“Congrats. Looks like you're living your best life now.”

I stared at the video, watching Ethan Lawson put the necklace I'd been obsessing over around the neck of some faceless woman.

Today was our third wedding anniversary.

Never thought I’d end up in a soap opera like this.

Sure, our marriage wasn’t built on some blazing romance—but to the outside world, Ethan was the literal blueprint of a doting husband.

I sat at the dining table, eyes locked on the now stone-cold steak in front of me, and the trending headline on my phone still glowing: “Ethan Lawson Drops Millions on Necklace to Spoil His Wife.”

How ironic. Couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.

At 2 a.m., a sleek black Maybach finally rolled into the driveway.

Through the big glass windows, I watched him get out—tall, immaculate in his custom dark suit, every move dripping with class.

"Still up?"

He turned on the lights and blinked in surprise when he saw me sitting at the dining table.

I tried to stand but my leg was asleep and I collapsed back down. “I was waiting for you.”

“So eager to see me?”

Ethan smiled like nothing was off, came over, poured some water, and noticed the untouched dinner on the table. He raised an eyebrow.

If he's going to fake it, I might as well play along too. I reached out to him, forcing a smile. “Happy anniversary. Where’s my gift?”

“Sorry, today was a mess—I totally forgot.”

He froze like he’d just realized what day it was. He reached out to ruffle my hair, but I instinctively pulled back.

Who knows where that hand’s been tonight. The thought alone made my skin crawl.

He paused, clearly caught off guard.

I acted like I didn’t see his reaction, keeping my smile up. “Come on, don’t play dumb. Didn’t you buy that necklace I love so much? It’s all over the internet! Hand it over.”

“Luna…” Ethan withdrew his hand slowly, poker-faced. “That necklace—I bought it for Kevin Summers.”

…

The internet got it right. Bros really do make the best excuses.

I almost let out a laugh. “Oh, really?”

“Yeah. You know how popular he is with women.”

His tone was calm and steady, giving away absolutely nothing.

I stared at his flawless face under the warm lights and suddenly wondered—have I ever really known this man?

Was this truly the first time he lied to me?

Or had I just been blind all along?

If I hadn’t watched that video, I’d probably believe every word he just said.

Seeing I wasn’t speaking, he kept coaxing, “I know I shouldn’t have forgotten such a big day. I’ll make it up to you with something nice tomorrow.”

“I just want that necklace.”

I was giving him one last shot at honesty.

The video didn’t show the woman’s face clearly; maybe, just maybe, there wasn’t anything more to their relationship.

Ethan hesitated. I looked at him, head tilted like I didn’t get it. “Why not? Can’t Kevin spare a necklace for the sake of brotherhood?”

After a pause, seeing I wouldn’t drop it, he finally said, “Alright, I’ll ask him tomorrow. But I can’t really force someone to give up what they like, right?”

Ask “him,” or ask “her”?

Either way, I didn’t push. “Okay.”

“You waited all night without eating?”

Ethan started clearing the table. His long, slender fingers against the white dishes caught my eye.

I nodded. “Yeah, it’s our anniversary, after all.”

I got up to help clean, but he lightly held my hand down and said gently, “You sit. Let your husband cook you some noodles.”

“Alright then.”

Watching him move around so considerately, I felt the doubts in my chest soften a little.Can a cheating guy really play the loving husband this convincingly?

Seriously though, Ethan Lawson might’ve grown up with a silver spoon, but when it comes to cooking? Dude’s got skills. He moves fast in the kitchen, and whatever he makes smells amazing.

Only thing is, he almost never cooks.

In less than ten minutes, he whipped up a bowl of tomato and egg noodles and placed it right in front of me.

“This is insane! So good!” I took a bite, genuinely impressed. “Where’d you learn to cook like that? It tastes better than the stuff at restaurants.”

He froze up for a second, like his mind wandered off somewhere. After a short pause, he casually said, “When I was studying abroad, I craved the food from home, so I had to figure it out myself.”

I didn’t think too much of it, just made a passing comment.

After my shower, I got into bed. It was already past three when I glanced at my phone.

The second I lay down, a warm body slid up behind me. He rested his chin right at the crook of my neck, slightly nuzzling.

“Wanna do it?”

His voice was low and husky. The warm breath on my skin sent a shiver down my spine.

I didn’t even get a chance to answer before he was on top of me, one hand slipping under my nightgown.

When it came to the bedroom, Ethan never gave me much say—not that I always minded—but tonight, I really wasn’t up for it.

“Babe, not tonight...” I mumbled, my whole body feeling weak.

“Huh?” He kept kissing my neck while his hand kept wandering, whispering things that made my face burn. “But your body’s saying yes. You sure you mean no?”

“My... my stomach’s been hurting.”

That finally got him to stop. He kissed my earlobe gently, then pulled me into his arms. “Right... your period’s probably coming. Get some rest.”

But the moment I relaxed a little, tension crept back in.

I turned to face him, eyes locking straight onto his. “It already came at the start of the month. It’s done.”

“Really?” His expression stayed calm. Like nothing important had just slipped. “Guess I mixed up the dates. Is it bad? Want Aunt Helen to take you to the clinic tomorrow?”

“I already went this morning.”

“And the doctor said?”

“The doctor said...” I hesitated, lowering my eyes.

She told me I was pregnant.

The cramping? It’s possibly an early miscarriage warning. She prescribed progesterone and told me to come back in two weeks to check for a heartbeat.

Getting that news on our anniversary... I was over the moon.

I even put the ultrasound in a cute little glass bottle, hid it inside a cake I baked. Planned to give him a cute surprise during our dinner.

But yeah... that cake is still sitting in the fridge. Untouched.

“Probably just too much iced stuff lately,” I said, deciding not to tell him yet.

If the necklace he gave that woman shows back up tomorrow, then maybe we still have a chance.

But if it doesn’t... If there’s already someone else in our marriage, what’s the point?

Telling him about the pregnancy wouldn’t fix anything.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. I kept tossing and turning.

I mean, what woman could just chill knowing her husband might be messing around?

Didn’t expect it, but I got an answer kinda fast.

The next morning, while Ethan was brushing his teeth, someone knocked.

I had just finished getting dressed. Opened the door and saw Aunt Helen standing there, pointing downstairs. “Miss Luna, Amelia’s here. Says she’s returning something.”

Amelia Lawson. Ethan's stepsister—his stepmom’s daughter. Completely different parents. She’s a couple years older than him, but family-wise, still counts as a Lawson.

Aunt Helen never calls her anything but “Miss Amelia.”

I blinked, confused. We barely spoke unless it was those mandatory family dinners. Wasn’t like we borrowed stuff or anything.

“Returning something?”

“Yeah,” Aunt Helen said, “in this fancy jewelry box. Looks like it might be something expensive.”