The Lucky Baby's Winning Hand

Everyone froze as they watched me slip the diamond bracelet off my wrist.

"She's really betting that? If I remember correctly, Mr. Bush gave it to Ms. Nolan for their tenth wedding anniversary."

"Well, Mr. Bush already agreed to it. She can't exactly make him lose face."

"Things are getting heated. This is going to be fun to watch."

I gently placed the bracelet on the poker table. It was the same gift Zachary Bush had given me for our tenth wedding anniversary.

Back then, he'd said, "Honey, you're the only woman I'll ever love."

And now? He treated it like nothing more than a poker stake.

The intern, Chloe Moore, stared at it without blinking, her eyes shining with excitement. "It's gorgeous. Let's bet this. Unless you're too scared?"

I looked at Zachary one last time. I waited for him to say something.

He only smiled casually. "It's a company retreat. We're just having some fun. Besides, you might not even lose."

The finance director, Noah Brooks, immediately chimed in. "Exactly. Ms. Nolan has always been pretty lucky at cards."

My face burned as though someone had just slapped me.

The other employees around the private room all turned to look, whispering among themselves. It wasn't every day they saw the boss's wife backed into a corner like this.

Just then, the baby's voice echoed in my mind again. 'Mommy, don't worry. I'm here.'

My heart finally settled.

Ever since I'd gotten pregnant, strange things had been happening. The company had landed several major contracts. On a whim, I'd bought a lottery ticket and won seventy thousand dollars.

Back then, Zachary had laughed and said, "This baby's our lucky charm."

Now my lucky charm was speaking to me. I had every reason to believe.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Fine. I'll bet."

Zachary raised an eyebrow, seemingly satisfied.

Chloe's eyes lit up as she dropped into her chair. "Then this hand decides everything!"

The dealer shuffled the cards.

This round was between the four of us: me, Zachary, Chloe, and Noah.

My hands trembled slightly. Not because I was afraid, but because I was furious with Zachary for indulging her and with Chloe for being so brazen.

Beneath it all, another thought pounded through my mind. Were they hiding something else from me? Had they already crossed a line I could never forgive?

The game began.

I played cautiously, but the cards weren't in my favor.

When it was Zachary's turn, his gaze flicked toward Chloe for the briefest moment. Then he made his move.

"Fold."

"I win!" Chloe immediately laid down her winning hand.

I stared at the table in disbelief.

Zachary had done it on purpose. He had seen the strength of Chloe's hand and deliberately folded, handing her the pot.

"So sorry, Ms. Nolan. House rules say the winner takes everything. Looks like all three of you lose." Chloe held out her hand with a dazzling smile. "The bracelet's mine."

Zachary smiled as he pushed the matching amount of chips into the pot. "Chloe really has incredible luck. Nicely played."

Grinning from ear to ear, Chloe slipped the diamond bracelet onto her wrist and admired it under the lights. "It's beautiful."

Zachary looked at her with unmistakable affection. "It really suits you."

A sharp pain pierced my heart.

If he'd wanted to reward a valued employee during a friendly card game, that would have been one thing. But this was the bracelet he'd given me for our tenth wedding anniversary, and he was openly taking her side.

'Mommy, don't be sad,' the baby's voice said just in time. 'Keep playing against her. Whatever you've lost... you'll win it all back.'