Their eyes locked, sparks flying.]

    In that moment, I watched the husband who once adored me transform into aplete stranger. While I crouched in the shadows like a cockroach, watching someone else’s happiness. Pathetically watching the father of my child instinctively protect

    another woman.

    Casey beside me started to rush forward, but I held him back with everything I had.[]

    After a long pause, I dialed Leonel’s number.]

    From my distance, I watched his phone light up.]

    He nced at it. The ringtone yed once, then again.]]

    He just stared at it. Never answered.]]

    Amari saw “Wifey” on the caller ID and pouted.[]

    “You promised today was all about me. No distractions–not even her–or I’m never speaking to you again.“][]

    Leonel chuckled and tossed his phone into a cup full of beer, raising an eyebrow:[]

    “Happy now, princess?”

    When Amari finally nodded, Leonel swept her up and spun her around overhead.]]

    Her delighted screams carried on the ocean breeze.

    By the time I lowered my phone from recording, tears had soaked through my mask.[]

    Fuck you, Leonel Hartman! iSo /ithis is all I ever meant to you? Hope you’re ready to fucking burn in hell![]

    Eventually they got tired and sat around talking.]

    Amari’s voice drifted over on the wind:[]

    “Actually, on Leo’s wedding night, I got wasted and said I wanted to marry some random guy just to get it over with. He freaked out, grabbed Kendall’s wedding dress, and came to find me.“[]

    “Isn’t that crazy? We yed house like when we were kids, exchanging vows under the stars.“[]

    My heart seized.]

    I remembered that custom wedding dress I’d searched forever to find. Leonel said it got stained and lost at the dry cleaner’s.[]

    Amari kept going with augh: “I joked that since we’d exchanged vows, it was real. Said I’d never get married, but I wanted kids without ruining my body. Guess what this idiot did?“[]

    bPure /bTanz Then bWhy’s /bTHE BABY b11157 /bbLigby /bbTour /bCelsb, /bSammates!

    88.1%

    Chapter b4 /b

    Leonel kept drinking and smiling, not stopping her.[]

    The crowd egged Amari on until she raised her chin proudly:[]

    “He actually took it seriously! Dragged me to get IVF done!“[]

    She winked at Leonel to take over.[]

    “So Leo, what happened to that baby?“]

    Leonel drained his drink, eyes dark and distant.[]

    “The baby in Kendall’s belly right now? That’s mine and Amari’s IVF baby.“[]

    *BOOM-*]]

    Something exploded in my skull. Everything went white.[]

    Casey was cursing “MOTHERFUCKER” beside me while Leonel lookedpletely unbothered.[]

    I clutched my stomach. Like it could sense my agony, the baby started kicking frantically.[]

    All I felt was the bitter irony.[]

    From the moment we started trying, Leonel told me his sperm count was low and IVF would give us better odds.[]

    Countless days and nights, I took pills until I was nauseous, my belly covered in purple needle marks.[]

    The day it took, he pressed his face to my stomach and whispered:[]

    “Hey baby, Daddy’s gonna make sure you and Mommy are the happiest people in the world.“[]

    Turns out he was never talking to me.[]

    Amari’s voice floated over again, dripping with smugness:]

    “Good thing Leo was smart about it. Look at Kendall now–all bloated and gross from pregnancy. I’d rather die than let my body get wrecked like that.“[]

    I couldn’t listen anymore. Started ito /ileave.[]

    Suddenly a massive wave hit, rocking the yacht violently.[]

    Amari had been standing at the edge, too caught up in her story.[]

    She screamed as she was thrown overboard.]]

    Leonel didn’t hesitate for a second–grabbed a life ring and dove in, swimming hard toward her.]

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