The searing pain between my legs still throbbed when nurses whispered nearby:

"Who knew Dr. Perez, always so stern, could be so tender with a baby!"

"His wife’s gorgeous too—what a perfect match."

A bitter smile touched my lips.

So William hadn’t visited because he was busy—he’d been tending to his mistress’s postpartum confinement.

After three days in ICU, William finally appeared when I was transferred to a general ward.

"Diana, feeling better?

Shirley’s baby is fragile—needs constant care."

"How long has this been going on?"

I stared blankly at the man I loved.

He averted his eyes. "Just once when I was drunk... never meant to..."

Drunk?

I laughed coldly, mustering strength to slap him across the face.

The sharp crack made a nurse jump.

When I tried striking again, he caught my wrist effortlessly.

His expression frosted over.

"Throwing tantrums?

You couldn’t even save our child—what right do you have to hit me?"

Bitter laughter burst from me.

My husband abandoned me bleeding out to deliver his mistress’s baby—now he blamed me.

Before I could retort, the door flew open.

His mother entered supporting Shirley in hospital gowns.

"You bitch! Daring to strike your husband now!"

"Family disgrace! Knew she’d make no virtuous wife!

Failed my grandson!

Now assaults my son!"

"Thank heavens for Shirley—so much more sensible than this spoiled brat!"

Shirley tugged the older woman’s sleeve, feigning fragility. "Let it go, Mom. Sister Diana’s upset about my baby."

"I know she dislikes me. I’ll leave so you won’t argue."

She covered her mouth with a delicate cough.

William instantly released me, sweeping Shirley into his arms.

"Shouldn’t be walking if unwell, darling."

"Just wanted to explain things to Sister Diana..."

Their sickeningly sweet embrace resembled true lovers as they turned to leave.

A nurse called out: "Dr. Perez... Ms. Su needs your reexamination now. Will you—"

William paused, sneering. "She’s well enough to hit people—who needs checkups?"

Dr. William has more critical cases to attend to now. If you need anything, see another doctor.

I'd been hospitalized for two weeks after severe bleeding from a miscarriage left me in rough shape.

William never visited me once during my hospital stay, though his social media updates were relentless.

Endless posts about postpartum care tips and baby product guides—no prizes for guessing who they were meant for.

When discharged, I called William over a dozen times hoping he'd pick me up. No answer.

Left with no choice, I hailed a cab home.

Pushing the door open, I froze at the sight of a crib dominating our once-sparse living room, a baby boy sleeping inside.

Shirley sat on the sofa lifting her shirt as William gently rubbed recovery cream onto her belly.

Meanwhile, my mother-in-law bustled around the kitchen, the aroma of home-cooked meals filling the air.

Shirley spotted me first, feigning surprise: "Oh! Diana, you're back!"

I stared dumbfounded. Had I not lived here five years, I'd have thought I entered the wrong home.

William rose to take my bags when he saw me.

The sickening milky smell clinging to him hit me as he approached.

"Good you're back. I deliberately gave you space these days—hoped you'd come around."

"To what?" I frowned.

"Shirley was an accident, but I couldn't abandon her during pregnancy. Especially since... we lost ours."

My eyes widened. "So you expect me to accept your illegitimate child?"

Whatever word stung him, his face darkened. Before he could speak, Shirley cut in:

"William, don't fight because of me... If Diana dislikes me, I'll move out."

"I never wanted to take her place—just didn't want my child fatherless..."

William immediately pulled her into a protective embrace, murmuring reassurances.

Too drained to argue, I turned toward our bedroom.

Pushing open the master bedroom door, I found it crammed with unfamiliar women's clothes and toiletries.

My mother-in-law yanked me backward: "This room's Shirley's now. She deserves it after childbirth. The guest room's too small for her."

She shoved me into the tiniest guest room, chin lifted. "You'll sleep here."

"Since you can't bear children anyway, why waste a proper room? It's good enough as it is!"

I stayed silent, my gaze sliding past her to William across the hall.

He'd clearly heard everything, yet after a brief pause, he simply turned away, tightening his hold around Shirley.

"Diana," he said without meeting my eyes, "listen to Mom."

I stared at him quietly, then suddenly laughed.

Fifteen years—ten dating, five married—I'd wasted on him.

I'd abandoned my thriving career as a neurosurgeon for his sake.

Because he wanted children, I'd swallowed fertility drugs day and night.

Juggled household duties while enduring my mother-in-law's scorn and insults.

Yet when it mattered most, he'd always chosen others over me.

Wiping a stray tear, exhaustion crashed over me.

How could I have squandered so much time on someone like this?

Pathetic.

I was exhausted and desperately needed rest. After putting things away, I collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.

When I woke again, darkness had completely fallen outside.

Pushing open the bedroom door, I saw William holding Shirley on the sofa watching TV while his mother cleaned the kitchen.

Clearly, dinner had ended long ago.

"Mom... I asked you to call me for dinner..." My voice came out hoarse.

His mother glanced sideways at me, her tone scornful. "Expect others to call you for dinner like some princess?

People might mistake me for your servant instead of your mother-in-law."

William clicked his tongue impatiently, his voice icy. "Enough. It's just one meal. Stop making a scene.

Make whatever you want yourself. Don't wake my son."

Before marriage, William had been the perfect boyfriend—handling all chores, cooking my favorite dishes daily.

Even during pregnancy, he'd doted on me, massaging my legs nightly to prevent exhaustion.

Now that Shirley had his child, he'd dropped the act completely.

Suddenly, piercing cries erupted from the living room.

Shirley stood frozen by the crib, looking utterly helpless.

"William, what do I do... I'm so clumsy at this..."

William rushed over, gently lifting the baby. "Not your fault. Being a new mom's exhausting enough.

I'll handle the baby."

Shirley shot me a triumphant look before nestling against William's shoulder.

I was the legal wife, yet felt like an intruder in my own home.

Time to cut off seven years of feelings myself.

I texted Dad about needing a getaway and booked an international flight for three days later.

Sick of watching their display, I changed clothes and went out for dinner.

Returning near midnight, I expected everyone asleep—only to find Shirley waiting on the sofa.

Alone now, she dropped her pitiful act, arms crossed as she stared me down.

"Still playing the patient wife, Diana? Think this'll win William back?

Dream on!"

"You can't even keep a baby. How dare you stay in William's house?"

"Leave now. William promised this home to me and his son!"

I couldn't suppress my frown.

This house was Dad's wedding gift to me. Since when could William give it away?

!

Dad had hired William—then a penniless student—to ensure I'd live comfortably. Little did he know it'd facilitate William's affair with Shirley.

Bypassing her, I tossed over my shoulder:

"Relax. We're divorcing soon."

Next morning, my mother-in-law's shouts woke me.

"Shirley tended the baby all night. Your turn now."

"Can't you hear the child? Still lazing in bed!"

Her impatient scolding echoed through the room.

William Perez heard the noise and got up. After a moment of silence, he came over and sat on my bedside. "Diana, Mom only means well. Chenchen will be your child too."

"You'll always be my wife, and my children will call you Mom."

He acted like he had my best interests at heart, but I just wanted to laugh.

When we were trying to conceive, he'd gaslighted me countless times, blaming my infertility – and I'd carried that guilt for so long.

Yet medical tests proved otherwise.

I'd kept the truth hidden before, not wanting to hurt him. But now, I refused to swallow it any longer.

A cold laugh escaped me as I slapped him across the face.

This time I struck with all my strength, sending William tumbling to the floor.

Meeting their stunned gazes, I calmly stated: "William Perez, we're getting divorced immediately."