Chapter 1

I was holding a pregnancy test in my hand, my heart full of joy as I planned to find Leo Carter and share the unexpected news with him. Instead, I overheard something that shattered me completely.

A month ago, Leo’s older brother had been killed in a violent shoot-out. With his death, the position of the don was forced onto Leo’s shoulders.

Back then, Leo’s mother had desperately begged Ariel Sullivan to stay. “I’ve lost one son. I can’t lose my daughter-in-law, too. You must leave an heir for the Carter family.”

A month later, Ariel was pregnant. I had always believed the child was my brother-in-law’s posthumous heir, but the truth was, the child was Leo’s.

My mind buzzed violently, as if my entire world was spinning. I couldn’t process it or accept it.

Leo was warning his mother in a low voice. “This child is my brother’s posthumous son. Don't ever mention in front of Fawn again that I should marry Ariel. She won’t like it.”

His mother responded reluctantly, her eyes filled with undisguised dissatisfaction toward me. “Why do you love her so much? She can’t even give you a child. You almost ruined your life for her. If I hadn’t secretly drugged you and arranged for you to sleep with Ariel, the Carter family wouldn’t even have a successor by now.”

Leo cut her off, his voice icy. “I won’t pursue the matter of the drugs. And even if Ariel is carrying my child, Fawn will be my one and only wife.”

Immediately after, his phone rang. He answered it, and his expression changed instantly.

“Ariel isn’t feeling well. I’ll take her to the doctor.”

I watched him leave in a hurry. Behind me, Leo’s mother smiled with satisfaction.

“And he says he has no feelings for her,” she said softly. “Look at how nervous he is. He’s already fallen for her.”

I leaned against the wall, forcing myself to stay calm, but the hand holding the pregnancy test was shaking uncontrollably.

Logic told me that pretending I knew nothing was the best choice. Leo would never let me discover the truth, and if I acted ignorant, I could remain his cherished, protected wife. However, I knew I would never be able to do that.

The naked truth suffocated me, and I staggered away quietly, not alerting anyone.

Three years ago, my parents died in a violent mafia fight. Since then, Leo had become my only family. I gave up my inheritance from the Jossa family to marry him, believing he would be my strongest support, my unshakable anchor. Yet, in the end, he betrayed me.

I called my late father’s former secretary. After my parents’ deaths, all of the Jossa family’s assets had been managed by him. He had been nothing but loyal to my father.

“In three days,” I said quietly, “I’m leaving Leo and returning to the family. I want you to erase all traces of my whereabouts.”

My father’s secretary, Mr. Will Harmon, was stunned.

“Why? Leo loves you so much. If he can’t find you, he’ll go insane.”

My lips curled into a bitter smile.

“He won’t,” I said softly. “He’ll have a new wife. And he’s about to become a father. Before long, he’ll forget about me.”

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

Finally, Mr. Harmon sighed. “I never thought Leo would betray you… But don’t be sad. Everything in the Jossa family belongs to you. In three days, I’ll have everything prepared and personally hand it over to you.”

I was just about to thank him when a low, familiar voice suddenly sounded behind me.

“Who’s about to become a father?”