Leaving a Cheating Husband

The following morning, Paulina bombarded me with messages. I knew she was trying to provoke me, but I couldn't help but read them.

"Remy says he feels so safe holding me."

"Bet you couldn't sleep a wink last night, huh?"

"Oh, there's something I haven't mentioned. Remember that stormy night three months ago?"

"While you were in the ER, he was right there with me, helping me sleep."

The phone slipped from my fingers, hitting the floor with a thud that mirrored the breaking of my heart. I was done with him. Face pale, I called the hospital to schedule the procedure for the day after tomorrow.

Not long after, Lorelei rang me.

"Hey, my husband's away on business. Are you free to come with me to check out a maternity center?"

"Maybe they could check on the baby too."

With her due date nearing, I hadn't planned on telling her anything yet, so I agreed to tag along.

We visited the top maternity center in town. As my best friend discussed details with the staff, I wandered off by myself. My gaze turned icy as it settled on Remy's and Daphne's names in the guest register. The saleswoman noticed my discomfort and cheerfully explained, "Mr. and Mrs. Rice are one of our model couples."

What a farce, I thought bitterly. I felt more like an outsider than ever.

"Mr. Rice bought the full service package for her as soon as she became pregnant," she continued, "and he always accompanies her."

Checking the dates, I realized they perfectly matched his business trips.

The saleswoman brought out an album of memories, and Lorelei, sensing my unease, tried to intervene. I waved her off. "Please, go ahead."

Flipping through the album, I saw pictures of them baking, something he had always dismissed as too much hassle when I suggested it. "If you want something sweet, just buy it," he'd say.

They had crafted woven hearts pinned to his jacket—a stark contrast to the friendship bracelet I once made him, now forgotten somewhere.

Though I'd braced myself for this, a suffocating pain enveloped me, sharp as a knife. Lorelei seethed beside me.

"I can't stand it. I should tell her the truth," she insisted.

As we argued, Paulina and Remy emerged from a room, all smiles. The moment Remy saw me, he instinctively shielded her.

"Nia, this is all a misunderstanding," he pleaded. "I was just passing by for work and thought to check in—nothing more."

Lorelei, standing protectively in front of me, addressed the saleswoman. "I'm curious, how much is the full package here?"

"Fifty thousand dollars," the woman replied.

My friend let out a mocking laugh. "You hesitated over a few imported painkillers for Nia during surgery, yet you splash out on this... woman."

Paulina, with tears streaming down, pleaded with my friend, "Please, can we talk about this privately? I'm begging you."

Lorelei disdainfully brushed her off with barely any force, but Paulina dramatically crumpled to the ground. Anyone could see through the theatrics, but Remy angrily shoved my friend away.

"Don't push it," he snapped, causing her to almost stumble.

"Nia, my stomach hurts," Lorelei whispered.

I rushed her to the hospital. Before leaving, I glared at them both. "If anything happens to her, I'll make sure you pay."

Thankfully, Lorelei was alright.

She looked at me with regret, "I shouldn't have dragged you along today."

Forcing a relieved smile, I replied, "I should be thanking you. Now I know exactly what I have to do."