Chapter 3
Ethan looked visibly relieved when I agreed, then turned and headed upstairs.
“I forgot a document,” he said casually.
I watched his tall figure disappear up the stairs before reaching for his phone on the table.
I entered Hailey’s birthday–his second passcode–and sure enough, the screen lit up with a wallpaper of him and Hailey wrapped in a passionate embrace, kissing. His phone had a dual–system, just as I suspected.
Quickly, I opened his chat app. Hailey’s profile photo was pinned at the top. Right beneath it, a group chat with his brothers. I
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tapped into the group out of pure instinct.
And what I saw nearly made my heart stop. My hand trembled, and I almost dropped the phone.
The thread was flooded with explicit nude photos–photos Ethan had taken with Hailey just the night before.
“Damn, Ethan, you’re on fire! Chloe’s still got that sultry charm!”
“A pregnant woman, huh? Exotic. Wonder what she tastes like.”
“Don’t even get me started. Chloe’s got that dirty little club–girl vibe. She’d be a hit at the lounge.”
The vulgar comments from Caleb and the others made my skin crawl. I felt stripped
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bare, like a caged animal mocked for sport. The shame poured through the screen and pinned me to the couch.
“Babe, your eyes look red–what’s wrong?”
Ethan’s voice brought me back. He had returned with the document and was now gently tucking a blanket around me.
“It’s still a bit chilly,” he said mildly. “You’re pregnant. You need to take better care of yourself.”
Then, as if nothing had happened, he added, “It’s Hailey’s birthday tonight. I’m throwing a small party here–just a few close friends. You should get dressed up for the occasion.”
The moment he said her name, I felt something cold stab through me. I stiffened, my face tightening.
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“I just want some peace and rest today,” I said quietly. “I don’t want any disturbances.”
Ethan’s expression darkened instantly.
“Hailey’s birthday comes once a year. We’ve always celebrated it. Don’t use your pregnancy to guilt–trip me. I’ve tolerated a lot these past months, but this–this is going too far”
He hadn’t even given me a chance to speak, and yet he was already rushing to defend his precious Hailey. The truth was becoming impossible to ignore. His love and his hatred -they were both loud and clear.
In the end, he threw the party anyway.
As I descended the stairs, I could feel the weight of everyone’s stares–curious,
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mocking, full of veiled malice.
“Chloe! Look at us–we’re twinning!”
Hailey waltzed over, all smiles, and slipped her hand into mine like we were the best of friends. That’s when I saw it–the dress she was wearing was identical to mine. A bold red, snug at the curves.
“It looks amazing on you, Hailey,” someone chimed in. “Chloe’s so bloated these days, that baby bump just kills the vibe. She can’t hold a candle to you.”
Ethan didn’t even try to stop it.
He added coolly, “Yeah, Hailey pulls it off effortlessly. Chloe looks like she’s about to pop.”
I opened my mouth, stunned, but Caleb cut
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in before I could respond.
“Ethan, don’t be so harsh. Personally, I think your wife’s even sexier with the bump.”
He reached for my hand and began rubbing his thumb along the back of it. His eyes glinted with mischief, lingering on me far too long.
I tried to pull away, but he gripped tighter, raising a brow suggestively.
“I like her like this,” he said, voice low. “Soft. Warm. Real nice to touch.”
I turned to Ethan for help, my eyes pleading. But he didn’t move.
He looked at me–cold, distant.
“You should be flattered,” he said flatly.
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“It’s not every day my brother gives out compliments. Don’t act so ungrateful.”
My teeth clenched so hard I could feel the pressure in my skull. I forced the words through a tight jaw.
“Ethan, I’m your wife.”
Only then did he rise slowly from the couch and yank me toward him.
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