Chapter 3

"Doctor, do it immediately. My wife can't wait any longer!" Xander urged.

I barely opened my eyes and finally saw that his face was deathly pale. Even his lips were trembling as he spoke.

I had never seen him in such a panic before.

Before I could even put up a struggle, the thick needle pierced my vein. Pain instantly spread from my arm throughout my entire body.

Because of the excessive blood loss, I lost consciousness right away.

I did not know how much time had passed before the intense pain in my lower abdomen woke me up.

"What... happened to me?" I croaked.

Looking at the blood-soaked mess beneath me, a terrible premonition arose in my heart. Only after I repeatedly pressed the doctor for answers did he finally speak up with difficulty.

He explained, "After Ms. Bowman found out that you had once carried her husband's child, she became very angry and insisted on removing your uterus. Mr. Foley signed the consent form."

Instantly, I felt the world spinning around me.

They had already killed the child in my belly. Now, they had even taken away my right to ever become a mother again.

I suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

At that moment, my phone began vibrating as messages poured in.

"If you're that desperate, go get yourself an adult toy or something. Why do you have to go after a married man?"

"Mistresses these days are so shameless. You even dare to provoke me, the wife, and want to use your child to climb the social ladder, huh?"

The words "mistress" and "slut" filled my screen one after another.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I was Xander's wife, and we were lawfully wedded. Why should I tolerate such derogatory insults?

Enduring the pain, I posted my marriage certificate online and laid out the timeline of my relationship with Xander.

What I never expected was that someone online would point out that the official seal on my marriage certificate was fake.

"That's obviously fake. This mistress sure is crafty!"

I was so shocked that my mouth fell open as I repeatedly zoomed in to confirm it.

The next second, it was Stacy's turn to post her marriage certificate online. She deliberately highlighted the official embossed seal on it.

At the same time, Xander called me.

Without missing a beat, I questioned him. "Xander, don't tell me her marriage certificate is the real deal!"

Back then, Mom had been seriously ill and bedridden. Her greatest wish had been to see us get married. So, we had gone to the city hall together right away. He had held my hand and solemnly recited the vows, swearing to protect me for the rest of my life.

Now, he cruelly said, "I had to give her an explanation. I couldn't just let her stay with me without a proper title. You're different. No matter what happens, you'll stay by my side. Stop arguing about this already."

Sounds of objects smashing and crashing came from his side of the phone.

Xander hurriedly added, "Stacy is emotionally unstable right now. Hurry up and apologize to her and admit that you're the mistress."

Upon hearing those words, I was so shocked I nearly lost all my strength. "I'm the one who was deceived for five years. What makes you think I'll apologize?"

Over the phone, Xander chuckled coldly and replied, "Because your mother is still clinging to dear life using my money and medical resources. Think it over carefully yourself."

The call ended, and I collapsed weakly beside the bed.

Back then, Mom's illness had repeatedly relapsed. Each hospital visit had cost tens of thousands of dollars. Xander had covered all of her medical expenses. No matter how busy he was, he always found time to visit her at the hospital.

"Faith, don't put too much pressure on yourself. I will definitely get better." Mom comforted me.

But now, Xander was using my only remaining family member to threaten me.

Despite my injuries, I completed the discharge procedures and searched everywhere for work opportunities. But the moment people recognized who I was, they hurled trash and rotten vegetables at me.

"Who would dare hire an immoral mistress like you? Get the hell out of here!"

"She's been sleeping around. Who knows what kind of diseases she has?"

I had become the most hated pariah to everyone in the city.

When the news reached Mom, she called me and said in a weak voice, "Stop begging him for my sake..."

The piercing beeps coming from the medical equipment stimulated my fragile nerves.

I held back my tears and said, "Mom, don't worry about me. I have something to do. I'm hanging up now."

In the end, I went to find Xander.

When he saw that I was willing to compromise, he smiled in satisfaction and handed me a prepared statement. "After you admit you're the mistress during the livestream, I'll compensate you."

As soon as he finished speaking, reporters aimed their cameras at me and frantically pressed their shutters.

I stared at him in disbelief and blurted, "How is this any different from a public execution?"

Xander lowered his voice and said something that was gentle yet cruel enough to destroy me.

He whispered, "It's fine if you won't do the livestream. If so, you can go and admit that you're the mistress right in front of your mother. Doesn't she hate mistresses the most?"