Part 2The Ten-Year Lie: My Husband’s Secret Vengeance

Ethan's money arrived very quickly. It seemed he was even more eager to end this relationship than I was.

But surprisingly, we ran into each other that very afternoon, in the hospital's obstetrics and gynecology department.

The child of one of the victims from years ago had just been born. Due to a breech presentation, they faced exorbitant medical bills.

I wanted to help them. Of course, I also hoped they might put in a good word for my dad.

The woman's husband said she refused to see me. He also said that since she had just given birth, her emotions were unstable, and he asked me never to appear before them again.

Dejected, I left the maternity ward, only to bump straight into a couple: Ethan and Chloe.

Their shock at seeing me was equal to mine.

I had no desire to humiliate myself, so I pretended not to see them and quickened my pace to walk past.

As we brushed past each other, my wrist was suddenly grabbed. A large, slightly damp palm clamped down on me.

My forward momentum was halted, and my heart gave a sharp jolt.

Terrified, I looked up into Ethan's bloodshot eyes. The smell of nicotine on him was even stronger than this morning, making me dizzy.

Just how heavy of a smoker was he?

I couldn't stand the smell of smoke. When I was little, my dad would only smoke in the bathroom when the craving hit him.

But in the ten years I was with Ethan, not once did I taste even a hint of nicotine bitterness, not even when we kissed.

He truly had incredible endurance. He must have suffered a lot over these ten years.

The pain in my wrist quickly made me discard my inner self-mockery. Ethan's voice dropped near my ear: "Why are you here?"

I looked up into his eyes, which seemed to be desperately suppressing some intense emotion.

But right now, besides awkwardness, I only felt confused. "Our marriage is over. I don't need to report my schedule to you."

I didn't want to show my vulnerability to Ethan and Chloe. My grip on my handbag tightened, my nails digging into my palms.

"Are you pregnant?" Ethan took a step closer, suddenly closing the distance between us. Hot breath laced with nicotine washed over me.

Chloe, standing nearby, widened her eyes and bit her lip resentfully.

I let out a silent laugh and looked down, prying Ethan's fingers off one by one. "Mr. Vance is overthinking things. Your protection was always very thorough."

A few years ago, I did want a child. But every time I brought it up with Ethan, he would always say his company was just starting out, and if we had a baby too early, he was afraid he wouldn't have time to spend with them.

I thought about how my dad frequently missed my school events because of work, and felt Ethan made a valid point. After a few times, I let it go.

So, I hadn't brought it up in years, only hoping his company would stabilize soon.

If he had a child with me, he would be tied to that child for the rest of his life.

And that child would be a permanent barrier between him and Chloe.

Those excuses were just meant to stall me.

He had been with Chloe for two months, and she was already pregnant.

It clearly showed it wasn't about fearing a lack of a father's presence, but about not wanting a child with me.

As soon as I finished speaking, a crack appeared in Ethan's expression.

"Sophia, don't lie to me," he said through gritted teeth.

"I have no reason to lie to you." The strong smell of nicotine made me frown slightly, and I took two steps back to widen the gap between us.

Chloe watched Ethan, her face gradually darkening.

"Then why are you at the obstetrics department?" he asked again, pointing at the large sign above the department door.

Only then did I notice he was still wearing the watch I had given him.

It was my birthday gift to him the year we got married.

But I had clearly packed this watch into the box, the very box Ethan had thrown into the trash that morning.

So I leaned toward another possibility: I must have seen wrong.

"One of the victims is here. I came to visit. Is Mr. Vance satisfied with that answer?" I didn't understand why Ethan kept pressing me, insisting I tear open my scars for him to see.

But I knew that if I didn't explain clearly today, I might not be able to leave.

Neither Ethan nor Chloe would allow for the possibility of my pregnancy.

I forced back the welling tears and made myself flash a strained smile.

This time, they didn't stop me from leaving.