THE WIFE WHO BECAME HIS RIVAL

My prenatal vitamins clinked around in my purse as I struggled with my keys. Being eight months pregnant made even simple stuff feel like a marathon. Dr. Martinez had let me leave my appointment early-said everything looked great, smiling in that way that always made me feel secure. She said the baby was doing well and positioned just right, and I was dilated enough that she might show up a week or two early.

Just in time for Daddy's birthday, I told my belly on the way home, thinking about how Mikel would react when I gave him the news. Three years into our marriage, and he still got super excited talking about our baby girl.

The house was strangely quiet when I pushed open the front door. Usually, I could hear Mrs. Chen humming in the kitchen or Mikel in a conference call from his office. But today, total silence.

Mikel? I called out, dropping my keys into the crystal bowl by the door. I'm home!

Nothing. His Maserati was outside, so he had to be here. Maybe he was in his study with his headphones on, working like always. I smiled, even though I was tired-my workaholic husband would be thrilled the doctor thought she'd come early.

The baby kicked hard, reminding me of the chocolate croissants I'd promised to get from our bakery. I'd forgotten all about them, too excited to share the news. The pregnancy brain was getting worse every day.

Sorry, little one, I said to my stomach, rubbing where her foot was pushing against my ribs. Mommy got distracted thinking about Daddy.

I walked up the marble stairs slowly, holding onto the rail. Sunlight streamed through the windows on the second floor, making shapes on the wooden floor. Our bedroom door was shut, which was weird-Mikel almost always left it open during the day.

I heard soft sounds coming from the room. Mumbled voices. A woman giggling, but it definitely wasn't Mrs. Chen.

My heart skipped. It sounded like Sophia. But that couldn't be right. My best friend from college was supposed to be in meetings all day.

My brain tried to think of reasons. Maybe she'd stopped by to drop something off for the baby shower she was planning. Or maybe they were talking about secret details and wanted privacy. Maybe-

Then I heard something that made my blood run cold. A low groan that I knew after three years of marriage. Followed by my name, but not the way Mikel usually said it. This was rough, desperate, wrong.

No. No, no, no.

My hands shook as I reached for the doorknob. I wanted to run, to save myself, to keep whatever innocence I had left. But my heart was already breaking, and I needed to see what was destroying it.

The door opened without a sound.

My world ended right there.

In our bed-the bed where we'd been intimate last week, where we talked about our baby, where I'd spent mornings tracing shapes on Mikel's chest-my husband was with my best friend.

Sophia's long black hair was all over my pillow. Her skin was shiny with sweat as she moved above Mikel like she knew exactly what she was doing. This wasn't a mistake. It had been going on for a while.

Mikel's hands-the same hands that had touched my belly this morning, that had put together our daughter's crib so carefully-were holding Sophia's hips tightly. His eyes were closed, and he whispered things I thought only I heard.

God, Sophie, I've missed this. I've missed you.

Those words hit me hard. Missed this. How long? How many times had I kissed him after he had touched her? How many lies had I believed?

I must have made a noise because Sophia's eyes snapped open and met mine. For a second, everything stopped. Her eyes went wide, but there was also a look of satisfaction. Like she had planned this.

Bella. She said my name like it was a bad word.

Mikel's body went stiff. He turned toward the door, toward me, and I saw him understand what was happening. He looked shocked, then guilty, and then-the worst of all-he looked almost angry, like he had been waiting for this to happen.

He didn't try to cover himself or make excuses. He just stared at me like he had been ready for this.

How long? I asked, my voice rough.

Sophia slid off Mikel, not even trying to cover herself. She'd always been pretty-tall and thin while I was softer, and confident. Now, I realized how dumb I'd been to think Mikel would be happy with just me.

Bella, it's not- Mikel started, but Sophia stopped him.

Long enough, she said, sounding pleased. Long enough for us to know we should have been together all along.

The room started to spin. All along. Before our wedding? Maybe during our engagement. How many memories were ruined now? How many times had they laughed at me?

The baby- I said, holding my stomach.

Will be fine, Mikel said, sounding calm. We'll make sure she has everything she needs.

*We'll make sure.* Like they were already a family. Like I was just in the way.

How could you? I whispered. Both of you. How could you do this to me? To our family?

Sophia almost looked sorry for me. Oh, honey. Did you really think this perfect life would last? Mikel was with me first. I introduced you two, remember? I let you have him then, but some things are meant to be.

*Let you have him.* Like my marriage was something she had given me and now wanted back.

A contraction hit me hard, starting in my back and wrapping around my belly. I bent over, grabbing the doorframe.

Bella? Mikel sounded worried now, but I couldn't look at him. I couldn't stand seeing him with her scent still on his skin.

No, I said, knowing what was happening. Not now. Not like this.

But my daughter didn't care. The shock, the anger, the fact that everything I thought was real was a lie-it made my body do something without me thinking. I needed to protect her, to get away, to bring her into a world that had just shown me how awful it could be.

Another contraction hit, even harder, and my water broke. Three weeks early, in the doorway of my ruined marriage, with my husband and best friend watching the mess I was in.

Oh God, I whispered, sliding down the doorframe. She's coming. The baby's coming.

The last thing I saw before I blacked out was Mikel jumping out of bed, naked and scared, reaching for me like he could undo what I'd seen. Like he could change what had just wrecked everything.

But some betrayals can't be fixed.

And some disasters leave nothing but ruins.