Chapter 1

"Let’s divorce, Quinton."

After three rejected proposals and one year of a secret, cold marriage, Vespera finally broke. At 18, he chose the campus belle over her. At 20, he claimed he was "too busy for love" while bringing home a string of different women. At 22, he finally agreed to marry her, but only on one condition: it had to be a secret.

Now, at 23, she was done being a ghost in his life. In the dimly lit room, Vespera stared at their wedding photo. She was the only one smiling in it.

"Dad, I'm ready to come home and inherit the family fortune, but I need to repay the Nolan family's kindness before I leave."

She was an orphan the Nolans had sponsored and adopted, but a month ago, her biological parents found her. They told her there had been a mix-up at birth. After years of searching, they finally found her and wanted to bring her home. Back then, she refused. Now, she had changed her mind—just like she regretted marrying Quinton.

On the other end of the call, her father sounded overjoyed. "Really? You didn't want to come back before. What made you change your mind?"

"Because here, I feel like I don't belong," Vespera said with a bitter smile.

Vespera began gathering her belongings after hanging up when she felt a strong pain in her stomach and beads of sweat dripped down her forehead. She knew it was her period.

Quinton had taken her to the hospital for a painkiller shot every time this happened for the past 12 years. Still, he was now most likely with his first love, Francesca Stewart.

Vespera took out her phone to call her best friend, only to find that her contacts list contained only Quinton's number. The man deleted everyone else from her contacts when they were deeply in love, making her world revolve solely around him. "Baby, you only need me for the rest of your life. You don't need anyone else. Just come to me if you need anything."

Vespera's fingers moved faster than her brain, and before she knew it, she had dialed his number. The call connected. "Quin, I … my stomach hurts. Can you take me to the hospital?"

Quinton's voice was impatient. "I don't have time. Going to the hospital again? What's wrong with you this time?"

Vespera's already pale face turned even more bitter. "My stomach hurts."

"Vespera, you're not a teenager anymore. Stop using the same old tricks. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" Then, he hung up.

Vespera let out a cold laugh. He used to say, "Baby, you're so fragile. Seeing you in pain makes me wish I could take it for you."

Now, he just thought she was being dramatic and making a fuss. In the end, she had to call an ambulance to take her to the hospital.

After a series of tests, Vespera found out she wasn't just having her period. She was pregnant. Two months ago, they hadn't used protection. While Vespera was still in shock, someone called out to her from behind. "Vespera, what are you doing here?"

Vespera spun around to see Francesca with her husband, Quinton, by her side. No wonder he was "busy." It turned out that he was with his first love.

Vespera's eyes fell on the good luck charm around Francesca's neck. She had one, too. It was a trend for boyfriends to go to temples to pray for a good luck charm for their girlfriends. She had pestered Quinton for a whole month before he agreed to go.

Perhaps sensing her gaze, Francesca took the initiative to explain, "Quin gave me this. He said it would keep me safe. You know I don't believe in these things, but Quin insisted on getting it for me."

Vespera knew she was being provoked. She didn't want to engage, but Francesca wasn't done. "Vespera, are you here at the obstetrics and gynecology department? Do you have some kind of illness?"

She put on a concerned face. "You're still young, be careful not to let some bad man take advantage of you. You're the one who'll suffer in the end."

Vespera frowned. She hated Francesca's condescending tone. Before she could respond, Quinton cut in. "Wait … are you really sick?"