My CEO Husband Cheated While I Carried His Child

Chapter 7

The gift box was exquisitely wrapped in delicate silver paper, tied with a satin bow. When I accepted it, I assumed it was a thoughtful present from a friend for my newborn. My fingers trembled slightly as I carefully peeled back the layers, the anticipation of something sweet for Aurora making my heart flutter.

But the moment I lifted the lid, the coppery stench of blood assaulted my senses. Behind me, the nanny gasped, her scream piercing the air, followed by Aurora’s startled wails. Clenching my jaw, I forced my voice to remain steady. "Take her out of here," I instructed the nanny, my tone leaving no room for hesitation.

Only when the door clicked shut did I allow myself to exhale, my body shaking violently. My nails dug into my palms as I stared into the box. Inside lay a lifeless baby rabbit, its once pristine white fur now drenched in crimson, the sight grotesque and deliberate.

Bile rose in my throat, but I swallowed it down, grabbing my phone with trembling fingers. Ethan answered on the second ring.

He arrived within minutes, his expression guarded as he stepped into the room. "Sophia," he began, his voice tentative, almost hopeful. "You’re finally willing to talk—"

I cut him off with a sharp gesture, pointing to the box on the table.

The silence between us thickened, suffocating, until he finally spoke, his voice low and dangerous. "Who did this?"

"Who else?" I spat, my voice icy. "Your precious Lila, of course." My fingers curled into fists. "Ethan, Aurora has only been in this world for sixteen days, and she’s already being threatened. You’re her father. You don’t have to love her, but you will keep your mess away from her."

My next words were steel. "I want the signed divorce papers by tonight. If they’re not in my hands, I’ll be filing a lawsuit first thing tomorrow."

I studied the man I had once adored, the man I had believed would stand by me forever. Now, all I saw was a stranger who had shattered everything. But in a twisted way, I had to thank Lila. Her cruelty had given me the final push I needed to sever all ties.

The days that followed were blissfully quiet. Taking my mother’s advice, I focused on healing. On bright mornings, I would cradle Aurora on the balcony, letting the golden sunlight bathe us both. And then, one afternoon, as the warmth seeped into my skin, inspiration struck.

I would name her Aurora—after the dawn, after the first light that breaks through the darkness.

Aurora Caldwell.

I wanted her to be like the sunrise—gentle yet unyielding, a promise of new beginnings.

"Aurora," I murmured, testing the name on my lips before turning to my mother.

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she cradled Aurora close. "Oh, my little dawn," she whispered, pressing a kiss to the baby’s forehead. "May you always light up your mother’s world."

I caught the way she discreetly wiped her cheek, her worry for me never far from the surface.

"Mom," I said softly, reaching for her hand. "I’m okay now. When I first found out about Ethan’s betrayal, it felt like the ground had vanished beneath me. I couldn’t breathe. I spent nights drowning in guilt, wondering what I’d done wrong." I exhaled, the weight lifting as I spoke. "But it wasn’t me. Some people are just… hollow. No matter what they have, it’s never enough."

A small, bitter laugh escaped me. "I used to think Ethan was different. But the truth is, he was only faithful because he never had the chance to stray. Once success came, so did the temptation." I glanced down at Aurora, her tiny fingers curling around mine. "At least I found out now, while she’s too young to remember any of this."

Standing, I pulled both my mother and Aurora into a tight embrace. "With you two here," I whispered, "every day feels like a gift."

The next morning, the divorce papers arrived. Ethan had amended the settlement—giving me every property we owned.

Without hesitation, I signed my name.