Chapter 2

Underneath that top-voted comment, there was a new update from the poster:

[Thank you so much, sis! The drug was administered, and the fake report is in my hands. He feels so guilty right now that he doesn't even dare to raise his voice at me. The baby is safe for now!]

The timestamp on the comment was ten minutes ago.

I locked my phone screen, picked up a glass of cold water from the table, and took a sip.

Eight years of love and devotion. In return, I got a green hat and a calculated trap.

The bedroom door opened. Chloe walked out, wrapping her arms around my neck from behind.

"Babe, don't sit out here all by yourself. It breaks my heart to see you like this."

"You heard what the doctor said. Although the baby's position is risky, as long as I stay on bed rest, we can make it."

"For you, and for our family, I can handle any pain."

I lowered my eyes, hiding the coldness swirling within them.

"Chloe, it's my fault. I'm useless. If my body weren't broken, you wouldn't have to take such a massive risk."

Hearing this, Chloe walked around the couch and sat down right next to me, taking my hand.

"Babe, don't say stupid things like that. We're husband and wife. Your problems are my problems. To give you a child, I’d gladly give my life."

Her acting was flawless. If I hadn't read that forum post, I would have been completely fooled by her devotion.

I squeezed her hand back and patted it.

"Alright. Since you're so determined, let's have the baby. I'll go to the office tomorrow and hand off my current projects so I can free up more time to stay home and take care of you."

Chloe's eyes lit up, and she leaned in to kiss my cheek.

"You're the best husband ever."

The next afternoon, after wrapping up my work, I ran into Julian Reed in the office parking garage.

He was the "innocent" childhood best friend Chloe always talked about.

He constantly used the excuse of "friendship" to crash our dinners and loved putting his arm around Chloe when he was drunk.

Whenever I had voiced my discomfort in the past, Chloe would scream at me for being narrow-minded, saying that if they wanted to be together, they would have done so years ago.

Looking back, I was an absolute idiot.

Julian was leaning against my car door, smoking a cigarette. He raised an eyebrow when he saw me.

"Hey Ethan, I heard you took Chloe for a checkup yesterday?"

"The results weren't great, huh?"

I stopped in my tracks.

"Chloe even tells you about my medical checkups?"

Julian laughed, snubbing his cigarette out on the wall.

"We don't have secrets. Chloe's pregnancy is a huge deal. I was the first person she called."

He stepped closer, his voice dripping with mockery.

"Look, Ethan. When a man's body doesn't work, he just has to accept it. Some things can't be forced."

"But don't worry. Chloe is a loyal woman. She's willing to risk her life to carry on your family name. You should feel blessed. When this baby is born, the genetics will definitely be top-tier, because..."

He dragged out his last words, giving me a knowing, suggestive wink.

I stared at his smug face. If this were the old me, my fist would have already connected with his jaw.

"Yeah. Thanks to you always being there to comfort her."

Julian laughed even louder.

"Don't mention it. When the kid is born, as the godfather, I’ll definitely write a fat check. I've already bought some imported prenatal vitamins for Chloe. Only the best for the baby's development."

While we were talking, Chloe walked out of the elevator lobby.

The moment she saw Julian, she quickened her pace and ran over.

"Julian! What are you doing here? I thought we agreed to meet at the restaurant."

Julian smoothly draped his arm over her shoulder. The gesture was so natural, they looked like the actual married couple.

"I was worried about you walking alone, so I came to pick you up. And to say hi to Ethan."

Only then did Chloe turn her gaze to me.

"Babe, Julian found this amazing new organic restaurant for pregnant women and insisted on taking me. Aren't you working overtime tonight? We won't bother you then."

"Go ahead. Drive safe. You're in a delicate condition, so don't walk too fast," I said with a warm smile.

Chloe let out a sigh of relief and pulled Julian toward his car.

The moment they drove away, I pulled out my phone and dialed my friend Blake's number.

"Blake, I need you to help me set up a play."