The Bright Future
Chapter 1
The party was in full swing when the heir apparent of the King family announced he was marrying my stepsister.
I bowed out gracefully and married Ethan, my longtime admirer.
For six years, we were blissfully happy.
Until I got pregnant, and then discovered he’d been slipping birth control pills into my nightly milk.
And the custom-made diamond necklace he’d been keeping locked in his safe, supposedly for a proposal, was engraved with my stepsister’s initials.
I was nothing more than a stepping stone to his beloved, a pawn in his carefully orchestrated game. Years of feigned affection, all to secure my stepsister’s future.
Even I, in my naiveté, finally saw the truth.
A termination agreement, a divorce decree. Ethan and I were over.
1
“Miss, you’ve waited so long for this baby… how can you just give it up?”
Mrs. Zhang, my childhood nanny, her eyes red-rimmed, clutched my arms, trying to stop me from entering the operating room.
“Mr. Fu will be furious!”
I offered a sad smile, gently pulling away. I walked forward resolutely.
“He’ll be thrilled, not angry.”
This baby wasn’t his.
For six years of marriage, I endured endless torment from my mother-in-law for not producing an heir. Finally, I conceived.
Even Mrs. Zhang, just a housekeeper, understood the preciousness of this child. How much more so did I, who carried it?
My gaze fell on the necklace clutched tightly in my hand.
It was the most understated of Ethan’s gifts, yet my most cherished.
He’d put it on me on our wedding night.
“Audrey, marrying you is my lifelong dream. I’ll protect you forever.”
I grew up in a tranquil southern town, enamored with the delicate white lotus. He chose a lotus pendant for the necklace.
Then, my heart overflowed with happiness. I thought I’d found my soulmate.
Until my prenatal checkup. The doctor’s words were a thunderclap: “You have high levels of birth control medication in your system—chronic ingestion.”
The world tilted. I froze.
The nightly ritual of warm milk, Ethan’s thoughtful gesture, suddenly became sinister.
His deception chilled me to the bone.
After the procedure, Mrs. Zhang stayed by my side.
The anesthesia wore off, and the pain in my abdomen intensified.
A knock shattered the silence.
“Audrey, what’s wrong? Why’s the door locked?”
Ethan’s voice, worried, urgent, threatened to break down the door.
I huddled under the covers, fighting the pain.
“I don’t feel well. I look awful, I don’t want you to see me.”
“You need a doctor! Are you throwing a tantrum again, afraid of needles and pills?”
“Audrey, I’m breaking the door down!”
But he stopped, abruptly.
His assistant whispered something, and the frantic Ethan became strangely calm.
His hand remained on the door, but he didn’t push it open.
“Audrey, a company emergency. I’ll be back soon.”
Relief washed over me. I weakly leaned against the bed.
Ethan was just a figurehead in the family business. What urgent matter could there be?
It had to be her. His beloved.
The moment he heard from Gabby, he was off.
No time for me.
Mrs. Zhang sobbed, holding me. “Miss, you’ve suffered so much. Let’s go back to the Jiang family.”
I forced a smile. “Okay.”
I’d almost forgotten I was once Audrey Jiang, a celebrated socialite and heiress.
Even without Ethan, I’d be fine.
2
The drugged milk wasn’t enough to completely shatter my faith in Ethan.
His years of affection were undeniable. I refused to believe it was all a charade for Gabby.
But a jewelry box I accidentally found in his study shattered that delusion.
It was a treasure Ethan kept in his safe, engraved with the word “Proposal.” But not for me.
A diamond necklace glittered coldly inside, the pendant engraved with Gabby’s initials.
My heart froze.
Divorce. The decision solidified.
Memories flooded back, unanswered questions now clear.
Our opulent wedding, coincidentally the same day as the King heir’s wedding to Gabby.
He’d been teary-eyed, lifting my veil. “Audrey, I finally have you.”
I’d thought those were tears of joy. They were his pain.
At Shen Yan’s birthday party last year, Gabby and I were startled by a cat, falling into the pool.
Ethan knew I was afraid of water, yet he rescued Gabby first.
Later, he’d explained, “Gabby is Shen Yan’s wife. Saving her was a favor to secure our family’s position.”
But the love in his eyes for Gabby was undeniable.
I caught a cold, ill for half a year.
Now, I see it all.
My naiveté had blinded me.
But it wasn’t too late.
Mrs. Fu’s birthday was a month away. I’d celebrate with her before leaving.
3
Ethan returned home late, drunk.
I was reviewing my assets when he walked in.
He rubbed his temples, confused. “Audrey, why are you looking at these?”
I glanced up, catching the lipstick mark on his collar.
“Nothing. Just bored.”
He relaxed, approaching for a hug. “Work’s been crazy. I haven’t had time for you. Are you upset, Audrey?”
His eyes were tender, loving.
For a moment, I almost believed it.
The pain in my abdomen snapped me back to reality. I subtly avoided his embrace. “You know I can’t stand strong smells.”
His cologne was Gabby’s signature scent. I hated it.
His smile faltered. He quickly took off his jacket. “A business partner brought a date. It must have rubbed off. I’ll change.”
I sighed, exhausted, and lay down.
He waited in the closet, but I didn’t get him his clothes as usual. He seemed downcast.
“What’s wrong with you? You’ve been grumpy all day. It’s just a little perfume! You’re acting like a nagging housewife!”
He stormed off, then paused.
Mrs. Zhang was carrying a pair of blood-stained pajamas.
Ethan grabbed her arm. “Audrey’s? Why so much blood?”
She stammered. He snatched the pants, about to burst into the bedroom.
Gabby called.
His face fell.
“Audrey, a company emergency! I have to go!”
He tossed the pants on the sofa and rushed out.
A phone call, and he abandoned me.
Mrs. Zhang looked at me worriedly. I calmly told her to turn off the lights.
Morning came, with no one beside me.
Mrs. Shen sent for me.
In the living room stood Ethan, and a tearful Gabby.
He addressed Mrs. Shen, his back to me. “Shen Yan promised Gabby happiness. Now she’s pregnant, and his mistress is causing trouble. That’s how he treats her?”
His voice was icy. He held Gabby close. “Even if it costs me everything, I’ll take Gabby away!”
I froze.
The maids lowered their heads, a few daring to sneer at me.
I’d expected it, but the sight still hurt.
Mrs. Shen, irritated with Ethan, saw me. “You’re defending Shen Yan’s wife, but you’re married too! You’re supposedly happily married! Don’t you feel anything for her?”
I stood rooted, staring at Ethan’s back.
He didn’t notice, clinging to Gabby. “Mrs. Shen, you’re mistaken. You said if Shen Yan broke the engagement, the Jiang family would block Gabby’s career. To help Gabby, I pretended to love Jiang Audrey.”
“Otherwise, why would I marry such a dull woman?”
4
His words were harsh. He paled upon seeing me.
“Audrey…” He was speechless.
Gabby looked at me, tearful. “Sister, Brother-in-law only helped me for your sake, We’re innocent! It’s not what you think!”
“He only sympathized with me, and spoke up for me. Please don’t misunderstand, Sister.”
Her fragility made Ethan more protective.
He looked at her tenderly, taking my hand. “Audrey, I was angry. Don’t mind me…”
“It’s fine. No need to explain.”
He opened his mouth, but stopped.
I smiled, walking to Mrs. Shen. “The painting you asked me to copy is finished. A small token of my appreciation.”
Ethan’s grip loosened. His gaze was fixed on the trembling Gabby.
Mrs. Shen smiled, her gaze deep, turning to Ethan. “Shen family matters are none of your business. Gabby schemed to marry into the Shen family, and now she must face the consequences.”
Gabby glared at Ethan. “Now the Shen family rejects me. Living is torture.”
“Ethan, we’re not meant to be. Goodbye in the next life!”
She ran out, feigning suicide.
Ethan rushed after her.
“I’m here for you!”
In the chaos, I was discarded.
I stood there, tears welling.
“Mrs. Shen, I’m tired. Ethan and I are done. Please give him the divorce papers.”
She was surprised but agreed. I left, numb.
On the way home, memories flooded back.
I was engaged to Shen Yan, but Gabby stole him.
Now, even he was tired of her.
Mrs. Shen wanted me to plead for Ethan to support Gabby.
She hadn’t expected my easy surrender, my readiness to sign the divorce papers.
