She Was Pregnant, But Not by Me

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On the meticulously planned proposal stage I'd set up, my girlfriend, who'd vanished for nearly a month, finally showed her face.

Standing next to her was a guy bearing an uncanny resemblance to her so-called one true love.

Chloe Chen puffed up with pride.

I'm pregnant. If you want me to say yes today, you'll announce in front of everyone that you'll sign over all your assets to this child.

I let out a cold laugh, staring at her noticeably rounded belly.

"Sorry, but I don't have the hobby of raising other people's kids."

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, her face flushed crimson.

"If you refuse!" she shrieked, "then you can wait another five years before proposing again!"

She'd been this reckless for years, and for just as long, I'd swallowed my pride and put up with it.

Here she was, carrying another man's child, snarling at me to hand over everything.

She was banking on my love for her, certain I wouldn't let go.

But this time? I truly couldn't keep enabling her.

This proposal had taken me two months of careful planning.

I knew Chloe was picky, so I obsessed over every detail, making it perfect.

Terrified of anything displeasing her.

And now? I was the one tearing it all apart.

Standing amidst the wreckage, I locked eyes with her. "Chloe Chen. You disgust me."

Chloe lunged at me, aiming to strike.

"You've lost your mind! Get down on your knees and apologize right now, and maybe, just maybe, I'll forgive you! Otherwise, you'll never see me again!"

My response was immediate.

"Fine. Then it's over. Don't ever contact me again."

Chloe's chest heaved, her eyes promising murder.

"So what if I'm carrying someone else's baby?! What's the big deal?!"

"He looks a bit like Liam Young! Our kid might even look like Liam! I couldn't marry Liam, but you? You look nothing like him! That's your fault!"

Even now, she was throwing a tantrum.

She was so used to years of her outrageous behavior, knowing I couldn't bear to blame her or lose my temper.

That's why she knew exactly what this day was C my carefully planned proposal C and stayed away for a month.

Only to show up today, in front of everyone, forcing me to claim her child.

To admit she'd keep cheating even after marriage!

All these eyes watching, all these witnesses.

Frankly, I suspected that once this kid was born and stood to inherit everything, Chloe would scheme to have me meet a nasty end.

Because what she ever really wanted? From the start? Was my money and status.

My heart felt like it was being squeezed, the pain intense.

I took a breath and, right in front of her, tossed the engagement ring into the nearby trash can.

Chloe clearly hadn't expected me to go this far. Fury blazed hotter on her face.

Being humiliated like this in public? She couldn't stomach it.

"Oh, Ethan Wright! Feeling bold now, are you?! Why don't you tell everyone how you begged me on the phone earlier, practically weeping on your knees, pleading for me to come?!"

She wasn't wrong.

A month ago, we'd fought because I hadn't gotten her the latest designer bag she coveted.

I'd begged and pleaded, finally promising to transfer the deed of our current mansion into her name.

Only then did she agree to see me.

I'd hoped this grand gesture would finally win her over, make her settle down with me.

But after hours of hopeful waiting, she wasn't the first to arrive.

It was Xander Shaw. The guy who bore that unsettling resemblance to her precious Liam.

A notorious womanizer, known for leaving a trail of broken hearts and ruined lives.

And here he stood, smirking as Chloe tore into me, watching my world crumble.

Even as I turned to leave, he couldn't resist a parting shot, his voice dripping with mockery.

"Two months of planning for this? Not a single decent thing in sight. Pathetic."

Those seemingly ordinary roses tucked in the corner? Each one was handpicked, pre-ordered, and flown in overnight.

Costing thousands per stem.

Pathetic?

Anyone with eyes could see the effort and money poured into this event.

But Chloe, fueled by Xander's words, found her voice again.

"Exactly! That ring? The diamond was practically microscopic! Who were you trying to fool?!"

"If this is how little effort you put into proposing, me showing up at all was a gift!"

That ring... I'd sourced the diamond myself.

During a work trip abroad, I took time off, went down into a mine.

It wasn't the most flawless stone, but I'd risked my life to get it out. It meant everything to me.

Now? The sight of it made me sick.

While I was down in that dark hole, digging, foolishly dreaming of her happiness...

She was probably in myhouse, on mybed, making that baby with someone else!

That was her way. No sense of occasion, no sense of decency.

If she wasn't happy, she'd burn the world down.

Trampling my dignity as a man? Just another Tuesday.

I'd endured it for years, hoping she'd soften, retract her claws.

But I was exhausted. Numb to the pain.

"Chloe Chen," I said, my voice flat, "do me a favor and get the hell out of my life."

I brushed past friends trying to offer comfort. I couldn't face anyone.

The hurt was so deep, breathing felt difficult.

I needed to be alone.

Back home, I instructed the housekeeper to pack up every last trace of Chloe and throw it out.

Before this, outside of work, all my free time had been wasted on Chloe.

Our "dates"? Never about connection. Just shopping sprees, me treated like a walking ATM.

Only when she wanted something exclusive, something money couldn't easily buy, would she toss me a crumb of affection.

But after today? My heart was finally stone cold.

I was cutting her out of my world completely.

Chloe's call came right then. "Do you even realize I'm pregnant?! I need proper rest!"

I replied coldly, "Not my kid. Not my problem."

She hissed through clenched teeth, "It isyour problem! I'm your girlfriend! This child will inherit your fortune!"

"I don't want to hear your voice right now. Whatever it is, it can wait."

She pressed on, "Stop playing the wounded puppy! You think your little sulk changes anything? It just makes me despise you more!"

"What kind of man are you? So petty! So what if I'm carrying another man's child? I still gave you a chance to propose!"

"Listen here! Tell security to let me in right now! I need to rest! If anything happens to this baby because of you, you'll regret it!"

A bitter laugh escaped me. "Regret it? How, Chloe?"

"Chloe, I made myself perfectly clear earlier. I never want to see you again. Get lost. Is that really so hard to understand?"

Her voice turned shrill. "Ethan Wright! Don't you dare regret this! I won't forgive you easily this time! Not even if you crawl on your knees!"

I was done. As I moved to hang up, I heard Xander's voice in the background.

"What a tightass. How'd you stand him for three years? So what if she's pregnant? She's still hiswife, right?"

"Besides, it's his own damn fault. Doesn't look a thing like Liam Young, and after three years together? She never got knocked up by him. Maybe he's shooting blanks?"

Chloe snorted derisively.

"Only because he chased me for two years like a pathetic puppy! Wish I'd never given in!"

"And don't you know how much he repulses me? Three years together, and I never let him touch me! The sight of him turns my stomach."

Xander's laughter grew louder, more vulgar. "But you let metouch you?"

"Since home's off-limits... how about we find somewhere else?"

His tone was heavy with suggestion. "Four months along... doctor said it's safe, right?"

In front of me, she'd rage over needing rest for the baby's sake.

But with another man?

She became nothing more than a convenient toy.

The hypocrisy was staggering.

Thank God I never slept with her. I'd need therapy for years if I had!

Just as I was drifting off, Liam Young called.

He sounded genuinely apologetic.

"Man, I swear I don't know that Chloe Chen! You know me! Head over heels for my wife since forever, married her right after graduation!"

"Besides, my brother handles all the domestic business. I moved overseas with my family right after the wedding. Zero chance I ever met her!"

I managed a weak chuckle. "Relax, Liam. I know who you are. It's just... I was blind about her."

Liam had been devoted to one woman since high school. Zero interest in anyone else.

Chloe first heard about Liam during her junior year of college.

Saw him once, became obsessed.

But Chloe was too proud, too arrogant to approach him.

She genuinely believed he'd seek herout after that one glimpse, begging to be together.

Then Liam got engaged very publicly during senior year.

She snapped. Declared him her tragic, unattainable "one true love."

Played the heartbroken, devoted lover ever since.

Truth? Liam never spoke a word to her.

Wouldn't recognize her in a lineup!

Being Liam's friend, I noticed Chloe.

Like Liam, I believed in pursuing what I wanted.

At first, I mistook her for shy, a victim of unrequited love.

After we got together? Her true colors slowly bled through.

But I clung to the delusion that my love could heal her, soothe her "broken heart."

I was trapped in my own self-made drama.

By the time I woke up? I was shattered.

Realizing just how toxic Chloe was.

Thankfully, it wasn't too late.

The breakup was messy, but I wasn't married to her. I hadn't sunk deeper.

Liam invited me to his daughter's upcoming third birthday party, suggesting it might help me clear my head.

Hanging up, I almost laughed out loud.

Liam had a loving wife, a kid, genuine happiness.

Chloe? Here she was, orchestrating her own tragic love story, only fooling herself.

Even Liam felt the need to call and distance himself immediately.

Deciding to go early for the trip, I never expected Chloe to be this persistent.

I'd barely stepped into the airport when I saw her berating a staff member.

The reason? Simple. She'd bought an economy ticket but demanded VIP treatment.

Before, wherever she wanted to go, I handled everything.

Booked the flights, arranged the details, either accompanied her or sent staff.

Her only job was spending money like water.

Chloe radiated impatience. "I told you! I alwaysfly first class! Check your records if you don't believe me!"

The staff member looked pained. "Ma'am, you can certainly purchase an upgrade."

Chloe clutched a bank card, her face flushed with humiliation.

Looked like she couldn't even afford that.

I had zero intention of intervening. She didn't deserve it.

An airport staff member escorted me forward.

I hadn't gone ten steps when her voice rang out behind me. "Ethan Wright! You're stalking me! How pathetic!"

She thought her radio silence had broken me, that I'd come crawling back.

She grabbed my arm. "Tell them to upgrade me! Or I swear, I won't speak to you ever again!"

I shook her off, turning to the stunned staff. "My apologies. I don't know this woman."

My status meant they wouldn't cross me.

They immediately moved to restrain her.

But mindful of her pregnancy, they were hesitant to use force.

Infuriated by their restraint, Chloe escalated. "Have you lost your mind?! How dare you treat me like this!"

"You clearly don't want to marry me or earn my forgiveness! If you don't get down on your knees and beg right now, I'll marry someone else!"

I gritted my teeth. "Marry whoever you want. It means nothing to me."

But Chloe refused to believe I was done.

She kept thrashing, desperate to salvage her "dignity."

Amidst the struggle, someone else slipped their arm through mine.

Her smile was bright, infectious. "Sweetheart, what took you so long? I've been waiting forever!"

Chloe exploded. "So that'swhy you grew a backbone! You were cheating!"

There she was, heavily pregnant, me with another beautiful woman.

Combined with her hysterics, it painted a perfect picture: me, the cheating scumbag abandoning his pregnant wife.

But Sophia Rivers beside me stayed perfectly calm.

"Isn't that Xander Shaw's baby you're carrying? Why are you trying to scam someone else's boyfriend?"

"What? Did Xander dump you already? Looking for a rich sucker to foot the bill?"

Chloe had snuck into the VIP area.

Sophia flipped the script effortlessly.

Chloe flushed crimson. "Don't you dare lie! Ethan is myboyfriend! We were getting engaged! You'rethe homewrecker!"

Sophia just shrugged, pulling me away.

We ignored Chloe's shrieks of rage.

Inside the quiet lounge, the chaos faded.

More than Chloe's fate, I was curious about Sophia.

"How did you end up here?"

Sophia winked. "Had some business back home, took a few days off school. Handled it, now heading back to finish my degree."

She clearly didn't want to elaborate, quickly changing the subject. "You're going for my cousin's kid's birthday, right? Why so early?"

I went along. "Needed a break."

Sophia's smile widened. "Want me to be your tour guide?"

Company sounded good. I didn't refuse.

Especially since she seemed determined to tag along.

Sharp-tongued and witty? I wouldn't win an argument.

Plus, her bright, fun energy might be just what I needed to heal.

Seeing me nod, she let out a happy little squeal.

Immediately started booking hotels and planning an itinerary.

"Cancel whatever hotel you booked! That area's boring!"

I couldn't fathom why someone her age would want to hang out with someone pushing thirty.

Or why she seemed so excited about it.

I'd known Sophia since she was little.

She was seven years younger than Liam and me.

For convenience during school, she often stayed at Liam's place.

Over time, I saw her as a little sister too.

We drifted apart after she went overseas for college a few years back.

Seeing her now? She'd truly blossomed.

Nothing like the sensitive crybaby I remembered.

I chuckled, drawing her attention. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," I said.

"Just remembered you sneaking ice cream as a kid. Got brain freeze crying in a corner, scared Liam would find out. Had us rushing you to the ER thinking you were sick."

Sophia didn't look annoyed, her smile deepening.

"You remember that about me?"

For a split second, I thought I saw something in her eyes.

Something beyond sisterly affection.

But it vanished quickly. Sophia recovered, saying, "Well, you'll remember a lot more about me in the future."

We didn't mention her claiming to be my girlfriend in front of Chloe.

From her behavior during the trip, my suspicion grew.

Her feelings for me... weren't quite sisterly.

She seemed... attracted to me.

The realization hit me like a bucket of ice water, followed by a wave of self-mockery.

I was so much older. Had wasted years on a toxic woman.

Ended up with nothing but scars.

My dignity trampled repeatedly, still being harassed post-breakup.

I couldn't fathom anyone wanting me now.

Especially not someone as brilliant as Sophia.

Young, still in college, yet already a renowned designer.

Sophia seemed oblivious to my turmoil.

Once we landed, she threw herself into being my tour guide.

Showing me sights, helping me unwind.

I discovered things more fulfilling than appeasing Chloe.

Realized the world offered joy and passion beyond work and failed romance.

On our last day, she took me skydiving.

The plunge from 10,000 feet left my scalp tingling, heart pounding.

Even after landing, my legs felt like jelly.

But Sophia, surprisingly strong, caught me, holding me steady.

She held my shattered pieces together. "Ethan. Want to give us a shot? Or... I could chase you?"