He Played My Private Video at His Wedding

When I found out my childhood sweetheart, Chloe, couldn't have children, my husband, Ethan, became convinced it was my fault.

He forced me to have an abortion and then forced me to divorce him.

I thought his revenge would end there. But at his wedding to Chloe, he actually played my intimate video.

"The woman in the video is my ex-wife, Aubrey Stone, and that's why I divorced her!"

Suddenly, I was the scandalous woman everyone shamed and condemned.

After I was beaten and hospitalized, Ethan came to visit me. He offered a perfunctory apology:

"I didn't expect those internet trolls to actually hurt you. I just wanted to help Chloe get some payback. You framed her before, so now we're even."

I looked at him numbly, a cold laugh escaping my lips. How could we ever be even after this?

Ethan, the pain you've inflicted on me is something you can never atone for!

"Aubrey, did you hear what I said?"

My silence completely infuriated Ethan. He instinctively tightened his grip on my arm.

I winced in pain and quickly pushed his hand away.

"Chloe told you I impersonated you, sent her messages to get an abortion, and that's why she can't have kids for life, and you just believed her?"

"And why wouldn't I? You're the only one who knows my phone password, and you're still denying it?" Ethan snapped, his face reddening with anger as he pointed at me. "I'm telling you, this is a lesson. Don't cause trouble again, or I won't stop them from taking this fifth child either."

With that, Ethan turned and walked away.

I watched his retreating back and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"Fine then, don't keep it. I don't want to have any more of your children anyway, especially since only the father of my children could inherit the Sterling Medical Dynasty."

No sooner had Ethan left than the hospital room door swung open.

I thought it was the hospital staff, but it turned out to be internet trolls who supported Chloe.

They attacked me again.

This time, I was seriously injured.

I called the police, but nothing came of it.

Because my husband, legally speaking, as my next of kin, settled the case.

When I woke up the next day and learned all this, I screamed hysterically at Ethan, "Why? We're divorced, how dare you make decisions for me?!"

"We might be separated, but legally, I'm still your husband."

Meeting Ethan's indifferent gaze, I felt a lump of frustration stuck in my throat.

It took a while for my breathing to steady. "Fine, even if that's true, why would you settle? They almost killed me, do you know that?!"

"You're exaggerating. They just couldn't stand seeing you bully Chloe. Besides, are you completely blameless?"

It was the same old line.

I knew Ethan cared about Chloe, but I never imagined he'd be so utterly blinded by her.

Tears welled up in my eyes at the thought.

The injustice I felt was beyond words.

Well, good. The decision I hadn't been able to make before was now set in stone.

While Ethan wasn't looking, I sent a message: [Proceed as planned, new successor.]

The reply came quickly: [Not Ethan anymore?]

Ethan? Did he deserve it?

[No, choose someone else.]

Chloe had clung to Ethan relentlessly, for no other reason than him being the chosen successor of a medical legend.

Both the hospital and the medical college were ultimately supposed to be inherited by Ethan.

The Sterling Medical Dynasty had already announced this.

Everyone said, "The Sterling family really does pick its heirs based on ability, choosing outside their own children."

"Exactly! It seems merit truly prevails."

Little did they know, I was the sole heir of the Sterling Medical Dynasty, and Ethan was simply *my* chosen successor.

My parents had asked me back then, "Why him?"

To this day, I remember what I said: "He may only be a midwife now, but I believe he has a bright future."

Ethan hadn't disappointed me.

In just three years, he became a leader in his field.

He even became synonymous with the profession of a midwife.

But without our family's support, how could his path have been so smooth?

I even used to joke with Ethan, "If I told you I was the heir to the Sterling Medical Dynasty, would you believe me?"

Ethan paused for a moment, then laughed, "Honey, even if your family background doesn't match mine, I wouldn't mind. And don't worry, my parents are completely fine with whoever I choose."

Back then, Ethan only had eyes for me.

He didn't just say it; he acted on it.

Because I had always kept my identity a secret, my in-laws thought I wasn't good enough for Ethan.

But every time, Ethan would sternly retort, "I'm choosing a wife, not a business partner for you."

For my sake, Ethan hadn't visited his parents' mansion in ages.

Their family relationship had only recently begun to mend.

I just never expected a man's love could be a deception from beginning to end.

Four miscarriages later, I was utterly disillusioned with this man.

Three days later, I was discharged and returned home, only to find the house completely transformed.

Chloe, a triumphant smirk on her face, came downstairs. She feigned surprise, "Oh, Aubrey, you're back?"

"Even though you're still legally my husband's wife, we're already married. I actually don't want to see you in *my* house..."

I ignored Chloe and walked straight to the bedroom, intending to retrieve my belongings. But Chloe blocked my path. "This is our master bedroom. Do you think you can just waltz in?"

"I need to get my things."

"Your things?" Chloe instantly sneered. "What 'things' do you have? All your belongings were bought by my husband."

Meeting Chloe's mocking gaze, I didn't back down. "Chloe, you just said I'm still legally Ethan's wife. If I were to truly burn all bridges and sue him for bigamy, what impact do you think that would have on both of you?"

"You... you're threatening me?"

I didn't deny it, and Chloe was furious.

Taking advantage of her hesitation, I walked straight into the bedroom.

But the transformed room left me at a loss.

Chloe recovered and mocked, "I threw out all your things. If you really want them, go check the trash cans downstairs."

"What about the box in the closet?"

I opened the closet, but didn't see the cherished box.

Chloe ignored my sharp glare, merely shrugging, "Threw it away."

Furious, I grabbed Chloe by the throat. "You're asking for it."

As Chloe struggled, Ethan returned.

He shoved me away. "Aubrey, are you crazy?!"

Seeing Ethan, Chloe instantly burst into breathless sobs. "Ethan, I don't know why Aubrey is doing this to me!"

But my eyes were fixed on Ethan. "She threw away our children."

Ethan's eyes darkened for a moment.

Chloe quickly interjected, "How was I supposed to know what was in that old box? Besides, your first four children weren't even viable embryos. And now you're using dead children to insult me?"

"Aubrey, how can you be so vicious? Aren't you afraid your children's vengeful spirits will come back to haunt you?"

Chloe certainly knew how to twist things. My four children were all lost because of her, yet she managed to completely absolve herself.

I expected Ethan to reprimand Chloe, but instead, he frowned. "I've told you before not to keep those unlucky things in the house."

I stared at Ethan in disbelief. So, our children were just "unlucky things" to him.

Of course, why couldn't I see it? If he truly cared about our children, how could he have let them miscarry?

"Enough, Aubrey. Do you want to lose yet another child?"

Ethan knew my obsession with having children.

He always knew how desperately I wanted to bear his children, so he used that to manipulate me.

But our fifth child was already gone when I was attacked by those internet trolls supporting Chloe.

I sneered at Ethan. "Neither you nor I deserve to have children."

With that, I tried to leave, but Ethan blocked me. "It's my father's birthday tomorrow. You have to be there."

At his words, I couldn't help but scoff. "Everyone knows you married Chloe. Why would I, your ex-wife, show up?"

Ethan immediately frowned. "Look, this is your chance to atone. My parents know you're pregnant and are willing to overlook everything. Just go, okay?"

"I'm not going." My gaze was firm.

After saying that, I ignored Ethan completely and turned to leave.

But I didn't expect Ethan to retaliate by sabotaging people who were friendly with me.

Soon after, Ethan sent me a message: [If you don't come, I guarantee they'll suffer greatly.]

I didn't reply, so Ethan exposed me on Ins.

The compromising video from his and Chloe's wedding had only been known by a few people, but now everyone knew.

Suddenly, I was a pariah.

The same people who had assaulted me at the hospital now came out to speak for what they called 'justice': [Boycott Aubrey Stone...]

My company even issued a statement announcing my termination.

People I didn't even know, who claimed to be close to me, started coming forward.

[Yes, I was Aubrey Stone's classmate, she was like this even in school.]

[I can't believe Aubrey Stone got together with Ethan Stone and still wasn't satisfied.]

[She's had three abortions. It's because the children weren't Ethan's at all. Only Ethan could put up with it, anyone else would have beaten Aubrey Stone to death.]

My social media accounts were attacked within half an hour. My DMs were flooded with insults telling me to die.

I saved all of them and sent them to my lawyer.

But I didn't expect this to be just the beginning.

Knowing I was under attack from all sides, Ethan launched a series of further actions.

His goal was singular: to force me into submission.

After making a phone call to arrange things, I replied to Ethan's message: [Okay, I'll be there on time tomorrow.]

Before going, I went to the hospital and placed my fifth child in an exquisite box.

That night, I stayed at my small apartment, but Chloe was restless all night.

She kept sending me intimate videos of her and Ethan, or recordings of Ethan slandering me.

[Aubrey can't compare to you. You're the one I care about most.]

[Even though Aubrey is pregnant now, I still want to have a child with you.]

[Chloe, no one will ever break us apart again.]

I forwarded all of these to my lawyer as well.

My lawyer immediately sent a happy emoji: [You're definitely going to win.]

Yes, Ethan had grandly married Chloe, yet he never even bothered to finalize the divorce with me.

It showed just how little he valued me.

In Ethan's eyes, I was just someone with no family support.

Fortunately, this also allowed me to see his true colors.

Early the next morning, I was yanked awake by Ethan.

He glared at me, "Are you ever going to stop? Chloe doesn't even mind you being my mistress, yet you keep stirring up trouble. Do you really want me to throw you out to be satisfied?"

Meeting Ethan's furious, almost devouring gaze, I felt a bit bewildered.

Seeing my confusion, Ethan grew even angrier. "Still playing innocent? You found someone to maliciously spread rumors that Chloe broke up our relationship, saying you're still my wife, and that Chloe can't have children for life. Are you trying to see Chloe dead?"

Even though I hadn't done any of those things, all of them were true.

As our eyes met, Ethan understood the meaning in mine. He grabbed me and dragged me off the bed. "Since you're so vicious, you don't need this child either."

Ethan dragged me to the hospital, but just before I went into the operating room, he received a FaceTime call from Chloe.

"Alright, alright, I'll be right there."

Ethan left me in the operating room. He said, "Be at the mansion within half an hour, or you'll regret it."

Watching Ethan's frantic departure, I couldn't help but smile.

I was going anyway, even if he hadn't said anything. I had an announcement to make.

By the time I arrived at the mansion, many people had already gathered.

These people, who used to be overly polite to me, now merely glanced at me coldly, clearly disapproving.

Some even deliberately whispered loudly, "I really don't know how some people have the nerve to show up."

"Exactly! Today is Mr. Stone Sr.'s birthday, and the Sterling Medical Dynasty is also announcing Ethan as the successor. How can she, someone who constantly slandered Mrs. Stone, still have the face to come?"

"Well, she is an ex-wife, after all. Maybe she's hoping to cash in on the family's prestige."

I didn't pay much attention to their remarks.

Ethan's parents also saw me and immediately snorted, "What are you doing here? Our Stone family doesn't have a daughter-in-law like you."

I was about to say something when Ethan arrived with a frail and delicate-looking Chloe.

The Stone family members smiled and stepped forward. "Chloe, you're pregnant now, be careful."

Hearing this, everyone present gasped.

"She's already pregnant?"

"Congratulations!"

But I couldn't help but mock, "Didn't she say she was infertile for life? How did she get pregnant so quickly?"

Hearing me say that, Ethan glared sharply at me. "Shut up."

Everyone thought I was heartless and cold, with some even saying, "I think she's just jealous."

Ethan's family, enraged, ordered their bodyguards to pin me to the ground.

"Beat her! How dare she target my daughter-in-law? I won't tolerate it!"

After Mr. Stone Sr. spoke, the Stone family bodyguards surrounded me.

I looked at Ethan one last time. "I'm pregnant too..."

"So what? Your child only stays if I want it to."

Ethan looked at me with disdain.

I closed my eyes and counted down in my mind.

I thought, everything should end now.

Just as the bodyguards started tearing at my clothes, Mr. Stone Sr. suddenly yelled, "Wait!"

I thought he had realized something, but instead, he said, "The people from the Sterling Medical Dynasty are arriving soon. Take Aubrey to the back first, don't make a scene."

No sooner had he spoken than the bodyguards dragged me towards the garden.

At the same moment, the banquet hall doors were pushed open.

The Stone family members fawned over the newcomers, "You're here."

The person didn't even look at them, instead scanning the crowd.

Ethan, receiving a signal from Mr. Stone Sr.'s eyes, hurried after the person. "Hello, I'm Ethan Stone."

The person glanced at Ethan, their expression instantly darkening. "Where is Miss Sterling?"

Everyone was baffled.

"Miss Sterling? Your Miss Sterling is at the banquet?" Mr. Stone Sr. looked at Mr. Davies in disbelief.

Mr. Davies searched the room but couldn't find me. He immediately called my number.

The next moment, my phone rang in my hand.

Everyone present looked with horror in my direction.

At this point, Mr. Davies also saw me, my clothes disheveled. His face went pale. "Miss Sterling?"