“With your looks,you must have tons of girls chasing you.How come you haven’t dated anyone?”
Daniel interjected.“If Steven doesn’t want a girlfriend,just drop it.Quit acting like a meddling matchmaker who thinks everyone has to be hitched to be happy.”
I ribbed him,“What kind of best friend are you?You’re the same age,yet you’ve got a wife and kid while you let Steven stay single?”

“Fine,I’ll stop.Honey,I haven’t seen you in days—I miss you so much.You’d better make it up to me tonight.”I said,batting my eyelashes coquettishly.
Daniel,looking flustered,replied,“There’s a guest here.What are you saying?Besides,you’re pregnant.We can’t…”
I noticed Steven’s face cloud over and I quickly changed the subject.
I just wanted to rile Steven up,and since I’d succeeded,I backed off.
It wasn’t time to tear things apart yet.
The next day,my mother-in-law called,eager to hear about my pregnancy.

Her shrill voice booming through the phone.“Emily,how could you not tell me about something as big as a pregnancy?Daniel was away—you should’ve called me to come stay with you.If I’d known sooner,I’d have been over the moon!”
If I’d told you earlier,you’d be thrilled,but I wouldn’t,I thought.
Like most in-law relationships,mine with Daniel's mother was lukewarm at best.She was traditional,petty,feudal,and stingy.We only got along because we didn’t live together.
She rambled on.“I’ve already made plans.After you give birth,send the baby to me.I’ll raise them plump and healthy.That way,it won’t disrupt your couple time,and you can start working on the next one right away.Don’t worry,I can handle as many grandkids as you have.”

Daniel chimed in.“Mom,won’t that be too much for you?”
“Too much?I’m thrilled to take care of my grandbaby!”
I scoffed internally.If you love kids so much,why not have another yourself instead of making your son ruin someone else’s life?
Another kid?They clearly wanted to exploit me until I was spent.
After hanging up,Daniel asked,“Mom wants to raise the baby at her place.What do you think?”
Having been reborn,I saw right through his intentions.If he divorced me right after the birth,I’d likely get custody.But if his mom raised the child,he’d have a strong chance at custody later.
He was planning far ahead.Too bad his life wouldn’t last until the baby was born.
Empty promises?I could play that game.
“Mom’s so thoughtful—I’m really happy about it and have no objections. Besides, I’d love more couple time with you.”
Daniel visibly relaxed, relieved by my response.
I wanted to keep this baby.Daniel was good-looking,intelligent,and had great genes—essentially a free, high - quality sperm donor. Why pass up such an opportunity?
But to survive,I first had to deal with Steven,the real threat.
To stop him from taking my child,I saw two options:make him give up on Daniel or make him disappear.
Illegal acts were off the table,so the best plan was to lure Steven away from Daniel.
I acted fast,using money to hire a vively college junior named Ethan Brooks to approach Steven.
Ethan,a striking young man,reminded me of a childhood celebrity crush.Worried about filters,I asked for an unedited photo.
He was indeed extremely attractive—too bad he only liked men,or he’d have women falling at his feet.
I offered Ethan$50,000 upon success,tasking him with making Steven fall for him and breaking up Steven and his lover.I gave him three months and a$10,000 deposit.
Ethan confidently claimed he’d succeed in just one month.
I couldn’t reveal my true identity,and fortunately,he didn’t mind being a“homewrecker.”
Ethan’s confidence gave me hope.Who could resist a charming twenty-something?
A month later,Ethan reported progress,but with an unexpected twist.
“Sis,that Steven’s a tough customer.A helpless romantic,totally loyal to his boyfriend.I tried everything,and he didn’t even flinch.”
Confused,I asked,“Didn’t you say it was almost done?”
“You wanted to split Steven and his lover,right?I couldn’t crack Steven,but I’ve already won over his boyfriend.”
He sent me a photo.