Unfulfilled Promises

I had been married to Adrian Foster for six years when I finally conceived his child.

However, the doctor’s reaction upon hearing Adrian’s name left me frozen.

"I clearly recall that Mrs. Foster already gave birth to a son here two years ago. She’s a famous actress, and she and Mr. Foster made the perfect couple."

I stared at her in disbelief. "What are you talking about? We’re legally married. We have a certificate!"

"There’s no mistake. Mr. Foster is someone notable, and he doted on his wife. He was always by her side."

I stormed out of the hospital in anger, but my hope was shattered when the lawyer confirmed that my marriage certificate was a forgery.

The world tilted into darkness. My ears rang, my surroundings blurred, and I could no longer hear a thing.

At last, I understood.

He had never been my husband. He had never once looked forward to the child growing within me.

With shaking hands, I dialed my family’s number, and in my heart, I swore that this merciless liar would burn in hell.

I had known Adrian Foster for eight years and had been married to him for six when I finally got what I’d longed for: a child.

Then, I learned that he already had a two-year-old son with a famous actress, Chloe Shaw.

Did that mean all the years of sweet memories between us had been nothing but a lie?

…

I had no idea how long I sat outside, lost and hollow, until a sudden downpour jolted me awake. Soaked through, I stumbled into a nearby mall for shelter.

There she was—Chloe Shaw. Her giant advertisements covered every wall, her arrogant half-smile mocking me, taunting my naivety.

Back when Adrian and I got engaged, rumors swirled that the bride-to-be joining the Foster family empire was none other than Chloe.

However, Adrian had scoffed at the idea. "Lauren Hayes, don’t listen to that nonsense. A little starlet could never step foot into our family."

He’d held me close, his gaze unwavering. "You’ll be the only wife I’ll ever have."

He’d called it protection when he insisted our wedding be small, stripped of guests and ceremony. "The Foster name draws too many enemies in business. For your safety, it has to be simple. One day, I’ll make it up to you with the grandest wedding the world has ever seen."

Even our marriage certificate had been handled quietly by his assistant.

Now, the doctor’s words and the nurse’s gossip pounded in my ears like nails. A terrifying suspicion clawed its way into my chest.

I carried that dread to a lawyer we’d worked with for years. My voice trembled as I asked him to verify the marriage certificate.

He checked again and again. His expression tightened with unease. "Ms. Hayes, I’m afraid your marriage certificate is a forgery."

His words crushed the last of my breath.

"From what I know, Mr. Foster’s legal wife is Ms. Shaw. They registered their marriage