On our wedding night, my husband, Ethan Caldwell, spent the entire night carousing with a bunch of women—right in front of me.

I clenched my jaw, swallowing every ounce of humiliation.

Six months into my pregnancy, while I was upstairs for a prenatal checkup, he was having sex with my best friend downstairs in the car.

"Becca got a little wild in the car—go clean up the mess."

Overcome with rage, I lunged at them, trying to fight.

But Ethan slammed his foot on the accelerator and drove straight into my belly.

Blood gushed out, and I died instantly, the baby still inside me.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of that same checkup.

This time, I wanted neither the child nor Ethan.

***

During the ultrasound, the doctor told me the baby was developing beautifully.

On the screen, the little one's hand formed a tiny heart shape.

I took a picture, planning to show it to Ethan later.

But as I entered the parking garage, I noticed his Maybach rocking in a rhythm that froze me in place.

Forcing myself forward, I took another step closer.

Through the window, I saw two bodies tangled together.

Their movements sent the woman's earrings glinting in quick flashes.

It was the birthday gift I'd given my best friend, Rebecca Lawson.

On my phone, the image of my unborn child still glowed softly.

Inside the car, my husband and my best friend were at the height of their passion.

The realization hit me all at once—I had truly been reborn.

In my past life, I had opened the car door in blind fury and fought them both, only to be killed when Ethan drove the car into me.

But this time, I just stood outside the car, holding my belly in silence.

After a while, the movement inside the car finally stopped.

Ethan rolled down the window to light a cigarette and froze when our eyes met.

He hesitated for a moment, then casually flicked the lighter, completely unfazed. The red marks scattered across his chest made me sick.

"Did you really have to do it while I was at my prenatal checkup? You couldn't wait a few more minutes?" My voice was eerily calm.

He gave a lazy nod and stepped out of the car, walking toward me without a hint of shame.

I took a step back, steadying my belly. "Aren't you going to let her leave first?"

Ethan froze for a moment, probably surprised that I wasn't falling apart like before.

Just as he was about to speak, Rebecca stepped out of the car. Her dress was wrinkled, and she was touching up her makeup, using my lipstick.

We locked eyes in silence. She bit her lip, then clung to Ethan's arm with an innocent look. "Dani, don't blame me. You're pregnant. You can't satisfy Mr. Caldwell. I was just trying to help him out."

As she spoke, she flipped her hair back, deliberately revealing the marks he had left on her skin.

Ethan wrapped an arm around Rebecca and deliberately groped her, making her let out a breathy moan of pleasure.

"Why even bother explaining to her? Even if she weren't pregnant, I'd still do it with you," he said with a smirk.

She playfully slapped his chest. "Stop it. Dani's my best friend..."

He sneered. "That's what makes it even better, doesn't it, Mrs. Caldwell?"

I let out a soft laugh, ignoring his provocation. "Are you done? Can we go now?"

He suddenly grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. "What's with the attitude? Weren't you the one who begged me to marry you? You should have known this day would come."

His eyes bored into mine—he was waiting for me to lose control, to fall apart.

But this time, he got nothing.

Frustrated, he released me and lit a cigarette. "Clean up the car."

I closed my eyes, took a slow breath, and nodded. "Alright."

Cradling my belly, I climbed into the car. The stench inside was overwhelming, making bile rise in my throat.

I bit hard on my lip, forcing back the urge to gag, and silently wiped away every trace of their filth.

When I finished, Rebecca held Ethan's arm and cooed, "Ethan, my legs are shaking. Will you take me home?"

I caught the hint and spoke before he could. "I'll call a cab."

Then, I picked up my phone and walked away.

"Wait!" His voice trembled slightly, as if he suddenly realized I was about to walk out of his life for good.

But I didn't look back or say a word.

Ethan, I was done waiting for you.

I walked for a long time, holding my belly, before I finally flagged down a cab.

As the taxi pulled away, Ethan's Maybach drove past in the opposite lane. In the passenger seat, Rebecca was laughing brightly.

Maybe this was the best ending I could hope for.

At least this time, I wouldn't lose my life for a man who never loved me.

I couldn't go back to my parents' house, so I returned to the small apartment I had lived in before marriage.

My belly ached faintly. I hugged a pillow and curled up on the bed, exhausted.

My face felt damp. When I wiped it with my hand, I realized I was crying.

Seven years of loving him, and it ended just like that. I told myself it shouldn't hurt, but it did.

I lay awake all night, torn over whether I should keep the baby.

Meanwhile, Ethan indulged himself in Rebecca's affection. He was lost in the pleasure of her company.

On social media, she flaunted their affair with candlelight dinners, designer jewelry, and matching rings.

Every photo and video was taken in my home.

One of the photos even showed a man's back as he cooked a midnight snack in the kitchen—It was Ethan.

He once refused to pour me a glass of water, even when I was burning with fever.

When the Caldwell Group held its board meeting a few days later, I took the chance to return to the villa.

I quickly packed up my belongings and gathered all my documents.

But as I came downstairs, I ran straight into him.

He saw what I was holding, let out a cold laugh, and yanked the suitcase from my hand before hurling it aside.

"Don't you think you're childish, Danielle? Why are you still playing this 'running away from home' act?

"What's next? Are you planning to threaten me with suicide again, like before?"

Ethan frowned. His face was twisted with disgust as he lashed out at me.

I met his cold gaze and said calmly, "Don't worry. I won't ever do that again."

It was true. In the past, I had been desperate. I had used my life as leverage just to keep him.

But after what I had lived through, I finally understood that the most important thing was staying alive.

The pain of being killed by the man I loved most was something I would never endure again.

Besides, a man as heartless as Ethan wasn't worth a single tear.

He misunderstood, letting out a mocking laugh. His eyes were full of contempt as he said, "You won't anymore? What's your new trick this time? I'm busy and don't have time for your drama."

I looked him straight in the eye and said, "You're overthinking it. I came to pack my things and move out.

"Ethan, let's get a divorce."

He froze for a second. Something unreadable flashed in his eyes before his usual arrogance returned.

"So that's your new tactic? Playing hard to get?" He gave a low, mocking laugh.

"You'll do anything to keep me, won't you? You just can't live without me, is that it?"

Even now, Ethan still thought I couldn't live without him.

I didn't bother arguing. I preferred to show him.

I pulled the divorce papers from my bag and handed them to him.

"Sign them. I don't want a single thing from your family. I just want a clean break."

We had been married for three years, and he had never really spent money on me.

To outsiders, I was the glamorous Mrs. Caldwell, but only I knew that every cent I spent came from the commissions I earned painting on the side.

Since I hadn't touched his money during our marriage, I sure as hell wouldn't after the divorce.

Seeing the papers, he actually looked surprised for once.

He skimmed through the pages quickly, as if checking whether they were real.

Then, he gave a derisive laugh. "You've grown bold, huh? How dare you bring me a real divorce agreement to threaten me? Aren't you afraid I might actually sign it?

"You're leaving with nothing? Danielle, you're 30 years old and still this naïve?"

He tossed the papers onto the coffee table and suddenly stepped toward me. His shadow loomed over me completely.

"Without my family's support, you think your father and brother have what it takes to survive in the business world?"

His voice turned sharp. "After the divorce, how will your family maintain that lavish lifestyle?"

I leaned back to avoid his approach. Beneath my lashes, all the emotions I had been holding back froze into ice, and I pressed my lips together stubbornly.

"Ethan, I mean it. Using my family against me won't work anymore."

My determination seemed to stun Ethan. He stepped back, his expression growing even colder. He asked, "Why?"

Ethan paused, then said with a faint sigh, "Are you still upset about me and Rebecca fooling around during your last prenatal checkup?

"Fine. I'll apologize. I'll make sure she doesn't show up in front of you again."

My nails dug into my palm, but I smiled freely for the first time. "That won't be necessary, Ethan.

"In these three years, I've had enough of your emotional cruelty and humiliation. I've had enough of living beside a man whose heart was never with me."

I yanked the wedding ring off my finger and hurled it to the floor. It rolled into a dark corner and disappeared into the shadows.

"Even if I have to scrub floors or wait tables for the rest of my life, I'll never be your puppet again."

His face darkened, rage boiling over. He slammed the door behind him and stormed out.

I thought that with his pride, it wouldn't take long before he called to finalize the divorce and throw me out himself.

But the first call I got wasn't from him. It was from Mom.

Her voice was bright, almost giddy. "Dani, Ethan just delivered the latest clothes and bags from top luxury brands for me. He also got your brother a new sports car and even gave your dad the land in the south of the city!"

"Your father's over the moon! He keeps saying you're a sensible daughter and that you are great at keeping the golden goose happy!

"Dani, you really are amazing. All the ladies envy me now. They keep saying I'm blessed to have a daughter who married so well."

A hollow ache spread through my chest.

So this was what my worth was to them. As long as I could keep a loveless man content and bring them benefits, I was a "good daughter."

Swallowing my anger, I said, "Mom, don't accept anything from Ethan again. We're getting divorced."

Unable to contain my frustration, I told Mom the truth.

Ethan never loved me. He had been holding a grudge ever since I forced his first love out of his life, and over the years, he surrounded himself with women just to punish me.

But Mom brushed it off.

"Don't be childish. It's normal for a powerful and successful man like Ethan to have a few women around.

"Stop being so sensitive. What matters most is keeping your place as Mrs. Caldwell!

"Besides, you're pregnant. If it's a boy, no one will ever threaten your position in the Caldwell family. If it's a girl, just try again and have another one sooner."

Tears streamed down my face as I broke down, my voice trembling with pain. "Mom, you forced me to marry Ethan just for our family's wealth and status, and now you want me to use my own child to patch up this broken marriage?

"Mom, I've loved him for ten years. How can I live knowing he's always with other women?"

I hung up before she could respond and went straight to the Caldwell Group.

When he saw me, he wasn't surprised at all. He leaned back in his leather chair, casually twirling a pen between his fingers. His dark tie framed his sharp, handsome features, making him look even colder.

"Are you here to apologize?" he asked lazily.

"I'll let this one go since you're pregnant. But don't bring up divorce again. Go home and behave."

He slid a black card across the desk.

"There's 1 million dollars in it. Consider it compensation."

I didn't take it. I just looked at him calmly.

"Ethan, you don't love me. In fact, you despise me. Isn't it better if I step aside and leave you the freedom you've always wanted?"

His brows drew together in a sharp angle, the tense line of his jaw betraying the anger he was trying to hold back.

"Danielle, is this your new way of playing hard to get?

"You don't need to compete with those other women. Let me be clear—after I broke up with Ellie, I decided I would never love anyone again. No one can threaten your position.

"You should understand that a polite, respectful marriage is the best either of us can hope for. Don't expect love from me.

"If there's anything else you want, just say it."

The way he pretended to be sincere made me sick.

He clung to his image as the heartbroken man who could never forget his first love, all while entangling himself with one woman after another.

Like a bad actor trapped in his own play, he had been performing that fake show of devotion for years.

I met his gaze, my tone steady. "No, Ethan. I only want a divorce.

"That's my only demand."

The air in the office froze solid.

A cold, oppressive tension flickered in his obsidian eyes.

After a long, heavy silence, he grabbed the divorce papers and signed his name with a swift stroke.

"Fine. As you wish. We're divorced."

A weight lifted off my chest as I carefully folded the signed divorce papers.

I gave him a small, sincere smile.

"Ethan, thank you."

I thanked him for showing me that love, no matter how passionate, could eventually turn into a blade that would cut straight through the heart.

After leaving the Caldwell Group, I went directly to the hospital to schedule an abortion.

The doctor asked me repeatedly to confirm. "The baby is six months along and perfectly healthy. Are you sure you want to proceed?"

It felt as if a thousand tiny needles were stabbing straight into my chest.

My fingers clenched so tightly that my knuckles turned white.

Of course, I couldn't bear to lose this child. But I refused to bring into the world a baby who would only ever be used as a bargaining chip.

It was better to have one clean cut than a lifetime of pain. I signed the consent form with trembling hands.

The next morning, I went to the private hospital alone for the procedure.

At the entrance, I ran into Ethan. He was carefully guiding Rebecca, whose belly was still flat beneath her designer dress.

When he saw me, he looked startled for a brief moment, then quickly regained his composure.

He said flatly, "Finish your checkup and go straight home. You shouldn't be walking this much in your condition."

Then he turned away, shielding Rebecca as he prepared to leave.

Rebecca suddenly spoke in a sweet, delicate voice. "Honey, I forgot my daily vitamins in the car. Could you go get them for me?"

Ethan didn't suspect a thing. He gently brushed her hair with a fond touch before turning to leave.

As soon as he was gone, she smiled and stepped closer. "What a coincidence. You're here for a checkup, too?"

The word "too" landed like a knife.

So that was why Ethan had agreed to the divorce so easily. He wanted to give his mistress a proper title.

But I didn't care anymore. I walked past her without intending to engage.

She blocked my way, smirking. "From the baby things you bought, I'm guessing it's a girl, right?

"I've already had the ultrasound—it's a boy."

She tilted her head proudly. "Oh, and that nursery you decorated? Ethan said we'll let our son have it. I hope you don't mind.

"Those little dresses you bought? They were taking up space, and honestly, they were such an eyesore. I burned them yesterday. It's not like you'll need them now anyway."

Her coy, triumphant smile stung my eyes.

Before she could finish, I slapped her hard across her perfectly made-up face.

Rebecca stumbled back, steadying herself against the wall. The vicious glare in her eyes quickly softened, filling with tears on command.

The next second, Ethan yanked my wrist so hard it felt like it might snap.

He shouted, "Are you insane?"

I stumbled backward, slamming hard against the fire hydrant on the wall. The sharp metal edge sent a jolt of pain up my spine, white light bursting behind my eyes.

My knees gave out, and I collapsed to the floor while clutching my belly.

Ethan didn't even glance at me. Instead, he turned immediately to steady Rebecca, his voice laced with fury as he glared back at me. "Danielle, you're the one who wanted this divorce! So what's your problem now?

"Becca's pregnant. If anything happens to her, your entire family will pay for it!"

"Ethan," I gasped, bracing against the wall as the pain blurred my vision.

"Control your mistress—"

Before I could finish, Rebecca started coughing dramatically, her pale fingers clinging to his sleeve. "Ethan, don't blame her. I was only worried about her health..."

He softened instantly. "You've been through enough."

Then, he looked down at me with cold finality. "Danielle, you're free now. Tomorrow, 10:00 a.m., we'll finalize the divorce at the courthouse."

Ethan's voice was as cold as steel. He didn't spare me even a glance as I sat crumpled against the wall.

Then the hospital's intercom blared through the corridor. "Ms. Danielle Davidson, please proceed to Operating Room 2 for your scheduled procedure."

Ethan heard it too. His eyes darted to the monitor where my name scrolled in bold letters. His throat bobbed twice, but he said nothing.

In the end, he still walked away with Rebecca in his arms.

I pushed myself up and staggered toward the operating room before signing the last of the consent forms.

On the table, the doctor looked at me one final time.

"Ms. Davidson, the baby's already 24 weeks. If born now, it could survive. Are you absolutely sure you want to terminate?"

The baby in my womb suddenly kicked hard, as if protesting the separation that was about to come.

My nose burned, and my tears slid down my cheeks, landing on the cold surface beneath me.

"I'm sure," I said.

Just as the anesthetic was about to enter my bloodstream, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the hallway outside...

As the footsteps faded away, my consciousness was slowly swallowed by darkness.

The last thing that crossed my mind was a scene from some clichéd drama—where the male lead always bursts in at the very last moment to save the heroine.

But real life wasn't a drama. Ethan didn't have a sudden change of heart. He didn't storm into the room to stop me.

He was somewhere else, probably holding Rebecca's hand, dreaming of their "new beginning."

And I was here, ending our child.

I didn't regret it. Life wasn't a script written for happy endings. There were no dramatic rescues or last-minute redemption arcs.

The next morning at 10:00 a.m. sharp, we met at the courthouse.

The divorce went through so quickly that Ethan never even noticed that the swell beneath my loose dress was gone.

At the doorway, he suddenly seemed to waver. He stopped me with a faint crease between his brows. "Where are you going? Let me give you a ride."

I shook my head and waved him off.

He didn't insist. We stood side by side in silence, waiting for my ride.

"You look thinner. Take care of yourself."

I nodded and replied, "I will."

It struck me then. This was the calmest conversation we had had in years.

"After the baby's born, I'll handle child support and transfer part of my shares to her name."

A bitter laugh almost escaped my throat.

He still thought I would keep his child.

In his mind, I was still the desperate woman who once begged for his love, wanting his baby just to hold on to a piece of him.

Unfortunately, I wasn't as noble as he imagined. I didn't have the courage to be a single mother.

From now on, I would live for myself.