What would happen if the legal wife confronted her husband’s mistress?
Riley imagined she would remain composed. After all, she was in the right, and she had every reason to fight, but her body unknowingly shook from anger. It was challenging to contain the hatred she harbored for this woman before her.
“What are you doing here?” Claire Monet, the young mistress, asked.
Riley Allen Martin, twenty-seven, the legal wife and accomplished jewelry designer, responded fiercely, “I decided to fight for my marriage.”
“But you've already agreed to the divorce,” Claire reacted, her big blue eyes narrowing and her face darkening.
Ignoring Claire, Riley attempted to walk past her, but Claire grabbed her wrist and pointed out, “I’m pregnant with Brian’s child.”
Pulling her arm away, Riley curtly said, “I need to talk to—”
"Ahhh! Miss Riley? What did I do to you?” Before Riley knew it, Claire was sprawled on the floor, calling, “Brian, she pushed me! Help! Our baby!"
Stupefied, Riley was shocked by the girl’s theatrics! Riley had seen such scenes in movies, where the mistress pretended to be mistreated by the legal wife, but she did not expect this from a twenty-year-old, innocent-looking girl.
Brian Martin, Riley's husband, rushed towards them with fury in his eyes. When Riley met his gaze, a firm slap hit her face, sending her gracelessly to the tiled floor.
"How could you, Riley? You knew Claire is pregnant! Why are you trying to take away the one thing you could not give me?!" Brian yelled while pointing a finger at Riley. "Why are you even here? Do you want to cause trouble? I know you are mad at me, but don't take it on Claire. She did not know I was married! She is innocent. I told you this many times!"
They were at the old Martins’ mansion, the house of Riley's in-laws. She knew Brian would introduce his mistress to his family that day, but Riley had very important news to tell Brian, so she came uninvited, hoping to talk with her husband. Unfortunately for Riley, Claire was the one who opened the door.
"I did not push her! She fell by—" Riley couldn't finish her words because she felt pain in her abdomen. She was in so much agony she thought her hips were breaking! Gasping for air and clutching her stomach, she raised her upper body from the floor.
As Brian pulled his mistress closer to him, his mother, Beatrice Martin, raced in their direction and snapped at Riley, "If anything happens to my grandchild, Riley, I will never forgive you! You were married to Brian for four years, but you could not give us a grandchild! You are a barren woman!"
"I did not push her! Would you rather believe Claire? Was I not part of this family for four years? I am still your daughter-in-law!" Riley retorted.
"Not anymore! You lost that privilege when you could not give me a grandchild! You shouldn't have come here and caused any trouble! You already agreed to divorce my son!" Beatrice yelled at Riley. Then, she turned to her son and ordered, "Bring Claire to the hospital quickly. We need to make sure my grandchild is safe!"
Riley shot her husband a deadly stare. For a fleeting moment, she saw guilt in his eyes, but after Brian glanced at the weeping woman against his chest, he rushed out of the mansion with Claire in his arms. He did not care about Riley at all.
Divorce? Yes, Riley and Brian had already discussed the divorce two weeks ago.
Months prior, her husband of four years had turned cold towards Riley. His kisses were short and unfeeling. He no longer made love to her. He came home late every night, and made excuses, saying he attended to his family's investments, but in truth, he was spending time with his young mistress.
How did she discover her husband’s betrayal? Two months ago, she received an anonymous email containing images of Brian and Claire entering a hotel and sharing late-night meals. In each picture, Riley couldn't help but notice the affection in Brian's eyes for the young woman, a gaze reminiscent of the one he once reserved solely for her.
Along with those photos was a copy of a sale deed to a condominium in Claire Monet's name. The email also suggested that Claire and her family were moving into the luxury residential home the next day.
Claire Monet had no money, and Claire's family certainly did not have any. She was a food attendant at a KTV bar. Only Brian could have purchased the condo for his mistress.
Riley barged into the condo the next day and caught Claire and her family as they moved their things. Naturally, her husband was also at the residential unit. He dropped a box of plates on the floor, shocked to come face to face with his wife.
Brian’s betrayal caused Riley emotional trauma, but she could not easily discard four years of happy marriage. Thus, Riley and her husband have tried to work out their relationship. Brian even took Riley on vacation, attempting to relive their honeymoon stage. They aired out their sentiments and promised to get past his infidelity.
Riley earnestly thought she could save her marriage, but two weeks ago, her husband did not return home one evening. Brian came back the next afternoon, telling her that Claire was two months pregnant and that he needed to take responsibility.
She could not forget those painful words that left his lips, the way he looked into her eyes filled with regret. Back then, Brian said, "I love you, Riley. I do. You will always have a special place in my heart, but I realize now that Claire holds more weight. I love her too, and she is pregnant with my child. It's the one thing you cannot give me. You know that I have always wanted to have a child. I'm sorry, Riley. I have decided to file for a divorce. I will marry Claire. I hope one day, you will find someone willing to accept you the way you are."
It was a slap on Riley's face indeed because it was true. Riley was diagnosed with a congenital fallopian tube blockage, which prevented her from getting pregnant. She received surgery a year ago, and she and Brian have been trying to conceive since.
So, that was her story. That was how Riley ended up in this tragic love story. Her husband, her lover and friend of seven years total, chose to abandon her for a woman he just met five months ago... because Claire was pregnant with his child.
"Riley, you need to leave," Brian's father, Darwin Martin, offered his hand. After he helped Riley up on her feet, he said, "Have pride in yourself, Riley. I respect those times you have been a good daughter-in-law, but we will not tolerate your actions today. That child in Claire's womb is innocent -"
Riley's eyes rounded in anger. She maintained, "Father, no -"
"Oh, stop it!" Beatrice interrupted. "Why can't you just leave this family with dignity? Can’t you accept that Brian is now in love with Claire? Just get out of here! We will call you when the divorce papers are ready!”
The mansion's caretaker quickly grabbed Riley and dragged her out the door. It was so humiliating for Riley. She gathered all her courage to be there, only to be hurt. No one was on her side, not her husband, not her in-laws, not the maids, and most certainly not the heavens.
Riley felt her cheek burning from Brian’s slap, and her abdomen was in terrible discomfort. Despite this, she forced herself to drive out of the Martins' estate in her BMW. However, as she continued down the road, the pain in her stomach grew more severe.
“Why did I even go there?” She scolded herself as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Stupid, Riley! Stupid!”
Riley sensed something trickle down her legs, and when she looked, she saw blood! Fear crept into her heart, and she cried, "No. No.” Placing a hand on her belly, she said, “My baby!"
It was ironic.
Brian wanted to divorce Riley because she could not give him a child, but earlier that day, she discovered that she was five weeks pregnant.
Riley pulled over on the side of the road. She rolled down her windows and called for help, "Anyone, please! Help me! I need to go to the hospital!”
As she waited for help, Riley continued to cry, her tears blurring her vision. All her misery came rushing back—her husband's betrayal, her in-laws' treatment, and the deception behind Claire's innocent face!
"Ahhh!" She shouted with clenched fists, "Why, Brian? Why?”
The door to her car suddenly opened, and a man's strong arms carried her frame.
"My baby!" Riley woke up with her hand on her belly, her heart beating wildly. "My baby -""Riley, calm down—" Riley turned to a man who was calling her name. She was shocked by his presence and initially could not grasp what he was saying.Next to her hospital bed was Adrian King, the first son of the wealthiest family in the city of Halliport. Though there was a noticeable change in him, Riley immediately recognized him. He was a figure from her past, someone who had become a stranger to both her and her husband.On a normal and happy day, Riley was like a ray of sunshine. She possessed long, wavy blonde hair, a heart-shaped face, and dazzling green eyes. However, that day, Riley did not have to look in the mirror to know she was a mess. Hours earlier, she had been crying her heart out in her car, only to be saved by a stranger. After undergoing medical evaluations and treatments, she passed out due to emotional stress. And now, she found herself back in her miserable state, panicki
In another hospital, Brian Martin held his mistress' hand. Claire was crying in bed, assuming her situation had gotten worse."Brian, I might lose our baby. Your wife, she–she tried to kill our baby," Claire's tear-streaked face bore a look of anguish as she said."I should have just left the city and raised this baby on my own! I'd rather my baby live a peaceful life than be hated by your wife," Claire added. "Why did you have to make me a mistress, Brian? Why?”"I'm sorry, Claire. This was my fault." Brian embraced Claire tightly. He stayed by her side until she cried herself to sleep. Seconds turned into minutes, and Brian continued to stroke her back until he lay her flat on the bed. Brian wiped the tear stains on his lover’s face, feeling helpless. He thought back to the time when he first met Claire.A few months ago, Brian had a business meeting with a VIP client named Mr. Leopard in a high-end KTV bar. They rented a private room, and Claire walked in as the main food attendan
"At six in the morning, Zia came to see Riley first. She reported, "Brian asked me to help check on his... on his..."Zia's words were cut off because Riley resumed, "Claire? He asked you to check on Claire?"Riley frowned, thinking about how Brian blamed her last night. He wouldn’t even listen to her. Then she softly replied, "You should help in any way.""I hate him, and I hate that innocent-looking lover of his even more, but it doesn't mean an unborn child should be deprived of the best medical help. I know you are one of the best new doctors right now, Zia," Riley said. "So, you should. At least he would get off my back, I hope."Riley saw Zia's complicated expression. Zia sighed and replied, "You really are a good person, Riley. My cousin doesn’t deserve you.”Zia took a few steps back and said, "I better go.""Zia?" Riley asked.Looking down, Riley paused and pondered. Then she decided, "I don't want to have anything to do with Brian anymore. I—I don't think you need to tell hi
Riley knew Zia would oppose her leaving, but her mother's life was at stake. The nurses mentioned that Zia was still due to report for work in eight hours. Riley could not wait. So, Riley decided to sign a discharge waiver against medical advice. After leaving the hospital, Riley went to her mother's house to freshen up and change. Later, she arrived at the Halliport General Hospital. "I'm in the lobby. Where are you?" Riley asked Brian over the phone. "In the ICU floor," Brian replied coldly. "Hurry." In the four years of her marriage to Brian, Riley had earned a lot while leading their company's design team. However, she had also spent lavishly on her mother. Renee Allen was a single mother who had made many sacrifices to raise Riley. When Riley began earning decent money, she bought her mother a house, car, jewelry, and other luxuries. Riley also had her own investments. Asset-wise, she could cover the hospital bills herself, but she lacked liquid funds, making Brian paying
Riley's eyes widened in disbelief, her mind struggling to process the unexpected proposal. She blinked repeatedly and probably did the whole blinking cycle three times."Yesterday, I missed something important, so I need a wife. Since you owe me a favor, I was hoping you would marry me," Adrian said. His expression remained calm as he offered marriage, as though it were of little significance."W-what?" Riley gulped. "Marriage for a favor?"Adrian didn't respond. He stared at her intensely, then pointed to his assistant and ordered, "Explain."Riley darted to the man standing behind Adrian. The assistant, whom she had known as Clint Rodriguez, narrated, "Miss Allen, the other day, in order to bring you to the hospital and ensure your health, Mister King missed his engagement party with his fiancée, Leni Eros, the heir to the Eros Empire in Dowel City.""And because Mister King missed the engagement party, Miss Leni Eros canceled their engagement," Clint added. "So, Mister King needs a
Back at the Plaza Hotel, Riley's mouth hung wide open as she thought deeply. Then, she asked, "Why can't you just fix your engagement with Leni Eros?"Adrian's eyes narrowed. He responded, "I'm afraid the engagement is irreparable.""Did - did you try to reason with Miss Leni Eros?" Riley inquired. "You would not really understand until you meet her. Our engagement is off, and that's final. Now, I need a wife," Adrian said. Riley gasped. She responded, "I - I don't think it's a good idea, Adrian. I'm pretty traumatized right now -""I'm not Brian, Riley. I am a different person - a different man," Adrian responded. "And, as you suggested, this will be some sort of contractual marriage, where expectations are set beforehand."Riley gulped. She looked at Clint, hoping to get some help, but of course, he did not. So, instead, she said to Adrian, "But we don't love each other -""You married for love. How did that turn out?" Adrian pointed out. "Love can betray you... But I won't."Rile
At Renee Allen's Residence. [Miss Allen. The boss would like to know if you have considered his offer?]Riley gasped the moment she read Clint's text. She bit her lip and studied herself in front of the bathroom mirror. It had been five days since Adrian proposed marriage. She had not given him a response, but she meant to decline his offer. In the mirror, she saw a reflection of a woman with woeful eyes. Aside from the dark circles around her eyes, Riley no longer had that radiant glow on her face, the one she used to have during her happy days with Brian. She had been focusing on her mother's care these past few days and was trying hard to forget the pain of her divorce, but she knew healing was still a work in progress.Riley ran her fingers through her blonde hair and realized it was tangled. She muttered, "When did I last go to the salon?"With a sigh, Riley asked, " How could I compare to Leni Eros? Adrian is crazy not to fix things with Leni."Riley knew she was also beauti
Claire's mother, Mara Monet, visited her daughter in the hospital. Brian had left them to take care of company matters. While he was away, Claire took the opportunity to discuss Brian's divorce. Mara, a mirror image of Claire, questioned, "Claire, are you certain? Has that woman truly signed the divorce papers?" "Yes, Ma! Brian will surely marry me," Claire exclaimed. Mara's eyes gleamed. She said, "This is our chance to marry into the rich! I can imagine us living in a mansion soon, having luxury cars, bags, and shoes." "I'm already enrolled in a private school!" Carrie, Claire's sister, pointed out. "Life is going to be so much better for us now," Mara remarked. "Yes, Ma. Brian will take care of us because he loves me. I feel so lucky to have met him," Claire nodded. Then, out of nowhere, she remembered something. She muttered, "How I wish Brian had not given her money for the divorce." "He gave his ex-wife money for the divorce?" Mara inquired in shock. "Yes, Ma. He g