My BFF’s “Gift” for My Daughter? She’s Pregnant With MY Husband’s Baby! Chapter 22
I couldn’t take another second. I ran like hell.
Didn’t stop until I hit some random park and crumpled onto a bench. Cried so hard I thought I’d puke.
The sky turned black. There was nobody left in this world who gave a damn äböüt me.
My legs were dead weight by the time I limped back to that house-the place that stopped being home years ago.
Mom and Dad looked guilty as sin. Dad cracked first:
“Charlie… Summer’s not dead.”
They watched me like I was a bomb.
“She’s with Perry. They got married. Have a kid together.”
I just stared.
Mom’s voice turned ice-cold: “Don’t you dare blame Summer. You got switched at birth, remember? She suffered through YOUR hell while you played princess here. So Perry picked her. Get over it. You’re still a Hartley. That’s more than she ever got.”
More than she got? Then why does it feel like someone’s tearing my heart out with their bare hands?
But I couldn’t scream. Couldn’t break down. Only the favorite kid gets that luxury.
I nodded like a good little girl.
They looked shocked-like they’d already planned their damage control speech.
“Your niece’s school is too far. They’re moving in. Starting tonight.”
Not a request. A done deal.
Perry walked in that night dragging Summer and their brat behind him.
Everyone’s faces lit up like Christmas morning.
Their crap took over every corner of my house.
Mom practically floated around the kitchen with this disgustingly warm smile plastered on her face.
“Summer baby, don’t lift a finger. I’ve got everything. You deserved so much better growing up. Let me make it right.”
Perry stretched out on MY couch. Eyes lazily found me frozen by the doorway.
“What are you doing all the way over there? Sit.”
I didn’t budge.
Twenty-three years in this house. Now I felt like the hired help.
Dinner was psychological warfare.
Every single thing on that table was Summer’s favorite.
Mom kept shoveling food onto Summer’s plate. Practically cooing while she ruffled Payton’s hair.
“Eat more, sweetie. Your poor mama never got spoiled like this.”
Every word was a knife aimed straight at my gut.
Payton looked up. Locked eyes with me.
“Auntie Charlie, why aren’t you eating? You mad we’re here?”
Everyone froze. All eyes on me.
Summer delicately set down her fork. “Payton, sweetie, don’t. Auntie’s just tired.”
Before I could breathe, Mom attacked:
“Charlotte. I thought you’d FINALLY grown up. That’s the ONLY reason I let them move in. But no-you’re sitting there sulking like a spoiled brat.”
“For once in your life, stop making everything about YOU.”
My fork bent in my grip. My lungs forgot how to work.
I shook my head frantically. Then started coughing. Couldn’t catch my breath.
Dad sighed like I was exhausting him. “Charlie, if you hate the food that much, your mother can make you something else.”
I plastered on a smile that hurt my face. Shoved rice into my mouth. It was like eating sand.
“It’s perfect.”
Perry stared at me. Something flickered in his eyes.
Guilt? Too late for that.
Dinner ended. Nobody looked at me.
I had to get out of this house before it killed me.
I locked myself in my room. Finally cracked.
Slid down the door until I hit the floor. Pain kept slamming through my chest.
Sobbed into my knees.
My phone buzzed. Dr. Hayes:
“Ms. Hartley, please reconsider. Without chemo, you have months at best. Treatment gives you six more.”
I stared at the screen until my eyes blurred. Typed back:
“I’m leaving anyway. Thanks for everything.”
Sharp knock.
I scrubbed my face and opened up.
Perry. Holding a plate.
with My Husband’s Baby!
“You didn’t eat. Thought you might want this. Your old favorite Made it myself”
I didn’t touch it. My voice came out dead:
“I don’t like that anymore.”
I moved to slam the door. He blocked it. The plate tipped. My phone hit the floor.
Screen still glowing.
He saw the message.
His face went black as murder.
