Chapter 1 That Woman

The pregnancy kit in my hand started to burn hotter and hotter, searing my flesh. I stared at Shawn, but unlike last time, I did not stubbornly demand an answer.

The smug look in the woman's eyes and the curve of her stomach already told me everything I needed to know. I picked up my bag and tried to leave.

Shawn snuffed his cigarette out and stopped me. His eyes were filled with the satisfaction of revenge.

"I never scolded you for still having ties with Donald. I never scolded you for not having any children with me for him. So, I found a woman who would bear my child. I didn't make you do anything you didn't want. Don't make it my fault."

His grin widened, and he straightened his back, as if he had finally found enough justification for his betrayal.

"We might be childhood friends, but this circle has its rules. Heirs must be born, and lovers are always abundant. The heir and mistress are separate. It won't hurt your standing."

A familiar ache throbbed in my chest. He was right. I knew this better than anyone. After all, this was not my first time.

I said nothing. Then, I slapped him across the face. "You disgust me, Shawn!"

Everyone gasped. The smile on Shawn's face died a little. He grabbed my hand, and the look in his eyes went cold. "I'm disgusting? You're married twice! Why should I stay pure just for you?"

The pregnancy kit snapped under the pressure, and the broken parts stabbed into my flesh. Though it was not painful, I still shed tears.

Shawn's eyes narrowed, and he panicked. His first instinct was to step down. "Fine, I'll send her away once the child's here."

I stared at the man I called my childhood friend and thought that perhaps I never knew him at all.

His hand found the thing I was holding, and he was stunned. "What were you holding?"

I shook him off and tossed the broken test into the bin. Then I lowered my eyes and said quietly, "Nothing important. Just trash no one wants."

I meant the baby and the woman who was dumped the second time. Me.

Shawn frowned. He seemed ready to keep questioning me, but a soft gasp of pain came from behind him.

The woman caressed her belly and slowly took her mask off. One look at her face, and I froze.

She was the college girl Donald had betrayed me with. And she was also the underprivileged student I had sponsored for years.