Made Me Carry Their Child Without My Knowledge, I Retaliated

Sabrina's POV

I was changing my baby’s diaper when my husband’s female friend, Barbara Cress, suddenly smacked him playfully on the rear and laughed, “Phyll Higgins, this really is your kid. He’s even got the same little mole down there!”

My hands instantly froze. For a second, I wondered if I’d misheard her.

How could she know what was on my husband’s private parts?

But as if afraid I hadn’t caught it the first time, she leaned in with a grin and explained, “I only noticed it the night you gave birth, when Phyll and I took a bath together. I thought it was dirt at first, so I scrubbed him half to death before realizing it wouldn’t come off. Hahaha.”

Then, with a teasing smile, she added, “Don't worry. We’re just like brothers, only helping each other scrub down. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have even gotten the chance to be the one carrying his baby.”

——

As the room went still, Phyll pinched her cheek with a helpless sigh.

“You still have the nerve to bring that up? You almost rubbed my skin raw.”

Barbara turned and bit his wrist playfully, then laughed, “Phyll, next time I’ll go even harder on you.”

Everyone else burst into laughter, then one of them leaned toward me and explained, “Sabrina, don’t take it the wrong way. Barbara’s been like one of the guys since we were kids. She's always hanging out in the bathhouse with us, joking around. Friends know each other’s bodies inside out. Totally normal.”

Normal? I’d heard this same excuse too many times, and I was already sick of it.

Again, a wave of disgust and humiliation swelled inside me.

Without thinking, I grabbed the dirty diaper in my hand and slapped it right across Barbara’s face.

By the time she realized what had happened, her face and lips were smeared with fresh yellow stains.

She shrieked and bolted for the bathroom, while Phyll yanked me hard by the arm.

“Sabrina! What the hell’s gotten into you?!”

He shot me a vicious glare before rushing after her.

Yet I just shrugged and gave a mocking smile.

“What? Brothers know each other’s bodies, right? Then surely, being familiar with his son’s diaper smell is even more natural. Don’t you agree?”

After that, the room fell silent, and none of them dared to answer.

I then glanced toward the bathroom, and a heaviness pressed against my chest.

Phyll was inside, gently wiping Barbara’s face, his expression filled not with disgust, but with concern and care.

Yet during my postpartum bleeding, he wouldn’t even hand me a pad. He’d just toss it from two meters away, afraid to come near.

Now, Barbara let him tend to her like she was a fragile crystal, glaring at me with watery eyes.

“Sabrina, I already told you, there’s nothing going on between us. Why’d you have to do that? I’m a clean freak! How am I supposed to eat now? I’m sick to my stomach thanks to you!”

I blinked innocently and replied, “Oh, really? You can put your mouth on Phyll when he hasn’t showered, but one diaper’s too much for you? I thought you liked dirty things. Guess your ‘clean freak’ rules depend on who it’s with.”

“Enough!” Phyll snapped, his voice sharp with anger. “Sabrina, you’ve crossed the line. Barbara was retching just now; she even threw up bile. Do you have any idea how bad that is for her body? Apologize right now!”

Apologize?

She flirted with my husband under my roof, and I was the one who should apologize?

My gaze shifted to the wall where a chart hung.

Phyll once asked me what it was, but I never told him.

In the four years we’ve been married, every time he fought with me because of Barbara, I marked a box. Without even realizing it, I’d filled ninetynine.

And tonight was the hundredth. The sheet was full.

And so was I with this marriage.

Yet, still calm, I excused myself, “I’m tired. You all can see yourselves out.”

Their faces immediately soured, and someone grumbled, “Seriously? We’ve only been here twenty minutes, and you’re kicking us out already? What, is it because we didn’t bring gifts? We friends never bothered with shallow formalities like that.”

Sabrina's POV

Phyll’s face also darkened as he glared at me.

“Sabrina, everyone came here out of kindness to see you and the baby. You didn’t even bother to make a meal, and now you’re kicking them out? Are you trying to embarrass me? Barbara would never act like this. That’s why she’ll always be a real friend to me…”

The word "friend" snapped something inside me.

Without thinking, I grabbed a glass of water and hurled it at his feet, shouting, “Get out! Both of you!”

It was the first time I’d ever raised my voice like that, so the room instantly went silent.

Barbara, however, only rolled her eyes before smiling sweetly and clinging to Phyll’s arm.

“Forget it. If Sabrina doesn’t want to cook, then she doesn’t have to. Let’s just eat out.”

She tilted her head at me, still pretending innocence, and added, “Honestly, Sabrina, Phyll and I are just like ironclad friends. We’ve been bathing together and scrubbing each other’s backs since we were kids. It has become a habit for us. Nothing else. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been the one to give him a child.”

Then she tugged on Phyll’s sleeve. “Come on, let’s go. Give her time to cool down. I heard women get all loose after childbirth, and when their emotions run high, they might even wet themselves. Don’t make her any angrier.”

She smirked and added loudly enough for everyone to hear, “If she ends up peeing her pants again, how can I even get to eat? I don’t wanna starve tonight!”

The room erupted in laughter as everyone crowded around Phyll and Barbara, ushering them out the door.

I must’ve been more upset than I realized, because not long after, a sharp pain stabbed my chest and a fever swept over me.

Soon, my phone rang, and it was Phyll. His tone was softer now, maybe because he remembered I hadn’t eaten yet.

“Babe, what do you feel like eating? I’ll bring something back for you later.”

I gritted my teeth against the pain and answered weakly, “I think I’ve got mastitis. Could you take me to the hospital? Or at least come home to watch the baby so I can go myself—”

But before I could finish, his temper snapped.

“Sabrina, will you quit it already? Barbara lost her appetite thanks to you. I had to feed her myself just so she’d eat a few bites. And now you’re faking sick just to trick me into coming home?”

His voice even grew colder as he added, “You, married women, are all the same—paranoid and suspicious. What, just because I’ve got a wife, I’m supposed to give up my friends? If Barbara and I really wanted something more, do you think you’d even matter? You’re ridiculous.”

And with that, he hung up on me.

I let out a bitter laugh and was about to call an ambulance when my phone rang again. This time, it was my brother, sounding cheerful.

“Sabrina, guess what? I’ll be back in the country tomorrow. Surprise! How are things with you and Phyll?”

I caught a glimpse of my pale reflection in the window. Before everything went black, I whispered, “Scott… I want a divorce.”

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital.

An IV was hooked into my arm, and my son was sleeping quietly beside me.

Phyll rushed in with a smile, acting as if nothing had happened.

“Babe, you’re awake! The neighbors told me you were taken away in an ambulance this morning. I nearly panicked to death! I bought your favorite crab rangoon. Hurry, eat them while they’re hot. See? Your husband’s always looking out for you.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

When I was brought here last night, I’d already been burning up with dehydration. If my brother hadn’t noticed something wrong in my voice and called the ambulance for me, I didn’t even know what would’ve happened.

The hospital had called Phyll over and over again throughout the night, but he never picked up.

Meanwhile, Barbara had been busy updating her social media with photos of Phyll feeding her dinner, the two of them drinking from the same glass, and even dancing closely like lovers.

I lifted my head and said flatly, “Phyll, haven’t I told you more than once I’m allergic to crab?”

He froze, caught off guard, then fumbled for an excuse.

“Babe, I didn’t mean to. I just—”

“You just forgot,” I cut him off. My voice was calm, but sharp. “Because it’s not important to you. Right?”

Sabrina's POV

I let out a bitter laugh and added, “Of course. Those crab rangoons aren’t for me because they’re Barbara’s favorite. To you, she’s always the one that matters most.”

My voice grew colder as I went on.

Not letting him interrupt, I quickly added, “We’ve been married for four years, Phyll. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve had to clean up the messes you two created? You can spoil her all you want, but I’m done covering for you. Let’s get a divorce.”

In that instant, anger flashed in Phyll’s eyes.

“Sabrina, you’re really making a big deal out of nothing. So I forgot you were allergic to crab. Why drag up the past?”

He raised his voice, his tone full of accusation. “Yeah, I didn’t get to pick up the phone last night, but you’re already an adult. Can’t you manage your own emotions? Now, they had to put you on antibiotics, which means the baby can’t have breast milk. Barbara said breastfeeding is the healthiest. And here you are, ruining his health. I’m not even blaming you for that, so how dare you talk divorce with me?!”

Before I could reply, the hospital room door swung open.

Barbara burst in, threw herself into Phyll’s arms, and tugged at his ear with a pouty grin.

“Well, there you are, Phyll! We’ve been looking for you everywhere. Did you forget today’s our twentieth anniversary of knowing each other? Everyone’s waiting downstairs for you!”

Phyll immediately wrapped his arms around her, and in a soft and indulgent tone, he replied, “Relax. When have I ever forgotten our anniversary?”

Then he shot me a cold glance and said, “As for what you just said, I'll pretend I didn’t hear a thing. I’ve got other things to do. Take this time to calm yourself down.”

But before he could walk away, I grabbed his sleeve, staring straight into his eyes.

“Phyll, I’m still hooked up to an IV. You’re really going to leave me here alone with our baby?”

Barbara rolled her eyes and stuck out her lip. “So what if you had a baby? Is it a big deal? Women are always such a headache. Phyll, if you dare ditch me tonight, then I'll cut you off forever. Our friendship is over!”

With that threat, Phyll shoved me away impatiently and spat, “Your left hand’s on an IV, but your right hand works just fine. And isn’t it always the mother who looks after the child? Why are you acting so spoiled?”

Without another glance at me, he carried Barbara toward the door, bellowing, "You dare threaten to cut me off, huh? Seems like someone needs a spanking."

She giggled, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “Threatening to spank me now? Go ahead if you’ve got the guts! But hold me tighter, my pants are slipping!”

Phyll smirked as he patted her backside. “Then let them slip. The sound will be even better that way.”

The other patients in the ward stared at me, some with pity, others with ridicule, like I was nothing more than a joke.

Not long after, my brother arrived with a housekeeper from abroad in tow.

He handed my baby to the nanny and exploded in fury. “So this is how Phyll takes care of his wife? That bastard’s supposed to be some bigshot CEO, yet he won’t even hire you a nanny?”

I had mentioned it before, hiring help. But Phyll refused, saying you could never trust outsiders. Moreover, the one we might get might just dillydally. So instead, he promised he’d take care of me himself.

But from pregnancy up until now, nearly three months since the baby was born, he hadn’t changed a single diaper. He was too busy fooling around with Barbara and their friends.

Seeing me stay quiet, my brother’s eyes softened with pain.

“Sabrina, no matter what you decide, I’ll support you. Look at you, you’ve wasted away.”

He then tried to cheer me up with a smile. “Perfect timing, too. The new mall I invested in the neighboring city just opened today. Once your IV is done, let’s go eat something good. My treat.”

Sabrina's POV

The moment we stepped into the mall, I spotted Phyll not too far ahead, standing inside a lingerie boutique. One arm was wrapped around Barbara, while the other helped her pick out lingerie.

Their friends crowded around, teasing, “I remember back in college, Barbara was flat as a board. But look at her now! I heard it’s all thanks to Phyll.”

“Phyll, huh? Didn’t know your skills were that good,” the other friend chimed in.

Barbara laughed behind her hand, giving the speaker a playful glare. “Don’t talk nonsense. Careful, or his old hag at home will feed you diapers as well.”

Everyone snickered with open disdain.

“Let her hear, who cares? If it weren’t for Phyll, I would’ve told her off already. That orphan with no parents isn’t even worthy of him.”

“Exactly. And she keeps bragging about saving one of Phyll’s projects. As if he needed her help. He’s got powerful backers behind him. She’s just full of herself, always trying to act touched by her own little gestures.”

“Right. Before she showed up, our group was so much more relaxed. Luckily, Phyll didn’t drag her along today. Honestly, dude, why don’t you just dump her already? Stick with Barbara instead. Keep it in the family, if you know what I mean.”

“Though,” one added, “I did hear Sabrina once say she’s got a brother overseas doing business. Didn’t mention what kind, though.”

Barbara clung tighter to Phyll’s arm, her tone dripping with mockery. “Women love to brag. These days, even a dishwasher calls himself a restaurant owner. Who knows, maybe her brother’s just a professional trash picker. Foreign Beggar’s Association chairman, maybe? Hahaha!”

She flipped her hair and smirked. “See, I don’t play those games. I just brag that Phyll bought me a fourmilliondollar jewelry set because it's real. And hey, don’t say I never helps you keep peace at home. Here, take these freebie earrings back to Sabrina later, like always.”

Her words hit me like a bucket of ice water.

Four years of marriage, and Phyll had never once spent a full anniversary with me.

Every time we were about to go out, Barbara would call, saying she was sick or had sprained her ankle. And Phyll would drop everything with no hesitation. Later, he’d bring me some cheap pair of earrings or a ring as “compensation.”

I told myself to be understanding since Barbara once even praised me in front of everyone, calling me generous, telling Phyll he should make it up to me.

But now I see. Even the “makeup gifts” were just her leftovers.

Barbara walked into the fitting room, and within seconds, she tossed lingerie over the curtain straight into Phyll’s face.

“Phyll, I can't put them on! Get in here and help me before I freeze!”

The others burst into laughter.

“Phyll, Barbara said earlier you’d be the one putting on every single piece she tries today. Better get in there now!”

“Knock it off,” Phyll chuckled, but his legs carried him straight into the fitting room without hesitation.

As the door swung open, I caught a glimpse of Barbara’s bare, tanned shoulders before he pulled her into his arms and quickly slammed the door, shielding her from any eyes but his.

Soon, her playful scolding drifted through the door. “Can’t even button it right. What are you sniffing for?”

“Wait, did you change perfume? That’s not what you wore yesterday.”

The friends outside whooped and hollered like it was a wedding night prank.

Even the store clerk turned beet red, probably never having seen something so shameless.

Beside me, my brother’s forehead pulsed with rage. He was ready to storm in and drag them both out, but I clutched his arm tight.

“Scott, that store’s cameras. They’ve got audio too, right?”

He gave a stiff nod.

Sabrina's POV

“Don’t worry, this is the most advanced one on the market. Not a single word will be missed,” I said as I bit down hard, trying to hold myself together, but the tears still broke free.

Phyll, I hoped you wouldn't regret everything you’d done today.

At the counter, the cashier blushed as she pulled out a raffle box.

“Good day, sir and ma'am! Today’s our grand opening. Just draw a question and answer it, and you can take home any item for free.”

Phyll didn’t care about saving a little money, but with Barbara so excited, he let her play along.

The cashier unfolded the slip and read aloud, “What are the two most touching things someone has done for you?”

Barbara’s expression softened as she looked at Phyll.

“The first one,” she said sweetly, “was the night his wife was in labor and things went wrong. I told him I felt so lonely, and within ten minutes, he dropped everything to be with me and even stayed the whole night.”

My chest tightened.

That night, I was lying in the delivery room, terrified, barely able to breathe through the pain, desperately trying to reach Phyll, but he never came.

It was the wife of one of his clients who stayed by my side, holding my hand and encouraging me through the fear.

Barbara went on, her voice brimming with emotion. “The second thing, and this touched me the most, was when I told him I wanted a baby, he forged his wife’s medical report and had our embryo implanted in her womb.”

For a moment, I couldn’t believe what I had just heard.

The others around us also froze, their faces twisted with shock, all staring at Phyll.

“Phyll… she’s talking about you, right?”

Phyll only shrugged and replied, “So what if she is?”

“Damn, Phyll, that’s… wild. But Barbara can have kids on her own, so why did you make your wife carry your child instead?”

Phyll fell silent for a moment, then sighed and ruffled Barbara’s hair with helpless affection.

“Sabrina nearly lost her life giving birth. And Barbara, despite always acting tough, is terrified of pain, terrified of dying. What kind of man would I be if I let her go through that herself?”

Aside from the cashier, who looked like she wanted to disappear, the others actually applauded him.

A buzzing filled my ears. For a fleeting moment, I wished I had died on that operating table.

At least then, I wouldn’t have to face this humiliating, ridiculous reality.

My brother’s worried face filled my vision. I forced a weak smile, but the tears slipped out anyway.

“Scott,” I choked, “how could he once kneel down and beg me, saying he wanted a child as the symbol of our love?”

The truth was, I never even wanted children. Phyll promised me the same when we married.

But later, he dropped to his knees, saying he didn’t want to disappoint his parents, saying he dreamed of holding the child born from our love.

As such, I gave in. Even when I found out about my infertility, guilt ate at me until I agreed to IVF.

I carried that child for him, vomiting until I was halfdead during pregnancy, nearly dying in childbirth, shedding handfuls of hair afterward from hormone crashes, and losing sleep night after night.

Breastfeeding also felt like my body was being torn apart, like my chest was in a shark’s jaws. The pain it brought made me break out in cold sweats.

And in the end, I was nothing but a tool, a fool who got played over and over again.

Barbara picked out a piece of lingerie, smirking triumphantly. “You know the saying, wives are like clothes, but friends are like your own limbs. Clothes can be replaced anytime, but you can’t cut off your hands and feet. I also didn’t want a stranger raising our baby, so Phyll refused to hire a nanny for Sabrina and just made her do everything herself. Now that’s a true friend.”

She twirled with a laugh, her voice dripping with arrogance. “Look at me now. I’ve got a man supporting me, I get to be a mother without the pain, don’t even have to raise the child myself, and in the future, our baby will look after me. All I have to do is stay beautiful and carefree. Honestly, life doesn’t get any better than this.”

As I felt I couldn’t listen anymore, my stomach suddenly churned until I thought I’d be sick.

Sabrina's POV

I told my brother to ask the shop owner to pack up the surveillance footage and send it to us as evidence. At the same time, we asked the nanny to drop the baby off at Phyll’s parents’ house.

“Miss, what if they refuse to take him?” the nanny asked.

Of course, they wouldn’t want him.

When I was pregnant, they made big promises, talking as if they couldn’t wait to welcome the baby. But once he was born, they stayed as far away as possible, scared that caring for him would be too much trouble.

“Then just leave him at their doorstep,” I said coldly.

Why should I be the one to raise someone else’s child?

I was done playing the fool.

My brother arranged for me to meet with a lawyer friend to discuss divorce. Since he knew I was in a bad mood, he set the meeting in a private room upstairs in a bar.

Partway through, the lawyer excused himself to the restroom. But when he came back, his expression was off.

“Mr. Bowman, what’s wrong?” my brother asked.

The lawyer hesitated, but then narrated, “Uh… Mrs. Higgins, I just passed by the next private room. I saw a man and a woman kissing, and I thought I heard your name mentioned. I can’t be sure, but I think the man might’ve been your husband.”

Even though I’d already prepared myself for this, my chest still tightened when I peeked in and saw Phyll holding Barbara, kissing her like his life depended on it.

Barbara was clearly drunk, perched on his lap with tears in her eyes.

“Phyll, why do you think I told you I wanted a child with you? Because I want to marry you, you idiot!” she cried. “I’ve loved you since we were kids, all these years. But I never dared to confess. I was afraid you’d reject me, afraid we wouldn’t even stay friends.”

She sniffled and continued, “If I’d known Sabrina would steal you away, I would’ve been braver. Phyll, I love you so much.”

Phyll’s eyes filled with pity as he listened to her, then he answered her with a kiss that dragged on for three whole minutes.

Others in the room chimed in, egging her on.

“Exactly! If Barbara had confessed earlier, that broke Sabrina wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

“Poor Barbara, and Sabrina gets to act innocent like she didn’t do anything wrong. Remember how she humiliated Barbara the other day? Phyll, you’ve got to stand up for her.”

Phyll finally pulled back, panting, his voice hoarse. “And how exactly should I stand up for her?”

“Tomorrow’s your son’s threemonth birthday party, isn’t it?” one of them said. “Don’t show up. Let Sabrina deal with the guests and the baby on her own. See if it doesn’t break her.”

Another added with a laugh, “Not just that. You and Barbara should spend the whole day in a private room next door, just to rub it in.”

Barbara’s face flushed. “I’d like that. I’ll even wear that lingerie tomorrow, just for you. I promise, it’ll be better than Sabrina, who’s already had a kid.”

Phyll was quiet for a moment, then chuckled. “Maybe it’s time Sabrina learned a lesson. She acts like she’s done me a favor just because she gave birth, always picking fights. Let her sweat a little.”

Little did they know, I stood outside the door, recording every word.

When I showed the video to my brother, his face turned red with rage. He slammed the table and roared, “Over my dead body! Damn if I’ll throw a party for that bastard’s child. Sabrina, tomorrow we’re not going anywhere.”

“No,” I said with a smirk. “We’re going. They want excitement? Fine. I’ll make sure they get all the excitement they can handle in front of everyone.”

The next day, I stepped into the reserved event room.

My motherinlaw immediately stormed over with the baby in her arms, glaring at me. “Sabrina, why did you shove my grandson onto some stranger yesterday? Were you trying to force us into babysitting for you?”

Brows knitted, she continued, “And where’s Phyll? Don’t tell me you threw another jealous fit about him and Barbara and drove him away. They grew up together, running around without a stitch of clothing. What they have is pure friendship. You’re the only one making a fuss every day.”

Then she shot her brow upward and spat, “Don’t think you’re some queen just because you had a child. Our family doesn’t spoil mothers that way. Call Phyll right now, apologize to him, and take care of your own kid. Otherwise, I’ll make sure my son divorces you.”

The other relatives and friends all nodded in agreement.

I smiled and said, “Alright, I guess I really did misunderstand them. But making a phone call to apologize is not very sincere. It’s better to do it facetoface.”

With that, I pressed the tiny remote in my hand.

The wall between the two private rooms slowly slid open, revealing Phyll tangled up with Barbara on the sofa, both completely naked.

“Well, well,” I drawled, “so this is your version of pure, innocent friendship? Real close and no distance at all.”