I Caught My Husband With His Mistress

Sophia Palmer fired back, "Even if Dillon Palmer doesn't love me, so what? My name is right there next to his on our marriage certificate. Legally, I'm his wife, which means you have to call me Mrs. Palmer."

How had it come to this? Sophia was supposed to be easily controlled, not someone who could stand her ground. Carolina Lopez had expected to find Sophia in misery and despair, but instead, she was left feeling humiliated.

Carolina clenched her jaw. "But I'm the one he loves. We've been together for a year. He'll be with me at Thanksgiving, making pies, and creating romantic moments on Valentine's Day. He’ll be holding my hand as we stroll through town, catching a movie, and building snowmen with me during the winter. Every holiday, he showers me with gifts and even gave me a supplementary platinum card. I doubt he ever did that for you."

"As far as I know, you barely see him a few times a year. When you truly love someone, you make time for them no matter how busy you are."

He was busy every day, yet he found time for romantic escapades with his lover. It made sense; after all, the woman in front of her looked so much like Anne, someone Dillon had once gone to great lengths for.

With Sophia, he was miserly, not even sparing her a smile.

"If you're just here to brag, I've dealt with too many women like you. You all say the same things; it gets old."

"Oh, and Miss Lopez, since you're in the public eye, maybe you should keep a lower profile. Unless, of course, you have skin as thick as a castle wall."

Sophia's next words left Carolina speechless.

"Of course, if you believe love justifies intruding on someone else's marriage, why not declare it openly here?"

Judging by Carolina's expression, Sophia already knew the outcome. She pulled some hundred-dollar bills from her wallet and placed them on the table. "The coffee's on me. Enjoy."

"No need to thank me—after all, it's our shared money, community property."

Sophia stood and smiled. "Quick tip: I have the right to take you to court to reclaim everything Dillon's given you, including that card. So, when you see me, you might want to tread lightly, unless you plan to lose it all."

Dillon wouldn’t give her a dime, yet he lavished it on his mistress. It was infuriating! She wasn’t planning to go to court; she just wanted to scare Carolina a bit.

The nerve—being so bold while knowingly being the 'other woman'—was disgusting. But Sophia knew Carolina wouldn’t dare mention this to Dillon.

Carolina, a superstar, had never been insulted like this before. She believed she was the only one worthy of a man as exceptional as Dillon.

As Sophia turned to leave, Carolina called out, "I'm carrying Dillon's child."

"We just picked up the report from the clinic."

She'd been visiting because one of Dillon's business partners had a mother who adored her work and wanted to meet her in the hospital. As long as Sophia believed her, that was all that mattered.

Sophia pressed her nails into her arm to stop herself from breaking down. Dillon having a child with someone else was a crushing blow.

After leaving the café, she collapsed to the ground, breathless, as if no amount of air could ease the weight in her chest. Sharp pains seized her abdomen, pulling her further into darkness.

When she awoke, she was in a hospital. A nurse quickly stopped her from getting up. "Stay still and rest. You passed out at the mall and were brought in."

"We're giving you an IV now; you can leave later. Be careful in the future. You're two months pregnant, and it's not stable yet. I suggest visiting the OB-GYN for some medication."

Sophia quickly grabbed the nurse's arm. "What did you say? Two months? Are you saying I'm pregnant?"

"You're two months along. Didn't you know?"

She was pregnant! She was going to be a mom. Sophia couldn’t help but grin widely, the nurse sharing in her excitement. "Yes, do tell the baby’s father. He'll be thrilled."

The nurse's words poured cold water on Sophia’s joy. Dillon would never let her have this child. Three years ago, he had said she would never be the mother of his kids, and if she became pregnant, he'd force her to have an abortion. Dillon must never know about the pregnancy.

She left the emergency room in a daze, her mind a chaotic whirl, and found herself at her father's hospital room without realizing it.

Inside, Evelyn James was talking to Samuel Palmer.

"I just saw an article saying Dillon's been spending time with a young actress, barely coming home."

"Sophia keeps saying he's busy at work, but it seems he's busy with women instead. If this goes on, Sophia could easily lose her place to another woman."

"You should tell Sophia to secure more money for herself. Why let some vixen benefit? After all, who stood by Dillon when he nearly went bankrupt three years ago? It was only Sophia."

Evelyn was relentless, and Samuel snapped, "Quiet."

"Don’t bring this up in front of Sophia."

"She’s had a tough time these years."

The conversation continued, but Sophia no longer had the strength to push open the door. Her father had known all along; he had seen right through her.

Over the years, she had painted Dillon as caring and considerate to her father, who listened with a soft smile. Slowly, she had come to believe the lie herself, a fantasy she clung to for strength.

But illusions shattered inevitably, just like their marriage, which was nothing more than a mirage.

Sophia pressed her hand against her stomach. Though only two months along, she could somehow sense the tiny life growing within.

It was strange. Normally, she would be devastated by what she’d heard. But today, an inexplicable force seemed to bolster her.

She looked down tenderly at her belly.

“Don’t worry, little one. Mommy won't let anything happen to you. No one will take you away from me.”

In that moment, Sophia made the decision to divorce Dillon Palmer.