She Said the Baby Was Just a Favor

I was the last to know that my wife, Juliet, was pregnant with her second child.

My two-year corporate assignment in South Africa had finally ended. When I walked through the front door, Juliet was already about to pop.

I didn't scream. I didn't demand answers. I just looked at her calmly and said:

"Now that Im back, we can file for divorce."

Juliet panicked. She grabbed my hand, her voice trembling with anxiety.

"Alex, let me explain... You were gone for two years.

Leo was the one who took care of everything around the house. I only had this baby to repay him. Don't overthink it."

Our six-year-old daughter, Kate, also spoke up to defend her mother.

"You were gone for so long! If it wasn't for Leo, Mommy and I would have starved to death!

What's wrong with Mommy having a baby for Leo? You're just making a big deal out of nothing!"

Looking at the mother and daughter tag-teaming me, I simply nodded. "You have a point."

I did feel a sense of guilt toward my wife and daughter. I hadn't been there for them over the last two years.

But during my time abroad, I sent every single penny I earned back to Juliet. I made 0-020,000 a year, which was more than enough for them to live a luxurious life.

I went to that harsh environment just to secure a better future for them.

I never expected to be rewarded with this.

Honestly, I had heard rumors while I was still abroad. A colleague back home had dropped a hint in an email.

At the time, I refused to believe it. I chose to trust Juliet, convincing myself she was just gaining weight.

I finished my project two weeks early and rushed home, eager to surprise her. It was only when I saw her giant belly with my own eyes that my heart completely died.

At this moment, there was no anger left in me. Only endless disappointment.

Knowing she was in the wrong, Juliet poured a glass of water and handed it to me nervously.

"Alex... have some water first."

I took the glass and said quietly, "You're heavily pregnant. Don't stand for too long. Sit down."

Seeing how calm I was, the tension in her shoulders visibly relaxed.

She awkwardly sat down next to me, supporting her heavy belly.

I took a sip of water and continued, "Since you're pregnant, I won't stand in the way of you and Leo.

He isn't married anyway. Once our divorce goes through, you can go live with him."

Hearing this, Juliet's face instantly flushed with anger.

"Alex, what is that supposed to mean?" She stared at me, her voice rising.

"Are you abandoning me? I've been with you since I was twenty! I stayed by your side when you had nothing!

I've sacrificed so much for this family! How can you just bring up divorce so easily?"

She was right. We had a history.

But all those years of building a life together couldn't survive two years of loneliness.

It was pathetic.

I turned to Kate, who was watching TV nearby. "Kate, if Mommy and I get a divorce, who do you want to live with?"

Without even looking at me, Kate answered instantly:

"Mommy! If you and Mommy divorce, she can marry Leo.

Then I can finally call Leo 'Daddy.' Ive wanted to call him that for a long time!"

It was exactly the answer I expected, yet it still stung a little.

I nodded. "Okay. You'll get your wish."

I stood up, ignored Juliets attempts to grab me, dragged my suitcase, and walked right out of the house.

I went straight to a local bar and called up a few close friends I hadn't seen in two years.

At the table, my friends teased me, "The first thing you do when you get back isn't hugging your wife, but drinking with us? What's up with that?"

I downed a shot of whiskey and said in a hoarse voice, "Juliet cheated on me."

My friends froze, exchanging glances.

One friend, who had heard some rumors, asked hesitantly, "I heard Juliet is pregnant... Is it true?"

"Yeah. It's her childhood friend's baby."

The entire table went dead silent. The atmosphere became heavy.

I kept pouring drinks, desperately trying to numb my brain with alcohol.

Halfway through the night, Juliet called.

I answered groggily. Her sharp, lecturing voice blasted through the speaker:

"Alex, can you stop throwing a tantrum?

We haven't seen each other in two years, and you walk in, give me attitude, and pull this running-away-from-home stunt? Are you a child?"

Kate's sweet voice came from beside her:

"Mommy, stop calling Daddy! If he wants to leave, let him!

We did perfectly fine without him for two years anyway!"

Without saying a word, I hung up.

They were right. They did perfectly fine without me.

My two years in South Africa were brutal.

The working conditions were terribleconstant blackouts, water shortages, and I often had to work in hundred-degree heat.

But whenever I thought of the money I was making to give my family a better life, I pushed through.

I never imagined that when I returned, my home would no longer be mine.

After drinking with my friends, I sobered up slightly and went back to the house.

I still had some personal belongings to pack.

It was past 10 PM when I unlocked the door. Juliet was still awake.

Seeing my drunk state, she pinched her nose in disgust and began lecturing me again:

"Alex, do you have any idea how bad smoke and alcohol are for a pregnant woman?

You come back reeking of booze, completely ignoring my health!"

"I'm just here to pack my things. I'm leaving right after."

"Leaving?" Juliet's voice went up an octave. "Where are you going now?"

"The company dorms," I said flatly.

Juliet exploded. She pointed a finger at my face. "Alex! How long are you going to keep acting like this?

Can't you be a man and show some maturity?

Do you have any idea how much Leo helped me while you were gone?

When I had stomach flu, when my appendix flared up, when Kate had a high fever, Leo was the one who stayed up all night to take care of us!

Even when my mom was hospitalized, Leo ran all the errands!

I'm just carrying a baby for him to fulfill his dream of being a father. How can you be so incredibly selfish?"

"Sure, I'm selfish," I let out a dry laugh. "Have his baby. I'm not stopping you."

I grabbed my bag and slammed the door behind me.

"Alex! You have zero class! You're not a real man!" Juliet screamed from inside.

I laughed. Maybe in her eyes, only Leo was a real man.

I had given everything to this family, but I could never warm her cold heart.

The next morning, I submitted an application for an overseas transfer at my company.

This time, the destination was Europe.

Before my South Africa project ended, my manager had already offered me the position of General Manager for our European branch, which came with a massive pay raise.

But I had turned it down because I wanted to come home to my wife and daughter.

Now, there was nothing left for me here.

In the afternoon, I went back to the house with the divorce papers.

Juliet and Kate weren't home. I called Juliet.

"Where are you? We need to sign the divorce papers."

My words instantly triggered her.

She snapped, "I'm at the hospital for an ultrasound! I don't have time for this!"

"Which hospital? I'll come to you."

"Alex! I'm about to give birth any day now! Do you have to stress me out like this?

Even if you come, I'm not signing those papers!"

When I arrived at the hospital, I immediately ran into Juliet, who had just finished her checkup.

Standing next to her, besides Kate, was the babys fatherLeo.

Leo was carefully holding Juliet's arm, helping her sit down on a bench with absolute devotion, as if she were a piece of fragile glass.

Kate was bouncing beside them. "Leo, I hope Mommy gives me a baby brother.

When he grows up, he can protect Mommy and me with you!

Well be a happy family forever!"

Leo patted Kates head with a doting smile.

"I asked the doctor, and it is indeed a baby boy! Youre going to be a big sister soon, Kate!"

"Yay!"

I thought my heart had turned to stone, but seeing this scene still sent a sharp pain through my chest.

The wife and daughter I had loved and provided for were now someone else's family.

And I was just an outsider.

I gave everything, only to end up with nothing.

How pathetic.

My sudden appearance shattered their cozy family picture.

All three of them stopped smiling.

I walked up to Juliet, holding up the divorce papers. "I'm here to talk about the divorce."

Juliet's face darkened instantly.

Leo immediately stepped in front of her, shielding her behind him. He glared at me.

"Alex, Juliet is about to give birth. Please don't harass her right now. Stress is dangerous for a pregnant woman!"

"Step aside," I said coldly, trying my best to suppress my anger.

Leo spoke with a self-righteous tone. "Alex, I have no intention of breaking up your marriage.

Once the baby is born, I will take him away. It won't affect your marriage at all. There is no need to take your anger out on Juliet.

I'm over thirty with no wife and no kids. Juliet only agreed to have this baby because she felt sorry for my loneliness.

As a man, you should show some generosity!"

I laughed out loud at his sheer audacity.

"You're absolutely right," I sneered.

"A man should be generous.

How about this? I'll give you Juliet and Kate too. Is that generous enough for you?"

Leo stared at me, bewildered.

"Enough!" Juliet yelled. Her face was incredibly pale as she turned to Leo.

"Leo, take Kate and grab some snacks outside. I need to talk to Alex alone."

Once Leo and Kate walked away, Juliet stood up, holding her back.

She snatched the divorce papers from my hand and, without even looking at them, ripped them into shreds.

"Alex, I told you, I'm not divorcing you. Get that through your head!

I'm giving birth in two weeks. Don't you dare cause complications with my pregnancy!"

I knelt down, picked up the torn pieces of paper, and said quietly, "If you won't sign, I'll file a lawsuit."

Juliet became hysterical. "I'm pregnant! The court won't grant a divorce while I'm pregnant!"

"The baby isn't mine."

"So what?

You don't have a DNA test yet! The judge won't rule in your favor without proof!"

I let out a tired sigh. "Juliet, since you and Leo love each other so much,

and you're carrying his child, why are you holding onto me?"

Juliet went quiet for a few seconds. Her hostile expression softened, and she lowered her voice.

"Alex, Leo and I grew up together.

He has loved me for over ten years, and he stayed single just for me. I couldn't bear to watch him suffer.

I only wanted to give him a baby so he wouldn't be alone. It was just to fulfill his wish.

But Alex, the only man I truly love is you."

Her words didn't move me. They only made me want to throw up.

She loved me, so she slept with another man?

How could she say something so shameless with such a straight face?