I checked Richard's Facebook page. He had already changed his relationship status back to “Married to Delilah.” Now she was officially Mrs. Delilah Babylon. No kids yet, but he had posted a picture of himself kneeling before her, kissing her belly. The caption read:

> “Expecting a baby soon. My faithful Delilah is expecting our first child. In my thirties, I finally get to have a biological child.”

I wasn’t astonished or even disappointed. I just scrolled straight to the comments section. It was filled with congratulatory messages—and disgusting encouragement of his betrayal.

Leonard: It’s better how you replaced Theresa. She’s not worth it. Disown Harley and start a new life!

Jasper: Now you’re going to be a father. Huge thanks to Miss Delilah Babylon.

Delilah: Thanks. Nothing can stop us. Let’s not make her jealous.

So this had all been planned. I didn’t give a damn. I snapped photos of our signed divorce agreement and my doctor's report, then posted them with a caption:

“I finally moved on.”

Those words vibrated through my nerves, releasing a tension I didn’t realize I’d been carrying. Marrying Richard had been the biggest mistake of my life. I should have invested my time in those who genuinely loved me, not in someone who never did.

“How do I even start over with Harley? What do I tell my child?” I wasn’t motivated to return home. I needed to rest and figure out how to stand on my feet again. I wasn’t financially stable.

Cherry had warned me about this marriage, but I didn’t listen. Her words echoed in my mind: “No amount of effort will make it work with the wrong person.”

As I stared at old pictures and videos of Richard and Harley, a sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen. I dropped to the floor, wincing in pain.

Cherry rushed over and helped me up. “Careful, Theresa! What are you thinking?” She pulled me onto the bed.

“I’m okay. I just lost my balance.” I inhaled deeply. My favorite food’s aroma drifted through the room.

“Don’t overwhelm yourself with unnecessary thoughts. Harley will be fine.” Cherry’s eyes lingered on me, cautious, probing. “How come Harley isn’t Richard’s child? Did you…cheat with someone else?” Her tone softened, as if coaxing the truth gently.

“Ain’t no way, Cherry. I was a virgin when I met Richard—he knows that. He took my flower. I never thought of being with another man. Harley looks exactly like him.”

I stared at her, my thoughts swirling. My sanity mattered more than any suspicious DNA report. No man had even seen the hem of my underwear, let alone slept with me. Could Harley have been swapped at birth? I couldn’t afford another DNA test.

“Where do I begin?” I had used my last card to get that test. “Did Jayden take custody of Harley?” A bitter part of me was relieved I’d had the miscarriage. I felt sorry for the unborn child at first, but at least I didn’t have another burden to carry.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about,” Cherry said, handing me a cup of coffee.

“What is it?” I took a sip.

“If I’m not mistaken, Jayden is your childhood friend, right?” Her voice was soft. “He’s been in your life forever. Aside from me, he’s the only true friend you have. He took care of Harley like he was his own child. His family treats you like their daughter.”

The room fell silent. It felt like a graveyard.

“What do you think?” she asked, hands folded under her chin.

Jayden’s affection and past confessions flooded my thoughts. Did he send Cherry to talk to me? Was he trying to say something now? Could he know more about Harley’s DNA report?

I sank deeper into my thoughts until Cherry broke the silence again.

“Absolutely nothing. I need rest.” I pulled the blanket over my head.

“Hey! Are you not going to respond?” She yanked the sheet back. “Just like that?”

“His mom loved me like a daughter the first day she met me. He once told me: Don’t waste your life on someone who doesn’t love you to the moon. You’ll live as a prisoner.”

“Jayden and Richard were friends too, remember?”

“Jayden treated me better than Richard ever did. I was just too blind to see it.” Tears trickled down my cheeks.

“It’s not too late. You can still make things right.” She gently wiped my tears.

---

Epilogue

I thought back to my law school days at twenty-three. I had met Richard in a café. I accidentally spilled coffee on his white shirt, and he had been calm, like a dove. He asked for my number, and we talked until dawn.

I told him everything about my career and life. He wasn’t supportive of my ambition—he knew I was a justice-driven woman, but he objected to my career from the start. Still, I fell for him.

One night, after too much champagne, I woke up naked beside him. He said I was “tempting” and “horny.” When I discovered I was pregnant and tried to hide it, he insisted we marry and raise the child together.

I gave up law school for him.

Delilah entered his life two years before everything collapsed. I stayed silent, unwilling to rock the boat. But Richard slowly turned into a monster, accusing me of infidelity and claiming Harley wasn’t his.

After everything I’ve endured, I finally see the truth. Love blinded me, but now I’ve opened my eyes. This chapter of my life is over—and I’ve learned lessons that I’ll never forget.