Lies Like Foam, Love in the DeepChapter 1

Before the wedding, my adopted sister, Serena Davies, hit my brother with her car, leaving him in a vegetative state.

My fiancé, Sam Ford, a lawyer, not only didn’t blame her but actually became her defense attorney.

I raised hell, demanding she go to jail, only to become the laughingstock of the city.

In my brokenness, my sworn enemy, Harrison Blackwood, proposed to me, promising to be my only support.

I said yes.

Later, he personally ensured Serena was sent to prison.

But in the fifth year of our marriage, I unexpectedly saw him talking to my brother, Ethan, who was supposed to be in a coma.

“Bro-in-law, if Serena couldn’t have kids, you wouldn’t have had to orchestrate this whole scheme to trick Ariel into marrying you, making her a surrogate for Serena!”

“It’s fine. My marriage certificate with Ariel is fake; the one with Serena is real.”

“When Ariel gives birth, I’ll make sure the child calls Serena ‘Mother.’”

It turned out the happiness I thought I had was nothing but a deception from start to finish.

I’d risked everything to get justice for my brother, only to find it was all one-sided!

I was the one who needed to leave.

…

My hand froze in mid-air as I was about to push open the hospital room door.

A chill spread through my body; I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard.

Inside the room, Harrison Blackwood gazed at photos of Serena’s trip on his phone, a deeply regretful look on his face.

“Seeing her happy and carefree makes these five years of acting for Ariel worthwhile.”

“Once the baby inside her is born, this fake marriage should end.”

My brother, Ethan Davies, lay in the hospital bed, snorting dismissively:

“Ariel really thinks you love her. She even handed over all the shares Mom and Dad left her. But what if she finds out this was all our plan?”

Harrison paused, a flicker of coldness in his eyes:

“Then she’ll never know. Five years have passed; Serena should be out of prison soon.”

“Besides, plenty of women die in the delivery room.”

Ethan froze for a moment, then praised,

“Bro-in-law, you’re still the smartest.”

I recoiled, my hand clenching, the pregnancy diagnosis I’d just received falling to the floor.

Harrison had distinctly told me he’d sent Serena to prison.

It was all a lie!

Ethan’s car accident was fake, Serena’s reckless driving and conviction were fake too.

Everything was just a setup to make me bear a child for her, because she couldn’t!

And all of it, orchestrated by the husband I loved to my very core!

His tenderness, his loyalty, his devotion to me alone – it was all just a facade for his true love.

For five years, I’d been living in the web of lies they’d spun.

How ridiculous.

Footsteps echoed from inside the room; Harrison was getting up.

I quickly spun around, scooped up the diagnosis, and stumbled down the hallway.

Tears streamed down my face as I ran.

Once far from the hospital, I sank to the ground, taking a long time to compose myself.

I don't know how long passed before I carefully tucked the pregnancy diagnosis into my bag, hailed a cab, and returned home.

After telling the housekeeper she could leave, I was alone in the house.

I looked at the decorations, each one carefully chosen by us, and let out a bitter laugh.

Not long ago, Harrison had held me close, his voice soft, “Ariel, let’s have a baby.”

My health wasn’t great to begin with, but for his wish, I sought out specialists everywhere to improve my physical condition.

I drank traditional herbal medicine like water, and acupuncture was a daily ritual.

I finally conceived, only to discover the truth.

I sat on the sofa until dusk. Then, footsteps sounded outside the door.

The lights came on, and Harrison walked in.

Seeing me on the sofa, he hugged me tenderly, "Why are you sitting in the dark?"

I shook my head, subtly avoiding him. "Just woke up. Was waiting for you to come home."

Harrison didn't suspect anything, kissing my forehead.

"Ariel, you need to take good care of yourself, or I'll feel guilty."

His tone was as gentle as ever.

But I felt no warmth in my heart, only that he was an excellent actor.

Why could he go to such lengths, for Serena, with someone he didn't love?

I leaned against Harrison’s chest, and his casual words echoed in my ear:

“Wife, Serena is getting out of prison soon. After all, you two were sisters for over a decade, and she’s paid her penance. Maybe it’s time to let it go?”

My eyes welled up, but I forced myself to speak: “You said it yourself, she and I are sisters. I won’t blame her anymore.”

Harrison visibly relaxed, a smile touching his eyes:

“I knew my Ariel was the kindest. Tonight, your husband will cook for you personally.”

Watching him walk into the kitchen, I turned my head to wipe away my falling tears.

Just then, Harrison’s phone on the table buzzed with a notification.

I picked it up and unlocked it. The password was Serena’s birthday.

On his private messaging app, the message was from one of Harrison’s inner circle:

[Blackwood, your wife is returning tomorrow. The guys have prepared all the gifts you wanted.]

The image showed acres of rose fields he’d bought out, and a new jewelry collection worth a billion from a top auction house.

Scrolling further up, I discovered the truth.

Every time Harrison had been away on business or working late, he’d actually been flying abroad to be with Serena.

His friends were all in on it, covering for him.

I clicked on Harrison’s social media, and what met my eyes were countless photos of Serena and him.

Announcing their marriage, travel photos, kissing…

The comments below were from people we both knew.

Only I had been blocked from seeing them.

My heart felt like it was tearing apart. I dug my nails into my arm, forcing myself to stay calm.

Five years of marriage, and apart from our wedding photos, we didn't have a single picture together.

I'd always thought Harrison disliked taking photos.

Turns out, it was just that he disliked taking photos with me.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh, placing the phone back where it was.

I didn’t want this marriage anymore.

And Harrison, and this so-called family, I didn’t want them either.