Chapter 2

The funeral home was less than a three-hour drive from the village. But Chloe and I waited for a full six hours. Joel and Michael never showed up.

After the funeral, Chloe was devastated. She cried every day till her eyes were constantly red and swollen.

I wasn't doing much better. Night after night, I woke up from nightmares, and even sleeping pills couldn't bring me any peace.

Meanwhile, Rachel was posting nonstop on Instagram. In one video, Joel and Michael were shirtless, lounging by the window, and smiling at her.

Rachel sat nearby, blushing. She bit her lip as she sketched their bodies onto a large sheet of paper.

The camera didn't capture anything below the waist, but judging by her drawing, there was nothing on them.

The caption read, "I've seen that perfect body one too many times that I'm starting to get bored. I'm not in a rush to finish this sketch, but they're so invested in my life, they won't even waste time on phone calls."

Not long after I scrolled past that, Rachel went live. Joel was washing her underwear on the live stream while Michael massaged her lower belly.

She let out soft hums while her cheeks flushed with just the right shade of pink.

The comments were flooding in.

"Damn, this girl's living good. Let me take her place for a couple of days!"

"Both the older and younger brother are into her, huh? Rachel, which one do you want?"

"She's an adult. Obviously, she wants both!"

Rachel bit her lip and glanced at the two of them. "I'm so useless. It's just my period, and I still need you two to take care of me."

Joel smiled and patted her on the head. "What nonsense. You'll always be our little princess."

Michael nodded earnestly. "Exactly."

…

When Chloe saw the live stream, she completely broke down.

I grabbed her hand. "Don't cry! They're the ones who should be ashamed. If anyone should be crying, it's them, not us."

I couldn't stomach this farce of a marriage for another second. I grabbed the divorce papers, took Chloe with me, and drove straight to the village to confront Joel and Michael.

As it was winter, we were bundled up in thick coats. They didn't even notice we weren't pregnant anymore.

"I told you I'd be back in time for the birth. Why did you come all the way here? Anna, Rachel's finally getting better. Don't stir things up, alright? Go home. I've got to make her lunch. I'm not seeing you out."

Joel shot me a resigned glance before he turned and started heading back inside.

I ran up and grabbed his arm. "Oh, so you do remember I was about to give birth? You didn't show up when I was in danger and even skipped our son's funeral.

"And now I'm standing here, yet you still prioritize making lunch for your mistress over our lives?"

Joel's expression hardened. "What mistress? Don't be ridiculous. There's nothing between me and Rachel.

"Don't ruin her name. If you keep throwing around baseless accusations, we're done here."

He heard nothing except the word "mistress". That was all it took for my heart to go ice-cold.

I shoved the divorce papers into his chest.

"All you can think about is Rachel, huh? Go be with her then. I'm done. I want a divorce!"

Joel's frown deepened. "Anna, I've always been a good husband. You really want to throw everything away over some wild assumptions?"

"A good husband? You ignore your pregnant wife, skip your son's funeral, wash your lover's underwear, and pose in your birthday suit for her drawings—and you say that you're a good husband?"

Just then, Michael came outside with his face twisted in annoyance.

"Chloe, why do you keep sticking your nose in Joel and Anna's business? You two besties are unbelievable! Almost nine months pregnant and still causing scenes.

"Just think of it as racking up good karma for the baby, and cut it out, will you?"

He should've kept his mouth shut. Because the moment he brought up the baby, Chloe snapped. She grabbed the divorce papers and hurled them in his face.

"I've had it with you, Michael. I want a divorce too!"

Michael's face darkened immediately.

Joel rubbed his temples. "Pregnant women are so emotional. Let them cool off. Rachel's probably hungry. Let's eat."

And just like that, they turned and walked back inside, leaving us out in the cold. Inside, the two of them were laughing and teasing Rachel like nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Chloe and I were shivering in the freezing air. We banged on the door, but they acted like they couldn't hear us.

"They're the ones who asked for this." I glanced at Chloe.

She nodded. We got in the car, pulled out a loudspeaker, strapped it to the roof, and started driving loops around the village.

"Joel Grant and Michael Grant abandoned their wives—both almost nine months pregnant—to shack up with Rachel Smith, in their birthday suit, for two whole weeks!"

"Rachel Smith shares a bed with two men!"

This was a small village. Everyone knew each other. No way they could walk away from this without shame.

After just two laps, our phones blew up. Joel and Michael came rushing after us with Rachel in tow, blocking our path.

Rachel's eyes were red and swollen from crying. "Is it because I'm poor and not as pretty or rich as you guys? Is that why you two hate me? If everyone wants me gone, maybe I should just die!"

"Anna, how could you be so cruel?" Michael shouted.

Chloe's eyes burned red. She stepped in front of me. "You're the cruel one! Cruel and disgusting!"

Rachel put on a show and bolted toward me. "Don't stop me! I've got nothing left to live for!"

"No, Rachel!" Joel rushed forward, catching her just in time. Afraid she'd grab the knife in my hand, he lashed out and kicked me hard in the chest.

I stumbled back and fell to the ground.

Chloe rushed to help me, but slipped too and hit the ground with a thud.

"Anna, are you okay? I didn't mean to—why is your stomach flat?" Joel reached out to help me up. And the moment he touched my belly, the blood drained from his face.

Michael, who was helping Chloe up, froze too. "Chloe… our baby… w-where's our baby?"