The Heir’s Deception

"The baby was conceived through IVF," Felix explained, his voice rushed. "I only provided the sample. We never… you know. Nothing physical."

My eyes widened.

IVF?

"Felix!" Isabella covered her face, tears streaming through her fingers. "How could you say something so private out loud?"

But I saw a flash of triumph in her eyes.

"Are you insane?" My voice trembled as I screamed at Felix. "Letting another woman carry your child?"

"I was helping Isabella fulfill her dream of becoming a mother."

Felix pleaded, his eyes desperate for me to understand. "She's had a weak heart since she was a child. Her body is too frail. This was her only chance. Besides, she saved my life…"

"And what about me?" I cut him off. "What about the baby in my belly?"

"A 'savior'?" I looked at Isabella, a cold, tearful laugh escaping my lips. "You never mentioned she was also your first love. Your old flame!"

Felix flinched.

"Get rid of it," I said, pointing at Isabella's stomach. "Now."

"That's impossible." Felix's face hardened. "She's seven months along. It's too late for an abortion. And Isabella's heart—"

"I don't care about her heart!" I shouted. "Felix, do you have any idea what I've been through these past three months? Everyone whispering behind my back about me being pregnant out of wedlock, and you never once acknowledged our relationship in public!"

My eyes were red, tears threatening to spill over. "And now you're giving interviews for her?"

Felix's tone softened. "Vivian, please try to understand—"

"Understand what? That you're letting another woman have your baby while I'm treated like some mistress you have to hide in the shadows?"

Before I could finish, Isabella suddenly clutched her chest, her face pale. "I… I don't feel well…"

"Isabella!" Felix immediately rushed to her side, glaring at me. "Look what you've done! If she has a heart attack—"

He turned his anger on me fully. "If you push her any further, our engagement is off."

His words were a shard of ice stabbing into my heart.

The tears finally broke free.

The sight of my tears seemed to break through his anger.

His expression softened, and he pulled me aside, lowering his voice.

"Vivian. Sweetheart. You're the one I love, only you. Please, just believe me. Give me a little more time. As soon as Isabella's baby is born, I swear, I'll give you the grandest wedding imaginable—"

"Felix…" Isabella's weak voice interrupted him.

She was clutching her stomach and her heart. "The baby… the baby's kicking. I feel so sick. Can you please take me home?"

Felix looked at me, then back at Isabella.

In the end, he let go of my hand and turned to her.

"I'll have the driver take you back," he said to me, before sweeping Isabella up into his arms and carrying her toward a luxury car.

In the taxi, I watched the Rolls-Royce disappear in the rearview mirror.

Back at the apartment, I felt a sharp pain in my lower abdomen.

I clutched my slightly rounded belly, and the tears started flowing again, uncontrolled.

Since Daddy doesn't want us, Mommy will take you away, okay?

I would never let my baby be despised by its own father before it was even born.

I went into the bedroom, pulled out a suitcase, and began methodically erasing every trace of myself from the apartment.

Late that night, the lock clicked.

Felix was back.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice sharp as he stared at the packed suitcases on the floor.

"I'm ending our engagement," I said without looking up.

"I don't agree." He grabbed my wrist. "Vivian, stop this nonsense."

"Nonsense?" I shook him off. "Felix, you're the one being nonsensical. Letting another woman carry your child—that's not nonsense?"

"I told you, once she gives birth—" he started, repeating the same excuses.

"I can't wait. Either I go, or you get rid of Isabella's baby!"

Smack!

Felix actually slapped me.

"That's enough!" he roared. "How could you even think something so vicious?!"

Felix dropped all pretense of being gentle.

He slammed the door and stormed out in a rage.

I collapsed, all my strength gone.

I went into the bathroom and let my tears mix with the hot water from the shower, a silent, wrenching release.

Just as I got out, I picked up my phone to check the time.

A notification from Instagram popped up.

Isabella had posted a new photo at three in the morning.

It was of Felix, sitting by her hospital bed, his hand gently caressing her pregnant stomach.

His gaze was tender and focused, as if he were looking at the most precious treasure in the world.

The caption was just one sentence: "Best daddy & husband-to-be in the world."