After all, we once deeply loved
each other.
Chapter 1
One month into the marriage, my husband, Ben, got wasted and slept with his assistant.
He dragged her in front of me, practically forced her to beg for forgiveness, making her
bang her head on the floor until she bled.
I thought it was real remorse, so I caved and
forgave him.
Then came the company anniversary gala. My
husband got on stage and announced to
everyone:
“Ashley’s pregnant! And his kid…this kid’s
going to be the heir to the Carter
<
Corporation!”
After the party, he knelt in front of me, all
apologies again.
“Sarah, Ashley’s an orphan. This baby is all
she’s got. I just… I can’t turn my back on her.”
“Don’t worry, she doesn’t want any claim on
- me. The baby can have your name, and she
can visit sometimes!”
My voice cracked, “And then what?”
“Ashley’s been so anxious lately, really needs
me around. I’m sure you understand?”
“Of course, I’ll come back every weekend to see you, and when the baby is born, I’ll make
it up to you!”
I nodded, numb. “Ashley’s doing all the work,
you should be with her.”
Ben grinned, and his cold lips brushed my
cheek.
“Sarah, you’re the best.”
He grabbed his suitcase and was out the
door.
I slipped off my wedding ring and dialed a
number.
“Hey, old friend, wanna take in a divorcee?”
The voice on the other end choked with
emotion.
“Yes I do With or without the kid!”
- 1.
I started packing, staring at the still–festive
decorations in our house, and a wave of
sadness crashed over me.
REEME
Our sweet college romance, the happy times
together after graduation…
I thought we were different, that we were
immune to the typical traps, but I guess not.
Tears welled up, but I blinked them back.
Just as I was dragging my suitcase out the
door, Ben called.
“Sarah, get to the Hidden Hills house now! Ashley’s freaking out.” His voice was
and strained
I looked at my hands, the same ones that had
performed countless surgeries. Now, they
would be tending to my husband’s mistress.
Remembering the divorce papers weren’t signed yet, I went to the house.
The front door was wide open, and Ben was cradling Ashley, cooing into her hair. It was
the most tenderness I had ever seen him
show anyone.
“There you go. Drink this chamomile tea, it will help you relax. I’ve been brewing it for
three hours just for you.”
Even though I’d told myself not to care, it still stung. Ben, who had been waited on hand
and foot his whole life, was suddenly making
I took a deep breath and strode in. Ben saw me, jumped up, and then, remembering
something, wrapped an arm protectively around Ashley’s waist.
“Feeling any better? I asked Sarah to come take a look.”
He looked at me, “Sarah, Ashley’s been having chest pains and dizziness. Could you check her out?”
Ashley clung to Ben, resting her whole body
against him, and said in a weak voice,
“Sarah, I told Ben I was okay, but he still
insisted on you coming.”
“It’s just that I feel bad. I’m the person I hate
the most: a homewrecker. But I didn’t…”
Her voice broke, and tears streamed down
her face.
Ben held her tighter and comforted her,
“Ashley, how many times do I have to say it? I
was drunk and made a mistake. You are not a
homewrecker. You’re doing this for the baby.”
“I’ve redecorated the room and put up our
wedding photos, your favorite roses. This is
our home now.”
I noticed the room was plastered with photos
of the two of them: walking together, eating
together, and one of Ben carrying Ashley on
his back across a lawn.
Her white dress flying high in the wind, they
looked so happy.
Was it a month ago? Two months? Maybe
longer?
Ben had never carried me like that, or smiled
that wide, because he was always too busy.
Even on vacation, he spent half the time on
his phone, dealing with work.
“But Sarah…”
Ashley glanced at me, her eyes filled with a
mixture of fear and guilt.
Ben pulled me over to Ashley.
“Sarah, tell Ashley that she’s not a
homewrecker that she didn’t ruin our
homewrecker, that she didn’t ruin our
relationship. That you will accept her as a
sister.”
Watching Ben’s desperate expression, I
laughed humorlessly.
“Ben, you want me to accept her as a sister?
You’re trying to recreate some fantasy from a
Greek myth!”
I turned to Ashley.
“Ashley, cut the act. You’re just a gold digger,
hoping to get me out of the picture, so you
can marry Ben and be Mrs. Carter!”
Ashley’s face flushed, and tears welled up in
her eyes.
“How can you say that about me?”
“Isn’t that what you want? Then sign this now.
After the baby is born, you’ll go abroad and
never see Ben again. We will pay the child
support.”
Ashley stared at the contract I held out, and
suddenly started breathing rapidly, clutching
her chest.
“Ben, I don’t want this baby. I can’t…”
