At seven months pregnant with twins, my husband’s boss texted me a photo of Eric in her bed. Their final treachery came hours later: he was leaving me for her and she wanted one of my babies for housing. My plans were unknown to them.
When my life broke apart, I was significantly pregnant with twins.
I was folding little onesies and thinking about baby names when my phone buzzed.
Veronica, my husband’s supervisor, sent it, and my pulse raced. I thought Eric had been hurt at work, but it was worse.
Looking for an accident, I opened the message and saw Eric shirtless in an unfamiliar bed. Grinning at the camera.
It was evident from the caption: “It’s time you knew. He’s mine.”
Cold hands. Inside me, the babies kicked, seemingly sensing my pain. Eric cheated on me with his boss.
I quickly called Eric but got voicemail. No calls went through despite my efforts.
It felt like the twins were trampolineing my bladder by then. I sank onto the sofa and put my hand on my belly.
“Easy, babies,” I said. “Mama always watches over you. Regardless of the situation, I know Daddy… Even after betraying me, Eric won’t leave you.”
Never would I have imagined my error.
Eric came home from work that night with company.
Veronica made an entrance like she owned it. Tall, confident, clothed in clothes that probably cost more than rent. The kind of woman who grabbed attention by breathing.
Man and lady in flat | Midjourney
Man and lady in flat | Midjourney
“Eric… what is this?” I stood in the living room glaring them down, trying to be powerful yet feeling weak.
Eric sighed. Lauren, it’s easy. Love Veronica, so I’m leaving you. Let’s act maturely and not argue, okay?”
The words shook me physically. Every one hit where it stung most.
“You can’t be serious,” I muttered. “We’re having babies in two months.”
“Life happens,” he shrugged. A shrug! Perhaps he was discussing dinner plans, not abandoning his pregnant wife.
When Veronica crossed her arms, her manicured nails hit her costly blazer.
“And since this is Eric’s apartment, you’ll need to move out by the end of the week.”
I saw red. “Are you 2 insane? No where to go! I carry HIS kids!”
“Twins, right?” She tilted her head, eyeing my belly coldly. Are there triplets? You appear bloated. I may have a solution.”
She probably thought her lips were smiling. “I’ll rent you a house and cover all your expenses, but I want one of your babies.”
Blood chilled. “What?!”
“I’d like to have a baby, but there’s no way I’m going to do that to my body.” Finger spun at my belly. “You’ll never manage raising twins alone, so this is a win-win situation.”
Hearing this was unbelievable. She sounded like she was adopting a pet!
“I’ll raise the child myself. They will have top-notch nannies and attend top schools. Eric leaned in as she touched his chest. “A roof over your head. A fair deal.”
Eric nodded as she talked, like trading a baby was fair.
I couldn’t breathe. How dare they use my babies as leverage? I wanted to expel them, but they cornered me. I lacked family and close friends.
My mind made a strategy.
The words “I have nowhere else to go,” brought tears to my eyes. “I’ll agree to your deal, but I have one condition.”
Veronica grins. “Smart girl. The condition?”
“I want to pick which baby you get.” I sniffled, ashamedly gazing down. “Just give me some time with them to decide which one will have a better life with you.”
She looked at Eric. Their glances said they felt I was vanquished.
“Fine,” she agreed. “Don’t delay. Once they’re born, we’ll take your unwanted one.”
Nodding, I wiped away a phony tear. “And… one more thing.”
Dramatic Veronica sighed. “What now?”
“You’ll buy me a house, not rent it,” I insisted. “I need security. If you disagree, I’ll walk and you’ll never see them.”
Veronica raised a hand as Eric scoffed.
“You’re pushy, but I’ll agree,” she said. It saves me time and effort finding another solution. But you better keep your word.”
I nodded, looking like the shattered, pathetic woman they thought I was.
But inside? I smiled. Since they had no idea what was coming.
The next few months required patience.
Veronica got me a modest three-bedroom house. She and Eric didn’t see it or meet the agent until we signed the papers.
When we left the realtor’s office, I sighed with relief. Step one was over, but they were clueless.
I told them about doctor’s appointments and had Veronica feel my belly and fawn about “her” baby. I told her I wasn’t sure which baby to keep.
I played for time while preparing the last blow.
My labor began Tuesday night. When I departed for the hospital, I texted Veronica but told the nurses not to let her or Eric in the delivery room.
They complained outside, but the contractions were so strong I couldn’t understand.
My babies arrived six hours later. Two perfect girls with dark hair wisps and good lungs.
The nurse grinned. “Want me to tell your husband and your… friend?”
“Tell them the babies are fine, but I need three days,” I replied, clutching my girls.
Despite confusion, the nurse nodded.
I named them Lily and Emma. I remembered their faces, cries, and small fingers on my body.
I finished my plan.
On day two, I took the babies home. The third day, I called Veronica.
“I’m ready to talk.”
Within an hour, she and Eric arrived. Eric shadowed Veronica, who was virtually humming with eagerness.
“So,” she cooed inside my abode. “Which one is mine?”
I inhaled, holding one baby in each arm. “Neither.”
Her smile froze. “Excuse me?”
I stood slowly. My body hurt, but my voice was strong.
“Veronica, I’m not giving you my child. Either one.”
Eric moaned. “Oh, don’t start this dramatic nonsense—”
Two thought they could buy a baby from me? I was a desperate idiot? No, I’m not.”
“Then I’m kicking you out of this house,” Veronica growled. “You can live on the street for all I care!”
I grinned. Can’t do that. I own this house.”
Veronica’s coloring faded. “What? Not possible! Eric, tell her!”
Eric looked just as perplexed. “We signed the papers together!”
“Yeah. You both gave me full ownership. You were too smug to notice. My name is alone on the deed.”
Veronica stumbled like I slapped her.
“You conniving little—”
“Oh, and one more thing,” I rocked Lily as she fussed. “I went ahead and told a few people about how Eric cheated on his pregnant wife, and how he and his mistress tried to buy his child.”
I nodded at my coffee table phone.
Please browse social media. I posted everything last night. Messages. The images. Deal for ill infant. Everything’s there. Veronica, I tagged your company and investors. Your charity boards too.”
Veronica went for my phone. Her pale face turned gray as she scrolled.
“As you can see, they find your behavior very interesting.”
Veronica yelled in wrath and desperation.
Eric took the phone from her, his face paper-white. “You — you ruined us!”
“No. You ruined yourselves.”
Eric was laid off. Selling your child went against his company’s “family values” brand. Veronica was sacked, made front-page news for the wrong reasons, and blackballed in her social and business circles.
And I? I cuddled my daughters to sleep in our beautiful home each night, knowing I didn’t only get revenge.
I won.
