My Husband and Son Chose Another Woman

Chloe's POV:

"Anna, hang in there, sweetie. Mommy's taking you to the hospital right now."

My daughter's face burned crimson with fever. My hands trembled as I grabbed my phone and dialed Ethan.

Call after call went unanswered. Over a dozen attempts. Nothing.

I wrapped Anna in a thick coat, scooped her into my arms, and rushed to the car.

After getting her settled in the emergency room, I stepped out to handle the paperwork.

As I passed one of the hospital rooms, a familiar voice stopped me cold.

"Vivian, just focus on getting better. Whatever happens, Noah and I will be right here with you."

That voice. I'd know it anywhere—my husband, Ethan Miller.

He'd never spoken to me with that kind of tenderness. Not once.

The door stood ajar. Through the gap, I saw her—Vivian Brown, beautiful and fragile in that hospital bed.

Ethan held her hand. His handsome face was soft with concern. Even Noah, my mischievous little boy, busied himself fetching water and fussing over her like a dutiful caretaker.

The scene twisted something deep inside me.

I'd always known about Vivian. Ethan's first love. Three years together. Even after they broke up, he kept her photo on his office desk.

But this? While I'd been frantic about Anna's fever, he'd been here. With her. And he'd brought our son.

Then Noah spoke, and his words turned my blood to ice.

"Ms. Brown, I haven't made my birthday wish yet. I'm going to wish all your pain transfers to Mom instead. Then you'll get better!"

His voice rang clear and earnest. Childlike. Sincere.

Each word hit like a stone to the chest.

Noah and Anna were twins. When I gave birth, I nearly died on that operating table. With my last breath, I begged the doctors to save them.

Both babies survived, but they were premature. Fragile. I quit my job to care for them full-time, pouring everything I had into keeping them healthy.

Years of careful nurturing. Sleepless nights. Endless worry.

And now, the child I'd traded my life for wished my pain on me—to save someone else.

I couldn't hear what they said after that. A ringing filled my ears. I stumbled back toward Anna's room, Noah's words echoing over and over.

In his heart, Vivian mattered more than his own mother.

When I returned to the room, Anna was awake.

"Mommy, where are Noah and Daddy?" Her voice came out weak and small.

I saw the hope flickering in her eyes. My chest tightened.

How could I tell her? That while she lay sick in this hospital bed, her father and brother were with another woman?

I brushed her hair back gently. "They're busy, sweetheart. They'll come see you when they're done."

Anna was perceptive. Too perceptive. She caught the sadness in my voice.

"Don't they like me?" she asked quietly.

My eyes stung. I squeezed her hand. "Of course they do. You're the sweetest little angel in the world. Everyone loves you."

She nodded, but I could see the disappointment. After taking her medicine, she drifted back to sleep.

I sat by her bedside all night. Didn't close my eyes once.

The doctor said Anna had a viral infection. She'd need to stay for observation—two days, minimum.

The next morning, I stepped out to grab breakfast. In the hallway, I ran straight into Ethan.

His eyes widened. "What are you doing here?"

I looked at him, exhaustion weighing down every word. "Anna had a fever. She was admitted last night."

"Something this serious, and you didn't tell me?" His expression darkened. He shoved me aside and strode toward Anna's room.

Noah followed right behind him.

I stared at their retreating backs, my heart twisting like someone was grinding it with a dull blade.

Didn't call? I'd called him a dozen times. He just didn't care.

Anna was still asleep when they entered. She looked so small and pale in that hospital bed.

Noah rounded on me, anger flashing in his eyes. "Mom, why didn't you take better care of Anna? Don't you know Dad and I had something really important to do?"

The accusation hit like a slap.

Noah tugged at Ethan's sleeve. "Dad, let's go back to Ms. Brown. She needs us more."

I couldn't believe it. To Noah, the 'important thing' was being with Vivian. Even with his sister hospitalized, she came first.

At least Ethan still cared about Anna—a little. He shot Noah a stern look. "Anna's in the hospital. She'll be upset if we're not here when she wakes up."

He touched Anna's cheek, then turned to me. His voice went cold. "How did it get this bad? What kind of mother are you?"

I looked at them both—father and son, faces full of blame. Every word I wanted to say stuck in my throat.

Then Anna coughed and opened her eyes. "Don't be mean to Mommy!"

Noah huffed. "It's Mom's fault you got sick. She's wasting our time."

"No! Mommy's the best mommy in the whole world!" Anna shouted back, then broke into a violent coughing fit. Her little face flushed bright red.

"Anna, calm down, sweetheart. It's okay. You're okay." I pulled her into my arms, rubbing her back, trying to soothe her.

"Noah…" Ethan's tone carried a warning.

That's when Vivian appeared in the doorway. She wore a hospital gown, her eyes red and swollen.

"I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have called Ethan when I got sick." Tears streamed down her face as she bowed apologetically.

Ethan rushed to steady her, his eyes full of concern. "The doctor said you need rest. Go back to your room. Anna got sick because she has an irresponsible mother. This has nothing to do with you."

"If anyone should apologize, it's Mom. Come on, Ms. Brown, let's go back. I want to hear more of your stories."

Ethan and Noah's attention shifted entirely to Vivian. Neither of them noticed the tears sliding down Anna's cheeks.

This time, Ethan didn't object. He and Noah ushered Vivian out of the room.

I watched the three of them leave, and I heard it—the sound of my heart shattering.

Ethan was a bastard. Cruel and heartless.

Six years ago, I'd cut ties with my family for him. Married him despite everything.

Six years together. Two beautiful children. And still, I'd never measure up to his first love.

The realization hit hard. Bitter. Pathetic.

This marriage was over.

For my sake. For Anna's.

She didn't need a father and brother who didn't love her. And I didn't need a husband and son who treated me like this.

Over the next three days, Ethan and Noah visited Anna exactly once.

When I finished the discharge paperwork, I took Anna's hand and walked out of the hospital. In the parking lot, I spotted Ethan's familiar Maybach.

He stood beside it with Noah and Vivian. The three of them laughed and chatted, looking every bit like a happy family.

Anyone who didn't know better would think they were a family.

My hands clenched into fists at my sides. My chest ached—for me, but more for Anna.

Her father and brother hadn't come to pick her up. Instead, they'd come to take Vivian home.

Anna tugged on my hand, her voice small and hopeful. "Mommy, are Daddy and Noah coming home with us?"

I saw the longing in her eyes. It broke me.