Chapter 1

After discovering that Ethan Cole was cheating on me with my adopted sister, Cynthia, during my pregnancy, I was determined to get a divorce.

But on the way to the courthouse, we got into a horrific car accident. As a massive truck plowed into us, Ethan shielded me with his own body.

His internal organs were crushed, and with blood pouring from his mouth, he gasped out a final promise:

"Chloe, I’m so sorry for this life. If there is a next life, I swear... I will only love you."

Ethan died in my arms.

After that, I raised our child alone. I spent my entire life grieving him, holding onto his memory until my last breath.

But when I opened my eyes again, I was back in the first year of our marriage.

This time, Ethan seemed like a completely changed man. He had cut all ties with Cynthia and sent her far away across the ocean.

He even replaced his young female secretary with an elderly lady in her fifties.

When I got pregnant again, he took care of me personally, showing me endless tenderness. Everyone envied me for having the "perfect husband."

But just as I let my guard down, ready to spend the rest of my life with him...

I suddenly heard Ethan's inner thoughts.

[Chloe’s prenatal appointment is in the morning, so I’ll schedule Cynthia’s in the afternoon. I must make sure they don't run into each other.]

[In this life, she’ll never find out about my affair, will she?]

When I heard this voice in my head, Ethan was sorting through my prenatal records.

He looked up at me and smiled warmly.

"The doctor said your due date is in the next two weeks. Once the baby is born, you won't have to suffer like this anymore."

"When that time comes, just focus on your postpartum recovery and get some rest. The nanny and I will handle the baby."

Looking at Ethan's gentle eyes, I shook my head. I thought I was just hearing things because of third-trimester stress.

But then, Ethan's voice echoed in my head again.

[While Chloe is recovering at the retreat, I can spend some quality time with Cynthia. She's only three months pregnant and needs me the most right now. As for tomorrow afternoon... I'll just tell Chloe I have to work late at the office.]

Before I could even process this, Ethan walked over, took my hand, and spoke with an apologetic tone.

"Honey, after I take you to your morning appointment tomorrow, I won't be able to come home right away."

"There’s some urgent business at the office, so I have to work overtime."

It matched his thoughts perfectly. Word for word.

I froze. A cold shiver crawled up my spine.

This wasn't a hallucination.

My mind spun into complete chaos. I lowered my head and murmured, "Okay, I got it."

Seeing my cold reaction, Ethan pulled me into his arms to comfort me.

"Don't be upset, babe. I'll come home early tomorrow night and take you for a walk."

[Gosh, she's so high-maintenance. Cynthia is never like this. Luckily, I've hidden it perfectly in this life. Otherwise, Chloe would be throwing a pregnant tantrum and demanding a divorce again. It would ruin both the Cole and Vance families.]

I listened in silence, feeling a profound sense of whiplash.

I couldn't believe the affectionate man standing in front of me was cheating on me again.

I pushed him away, making an excuse.

"I'm a bit tired. I want to go to sleep early."

Ethan assumed it was just my pregnancy mood swings. He nodded and didn't suspect a thing.

After tucking me in, Ethan quietly got up and went to the study.

I crept up behind him.

Through the wooden door, Ethan’s cheerful, hushed voice drifted straight into my ears.

"I’ve kept it completely hidden. She has no idea you never actually left the country and that I've been keeping you here."

"Don't worry, baby. I will absolutely accompany you to your checkup tomorrow afternoon."

"I love you. Of course, I love you the most. In my heart, our baby is the only one that matters. I’ll buy you a luxury penthouse soon. The apartment you're in now is too far from my office. It's not convenient for me to visit you."

...

I couldn't listen to any more. Just as I was about to push the door open and confront him, my hand stopped.

A wave of resentment, injustice, and sheer agony washed over me.

Why did Ethan have to lie to me in both lifetimes?

I did nothing wrong.

Why did everyone in my past life tell me to "endure it for the sake of the child"? Why did I have to raise a cheating husband's child with a heart full of false guilt, living a miserable, depressed life until the day I died?

Ethan, I hate you.

I hate that you aren't suffering the way I am.

So, in this life, I am going to tear down your "perfect husband" mask right in front of the Coles, the Vances, and the entire world!