Chapter 3

Witnessing this, I felt as though my heart was being ruthlessly clenched by an invisible hand, leaving even my breath tasting of blood.

Four months.

Four months ago was precisely when I proposed to Wendy, when we exchanged engagement rings in front of our families and friends.

By day, she accepted my proposal, weeping as she told me, "Terrence, I will be faithful to you my whole life."

By night, she was crawling into Zach's bed, conceiving the crystallization of their love.

I pulled out my phone, adjusted the focal length, and clearly captured every frame of them embracing and kissing, along with Wendy's hand instinctively protecting her belly.

Flashes of our past conversations echoed in my mind.

I was career-driven and it was a critical period in my career, so I had explicitly stated early on that I wouldn't consider having children for the next five years.

At the time, Wendy had taken my hand, her eyes filled with complete acceptance.

"Terrence, I love you for who you are. Whenever you want children, tell me, and I'll be ready. Focus on building your career; I'll be your strongest pillar of support."

As it turned out, that wasn't acceptance at all.

It was simply because Zach had already fulfilled all the fantasies she desired, offering daily sweet-nothings, catering to her every whim, and giving her a baby.

She wanted me—a high-earning, high-profile sales star—to be her fiancé to preserve her social standing and share her economic burdens.

Simultaneously, she also wanted Zach's constant, meticulous pampering, wanted his baby and wanted to be waited on.

I coldly watched them step toward the elevator lobby, then pushed open my car door and followed them inside.

The VIP waiting area of the private hospital was quiet and serene, with few people around.

Keeping my mask and cap on, I sat down on a couch diagonally behind them, holding a maternity magazine as a cover.

"Wendy, did the baby kick you again today?"

Leaning against Wendy's shoulder, Zach gently pressed his hand against her belly, his voice soft and warm. "Do you think it's a boy or a girl?"

Wendy's eyes radiated a soft, maternal glow. "I don't care. As long as it's our baby, it's precious to me."

"Then... what about Terrence?"

Zach suddenly let out a sigh, his tone dripping with grievances and guilt.

"You're getting married next month, and the wedding invitations have already been sent to my former department's group chat. It hurts me so much to see this, Wendy. Maybe I should just leave. I don't want to be the third party who ruins someone else's relationship..."

As he spoke, his eyes turned red, and he lowered his head to mask his emotions.

"Nonsense!"

Instantly stricken with pity, Wendy tightened her grip on his hand. She lowered her voice, a trace of suppressed irritation bleeding into her tone.

"I've been with Terrence for seven years. The passion has long faded.

"That man has eyes only for work and promotions. He's so overbearing and completely neglectful of me. I feel suffocated when I'm with him. It's only when I'm with you that I truly feel like a woman who's needed."

Stroking Zach's hair soothingly, Wendy offered a solemn promise, "Don't worry, my mom has long been frustrated with Terrence's refusal to prioritize me. I'll find a chance in the next few days to break up with him.

"The wedding will be canceled. The luxury apartment will serve as your compensation, and I'll hand over my entire salary to you to manage."

"Really? You're so good to me, Wendy!" Zach broke into a relieved smile, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

Listening to this jaw-dropping display of affection from behind them, I almost laughed out of sheer disbelief.

Years ago, her business venture failed and she was left saddled with $300,000 in debt. I stayed with her, eating plain pasta for an entire year. I went out day and night to meet clients and drank until I suffered gastric hemorrhaging, all to help her pay off that debt.

Back then, why didn't she complain that I was overbearing?

'Now that she has achieved success, she finds me neglectful of her?'

I put down the magazine and walked over to them, my steps unhurried and steady.

The crisp tapping of my leather shoes sounded exceptionally loud in the quiet waiting area.

Wendy was peeling an orange for Zach when, hearing the approaching footsteps, she instinctively looked up.

The moment her eyes locked onto the person standing before her, the orange slipped from her hands, dropped to the floor with a soft thud, and rolled away.

"T-Terrence?"

Following her gaze, Zach looked up as well.

The second our eyes met, he shrank back in terror and instinctively hid behind Wendy. He stared at me as if he had just seen a ghost.

Looking down from my height at this despicable pair, I didn't make a scene, nor did I launch into a hysterical interrogation.

Instead, I slowly pulled off my mask, the corners of my mouth curving into an expression of utter iciness tinged with a hint of mockery.

"Fancy seeing you here, Wendy."

Scanning my eyes over Wendy's and Zach's hands on her belly, my tone remained spine-chillingly calm.

"Here for a prenatal check-up with my former coworker? Should I reserve a seat for your baby at our wedding banquet next month?"