The next morning.
I woke to sharp pains stabbing through my abdomen and struggled
<i>it </i>of bed to find Alex.
Walking to the living room, I saw him lounging casually on the couch, his long legs crossed.[]
His phone kept buzzing, the screen’s glow illuminating his smiling face. He lookedpletely content and carefree.[]
I called his name several times through the pain before hezily looked up.
Seeing my pale face, he was clearly startled and quickly got up to help me sit down<b>, </b>his fingers rubbing my shoulders halfheartedly.
“Babe, what’s wrong?” he asked, though his eyes were already drifting back to his phone screen. “But I really can’t stay with you today. Morrison’s urgent about the yacht acquisition deal – ourpany’s new cruise line depends on this project.”
His tone was terrifyingly casual, as if everything that happened in that room yesterday had never urred.[]
He was always like this, letting me fall asleep with emotions churning all night, thinking the cold shoulder would make all problems magically disappear.]]
Another wave of sharp pain hit, and I instinctively gripped his hand tight. []
But his other hand kept typing on his phone, fingers dancing across the screen<b>, </bpletely indifferent to my suffering.[]
Just then, Tori’s shameless shouting came from outside the vi: “Alex! Your queen is waiting, what’s taking you so long?“[]
That phrase was like amand – Alex immediately dropped my hand and rushed toward the door with his phone. []
The sudden movement made me fall back onto the floor, identally knocking over the phone he’d left on the couch.]
The screen lit up, showing a group chat called “Princess Tori and Her Knights” pinned at the top.[]
Possessed by some impulse, I picked up the phone and clicked in. []
The conversation made my blood freeze instantly.[]
“Penny’s such a drama queen. I told you ages ago you two aren’tpatible, but you wouldn’t listen.“[]
“Having an outsider at every hangout is such a buzzkill. You should’ve just married Tori instead!“]]
Then I saw Tori post a tongue–out emoji: “Ugh, it’s my birthday today, why bring up that killjoy? Alex promised to buy me a yacht as a birthday gift. This princess wants to face <b>the </b>ocean!“]
Alex’s response followed: “One word from you and I’m yours, princess.<b>” </b>
Tori immediately replied with a kissing emoji: “Now your life belongs to me. I order you not to bring your wife today!“[]
<b>74 </b><b>196 </b>
<b>Chapter </b><b>2 </b>
Another mutual friend chimed in: “Bro, I saw Tori brought a string bikini. Who’s really the birthday gift here?“[]
It felt like a bucket of ice water poured over my head. I shivered uncontrobly, almost suffocating.
People could act so convincingly, but their inner circle never lied. []
When <b>I </b>first tried to fit in with them, everyone seemed sweet as angels, but I naively took politeness for genuine eptance. []
They were an imprable fortress, and I was forever the unwee outsider.[]
The abdominal pain intensified again. Trembling, I took out my own phone and screenshot the conversations page by page.
Just then Alex hurried back and saw me holding his phone. His expression immediately changed as he snatched it away.[]
I was already curled up on the couch in pain, but he didn’t even nce at me, eager to leave.]]
“Babe, my buddies want to check out the yacht too,” he said with his back to me, adjusting his cor in a dismissive tone. “You’re pregnant and won’t fit in with them anyway, so don’t bothering.“]
I endured the pain and used all my strength to grab the corner of his shirt, my face pale as paper: “My stomach really hurts. Can you take me to the hospital?“]
Asking a question when I already knew the answer – this was thest chance I was giving him.
If he insisted on leaving, I was done with him too.
During the standoff, Tori impatiently clicked her tongue outside: “Hurry up, it’s hot out here!“]
Alex finally shook off my hand roughly, extremely irritated: “Stop faking it! You were fine just now. I hate it when you use the baby to manipte me.‘
He shoved me back onto the couch hard, and my heart died with it.[]
Hearing themotion, Tori came inside and yfully grabbed Alex’s ear, voice coquettish: “Are you trying to die? Why so harsh! Pregnant women are all like this – they want everyone to revolve around them. What’s wrong with being a little dramatic<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Alex snorted with disdain: “If she was half as cool as you, I wouldn’t be losing my mind like this.“[]
His
gaze fell on Tori’s slipped shoulder strap, and he naturally reached over to adjust it, tone intimate: “Little dummy! Didn’t you notice it was loose?”
Tori enjoying ran her fingers through her hair to one side, giggling: <b>“</b>Gentle! You’re hurting me.“[]
Alex casually pressed her shoulder,ughing wickedly: “Where? You’re t as a board anyway.”
Amid theughter from outside, they left arm–in–arm, disappearing around the hallway corner.
I watched them leave and slowly pulled out my phone, dialing Morrison’s number<b>: </b>“I’ming to find you at your yachtter.“[]
He immediately agreed.[]
Chapter Z
Alex would never know that Morrison had actually been my childhood friend for over twenty years. []
Because of thispletely innocent friendship<b>, </b>I knew better than anyone what <b>real </b>tonic rtionships should look like.
Six years together, from school uniforms to wedding dress. Today, I was going to see for myself just how rotten this rtionship had be at its core.]]
The sea breeze was salty and carried summer’s heat.]
On the luxury yacht’s deck, screams andughter mixed together. I wore sunsses and a face mask, leaning against a nearby railing, watching coldly.
I saw Tori in a sexy ck string bikini, practically stering herself against Alex who wore only swim trunks.
They were ying that tissue paper game, where Tori deliberately bit the tissue down to just a tiny corner. Alex leaned in several times but couldn’t catch it, making everyone around them burst intoughter.[]
“Alex lost! Time for punishment!” someone shouted excitedly.
Another voice chimed in: “How about you confess to someone here? Pick Tori!“]
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