His Betrayal: Choosing Her Over Me

Sarah pushed open the door to Dr. Grant's office, a bright smile tugging at her lips. "Dr. Grant, I'm here for my heart check-up."

"Alright. Any trouble or discomfort lately?"

"Nothing at all. I have to say, this clinic has the best care I've ever had. I've felt amazing ever since my surgery—just came in for that follow-up ultrasound today."

"Sounds good, I'll get that sorted for you," Dr. Grant replied evenly, fingers flying across his keyboard to lock in her appointment.

When he handed Sarah her intake form, his eyes flicked up, fast as lightning, to land on Leia. That split-second glance sent a cold shiver racing down Leia's spine. She was terrified he'd blurt out her pregnancy and cancer diagnosis right in front of Sarah. Sure, Sarah's heart condition was stable now, but this kind of news would wreck her. Thank God, he just turned back to his work and said nothing at all.

Relief flooded Leia as she helped Sarah out of the exam room. The second they were gone, Dr. Grant's face smoothed into that unreadable mask again as he looked up. After walking Sarah into the ultrasound room, Leia dragged in a deep breath and sank onto a bench in the hospital corridor, her mind spinning with worry.

She sat there, head bowed, eyes glued to the dark screen of her phone. He had some nerve. Disappearing for three whole hours with that woman, not even a single text or call. Tears stung the backs of her eyes. Did he really hate her that much?

Suddenly her phone buzzed to life. Julian's name blared across the screen, and her heart kicked into overdrive—half anxiety, half stupid, stupid hope. Emotions choking her, she shot to her feet and hurried over to the corridor window to answer.

"Hey, Julian."

"Where are you?"

She forced her voice to stay steady, casual as she lied: "At the hospital with Mom, for her check-up."

"Results back yet?"

"Not yet, but they should be any minute."

Silence stretched for a beat before he added, cold as ice: "Come home early. We need to talk."

"Talk about what?"

That's when she heard it—Piper's voice, clear as day, cutting through the background:

"Julian, I left my clothes in the bedroom. Can you bring them to the bathroom for me?"

Every word hit Leia's chest like a sledgehammer, crushing every last bit of hope she'd been clinging to. Pain exploded through her, fast and burning.

Was he really already running around after her, fetching her goddamn underwear?

Leia's grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles burned white. She fought to keep her voice from shaking. "If that's all, I'm hanging up."

Silence hung on the other end…

She slammed the call button before she could change her mind, and that's when the dam broke. She clapped both hands over her face and let the tears spill, hot and fast down her cheeks.

They were already this close? What hope did she have left for a man who'd already crossed every line with another woman?

"Crying is the most useless thing in the world. Instead of wasting water on tears, why not face reality like an adult?" A cold, low voice came from right beside her, making her jump out of her skin.

Was it him?

She spun around to find Dr. Grant standing there, his white coat crisp over his broad shoulders, that handsome face still unreadable. That tiny spark of surprise and hope fizzled into disappointment fast. She swiped roughly at her wet cheeks and forced out a greeting: "Dr. Grant."

His expression softened, just a little, and a flicker of weariness crossed his features. "Disappointed it's me?"

"No, not at all, I just—"

"That's enough. No need to make excuses. We need to talk," he cut her off.

Leia nodded. Dr. Grant's gaze swept over her, sharp with quiet concern. "Have you thought any more about your condition?"

She went quiet, long enough that the tick of the wall clock echoed between them.

"If you delay any longer, we might not be able to do anything to help you."

A suffocating weight clamped down on her heart. She lifted her head, pain and war tangled in her gaze, but her voice didn't waver: "Thank you for worrying about me, Dr. Grant, but I'm not terminating the pregnancy. As for the cancer… I'm okay with letting it run its course."

"You're not scared of dying?" Dr. Grant's voice was steady, unflinching.

His words drained all the color from her face. They sounded exactly like something Julian had said to her once before.

"Death doesn't scare you, I get that. But what about the baby?" His voice was barely a murmur, but it hit her like an arrow straight through the heart. She bit down on her already bloodless lip.

He was right. If she was gone, what would happen to her child?

Her hand flew instinctively to her stomach, curling tight over it like she was already protecting the tiny life growing inside her.

Seeing her hesitation, Dr. Grant softened his tone. "If you want to carry this baby to term and give him a healthy start, make an appointment to see me as soon as you can."

With that, he turned and walked away, his tall frame fading down the bright hospital corridor.

Leia leaned weakly against the wall, one hand fisting the drywall to hold herself up as she squeezed her eyes shut, swallowing the thick lump of tears in her throat.

Just then, Sarah stepped out, holding her test results in one hand, grinning from ear to ear. She waved at Leia. "Leia! Results are back—everything's perfect!"

Leia shook off the dark cloud hanging over her and walked over, looping her arm through Sarah's, forcing a bright smile. "Told you. Someone as sweet as you is gonna live a long, healthy life."

Sarah laughed. "Oh, you and your flattery!"

"I'm just telling the truth."

Sarah patted her hand, still smiling. "By the way, you okay driving home alone? I'm meeting a friend at the mall in ten minutes."

"I'm fine. Have fun, Mom."

"Will do, honey."

After seeing Sarah off, Leia drove back to the house she shared with Julian. She fully expected it to be empty. But the second she unlocked the front door, she saw them: his sneakers, and a pair of strappy women's high heels right next to them by the entry mat.

Piper was already here.

Emotions roiled in her chest—suffocation, heartbreak, fear all tangled up together. The thought of walking in on the two of them made her stomach twist. She was terrified to see how close they were, terrified to have every ugly truth about Julian's feelings for her laid bare right in front of her.

She sucked in a deep breath, kicked off her boots, and slipped on her slippers, then stepped inside.

Piper was sprawled on the sofa, looking like she owned the place. She wore a sheer white button-down over pink lace lingerie, paired with tight jeans, and the smugness practically rolled off her. That sweet, innocent face of hers held a mean little glint.

"Well, look who's home," she said, smiling sweetly.

Leia's voice was ice. "Why are you in my house?"

Piper stood up, a self-satisfied smirk playing on her lips, voice lazy as sin: "Why shouldn't I be? This is gonna be my home soon. I'm gonna be the lady of this house."

"That's a laugh. You do remember Julian and I are still married, right? This is my home. Get out."

Leia's grip on her purse strap tightened until her fingers ached. She bit down hard on her lip, voice cold as frost as she spoke.

"Get out? Who do you think you are to say that? Julian invited me here. If anyone's leaving, it's not me." Piper stepped closer, her eyes darting quickly to the staircase behind them, then reached for the front door like she was going to open it.

In an instant, her hostile expression melted into a fake, teary apologetic look. She laid a hand lightly on Leia's shoulder, eyes glistening. "Leia, I'm so sorry. I just came over to apologize. Please don't kick me out."

As she spoke, she lifted her foot and brought it down as hard as she could on Leia's instep.

The sudden, searing pain tore a cry out of Leia, and she shoved Piper back on instinct.

A cunning glint lit up Piper's eyes. She mouthed silent: You're done.

"You—!" Panic shot through Leia.

"Aah!"

Piper went flying backward, hitting the hardwood hard, her forehead cracking against the edge of the coffee table.

Leia froze, completely stunned. She hadn't pushed her that hard!

Footsteps thundered down the stairs, and Julian's urgent voice filled the room: "Piper!"