As a master of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, I diagnosed my wife with pregnancy. To my shock, she froze in terror and demanded a divorce that very instant.
That night, I took her for a paternity test, which confirmed the child was mine.
But no matter how I pleaded, my wife still begged me to sign the divorce papers and left our home without taking a single thing.
Anger and confusion consumed me, so I confided in a close friend. Yet when he heard that my wife was pregnant, his face turned pale with dread. Without a word of explanation, he bolted from my house, blocked all contact with me, and even seized my belongings—including the new house we had just bought together.
Crushed and bewildered, I returned to my hometown to start over. When my parents learned what had happened, they wept bitterly, heartbroken by my misfortune. But that same night, as I drank from my water bottle, a searing pain tore through me. My parents secretly poisoned me with rat poison. I died, still sobbing in disbelief.
Why had everyone turned against me after my wife’s pregnancy? What sin had I committed to deserve this?
When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the very moment I had diagnosed my wife’s pregnancy.
——
“Honey, I didn’t get my period this month. Do you think I’m pregnant?”
Seeing Grace Quinn stretch out her wrist for me to check her pulse, a chill ran down my spine. This time, I knew for certain—I had been reborn.
Grace’s eyes sparkled with joy. “Honey, we’ve been trying so hard for two months. Could it be that we’re finally pregnant? Maybe heaven has blessed us!”
Her voice trembled with happiness, yet my heart ached. Why did this woman, who once left me in fear, now look at me with such love and hope?
She had endured bitter herbal brews to nourish her body, praying for this very moment. Yet in my previous life, the instant she learned she was pregnant, she went pale and left everything behind—her million-dollar inheritance, our home, and me—just to protect the unborn child.
And the paternity report had proven that the baby was mine.
Why, then, had she been so terrified?
This time, I decided to hide the truth until I understood everything. I smiled gently and shook my head.
“Honey, you’re not pregnant yet,” I said softly. “You’ve just been stressed from all the preparation, and your body’s tired. That’s why your period’s late. Don’t worry—just rest well.”
She didn’t argue. Instead, she wrapped her arms around me, trembling slightly.
“Honey, I just want to have a baby with you. I—”
I cut her off gently. “What you need now is a good shower and some rest.”
I pushed her lightly toward the bathroom, my mind racing. If she didn’t realize she was pregnant, maybe I could prevent the same tragedy.
I clenched my fists, palms slick with sweat, thinking of what to do next.
But just moments later, the bathroom door flew open.
Grace stood there drenched from head to toe, water dripping from her hair. In her trembling hand, there was a pregnancy test—two red lines clear as day.
My chest tightened. I lunged forward to grab it, but she stumbled back, eyes wide with fear, her whole body trembling.
And just like before, she whispered the same words that shattered my life once already.
“Ethan Ford, let’s get a divorce.”
I froze, my fists hanging helplessly at my sides.
“Why? The child is mine!”
“I know,” she said, her teeth chattering. “But I can’t do this, Ethan. I’m sorry. I’m taking back my promise to have a child with you. Let’s end this.”
Her eyes glistened with tears as she added softly, “All the money is yours. I’ll leave with nothing. I’ll raise the child alone. Please… just let me go.”
Grace’s face turned deathly pale. She dropped to her knees and kowtowed before me.
In my previous life, I had never seen her so terrified. I had lost control then, demanding answers like a madman. But this time, I took a deep breath and forced myself to stay calm.
“Divorce is fine,” I said evenly. “But tell me why.”
I had never hurt her. I’d always treated her with patience and care. I wasn’t violent or cruel—so why was she so frightened after learning she was pregnant? I took a slow step toward her, confusion and disappointment churning inside me.
But Grace backed away as if she had seen a ghost. She rushed into the bedroom, slammed the door, and locked it. Her trembling voice came through the woods.
“It’s late. I’ll move out tomorrow. I’ll draft the divorce papers on the way.”
I stared at the closed door, feeling my heart tear apart.
In my previous life, I had stormed off to my friend’s house, desperate for comfort. But not this time. This time, I intended to stay quiet and verify my suspicions with a prenatal test first.
Just then, my phone rang.
It was my brother in all but blood—Lucas Lane.
I hesitated but answered.
“Ethan,” he said urgently, “I heard you and Grace are getting divorced! What happened? You two were everyone’s ideal couple!”
Lucas had grown up with Grace. In fact, he was the one who had brought us together. It seemed Grace had already called him. I saw my chance and asked, “Did she tell you why she wants to leave me?”
Lucas sighed heavily. “No. She just told me about the divorce. Brother, what’s going on? You two have been married three years without a single argument. Are you really ending it?”
I fell silent.
In my past life, I could never explain why Lucas’s attitude had changed so drastically after learning Grace was pregnant. He had become distant and terrified, just like my wife.
But in this life, he didn’t know she was pregnant yet—or so I thought.
I quickly changed the topic. “Brother, it’s a long story. I’ll tell you next time.”
There was a pause. Then Lucas’s voice turned sharp. “Wait… is Grace pregnant?”
I froze, caught off guard.
Before I could deny it, his tone grew frantic. “Ethan, listen to me. Take care of yourself. I’ll call you back later.”
Then he hung up.
I called him again immediately, but the line was dead. Blocked.
Exactly like before.
In both lives, the moment Lucas found out about Grace’s pregnancy, he cut all ties with me.
Why?
What was everyone so afraid of?
Neither I nor Grace had mentioned her condition this time, yet Lucas somehow guessed it from a brief conversation.
Was it instinct—or something else?
My hand trembled as I held the phone, my heart pounding.
Then the doorbell rang.
I opened the door and froze.
My parents stood there, carrying luggage.
“Dad? Mom? What are you doing here?”
They looked oddly uneasy. My mother stepped inside, clutching a bag of hometown delicacies. Her smile was strained.
“Ethan,” she began softly, “we came because we need to discuss something with you.”
I frowned. “What is it?”
She exchanged glances with my father before continuing. “You know your brother’s already past thirty. He’s planning to buy a house in the city.”
A dull ache spread through my chest.
“So, you came here to ask me for money again?”
My voice was flat, but inside, a cold dread crept in.
In my last life, this conversation had led to something far worse.
My dad’s eyebrows furrowed.
“What’s your attitude? Isn’t it your duty to help the family? Your brother is already 30 and still doesn’t own a house in the city, and you, on the other hand, are living it up in the city, yet you don’t even help him at all!”
“Today, we’re putting this on hold. You must give your brother a down payment. Five hundred thousand!”
My clenched fists clenched.
My brother has been lying around, living a lazy life, and now he wants money for a down payment on a house!
“No money!”
I said coldly.
“You!”
My dad’s raised hand suddenly froze.
Just then, Grace opened the door and peered over. When my mother noticed Grace, she suddenly gasped in shock and took two steps back.
“Grace, are you pregnant?”
Grace nodded.
My mother suddenly froze and stared at me, her pupils widening, but she mumbled, unable to utter a single word.
I frowned, “Mom, how did you know Grace was pregnant?”
My mother’s face was horrified, her thin, withered face pale.
Even my father’s legs went limp, nearly collapsing on the ground.
The old couple, supporting each other, retreated several steps.
I pressed on, “Mom, how did you even know Grace was pregnant?”
My parents exchanged bewilderment, and my mother immediately forced a smile.
“Ethan, Mom… I’ve given birth before me, too. How could I not have noticed Grace was pregnant?”
“Good son, we don’t have to pay for your brother’s down payment on the house. You can keep these local specialties for Grace and enjoy them slowly. We’re leaving now.”
My parents were about to leave in panic, but I quickly stepped in front of them. The old couple screamed and fell to the ground.
“Son, please let us go. Dad was a little harsh just now. You… don’t take it to heart.”
My dad almost knelt down in front of me.
I stared down at them, a little anxious.
“Then tell me quickly, why have you all been so scared of me since Grace got pregnant!”
My mom didn’t dare look me in the eye, her voice trembling.
“You… you’ll find out when you take her for a prenatal checkup.”
Then my mom suddenly turned to Grace.
“We support your divorce. Run!”
Then, Grace, no longer afraid of the dark, bolted for the exit.
I stared at them, a chill running through my heart.
In my past life, my parents poisoned me to death with rat poison. In this life, for some reason, the old couple is so afraid of me.
But I don’t have time to argue with them right now. I’ll find out tomorrow when I take Grace for a prenatal checkup. I quickly packed my bags and sent a message to Grace.
“Grace, divorce is fine, as long as you come with me for a prenatal checkup tomorrow.”
“I need to see the prenatal report before I sign it.”
Grace agreed without hesitation.
The next day, she arrived at the hospital, nervous and waiting for me.
The prenatal checkup went smoothly, and the doctor told me the baby was healthy.
I looked at the doctor, who looked calm, and was about to ask further questions.
But when I turned around, I noticed the doctor’s slightly trembling hands, and I gave up.
While waiting for the prenatal report,
I saw Grace with her head lowered, lost in thought. A hint of fatigue had settled on her fair face.
I leaned over with heartache, about to offer her words of comfort.
She suddenly screamed, collapsed to the ground, and begged for mercy.
“Don’t come near me! I beg you, I really beg you to let me go…”
Frightened by her expression, I instinctively tried to help her up.
But Grace resisted fiercely. My hand froze in midair as I let out a long, helpless sigh.
“Grace, why are you so determined to divorce me? How will you manage with the child once you leave?”
My voice trembled despite myself. “Can you at least tell me why? Before you got pregnant, you loved me so deeply… what changed?”
Grace met my gaze, her eyes full of sorrow. Her voice shook as she whispered, “Ethan, I’ve always loved you.”
She paused, tears welling in her eyes. “But I’m even more afraid of you.”
Her words pierced through me like a blade. I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, the surrounding patients and their families began whispering among themselves. Some pointed at me with disgust, others glared as if I were a monster.
A young man, flushed with anger, shoved me hard. “What are you trying to do? This is a hospital!”
Startled, I raised my hands quickly. “You’ve misunderstood—she’s my wife!”
“Oh, so you’re a domestic abuser!” someone shouted. “No wonder your wife looks terrified! You must beat her all the time!”
“I don’t—” I tried to explain, but they didn’t let me finish. A burly man stepped forward and punched me twice in the face. Then he shoved me violently.
Before I could steady myself, the back of my head struck the sharp corner of a wall. Pain exploded through my skull, my vision blurred, and everything went black.
When I woke up, I was lying on a cold hospital bed. My head throbbed, wrapped in thick gauze.
A nurse approached nervously. “Sir, please rest. Your wife brought you here. She even paid your medical bills.”
Her eyes darted to a folder in her hand. She hesitated, then handed it to me. “This is your wife’s prenatal report.”
Something in her expression made my heart sink. I snatched the papers and read them carefully.
The next moment, my entire body got cold. My hands shook uncontrollably.
↓ ↓ Download the NovelShort app, Search 【 579704 】reads the whole book. ↓ ↓
NovelShort
