She lied about being pregnant to keep her man. But at the baby shower, the doctor who was supposed to cover for her exposed everything.
I never imagined one single lie could shatter everything I believed in—especially a friendship like mine with Joanne. We’d been inseparable since university: studying together, late-night chats, road trips, always there for each other. But one desperate decision changed it all.
Joanne had changed. Distant, constantly late, glued to her phone, snapping over nothing. I blamed work at first, but something felt off with her and her boyfriend, Adam. From the outside, they were perfect. Then one evening, as we curled up with a film at her place, Joanne whispered,
“I’m pregnant.”
My breath caught.
“What? You’re serious?”
“Yes.” Her voice trembled, teeth biting into her lip. “I don’t know what to do. Adam wants a child so badly. And I—I’m terrified. But if I tell him it’s not real, he’ll leave.”
That’s when the ice slid into my chest. Joanne? The strong, fearless Joanne? Faking a pregnancy? I tried to reason with her, make her see sense, but she clung to it like a lifeline:
“It’s the only way to keep him.”
At first, I played along. Then the cracks showed. No bump. Vague mentions of “appointments” but never details. Deflections, sudden tears over a “difficult pregnancy”—none of it added up.
When I offered to come to the doctor with her, she went pale.
“No, it’s fine—I don’t want you worrying.”
That’s when I knew. But I never expected the truth to unravel so brutally.
Adam, clueless, planned a baby shower. Invited everyone—family, friends, coworkers. Balloons, gifts, a cake—perfect. Until Dr. Thompson arrived.
“Thanks for coming, Doctor,” Adam beamed, shaking his hand. “Joanne’s told me so much about you.”
My stomach twisted. The doctor froze. His eyes locked onto Joanne’s—a silent warning.
“Joanne,” he said, calm but firm. “It’s time.”
The room went dead silent. She turned ghost-white, lips trembling.
“I… I’m not pregnant.” The words clawed out of her. “I’m sorry, Adam. I was just… scared you’d leave.”
Adam didn’t shout. His fists clenched, voice barely above a whisper, but it cut deeper than any scream:
“You lied. You pretended to carry my child. You betrayed me.”
Joanne sobbed, but it was too late. The guests stood stunned. The celebration had become a sick joke.
“Party’s over,” Adam said, staring right through her. “Everyone out.”
I stood there, watching not just a relationship crumble, but my trust in her. She’d manipulated everyone—even begged the doctor to lie for her. And he had, out of pity. Until today, when he couldn’t stomach the charade anymore.
Adam was shattered. But he walked away without a word—cold, final. The quietest revenge.
And me? I learned some friendships are built on lies. Sometimes the person you knew best is a stranger. Secrets always surface. No matter how hard you pretend, the truth always finds you.
