Angela Calvin NovelThe Anniversary Secret

On the night of our fifth wedding anniversary, I set the table, lit the candles, and waited on the couch for my husband to come home.

As I scrolled through my feed to pass the time, a message notification popped upCfrom his old classmate, Susie Cartman.

Angela, thanks to Calvin's seed, I can finally have my own baby.

The message came with a selfieCher grinning at the camera, holding up a medical slip in one hand, flashing a peace sign with the other.

I touched my stomach, where our child was quietly growing.

Calvin Did you really think everything in life would always go your way?
Chapter 1
I slipped the pregnancy report back into my bag, my hand instinctively resting on my stomach.
To the little life inside me, I whispered an apology.
I had planned to share the good news today. Calvin Leeroy had longed for this child for so long.
It seems he would rather that Susie Cartman be the one to give him a baby.
That explained why he had been smiling at his phone so often as of late; his heart was already elsewhere.
When I stayed silent, Calvin transferred money to me, just as he always did.
In his eyes, I was nothing more than a dull, predictable housewifeCsomeone who could be placated with cash.
He lay down beside me, reaching out to pull me into his arms. His warm breath should have made me shiver with tenderness, but all I felt was cold.
Once, I would have broken down, demanded to know why he was entangled with another woman, why he kept hurting his wife again and again.
How could a man as educated as he was even consider something as absurd as giving his seed to another woman to have his own child?
At this point, though, I just shifted slightly, avoiding his touch.
He noticed and tried to soothe me.
"Honey, you've misunderstood. Susie and I are like siblings. Nothing else would ever happen between us. Her grandmother was my mentorCit was her dying wish that Susie have a child. With this child, she'll have someone to depend on. Once it's done, I'll never see her privately again, alright?"
I still did not answer.
His patience snapped. His voice rose sharply.
"Angela Irwin, I'm talking to you! What's with that attitude? It's just an IVF procedureCwhy are you making such a big deal out of it?"
With that, he threw off the blanket, yanked on his clothes, and stormed into the guest room. Before slamming the door shut, he spat out one last sentence, "I could've kept this from you. The only reason I told you was out of respect."
The door rattled with the force of his anger, leaving me sitting there in silence.
I had prepared for this anniversary for so long, only to end up with this.
Was it because I loved him too much? Was that why he dared to treat me this way?
No matter how much I loved him, I could not accept my husband giving his seed to another woman.
The next morning, Calvin left early. I did not have to ask where he went.
I immediately called Ian Travis, my childhood friend. When we were kids, he used to trail behind me, insisting he would always protect me.
When I told him I wanted a divorce and asked to borrow his private lawyer, Ian agreed instantaneously.
These past few days, Calvin had either been coming home late or glued to his phone.
At first, I thought he was busy with work. Yesterday, I finally understoodChe was busy with Susie.
That afternoon, I went to the hospital. After only a few words with the doctor, I said clearly, "I want to terminate this pregnancy."
The doctor's eyes widened in surprise. "Didn't you go through so much just to have this child?"
I gave a bitter laugh but said nothing.
Understanding dawned in the doctor's eyes. He immediately began making the arrangements.
The procedure was quickCless than half an hour, and it was over.
However, as soon as I stepped out of the hospital, I saw them.
Calvin, carefully supporting Susie, guided her through the lobby. His face was full of worry, his voice tender in a way he never used with me.
This was the same man who always raised his voice at me, yet spoke to her in the gentlest tone imaginable.
Chapter 2
"Calvin, don't be so nervous," said Susie softly. "The doctor already told usCI'm perfectly healthy and fully qualified for IVF."
"But IVF is so painful," Calvin's brows furrowed. "The thought of you going through that hurts me."
A blush rose on Susie's cheeks. "It's just fate playing tricks on us. If I'd come back a few years earlier, we wouldn't even need IVF now."
Her words stabbed at me. My chest tightened, and tears nearly spilled over.
Just then, Calvin noticed me. His frown deepened.
"Were you following me?"
I did not answer him. Instead, I fixed my gaze on Susie.
She feigned irritation and chimed in sweetly, "Calvin, with our kind of relationship, Angela would surely understand. Why would she ever need to follow us?"
Ha. She thought I was the same woman who swallowed every insult in silence?
I let out a quiet laugh. "If you and Calvin are planning to have a child together, what does that have to do with me? The way I see it, you two are the real husband and wife."
Calvin's face turned ashen. "What are you saying? I told you beforeCSusie and I are like siblings!"
However, fresh from surgery, my body would not let me stand long. A dull ache spread across my abdomen, and I had no energy left to argue. I turned, intent on walking away.
Susie suddenly stepped forward, blocking me.
"Angela, wait. We're nearly done with the check-up, so why don't we all go together? Otherwise, I'd feel guilty, like you're angry with me."
I waved her off impatiently, giving her the lightest push. She collapsed dramatically to the ground, clutching herself and crying out in pain.
Panic flashed in Calvin's eyes. He shoved me hard and barked, "Are you insane? Don't you realize Susie is trying to have a baby?"
Without another word, he scooped her into his arms and rushed off.
Watching their retreating figures, I felt no regret. If she was going to have a child, what about me?
The day Susie reappeared in his life, I already knew our marriage was finished.
Back home, my phone buzzed. Susie had updated her social media feed: a photo of Calvin's face, taken from the angle of a doting girlfriend.
The caption read: "How lucky I am. After all these years, you've always been there whenever I'm hurt."
Comments flooded in beneath the post.
"Wow, our big boss is such a softie at heart?"