My Husband Fobbed Me Off With a Clone; Recycled, He Regretted It

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1: 1

My husband lost a game to his childhood sweetheart.

So he brought home a clone identical to himself.

When I went shopping, he had the clone drive me.

When I went in for prenatal checkups, he had the clone come along.

Even in bed, he let the clone stand in for him.

I broke down and demanded an answer from my husband.

"Why? Isn't this your child I'm carrying? Why should a clone be the one with me?"

He gave a lazy little smile.

"Can't be helped. It's your fault you got pregnant and upset Cecily."

"I lost, so I have to pay up."

"Cecily's condition is that this clone keeps you company for a year before the punishment is done."

"It's only been three months. Be good, hold out a little longer."

Later I simply took the clone as my husband and threw him away.

And he was mistaken for a clone and recycled.

Went mad with regret, all of him.

"Ma'am, Mr. Henson says he has a work function tonight. He won't be home for dinner."

Peter Dickerson the butler stood in the doorway of the dining room. "You have your checkup today. Should we reschedule?"

Before I could say anything.

Kerry Henson suddenly spoke. "No need."

He gently carried away my footbath water and carefully dried the drops from my feet.

"The checkup is already done."

"Tell Mr. Henson he has nothing to worry about."

Kerry Henson was the clone, the one identical to George Henson.

He was gentler and more attentive than George, and he never lost his temper.

Looking at that face, I would slip into an illusion and think he was George.

But Cecily Delgado's posts always reminded me otherwise.

My real husband, George Henson, was out with her, checking in at the newly opened restaurant and the amusement park.

Right now, another one popped up.

"Another day of shamelessly hogging my childhood sweetheart!"

"That's what he gets for losing the game,"

"the whole year he has to be my personal bodyguard."

There were comments underneath.

"Cecily, don't you feel any guilt hogging someone's husband?"

"On top of that, his wife is pregnant right now. How can you stand it?"

Cecily fired right back.

"None of my business. I'm not the one who got her pregnant."

I gave a small scoff and shut off my phone.

At ten thirty at night, George came home for once.

He walked in trailing an unfamiliar perfume.

I sat on the couch knitting a little sweater.

Pretending I hadn't smelled a thing.

"Did you go for your checkup today?"

He tossed his coat onto the couch and sat down at the far end.

"Mm."

"How did it go?"

"Fine."

"Boy or girl?"

My hands stopped.

"Don't know. Kerry didn't let the doctor look. He said we should wait for you to go yourself."

George gave a light laugh.

"He knows his place."

I didn't answer, just lowered my head and kept knitting.

He suddenly leaned over and pinched my chin.

"Ivy, you've gotten a lot tamer than before."

"Why aren't you making a scene anymore?"

Before, every time I saw him make the clone keep me company,

I fought back like a woman put through every humiliation.

Threw tantrums, rolled on the floor, smashed everything in the house.

Even threatened to get rid of the child in my belly.

But George was always unmoved.

"Ivy Lawson, I already told you. I lost the game, so I take the punishment."

"Take my advice and accept it quietly. Otherwise, you'll suffer a hundred times worse."

"And if anything happens to my child,"

"your mother's medical bills can stop at any time."

All I could do was accept it, shamed.

Right now, his eyes were full of scrutiny and amusement, like he was admiring an obedient little plaything.

I only spoke flatly.

"Nothing to make a scene about."

He stared at me for a long time, then smiled with a kind of relish.

"Ivy Lawson, you've put on weight."

"I'm seven months pregnant. Isn't putting on weight completely normal?"

Seven months pregnant, my body had turned heavy and clumsy.

Even lying down to sleep left my back aching, and every night Kerry rubbed it for me.

George, my husband, only saw that I'd gotten fat.

"Normal or not, can't you keep an eye on it?"

He let go and leaned back into the couch, a thread of mockery in his tone.

"Cecily got her figure back three months after giving birth. You should learn from her."

"A woman who can't even manage her own figure, a man really loses his appetite looking at her. Don't you think?"

I finally lifted my head.

"Cecily's had her baby?"

2: 2

"Mm, a girl. Just over a year old."

"Looks a lot like her."

It struck me as funny, all of a sudden.

His first love had a child with another man, and that didn't disgust him.

Instead he used her to lecture me?

"George, you promised me."

"I accepted the clone, and in return you'd never bring up Cecily in front of me again."

Cecily's name had always been the forbidden thing between us as husband and wife.

Every fight came back to her too.

When I was sick, he wouldn't take a single day off.

When Cecily twisted her ankle, he took two months off without a second thought and cared for her himself.

More than that, I'm seven months along now.

And George has never once come with me to a prenatal appointment.

While Cecily had George's careful attention through her entire pregnancy, even though that child had nothing to do with him.

The living room went quiet for two seconds.

George slowly sat up straight and looked at me, his eyes turning cold.

"Weren't you just saying you wouldn't make a scene?"

"I'm not making a scene."

"When it comes down to it, this is still my fault for finding a clone to keep you company, isn't it?"

The corner of his mouth curled up, and that smile sent a chill down my spine.

"A clone is such a good thing. I tell him to go to your checkups with you, and he goes to your checkups."

"I tell him to eat with you, and he eats with you."

"If you don't mind, I could even have him sleep with you."

Those last few words drove into my ears like needles.

My face flamed. "George!"

"Ivy, drop the act."

He stood, looking down at me, his eyes full of open mockery.

"Don't you enjoy it?"

"Last time, after your checkup, you fell asleep in his arms."

"I stood in the doorway watching for a full five minutes, and you never noticed."

My blood froze in that instant.

That night I'd thought George wasn't home.

Kerry was lying on the other side of the bed as usual. I turned off the light and closed my eyes in the dark.

Then the baby kicked, and my belly hurt so much I couldn't stand it.

I couldn't help reaching out and grabbing the hem of his shirt.

Kerry didn't just let me clutch at his shirt. He gathered me into his arms, mechanically.

So George had been standing right there in the doorway, watching the whole thing.

My eyes went red. "That day I called you twenty-nine times!"

"You'd rather stand in the doorway and watch than take me to the hospital?"

George gave a cold snort.

"That day I was on a video call with Cecily in the study. Cecily said if I hung up, her baby would cry."

"The baby smiles the second she sees me. She needs her father so much."

George said it carelessly.

"And you should know, if I upset Cecily, I have to coax her back."

"As for you, the pain passes after a while."

"Besides, you had Kerry there with you, didn't you?"

His footsteps faded around the corner of the stairs.

I sat on the couch, staring at the half-knitted little sweater in my hands, tears sliding down slowly.

Then someone gently wiped them away.

I turned my head and saw the earnest look on Kerry's face.

"Don't cry."

He asked me, wearing the exact same face as George.

"Is there anything else you need me to do, ma'am?"

I shook my head. He was turning to leave when, the next second, I caught his wrist.

"Kerry, do you think George sees you as a person?"

Kerry was silent for a long time.

"Mr. Henson is my creator."

His voice was very calm.

"Every rule I follow bends to Mr. Henson's will. If he doesn't see me as a person, that's his right."

"And you? Do you think you're a person?"

Kerry didn't answer.

But I stared into his eyes and said it word by word.

"Then starting today, you're my husband."

Kerry's head snapped up.

I saw the shock in his eyes, and slowly smiled.

"But before that, there are a few things I still have to do."

The next afternoon, I went to the office to ask George for this month's living allowance.

Over the past year, Cecily had appointed herself the manager of his time and his work.

Me, the wife, the Mrs. Henson, I had to file how much I planned to spend each month.

And get a signature first.

Even seeing George at an event required booking an appointment in advance.

Spending our wedding anniversary together, denied.

Taking me to the hospital, also denied.

Even the living allowance needed a form, an application, and a signature to release it.

But this month's allowance had been held up by Cecily for two weeks now.

Even the money for this pregnancy's checkups I'd borrowed from Peter, the butler.

The driver dropped me off downstairs.

I carried the food container into the elevator and rode up to the top floor.

When the secretary at the CEO's office saw me, her expression turned a little awkward.

"Ma'am, Mr. Henson is... in a meeting right now."

"That's fine. I'll wait for him."

I pushed open the door to the CEO's office. On the desk sat a gaudy Herms bag.

There was even a photo standing on the desk.

It was a picture of Cecily and her daughter.

I glanced at that photo of the baby, and my whole body went still.

3: 3

No matter how I looked at it, that child's features didn't resemble Cecily's husband at all.

If anything, the girl looked more like

"Ivy Lawson? What are you doing here?"

The door to the lounge inside his office opened from within, and George called out to me with a frown.

"Did the sun come up in the west today?"

"Didn't I tell you never to come here again?"

Six months ago, Cecily had shorted my mother three thousand dollars in medical fees.

I lost my temper and slapped her.

And after that, Cecily posted a line to the company group chat: Mrs. Henson has a manic disorder, and she likes to hit people.

It turned into an ugly mess.

Everyone who saw me had something to whisper.

They decided I was a jealous shrew who couldn't stand another woman anywhere near her husband.

So out of spite, I swore I'd never set foot in George's office again.

Now here I stood, holding up the thermos in my hand. "I came to bring you soup."

George frowned, his gaze dropping to my swollen belly.

"I told you not to drag yourself back and forth with a belly that big."

"Besides, I don't really care to drink your soup."

I bit my lip and took out the living allowance request form I'd already drawn up at home.

"There's also this. I came for this month's"

Before the words living allowance could leave my mouth, someone walked out of the lounge.

Cecily, wearing George's white dress shirt over nothing but her bare legs, saw me and smiled.

"Wow, you came to bring George soup?"

George. Such an intimate way to say it.

The year we married, in a tender moment, I'd called him that name without thinking.

His face went cold on the spot.

He said, "There's only one person in this world allowed to call me that, and it's Cecily."

So I could only call him George.

Or husband. Or Mr. Henson.

Before I could react, Cecily eagerly snatched the soup out of my hands.

"Mm, this smells wonderful. George, you're a lucky man."

George indulged her. "If you like it, take it."

Cecily flashed me a smug little smile. "Then thank you so much."

It was always like this. Soup I'd stood over for two hours to make myself,

gone with one careless line from George, if you like it, take it, straight into someone else's stomach.

At least this time it was one the housekeeper had cooked.

Otherwise I'd have been disappointed all over again.

I held out the living allowance request form and turned back to George.

"This month's allowance is already two weeks late."

"I had to borrow money from Peter even for my prenatal checkup. I need you to sign this."

"Two weeks late?"

George's brow furrowed as he turned to Cecily. "Cecily, what's going on?"

"Didn't I make it clear? Ivy's pregnant, her allowance can't come up short."

Cecily's eyes suddenly reddened.

"Ivy, your allowance for this month, I approved it and had it transferred two weeks ago. Why are you saying you never got it?"

Cecily suddenly pulled up a video.

"That's clearly you in this footage, isn't it? Two weeks ago, you withdrew the money from the card and went straight to the hospital to buy supplements."

"Maybe you spent it all on your mother, that's your business."

"But even if you wanted to see George, you didn't have to make up a lie like this and play the victim."

My head snapped up.

"No"

Before I could explain, George shoved me back, his face cold.

"Ivy Lawson, and here I thought you had principles."

"I never imagined you could be this calculating."

My heart dropped straight into ice.

"George, I didn't get it!"

"Why are you only listening to her side? Why won't you check the account's transfer records?"

But George wouldn't take in a single word.

He sneered. "You're telling me I pay Cecily fifty thousand a month,"

"and she'd make trouble for you over three thousand dollars in allowance?"

"What would she even get out of it?"

George refused to hear one more word from me and had his assistant escort me downstairs.

Behind me came the sound of George gently soothing her.

Cecily said, aggrieved, "George, did you forget again? Without an appointment, Ivy isn't allowed to come see you at the company on her own."

"That was the rule you set yourself."

So George patiently coaxed her.

"All right, all right, you decide. How should she be punished?"

Cecily lifted her eyes, smug and vicious.

"Isn't there still a clone at the house?"

"Why don't you secretly install cameras at home and watch what the clone and Ivy get up to? Just thinking about it is exciting."

As I was dragged into the elevator, the last thing I saw was this.

George smiled and pinched Cecily's nose. "Fine. Whatever you want."

I came home in a daze and sat there blank for a long time.

Then I went back to the bedroom.

I took out the business card I'd secretly found in the study and dialed a number.

"Is this Everlife Cloning Company?"

The voice on the other end was polite and gentle.

"Miss, how can I help you?"

"A while ago my husband and I had a clone made through your company. Your policy says that if we're not satisfied during the trial period, we can pay an additional fee to have it collected."

I drew in a deep breath.

"Right now I'm not very satisfied."

"How soon can someone come to collect it?"

4: 4

I hung up the phone and wiped my eyes dry.

The woman in the mirror had red rims around her eyes.

But the look in them had already changed.

George, you think that dumping the clone on me

means you can go out and drink and party without a care in the world?

You're wrong.

You put him right next to me with your own hands, so don't blame me for making use of the mistake.

That night, George sent me a message.

I've got a business dinner tonight, I'll be back late. Have Kerry take you out to eat.

I stared at the message and narrowed my eyes.

I didn't even have to think about it.

George had no business dinner at all. He was sending Kerry and me away on purpose, so someone could come to the house and install the cameras.

And I didn't push back.

I just took Kerry out to try a five-star restaurant I'd been wanting to eat at for ages.

When I paid, Kerry watched me with worry.

Ma'am, this money is still borrowed. Will there be enough for later?

It won't be long before we don't have to live this hard anymore.

The wind was a little cold that night.

On the way back, Kerry slipped off his jacket and draped it over me, easy and natural.

There was still cake on my mouth, and without thinking Kerry reached over to wipe it off.

Then I felt a rush of cold air.

I turned and saw George's face gone dark, leaning against the car door, staring at me.

Ivy Lawson, where did the two of you go?

Just out and around.

George grabbed my wrist, fire in his eyes.

Just out and around, and you two are that close with each other?

Kerry, go on ahead.

George ordered.

Kerry glanced at me, checking what I wanted.

I gave a small nod, and only then did Kerry turn and leave, reassured.

George's face went completely black.

He was just looking at you. He was asking for your permission?

He's polite. What's wrong with that?

I stepped past him and walked back into the living room. George caught up fast, veins standing out on his neck.

Ivy Lawson, have you developed feelings for Kerry you shouldn't have?

I lifted my head and looked at him.

That face, exactly like Kerry's.

But these eyes were full of possessiveness and jealousy. Kerry's never were.

Kerry's eyes had always been clean. Only me in them.

George, have you forgotten? You made Kerry to keep me company.

I pushed myself up, seven months pregnant.

He wears a face exactly like yours.

So even if I did develop feelings for him, what of it?

Isn't this all your doing?

George's face was awful, his fist clenched.

I made him a stand-in to keep you company and take care of you. That doesn't mean I let you

Let me what?

I fixed my eyes on his.

Fall in love with him? Depend on him? Fall asleep in his arms?

George's face went livid.

Then I laughed George, do you know what the most ridiculous thing about you is?

Shut up!

The most ridiculous thing about you is that you want to be rid of me, and you don't want to lose me either.

You want to keep Cecily happy, but the moment I actually got close to the clone, it twisted you up inside.

I said shut up!

George raised his hand.

I didn't flinch, but his hand came down on the wall beside me instead. George gritted his teeth.

Ivy Lawson, don't push me.

I'm not pushing you. You're the one pushing me.

The living room went so quiet you could hear each other breathe.

George stared at me for a long moment, then suddenly laughed.

Ivy Lawson, so what if you really do fall in love with Kerry?

He's nothing but a clone. My stand-in.

But remember this. The day you truly can't live without Kerry is also the day

he gets sent back to the clone company to be destroyed.

He bent down, close to my ear, his voice gentle but full of mockery.

Admit it, Ivy Lawson.

You love me past all saving.

You love me so much you can even use my clone as a stand-in for me.

You can't live without me. You'll never be able to live without me.

George gently stroked my belly.

Be good. The day you give birth, I'll make Kerry disappear from this world for good.

He said it, then turned and left.

His footsteps grew fainter, until they vanished toward the front door.

I stood where I was, my hand braced on the back of the sofa, knuckles white.

Too bad, George. Your little scheme is going to come up empty.

Ma'am.

Kerry had come up behind me at some point.

His face full of worry as he looked at me.

Are you sad because I'm going to disappear?

His eyes ached for me, and he gently raised a hand to wipe my tears.

Don't cry. I was made because of you. I exist because of you.

I lifted my head and, through the blur of tears, saw that face exactly like George's.

Kerry.

I walked up to him. Do you want to become the real George?

He looked up, a light flickering in his eyes.

Ican?

Then do me a favor.

I picked up the juice George left on the table, the juice he forced me to drink every night.

And put it into his hand.

Just cooperate with me tonight.

After tonight,

you'll be the only George.