On the day of my prenatal checkup, I stumbled upon a hidden photo album on the phone of my husband, General Kennard Padilla.

It was filled with intimate pictures of him and another woman.

I confronted him with the phone in hand.

After a long silence, he stepped into the bathroom and smoked three cigarettes. When he came out, he finally started explaining, "I accidentally blinded her when we were kids. She's the person I feel the most guilty about. That's all."

I was already three months pregnant.

So instead of pressing for more, I chose to forgive him and continued with my checkup as if nothing had happened.

When it was time for the blood draw—the part I dread the most—his orderly called. "General Padilla, Ms. Hodgson cried so hard after hearing about Mrs. Padilla's pregnancy that her eyes hurt. She insists on seeing you."

The next second, Kennard's arms loosened from around my waist.

Then, he turned and strode away without hesitation.

Clutching my lower abdomen, I called after him, my voice trembling with bitterness. "Kennard, if you walk out now, I'll end this pregnancy. Think carefully..."

He paused for only a second before disappearing into the crowd.

I stood frozen, a cold dread seeping into my veins.

Memories from the past eight years came rushing back.

His sudden "official trip" on our anniversary, the nights he spent away with flimsy excuses, and his unwavering commitment to weekly volunteer work despite his demanding duties at the military district...

Looking back, the signs were everywhere. But love had blinded me, and I had subconsciously chosen to ignore them.

Now that Kennard had dropped the pretense, the last shred of trust I had in him crumbled.

Seeing my pale face, Emerson Keller, his driver, spoke sympathetically, "Mrs. Padilla, not long after Ms. Hodgson lost her sight, her brother died in service. She's got no one left. It's only natural that General Padilla takes extra care of her...

"But all these years, he's only ever seen her as a sister. Please don't overthink it."

Emerson had been Kennard's driver for a decade.

Yet throughout the past eight years, he had never once mentioned Georgia Hodgson to me.

Now, he couldn't even meet my eyes.

If what he said was true—if Kennard really saw Georgia only as a sister—why had he never introduced her to me?

The more I thought about it, the deeper the ache in my heart grew.

Just then, my parents called. "Sweetie, how did the checkup go? Is the baby healthy?

"Come over for dinner. We bought all the food you and Ken love."

Not wanting to worry them, I took a steadying breath and forced calm into my voice. "I'm still waiting for the results. Not sure how long it'll take.

"Ken... He has something to attend to tonight, so we won't be able to make it."

They went on with a few more reminders, and I responded casually, pretending everything was fine.

But the moment I hung up, a heavy, suffocating pain settled in my chest.

Ever since I got pregnant, Kennard had promised over and over that he would spend the rest of his life taking care of me and our child.

Yet today, he walked away from us without hesitation just to tend to another woman.

For five full hours, I sent him nearly a thousand messages.

I waited until my phone died, but he never replied.

Suddenly, I found it hard to breathe.

My vision blurred, and the last thing I heard was Emerson's panicked voice.

When I came to, I was lying in a hospital bed.

The doctor entered with my report, a warm smile on her face. "Congratulations, Mrs. Padilla. You're carrying twins."

It should have been wonderful news, but I felt nothing.

I remembered the first time I met Kennard. It had been love at first sight, and it took me three months to melt this cold, distant man's heart.

As he rose through the ranks with one military merit after another, he grew busier and busier. Sometimes, we wouldn't see each other for months.

The day he was promoted to General, he knelt on one knee at the awards ceremony and proposed.

"Jackie," he had said, "when we have kids, I promise I'll always be there to watch them grow up."

Those memories and commitments echoed cruelly in my mind.

As I stared at the wedding ring on my finger, all I felt was the bitter urge to laugh.

It was time to end this loveless marriage.

Early the next morning, I came home.

There, I saw Kennard, who had been absent for a full day and night.

He was packing his luggage with a weary expression.

His gaze held a trace of guilt as he looked at me, his voice hoarse. "Jackie, I'm sorry.

"Gia lost her sight because of me, and her brother was my comrade. Before he died, he entrusted her to my care. I can't break that promise—"

"She has caregivers at home and security personnel outside her door," I interrupted.

"With so many people looking after her, why does it have to be you?

"Over the years, you've left me behind for her more times than I can count, and I've always pretended not to know.

"But, Kennard, I'm not stupid."

He fell silent.

After a long pause, he spoke again in a low voice, each word piercing my heart, "Jackie, I owe her...

"Only by making it up to her can I live with myself.

"About what happened yesterday... Please keep this between us, alright?

"If word gets out, it could damage her reputation. I'm worried she won't be able to handle it..."

For the first time, he was looking at me with pleading in his eyes—and it was for the sake of another woman.

Suddenly, it felt as if an invisible knife had stabbed straight through me. The pain was so sharp I could barely breathe.

One's first reaction was the most telling.

When Kennard saw me, he hadn't asked about the checkup.

Instead, he went straight to pleading for Georgia.

I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms, forcing back the tears.

Closing my eyes, I whispered, "Alright."

He visibly relaxed, then ventured cautiously, "Gia knows I'm going to be a father soon, and she's been feeling very insecure... I want to take care of her for a while.

"I'll move back once her condition stabilizes next month.

"Then I'll find a way to spend a few days at home with you. Is that OK?"

To care for Georgia, he could take a whole month off just like that.

But when it came to me, he had to "find a way."

Only now did I realize how stark the difference could be between who someone cared for and everyone else.

Kennard sounded so sure, as if he already knew I would agree.

But all I felt was exhaustion as I watched the unmistakable concern in his eyes directed at another woman.

My babies seemed to sense my turmoil and stirred softly inside me.

I instinctively rested a hand on my lower abdomen, where I carried what was once the symbol of our love—a shared dream we had both looked forward to.

But now, it seemed he no longer cared.

Feeling that faint sign of life beneath my palm, I said calmly, "Kennard, you told me so many times that you love me.

"On our third anniversary of dating, we kissed under a sky full of fireworks. You said that day you would love me more than yourself.

"When you proposed at the awards ceremony, you promised in front of everyone that you'd love me until the day you die.

"On my last birthday, you vowed with a cake you spent two months learning to bake that I would always be the only one you love.

"Over the past eight years, you've remembered all my preferences, and every profile picture on your social media has been of me... I've always firmly believed we would spend the rest of our lives together in love."

I lifted my head and met his gaze, tears finally streaming down my face. "But today ... I can no longer feel your love."

Hearing me recount those fragments of our past, Kennard fell silent, his eyes reddening.

But after a conflicted moment, he only said in a choked voice, "But... Jackie, after Gia lost her parents and her brother ... I'm all she has left."

Those words finally extinguished the last flicker of hope in my heart.

Staring at him, I suddenly laughed through my tears.

"Then go ahead and repay your debt."

Though he must have expected my agreement, he still seemed stunned when he heard me say it.

In the end, he only gave me one long, deep look.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked out of our home.

The next day, I went out to pick a gift for Kennard's mom, Diana Padilla. Her birthday was just around the corner.

Even though I had made up my mind to divorce Kennard, I couldn't deny that Diana had always been kind to me.

To my surprise, the moment I stepped into the mall, I spotted Kennard.

He hadn't noticed me—his attention was entirely focused on Georgia beside him.

In his eyes was a focus and gentleness I hadn't seen in so long.

I instinctively turned to leave, but just then, Georgia tilted her head slightly.

"Ken, I smell that familiar laundry detergent scent."

Hearing this, Kennard turned. The moment he saw me, he reflexively moved to shield her behind him.

"Jacqueline? What are you doing here?

"If you have something to say, we can talk at home. Gia can't see, and I brought her out for a walk. That's all."

Georgia leaned closer to him, as if frightened. "Jackie," she said timidly, "I can't see anything—that's why I rely on Ken so much.

"I never meant to compete with you for him. I was just worried—"

I took a deep breath and replied flatly, "Don't overthink it. It's just a coincidence."

With that, I turned to leave, unwilling to watch the nauseating scene any longer.

Just then, Kennard called out to me.

"Jacqueline, your bag's looking a bit worn out. Do you want me to take you to buy a new one?"

The bag was his fifth-anniversary gift to me, and I had cherished it so deeply that I never wanted to replace it.

Yet now, he called it worn out and offered to get me a new one.

Was it that, in his eyes, what we had was just as worn out—something to be discarded like this bag?

I stopped in my tracks and tossed the bag into a nearby trash bin without even glancing at him.

"Since it's tainted, it's trash and belongs in the bin. I hate tainted things. You know I'm a clean freak."

Kennard's expression froze.

He was undeniably smart, and of course, he understood I wasn't just talking about the bag—but our relationship, essentially.

He wanted to say something, but I had lost interest in further engagement and turned to leave.

At that moment, however, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Georgia adjusting her hair in the reflection of a glass storefront.

Her movements were so natural—clearly, she could see everything perfectly.

It seemed she had long regained her eyesight.

But I had no intention of getting involved in whatever was going on between them.

That evening, I received a local delivery. Inside was a familiar handwritten apology letter.

Over the past eight years, Kennard had always apologized in this way whenever he upset me.

Sometimes his letters were so long they could hardly fit in one envelope, and every word he had written was filled with passionate love for me.

But this time, the envelope was unusually thin, containing only one sheet of paper.

"Sorry."

There was only one word.

Staring at it, I suddenly burst into tearful laughter.

I had been fortunate enough to have been loved wholeheartedly by him—and that was exactly how I knew he no longer loved me.

While he was away, I began to pack.

The desk we had chosen together for the study, the succulents we planted on the balcony, and the couple's mugs in the kitchen...

Memories washed over me like a tidal wave, threatening to drown me.

To this day, I still vividly remember the day we moved in. He had carried me in his arms across the threshold, smiling as he said, "Jackie, from now on, this is our home."

Those warm moments had now turned into sharp blades, cutting me ruthlessly, leaving me bleeding.

As I packed my suitcase, my heart grew cold.

This so-called home had once held all my love and dreams.

But now, even the air was thick with the stench of betrayal and lies.

I didn't want to stay—I couldn't.

Dragging my suitcase, I returned to my parents' house.

They were surprised and worried by my sudden arrival.

But they simply took my luggage without asking any questions.

Three days later, I attended Diana's birthday party with them.

As soon as she saw me, Diana came over and held my hands tightly.

Her eyes were filled with concern, mixed with helplessness and apology.

I forced a smile, handed her my gift, and offered my blessings.

Yet the very next second, the atmosphere turned icy.

Kennard had arrived.

And beside him was Georgia, looking as timid as ever.

Georgia stood with her ever-delicate, fragile demeanor, clinging tightly to Kennard's arm.

All eyes fell first on their intertwined hands, then shifted to me, filled with unspoken complexity.

Diana's smile vanished instantly.

Nicholas Padilla, Kennard's father, slammed his hand on the table with a loud crash. "Kennard, you brat! What is the meaning of this?"

Ignoring him, Kennard looked directly at me, his gaze crossing the crowded room.

"Why did you move your things away?"

"I've gone back to live with my parents," I replied flatly.

He actually looked relieved. "Good. With someone there to take care of you, I'll worry less. I'll pick you up for your next prenatal checkup."

Then, he turned and introduced Georgia to everyone, "This is Georgia Hodgson, the sister of a deceased comrade of mine. She lost her sight, so I've been looking after her all these years."

Georgia offered a soft, practiced smile and held out a gift box, her voice sugary. "Mrs. Padilla, happy birthday. This is just a small token..."

Diana's face was stern.

She didn't even glance at the box, instead gripping my hand tightly and announcing loudly, "Jackie's gift is more than enough for me."

Georgia's smile stiffened, her hands hovering awkwardly in the air.

Then, suddenly, she turned her sightless gaze toward me, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Jackie, you're so lucky to have a husband like Ken. He's so reliable, so responsible...

"I'm not as blessed as you. I have no family, and I can't see... I can only survive on his pity—"

A sharp, crisp sound cut through the air.

I watched, stunned, as my mom struck Georgia hard across the face.

"Mom!"

My mom was trembling with rage, her eyes red-rimmed as she glared at Kennard. "Jackie is my daughter. I know her better than anyone. She gave you the best years of her youth. For you, she put her own career on hold just to support you. After she got pregnant, she took care of herself through everything. No matter how much she suffered, she never complained!

"Kennard, we understand you're guilty and want to do something about it, but that doesn't give you the right to let anyone humiliate her!

"You left her alone in the hospital, and now you show up with this woman who dares to throw shade at her? And you call yourself a man?!"

My mom's words tore off the mask of pretense for good, yet they made my eyes burn with unshed tears.

Clutching her reddened cheek, Georgia hid behind Kennard, holding his arm as she trembled, tears swimming in her eyes.

He immediately stepped in front of her, shielding her, and frowned deeply at me, his eyes full of accusation. "Jacqueline, if you're upset, take it out on me. Running to your parents? Really? Do you have to go this far—"

Before he could finish, I slapped him with all my strength.

The room fell into stunned silence.

I looked at the red handprint blooming on his cheek, my voice cold as ice. "Kennard, you're the one who deserves that most."

In the next breath, I pulled a folded paper from my bag and hurled it directly at his face.

"Take a good look. What is this?"

He picked it up. The moment his eyes recognized the words, his pupils constricted violently. "Jackie... You're pregnant with twins?"

Instantly, uncontainable ecstasy washed over him. It was the first time I had seen him so genuinely overjoyed.

In that moment, he seemed to forget all about Georgia, forgot how he had abandoned me time and again.

It was almost as if everything could be erased the moment these children were born.

He rushed forward to embrace me, but I pushed him away without hesitation.

"That's not what I want to tell you.

"I've already scheduled the abortion for tomorrow."

Before he could respond, Diana's face changed drastically. "What? No!

"You've been together for eight years, and now you're pregnant with twins. This is wonderful news! How could you say you don't want the babies?"

Kennard's expression darkened, his tone turning firm and commanding. "Jacqueline, you can throw whatever tantrum you want, but don't be this willful.

"We've always wanted children. You are not getting an abortion."

I met Kennard's gaze, my voice dripping with bitter sarcasm. "I'm being willful? Kennard, do you truly believe you've done nothing wrong?

"Let me make myself perfectly clear. The moment you abandoned me at the hospital for Georgia, you and I were over. For good."

Just then, Georgia, who had been trembling behind him, let out a choked sob.

"I'm so sorry... This is all my fault...

"I've put Ken in a difficult position and hurt you, Jackie... I should never have come... I should have just died!"

Putting on a convincing act of mental collapse, she stumbled out.

Kennard's expression changed instantly. His eyes snapped back to me, clouded with anxiety and conflict.

"Jackie, she can't see. I can't let anything happen to her.

"Just give me some time to handle this. We'll talk about the babies when I get back."

As he moved to chase after her, Diana stepped forward, her voice trembling. "Kennard, have you lost your mind? Who is your wife? Who is carrying your children? Answer me!"

For a moment, fierce struggle showed in his eyes, but it was quickly smothered by a resolve to make amends.

He pushed Diana away, his tone firm.

"Mom, her whole family died in the line of duty. If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive myself."

A dead silence fell over the room.

After one last, conflicted glance in my direction, he turned and hurried out after Georgia.

Diana stared helplessly at his resolute retreating figure before turning to me, her eyes full of exhaustion and a silent plea. "Jackie, stay here tonight. When he comes back, I'll make sure he gives you a proper apology. We can talk this through—"

"There's no need," I said softly, yet my tone left no room for doubt.

This time, I would not look back.

Once we were back at my parents' house, my mom finally broke down in tears. "Sweetheart... Could you ... think it over?

"They're your babies, too... They're innocent..."

I instinctively rested a hand on my lower abdomen.

A deep, splitting ache spread through my chest, as if my heart might break at any moment.

As a flicker of hesitation passed through me, my phone screen lit up.

It was a photo from an unknown number.

In it, Georgia was nestled in Kennard's arms, a sweet smile gracing her lips.

He appeared to be asleep, yet his arms were wrapped around her in a natural, intimate embrace.

Every last bit of my hesitation and reluctance shattered into dust at the sight of that image.

So, this was what Kennard meant by "handling it"? By sleeping with her?

My moment of uncertainty now felt like a pathetic joke.

Right then, I finally understood what true despair felt like.

Early the next morning, Kennard showed up at our door holding my favorite breakfast.

He looked utterly worn out, his clothes disheveled, his eyes bloodshot.

"Jackie, can we please talk?"

I walked straight past him, heading for the hospital where I had scheduled the abortion, refusing to so much as glance in his direction.

He blocked my path to the car, raising his hand to swear. "I've made everything clear to Gia. I'll never take care of her again, I promise!"

Watching his earnest expression, I was suddenly overwhelmed with exhaustion.

I pulled out my phone, opened the photo, and held it so close to his face it nearly touched his nose.

"Oh, really?" I asked, my voice cold as ice. "Is that why you ended up sleeping with her?"

The moment he saw the photo, he froze, as if struck by lightning.