LOGINThe doctor seemed to catch onto a specific detail in my explanation, tilting his head slightly as he prodded further. "And when did this encounter take place, Ma'am?""About a month and a half ago," I answered softly."Have you experienced any other physical changes or unusual symptoms recently?""Well, yes," I recounted, listing the subtle shifts I had been trying so hard to ignore. "I’ve been feeling incredibly sluggish. I’m far more exhausted than I usually am, and I get dizzy at times when I stand up too fast. Plus, my period is late by over a week. That’s never happened to me before, even when work is completely insane.""I see..." The doctor cleared his throat, setting the folder down squarely on his desk. "Mrs. Woods, you need to run another test."I frowned, a fresh wave of panic creeping into my chest. "Is... is there something wrong with my lab work, Doctor? You just said everything was negative. Why do I need to get tested again?""Not for sexually transmitted diseases," he
A month and a half had blurred by since the day I walked out of that apartment, and my life had settled into an exhausting, mechanical routine.While I threw myself relentlessly into my work, Ryan remained busy being his usual useless, parasitic self. The only real change was the complete wall I had built between us. I had blocked his number weeks ago because the arrogant bastard refused to stop blowing up my phone. Every text was the same infuriating script—calling me a "tantrum-throwing bitch," telling me I was being "unreasonable and childish," and demanding I return home immediately to resume my duties as his provider.Returning from another grueling twelve-hour shift at the publishing house, I collapsed onto my bed, completely drained.A profound, bone-deep exhaustion had settled over me lately. At first, I blamed it on the stress of the impending CEO transition and the mountain of manuscripts on my desk, but the physical drag was getting ridiculous. I wasn't even working longer
I took a deep, shaky breath the moment the apartment door slammed shut behind me. Leaning my head back against the cold wall of the hallway, I tried to process the tempest of emotions raging inside my chest.I was furious with myself. Absolutely furious. Because despite everything that had happened—despite his grotesque betrayal and his cruel, callous words—I had to admit to a terrifying truth: a part of me was still in love with Ryan. Aside from my mother's frail heart, which kept me from sharing bad news, it was my love for Ryan that had kept me tethered to him for so long, enduring his deadbeat behavior.He had been my first in everything. My first love, my first kiss, and the first and only man I had ever given my body to—at least, until last night. Once upon a time, he had been the ideal man in my eyes, the person I dreamed of building a life with.I had foolishly hoped that a single night of wild passion with a stranger would erase him completely. But years of history—all those
I dragged my heavy suitcase out of the master bedroom, but my exit was immediately cut off. Ryan was standing in the doorway, his feet planted wide, physically blocking me from leaving."Move," I said, my voice cold and hard.Ryan’s lips thinned into a tight, arrogant line. In his mind, he still genuinely believed I was just having an emotional breakdown. He thought he could browbeat me into submission like he usually did."Are you seriously throwing a whole scene over something this simple?" Ryan scolded, shaking his head. "It's pathetic, Christy. You're leaving me because I slept with Rose once? And don't even start with that ridiculous divorce threat. We both know you won't actually go through with it.""Don't test me, Ryan," I warned. "You talk as if divorcing you is some massive hurdle. You bring absolutely nothing to this marriage. You're not a breadwinner, you're not a supportive partner, and you aren't even faithful. I have a thousand reasons to leave you, but the only reason
I froze, my hand clutching a silk blouse as a sharp, cold ache pierced my chest. It wasn’t because I still loved Ryan. No, the agony came from his sheer, casual indifference. He spoke about his betrayal as if it were a minor, everyday inconvenience—a simple household issue we needed to resolve, rather than the complete destruction of our life together.What made the bile rise in my throat was the smug, magnanimous way he threw out that peace offering: You're still my official wife. As if I should be on my knees, thanking him for the crumbs of his pathetic loyalty.I kept my back turned. I refused to let him see the raw, bleeding cracks in my armor. Silently, mechanically, I kept folding my clothes and packing my shoes, treating his voice like background noise in an empty room.Ryan clicked his tongue, his patience clearly snapping at my silence. "Why are you throwing a tantrum like this, Christy? You know as well as I do that I'm not sleeping with Rose because I want to. I'm doing thi
If not that, I found out about Ryan’s affair with my best friend, I would have still been in the dark. The admission tore from my throat, raw and trembling, echoing off the cold bathroom tiles. For years, I had quietly carried the suffocating weight of my supposed inadequacy, but standing there, the dam finally broke. Hot, bitter tears spilled over my lashes. I violently slapped them away, staring at my wet hands.No. I am done shedding tears for a man who isn't worth the salt in them. I refuse to let him humiliate me any further.I stepped out of the tub, wrapping a plush towel tightly around my chest, and stood before the vanity. Wiping a fistful of steam off the glass, I forced myself to actually look at the woman staring back.I had spent my entire life believing my body was nothing special—just an ordinary frame. Yet last night, a man who looked like he belonged on a billboard had treated this exact body like a prize. My eyes traced the curve of my full breasts, the dip of my wa
My jaw dropped as soon as the question left his lips. Where was the customary "Hello?" or "Who are you?" Wasn't that how you were supposed to greet someone you've never met? Heck, I wouldn't even be surprised if this man started cursing at me out of the blue since he looked half-drunk already.'Is
The taxi driver picked up on the hurt from my shaking my voice right away. I tried to sound all tough and cold, like ice, but it came out wobbly and broken, showing everyone how deep my sadness really went. He didn't say a word, but I could tell from the way he gripped the wheel tighter that he was
I gritted my teeth so hard it hurt, biting back every scream I wanted to let out. I couldn't wait to tear these two cheating bastards apart. Ryan and my own best friend Oliver, but at the same time, I had this sick feeling twisted in my gut because I knew they were gaslighting me, trying to twist m
My legs gave out from under me, the shock hitting like a freight train. I felt the room spin, darkness creeping in at the edges of my vision. But I could not let myself fall. I lunged for the kitchen table and grabbed the edge with both hands, my fingers turning white from the pressure. My heart po







