“Claire, you need to hire someone. This is bigger than we thought,” Lily urged.
Reluctantly, I hired Lydia, a private investigator. She listened intently to my story and promised answers within two days.
When Ethan didn’t come home after I was discharged from the hospital, I wasn’t surprised. But when Lydia returned with her findings, I was completely devastated.
“Ethan married you for your money,” Lydia said bluntly. “His family planned this. For years, he’s been stealing from your inheritance to support another family. He already has three children with another woman.”
Her words hit me like a bolt of lightning. “No, that can’t be true!” I protested.
Lydia slid a folder across the table. “It’s all here—bank records, photos, and even evidence that he sabotaged your fertility treatments.”
My heart sank. “Sabotaged? What do you mean?”
“Some clinics reported tampered results and unexplained errors. It seems Ethan never wanted you to have a child with him.”
I could barely process what she was saying. All the pain, the hope, and the despair had been part of a cruel lie.
I looked at my son, Liam, sleeping peacefully in his bassinet. Anger welled up inside me. Ethan had taken so much from me, but I wasn’t going to let him take anything else.
That evening, I called my lawyer. “We need to act now,” I said.
When Ethan returned a few days later, I was ready. The divorce papers were on the kitchen table.
“Claire, I’m sorry,” he said, trying to sound remorseful. “I made mistakes, but we can work this out.”
“Really? Then tell me—what are the names of your three children?”
His face went pale. I didn’t wait for an answer. “The papers are on the table. Sign them and leave.”
He left without a word, taking the papers with him.
The divorce was finalized quickly. Ethan received a small settlement, while I kept the house and everything I’d worked hard for.
My lawyer was also building a case against him and the fertility clinics that had colluded with him.
Late one night, as I rocked Liam to sleep, I whispered, “I’ll make sure you grow up surrounded by love, Liam.
You’ll never have to question your worth.”
