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Semua Bab Guess Who Failed the Test: Bab 1 - Bab 8

8 Bab

Chapter 1

I landed in the hospital—again—from grinding too hard. That's when the truth dropped: my husband was rich.Turns out, his childhood friend talked him into running some twisted loyalty test. If I wasn't after his cash, he'd marry me.Too bad for him—I was already out. I didn't love him, and I wasn't keeping this second baby.***Jacob walked in while I was packing.He grabbed my wrist. "What are you doing?"I didn't even look at him. "Hospital bills are brutal. I'm out." My voice cracked.He froze. Guilt all over his face.His throat moved like he had something to say, but all I got was, "I'm sorry."Even now, with everything on the line, he picked silence over owning up to his stupid little test.No surprise. When I lost our first baby, he cried, then dumped me at some sketchy back-alley clinic.The crappy treatment wrecked my body. I've been hurting ever since.Even today, the doctor warned me:"Think it through, Ms. Hart. This might be your last shot."I shut my eyes, d

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Chapter 2

Took me less than thirty minutes to wrap everything up. All that was left was to wait three days for the procedure.We never got legally married. Thank God.I brought it up plenty over the years, but he'd always dodge it."Once I make it big, I'll throw you the grandest wedding."Sure, he worked hard—always chasing some dream—but all he ever brought home was bad news.Still, he kept going. Falling asleep at his desk, running on fumes. I saw the spark. That's why I carried the bills, the debt, everything—for his dream.But turns out, his big "hustle" was just luxury trips with Lillian.Her latest post? Two hands locked across a fancy table. His ring was right there.It was always in my face. I just worked too much to notice her little digs.I shut my phone, climbed out of bed, and got ready to quit my job for good.At one point, I had ten gigs just to crush the debt. By the end, I was barely functioning.My last job was at a bar. The second I walked in, the reek of booze smac

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Chapter 3

I didn't expect to walk in and find Lillian at the dinner table while Jacob moved back and forth from the kitchen like some doting host.The second he saw me, he wiped his hands and rushed over. "Zoe, where'd you go? I couldn't find you—I was freaking out."I looked at the warm food on the table and let out a dry laugh.He reached for my arm. I pulled away."Overtime," I said flatly. "I'm going to bed."As I walked past, he stopped me. "Lillian barely visits. Why not sit and eat with us?""No. I'm tired."Right then, Lillian stood and took my hand, all soft concern. "At least eat something. You look pale—what if you faint?"Her voice was sweet, like always, but her eyes? Full of smugness.I used to wonder why a rich girl like her would even bother with me. Turns out, she was playing the long game.I yanked my hand away. "If you're hungry, help yourself."She froze, her eyes watering on cue. Jacob grabbed my wrist."She's your best friend. How could you humiliate her like th

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Chapter 4

Jacob ran to Lillian, hands shaking as they touched her blood."The baby's already gone. Why are you still so obsessed? Lillian is your best friend. This was just a misunderstanding, and she already apologized. Why do you have to be so aggressive—even violent?"My arms dropped. Cold washed over me. 'Obsessed? Best friend?'I let out a bitter laugh.Jacob didn't even look back. Just shoved me aside and rushed Lillian into the stretch Lincoln.He didn't bother faking it anymore.Seconds later, a sports car roared to life downstairs, leaving a trail of thick smoke behind.I glanced down. Blood slid down my thigh, drop by drop, soaking into the shredded paper on the floor—blurring the image of my son.I dragged myself into a cab and headed to the hospital.The doctor confirmed it—baby's gone.All I felt was relief.At least I didn't have to cough up cash for the abortion.I wandered through the halls like a ghost, barely there, until I caught voices coming from one of the rooms

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Chapter 5

Jacob flew down the stairs and blew through every red light on the way home.His grip on the wheel kept slipping, Zoe's blank stare burned into his brain.Panic twisted in his gut. He fumbled for his phone.Straight to voicemail. Just a flat, robotic voice.Panic hit—worse than anything he'd ever felt.Maybe he'd really blown it—underestimated how much she cared. About the baby. About him.He swerved into a luxury store, grabbed whatever looked expensive, then swung by a Michelin spot for dinner.But home? Empty.The air was weird—damp, metallic.Then he saw it.Blood. A long smear, straight to the front door.Right from where she'd gone down last time.The gift box slipped.His chest locked up.He called again. Straight to dead silence.Jacob lost it—punched the wall so hard plaster rained down.He was spiraling, but forced himself to focus. If she was hurt, she'd probably gone to the hospital.He bolted out the door, tearing down the road.His hands shook. Every sin

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Chapter 6

The second Jacob walked in, Lillian lit up and launched herself at him."Jacob, you came back. You were so scary earlier—I was freaking out."Tears laced her voice, but all he felt was pure disgust.He shoved her to the floor, face cold."Jacob, what's wrong? Is this still about Zoe not forgiving me? Just give me another shot—I'll say sorry again. But seriously, isn't she being a little dramatic? She never used to be this moody. Maybe she's faking it to get something out of you."Same old Lillian—still trying to twist things, thinking he'd fall for it.To her shock, Jacob suddenly raised his hand and slapped her hard."Shut up. You don't get to talk about her."Lillian clutched her cheek, eyes wide. "Jacob... you hit me? For HER?"He didn't answer. Just hit play.Her own voice filled the room—vile, sharp, undeniable.Her face drained.Jacob's jaw tightened. "You're a snake. I never want to see you again. And trust me, you're gonna pay for this."Lillian dropped to her knee

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Chapter 7

After I ditched Jacob, I landed in a small town in Florenze.Finding work was easy—I'd hustled through way worse before. With my savings, I snagged a small house. Nothing fancy, but it was mine.Life slowed way down. Just me, the bakery, and home. The neighbors were sweet, always saying hi.Well, everyone except my boss—Noah Carter. He never even said good morning.I used to think he just didn't like me, but at work, he always had my back. If a customer got outta line, he'd rather lose the sale than let them treat me like crap.One time after that happened, I shot him a grateful look. "Mr. Carter, let me buy you dinner. Consider it payback for the cash you lost."He nodded without looking up, but I swear his ears turned a little red.That night, I blew nearly half a month's paycheck booking the nicest spot in town.Sitting across from him, I realized Noah wasn't cold—he was actually hilarious. Had me laughing so hard my stomach hurt.I hadn't laughed like that in forever. With

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Chapter 8

And just like that, Noah and I were a thing.I figured Jacob would back off after that scene. Nope.He showed up again—this time with the doorstep buried in luxury crap. I didn't even blink. Straight to the trash.He thought flashing cash would beat Noah.I mean, sure, money had worked on other girls.But he forgot—I was the one who passed his stupid test.Those gifts? Just reminders of how long he'd played me.Still, he didn't quit. The packages kept coming for almost six months.He never showed up at work—not with Noah around. Couldn't handle it.One afternoon, I came home to a porch drowning in roses. That was it.I grabbed the bouquet, slammed it down, and crushed every petal under my shoe.I knew Jacob was nearby, watching. So I stomped harder.He started to leave, crushed."Jacob," I called.He spun around, hope lighting up his face—Only to see me standing next to Noah, fingers laced with his."Stop sending these. I'm allergic to pollen."He froze. "I... I didn'

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