Page 3 of The real heiress secretly conceived my husband’s child

Robert sighed and echoed Maria's words. In their view, Anna had already paid a terrible price, and I shouldn't be so petty about it.

So I deserved to nearly lose my life?

I lowered my eyes, expressing my displeasure through silence.

Weston sensed my thoughts and showed me a cold expression for the first time.

He said, "Harper, Maria's getting older, don't be angry with her. It's been six years since what happened. You were the one who took Anna's place from the beginning, enjoying over twenty years of a life that wasn't yours. You shouldn't blame Maria. After all, blood ties create deep emotional bonds.

"No matter what, a mother can never let go of her love for her child. What's more, Robert and Maria owed Anna from the start.

"Didn't we prepare that suburban villa for Anna back then? I'll take Robert and Maria to see it this weekend as another way to honor her memory. If you don't want to go, you don't have to, okay?"

Though Weston's tone sounded like he was asking for my opinion, it carried an undeniable firmness. I looked up at the three people around the table. Weston's face was dark, and while Robert and Maria said nothing, the heavy atmosphere they radiated revealed their thoughts. Their expressions seemed to say that if I didn't agree, I'd be an unforgivable villain.

I answered calmly and obediently, "Sure. You should go. Anna was Mom and Dad's biological daughter, after all. As for what happened back then, I bear some responsibility too. It's right that you make this trip."

Seeing my agreement, Weston immediately brightened up.

He said, "I knew my wife was the most gentle and kind-hearted. Don't worry, I'll make sure to prepare all your favorite foods first before going out with Robert and Maria."

Maria wiped her tears with one hand while hugging me with the other.

She said, "Harper has been kind since childhood. I thank you on Anna's behalf. We failed Anna as parents."

Maria's burning tears fell into the hollow of my neck. I trembled, burying my head in Maria's embrace, my whole body going numb.

They had wronged Anna, so they'd been brainwashing me for these six years. Now I almost believed that Anna stabbing me with a knife was justified.

In my subconscious, I actually felt like I owed her, which was why she stabbed me.

But the hospital mix-up wasn't my choice. It wasn't my sin. My biological parents, Daniel Gomez and Mia Gomez, hadn't intentionally switched children either.

I had indeed enjoyed over twenty years of a life that wasn't mine. If Anna had wanted, I could have left the Anderson family at any time. I never wanted to compete with anyone for anything. What exactly had I done wrong to deserve their manipulation?

A sharp pain shot through my chest, and I couldn't help but dry heave before rushing to the bathroom. Weston followed closely behind, frightened, patting my back.

He asked, "What's wrong? Didn't you just have a checkup today? What did the doctor say? Is there something wrong with your stomach? You really need to get treatment if you're sickdon't put it off."

Weston's tone was gentle and caring. I couldn't help wondering, "Is he worried about my discomfort, or afraid I might be pregnant?"

Suppressing the uneasiness in my heart, I clung to Weston's arm playfully.

I said, "Weston, I'm pregnant.

"You're going to be a father soon. The doctor said it's a blessing that I could conceive. Are you happy? We're finally going to have a child of our own."

Weston's smile instantly froze on his face. He stared at my expression, searching for any trace of a joke, but found nothing.

He said, "Harper, don't joke around. You can't joke about something like this. Didn't the doctor say your body wasn't suitable for pregnancy?"

Weston's voice trembled, his eyes filled with panic. This was my husband.

I smiled and said, "I'm not joking. Aren't you happy?"

Holding onto my last bit of hope, I waited for his answer. Weston composed his panicked expression and looked at me seriously.

He said, "Honey, the doctor already said your current physical condition isn't suitable for having children. You should get an abortion. If something happens to you, what would I do?"

His "Honey" made me feel sick to my stomachI nearly threw up.

I asked, "What if I don't want to?"

Weston didn't even blink before deciding to kill my child. I suddenly thought that maybe losing my fertility was actually lucky for me. At least my child wouldn't have to be born into such a terrible family.

Weston said, "Honey, I..."

I smiled and cut him off, burying my head in his chest. "I was just kidding. The doctor said I can't have children. Honey, thank you for staying with me all these Christmases."

In my heart, I thought: "And thank you for all the terrible things you've done to me these Christmases."

The weekend came quickly. Weston got up early, kissed my cheek, then made me lunch as fast as he could.

Then he whispered to me, "Harper, I'm taking Robert and Maria out. Stay safe at home. If anything happens, you must tell me."

I nodded. Then I opened my phone while tears streamed down my face.

Anna was right downstairs from my house. Before Weston even woke up, I'd received a photo from Anna.

In the photo, Anna was sitting in a car.

She kept sending messages to show off: [Harper, so what if you married Weston and became his wife? I'm the one who can give him children. You don't really think they're going to the villa to remember me, do you? Don't be so naive. I've been living in that villa all these Christmases. Today is the day I'm going for my prenatal checkup.]

[I just casually mentioned wanting the whole family to come with me for the checkup, and Dad, Mom, and Weston all agreed.]

[Just like what happened six Christmases agoI just pretended to be pitiful and shed a few tears, and Dad and Mom sacrificed you to preserve my reputation. Your life is truly pathetic.]

Besides the messages, Anna also sent a bunch of photos. Over these six Christmases, Weston would always make time to travel with Anna. Sometimes they'd even bring Robert and Maria along, playing around like a family of four.

But I was such a foolI used to get happy over the little gifts Weston would casually bring me.

Endless despair left my heart numb. I closed the chat window and bought a plane ticket for tomorrow.

Given Anna's temperament, she wouldn't let Weston, Robert, and Maria come back tonight, which gave me the perfect opportunity to use the remaining time to leave this place.

At noon, after eating just a few bites of food, I started organizing evidence. I really should thank Anna. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have gotten so much evidence proving how they schemed against me.

With these things, I could not only divorce Weston without him getting a single cent, but also completely expose their true intentions before leaving.

By the time I finished everything, it was already ten at night.

Sure enough, just as I expected, Weston had no intention of coming back. He video-called me. The camera was blurry so I couldn't see the background clearly, but I could definitely sense Anna was right beside him.

But I didn't call him out on itI just smiled and promised him I'd take good care of myself.

The next day, I got up very early. Many people came to the housethey were the renovation workers I'd called. For all the things I couldn't take with me, I had them tear everything down.

As for those little trinkets Weston used to give me, I'd seen identical ones on Anna's Instagram, and mine were obviously the freebies.

I certainly didn't want things that others had discarded.

Two hours later, the renovation workers left with all the dismantled items. I took out photos of me with Weston, Robert, and Maria from all these Christmases, then pulled out a lighter and burned them all.

The fire alarm in the house went off with a piercing wail. I grabbed my suitcase and walked out the front door.

This was my final "gift" to Weston. By the time he rushed back, I'd be long gone from this city.