Done Being His Secret Wife, I Left Behind My Husband

"Sister-in-law, according to the Johnson family's rules, only those whom the family heir's tarot reading declares 'most auspicious' are allowed to marry into the Johnson family."

"You, who have drawn the most ominous results ninety-nine times in a row, are not fated to enter."

It was the fifth month of my pregnancy.

The sun blazed at forty-five degrees as I carried gifts in both hands, determined to attend the Johnson family banquet.

Yet, before I could even step inside, I was blocked by Evren's beloved foster sister, Rosette.

"Unless you sign this childbearing agreement," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "you're not coming in. My brother promised me years ago—he'd give me a child. Either sign, or leave now."

I didn't take the document. Instead, I looked at the man approaching behind her—Evren, my husband.

"You promised her that?" I asked quietly.

He barely glanced at me.

"It was just a convenient excuse," he said flatly. "Rosette's parents are gravely ill. I only said that to put their minds at ease."

"Just sign it, Leia," he urged. "Rosette is only teasing you. Besides, the family is waiting inside."

Looking at him, at his calm and indifferent expression, I suddenly laughed.

Without another word, I shoved past the two of them and walked straight into the banquet hall.

...

Later, on my way to the restroom, I happened to glance through a half-open door.

Inside, Evren was seated before a table of tarot cards, his hand resting on one while Rosette leaned against him.

"Brother," she said softly, "a hundred readings have all come out auspicious. Are you really going to keep Sister-in-law from entering your family?"

"I never planned to let her in," Evren replied coolly. "I couldn't marry you back then, Rosette. Keeping her was just a compromise. The least I can do now is give you the child we were meant to have."

My hand instinctively went to my belly.

Then I turned away.

If that was the case, then my baby was better off without such a father—and I didn't have to enter the Johnson family's gates.

Just when I was about to leave, I accidentally stepped on Rosette's dog.

Before I could apologize, a sack was thrown over my head, and fists and feet rained down on me.

I never even saw who hit me.

"Who let this thief in?" someone shouted. "Trying to sneak into the Johnson family banquet to steal—and she even hurt Miss Rosette's dog!"

Through the rough fabric of the sack, I could hear Evren's voice as he approached.

"I didn't expect anyone to slip in during the banquet. Lock her up in the snake cage."

My blood ran cold.

"If she dares to hurt Rosette's dog, then let her feel what it's like to be bitten." His voice was like ice—sharp, cruel, and merciless.

My body trembled. I instinctively shielded my stomach, fear tightening my breath.

Rosette sobbed, clutching her injured dog and leaning into his chest. "Brother, Milky's leg is hurt. That vile woman did it. You have to make it up to me!"

Evren wrapped his arm around her, gently stroking her hair. "Don't worry, Rosette. I'll make her pay. How could anyone compare to you?"

Rosette smiled playfully, brushing her lips against his cheek. "Then who's more important to you, me or Analeia?"

"No one is more important than you," he answered without hesitation.

"Since this thief hurt your dog, let her pay the same price. Fair, isn't it?"

Before I could move, someone placed a snake on my ankle. The sharp pain tore through my leg, forcing a scream from my throat.

"Brother, that voice... it sounds just like Sister-in-law," Evren's younger brother frowned.

"You must've misheard, Vince," Rosette interrupted quickly. "Auntie said she already went home. Analeia didn't even say goodbye! She's probably still mad about that silly agreement."

"She'll get over it," Evren said dismissively. "Even if she's angry, I'll just coax her later."

I lay there trembling, tears soaking through the blindfold, dripping soundlessly onto the floor.

"Get this trash out of here," Evren ordered. "Don't ruin the banquet."

The snake wasn't venomous, but when they seized me, it had torn a chunk of flesh from my leg.

Blood streamed as the guards dragged me outside. One of them kicked me hard in the chest—a sharp crack followed, and I couldn't breathe.

Somehow, I crawled my way to the hospital. Thankfully, both the baby and I survived.

Just as I was catching my breath, my phone buzzed—an alert from my smart home security system.

It automatically sends a notification when it detects someone inside.

On the screen, Evren and Rosette were returning home.

She pretended to search for me around the house before turning to him, her voice innocent and sweet.

"Brother, Sister-in-law isn't here. Did she run away from home again? Maybe she's waiting for you to coax her."

"Let her be," he said coldly. "If she has the guts to leave, she can stay gone. But I doubt she'll last a day before crawling back."

Rosette pouted, then deliberately sat on his lap, looping her arms around his neck. Their foreheads met, and then, slowly, he carried her into the master bedroom.

Watching them through the screen, my tears fell silently.

With trembling hands, I sent a message to my father.

[Dad, withdraw our investment from the Johnson family. The child in my belly will bear the surname Abram.]