บ่วงใจร้ายลวงรัก

—Dr. Sofía, are you sure you want to sign the document and proceed with the treatment? —asked the family’s primary physician.

—Yes, Edwards. I want to end this as soon as possible, —I said while gripping the ink pen tightly in my hand.

—Very well. Then you should know that once you sign, there is no turning back. We will keep you under observation for three days, and afterward you’ll be able to go home.

—Of course, doctor.

I still couldn’t believe that my husband, Matt, was the cause of all this. Ever since his secretary, Anais—his childhood love—had returned from the United States, he had become an unrecognizable man, as if he no longer had time for me.

With pain tearing at my soul, I lowered my hand and signed the abortion papers. Yes, I was pregnant. Pregnant with my husband’s child—the same husband who no longer loved me, who chose Anais over me every chance he got.

He’s the one losing this, I told myself, holding back tears. If it hadn’t been for the email Leandro sent me at that exact moment, I would have made the biggest mistake of my life.

—I’m sorry, something came up, —I said as I grabbed my coat and left the office.

What was strange was that, as I stepped out of the consultation room, Matt was standing right in front of me—along with Anais. She was clutching her stomach tightly, grimacing and groaning in pain. I didn’t ask what they were doing there; what else would they be doing in the maternity wing?

—Sofía, I can explain, —Matt said with a nervous smile.

—Don’t explain anything, —I replied, looking away.

—What are you doing here? —he asked, incredulous.

—Matt, I work here. Did you forget?

Our conversation was interrupted by one of Anais’s fake groans. I rolled my eyes and walked away.

How could I describe my relationship with Matt? Let’s say that I, Sofía Adams—twenty-seven years old, a medical graduate for a few years now—once met Philip Stone, a multimillionaire businessman with an unbearable temperament, during my morning rounds. I didn’t judge him; he was older, tired, and very ill.

That Saturday morning, I was assigned as his doctor. I treated him with genuine care—not because he was one of the most famous CEOs on the continent, but because he was a man who was losing his humanity. I felt sorry for him.

His son, Matt Stone, arrived that same afternoon, drunk beyond measure. He struggled against the guards, trying to force his way into the room. He looked completely unhinged—lost and directionless.

—Stop. Let him through. He’s the patient’s son, —I told them.

That was the first time Matt looked me in the eyes with that inexplicable spark.

Inside the room, Matt argued with his father. He had little heart, continuing to fight with a man who was on the brink of death. His attitude struck me as unbearably arrogant, and I would not tolerate that behavior in my hospital—especially toward a father.

—Silence! —I shouted firmly. —The patient needs rest. This is not the time for family disputes. If you’re going to behave like a child, then leave.

At that moment, Mr. Philip smiled as if he had struck gold.

—You, —he said firmly. —You will be my son’s wife.

I was left speechless. I had just met that spoiled man, and his father wanted us to get married.

—You’re perfect. Look at you! Your character is exactly what this boy needs in his life—discipline. Oh, dear doctor, —he said from the hospital bed, smiling from ear to ear. —Marry my son so he can become a better man. My wife’s death affected him deeply, and I will soon leave this world. I cannot leave my boy without control. —His eyes pleaded with me.

The proposal seemed absurd. How could I marry the son of a CEO out of convenience just to bring order to his life? But I had recently finished my degree and didn’t have enough money to pay off my studies. It was a tempting offer. Without thinking further, I accepted. The young man was attractive but had an awful temperament—one I believed would change over time.

That was about five years ago. Mr. Philip was fascinated with me—a young doctor who could control his son. Unfortunately, Matt did not feel the same. Though he accepted without protest, I knew his heart would never truly belong to me. He was sweet and affectionate when no one was watching, but in public, our marriage was nothing more than a card he played for appearances.

We both benefited from that arranged marriage. He improved as a person and took more interest in his father’s business, while I paid off my studies and began saving with the salary I earned.

I accepted because they offered me a large sum of money. Sadly, my parents were not around to help me pay for my education; I had gone into debt just to practice medicine. It felt like a gift from heaven. The good part was that it was a marriage for the outside world only—we pretended for the media, and that didn’t bother me.

But as expected, spending so many years with that man made me develop feelings for him. For a moment, I thought Matt felt the same. We were a happy, deeply in-love couple… until his father, Philip—the CEO of K.O. Company—passed away.

Matt became the new CEO. He spent more time working than with me. The distance grew even greater when Anais, his childhood sweetheart, returned from the United States for Philip’s funeral, using the excuse of wanting to see her old best friend. I was certain she returned because she knew Matt was now the wealthiest CEO on the continent.

I thought it would be nothing more than a brief visit, but I never expected Matt to hire Anais as his personal secretary. They were together everywhere—often more than he was with me.

I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to be a single mother while the man I loved was in love with his best friend and prepared to raise the baby she supposedly carried in her womb. How could I compete with that?

I didn’t want to fight another woman—one younger than me. I chose to focus on my work, just as Matt did with his. That way, everyone would be happy. But without realizing it, I was no longer happy with him. The best thing would be for us to sign the divorce papers.

The pain in my heart was immense, but even greater was the pity I felt for Philip. I had sworn to love his son and guide him down the right path—but I failed. Matt was focused on everything except his pregnant wife; he was focused on his pregnant secretary, carrying a child that wasn’t even his.

An idea lit up in my mind. As a doctor, I had access to hospital records. I knew it was unethical, but I needed answers. I searched for Anais Carrera’s medical files, and just as I suspected—they were empty. No pregnancy. It was a lie. A complete fraud.

I smiled to myself. I could use it against her—but that wasn’t who I was. I closed the files and chose to move on. I would not sink as low as she had.

Four years earlier…

There I was, waiting for Matt with dinner prepared for our wedding anniversary. We were celebrating one year together, and our story was just beginning. It was time to celebrate. Philip was on a business trip in China, while we lived in Canada.

Matt was more exhausted than ever. His father was preparing him to become the next CEO of K.O. Company, so noticing his effort, I cooked his favorite dinner: steak with salad.

My heart burst into flames when I saw him walk through the door in his navy-blue suit—the same one he wore on our wedding day. I smiled happily and ran into his arms.

—You look beautiful, my lovely Moon.

I loved that nickname. He said the moon was everything to him; after his mother died, he spoke to it to calm himself. I found it tender and romantic when he told me.

—I love you, my king, —I said as I kissed his lips.

Everything was perfect—until I saw a few photographs of him with another girl in the Stone family album. They were children, their faces barely recognizable, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. Then I saw an airline ticket from the United States to Canada. He had paid for a foreign woman’s flight to come to Canada.

His childhood love was coming to Canada—to take what belonged to me.