a week, I’ll make sure they receive one final gift.
That evening, Logan brought up his twisted plan in front of Leah.
But as his confident eyes landed on me, I gave a calm shake of my head.
“I refuse.”
“Alright, Cecilia… What?”
He couldn’t believe it. He was so used to my silence and my obedience that he never expected me to say no.
“You refuse?” His face contorted with rage. “How can you refuse? You can’t even have children! Do you expect me to live without an heir?”
Even after seeing his true nature so clearly, disappointment still gnawed at me.
“Do you remember what you said to me back then?” I asked, my throat tightening with every word.
Back then, I hesitated to accept his proposal, but he had looked so sincere and full of promise.
“Cecilia, I don’t care whether we have children. To me, you matter most. You’re the only one I love, the only one I want.”
The moment I reminded him of the past, guilt flickered across his face. But just then, his phone rang.
The caller ID glowed: “Leah.”
Logan glanced at me, then turned away to answer, his voice soft and tender. “Don’t be scared. I’m coming right now.”
When he turned back to me, his gaze was cold, void of emotion. “I have something to handle. As for the child, there’s no room for negotiation.”
“Don’t forget, I saved you. I took you in and married you, knowing you couldn’t have children. I’ve loved you and sacrificed so much. Can’t you do this one thing for me?”
His gaze brimmed with disappointment. “When did you become so selfish?”
Selfish? Was it selfish to finally stop being the fool? To no longer let myself be used and lied to?
Fine, then. For the rest of this week, he could prepare himself because he was about to see just how selfish I could be.
