I was eight months pregnant when a stranger shoved me from a second-floor landing. I hit the ground in a spreading pool of my own blood. Frantic, my husband, Adrian, scooped me into his arms and raced to the hospital, summoning a team of top specialists to save me. Miraculously, they said, the baby was saved. But when I opened my eyes, both Adrian and my child were gone. I fought through the pain, dragging myself out of bed. I searched the halls, my leg, wrapped in a cast, screaming with every limping step. That’s when I heard them, their voices drifting from the cold, sterile doorway of the morgue. Adrian and the doctor. “Mr. Stone, the baby… he was still breathing. Why did you… smother him? He was your son!” “He was a mistake. He never should have been born. It's better this way.” Adrian’s voice was ice. “Scarlett gave me a son yesterday. I promised her our child would be the sole heir to the Stone fortune. I won’t have another child competing with him.” So it was all a lie. The happy family, the perfect marriage—it was nothing but a delusion I’d built for myself. My life wasn't a fairy tale; it was a cold, dark hell. Fine. If that’s how it was, I would leave. … The doctor’s voice was hesitant. “But you’re planning to pass Scarlett’s baby off as your own. What if your wife finds out?” “Newborns all look the same. She’ll never know. I’ll bring him to her in a moment. Get rid of the… body. And I need a dose of that new drug you mentioned, the one that causes permanent sterilization. I want you to give it to Elara.” The doctor was aghast. “Mr. Stone, you’ve already killed her child just to bring Scarlett’s into your home. Why must you do this to her, too? It’s too cruel!” A chill crept from the morgue, but Adrian’s words were colder still. “I made a promise to Scarlett. I promised our son would never suffer a moment of hardship, that he would never have to compete with siblings for my affection. Even though she’s married to another man, I will give her that peace of mind.” The doctor sounded desperate. “Sir, I have to warn you, that drug is experimental. It hasn’t even completed clinical trials. The side effects are severe. Can you truly do this to her?” Adrian paused, then sighed. “I have no choice. Elara will be waking soon. A hysterectomy now would raise too many questions. She’ll just have to endure it. I’ll make it up to her later, but I cannot risk her ever getting pregnant again.” Just then, his phone rang. He put it on speaker, and a man’s giddy voice filled the morgue. “Mr. Stone, the five million came through. Don’t you worry, I’m leaving the city now. Your wife will never know it was you who paid me to push her down those stairs. Heh heh.” Footsteps approached from within the morgue. I ignored the fire in my leg and stumbled back to my room. The image of my baby’s tiny, lifeless body in that cold room burned behind my eyes. I clutched my chest, tears splashing onto the pristine white bandages on my leg. It wasn’t an accident. My fall at the mall was an orchestrated event. My loving husband, clearing the way for his true love and their child. My baby hadn’t been saved. He’d been murdered. By his own father. To Adrian, my son and I were nothing but obstacles. “Ellie, you’re awake?” Adrian walked in, cradling a newborn. He smiled, sitting on the edge of my bed. “Look at our son. Doesn’t he look just like us?” He beamed. “Thank you, my love, for giving me such a beautiful boy. I swear I’ll be the best father in the world.” My gaze fell on the sleeping infant in his arms, and a fresh wave of pain ripped through me. He was wrong. No mother could fail to recognize her own child. The baby’s brow was all Adrian, but his nose, his chin… they were copied directly from Scarlett’s face. This was their son. My son was a cold corpse in the morgue. “Ellie, does your leg still hurt? Here, take some painkillers.” His voice was filled with the same gentle concern as always, a carefully constructed illusion meant to keep me docile. I looked at the pills in his hand, his words from the hallway echoing in my ears. “Adrian,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “The pills are too bitter. Can I take them later?” You’ve already murdered my child. Please, at least leave me the ability to be a mother again. He hesitated for only a second before stroking my hair. “You’re a mother now, acting like a little kid,” he cooed. “You went through so much during childbirth, and your leg is in such pain. I’ve been sick with worry, I haven’t slept a wink. Please, Ellie, do it for me? I have to be a good dad for our little boy.” He held up a glass. “I put honey in the water. It’s sweet. Come on, let me help you.” No. That’s not my baby. That’s yours and Scarlett’s. He held the pills to my lips, leaving no room for refusal. The blood in my veins turned to ice. I closed my eyes and swallowed them dry, ignoring the honeyed water. I wanted no part of his cloying, deceitful sweetness. The drug acted fast. A fire ignited in my womb, a searing agony as if a blade was carving me open from the inside. Blood began to seep from between my legs. “Elara! What’s wrong?” Adrian shouted for the doctor as I screamed, the pain pulling me into darkness. Through a hazy fog of consciousness, I heard the doctor’s grim report. “Mr. Stone, the drug has caused massive, irreversible damage to her uterus. It’s… destroyed. She’ll never be able to carry a child again.” Adrian let out a long, heavy sigh of relief. When I opened my eyes again, his were red-rimmed, his face a mask of anguish. “Ellie,” he whispered, his voice thick with fake sympathy. “The doctor said you had a sudden postpartum hemorrhage. You… you won’t be able to have any more children.” He squeezed my hand. “Don’t be sad. We’re lucky we have Leo. He’ll grow up to take good care of you, I promise.” Leo? He’d already named Scarlett’s child? He dismissed the nurse, insisting on cleaning me up himself, despite his well-known fastidiousness. As he gently wiped away the blood, he told me his mother had been so excited to see her grandson that she’d already taken the baby home. By the time he was finished, it was late. I looked at his weary face and managed a weak smile. “I’m okay. You’ve had a long day. You should get some rest.” He kissed my forehead. “Alright. Wake me if you need anything. Tomorrow, we’ll go pick up Leo. The three of us will finally be a proper family.” Once he was sound asleep, I quietly picked up his phone. To prove his “loyalty,” he’d never set a passcode. What I never knew was that he had a dual-system interface. The password to switch systems was Scarlett’s birthday. The wallpaper flickered, changing to a photo of him and Scarlett from their university days. His chat list contained only one contact: Scarlett. I opened it, and a photo of her holding a baby stabbed me in the heart. “Adrian, look how beautiful our son is. He’s going to be as handsome as you when he grows up.” It was the same baby he had brought to my room. The further I scrolled, the colder my heart became. During my eight months of pregnancy, Adrian was constantly on “business trips.” I could count the number of days he’d spent with me on two hands. I hadn’t wanted to be a burden, so I’d endured the morning sickness and the lonely trips to the hospital by myself. Now I knew. The business trips were just an excuse to be with Scarlett, to care for her during her pregnancy. There were thousands of photos documenting every moment, from her first ultrasound to the delivery. Adrian cooking her special meals, taking her for walks, shopping for baby clothes. He’d even cupped his hands to catch her vomit when she was sick. He was by her side for every single check-up, his eyes gazing at her as if she were a priceless treasure. I had begged him, so many times, to help me choose a name for our baby. His replies were always terse and delayed. “Elara, a name is just a label. We can pick anything. I’m busy. We’ll talk about it after he’s born.” But for Scarlett’s baby, he had compiled a list of over a hundred names before she was even showing. “Scarlett, what about August? A future full of promise.” “Or Spencer? Scholarly and successful.” “No, let’s call him Leo. I don’t need him to be a genius. I just want him to be safe and sound, and to live a long, happy life.” After every one of her check-ups, he’d showered her with gifts—luxury jewelry, limited-edition sports cars. He’d even bought her a European castle to celebrate a smooth delivery. All I ever got was a text: “You did great, Elara. I have to go to a meeting.” The difference between being loved and not being loved was so stark, so brutal. My heart a hollow cavern, I put down the phone and booked a one-way ticket out of the country, for three days’ time. I lay back in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, my soul consumed by a grief so vast it left no room for sleep. The next day, Adrian had his assistant deliver a gourmet meal, just as he always did. I used to be so touched by his thoughtfulness, that even when he was away, he was thinking of me. But now, picturing him in an apron, bustling around a kitchen for Scarlett, I saw it for what it was: a perfunctory, meaningless gesture. Money is worthless in the face of true devotion. Seeing that I hadn’t touched the food, Adrian’s brow furrowed with concern. “Ellie, why aren’t you eating? Do you not like it?” “It’s nothing. I just miss the baby.” Adrian smiled. “Ah, you miss our little Leo. I miss him too. I never understood it before, but now that I’m a father, I don’t want to be apart from him for a second. He’s the most adorable baby in the world.” He continued, “Mom is over the moon. She’s throwing a little celebration at the manor. We’ll go pick him up in a bit.” I said nothing. I was leaving anyway. Let him have his fantasy. When we arrived at the Stone family manor, we were greeted by the sight of his mother and Scarlett cooing over Leo. Scarlett was dressed in a stunning designer outfit, looking radiant, with none of the fatigue of a new mother. My mother-in-law was spoon-feeding her bird’s nest soup while fussing over the baby. Scarlett saw me and spoke, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. “Oh, you shouldn’t spoil me like this, Mother Stone. People might think I’m your daughter-in-law. Elara might get jealous. She’s so frail. You should give the soup to her.” My mother-in-law’s gaze shifted to me. She took in my clothes—the same ones from the day of the fall, still stained with dried blood—and her face twisted in disgust. “Does my son not provide for you? Why are you dressed in such a cursed outfit? Are you trying to disgrace our family? Look at Scarlett. You’re both new mothers, but she’s a hundred times better than you. You’re so pathetic.” “You’re the one who couldn’t sit still, running around while pregnant. It’s a shame the fall didn’t kill you. And now you have the nerve to stand there looking pitiful. Thank God my grandson is alright, or I’d have Adrian divorce you on the spot.” She sneered. “You took medication knowing you had to breastfeed. If Scarlett weren’t here to help, my grandson would have starved because of you, you wretched thing! I’m officially adopting Scarlett as my goddaughter. From now on, she’ll call me ‘Mom,’ just like Adrian.” I knew she’d never liked me. She thought I was beneath her son, especially compared to the beautiful, charming Scarlett, his childhood friend. She had only tolerated me for the sake of her grandchild. Every encounter was laced with her barbs. Before, Adrian would always defend me. He was the one who had insisted we go to the mall that day, to buy gifts for the baby. But now, his eyes were glued to Scarlett, filled with an unmistakable, tender affection. Scarlett, holding Leo, walked over to him and playfully linked her arm through his. “Did you hear that, Adrian? Your mother has made me her goddaughter. My dear big brother, have you prepared a gift for your new little sister?” Adrian pinched her cheek with a look of helpless adoration. “You’re such a tease. Don’t call me brother.” Despite his words, he had his assistant bring in 92 different fur coats from every major luxury brand, each complete with matching accessories. “I know you love to look beautiful, but you’re still recovering. You can’t catch a chill. There are 92 days of winter, one for every day.” Scarlett beamed and planted a kiss on his cheek, giddy as a schoolgirl. “Wow, some of these are from next year’s collection! And they’re all limited edition! How did you get them so early? Adrian, you’re the best to me.” She glanced at me coyly. “But won’t Elara be upset that you’re giving me so many gifts?” Compared to the racks of glorious, priceless furs, my blood-stained clothes made me feel like a pathetic clown. Adrian started, as if just remembering I was there. “Elara, it’s not what you think. Scarlett’s used to living abroad. You know how… open they are there.” He stammered, “And the coats… I heard she also just gave birth, and her husband is away. We grew up together, I just wanted to…” His words were cut off as Leo began to cry. Scarlett gasped. “Oh dear, is Leo hungry again? Mommy’s coming, sweetie.” She turned to me with a look of mock apology. “Don’t get the wrong idea, Elara. I’m just so used to calling myself that with my own baby. Besides, Leo always seems to love it when I say it.” She started for the stairs, then swayed, collapsing against Adrian. “Adrian, I feel a little dizzy…” Without a second thought, Adrian shoved me aside and caught her, his face etched with panic. “What’s wrong? You must be weak from the delivery. I told you to rest! Come on, I’ll carry you upstairs.” My right leg, still in its cast, buckled under the force of his push. I crashed to the floor, a bolt of searing pain shooting up my leg. But Adrian didn’t even glance at me. In front of everyone, he swept Scarlett into his arms, baby and all, and carried her up the stairs. The roomful of guests stared at me with open contempt. “No wonder he spoils Scarlett. She’s not just beautiful, she’s kind enough to breastfeed another woman’s child. Not like this useless thing. She’s pathetic, can’t even handle a little pain in her leg. And taking pills while she’s supposed to be nursing? So selfish.” “She calls herself a mother? Scarlett acts more like Leo’s mother than she does. She clearly loves him more. And Leo even looks a bit like Scarlett. The baby must be ashamed of Elara too. What a shame Scarlett and Adrian never got married.” My mother-in-law, far from defending me, shot me a look of pure hatred. “What are you doing, lying there on the floor like a dog? If you’re begging, go do it on the street. We don’t feed useless, lowly women in this house.” “You don’t care about your son, and you can’t even keep your husband’s heart. I hear you can’t have any more children? My son must have had a lifetime of bad luck to end up with a wife like you. Get out of my sight. Just looking at you shaves years off my life.” Humiliation washed over me. I thought of the divorce papers I had already prepared, tucked away in my phone. I said nothing. I struggled to my feet and limped upstairs to the study. I printed the divorce agreement and tucked it into my bag, then went to find Adrian in the guest room. But they weren't there. Only a nanny, rocking a well-fed, sleeping Leo. Confused, I heard a sound from down the hall. An unmistakable sound, coming from the bedroom I shared with Adrian. The door was ajar. Through the crack, I could see Scarlett, her blouse wide open, straddling Adrian’s lap. Her voice was a sultry purr. “Adrian, honey, I have too much milk. Leo’s appetite is so small, and I’m so full… it hurts.” “I’m so uncomfortable… Won’t you help me? Please?” Adrian hesitated. “Scarlett, don’t. You just gave birth two days ago. Your body can’t take it. You already risked so much having my child behind your husband’s back. I can’t hurt you again…” She pressed his head to her chest. “Silly Adrian. I’m not afraid, why should you be? Having your baby was my choice. My husband is never around, he’ll never know. Come on, be good to me. Don’t you want a taste?” He could no longer resist. He leaned in, his mouth covering hers, then moving lower. The sounds from the room grew more explicit. A wave of nausea churned in my stomach. I couldn’t watch anymore. I fled the house, stumbling down the stairs and out into the cold night air. The suffocating feeling finally eased as I gasped the fresh air, but the tears wouldn't stop falling. Adrian, you knew I was downstairs. How could you do such a thing? In our bedroom?! I sat numbly by the door. I don’t know how long I was there before a foul-smelling liquid was poured over my head. Scarlett appeared before me, a triumphant, ugly smile on her face. “How does it taste, Elara? My son’s piss? And did you enjoy the show? The sight of Adrian lost in ecstasy over me?” So she had wanted me to see. “Tsk, tsk. Look at you now. Your son is dead, your leg is crippled… If I were you, I would have killed myself already. What’s the point of living?” “So what if you married him? So what if you had his child? For me, for my child, he smothered your son and made sure you could never have another.” “I even have a video of your son’s last moments,” she cooed, her voice poisonously sweet. “Want to see his little face go from red to purple? It’s quite the show.” I stared at her phone, at the screen where my baby was slowly, silently suffocating to death. My entire body shook with a rage that was cold and absolute. How could she speak of murdering a child so casually, so cruelly? I raised my hand to strike her. But she was faster. She produced a dagger and drew it across her own chest. Blood blossomed on her blouse. The dagger clattered to the ground as she let out a piercing scream. A split second later, I was shoved violently to the ground. Adrian was there, cradling a screaming Scarlett in his arms. He turned to me, his face a thundercloud of fury. “Elara, are you insane?!” Before I could explain, Scarlett burst into tears. “Adrian, I was just worried she’d be upset about me nursing Leo. I wanted to explain, but… but she said I was trying to steal her baby! She said she was going to cut off my breasts so I could never feed him again! I was just trying to help, I couldn’t bear to see him go hungry! How could she do this to me?” Adrian’s gaze fell on me, dark and menacing. “You’re the one who fell down the stairs and broke your own leg. Why are you taking it out on Scarlett? You took medication, you can’t nurse the baby. She was helping you, out of the kindness of her heart, and you attack her? You may not care about your child, but you won’t let anyone else care for him either?!” I’m not a good mother? I don’t care about my child? Tears of pure rage streamed down my face. “I’m not a good mother? And you? Why don’t you tell me why I fell down those stairs? Why don’t you tell me where my real son is? And what was in that medicine you forced me to take?!” Adrian frowned. “Leo is sleeping soundly in his room. And the medicine was for your leg pain. You know all this.” He sneered. “You fell because you were clumsy. There was a crowd of people there. Why were you the only one who got pushed? Don’t blame your own incompetence on Scarlett. You’re a mother yourself. How could you bear to harm another mother? Apologize to her. Now.” Yes. A crowd of people. Why was I the only one who fell? Looking at his self-righteous face, a laugh, hollow and broken, escaped my lips. This was my husband. A liar. A murderer.
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