One Pretend Husband, One Real One

For days, Malcolm was nowhere to be found. I learned from Instagram that he had been glued to Ashley's side.He had sent an endless stream of luxury gifts to her bedside. He even rented the giant billboard across from the hospital and ran his well-wishes for her on a 24-hour loop.Ashley posted a photo of tightly interlaced hands. The caption read, "I'm the happiest woman in the world."Under the doctor's sympathetic gaze, I signed my own discharge papers and left the hospital without a word.That day, Malcolm finally called, sounding annoyed. "Where's the baby? Why won't they let me see our child?""I haven't fully recovered, and you're clearly busy. So, I left the baby with my parents."He caught the sarcasm in my voice and, for once, sounded a little guilty. "You've been through so much. When I—"I hung up without a shred of mercy, hoping he'd be this calm when he learned the truth.Back home, I told the maid to pack up all my things. Every little thing there was a memory of

Third-Person Point of ViewAt the hospital, Malcolm scowled at his phone. Once again, Giselle Jacobson had hung up on him.He knew he'd been neglecting her lately because of Ashley. Even so, as his wife, Giselle should understand.Catching him zoning out, Ashley pouted in irritation.Only then did he swallow his annoyance and turn to the doctor, his voice tight with worry. "Ashley isn't doing well. Please give her the best treatment plan you've got."The doctor shot him a puzzled look. "Not doing well? With numbers like hers? She's practically too healthy!"Malcolm froze upon hearing those words.But at that moment, Ashley pressed both hands to her temples and whimpered, "Mal, my head hurts so bad…""Let me help you lie down, Ashley," he blurted.Even with doubts poking at him, he stayed gentle and patient as he settled her. Then, all at once, the doctor from earlier struck him as familiar.He was the one who'd delivered Giselle's baby by C-section.Malcolm headed out to ask

The pain hit so sharply it knocked the breath from Malcolm's lungs. Giselle was truly gone. Whatever resentment he'd carried was replaced by only panic and regret.She'd married someone else. Would she ever forgive him? Was there any way to undo what he'd done? Malcolm had been laughably sure she'd never leave. Marriage was meant to be sacred, yet he'd tied himself to a woman who meant nothing to him.He never stopped to imagine how shattered Giselle would be when she learned the truth. In the end, he'd been the one to drive her into another man's arms.Right then, Malcolm, usually unflappable, broke down, clutching his phone to his chest.A second text from Miguel popped up. "There's one more thing you should know. When I was settling the bill at the hospital, I saw Ashley's test report. She's perfectly healthy."…Malcolm burst in to find Ashley ambling around the hospital room, as if nothing were wrong. Caught off guard, she didn't flinch. Instead, she gave a small yelp and