They were still arguing when the door swung open—and in walked Desmond, hand in hand with Daniella.
Like a couple with nothing to hide. Like they belonged together.
"Wow! My son and my potential daughter-in-law are here already! They look like a perfect match from heaven." Desmond's mother stepped forward and embraced her son.
"Desmond!" Anabel called. "How can you cheat on me?"
He turned his attention to Anabel. "I don't understand. What are you talking about?"
"Do you want to deny it? Don't even try to. I called you this afternoon to share some good news with you, only to find out that you are cheating on me. I guess the husband snatcher picked up the call and left it so I could listen to her sick moans."
"I've warned you to desist from calling my potential daughter-in-law a husband snatcher!" Desmond's mother intervened. "What good news do you have for him other than telling him that you found another sex style that will make you pregnant?"
"Son." She turned to Desmond. "You don't have to be hiding it from her. You are doing the right thing. Daniella is perfect for you. You two look good together."
"I'm still waiting for my answer, Desmond." Anabel alerted, eyes fixed on him.
In that moment, nothing else mattered.
Not Bella’s gloating smile.
Not Daniella’s hand still wrapped in his.
All the noise faded.
She only needed one thing—his answer.
If he looked her in the eye and told her he still loved her, she would forget it all.
Erase every wound. Pretend none of it ever happened.
Just one word from him—and she’d stay.
"Why are you disturbing me?" Desmond snapped, his face devoid of guilt.
"Even if I cheated, it’s not my fault. For two years, you haven’t given me a child. Not even a miscarriage." The words hit like a slap.
Anabel stared at him, breath caught in her throat. Just like that—he’d said it.
No remorse. No hesitation.
He had just shattered everything she was clinging to.
Her voice trembled as she whispered, "How is that all my fault…? I’m—" Her throat tightened. "I’m perfectly fine, Desmond..."
"Oh! It's my son's fault? Is that what you are trying to say? You mean my son is impotent?" Desmond’s mother cut in, her voice sharp enough to slice through glass.
"I didn't say that..."
"Anyway, even if it's what she means." Daniella’s voice cut through the tension, light and effortless. "I have evidence to prove that Desmond is perfectly okay. Yesterday, I got my test result. I'm 2 months pregnant for Desmond."
"Wow! This is such a great news! You are pregnant with my son's child?!!" Mrs. Elizabeth’s tone shifted instantly, her cold glare melting into something almost... proud.
The same woman who just moments ago spat venom at Anabel now wore a wide grin.
"You didn’t tell me," Desmond said, turning toward Daniella, his voice soft and full of joy—wrapped in an endless tenderness only she could evoke.
"I want it to be a surprise, and I think that this is the right time. To prove that you are a real man." She dipped her hand in her handbag and pulled out the test result. "Here is the test result."
"Wow! This is great! I'm going to be a father!!!" Desmond scooped her up, spinning her around like they were the only two people in the world.
"Yes, very soon. " Daniella asked, wrapping her arms around his neck as she leaned in.
“Do you want a boy or a girl?”
"Any gender. I don't care if it's a boy or a girl. What matters is that you are pregnant and I'm going to be a father soon," Desmond replied and gave her another hug.
"Now! I think it's time for you to sign the divorce letter. It's now obvious that you are not the barren one." Mrs. Elizabeth turned to Desmond. As she spoke, Anabel could feel her sideways glance—sharp, dismissive, laced with silent accusation. Like a final verdict delivered without mercy.
"I think now you can finally make up your mind and divorce her for good. You’ve confirmed she’s barren. You’ve wasted your money and strength on her. Enough charity—no more supporting someone useless. Divorce her. Immediately."
Mrs. Elizabeth took a step closer, her heels clicking sharply against the floor like a gavel striking judgment.
Her eyes never left Desmond’s face—narrowed, expectant, commanding.
"What if I'm pregnant?" Anabel countered, and the room went silent, then Bella burst out in laughter.
“You? Pregnant? Please.” Bella scoffed, stepping forward.
“So Daniella’s pregnant, and now suddenly you want to claim the same? Brother, don’t fall for it. She’s lying—obviously.”
"You pathetic liar," Mrs. Elizabeth sneered at her. "For two whole years, you were never pregnant. Not once. And now—miraculously—you’re expecting?”
She narrowed her eyes, leaning forward slightly. “Do you think we’re fools?”
"But I'm telling the truth. That is the good news I was talking about."
"Anabel, Why are you lying?" Daniella spoke up. "I know you don't want to lose Desmond because of his money, but it shouldn't make you lie. Just accept the fact that you are barren. You cannot be pregnant."
"How could you? You think I will fall for your cheap lies?" Desmond asked.
"I'm not lying. I'm with the test result." She picked it out of her handbag and stretched out her hand to give it to Desmond, and Daniella snatched it from her.
She scanned through it and shook her head in disgust. “This must be fake,” she said coldly. “I won’t let Desmond fall for this pathetic trick.”
Without hesitation, she tore the test result into pieces—quick, brutal—and let the scraps flutter through the air, landing at Anabel’s feet.
Anabel stared at the torn pieces, her gaze lingering on them for a moment—too drained, too defeated to even consider picking them up.
"Just shut up, Anabel!" Desmond cautioned her. "I can't believe you can do this. So you have become so desperate to the point of forging a fake pregnancy report?!"
“You all have to believe me. The test result is not fake.” No matter how weak and futile her words sounded in front of these four, Anabel still fought to defend herself—and her child.
Her baby was real, and it wasn’t fake. It was hers, and no one could take that away from her by any means.
"Desmond, Will you stand there and listen to this pathetic liar? I can't stand this foolish woman who keeps trying to fool us anymore. This is the perfect time to divorce her. Daniella is the perfect wife for you. Look at her—she’s carrying your child!"
"What if the child she's carrying is not his own?" Anabel questioned, and Desmond turned to her in anger.
"How dare you!" Desmond slapped her hard across the face, and she lost balance and fell on the floor. "How can you accuse my future wife of infidelity? I can tolerate any other thing but not this."
"Can you stop this drama?" Mrs. Elizabeth snapped, her impatience clear. "I can't wait any longer, my son."
"I don't think it's good. Let her stay. She doesn't have anywhere to go." Desmond replied.
"What are you saying?"
"Let her stay. She will be good as a house help." The word pierced into Anabel like an arrow. She couldn't believe he just called her a maid.
Daniella frowned and held his arm. "But I don't need a maid. She can poison me out of jealousy. You know she's angry you are bringing me in.”
"Don't say that about her." Desmond cautioned her. "Anabel is not like that."
"Are you defending Anabel?" Bella asked, "Daniella is right. Send Anabel away. She's a parasite."
"Anabel, get back to the room. We will talk later." Desmond said, and Anabel hesitated before leaving. She knew she was free to go back to her father's house, but she didn't want to lose Desmond, even after the humiliations.
"So you are going to let her stay?" Daniella asked just as Anabel went out of view.
"She's still my wife. I can't let her go. She will be here, helping us with house chores since she's very good at it. Anabel won't harm you, but if you are afraid she will poison you, then be in charge of cooking." He said and left to meet Anabel.