He Took Me to His Son's Birthday Party

My boyfriend, Eduardo, suddenly changed direction halfway through our drive. Wed been together for five years.

Were not seeing my parents today.

I looked at him, confused. Wed been planning this meeting for ages.

He grabbed a beautifully wrapped teddy bear from the back seat and handed it to me. Its my sons first birthday party later. As my girlfriend, it wouldnt be right for you to show up empty-handed.

My mind went blank. Your son?

Yeah, a mistake I made a year ago. His mom has a bad temper, and I couldn't let my son grow up without a complete family.

He spoke as if discussing the weather. You always wanted to move to this city, right? Now youre here; its like your dream has come true.

I clutched the resignation letter Id written for him, my nails digging into my palms.

Yes, I was here. But it seemed like I was completely superfluous.

Eduardo didn't seem to notice my frozen posture. He simply started the car.

He even smiled, ruffling my hair.

Ellis, I know youre upset, but Susan is just a straight shooter; she doesnt mean any harm.

You know, its not easy for a single mom raising a child. I have to take responsibility.

She and I are just co-parenting for Ronald. Youre the only one I truly love.

I looked at him, my throat feeling like it was stuffed with cotton.

Susan, that was the name hed saved as "Client S" on his phone.

For the past year, that name always lit up his screen late at night.

He always said it was a demanding client, and for our future, he had to tolerate them.

I believed him.

Only now did I realize it wasn't a client. It was his other family.

I looked at the teddy bear hed given me, with cute cartoon characters printed on the wrapping paper.

The irony hit me like a physical slap.

So, for this past year, while you were planning a future with me, you were also playing husband and father to another woman?

My voice trembled uncontrollably.

He frowned, a hint of impatience in his tone. What are you talking about? Were not legally married.

If she hadnt threatened me with Ronald, I wouldnt have bothered with her at all.

Ellis, youve always been so sensible, and you understood the hardships of my startup. Dont throw a tantrum over this.

Our five years together, can it really be less significant than an accident?

I stared at him.

Five years ago, we were crammed into a tiny rented apartment.

He held my research manuscript, his eyes burning with excitement.

Ellis, believe me, this cardiac intervention repair technology will change the world!

When the company goes public, the first thing Ill do is marry you and make you the happiest woman in the world.

For that promise, I gave up the opportunity to study abroad.

I invested all the inheritance my parents left me, along with myself, into him.

I became his shadow, helping him overcome one technical challenge after another.

And he, standing in the spotlight, became a successful young tech entrepreneur.

Now, the company was finally on track, and our marital home was about to be ready.

I had even written my resignation letter for him, preparing to completely become a stay-at-home partner.

But he told me he had a son.

I slowly crumpled the resignation letter into a ball.

Eduardo, were over.

He paused, then laughed as if hed heard the funniest joke.

Had enough drama yet?

Youve been with me since you were twenty; you gave your best years to me. Who else would want you besides me?

Ellis, you have no family name, no connections. The job you have was thanks to me. How would you survive without me?

He parked the car in front of a lavish hotel.

Go think about it carefully. Dont be so childish.

Im going up first. Adjust your mood before you come up. Dont embarrass me.

The car door closed, cutting off his retreating figure.

I leaned on the steering wheel, a wave of nausea churning in my stomach.

Eduardo was wrong. I wasn't the one who couldn't leave him.

I gazed at the dazzling neon lights outside the window for a long time before picking up my phone.

I dialed a number I hadn't touched in five years.

I sat in the car for a long time until Eduardo impatiently called me.

Ellis, how long do you plan to make a scene? Everyones watching, hurry up and come in!

I pushed open the car door and walked into the banquet hall.

The entire hall was decorated like a fairytale castle. On the large screen in the center, intimate family photos of the three of them scrolled by.

Eduardo held an infant who shared some of his features, smiling tenderly.

A pure-looking woman leaned against him, her face radiating happiness.

That woman was Susan.

Seeing me enter, Susan immediately clung to Eduardos arm, her eyes welling up instantly.

Eduardo, why is she here?

Didn't you say today was Ronalds first birthday party, our family affair?

I told you long ago, I dont want a title, and I dont want to ruin your relationship. But I cant let my son be pointed at!

Eduardo quickly pulled her into his embrace, soothing her gently.

Dont overthink it. Ellis is here to wish Ronald well.

He looked at me, his eyes carrying both command and warning.

Ellis, quickly give Ronald his gift, then apologize to Susan. This whole thing will be over.

My mind went blank. More potent than anger was the profound absurdity that chilled me to the bone.

Five years ago, he held me and said, Ellis, when we have our own home, Ill give you the best of everything in the world.

But now, for the "family" he formed with another woman and child, he wanted me to bow my head and apologize.

Eduardo, why should I apologize?

His face darkened, and he lowered his voice. Ellis, I dont want to lose my temper today. Dont push me.

Susan has been worried about Ronald's future because of you. Bringing you here today is to reassure her.

After a long standoff, I saw the blatant protectiveness and veiled threat in his eyes, and a bitter laugh escaped me.

I spoke hoarsely, Fine, Ill apologize.

Eduardos expression softened, carrying a hint of "I knew youd be sensible" smugness.

He pulled me in front of Susan. Ellis, hurry up.

Just as I was about to speak, Susan cut me off first.

Eduardo, I dont need her apology.

She took the teddy bear from my hand and tossed it directly into a nearby trash can.

Something from a shameful other woman is bad luck. My Ronald cant touch it.

She looked me up and down, her gaze scornful and cutting.

Ellis, right? Eduardo mentioned you. He said you were a loner, didnt have many friends, and he was supporting you completely.

Honestly, I pity you. At your age, with no family name, no qualifications, nothing but a man. Your life is such a failure.

How about this, for Eduardos sake, Ill have him arrange a cushy job for you cleaning toilets at the company. Its better than clinging to him like this, barely scraping by, wouldnt you say?

The surrounding guests erupted in laughter.

Their mocking stares felt like needles, pricking me all over.

I trembled with anger, a familiar dull ache spreading in my chest.

Eduardo, is that how you introduced me to her?

He avoided my gaze, his brows furrowed. Alright, keep it down. Today is just about Ronald being happy.

He turned and picked up a glass of red wine from a waiters tray, offering it to me.

Ellis, Susan speaks her mind. Dont take it to heart.

Drink this glass, just for me.

I stared at the crimson liquid, my hands and feet freezing cold.

I had a congenital heart condition. Although it had stabilized after treatment, the doctor had strictly warned me against alcohol.

Only Eduardo knew about this.

Years ago, to celebrate the success of his first project, I took a drink for him and ended up having an attack, rushed to the ER.

Eduardo waited outside, so terrified he almost knelt down.

Since then, he had never let me touch a drop of alcohol.

But now, he was handing me a drink himself.

I looked at him, searching for even a hint of hesitation on his face.

Nothing. Only impatience.

As if my refusal would be an insult.

I slowly raised my hand and took the wine glass.

Eduardo sighed in relief, put his arm around Susans shoulders, and said dotingly, See? I told you Ellis is the most understanding.

But Susan wasnt satisfied. She gave him a playful shove, pouting.

Whats the point of just drinking? Thats not sincere enough.

She looked at me, her smile innocent yet malicious.

Miss Ellis, werent you the lead scientist for Eduardos company? I heard that cardiac repair technology, you were the one who spearheaded it?

Why dont you kneel down and wish Ronald a long life? Then Ill believe youre truly here to celebrate.

After all, to have snagged such an amazing guy like Eduardo, you must be quite skilled at groveling, wouldnt you say?

The entire room fell silent. Then, stifled laughter broke out.

My fingers, gripping the wine glass, turned white from the force, and a sharp pain spread from my chest.

Eduardo! I almost bit out his name.

He finally frowned, seeming to think Susans words were a bit much.

Susan, stop messing around.

Susan immediately teared up, looking wronged. Me, messing around? Eduardo, get this straight, shes the shameless other woman!

The moment she showed up, she stole all the attention from Ronalds first birthday party! Everyone was pointing at me. Whats wrong with asking her to kneel for a second?

As she spoke, she actually started to cry, tears streaming down her face.

I knew it, you still have feelings for her! You never intended to give Ronald and me a complete family!

What am I to you? Just a free surrogate? Used and then discarded?

Eduardo instantly panicked, clumsily wiping away her tears.

What nonsense are you talking about? You and Ronald are the only ones in my heart.

He turned to me, his face grim.

Ellis, apologize, then kneel.

Susans still delicate; she cant handle stress. If you upset her, what if it causes lasting damage to her health?

Arent you a doctor? Dont you understand something so basic?

It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over me; I was chilled to the bone.

Turns out, he hadnt forgotten that I couldnt drink; he simply didnt care anymore.

I futilely opened my mouth, but not a single word came out.

The disappointment in his eyes grew deeper.

Ellis, youre the one making this so ugly.

Im giving you one last chance. He paused, his voice like ice.

Kneel, or get out and never show your face to me again.

I laughed. Tears welled up uncontrollably, blurring my vision.

I looked at this man, both familiar and strange, my heart gripped by an invisible hand, aching so much I couldnt breathe.

I drained the red wine in the glass.

The harsh liquid burned my throat, scorching a path to my stomach, and the pain in my chest intensified.

I stumbled, steadying myself on a nearby table.

Eduardo, to inject capital into your company, did you touch the money we saved for our marital home?

That money was the last inheritance my parents left me.

Eduardos face instantly changed.

He took a step forward, trying to grab me, but Susan held him back tightly.

What nonsense are you talking about! That money was clearly given voluntarily to support Eduardos career!

I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Eduardo.

Answer me.

His eyes darted away, his voice dry. The company had some cash flow issues. I just temporarily borrowed it. Itll be paid back soon.

Temporarily borrowed? I laughed, tears streaming down my face.

You used my money to bail out your mistresss company. How temporary of you.

Susans face cycled through shades of green and white, then she shrieked, Youre slandering me! Eduardo loves me; everything he does is for me and Ronald!

To make you completely give up, he already transferred that rundown old house of yours into my name!

Thats the only thing I had left from my parents!

My vision swam, and I nearly lost my footing. That old house held all my memories of home.

Eduardo had once sworn he would protect it with me.

But now, he had given it to another woman.

Ellis, you forced my hand!

Eduardo finally exploded in anger, shaking off Susans hand and rushing towards me.

I told you long ago, if you just listened, everything would be fine!

Why do you have to make such a scene? Why do you have to ruin today?

He grabbed my shoulders, shaking me hard.

Its just a house! I can buy you ten, a hundred houses later!

What are you even arguing about!

The searing pain in my chest nearly suffocated me.

I grabbed his shirt, using every last bit of my strength.

Eduardo my medication I need my medication

He paused, then seemed to understand something, a cynical, cold smile twisting his lips.

Playing this card again?

Ellis, do you think Ill believe youre faking illness every time?

Im telling you, that trick wont work anymore.

He pried my fingers away, one by one.

Since you love to act so much, you can do it alone here.

He steadied the wobbling Susan and walked towards the door without looking back.

Ronalds tired. Lets go home.

My body hit the cold floor with a heavy thud.

I watched their embracing figures walk away, my vision gradually blurring.

Before my consciousness faded into darkness, I thought I saw the hall doors burst open.

A familiar, aged figure, raging with fury, rushed towards me.

Ellis!