Isabella Collins discovers the most painful betrayal: her husband never loved her, stole her inheritance, was unfaithful, and took her child away, making her believe he had died. Now, stripped of everything and out on the street, Isabella is determined to reclaim her life and her child. In her quest, she encounters Sebastian Ashford, an arrogant man who despises marriage and sees women only as objects of pleasure. However, a scandal forces him to quickly find a wife, and Isabella, with her persistent presence, seems to be the perfect candidate. What begins as a marriage of convenience becomes complicated when Isabella discovers that her new husband's child might have an unexpected connection to her. Can this arrangement full of secrets and distrust transform into something real?
Lihat lebih banyakCHAPTER 1: SLEEP WITH HIM!
"High society scandal! Businessman Marcus Becker was seen at a well-known city hotel, and it is suspected that his mistress is pregnant!"
The scandal between Marcus and his mistress caused a sensation on all social networks and broke the heart of Isabella Collins, his wife. Marcus Becker was the president of Becker Group, and thus almost all media outlets were broadcasting the scandal.
Isabella was sitting silently at the dining table, her ears ringing and her eyes filled with unspoken emotions as she looked at the TV screen for a moment. Her rough and thin hands clutched her clothes, yet she could not control the trembling of her body.
Because the woman with whom her husband was cheating on her was none other than her cousin.
Amanda.
When Amanda's parents died, Isabella's father took her in at the mansion and treated her like another daughter. Isabella never imagined that her cousin would have the audacity to steal her husband.
"This food is disgusting!" Isabella's mother-in-law threw the still-hot plate at her, her face red with anger.
She hastily put down the cutlery and rushed to clean up the mess despite the pain of her burned skin.
"I'm sorry, mother-in-law, I'll make something else..." she stammered.
She did her best not to cry, but the tears were too many and soon slid down her cheeks.
"Crying! Is that all you know how to do?!" Renata stood up and walked towards her and, without any remorse, stepped on one of her hands. "You are nothing but useless. My son made a big mistake marrying you," the woman sneered. "I don't know what he saw in you, but you are just a disgrace to this family."
"Ah, it hurts!" Isabella complained. "Mother-in-law, please..."
"Look at you, even now you are still pathetic, a perfect fool," Renata stepped back and Isabella quickly raised her hand. "Even your cousin is more competent than you! You don't deserve to be by my son's side!"
Marcus's mother's words were like knives piercing her chest. Isabella had tried everything to be a good wife and daughter-in-law. But nothing could satisfy her mother-in-law's demands.
"Mother-in-law, what... what do you mean by that?" she looked at her with some panic, feeling a bad premonition in her heart.
Renata crouched down, looked her in the eyes, and smiled.
"Are you stupid or just pretending? You haven't even been able to get pregnant again! And you still want to hold the position of wife for the rest of your life?! Amanda is pregnant, and she will move into this house tomorrow to take your place!"
Isabella's heart raced, her stomach tightened, and the pain lacerated her inside.
"Mother-in-law... How can... how can you say that...?" Isabella's eyes were red from tears. "I... it's not that I can't get pregnant... It's just that Marcus..." the words came out choked.
After the wedding, Marcus had refused to touch her. At first, he said he didn't want to hurt the baby, and then he excused himself by saying he didn't want to affect her body after the loss of the child. But deep down, she knew he rejected her because he probably didn't find her desirable. And today, she could confirm it with the news of the scandal.
"There are no excuses, Isabella." Renata stood up and adjusted her dress. "My son needs an heir, and since you are so useless for something as simple as that... Well, let your cousin take your place."
The breeze blowing from the window did not chill Isabella as much as her mother-in-law's words. Although she had been treating her badly for the past six years, even using her as a servant, she had never felt as much pain as now.
"You are the only one to blame! If you hadn't pretended to trap my son by getting pregnant, he wouldn't have been forced to marry you." Renata took the water glass from the table and walked towards Isabella. "And not satisfied with that... You gave birth to a stillborn child! And you still intend to hold the position of wife?! You don't deserve it in any way, so I just hope you leave my house as soon as possible!"
After saying this, she threw the water in her face and left, not without giving her a disdainful look. Isabella stood there motionless, as if she still couldn't process what was happening.
She had married Marcus six years ago, but she did not force him at that time, and she did not deliberately lose the child.
At that moment, the mobile phone rang, and Isabella took it out only to see that it was her husband. It was inevitable that she felt both excited and nervous at the same time.
Excited because it was the first time he had called her in six years of marriage, and nervous because she feared he would say things as cruel as those her mother-in-law had just said.
"Marcus, you..."
"Where are you?" the cold and familiar voice interrupted her words.
Isabella's heart tightened, and she replied.
"I'm at home."
"Come to room 208 of the Hilton Hotel, you have half an hour."
"What? Wait, for what...?"
Isabella tried to ask, but before she could say anything, Marcus hung up.
However, Isabella was somewhat used to this kind of treatment from her husband and thought that maybe he was just looking for a quiet place to explain the scandal with Amanda, which is why he asked her to go to the hotel.
"Maybe he doesn't want a divorce."
Thinking this, her frightened heart calmed down, and quickly, she got ready and lightly made up before leaving. When she arrived at the door of the room, Isabella tightened the strap of her bag, took a deep breath a few times, and knocked on the door.
It didn't take long for the door to open and her husband to appear. Marcus was wearing a hotel bathrobe, and everything seemed to indicate that he had just showered. When he saw Isabella, his eyes narrowed a bit, and a look of dissatisfaction appeared on his lips.
She was about to say something, but the familiar and delicate voice of her cousin came from the bathroom.
"Love, is my cousin here?"
Isabella's words got stuck in her throat, and her eyes fixed on her cousin, who was also wearing a hotel bathrobe and had wet hair. Amanda walked behind Marcus, wrapped her arms around his waist, and looked at her mockingly.
"Hello, cousin, I haven't seen you in a long time."
Isabella stared at the scene in front of her in astonishment, the blood in her entire body flowed quickly, and her throat could not make any sound. A knot formed in her stomach, and soon nausea arose.
However, rage also took control.
"Amanda! You, how... how dare you? Don't you know he's my husband?!"
The bag in her hand fell to the floor, and she took a step forward, determined to settle accounts with her cousin, but Marcus stepped in the middle and gave her a threatening look.
"But cousin, Marcus and I really love each other!" Amanda said pitifully but mocking her.
"Love each other? What I see is a pair of miserable, traitors! But you..." Isabella was filled with pain and anger. "... you are a whore. You dared to mess with my husband! We are family!"
Amanda gave her a playful smile and lightly kissed Marcus's cheek.
"There's nothing to do when two people like each other. Besides, you are..." Amanda made a thoughtful face. "... how to say it... Ah, yes! Too bland and boring. It's not my fault for being more of a woman than you."
Isabella's heart was in pieces, on one hand, the man she thought loved her betrayed her with her own blood, and on the other, her cousin repaid all her father's care and love with betrayal.
"I may be boring," she said with tears falling from her eyes. "But at least I'm not a husband-stealing whore."
Amanda gasped and was about to say something, but Isabella was already turning away. She wanted to escape from there as soon as possible, but Marcus grabbed her by the wrist.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
Isabella, in a reflex act and to defend herself, slapped him and then tried to break free.
"Don't touch me again! You disgust me, Marcus!"
The man tightened his grip and tried to drag her into the room; still, Isabella struggled.
"I told you to let go! Let me go!"
"Shut up!" he shouted as he slapped her, his eyes were two pits of fury. "If you dare ruin my plans, you will pay dearly!"
He stared at her and then threw her directly onto the sofa. Isabella was no longer scared; she was angry. The man she was seeing now was not the man she had married.
Marcus ran his fingers through his hair and looked her up and down.
"There's an important man in the next room," he walked towards her and grabbed her jaw tightly. "Go and sleep with him!"
CHAPTER 98: LOANSebastián adjusted his shirt cuffs as he entered the luxurious restaurant. Unfortunately, Inesa's father had insisted on having dinner the same night he was supposed to dine with Isabella. But he wasn't willing to stay too long; he would listen to what Rodrik had to say, discuss the loan, and leave."Sebastián, good to see you," Rodrik stood up and extended his hand.Sebastián took it and shook it."Likewise, Rodrik. Since you moved to England, you've forgotten about the United States."The man let out a laugh and sat down."Business in London is going well, and I like to keep an eye on my investments. However, Inesa keeps me updated on what's happening here."Sebastián smiled slightly."Yes, I imagine. Well, since we're here, let's get to the point, Rodrik. I have another engagement tonight, and...""Another engagement? More important than your father's company?"Sebastián gritted his teeth and nodded."I'd dare say it's much more important, so... if you don't mind..
CHAPTER 97: PUBLIC PROPOSAL.Sebastián slammed the table in frustration."I don't understand how this could have happened, Inesa. The Japanese were convinced; it was almost a done deal."Inesa, with a calculatedly neutral expression, replied."Well, nothing is guaranteed. They suddenly called and said there was a better offer. Although I tried to persuade them, they wouldn't budge. Now the problem is ours. We had invested a lot and didn't sign anything."Sebastián's concern was palpable."How are we going to recover the losses?"Inesa, maintaining a facade of seriousness, hid her internal satisfaction. She had manipulated the situation from the start, ensuring the Japanese withdrew from the deal."We need to find money, and a lot of it," continued Sebastián, his voice laden with desperation. "Payments have to be made by the end of the month, along with the company's payroll and..."Inesa moved closer, feigning empathy she didn't feel."Sebastián, you know you're not alone. Anyway, I'v
CHAPTER 96: INTERRUPTED RESPONSE.That night, Isabella invited Sebastián to dinner after spending the day at home. Sebastián played with Nicholas, fed Sienna, and proved to be a good father. Isabella was surprised by Sebastián's parenting skills and couldn't help but smile as she imagined Nicholas's happy childhood."And how's school going, champ? Have you made any new friends?" Sebastián asked while they were having dinner.Nicholas speared a tomato and put it in his mouth."There's a girl I like, Dad. I'm going to marry her when I'm older."Everyone at the table was stunned."You... you like her?" Isabella couldn't believe his words."Yes, she's pretty and sweet. I've decided she'll be my wife," he then looked at Sebastián and said with total seriousness, "Dad, I want you to talk to her father."Sebastián wiped his mouth with the napkin and adopted a serious expression with his son."Nicholas, I understand you like her, but love has to be reciprocal. If she falls in love with someon
CHAPTER 95: UNION OF SOULS.In her office, Inesa slammed the door shut, wishing she could unleash all her rage on something or someone. Suddenly, in a fit of fury, she swept everything off her desk. Sebastián's humiliating words kept repeating inside her."You cursed, a thousand times cursed!" she shouted.To her, Isabella was to blame for everything. If she hadn't appeared in Sebastián's life, she would have succeeded. At this moment, she would be his wife and have the man she had wanted since she met him. But Isabella had shown up to ruin everything, and not content with that, she wouldn't stop bothering him.She walked to the liquor cabinet and poured herself a glass of whiskey. There was a dark and cruel glint in her eyes."Since you insist on being my main obstacle, you leave me no choice, Isabella."She took a sip, and the liquid burned her throat."Because I always get what I want, and what I want right now is for you to disappear."Her phone vibrated on the floor. She bent dow
CHAPTER 94: "THERE'S ONLY ONE WOMAN I LOVE."Isabella read the message and didn't respond. She looked at the roses again, and the words "throw them away" were stuck in her throat. However, the anger still boiled inside her."Do you think roses are going to fix everything? After all that happened, do you think some flowers can erase it?"She grabbed her purse and car keys, stormed out, and didn't even bother to answer her secretary. When she arrived at the Ashford Enterprises building, everyone stared at her in astonishment and murmured among themselves. Louis, who was coming out of the stationery area, hurried to her."Ma'am... I mean, Miss... You?""Where's your boss?""The boss? He's... he's in the office, but he's in a meeting. If you want, I can...""No need, it will be brief."Isabella turned and went to the office, opened the door decisively, and found Sebastian meeting with another man. Both turned their faces when the door opened; however, Isabella's unfriendly face told them
CHAPTER 93: "HAS HE KISSED MOM?"In the car, Nicholas was looking at the cityscape. He felt a sense of excitement inside him; today his dad would take him to school, and later his mom would pick him up. It was like being together again. Suddenly, the same question he asked his mom came back to his mind, and this time he asked Sebastian."Dad...""Yes, son," Sebastian said, glancing at him quickly."You and Mom... are you going to get back together?"Sebastian smiled and sighed."That's what Dad is trying to achieve. It's just that Mom..." he laughed again, "she's a bit stubborn."Nicholas nodded."Yeah, Mom is stubborn. I don't know why she doesn't let you come back home if she's just going to cry alone in her room later."Sebastian's eyebrows furrowed, and his demeanor turned serious."Have you seen her?"Nicholas nodded."Yes. But then she'll say it's nothing. But I know she does it because of you."Sebastian gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. He felt like crap
CHAPTER 92: "DAD, WILL YOU TAKE ME TO SCHOOL?"Sebastian's lips seized Isabella's with dominance, his eager hands slowly traversing her back as she surrendered to the sensation of his warm fingers gliding over her skin. Her hands closed in on the hair at the nape of his neck, and an involuntary moan escaped her lips, only serving to heighten the desire in both of them.In a burst of passion, Sebastian lifted her by the buttocks and placed her on top of the table, positioning himself between her now-exposed thighs. He pressed his erection against her center, and another moan escaped Isabella's lips. It was wrong, she knew it, but she wasn't strong enough to fight the desires Sebastian awakened in her.He pulled away from her lips and began leaving a trail of kisses down her neck. His warm, wet tongue licked every part of her collarbone, and Isabella closed her eyes, tilting her head back, wishing he would go as far as he wanted. There would be time to regret it later, but at that momen
CHAPTER 91: FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU AGAIN.Sebastián whispered softly, "Don't go..." as he reached out his hand to caress Isabella's surprised face. She was in shock, her heart racing and her breathing heavy. She never imagined he would wake up.Although she was tempted to say yes, the words that came out of her lips were:"No... no, I..." She stepped back and tried to sound firm. "I just came down for some water, saw the blanket on the floor and..." She frowned and shook her head. "You know what? I don't have to explain myself to you, and between you and me..."Isabella was left speechless when Sebastián stood up, revealing his defined, muscular torso, and his lack of pants. She pointed at him, surprised and angry."You...! Why are you in your underwear? What do you think you're doing?"Sebastián ignored her complaint and walked towards her. Isabella took several steps back until her back hit the dining table."What... what... what are you going to do?" she asked, nervous and anxiou
CHAPTER 90: DON'T GOSebastián looked at Isabella, waiting for her response. And she, feeling her son's desperation and the weight of the situation, nodded slowly."Alright. Your father can stay tonight," she said, trying to keep her voice calm.Nicholas beamed and hugged Sebastián tightly. But just at that moment, Elijah intervened."Isabella, I just remembered that there are some urgent legal matters we need to discuss. And we can't leave it for tomorrow," he said, looking at Isabella seriously.Isabella frowned, clearly surprised by the urgency of the matter."Tonight?" she asked, trying to understand the situation. "Can't it wait until tomorrow morning?""I'm sorry, Isabella, but it's crucial that we review it now," Elijah insisted.Sebastián gave him a hateful look and pressed his lips together in frustration, feeling a mix of fury and desperation as he realized that Elijah was determined to take over his family. Nicholas, oblivious to the tension between the adults, continued hu
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