Chapter 1

The doctor blinked twice in shock when he heard me. For a moment, he seemed completely at a loss for words.

Just then, the private investigator I had hired came rushing down the stairs toward me, clutching a file and breathing heavily.

"Ms. Xander, I found out! Wendy's baby is Mr. Johnson's!"

The doctor's eyes widened when he heard that. The surprise on his face quickly gave way to embarrassment.

He hurriedly took half a step back and gave me an awkward, forced smile.

"Ms. Xander, I'll leave you to it. I still have rounds to make, so I'd better go."

I ignored him.

I took the paternity test report and opened it. My eyes fell on the conclusion on the last page.

"The results support that the tested individual is the biological father of the fetus, with a paternity probability exceeding 99.99%."

"Thank you for your help. I'll have double your fee transferred to your account."

The investigator thanked me profusely.

But I was too drained to even respond.

Clutching my stomach, I walked in a daze to the window at the end of the hallway.

There was a large pane of glass there.

All I had to do was look down to see Richard Johnson supporting Wendy Warren, who had just finished her prenatal checkup, as they strolled through the first-floor garden and chatted.

The two of them were incredibly affectionate, with Wendy practically nestled in Richard's arms.

They chatted and laughed together, looking every bit like a happily married couple.

I watched them, trembling all over with pain.

But I still couldn't bring myself to let go. I wasn't ready to give up on Richard, so I decided to give him one last chance.

I watched the two of them and called him.

His phone rang.

He glanced at the screen as it lit up, frowned in irritation, and hung up.

I called again, only to be hung up on again.

It wasn't until the third time that he finally answered.

Before I could say a word, Richard's impatient voice came through the phone.

"Yolanda, what the hell is wrong with you?

"I told you I'm busy! I'm busy! Why do you keep calling me over and over? What could possibly be so urgent?"

I swallowed the tremor in my voice.

"Richard, I'm not feeling well. Could you come with me to my prenatal checkup?"

He let out a heavy sigh, clearly annoyed by me.

"If you're not feeling well, go see a doctor yourself. Can't you have the maid or nanny take you to the hospital? I'm so swamped at the office every day that I barely have time to breathe. I really don't have time to spend all day fussing over you just because you're pregnant."

"I..."

I wanted to say something else, but he had already hung up.

Downstairs, Richard, who had just been speaking harshly into the phone, instantly returned to his gentle demeanor the moment he turned around. He continued strolling leisurely with his arm around Wendy.

I couldn't put the feeling into words. The bitterness welling up inside me felt like it was about to spill from my mouth.

A chill ran through me, and I shuddered.

When I looked up, I saw a pregnant woman with red, tear-swollen eyes reflected in the glass.

I felt sorry for her.

The nurse's footsteps sounded behind me. She said gently, "Ms. Xander, it's time for your procedure.

"If you haven't made up your mind yet, we can reschedule or cancel the appointment."

Only then did I come back to my senses.

I hastily wiped the tears streaking down my face, turned around, and said, "No.

"I've made up my mind. Take me in for the procedure."

I didn't want the baby or Richard anymore.

The procedure was over quickly.

As the anesthesia gradually wore off, a deep, dull pain spread through my body.

I hadn't brought a maid with me, so I could only make my way out slowly, using the wall for support.

As I passed the corner, I heard someone calling my name loudly.

"Yolanda!"

I turned around.

Sure enough, it was Richard's young stepmother, Wendy.