Chapter 3The husband brought his illegitimate child home.

I pretended I knew nothing. I took care of the baby and my mother-in-law.

Two days later, I came home with the results of my pregnancy test. My mother-in-law was overjoyed and immediately tried to call Mark. But he didn't answer. She called his office, only to be told he had quit a month ago.

Mark was gone.

My mother-in-law was starting to panic. Just as she was about to call the police, I showed her the two pictures the mistress had posted: the plane tickets and the sunset kiss.

"Mom, what are we going to do?" I sobbed. "I think Mark has been lying to us. Do you think… do you think he's having an affair? He took all our money and left us with this baby!"

My mother-in-law's face turned to stone. "That bastard!"

I pretended to faint from the shock. When I woke up, she was sitting by my bed, her face etched with concern.

"Chloe," she sighed, "Mark has wronged you. It's my fault. I didn't raise him right." She pulled a bank card from her pocket and pressed it into my hand. "This is my life savings. I want you to have it."

"Mom, I can't take this."

"You're pregnant," she insisted. "You'll need it. Take it as my apology for my worthless son."

I reluctantly accepted. Then, placing a hand on my belly, I said, "Mom, we already have one child to raise. Maybe… maybe I should get an abortion. With our financial situation…"

"No!" she cut me off. "That's my grandchild! My only blood relative! You can't!"

"As for the other one," she said, her voice hardening, "Mark was the one who insisted on adopting him. If he's not going to take responsibility, why should we? We'll take him back to the orphanage tomorrow."

I was secretly thrilled, but I just nodded obediently. "Okay, Mom. Whatever you say."