Chapter 1-

[I hope Mrs. Carter can bless us.]

Accompanying the message was a photo: a man and a woman entering a hotel together.

Though the image was blurry, Alessia recognized Dominic Carter immediately.

A faint smile graced Alessia's lips. So, Dominic hadn't been avoiding her after all.

Ironically, three years ago, she had lost her memory, and a man claiming to be her grandfather had arranged her marriage to Dominic, leaving behind a bank card before disappearing.

With nowhere else to turn and her memory gone, she had simply gone through with the marriage.

Now it seemed she had inadvertently stood in the way of Dominic's feelings, which explained his apparent aversion to her.

As she hovered her finger over the call button, Bianca—her sister-in-law—came out of nowhere with a sinister smile.

"You've been married for three years, Alessia. When will you bless the Carter family with a child?" Bianca Carter's voice held a sharp edge. “But... uh, you are fat and ugly. My brother doesn't even fancy you, and he probably hasn't even touched you, right?”

Alessia winced at the blunt question, knowing there was truth in Bianca's words. Despite carrying the title of Mrs. Carter, she hadn't fulfilled its expectations. Even updates on her husband's whereabouts came through hearsay.

She pressed her lips together, her gaze fixed on the message on her phone.

Alessia chuckled softly.

Since their lives were so intertwined, she might as well lend fate a helping hand.

Half an hour later, Alessia had drafted a divorce agreement and made her way to the Ritz Hotel.

She barely had time to knock before the door swung open, and she was pulled inside by a pair of eager hands.

In the dim light, she met Dominic's fiery gaze.

Alessia sensed something amiss and attempted to pull away, but he held her firmly.

"Trying to escape? You encouraged grandma to have someone bring me pie—wasn't that your plan?"Dominic's voice was laden with accusation.

Alessia's heart sank as she realized his misunderstanding. Before she could explain, Dominic's lips descended upon hers.

...

Early morning.

Alessia woke up, yesterday's memories flooding back.

Thinking of Dominic's misunderstanding, she felt somewhat helpless.

She had come to discuss divorce, but now things had turned out like this.

Alessia glanced at the man still sleeping, her eyes slightly narrowed, her lips tightly pursed. His usually sharp facial features seemed softened.

Decision made, Alessia got up, put down the divorce agreement, paused, rummaged through her pockets, and finally pulled out a coin.

She pressed the coin onto the divorce agreement and added a note: "You're welcome!"

The next day.

Carter's Group, CEO's Office.

An assistant handed a document to Dominic. "Sir, this was found in the hotel suite."

A divorce agreement?

Dominic took it, his gaze darkening. He didn't believe Alessia would be willing to divorce.

Wasn't this what she wanted? Monthly allowances in the millions, quarterly luxury items, and clothes?

It was just a game of cat and mouse, and she'd probably come back in a few days.

At that moment, the assistant spoke again, "Old Madam called, saying Mrs. Carter left this morning, wearing clothes from three years ago when she first came to the Carter family. She didn't take her bank card or phone."

"..."

"I checked the bank card's transactions, and the money inside hasn't been touched."

How could this be?!

Dominic fell silent, his deep gaze changing.

Seeing Dominic's expression, the assistant plucked up the courage and handed over the note and coin. "There's also these, left by Mrs. Carter."

Leaving things for him?

It was just a pretense.

Dominic sneered, but when he saw the elegant handwriting on the note, a coldness appeared on his face.

"Alessia La Rosa!"

What did she take him for?

One cent?!

Was he only worth one cent?

"Find her! Even if you have to turn the entire city upside down, find her!" Dominic clenched the coin, his face dark.

...

In a rental house in Toronto.

Alessia was applying a facial mask when Sam handed her some daily necessities. She carefully closed the door before taking off the mask and throwing it in the trash.

She was seven months pregnant.

After leaving the Carter family, she had intended to look for her grandfather.

She didn't expect Dominic to be searching for her all over the city, and there was even another group of people looking for her.

Only now did Alessia realize the meaning behind her grandfather's instructions not to leave the Carter family.

For the sake of her child, she could only temporarily hide in this rental house. Luckily, she found someone named Sam who helped her with daily necessities.

Alessia lowered her gaze, looking at her swollen belly, her eyes softened instantly.

She would protect her child and make sure Dominic didn't find out about her pregnancy and take the child away.

That day.

A knock sounded on the door.

Alessia applied the face mask as usual and opened the door.

But as soon as she took the bag, she caught sight of something shiny in the other person's sleeve.

He wasn't Sam!

Alessia acted decisively, throwing the things in her hand at the person and grabbing a wooden stick she had prepared by the door, striking out.

In the pouring rain, Alessia fled the rental house.

At that moment, a sudden pain shot through her abdomen. She was going into labor!

...

Five years later.

Toronto Pearson International Airport.

A little girl in a pink princess dress, as cute as a doll, sat on a suitcase, pushed out by another little girl in the same princess dress.

Alessia followed behind, revealing a porcelain-smooth face.

She wore a simple white shirt, jeans, and tied her hair into a neat ponytail. With delicate and beautiful features, she exuded a cold temperament.

Alessia narrowed her eyes, looking at the city she had been away from for so long.

Five years had passed, and she had finally returned.

"Mommy, is this the city where you were born and raised? It's so beautiful, just like you! Even the air smells sweet!" Eleanor blinked her clear eyes, full of curiosity about everything around her. Her features were eight points similar to Alessia's, especially her eyes.

"Yeah!" Alessia replied, opening her phone to contact the car that was coming to pick them up.

"Mommy, where are we going now? Are we going to find Daddy?" Eleanor tilted her head, continuing to ask curiously.

"No, your daddy went to outer space to fight monsters and won't be back for a hundred years!" Alessia casually replied.

Before Eleanor could express her opinion, Chris, who was pushing the suitcase, sighed helplessly, "Mommy, we're five years old now, not three!"

The implication was that this lie needed to be upgraded.

Alessia was speechless.

Sometimes, it wasn't a good thing for children to be too smart!

“Oh Mommy, one lie leads to countless more lies. Even if Daddy is a bit shorter, a bit fatter, a bit uglier, and not presentable enough, his existence can't be erased!” Christian continued lecturing like a little adult, opening his small arms and considerately picking up Eleanor from the suitcase.

On the other side, Chris's remarks successfully caught Dominic's attention.

Dominic emerged from the VIP channel and heard Christian's voice.

Indeed, girls were livelier. Unlike Christopher, who might not say three words in a day.

He looked towards the voice, only seeing the back of the little girl, unable to see her face, but he saw another little girl wearing the same princess dress as her.

The girl's face was cute and lovely, especially her big blue eyes, which sparkled and were exceptionally lively.

They must be identical twins, both equally adorable.

Dominic thought, his gaze falling on the mother of the little girls.

She was an excessively beautiful woman!

Alessia seemed to feel someone staring at her, looked up, and met a pair of deep and familiar eyes.

It was him!

Dominic Carter!

What a small world.

Alessia felt a moment of guilt, but soon recovered.

She had lost weight long ago, and Dominic wouldn't recognize her at all.

Back then, she gave birth prematurely in a storm and managed to get to the hospital and gave birth to three children at the risk of her life.

But those people were not planning to let her go!

She tried her best, but in the end, she lost her firstborn.

After that, she was depressed for a long time and lost a lot of weight. To ensure the safety of her remaining two children and avoid those people, she had to leave temporarily.

But after five years, she still couldn't let go of her firstborn.

So, she resolutely decided to return to the country.

Her thoughts gathered, and Alessia stared fiercely.

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she hugged Christian tightly.

She couldn't let Dominic see Christian's face. After all, Christian's face was like a miniature version of Dominic!

***