Forced To Marry My Ex's Stepbrother

Iris's Pov

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I was sitting on a chair, anxiously fidgeting with my fingers and tapping my foot, waiting for my reports.

My husband, George, and I had been trying to conceive for the past six months, and I knew this result mattered a great deal.

There was pressure on George to have a child from his parents. They never liked me and hated the fact that hockey superstar and captain of the national team, George, married an orphan girl like me with no background and status.

For them, I'm a dirty piece of trash that their son brought into his house out of pity. They said it many times in my face how much they hate me, and that I'm not worthy of their choice.

I tried everything to win their heart and become their best daughter-in-love, but no matter what I do, they never accept me, and after knowing I'm having difficulty conceiving George's child, they are forcing George to divorce me and marry a woman with a good background.

Only if they knew how much their son loves me. He would never leave me for someone else. Not even for a child. He loves me more than anyone in this world.

"Iris," I turned toward Dr. Sabrina as she entered the cabin, an envelope clutched in her hand. She sank into her chair with a weary sigh before lifting her gaze to me.

The sadness on her face was enough to make my anxiety spike.

"What is it?" I asked, still hoping to hear some good news. She was my best friend as well, and she knew how much I wanted this.

She shook her head and extended an envelope in front of me.

I looked at it and then at her.

My heartbeat slowed, each thud echoing painfully in my ears. With a trembling hand, I took the envelope and opened it.

"Positive," I read, my eyes scanning the word again and again, unable to believe it was real.

"It's positive," I whispered, my voice barely audible as I looked at her, my eyes widening in disbelief.

She chuckled and stood up to come to my side.

"Yes... You're pregnant... You are going to give birth to the next player," she chuckled and hugged me.

I hugged her back and broke down into tears...

Finally, I'm pregnant...

I'm going to be a mother.

I broke the hug and kept my hand over my stomach. Tears of happiness streamed down my cheeks.

"Are you happy now?" she asked. I nodded.

"I couldn't explain this feeling," I whispered and chuckled.

"I saw how much you went through to have a baby... From getting several injections to making sure your body is fit for carrying a child to the extent of risking your life."

I wiped my tears and nodded. She took my hand into hers.

"I know this journey wasn't easy... You have borne a lot, and finally, God blesses you with a gift," she said with a warm smile, tears of happiness shining in her eyes.

She handed me a glass of water.

"Thank you," I whispered before taking a sip. Setting the glass on the side table, I looked back at the report.

My eyes drifted to that one word again.

Positive.

I read it over and over, unable to believe it was real.

"George will be so happy that finally we are pregnant," I said and looked at Sabrina, whose smile vanished.

"What happened?"

"Do you think he'll take this news well?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. "You and I both know he wasn't exactly in favor of the IVF transfer. Even when he came with you to the hospital, he looked annoyed and completely uninterested."

She looked at me worriedly before continuing, "I'm happy for you, but I don't want this happiness to turn into heartbreak if he doesn't react the way you're hoping he will."

I bit my lower lip and bowed my head. She was right somewhere.

When I didn't get pregnant naturally, I asked George to try IVF, but he strictly refused, saying it would bring shame to his name that he couldn't get his wife pregnant naturally.

Moreover, according to him, if I'm not capable of getting pregnant naturally, then I can't bear his child through IVF as well. He clearly states that the problem was me, not him.

Maybe he was right. I never dwelled much on it.

When he told me that his parents are forcing him to marry someone else for an heir, I lost my patience and requested George to come with me to the hospital. Just one chance and then I will not force him.

He refused, but my desperation to become a mother had driven me to the point of risking my marriage. I had told him that if I failed to get pregnant, he could find someone else and start a family with her.

Luck was in my favor; he had to give his sperm and urine for the health checkup, as after nine months a big championship was coming.

He agreed to my demand and said the doctor could use that sperm and combine it with an egg. When I argued why he can't go with me on a different day and do the process properly, he refused, saying I'm demanding more than I should.

"I would not waste my energy over your stupid obsession of getting a child when I clearly know no matter what you do the results will be negative. You can never get pregnant, Iris." His words wounded me and shattered my heart into pieces but that time, I didn't say a word in return because I wanted this baby.

Thankfully, he was wrong... My result is positive. My prayers and love proved him wrong, and I'm sure he would be happy after knowing the truth.

"So what are you going to do now?" Sabrina asked, pulling me from my thoughts. I met her worried gaze and forced a smile, trying to convince her and perhaps myself that everything would be okay.

"I will tell George about this, and I'm sure he will be ecstatic after knowing the result," I said, caressing my belly. "It wouldn't matter to him that the child would be born through IVF. He will be happy. For me... For our child... For us. "A big smile appeared on my face, knowing it's worth it.

It's worth bearing all the pain I went through for our baby... For our future and happy life together.

"You're too innocent for this cruel world, Iris." I frowned at her words.

"Huh?"

"Nothing... Call George and let me know what he says."

I nodded and picked up my phone to call George but stopped.

"No ... I should go to him and give this news to him personally. I want to see his reaction," I said excitedly.

After talking to Sabrina and taking every detail regarding my pregnancy, including the medicine and precautions I need to take, I bid my goodbye.

I had just stepped out of the hospital and was making my way toward the parking area when a familiar name reached my ears, making me stop in my tracks.

"Zane Carter."

My heart missed a beat, and my lips widened into a smile. I turned and found a group of people holding phones surrounding him. Their cameras were facing him. They must have seen him and rushed over for pictures. It wasn't surprising. He was Zane Sinclair—our country's most eligible billionaire, blessed with looks, success, and charm that made heads turn wherever he went. But to me, he was more than that. He was my former best friend, someone who held a special place in my heart after George.

I happily walked toward him, eager to see him after so long, but my steps came to an abrupt halt when he turned and our eyes met. I waited for a smile, a flicker of recognition—anything. Instead, he looked away as if he didn't know me, dismissing me like a complete stranger. The smile on my lips faded instantly, and tears stung my eyes.

There was a time when we were good friends. George introduced us. He was George's brother. We had become close friends with time, but after my engagement to his brother, his attitude towards me had completely changed.

Zane went against his brother and me. Ever since that day, he had treated me like I was his worst enemy. Someone who hurt him deeply. That time, he constantly avoided me, and whenever I gathered the courage to ask him what was wrong, he dismissed me with cold, hurtful words that shattered my heart.

It's been three years since we last saw each other. The last time I saw him was on my wedding day when he walked out of the house with a bag while I was entering as a bride...

His hatred seems to have increased with the passage of time. I have no idea why he hates me, but it still hurts.

I sighed and wiped my tears. I will always cherish him even when he hates me. I turned and walked towards the parking area.

If he didn't want to meet me, then I won't force him. Maybe one day he will forgive me for what I did, and we will again become good friends. I hope so.

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After reaching home, I excitedly went towards George's office to give him good news.

On my way, I noticed the maids and servants throwing annoyed looks in my direction. It wasn't anything new.

Ever since the news spread that I was struggling to conceive, their attitude toward me had changed completely. They treated me like I was worthless, speaking to me with disrespect and whispering cruel remarks behind my back. According to them, a woman incapable of bearing a child wasn't worthy of being the wife of a superstar like George.

I shook my head to stop myself from thinking anything negative and ruining this beautiful day.

I stood outside and took a deep breath before raising my hand to knock on the door but froze when a woman's moans and heavy breathing drifted from inside the office. My heart slammed against my ribs. My hand was still in midair. Then I heard the words that made the ground crumble beneath my feet.

"Yes... harder, George... Please don't stop."

Iris's Pov

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"Oh, don't stop..." the woman breathed out. "Let everyone know I'm the one you love, not that b*tch."

Her words were followed by a soft moan of George's name. The sound of thrusts and groans felt like someone stabbing my heart.

"Yes, I love you and only you."

I gasped and took a step back. Realization hit harder.

It was indeed him... There was no misunderstanding.

He was inside with another woman and having s*x with her.

"She is nothing but a toy to play with, but you... You're my everything," he continued. I could hear heavy grunts and moans.

I shook my head, refusing to believe what I had just heard. Part of me still clung to the hope that I had misunderstood, that my ears were playing tricks on me. I didn't want to believe George could do something like this to me.

I wiped my tears and tightened my fists.

"I love—" Her words died, so their amazing moment when I opened the door without knocking, startli