What's Broken Can't Be Made Whole

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, that girlfriend... they didn't end up together. He's dating someone new recently."

Zachary lied without hesitation, and I finally gave up hope.

I knew the truth all along, didn't I?

After some convincing, Zachary finally went back to work instead of hovering around me all day.

I was afraid if I kept watching him wear that mask in front of me, I'd end up tearing it off his face.

I already wanted to leave—I just needed a clear reason to make a clean break.

Maybe it was my mother-in-law's cooking that didn't agree with me, but my morning sickness was brutal.

Day and night, I spent most of my time throwing up in the bathroom.

"Ella, dinner's ready!"

I'd barely sat down when another wave of nausea hit.

After finally recovering in the bathroom, I overheard Zachary scolding his mother.

"Mom, can't you try making different dishes? Ella doesn't like these."

It was true—her cooking really didn't sit well with me.

I guess after all these years, I'd gotten used to Zachary's cooking.

Throughout our marriage, no matter how busy he was at work, he always cooked for me.

Things I liked, things I didn't—he remembered every detail.

How ironic that such a "perfect" husband would keep another woman and have a child with her.

"You ungrateful boy, don't push your luck. If it weren't for my future grandson, I wouldn't be waiting on her hand and foot."

Hah, of course.

"Mom, Ella's pregnant. How can you still hold a grudge against her?"

"Hmph! If she hadn't clung to you so desperately, would my granddaughter be raised outside the family?”

Granddaughter?

Hearing those words made my heart clench.

My entire body deflated like a punctured balloon, and I slumped to the floor.

So they all knew. They were all keeping it from me.

No wonder...

No wonder she kept calling my baby her "first grandson."

So that's it—she wanted me to give birth to a boy?

Clever plan!

I got up to leave, but my clothes accidentally knocked over a water glass.

Zachary quickly signaled his mother to be quiet. Seeing my red-rimmed eyes, he panicked.

"Ella, what did you just hear?"

His voice seemed calm, but his hands wouldn't stop shaking.