Chapter 8
379words
The night before, I was having dinner with a friend when I ran into Ryan and Chloe.
Ryan walked ahead, hurried.
Chloe, slightly swollen, struggling to keep up, looked tired—nothing like her proud self six months prior.
The host seated them near us.
I'd lost forty pounds—Ryan didn't even recognize me.
“Ugh, of all places to see them,” my friend Bella muttered, stabbing her steak.
Bella was fierce—a capable, successful rich kid.
When she found out about Ryan and Chloe, she'd refused to work with him,
“Ryan, I'm picky about partners. Three no-nos,”
“Cheaters, men with bad taste, and incompetent idiots.”
She'd looked him over and added, “Guess what? You're all three.”
Apparently, he'd been speechless.
I couldn't see them from where I sat.
As our food arrived, Bella glanced over,
“Wow, Ryan's having extra spicy steak—and smoking. Chloe's at least five months pregnant. He doesn't care at all.”
I remembered when I was pregnant—he'd smoke at home constantly.
I'd begged him,
“The doctor said smoke isn't good for the baby. Could you smoke outside?”
He'd been dismissive.
“What, pregnancy makes you queen? No successful man lets his wife control him! Besides, only the strong survive!”
I thought he'd treat Chloe better, but it seemed she was following my path.
Ryan's “true love” was a lie—he'd turn his white moonlight into just another stain.
I shook my head,
“He never changes. Only cares about himself.”
If not for the risks, I might have terminated my pregnancy.
Bella kept watching them, complained nonstop. She was brutally honest—every word resonated.
After dinner, as we called for the check, Ryan noticed me.
He saw I'd regained my figure—even my face looked younger. He seemed surprised.
As he approached, Chloe stepped up, interlacing their fingers, showed off her belly,
“I'm pregnant. He treats me well. You must regret it now, don't you?”
She searched my face for any sign of regret.
She found none.
Bella snorted,
“No wonder you're the other woman—you even lie to yourself.”
Chloe's smile froze.
I chuckled—genuinely amused,
“Congratulations. Hope you two stay together—don't go bothering anyone else.”
I left with Bella.
Ryan looked furious.
He probably thought I'd suffer without him.
But I was thriving.
