Seven years into my marriage, the day I finally discovered I was pregnant, I went to the airport myself to pick up my husband, who had been away for three years. I waited four hours at the airport for Julian Goldsberry, but he didn't appear. Instead, the girl he kept outside did. “Are you Julian Goldsberry’s secretary? No need to wait, your Mr. Goldsberry was exhausted last night and is still catching up on sleep abroad. Just drop me at the usual place.” I acknowledged her as an assistant, handed her my phone, and watched as she typed in the address of a thirty-million-dollar villa in the suburbs. All the way, she leaned back in the leather seat, playing voice messages from her best friend aloud. “Who says being pretty is useless? Was spending forty thousand on plastic surgery and breast implants worth it? I’ve totally got Mr. Goldsberry wrapped around my finger!” “He not only gave me three fully paid apartments downtown and a Lamborghini, but most importantly, he’s sending me to New York for grad school when I graduate!” “He even promised that if I get pregnant, he’ll give me even more!” Facing her best friend’s skepticism, the girl pouted, looking smug: “The devoted husband persona is all fake, of course. His wife at home is nothing special either.” Suddenly, her phone camera pointed at my face. “See, someone like this, working for Julian Goldsberry, old and faded, probably no one would want her even if she tried to climb into bed, right?” Then the girl nudged my shoulder. “Hey, wouldn’t you say so?” 1. I nodded, agreeing with her words. Then my gaze slowly fell upon her face. The girl’s name was Maya Vance, very young, in her early twenties. She was exquisitely doll-like; the forty thousand dollars had indeed been well spent. She continued talking to her best friend, her voice completely unhidden, “Don’t forget, we’ve known each other for three years!” “Besides, doesn’t Julian Goldsberry like highly educated women? His wife is doing a master’s-doctorate program, right? When he came to our school to give a lecture, he stared at me the whole time, wasn’t it also because I was an outstanding student representative?” Listening to the sweetness in her words, my fingers, gripping the steering wheel, tightened slightly. Just then, Julian Goldsberry called Maya. “You’ve landed? Why didn’t you communicate with me before you left?” To my surprise, Julian Goldsberry’s tone was as if he were talking to a subordinate, his business-like manner showing no hint of being on the phone with his mistress. Less than a minute after the call ended, my phone vibrated again. This time, it was mine. Julian Goldsberry’s voice came through my Bluetooth headset, syrupy, as if he were a different person. “Sweetheart, I have an impromptu meeting today, really can’t make it back.” “Are you home yet? Have you eaten? How’s your appetite lately? I’ll stew you some soup when I get back…” But just ten minutes ago, another girl’s bragging voice still echoed in my ears. “You haven’t seen him in bed! He’s completely different from his usual cold, aloof self!” A wave of nausea suddenly surged in my stomach. It wasn’t morning sickness, but a disgust that churned from the depths of my being. I removed my headset and took a deep breath. Then, Maya held her phone up to me; the screen showed Julian Goldsberry’s chat window. “Miss, your Mr. Goldsberry told you to take my luggage inside. Did you hear?” I said nothing, turned off the engine, and got out of the car. I admit, it was my curiosity at play; I also wanted to see their love nest. The moment I pushed open the door, a youthful vibrancy washed over me. Everywhere I looked was pink. The sofa was piled high with plush toys, and every cabinet displayed action figures. I instinctively looked for Julian Goldsberry’s traces—there were none of his favorite green plants. Nor his beloved wine cabinet or cigar wall. I inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. The painful truth was, I could only rely on finding these seemingly insignificant pieces of evidence he didn't care about, to barely maintain the illusion that he still loved me. Maya casually tossed her discarded jacket at her feet. “Nice, isn’t it? It’s all decorated in my favorite style.” I clearly saw the necklace above her V-neck, my lips trembling slightly. “That necklace…” Hearing this, Maya leaned closer. “Your boss is quite generous, isn’t he? This is his birthday gift to me. I heard it’s really hard to order.” When Julian Goldsberry gave me mine, he said it was a limited edition, and he only managed to get one. Now, staring at that identical necklace, I suddenly couldn’t tell who between Maya and me was the secondary one. As I turned, my peripheral vision caught the entryway. A huge sticky note was plastered on the wall, stinging my pupils. It was Maya’s class schedule, with several key classes circled in red pen. Beside it were the exam times, precise down to the minute. Julian Goldsberry’s friends always teased him about being a “dad-type” husband. His memo app stored my dietary restrictions, the refrigerator had notes of my monthly check-up times, and he even helped me organize my family members’ medicine boxes. I always thought that was his instinctive love. Turns out, it was just a hobby. Not tired enough being a dad at home, he had to raise another one outside. “Do you want some?” Maya tore open a bag of local jerky. “I just love this beef jerky! The school cafeteria food is so bad, and your Mr. Goldsberry found out, so every Sunday night he has his housekeeper make these snacks and pack them for me.” She took a bite. “I wonder if his wife knows about it.” I stared at the beef jerky in her hand, my nails digging into my palm. Of course not. I even thought Julian Goldsberry liked it, and sometimes I would help the housekeeper cook it. “Miss Vance, do you know that Mr. Goldsberry and his wife have been together for seven years?” “Yes, I know.” Maya blinked, looking innocent. “What does that matter? I don’t want to marry him anyway.” “He gives me money and resources, I make him happy. We both get what we want, you know?” She leaned closer to me. “And think about it, his wife is just a frumpy housewife at home, dealing with daily chores. What passion can a man have when he comes home? I’m different. I’m young and pretty. It’s so much more respectable to bring me out.” She suddenly became excited as she spoke: “A while ago, I accompanied Mr. Goldsberry to a wine tasting, a very high-end one.” “Do you know why he brought me and not his wife?” I looked at her, not taking the bait. “Of course, it’s because I’m presentable.” She tossed her hair. “You probably don’t know what Mr. Goldsberry’s phone wallpaper is, do you? It’s me!” “But his lock screen is his wife, tsk tsk.” “So, men, they’re all good-for-nothing. They want face outside and stability at home.” I lowered my eyes, suddenly feeling a bit ironic. “Alright, you can go upstairs.” Maya waved her hand. “I’ll handle the luggage myself. Thank you, assistant sister.” 2. I turned to leave. But Maya’s words were like a thorn, piercing my mind, causing pain at every turn. In seven years of marriage, I had never checked Julian Goldsberry’s phone. His wallpaper was me; I had always known that. But I never imagined that a woman would live with such a mindset, believing that being young and pretty justified intruding on someone else’s marriage, and saying it so calmly. I felt it wasn’t worth it for her, nor for myself. And even less for the tiny life forming in my belly. As I started the car, my mind was filled with all of Julian Goldsberry’s good qualities. All those good things I thought were unique, belonging only to me. I didn’t sleep well, so he would warm milk for me before bed—a habit he kept for seven years. His phone also had a recipe app. It was full of my favorite dishes, like when to add sugar to sweet and sour pork ribs, and how many minutes to steam crabs. He would also collect movie ticket stubs we’d seen together, like a teenager. How could such a man not love me? But he did the same things for someone else. He delivered meals to Maya, remembered her class schedule to meet her, went shopping with her, and gave her identical gifts to make her happy. I blinked, swallowing the stinging tears back into my eyes. Three days later, Julian Goldsberry returned. Kisses rained down on my face, trailing downwards. “Sweetheart, I missed you so much.” His lips pressed against the hollow of my neck. “Why are you so thin? Were you missing me too much to eat properly?” Who would have thought that the stern man at the company would be like this at home? “I brought you a gift.” He proudly produced a bottle of red wine. “It’s your favorite brand. I went out of my way to pick it up.” “Shall we have some tonight?” I looked at the bottle of wine. Every time he went on a business trip, he would bring back a thoughtful gift for me. I used to ask him how he knew what I liked. Once, he brought back a bracelet, saying he’d overheard me mentioning it casually on the phone with Chloe. He had kept it in mind. But after seeing all those “matching surprises” at Maya’s place, I started to find this bottle of red wine an eyesore. At this very moment, would a bottle also appear simultaneously at that girl’s apartment? Just then, my phone rang. Julian Goldsberry glanced at it, then quickly pressed ignore. It rang again, and he pressed ignore again. When it rang for the third time, I silently brushed his hand away and walked towards the dining table. Julian Goldsberry answered the phone and walked to the balcony. In less than a minute, he returned, offering an explanation. “Company matters, an intern, always causing problems.” I nodded. “Sit down and eat first.” I was ready to confront him. After all, the fate of the baby in my belly needed a decision, right? But just as I was about to speak, his phone vibrated again. This time it was a text message. He looked down at it, his face instantly changed, and he shot up from his chair. “What’s wrong?” Julian Goldsberry’s voice was urgent. “Something urgent came up at the company. I need to go out.” With that, he was already putting on his coat, fumbling for his car keys. I looked at his retreating figure and suddenly spoke, “Let Leo go with you. It’s late, and it’s not convenient to drive alone.” Julian Goldsberry nodded, not refusing. After the door closed, I sat at the dining table and smiled faintly. Leo was my confidant. I also wanted to know what kind of trouble Maya Vance was really brewing, causing such a frantic rush in the middle of the night. “Shay, that girl is pregnant.” Leo called, his tone serious. “Mr. Goldsberry went because of that. They met at the hospital last night and are now eating at a private restaurant.” “Shay, are you okay?” I relaxed my fingers, which had been digging into my palm, and let out a forced sigh of relief. “Where is that private restaurant?” When I arrived, they were still in the private room. The door was ajar, and Maya’s voice drifted out. “Mr. Goldsberry, do you really love your wife that much?” “Her belly hasn’t shown any movement for so long. Have you… have you considered divorce?” A few seconds of silence passed inside. I stood at the doorway, my hand clutching my bag strap. “Mr. Goldsberry, what if you don’t divorce, and she doesn’t accept the baby in my belly? I’m serious. I want to keep this child.” Julian Goldsberry’s voice was filled with exhaustion. “Maya, stop it.” “I’m not making a fuss.” She sounded deeply wronged. “I just don’t understand, what is it about her that you can’t let go of? Didn’t you say she had been with someone else back then? If you despise her so much, why not divorce her?” My whole body stiffened. “Don’t you feel disgusted when you lie beside her?” “Maya.” “Alright, alright, I won’t say it anymore. So, are you going to divorce her or not?” “Not now.” “Then when?” Another stretch of silence. I stood at the doorway, utterly cold. 3. I still remember that night when I received Julian Goldsberry’s call, saying he’d been in a car accident and I needed to come quickly. Later, I was stuck in an alley for nearly an hour. My clothes were torn, but nothing substantial happened. Finally, Julian Goldsberry called the police to rescue me. He even hugged me and said it was okay, it wasn't my fault. I thought he truly didn't care. It turned out that incident was a thorn in his heart. Perhaps not getting a clear answer, Maya Vance stormed out angrily, her high heels clacking loudly. I pushed open the door and walked straight in. Julian Goldsberry looked up, a flicker of surprise on his face. When my slap landed, his appeasing hand was still frozen in mid-air. “Were those words just now sincere?” Julian Goldsberry froze, his face instantly changing. “Shay, you’ve misunderstood me. We don’t have that kind of relationship.” “I’ve already caught you. At this point, are you still going to lie to me?” Seeing my serious expression, Julian Goldsberry’s shoulders gradually slumped. “I… those weren’t my true feelings. I was just trying to appease her. I’ll tell you the truth: she’s pregnant and emotionally unstable. I was afraid she’d make a scene, so those were just thoughtless words!” “Shay, don’t you know how good I’ve been to you? It’s been so long since that incident, when have I ever resented you?” “Sweetheart…” His voice trembled as he reached out to pull me closer. “I just wanted a child. I wasn’t serious about her.” I stepped back. “Two choices.” I stared into his eyes, like an detached observer. “Come home with me now, and in front of me, break up with Maya Vance completely.” “Second, we meet at the city hall for divorce.” At my words, Julian Goldsberry grew anxious. “Sweetheart! Listen to me, Maya is emotionally unstable right now, and she’s pregnant!” “You know how much I’ve wanted a child all these years.” “Please, okay? Give me some time. I’ll definitely break up with her…” I took a deep breath. “How long?” “How much time do you need?” “A month? Two months? Or until she gives birth?” Looking at his evasive eyes, I suddenly didn’t want to ask anything anymore. I turned and pushed open the door. An hour later, I was sitting on a hospital bed in the obstetrics and gynecology department.
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