I Asked for a Baby Six Years and He Gave Her Two Instead Chapter 03
Chloe shook her head.
“My husband said it was too painful, seeing her things around. He couldn’t bear the reminder. So he got rid of it all—even the photos.”
“I haven’t asked your name yet.”
I froze for a moment and said,
“You can call me Zoe.”
Chloe smiled.
“What a coincidence. That’s my sister-in-law’s childhood nickname too.”
I stared at my feet and said nothing.
Chloe chattered nonstop all the way.
“Thankfully, my husband had the foresight to have his sister serve the country. My kids get allowances—for healthcare, for school, everything.”
“We even got a government grant when our son was born.”
There were only two preferential quota spots reserved for my own child.
No wonder he pushed me to stay childless—he was terrified my child would take what belonged to his illegitimate ones.
A bitter taste welled up in my throat. I had no idea what to say, and asked casually,
“When was your son born?”
“November eleventh. For our little boy, Ethan booked a private suite at a luxury hospital. The full package.”
I looked up in shock. That was the exact day my father died.
The doctor had said they could have saved him if we’d gotten him there an hour earlier.
But Ethan, who’d promised to look after my parents, hadn’t answered his phone, no matter how many times I called.
At my father’s funeral, Ethan kept slapping his own face and crying nonstop, begging for forgiveness.
I’d truly believed he was consumed by guilt, and buried all my doubts deep down.
I never imagined he’d simply been waiting for his illegitimate son to be born.
As the truth unfolded one layer after another, rage burned through me entirely.
Chloe went on,
“The age gap between my two kids is over six years, and they fight all the time.”
“If you ever have children someday, make sure they’re close in age!”
Now I was certain. Ethan had been with Chloe since the day he married me.
Chloe pointed ahead. “This is our home.”
Unlike my plain ordinary apartment, she lived in a high-end top-floor penthouse.
The house felt warm and cozy, with fresh flowers on the table and a family portrait of the four hanging on the wall.
Every sharp corner was carefully padded with safety protectors.
I forced a faint smile and praised,
“Your home is lovely and warm.”
“Oh, it’s all Ethan’s doing. He says a home ought to feel like one.”
Bitterness twisted inside me at her words.
When Ethan lived with me, he never lifted a finger to do housework.
He left clothes and socks scattered everywhere, wouldn’t even take out the trash,
and let broken things around the house sit unrepaired until I fixed them myself.
Every time I got home leave, it turned into a full day of cleaning for me.
Looking back, I felt utterly ridiculous. I cleaned the house, earned the income, cared for his mother—
all while unknowingly creating the perfect life for his affair.
Swallowing back the acid rising in my throat, I asked, my tone carefully casual.
“You’re so fortunate, having wealth and influence, and such a big house. Did you buy it yourself?”
Chloe smiled.
“My husband bought it for me!”
“I’m just lucky. I came to the city and met Ethan right away.”
“He even bought me my flower shop six years ago.”
Ethan’s family had always been poor. Our wedding home was an old house left by my parents.
His salary was fixed and fully documented—where had he gotten so much money?
Before I could speak, the front door swung open from the outside.
Chloe’s father walked in, his gaze sweeping over me with obvious scrutiny and wariness.
“Who’s this?”
Chloe introduced me warmly.
“Dad, she’s someone sent by the government department.”
Mr. Bennett nodded faintly.
“Ethan’s like my own son. I’m glad the state values him. I’ll cook dinner for us myself tonight.”
Just then her phone rang, and Chloe put it on speakerphone.
I heard Ethan’s voice crystal clear.
“Honey, I might not get home until midnight.”
“I know you’ve been craving snacks since your postpartum recovery, so I brought your favorite ones from that shop.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting so long.”
