The Divorce That Shook the City

My name is Lorelei Murphy, and I was married to Casper Geller for three years. Casper has a mortal enemy named Vivian Stephenson. They've been at each other's throats since school, always fighting to come out on top. From whose grades were better to whose project was more impressive, neither would ever back down. I always thought I was the exception in Casper's life—until the day I went into labor. The contractions in my belly came faster and faster, sweat soaking my hair. Gripping my phone, I kept calling Casper over and over. When the call connected, I heard the roar of engines and Vivian Stephenson's brazen laughter. "Casper Geller, hurry up! If you're late, the race track will be taken!" Vivian's voice came through the receiver, dripping with urgency. I gritted my teeth through the pain, my voice trembling, "Casper, I'm going into labor. Please come back and take me to the hospital." Casper's tone was sharp with impatience, "Lorelei, call an ambulance. This race with Vivian is crucial—I can't just quit now." "But I'm scared all alone..." Tears fell down my face. "Stop being so dramatic. It's just giving birth. Which woman hasn't been through this?" He said that, then hung up immediately. I stared at the darkening screen, feeling my heart sink deeper and deeper. The ambulance arrived quickly enough, but a crowd of reporters had already gathered at the neighborhood entrance. They were all there for Casper Geller, trying to scoop some juicy high-society news. When they lifted me onto the stretcher, I lost control and wet myself. Flashbulbs popped wildly, and the reporters' whispers stabbed into my ears like sharp needles. "Oh my god, Mrs. Geller looks absolutely terrible!" "She's going into labor all alone? Why isn't Mr. Geller there with her?" "I heard Mr. Geller and Ms. Stephenson have more than just a professional relationship. Could he really be ignoring his own wife for her?" Those words kept swirling around in my mind like a curse. I closed my eyes, wanting nothing more than to escape this unbearable mess. In the end, the child couldn't be saved. Lying on the hospital bed, the physical pain was nothing compared to the torment in my heart. On the day I was discharged, Casper Geller came to pick me up, showing not a hint of guilt on his face. Not long after, at a business dinner, Vivian Stephenson took the initiative to sit next to us. She wore a bright red spaghetti-strap dress—striking and bold. "Casper Geller, how about we make a bet?" Vivian held her wine glass, her eyes full of challenge. Casper raised an eyebrow. "A bet on what?" "Let's bet on who stays single longer," Vivian's eyes swept over me with a hint of contempt. "The loser has to grant the winner one request." Casper laughed and agreed without hesitation. "Alright, I have no objections."