Chapter 1

“Doesn’t she suspect anything?” a woman’s voice sounded gentle.

A woman reflexively stood behind the main door. Her heart was pounding fast.

She was Natalie Margaretha Cole. Yes, she had just arrived home after spending one week back in the village, her small suitcase had just touched the marble floor with a soft sound. In her hand, she held a white envelope—a pregnancy letter she intended to make into a surprise.

It had been two months since she became Cristian Cooper’s wife. Although their marriage was only registered at the civil office, without a wedding party, without acknowledgment from the Cooper family, Natalie never demanded anything. For her, being able to marry the man she loved was more than enough.

Cristian chuckled softly. “No. She’s too stupid.”

Natalie’s chest tightened.

“I’m just afraid,” the woman continued. “What if someday you end up loving her after she gives you a child?”

“That won’t happen,” Cristian answered without hesitation. “After she gives birth to a child for me, I will divorce her. I married her only as a tool so she would give me an heir.”

Natalie’s breath caught.

“Are you sure?” the woman asked again, sounding uncertain.

“Very sure,” Cristian said flatly. “I only love you.”

The woman laughed softly. “Thank goodness. You know I can’t get pregnant.”

“Yes, of course. You’re an international model,” Cristian continued. “Your body is an asset. Pregnancy would ruin it.”

Jennifer Lyn smiled in satisfaction. “Ah, darling… you really are such an understanding man.” She kissed Cristian’s lips without hesitation, and Cristian immediately returned it, even deepening the kiss.

Natalie’s hands clenched tightly, crumpling the pregnancy letter.

“Ah, that’s enough! Hmm, so everything is going according to plan?” Jennifer asked.

“Of course,” Cristian replied. “She’s stupid. That night, she believed I was drunk.”

Jennifer chuckled. “She really is a stupid maid.”

Cristian laughed shortly. “Yes. She really is that stupid.”

Natalie’s head buzzed.

“So that night… he wasn’t drunk.

And I was truly fooled.”

“At least she’s useful,” Madam Clara’s voice sounded cold. “Once she is pregnant with a Cooper family child and gives birth to an heir, she must return to her place as a maid. She is not worthy of being the Young Madam of the Cooper family.”

Jennifer let out a relieved sigh. “Thank goodness. After that, I won’t have to ruin my body with pregnancy.”

Natalie slowly stepped backward. Her legs felt weak. They were still laughing, still talking, completely unaware of her presence.

“So I’m just a tool…” she whispered faintly. “He deceived me?”

Natalie’s memories returned to that night—the night she had believed to be the beginning of their marriage. The night Cristian came home staggering, with the strong smell of alcohol clinging to him. She thought he was drunk, unconscious, and needed help. With a heart full of affection, Natalie guided him to the bedroom, intending to take care of him, not to give herself. But one touch turned into a trap. In confusion and with the love she had buried for five years, Natalie let everything happen. She gave her body and her dignity with the belief that the man she loved had finally chosen her. It turned out that night was not a mistake, but a trap consciously planned, while her love was regarded as mere stupidity.

Natalie wiped the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand. Those tears fell not because she was weak, but because her chest was too tight to hold the truth. She took a deep breath, then slowly opened her bag. The white envelope was neatly placed back inside, as if she were storing something that was no longer worthy of being shown.

“I really am a maid,” she whispered softly, almost inaudibly. “But I still have dignity.”

From the living room, their laughter could still be heard. Natalie stepped forward. This time, she deliberately made her footsteps clear. When she stood at the doorway of the living room, all three of them turned toward her at once.

Cristian’s eyes widened. “Natalie?”

Jennifer reflexively pulled her body away from Cristian. Madam Clara narrowed her eyes, looking Natalie up and down.

Natalie raised both hands, then clapped slowly. “It seems I came at an inappropriate time!”

“Natalie, since when did you arrive?” Cristian stood up hurriedly.

“Just now,” Natalie answered briefly. “But long enough to hear everything.”

Then Natalie smiled faintly. “I originally came home to give a surprise,” she said while lightly patting her bag. “But it turns out I was the one who got surprised.”

Cristian swallowed. “Natalie, listen to me first. You misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood?” Natalie laughed softly. “Did I misunderstand when you called me stupid? Or when you said I was just a tool?”

Jennifer crossed her arms. “Oh, good that you heard it all. Then don’t pretend to be the victim.”

Natalie stepped closer. “I am the victim here.”

“That’s enough!” Madam Clara shouted. “You should be grateful to be able to sit in that position.”

Natalie stopped right in front of Cristian. “What did you say? I should be grateful?!”

“Natalie—”

Slap!

The slap landed hard on Cristian’s cheek. The room instantly fell silent.

“Don’t say my name with a mouth full of lies,” Natalie said.

Jennifer was shocked. “How dare you hit him!”

She stepped forward and pushed Natalie’s shoulder. “Remember your position! You’re just a maid!”

Natalie stepped back half a step, then stared straight at Jennifer.

Slap!

Now it was Jennifer who froze, holding her cheek with wide eyes.

“Don’t touch me,” Natalie said coldly. “I am Cristian Cooper’s legal wife! What’s wrong with slapping a man who deceived me?”

Madam Clara stepped forward with a red face. “You’re shameless! Kneel down and apologize at once!”

“What? I have to kneel and apologize?!” Natalie repeated. “Hah! I REFUSE!”

Cristian let out a heavy sigh. “Natalie, enough… don’t drag this out. Just play your role, and I’ll give you compensation after you give birth to a child for me.”

Natalie stared at him for a long time. Then she slowly shook her head.

Jennifer added, “If it weren’t for your womb, you’d be useless. You should be grateful.”

Natalie smiled faintly. “Then just find another woman out there.”

Everyone fell silent.

“What do you mean?” Cristian asked sharply.

“My meaning is simple,” Natalie answered calmly. “If you need a tool, there are many women out there who are willing. I’m not interested in being a baby-making tool.”

Madam Clara sneered. “Don’t be arrogant! You’re just a maid! Just accept your fate.”

Natalie smiled, then pulled her suitcase beside her.

“I will not give birth to a child for the Cooper family,” Natalie continued. “And I will not stay in a house that treats me as a tool.”

Cristian clenched his fists. “Natalie, you will regret this.”

Natalie looked at him without fear. “No, Mr. Cooper. I will not regret it. The one who will regret it is you.”

Then she turned toward the door.

“Oh yes,” Natalie paused for a moment. “Let’s get divorced, Mr. Cooper.”