My Wife's Shocking Secret

"Grace, you're not going to hold a grudge against a child, are you?"

Meeting his gaze, I placed the pancake on the table, forcing a smile. "Of course not."

Alex's expression softened. He picked up Ethan. "Auntie Grace made this pancake for you. See how it tastes."

I quietly left the room. As I closed the door, I saw Emily's triumphant smile.

I realized then our peaceful life was about to get complicated.

Purposely closing the door with a bang, I hoped he might come after me.

But he didn't. Maybe he was lost in the happiness of another little boy calling him "Daddy."

Standing in the dark night, I held my stomach, my thoughts filled with the scene from that day.

Two weeks earlier, I'd received a call from one of Alex's colleagues.

"Grace, come quickly. Dr. Carter just got into an argument with a patient. He's really upset."

As I hurried to the hospital by cab, suppressing the urge to be sick multiple times along the way, everything started to unravel when I arrived. I saw a middle-aged man yelling profanities at Alex. Alex, who'd been so privileged his whole life, had never faced such disrespect. His face reddened with anger, and I saw he was about to throw a nearby chair.

I pushed through the crowd, shouting, "Alex, calm down!"

But he didn't hear me. Just as he picked up the chair, the man pulled out a knife. Desperate, I pushed past everyone, trying to reach him, only to be shoved to the ground by the throng. All I could think of was Alex's safety.

I was too late.

Emily stepped in front of Alex, and the knife slashed across her arm.

"What are you doing?" Alex shouted, wrapping his arms around her.

I took a deep breath, relieved that Alex was unharmed.

Someone finally noticed me on the ground, calling out to Alex. He rushed over, helping me up.

"When did you get here?" he asked, scanning me frantically. "Are you okay? Is the baby okay?"

I couldn't hold back the tears anymore and clung to him, sobbing. As people began to disperse, I still wouldn't let go.

Alex gently reassured me, "It's okay, it's okay."

From behind, Emily called out, "Alex, my arm…"

I awkwardly wiped my tears, apologizing, "I didn't get the chance to thank you earlier."

Emily glanced at Alex, a smile playing on her lips, "With me and Alex, there's no need for thanks."

Fortunately, someone pulled the man away, and Emily's injuries were minor. Yet, Alex continued to care for her, explaining they'd known each other since childhood, and since her husband had passed away, he felt responsible.

Before our baby, Alex promised to always be there for me, never letting me suffer. Now? I could barely catch a glimpse of him.

As I left the hospital, Alex called, but I hesitated before rejecting it.