After remarrying him, he got my best friend pregnant, so I decided to destroy them

Start Reading

### Chapter 1

At the birthday banquet celebrating the second year of our remarriage, Otto Delgado told me, in front of everyone, to take off my imperial-jade ring and give it to my best friend, Wendy Fox.

I stood frozen, certain I'd misheard.

But Otto just looked at me, perfectly at ease.

That's right. The woman I've been hiding is Wendy. She's pregnant now, and I have to take responsibility.

Relax. She gets the role of Mrs. Delgado. Your name stays on the marriage certificate.

Everyone was sure of it: after fighting so hard to remarry him, there was no way I'd hand that position over willingly.

But I didn't cry. I didn't make a scene. I watched Wendy sway toward me with that sweet, delicate smile of hers, and I quietly slid the ring off my finger and onto hers.

That night, I ordered ninety-nine toys and ninety-nine sets of lingerie and delivered them personally to their bedside.

Wendy let out a shriek. Otto pulled her behind him in one motion and turned on me, roaring.

What the hell is wrong with you, Zara Gilbert? Wendy is carrying a Delgado heir for you. If anything, you owe her.

Know your place. You leave me again, and there won't be a single person willing to take you in.

I looked at this face, so foreign it might as well have belonged to a stranger, and felt a coldness I had never known.

Ten years ago, Otto Delgado was nothing more than an illegitimate son no one gave a second glance.

I threw myself in front of his grandfather to block the blade while I was still pregnant. The assassins stabbed me over thirty times. I lost the baby. My womb was destroyed. And that was the price that bought him his seat at the head of the Delgado family.

In the end, what I got were photos of him tangled up with another woman in a car. When I confronted him, he beat me until my face was swollen beyond recognition. So I clenched my teeth and chose divorce.

A year ago he came back, begging to remarry. Saying I was still the one he loved.

Now I finally knew: that woman had been my best friend all along.

After I left the room, I dialed my father.

Dad, I need you to get proof of his corporate crimes. I'll gather the evidence of the affair myself. I'm taking back everything.

Otto had no idea.

Two weeks ago, every memory from before my amnesia had come flooding back.

I was the long-lost daughter of the Gilbert family, the wealthiest house in the Capital.

In one week, my father would release evidence devastating enough to destroy Otto Delgado, and come to take me home in person.

1.

The moment I walked into the second bedroom carrying those ninety-nine toys and ninety-nine sets of lingerie, my gaze caught the cross necklace swinging against Wendy's collarbone, and the pain hit me like a knife.

Years ago, Otto had been stabbed and left with barely a breath in his body.

I knelt outside the church for an entire day and night, my forehead bleeding against the stone, before the old priest finally agreed to give it to me.

Even through the divorce, Otto had never once taken it off.

Now that Wendy was pregnant, he'd handed it over without a second thought.

My throat felt sealed shut by something solid, and it was a long time before I managed to speak, my voice shakingWhy did you lie to me? If you'd both just told me, I would have stepped aside.

If I'd gotten out sooner, before the double betrayal had time to cut this deep, I wouldn't be this torn apart.

A trace of pity flickered in Otto's eyes, but his voice stayed light offhand, even

Well, we did feel guilty about you. The night you were getting stabbed dozens of times, I was in the car with Wendy. Having sex.

She was so scared afterward. To calm her down, I got even more carried away. That's why I forgot to come save you.

It felt like being gutted all over again.

That night, I lay in a pool of my own blood, clinging to my last breath to call him. I believed, completely, that he would come. That he would save me and his unconscious grandfather.

When I woke, I was in a hospital. The baby was gone.

The doctor said if I'd been brought in ten minutes earlier, they could have saved my womb.

Otto had burst through the door, held me, and sobbed like a broken man, swearing he would avenge me.

And later, he had kept that promise.

Hearing him say it all now, light as air, I finally understood. Every ounce of that devotion had been a performance.

If a passing stranger hadn't stopped to help, I would have been dead.

Then why did you come back to remarry me?! I was nearly screaming.

Because those old fossils on the Delgado board only recognize you. And besides He paused, and his voice went a shade softer. I do love you. I can't live without you.

Nausea crawled through my stomach like maggots. I grabbed the ashtray off the nightstand and hurled it at him.

He swung his arm up in an instant, shielding Wendy.

The glass exploded. Shards scattered across the floor.

I stared at him through bloodshot eyes and screamedYou love me? By screwing my best friend over and over again?!

A month ago, he'd suddenly announced he was quitting smoking. I thought he'd finally seen my lung-disease diagnosis.

It was only because Wendy was pregnant.

He'd known perfectly well what secondhand smoke could do. He just hadn't cared when it was me.

Otto's expression darkened.

He got out of bed and clamped down on my arm, squeezing so hard I thought the bones would splinter.

You want to resent me, fine. I'll take it. But don't you dare blame Wendy.

She cares about you. She's carrying a child. You should be showing some compassion instead of standing here losing your mind!

Every word dripped with open, undisguised favoritism and blame.

I clenched my fists until my nails drew blood. I almost wanted to laugh.

What right did he have to tell me to show compassion to the woman who had taken everything from me?

Before I could speak, Wendy put on a magnanimous smileOtto, let it go. Zara's just jealous that I'm the one having a baby. I understand.

Zara, thank you for the toys. Otto and I will put them to good use.

Her fingers drifted across her belly, and the look she gave me was pure, triumphant superiority.

Otto let go of my arm and leaned back with an idle, contemptuous smirk

A man in my position, you really think he'd have just one woman?

But my heart belongs to you. Even if you can't bear children, I'll take care of you for the rest of your life.

That tone, like he was granting me a gift, made me see my own stupidity with perfect clarity.

He was so good at pretending. He'd kept the act going right up until Wendy's belly couldn't be hidden anymore, and only then did he tear off the last mask, choosing my birthday to lay it all out without a shred of restraint.

Because he was certain I had no way out. That I could never fly beyond his reach.

Stop making a scene. He looked down at me with that cold smirk, like a man watching a caged bird. You're an orphan, Zara. Without me, you'll actually starve on the streets this time.

Life after the divorce had been brutal, and so when he'd crooked his finger, I'd gone back to him, obedient as could be.

But he didn't know.

This time was different.

The tiny camera embedded in the stud on my earlobe was silently recording everything.

### Chapter 2

I didn't argue. I'd barely stepped outside the door when a packed bag landed at my feet.

Wendy's pregnant and needs to be taken care of. Let her have the master bedroom for now. You can move to another room until the baby's born.

Otto watched me, something probing in his eyes.

The master bedroom was mine down to the last detail. The wall color, the curtain pleats, even the little cactus on the windowsill. I'd chosen every single thing. I hated anyone setting foot in my private space.

Years ago, a new maid had snuck into our bed just to lie on it, and I'd had her thrown out of Harbor City.

Otto had held me afterward and said, Good call. Your territory. Nobody touches it.

He was probably waiting for me to explode the way I used to.

But I just picked up the bag in silence. Fine.

There's a nice guest room on the second floor

I didn't let him finish. I walked straight to the storage room at the far end of the first floor, the one by the back door.

The room reeked of damp and mildew. I brought out the birthday cake I hadn't had a chance to cut during the day and lit the candles.

Happy twenty-eighth birthday, Zara. Starting today, every day is a new life.

I blew out the candles and ate the cake.

Leaning back against sheets that smelled of moisture, I opened the shared album on my phone, the one labeled Home.

Photo after photo loaded:

Under the northern lights in the Arctic Circle. At dusk in Prague's Old Town Square. Against a sunset on the African savanna Otto and I embracing, kissing, smiling into each other's eyes.

And in every single photo, Wendy Fox was there.

A love I thought belonged to two people had been shared among three all along, and I was the only one who didn't know.

I took a deep breath, selected every photo, and hit delete.

The same river, twice. Ten years of blind devotion. It ended here.

The screen lit up with an incoming call from my father.

Sweetheart, the plane is ready. Six days from now, Daddy will be there to bring you home.

What Otto Delgado owes you, I will make him repay a hundred times over.

The tears I'd held back all day finally broke loose.

Okay. See you in six days.

The door slammed open.

Otto strode in, his gaze cutting straight to my phone screen. What are you doing in six days?

I wiped the tears away fast, kept my voice level.

A friend's husband passed away. She invited me to the funeral.

His expression eased slightly and he sighed.

I know this isn't easy for you. But be reasonable. Once Wendy has the baby, the position of Mrs. Delgado is still yours.

Before the words were even out, the phone at his waist buzzed. He answered, listened for two seconds, and his face changed completely.

I'm coming right now!

He hung up and every trace of gentleness vanished. The eyes that turned on me were so dark they were frightening.

You knew those photos meant something to her and you still deleted them? Wendy saw it and had a complete breakdown. She's having a panic attack right now!

He grabbed my wrist. You're coming to apologize now.

He dragged me and I caught a nail on the storage room floor, went down hard on my knee the pain so sharp I couldn't breathe.

I stumbled the whole way as he hauled me upstairs. Wendy was curled in the corner of the balcony, trembling.

A shattered bowl lay at her feet, porridge pooled across the floor.

The moment she saw me, tears spilled down her cheeks.

You already know everything. On your wedding night I put sleeping pills in your drink, and then I spent the whole night with Otto in your marriage bed.

So you put an abortifacient in my porridge to get back at me. Didn't you?

Before I could even react, she scrambled to her feet and backed toward the edge of the balcony.

Fine then, I'll get rid of the baby and give Otto back to you. Will that make you happy?

Wendy! Otto slammed me out of the way, rushed to her and pulled her into his arms, his voice shaking with pain. Don't do anything stupid! Zara knows she was wrong. She's here to apologize.

I hit the ground hard. My palm split open on the tile but I didn't feel it. All I felt was how utterly absurd this was.

I didn't

Otto, don't push her. Wendy cut me off, her voice thin and pitiful. I know Zara. She'll never admit it.

She won't? Otto's gaze locked on me, ice-cold. I have plenty of ways to make stubborn people talk.

He ordered the bodyguards to take me to the basement. Lock her in there until she confesses!

My eyes went wide and I started shaking. Otto, you can't do this to me!

He knew. He knew I had severe claustrophobia.

I can. He looked down at me, every word deliberate. Touch Wendy's child, and you brought this on yourself.

I was thrown into the pitch-black basement.

The door slammed shut behind me, and in that instant the darkness closed around my throat. I couldn't breathe.

I cried and pounded on the door, clawing until my fingernails left streaks of blood on the metal, then collapsed to the ground in despair.

After what could have been minutes or hours, a sliver of light cut in and a voice spoke above me.

Ready to confess?

### Chapter 3

I didn't drug her. Check the security footage

Cold sweat soaked through my back. My voice came out weak, shaking, begging Otto to get me out of the basement, but he cut me off cold.

Shut up!

Finding the truth would have been effortless. But every word out of Wendy's mouth, he chose to believe without question.

He loved her. Loved her past the point of caring what was true.

A bitter laugh died somewhere behind my ribs. Otto lifted his chin, and the bodyguards moved in. Fists and boots came down like a storm.

Before the pain swallowed me whole, the last thing I heard was the dull crack of my own bones.

When I opened my eyes again, all I saw was the dead-white ceiling of a hospital room.

Otto sat beside the bed, peeling an apple with slow, unhurried strokes. His tone was flat, threaded with warning.

The baby's fine. Lucky you. Don't touch Wendy again, unless you haven't learned your lesson.

I said nothing.

Two years ago, when the cheating started and the hitting followed, I had left him.

After the remarriage, he decided I'd suffered enough on my own to never leave again, so he stopped holding back entirely.

But all I was doing was enduring to the end, so he could pay back every last thing a hundred times over.

Otto's gaze caught the bruising on my face, the dark purple spreading along my arms. Something flickered in his eyes, barely there. He started to speak, but his phone rang.

The moment he saw the screen, a smile curved his lips. When he answered, his voice went impossibly soft.

The baby kicked? Don't move. I've arranged the best medical team. They're already on the way.

That tenderness. Otto had given it to me once.

He'd lost his mother young. After he was brought into the Delgado household, all he ever faced was cruelty.

His older half-brother was the worst of it, always inventing new ways to break him.

One time, the brother's men cornered Otto in a back alley and beat him half to death. I happened to pass by, called the police, and pulled him out. After that, I became the only light in his world.

Later, his brother retaliated by having me kidnapped.

Otto stormed into that pitch-black warehouse alone, let the clubs land on his own body, and carried me out on his back.

In the hospital, he gripped my hand so tight nothing could have pried it loose, murmuring over and over

Don't be scared, Zara. I'd die before I let anything happen to you.

Later, he took control of the Delgado Group.

The first thing he did was throw me the most extravagant wedding Harbor City had ever seen. Everyone said I was the luckiest woman alive.

We became the couple the whole city envied, the sweethearts who'd survived everything together. The press said our story was better than a fairy tale.

Too bad fairy tales are lies. On our wedding night, he was already in our bed with someone else.

And why did it have to be Wendy?

My heart felt like it was being sawed apart with a dull blade.

Wendy had once been a rich man's daughter too. A car accident killed her entire family; her inheritance was stolen, and she was dumped in an orphanage where she was bullied relentlessly.

After we met, I visited her constantly, brought her pretty dresses, carried birthday cakes to her door, begged Otto to pay for her schooling.

I smiled and told herEverything I have, I'll split with you.

Half my snacks, half my fun

I just forgot to say: not the man I loved.

The memories twisted through me like a knife, and I forced the tears back before they could fall.

Otto stood, gave me one disinterested glance. If you're fine, I'm leaving. Wendy needs me.

He didn't come back once during the three days I was hospitalized.

Wendy's social media, though, updated in real time with their love on full display

He lit sky lanterns at an auction just to make her laugh, then bid on Marie Antoinette's necklace.

He spent hundreds of millions on a private island, all to give her a wedding that would eclipse the one he'd given me.

My phone buzzed. Otto's assistant had sent over a long string of expense receipts.

I saved every black-and-white charge slip, one by one, then called the assistant. Two million. It's in your account.

Almost instantly, the phone vibrated again.

Wendy had sent a photo, dripping with the same old malice. It was a picture of a tombstone. My unborn child's tombstone.

Ten years ago someone stabbed you, and you lost the baby. Your womb was destroyed. Want to know the truth?

### Chapter 4

My mind went blank, wiped clean by a single detonation of understanding. Then the terrible guess surfaced.

Wendy, what did you do?!

Ten years ago, I had accompanied Old Mr. Delgado to an important meeting. We were ambushed on the way.

After I lost the baby, Otto bought the ocean-view cemetery plot with the most beautiful view for our child. He held me in the pouring rain, shaking so hard he could barely stand, crying until he was barely recognizable

It's my fault. I didn't protect you or our baby. Zara, I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.

He hunted down those enemies himself, sent every last one of them to hell. I thought he was the boy who slew dragons for me. I never knew he had already become the dragon that was killing me.

On the other end of the line, Wendy's voice dripped with undisguised venom

You saw me and him going at it in the car, and you still had the nerve to crawl back and remarry him. God, you're pathetic.

I was so close to being the one he married. I'm the one who deserves to be Mrs. Delgado!

You destroyed my biggest dream. What made you think I'd ever let you live in peace?

She hung up before I could answer.

The rage in my chest nearly split me open. I bit down hard, ripped the IV needle from the back of my hand, and threw myself off the hospital bed, almost knocking over a nurse coming through the door.

Miss Gilbert? You can't leave yet!

I couldn't hear anything. I ran straight out of the hospital.

I took a cab back to the house. Wendy was lounging on the sofa, sipping the prenatal tea her nutritionist had blended for her.

I stormed up to her, my voice raw

Wendy, it was you. That attack had nothing to do with the Delgados' enemies. You arranged the whole thing!

You vile bitch. I was nothing but good to you. Why would you do this to me?

She lifted her gaze, nothing in it but contempt and cruelty.

Because you were always better than me at everything. Why should the best things in the world just fall into your lap while I had to claw for scraps?

So I decided to take it all. And look at you now. A hen that can't lay eggs. What are you going to fight me with?

Her lips curled. She stood and looked down at me.

Get on your knees and lick my shoes, and maybe I'll have Otto let you keep a corner to live in. Otherwise, I'll have someone dig up your brat's grave.

I couldn't listen to another word. My hand flew up*crack*

The slap landed full across her pampered face.

Ahhh!

Wendy screamed and crumpled to the floor, then clutched her stomach and burst into sobsOtto! Otto! Help! Zara's trying to kill our baby!

A figure swept past like a gust of wind.

Otto rushed in and pulled her into his arms, then turned and glared at me with eyes that could have burned through steel

Wendy was young back then. She didn't know any better. She's been eaten alive by guilt sinceshe tried to kill herself more than once! If I hadn't been there for her, she'd be dead!

Why are you so petty? It's been years. Can't you just let it go?

Every drop of blood in my body froze.

He had always known. Known it was Wendy who killed our child, who destroyed my life.

All those years of agony I suffered day and night, and he looked right through it.

But the guilt of the woman who caused all of itthat earned his pity, his tenderness, his protection.

The only thing I regret in this life is ever meeting the two of you monsters!

I screamed it with everything I had left. The room went dark at the edges, and I nearly choked on the blood rising in my throat.

Something like pain flickered across Otto's face. His mouth opened. But Wendy let out a piercing wail from his arms

My stomachit hurts so much! The babyOtto, is our baby gone?!

Otto panicked instantly, twisting around to shout

Doctor! Where the hell is the doctor? Get over here!

Medical staff rushed in and helped her onto the sofa to examine her.

That brief flicker of hesitation on Otto's face vanished. When he turned back to me, all that was left was disgust

You got hurt because you insisted on playing hero, throwing yourself in front of the old man! Who else is there to blame?!

Listening to accusations this insane, this shameless defense of her, I laughed. Tears spilled down my face as I laughed.

I lunged forward and ripped the cord from Wendy's neck. The cross necklace hit the floor and shattered.

What's mineI'd rather destroy it than let you have it!

Before the tears could break me completely, I turned and ran out the door.

Behind me, Otto's roar of fury chased me out.

### Chapter 5

The wounds hadn't finished healing before the fever hit.

Back in the storage room, I held on to consciousness long enough to dial my father and tell him what I'd learned about ten years ago

Dad, Old Mr. Delgado's security has always been airtight. There's no way a lone orphan like Wendy could have arranged that assassination by herself. Please look into it for me.

His voice dropped instantlyI'll get on it right now. Zara, your voice sounds wrong. Are you

I'm fine. I cut him off. I'll wait for your call.

The line went dead, and the last of my strength went with it. I collapsed onto the cot, consciousness drifting at the edge of darkness.

Dawn had barely broken when the door slammed open.

Otto's tall frame filled the doorway, radiating fury, and he hauled me off the bed.

This is your fault. Wendy's having nightmares every single night now. If this keeps up, she could lose the baby.

Go apologize to her.

I stared at him in disbeliefApologize to the woman who butchered my child? Not a chance.

Stubborn as always.

A cold smirk crossed his face. He took out his phone, dialed, and turned the screen toward me.

The moment I saw what was on it, my whole body went rigid.

The camera showed the ground beside my child's headstone. Several of Otto's men stood there with shovels and pickaxes, and one of them spoke into the lensBoss, want us to start? Everything's ready.

I stared at the screen, nails biting into my palms. That was his child buried there too.

But the look in Otto's eyes was nothing but ice

Refuse, and you can say goodbye to your child forever.

I knew he meant it. I just never imagined he could be this cruel to me.

In the end, swallowing hatred so hot it scalded, I nodded.

The master bedroom had once been mine. Now it was repainted in the soft pink Wendy loved best, every trace of me erased, the room as unrecognizable as the first half of my life.

Wendy lounged on the bed looking thoroughly pleased with herself, and I forced the words out through clenched teeth

I'm sorry.

Wendy pouted, unsatisfiedOne little 'sorry' is supposed to make up for what I've been through? If sorry was enough, what would we even need cops for?

My nails dug deeper into my palms. Behind me, Otto's cold voice came again

Kneel. Bow to Wendy and beg her forgiveness.

He raised his phone again. The screen still showed the live feed from the grave.

My knees hit the floor hard. Then my forehead cracked against the tile.

Once, twice, three timesI couldn't feel the pain anymore. I kept going until I'd struck my head against the ground more than a dozen times.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have provoked you.

I'm sorry. I'll step aside for you two

Enough!

A hand clamped around my arm and Otto yanked me to my feet.

He saw the blood seeping from my forehead and frowned.

If you'd been this obedient from the start, you could've saved yourself the suffering. Go. Have a doctor put something on that.

Mm.

I lowered my eyes, fighting the dizziness, and walked back to the storage room in silence.

The door opened again. Otto had followed me in. He tossed a bottle of antiseptic and a roll of gauze into my arms, his tone flatI'm throwing Wendy a baby shower the day after tomorrow. Behave yourself, and I'll give you a reward.

He turned to leave, and I called after him before he could.

I promise I won't cause any more trouble. I lifted my head, voice meek. I want a car. Will you get me one?

His steps faltered. He turned back, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

In all these years, I had never once asked him for anything.

His gaze lingered on my face for a few seconds, scrutinizing, before the familiar need to control won out.

Fine.

I pulled the documents from my bag immediately, flipped to the signature page, and held them out.

I've already picked the car. Just sign and pay.

### Chapter 6

Otto took the papers. His fingertips paused at the edge of the first page, as if he meant to flip through them. My heartbeat slammed into the base of my throat, and cold sweat beaded across my palms.

Then Wendy's syrupy voice drifted down from upstairs.

He scrawled his signature in two quick strokes and handed the papers back to me.

I'm glad you've finally learned your place, Zara.

There was something almost like approval in his voice. He turned and left without another glance.

The door closed.

I pulled the divorce agreement and the share-transfer deed from between the pages and called my father.

Dad, it's done. I have everything.

His steady baritone came through the line.

Sweetheart, I've also got the evidence of Otto's business crimes over the years. Sending it to you now.

And you were right the assassination ten years ago was no simple hit. Even that woman, Wendy Fox tsk

His voice trailed off with heavy implication, and my inbox chimed.

I opened the attachments. My eyes moved over the photos and documents, and what started as shock slowly bent into a thin, cold smile.

Otto Delgado. You thought you controlled everything. Thought you stood above me, pulling the strings.

But what if your truth was rotten at the root nothing but a trap she designed from the start?

I couldn't wait to see your face.

I removed my earring stud and extracted the hidden video file, then loaded it onto a flash drive along with the evidence from the assistant and everything my father had sent.

The next morning, I handed all of it to my lawyer.

I also prepared two copies as timed emails one addressed to Old Mr. Delgado, the other to Otto.

If the old man learned that the assassination attempt that nearly killed him ten years ago wasn't the work of a rival family at all, but Wendy Fox's doing and that his most prized grandson had known all along, had covered for the real culprit

What would he do?

The night of the party, every light in the Delgado estate blazed.

I picked up my suitcase, took one last look at that gilded cage, and walked out the back door without turning around.

A black sedan waited at the curb.

A tall, steady-shouldered man stepped out and pulled me into his arms My daughter Dad's taking you home!

Dad

Ten long years since I'd last felt this embrace, and it was still the only place in the world where I could rest.

The tears I'd been holding back for so long finally spilled, and I leaned against my father's warm shoulder, knowing the nightmare was over.

Once inside the car, I took out the SIM card I'd used for ten years.

Otto had given it to me when we first got together. A pair of matching numbers.

He'd said the linked digits were like Cupid's arrow, tying us together for life.

And I had never once turned off my phone just so he could always reach me the moment he needed to.

I pressed hard and snapped the card in half, then tossed the pieces out the window. Every tie between us, severed.

Goodbye, Otto Delgado. You will never find me again.

May we never meet in this lifetime.