Threads Unbound, Hearts Unmade

My name is Valerie Sanchez.

My husband's childhood sweetheart is pregnant, just like I am.

To shield her reputation, he claims the child she's carrying is his.

As for mine, he accuses me of cheating, saying it's the result of my sleeping with other men.

Devastated, I confront him, but his response is as cold and unfeeling as ever. "Evelyn's family has always been strict with her. She can't bear hearing the rumors and gossip."

Gazing at the man I had given my heart to for so long, I make an unspoken resolution—I will never love him again.

After finding out that Nathan Cresswell planned to go abroad with a pregnant Evelyn Lowry three days later, I decided to call my mother-in-law, Deborah Redgrave.

"Deborah, I want a divorce."

On the other end of the line, I could hear Deborah sigh. "Valerie, it's Nathan who's at fault here."

Ever since Nathan publicly claimed that my child was illegitimate, we'd found ourselves in the worst argument we'd had in seven years.

But when he discovered I wanted to terminate the pregnancy, he had me locked inside our villa.

Even when I went for prenatal checkups, a dozen bodyguards shadowed me.

"This is our child. You can't have an abortion," he said firmly.

It turned out Nathan had known all along that the baby was his.

With just one careless, hypocritical remark, he had the power to destroy both my life and my child's future.

Even though he knew the baby in my womb was his own flesh and blood, he didn't care.

Meanwhile, Evelyn's child had been conceived with a man she could barely remember.

My fingers gently traced the curve of my belly. I knew this was my last chance.

As much as it tore me apart to even think about ending this pregnancy, I couldn't let my baby be born only to carry the weight of society's shameful whispers.

All of a sudden, my belly stirred, responding to the warmth of my palm.

It was as though an unspoken connection existed between me and my child.

Sensing my grief, it felt like the baby was trying to console me.

Tears rushed down my face in an instant.

I buried my face in my hands and sobbed uncontrollably.

"I'm so sorry. Please forgive me for being so cruel."

Just as I was starting to pull myself together, the door to the villa opened.

Nathan walked in, his eyes lingering on my swollen, tear-streaked face.

"For the baby's sake, you need to take care of yourself. Please stop crying like this."

He made it sound so effortless.

If I had been able to keep my emotions in check back then, I would never have fallen for him.

I knew he'd always held a place in his heart for Evelyn.

I knew his feelings for me were never the love I had hoped for.

The man I loved so completely turned out to be the one who hurt me the most.

"You've betrayed me in so many ways and stripped me of my freedom.

"After everything I've been through, don't I even have the right to cry?"

Nathan simply looked at me, a trace of guilt flickering in his bloodshot eyes.

But still, he couldn't bring himself to say anything.

It was just like a few months ago, when I first had a feeling I was pregnant.

When I went to the hospital for an ultrasound, I unexpectedly bumped into Nathan. He was there with Evelyn for her checkup.

He was incredibly caring and thoughtful, always going above and beyond to keep her safe.

"Nate, feel my belly! I think the baby is moving."

A smile spread across Nathan's face.

He let Evelyn hold his hand, guiding it to her abdomen.

When he looked up, he saw me standing in the corner.

He remained silent, his face frozen in disbelief.

They certainly made such a loving couple.

If I weren't Nathan's wife, I might have genuinely spoken those words of envy.

But sadly, I couldn't bring myself to say them.

Suddenly, something seemed to flicker across his mind.

With a hint of indifference, he said, "Tomorrow's your birthday. I'll organize a party for you.

"By the way, Mom just told me she's coming back to take care of you. I'll be more at ease with her around."