Pregnant... and So Is His Mistress!

Chapter 1

The day I found out I was pregnant, my husband's adopted sister, Chloe, posted a pic of her baby bump on Snapchat with the caption:

"As long as you're loved, you can still be a beautiful girl even when pregnant!"

In the photo, she was wearing nothing but lacy lingerie, taking a selfie while leaning against a guy's chest. His fingers were lightly resting on her smooth belly, and there it was, a wedding band, identical to mine, on his finger.

I typed out just one word: "Congratulations."

Not even a minute later, Chloe was calling me, frantic, saying she posted the picture to get back at her boyfriend after an argument.

Then Max grabbed her phone and started ripping into me:

"Can't get pregnant yourself, so you're triggered seeing someone else pregnant?"

"No wonder you can't get pregnant with all that jealousy."

Five minutes later, Chloe posted again:

"Now I've got two men to protect me, one big and one small!"

Max immediately liked the post.

I took off my wedding ring, tossed it into the bushes by the side of the road, and headed back to the hospital to schedule an abortion.

...

Max didn't usually get home before 9 PM.

When he saw the unopened fertility meds in the trash, he gave me a pointed look.

"Really? You're throwing a tantrum over something so small?"

I kept my voice steady.

"I'm not angry."

He scoffed.

"Throwing away fertility meds isn't anger? Fine, suit yourself. It's not like I'm desperate for a baby."

I was about to pull out the pregnancy test results when he handed me a dark shoebox.

"It's from Chloe."

"The poor girl freaked out when she saw you upset. She said some dumb stuff about abortion, and now she wants to apologize with a gift."

He opened the box, revealing a pair of YSL heels.

They were clearly worn, scuff marks on the soles, a chunk of paint chipped off one heel.

"Take them. These shoes are expensive. Chloe barely wore them."

"She's new to work, can't afford much. Giving you these shoes is a big deal for her."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Just half an hour ago, Chloe had posted on Snapchat, showing off her new Chanel slippers.

"The best brother in the world!"

"Thanks for your blatant favoritism, now I can flaunt it!"

Seeing I wouldn't take the shoes, Max's patience thinned.

"Karla, what's your deal now?"

"You're almost thirty. What's the point of picking on a young girl who doesn't know any better?"

He tossed the box at me, hitting me square on the head.

I let out a soft grunt, holding my forehead as tears welled up in my eyes.

Max's face immediately morphed into panic.

"I didn't mean to… Let me see."

I pulled away from his reach, barely above a whisper.

"I'm fine."

He pried my hand away, revealing the red swelling on my forehead. His expression darkened.

"You call that fine?"

"Wait here, I'll get you an ice pack."

Before I could stop him, his phone rang.

The screen flashed: Little Troublemaker.

"Max!" Chloe's voice was panicked.

Max's whole body tensed.

"Chloe, don't freak out. Tell me what happened."

Chloe sobbed on the other end.

"My stomach hurts, I wanted to go to the ER, but I took the wrong subway and now I have no idea where I am..."

Max's frown deepened.

"Why didn't you call me? Didn't we agree I'd drive you?"

Chloe hesitated.

"I messed up today. I upset Karla, and I didn't want to bother you two..."

Max softened.

"Chloe, you're my only sister. No one is more important than you."

"Send me your location on Snapchat. I'll come get you."

"No! Max, I can find the hospital on my own, really!"

"Don't forget, today's Karla's ovulation day. You should stay with her, and we can get a little niece soon!"

Max chuckled.

"Silly girl, getting pregnant isn't as easy as doing it today. Your situation's urgent. Hurry up and send me your location!"

After the call ended, Max gave me a look, full of accusation.

"You heard that, right? Chloe cares about you, yet you're always suspicious of her!"

"I'm taking her to the hospital. I'll grab an ice pack on the way back."

He grabbed his car keys and was out the door before I could stop him.

"Max, wait."

I called after him.

He spun around in frustration.

"Karla, when are you going to stop with this? This involves two lives! Quit being so petty!"

I didn't defend myself. Instead, I went to the closet and pulled out a card from his Maxet pocket.

"Chloe's insurance info. Don't forget it."

Max always kept her insurance details since she didn't know how to check in at hospitals.

Max blinked at me in surprise.

After a pause, he reached out and took the card.

"Thanks."

He looked like he had more to say, but I cut him off.

"Drive safely."

I reached up and adjusted his collar, like I always did when sending him off.

I knew this would be the last time.

He looked at me, his eyes softening for a moment.

Then, without warning, he pulled me into a tight hug, burying his face in my hair.

"Karla, I'll be back soon. Wait for me."