The Sterile Secret, Exposing My Husband's Scandal

My pregnant sister-in-law became a widow overnight, so my husband brought her into our home to take care of her.

My usually stingy parents-in-law treated her like royalty, giving her everything she asked for.

When I returned from a business trip, I found her lying in my husband's bed.

She looked me in the eye and claimed the child in her belly belonged to him.

My mother-in-law even tried to persuade me to accept it for the sake of the family legacy, telling me I should be more "generous" since she's a pregnant woman.

I just gave them a cold smile. "Mother, did you forget? Your son is actually sterile."

My husband's older brother, Dave, tragically died in a car accident, leaving Naomi all alone.

She happened to be pregnant at the time. A woman losing her husband while carrying a child is a tough situation for anyone.

My husband's family discussed it and decided to move Naomi into our house to look after her.

When Naomi first arrived, she wore a beautiful, flowing chiffon dress.

Her long hair was draped over her shoulders, giving her a soft, fragile look.

She didn't look like a struggling pregnant woman at all. In fact, she was glowing.

My mother-in-law, Mrs. Miller, cleaned the master guest room until it was spotless.

She filled it with the best linens and supplies for Naomi.

"Just focus on the baby, dear. Tell us if you need anything at all," Mrs. Miller said warmly, holding Naomi's hand with genuine affection.

"Thank you, Mom," Naomi replied with a gentle smile, though her eyes flickered toward me.

I studied her. She had an incredible aura, but she didn't act like someone grieving a husband.

Her gaze toward me wasn't friendly. I could read the message in her eyes clearly: This house isn't big enough for two queens.

With two daughters-in-law under one roof, Naomi clearly saw me as her competition.

"Mom, is there any dinner left?" I asked.

Work had been insane lately, and I usually didn't get home until late in the evening.

"We already finished. Just heat something up for yourself," Mrs. Miller called out from the living room, clearly not wanting to be bothered.

I didn't care much. I was in the middle of a career peak and didn't have the energy for petty drama.

"Mom, is there anything to eat?" Naomi asked with a yawn, stepping out of her room in a silk robe.

"Of course! Naomi, you go back and rest. I'll get up and cook whatever you're craving," Mrs. Miller said, scrambling to put her shoes on.

Naomi gave me a provocative look and a smirk that said it all.

I just raised an eyebrow and ignored her.

I went into the kitchen and made myself a simple cup of instant ramen.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Miller cooked several gourmet dishes for Naomi, who only took a few tiny bites.

"Mom, you're the best," Naomi said with a grateful smile.

"Lynn, I'm sorry. A pregnant woman needs her nutrition. Do you want to join me?" Naomi asked with fake kindness, her eyes sparkling with triumph.

"No thanks. You enjoy," I said, cleaning my bowl without another word.

Mrs. Miller seemed to feel a slight pang of guilt. "Your sister-in-law is eating for two, Lynn. She needs the strength."

I looked at the two of them, finding the whole scene hilarious. "I get it, Mom."

I finished cleaning up and went to my room, only to find my vanity had been messed with.

Every single one of my high-end skincare bottles had been opened. Most were half-empty.

My expensive facial essence was down to a tiny splash at the bottom.

"Mom, did someone go into my room?" I called out.

"No one," Mrs. Miller shouted back from the kitchen.

Naomi walked out of her room then. She was wearing my designer trench coat and looked incredibly smug.

I could smell my favorite perfume clinging to her. "Mom, I'm heading out to see some friends."

She winked at me, flipped her hair, and strutted out the door.

"Mom, that's my coat Naomi is wearing," I said, my face darkening.

"She probably just grabbed the wrong one from the laundry. She's pregnant, Lynn. Give her a break."

"Just be the bigger person. We need peace in this family," Mrs. Miller repeated, her favorite catchphrase.

Naomi seemed to love showing off her charms in my house.

One night, I went to the kitchen for water and saw her wandering the living room in a tiny slip dress.

Her curves were on full display. When she saw me looking, she just huffed and slammed her door.

There were two grown men in this house, but she acted like it was a private runway.

She also started showing an unusual amount of interest in my husband, Justin.

Sometimes she'd make him special tea or peel an apple for him with a sweet smile.

She acted more like a devoted wife than I did.

Justin didn't see the problem. To him, it was just family looking out for each other.

But Naomi would look at me with such malice.

I knew exactly what she wanted. She wanted my husband.

She began leaving little traces of herself on Justin's things.

Once, while Justin and I were in our room, she knocked to deliver some "freshly laundered" shirts.

The shirts were folded perfectly, but she had tucked one of her lace bras right in the middle of them.

Justin and I went on a short business trip. I came home a few hours early and found Naomi sleeping in our bed.

"Oh, I had such a headache. I didn't mean to fall asleep here. Sorry, Lynn," she said, her apology sounding completely fake.

Her tone was dripping with defiance.

"Lynn she didn't mean it. You have to understand her situation," Mrs. Miller chimed in immediately.

"She's pregnant and going through a lot. As the daughter-in-law of this house, you need to be generous."

There it was again. "Be generous. Be the bigger person."

I snapped, "I heard you the first time." My cold stare made Mrs. Miller flinch.

She scurried away but came back a moment later with a few crumpled bills.

"Naomi accidentally ruined some of your clothes. They probably got stretched out. Here, go buy something new."

I looked at the two hundred dollars in her hand and almost laughed. That wouldn't even cover the perfume Naomi stole.

Naomi's eyes were full of smug satisfaction.

I just smiled back. It didn't matter.

I mentally added the cost of the ruined items to a list I'd give Justin later for reimbursement.

Everything had a price.

The truth was, Justin and I were in a marriage of convenience.

I grew up in a family that valued sons over daughters. They had massive debts.

Debt collectors used to harass me, even threatening to cut off my brother's fingers if I didn't pay.

My parents decided to sell me off, basically.

Justin, on the other hand, was being pressured by his family to settle down.

We were negotiators for rival companies and met during a deal.

Justin's family was wealthy enough, and we realized we could help each other.

I told my parents I'd give them my entire dowry to pay off their debts.

But the condition was that they had to sign a legal document cutting all ties with me.

They hadn't raised me with any love anyway. This marriage was my way out.

So, Justin and I had a big wedding, but we secretly signed a private agreement.

We both got what we wanted.

I got my freedom from my toxic family.

He got to maintain the illusion of a happy family for his parents.

His parents were constantly on the verge of divorce, and he thought a stable son would keep them together.

I sighed as I sat on the couch. "What's wrong?" Justin asked, coming home in his casual clothes.

To be fair, Justin was a great guy. He was handsome, kind, and very generous.

But he had a secret: Justin was sterile.

It was a dealbreaker for most women in traditional families.

His parents were desperate for a grandchild to fix their broken marriage.

"Your sister-in-law is acting out. She's ruined my makeup and my clothes," I told him.

"I've heard pregnancy hormones make people unpredictable. Just hang in there a bit longer," Justin said softly.

"Once the baby is born, my parents will have something to focus on, and our contract will be over."

"Take this and buy yourself some new things. Sorry for the trouble," he said, transferring a large sum of money to my account.

I grinned at the notification. "Well, she is pregnant. I should definitely be the bigger person."

Justin paid very well for my cooperation.

Our relationship was strictly professional, a business partnership where we played a role for his family.

My side of the drama was over, but Justin still needed me for now.

But with Naomi's baby on the way, things were changing.

A baby would do more to keep his parents together than our fake marriage ever could.

We planned to end the contract as soon as the baby arrived.

However, I noticed a faint lipstick stain on his collar.

Thinking about Naomi's recent moves on him, I kept my mouth shut.

We were a couple on paper, but we lived separate lives.

I knew Justin had a girlfriend on the side. I didn't care. I wondered if Naomi would.

Once Naomi delivered the "family heir," I could walk away with my pockets full.

Justin's infertility was a secret only the two of us shared.

Naomi's baby was the only way the Miller bloodline would continue, making it incredibly precious.

I didn't mind letting her have her way for a few more months.

But seeing that I wasn't reacting to her provocations, Naomi started pushing even harder.