My Husband Bet on My Pregnancy

The warm light in the private room dazzled me, making it hard to keep my eyes open. The table was laden with exquisite dishes, and the red wine glasses shimmered with scattered reflections in the light. This party was specially organized by Freya to celebrate my pregnancy. Freya is my best friend; we've been inseparable since university. She smiled as she served me food, her eyes shining with genuine joy. "Freya, you truly are a winner in life—married to William Xavier, such a wonderful man, and now expecting a baby." I smiled shyly and looked over at William beside me. William is my husband. We've been married for a year, and our relationship has always been steady. He reached out and took my hand, his fingertips warm and familiar. "It's only right; Freya deserves the best." Everyone raised their glasses, their blessings rising one after another. After a few rounds of drinks, someone suggested playing Truth or Dare. The spinner whirled rapidly on the table, finally resting on William Xavier. "Truth or dare?" Someone asked loudly. William hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Truth." "Then I'll ask you—why did you pursue Freya Lawrence in the first place?" The moment the question was asked, the private room fell silent, all eyes fixed on William. I watched him with curiosity, eager to hear what romantic answer he might give. William Xavier's eyes flickered briefly as he raised his glass and took a sip, clearly trying to hide something. At everyone's urging, he finally spoke up. "Actually... when I first pursued Freya, it was part of a bet between me and Jacob Carr." My heart sank suddenly, as if something had struck it violently. Jacob Carr is William Xavier's close friend, and also my ex-boyfriend. "A bet? A bet about what?" Liliana Burke was the first to speak, her tone laced with a faint, barely noticeable tension. William Xavier took a deep breath, his voice slightly dry: "We bet on who could get Freya pregnant first." Those words burst like a thunderclap within the private room. I stared blankly at William, my mind utterly blank. The surrounding noise seemed to fade instantly, leaving only the heavy pounding of my own heart. "You... what did you say?" My voice shook, unable to believe what I'd just heard. William averted his eyes and said nothing. Suddenly, I remembered what happened the last time I was pregnant. Back then, I was only two months pregnant but suffered an unexpected miscarriage. William Xavier felt terribly guilty then and tried to comfort me, saying there would be other chances. Could that miscarriage have been connected to this bet as well? I grabbed William's arm and shook it hard. "Was my miscarriage last time planned by you? Did you do something to me?" William's eyes darted anxiously, avoiding my gaze. "I... I didn't..." His voice grew softer and utterly unconvincing. Seeing him like this, my suspicions were confirmed. A wave of intense anger and hurt flooded my heart. I grabbed the wine glass on the table and abruptly splashed the wine onto William Xavier's face. "William Xavier, you're disgusting!" After saying that, I turned and walked out of the private room. Ashamed and furious, William Xavier grabbed my wrist and yanked me back with force. "Freya Lawrence, have you caused enough trouble?" His tone was sharp and fierce. I jerked my hand free, eyes filled with disgust. "Don't touch me. You're filthy!" People around tried to step forward to break up the fight, but my icy glare stopped them. I didn't glance at William Xavier again and walked out of the private room without looking back.