You Were My Greatest Regret, Husband

After realizing what he had done, Ethan finally seemed to remember that I was still standing beside him.

He looked uncomfortable, scratching the back of his neck, and stammered an explanation:

“I—I did it out of instinct. I wasn’t thinking clearly... I didn’t know it would be her.”

I gave a cold laugh and stared straight at him.

“Then why did that little boy call you ‘Dad’?”

Before Ethan could open his mouth, Ruth quickly stepped in. Her voice trembled, eyes misted with tears.

“My Henry has never had a father figure in his life. He’s always craved a father’s love. When someone shows me a little kindness, he mistakenly calls them dad… I’m sorry, sister, I didn’t mean to upset you. If you’re angry, just hit me—hit me instead of blaming my Henry.”

She reached out and grabbed my hand, trying to guide it toward her face as if inviting a slap.

But before I could react, Ethan shoved me hard, and I fell to the ground.

“Stop it, Samantha!” he shouted. “She’s your sister! Why are you being so cruel to her? And why take it out on a child? Henry’s still young—he doesn’t know any better. But you? You should!”

I looked up at Henry, now hiding timidly behind Ethan. Seeing him shield that child like a father protecting his own, my chest tightened with pain.

I didn’t say another word. I simply stood up and walked away.

Ethan didn’t return until late that night.

He entered quietly, a guilty look on his face, and pulled me into his arms.

“Samantha, I’m sorry about earlier. I overreacted. Ruth… she’s had such a hard life. Her mother passed away, and her father doesn’t acknowledge her. She’s all alone, a widow with a child. I only helped her because she’s your sister.”

He buried his face on my shoulder, kissing my forehead in an attempt to win me back.

“Don’t be mad at me, okay? I know I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

I turned my head, avoiding his kiss, and said coldly,

“Tomorrow is Grace’s memorial. I have to prepare her offerings. I don’t have the energy to argue with you.”

His expression stiffened, as if something had just occurred to him. After a moment, he said awkwardly,

“About that… I might not be able to come with you. There’s a shareholders’ meeting at the company—very important. I’m doing this for you and the baby, to give you both a better life. I’m sure Grace would understand her dad.”

His eyes were filled with fake sincerity, but all I felt was overwhelming sadness.

I knew exactly where he would be tomorrow—not at a shareholders’ meeting, but at Henry’s birthday party.

I read the messages. I knew everything.

The day Grace died had been Henry’s birthday.

For the past three years, Ethan made sure to compensate Ruth for every day he spent with me.

Each year on Henry’s birthday, while pretending to grieve with me, he sent them extravagant gifts:

In the first year, he gave them a villa.

In the second, it was a set of royal jewelry—priceless and rare.

In the third, he handed over a commercial building in the heart of the city, registered under Henry’s name.

This year, he no longer wanted to miss the celebration.

I read his message to Ruth:

“I should’ve waited until the baby’s born to avoid making Samantha suspicious, but when I think of Henry waiting for me with such anticipation… my heart feels like it’s being torn apart.”

“I don’t want to miss any more of his childhood.”

The gift this year?

A notarized property deed.

All of Ethan’s assets and company shares were to be passed on to Henry in the future.

And now, after everything, he had the nerve to look at me with that same fake tenderness.

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as your agreement,” he said softly.

“Wife, I know you’re the most understanding person. When I find time, I’ll go visit Grace too.”

“I’m her father—how could I ever bear to see her suffer?”

I turned away, blinking back the tears threatening to fall.

That night, I called my lawyer and contacted the hospital.

I couldn’t carry this child any longer.

I believed, deep down, the baby would understand.

At dawn, Ethan got up and left, completely unaware of what I was about to do.