Chapter 2

After six years of marriage, I had virtually no social life left.

My entire world had revolved around my husband, my home, and my baby. I had long lost touch with most of my friends.

Dragging my suitcase, I stood on the deserted, chilly street. I scrolled through my phone contacts over and over, but I couldn't find a single person I could ask for shelter.

Finally, my finger hovered over Sera Miller's name.

Sera was my college roommate. We hadn't spoken much since graduation, but I vividly remembered her telling me on my wedding day that if I ever needed her, she would always be there.

The phone rang three times before she picked up.

"Chloe?"

Her voice was thick with sleep, but she recognized me instantly.

"Sera... can I crashed at your place for a few days?"

She didn't ask why. She immediately rattled off her address and said, "I'll be waiting for you at the front door."

The moment she hung up, I crouched by the curb and burst into tears.

Not out of self-pity, but out of sheer gratitude.

At least there was still one person in this world who cared about me.

When I arrived at Sera’s apartment, she took one look at my swollen eyes and disheveled state. She didn't press for details. She simply handed me a mug of hot tea and showed me to the guest room she had already made up.

"Get some sleep first. We can talk about everything tomorrow."

I nodded, burying myself under the blankets, but my eyes remained wide open all night.

My mind kept replaying the horror reel of the past five years.

I remembered the first time Julian took me for a medical checkup. He had smiled warmly, saying he wanted to make sure I was completely healthy before we started trying.

Now I realized that wasn't a checkup. He was having doctors evaluate my womb's suitability for carrying a child.

I remembered when he first introduced me to Melanie, claiming she was just a distant cousin and an incredibly talented ballet dancer.

I had even complimented her on her beauty and grace.

Melanie had smiled sweetly and thanked me.

Thinking back, she must have been laughing at how incredibly stupid I was.

And during my pregnancy, Melanie had visited our house constantly under the guise of checking up on me. She would stare at my growing belly for hours.

I had foolishly thought she just loved babies.

But of course, she did. That was "her" baby inside me.

I rolled over, pressing my face hard into the pillow.

Sickening. It was absolutely sickening.

The next morning, Sera knocked and came in with a bowl of hot oatmeal.

"Eat something, and then tell me what happened."

I stared at her, my mouth opening, but I didn't even know where to begin.

Sera didn't rush me. She just sat quietly beside me, waiting.

I took a deep breath and spilled everything.

From the agonizing IVF journey, to finding the DNA report, to the explosive confrontation with Julian last night.

By the time I finished, Sera’s face was practically thunderous.

"That absolute scumbag," she spat out.

I let out a bitter laugh.

"At this point, I just want a quick divorce. I want to get as far away from them as possible."

"Divorce?" Sera set the bowl down, staring at me. "And just let them off that easy?"

I blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Julian and Melanie played you like a fiddle. They used your body as a free surrogate for three years. If you just pack up and leave now, they get to play happy family with the kid, and what do you get?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

"The kid isn't biologically yours. The mansion belongs to Julian. You just said you don't want a single penny. You're going to leave with nothing? For what? Peace of mind?"

Sera's words felt like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head.

She was right. What was I doing?

I had suffered so much, and in the end, I was going to walk away empty-handed?

"Sera, what should I do then?"

Sera looked at me, her eyes sharp and fierce.

"First, we get a lawyer. We fight for your legal rights. What Julian did is medical fraud and emotional battery. You can sue his ass."

"Second, you can divorce him, but don't rush it. Drag it out. Don't let them live in peace. And the money? You take every single cent you are legally owed. You earned that with your blood and pain."

"And lastly... I know you are furious, but the baby is innocent. Don't do anything reckless that you'll regret."