Liza is 9 months pregnant, her belly is heavy, it is difficult to walk, and her psychology is more sensitive than ever. She and Marco – her husband – are considered by everyone to be a happy couple: married for 3 years, preparing to welcome their first child. Liza believes that this period of time will be the warmest days, loved and pampered by her husband. But life is not like a dream.

One evening, while Marco was taking a shower, Liza accidentally saw her husband’s phone left on the sofa. The screen lit up with a message from “Baby 💕”.

Liza’s heart tightened. She opened it with a trembling voice: the words were full of sweetness, dating, and longing. There was also a photo of them together, Marco smiling brightly, his arms tightly hugging a strange girl.

Liza felt like the whole world was collapsing. Tears welled up in her eyes, unable to believe that the man who had sworn to be by her side “in yaman o sa hirap” (in riches or poverty) could betray her at the exact moment she needed him the most.

That night, Marco slept in his arms, unaware that Liza had been awake all night, her eyes red. With only ten days left before giving birth, instead of focusing on staying healthy, Liza had to face the pain of betrayal. But instead of making a fuss, she chose to stay silent.

“He wants to play the role of a good husband? Fine, I’ll give him a taste of lies…” – Liza thought to herself.

In the following days, Liza still acted normal in front of Marco. She still cooked, asked questions, and even smiled when he took her to the prenatal check-up at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City. Marco thought his wife was happy, without the slightest suspicion. But in fact, Liza was silently observing his every move.

She started saving evidence: messages, pictures, even pretending to go to bed early one night so Marco could secretly call his lover. Liza recorded everything. Every detail was carefully stored in a separate folder.

Besides, Liza confided in her biological sister, Marites, whom she absolutely trusted. “I don’t want to make a fuss, nor do I want to lose my temper. I want him to face the consequences himself, right in front of both families,” Liza said. Marites nodded, promising to step in when needed.

Liza’s heart was not only filled with anger, but also with deep sadness. She remembered the early days of their relationship, when Marco used to pamper her a lot, promising to “hindi kita paiiyakin kahit isang beses” (not let you shed a single tear). But now, when she was pregnant, he had found another embrace.

The more Liza thought about it, the more she felt the need to stay calm. She couldn’t let this shock affect her unborn child. So, in addition to preparing evidence, Liza still spent time listening to Tagalog music, practicing breathing, and praying in church to keep her mind stable. In the eyes of outsiders, Liza was a calm pregnant woman, loved by her husband. But in reality, she was hatching a plan that would surprise her husband’s family.

She decided to expose Marco right after giving birth, on the baby’s full-month day (binyag at handaan) – the time when both families were present. “That would be the moment when he would have no way to deny it,” Liza thought to herself.

On the day Liza gave birth, Marco still took her to the hospital with care, taking care of her like a model husband. Everyone who saw her praised: “Grabe, ideal husband talaga.” Liza just smiled, feeling bitter inside. She temporarily put everything aside to focus on giving birth and welcoming her child into the world.

During the days of confinement, Marco also showed concern, but still secretly texted his lover. Liza knew, but said nothing. She let him be complacent in the guise of a model husband.

On the day of the baby’s full month, both families gathered at a restaurant in Makati City. The feast was lavishly prepared, the sound of laughter and chatter was loud. Marco proudly introduced his handsome son, accepting congratulations.

At the happiest moment, Liza stood up, holding her child with trembling hands, then placed a stack of documents in front of everyone.

“Before the congratulations, I have something to share,” Liza said calmly.

The whole room was silent. Liza opened her phone and showed the text messages and pictures of Marco and his lover on the TV screen. No one said a word. Marco’s face was pale. His parents-in-law were stunned, while Liza’s mother hugged her daughter, tears welling up in her eyes.

“While I was pregnant, he was still holding hands with someone else. I didn’t want to hide it, because I needed everyone to know the truth,” Liza said, her voice choked but determined.

Not a single sound of congratulations rang out. Marco stammered an apology, but everyone looked at him with contempt. His family, who were proud of their son, now felt only shame.

Liza didn’t scream or fight, she just quietly revealed the truth at the right time. That was the most painful blow. Marco lost all face and was forced to face his own betrayal.

That night, Liza carried her child into her room, tears falling but her heart feeling relieved.
“You can betray me, but you cannot escape the price.”

The atmosphere at the full-month party fell silent after Liza’s revelation. The congratulations disappeared, replaced by looks of shock and anger.

Marco stood frozen, his face pale. He stammered:
– “Liza… listen to me explain. I… I just made a mistake. I love you, I love the baby…”

But Liza did not reply, only hugging the baby tightly to her chest. Her mother – Aling Marites – stood behind her daughter, her eyes cold as she looked at Marco:
– “A man like you is not worthy of being a husband, and even less worthy of being a father.”

Marco’s parents – who were proud of their son – now bowed their heads, ashamed in front of their relatives. The father slammed his hand on the table:
– “Marco! You have disgraced the whole family! You betrayed your wife when she was about to give birth, how can you have the face to justify yourself?”

His mother’s eyes filled with tears:

“We have been proud of you for so many years, and yet… right when your wife was pregnant and giving birth, you had an affair. I never expected that my adopted son would turn out like this…”

His entire family spoke up in unison to criticize. No one defended him.

Marco was in despair, kneeling down in front of Liza:

“Liza! I was wrong… Please, forgive me this once. Don’t leave me, don’t let our child grow up without a father. I promise to end it with her right away!”

He cried, grabbing the hem of Liza’s skirt, tears streaming down his face. The entire audience was silent.

But Liza just calmly said:

“Remember, when I was lying on the hospital bed, suffering from each contraction, who was by my side? You? No, you were laughing and talking to someone else. You betrayed me at the moment I needed you the most. So today, you don’t deserve forgiveness either.”

She resolutely stepped back, holding the child in her arms, away from Marco.

Marco’s father shouted:
– “Enough! From now on, we no longer recognize you as our son. You have disgraced the family’s honor. Take responsibility for your mistakes!”

His mother wiped away her tears, turned away, not wanting to look at her treacherous son.

Marco looked up, looked around, but no one stood by him. Even his close friends shook their heads and left.

He shouted, his voice hoarse:
– “Why? Why did everyone turn their backs on me? I just… I just made a mistake once!”

Liza turned back, her eyes cold but determined:
– “Not once, Marco. It was a choice. And every choice has its price.”

The entire auditorium was silent, only the weak cry of the child in his mother’s arms remained.

Marco bowed his head, kneeling in the middle of the banquet floor, his body trembling like a lost shadow.

Meanwhile, Liza walked, each step more steady than ever. Behind her, whispers rang out:
– “Poor Liza…”
– “What a strong woman…”

And there were also many sarcastic words directed at Marco:
– “That’s karma.”

That night, Liza slept with her child in her private room, feeling relieved. She knew the road ahead would not be easy, but at least, she had regained her dignity – and taught Marco a bitter lesson:

Betrayal not only made him lose his wife and children, but also his family, his honor, and all the trust of those around him