Chapter 1

When Felicia discovered her husband cheating at the hospital, she was 25 weeks pregnant. Tall and striking in his black coat, Max was holding a fragile, beautiful girl in his arms. The girl's features were flawless, like a porcelain doll, with pink cheeks and a small face snuggled inside a soft wool scarf. She was dressed in a white fur coat. Felicia's fingers became white as she clutched her pregnancy test results.

Her cheeks were seared by the cold wind, but it was nothing compared to the pain that twisted inside her chest. From across the parking lot, Max saw her. There was not even a hint of shame on his face, making it impossible to discern. He actually held the car door for the girl with such tenderness that it nearly seemed unreal. It's possible for the icy, untouchable Max to be sensitive and caring—just not with her. Felicia appeared to be staring at the girl.

She hesitated, gave Felicia a perplexed glance, and then faced Max. "Max, why is that elderly woman observing you? Are you familiar with her? Although Felicia was unable to hear the words, she could tell from the way the girl's lips formed the term "old lady." Felicia wanted to chuckle at the sting of it. Even though she was just twenty-four, she appeared to be at least ten years older than this stunning, youthful girl due to her bigger frame, weary countenance, baggy black coat, wool hat, and the awkward heaviness of late pregnancy.

Max assisted the girl into the car without even looking at her. Felicia watched them drive away, motionless. Her entire body was numb. Their union had never been a dream come true. Due to her pregnancy, a shotgun wedding was arranged. Their marriage was a stain to Max, the golden lad with everything. The evidence of the trap she had built for him was the baby inside her. For that, he detested her. However, she had been secretly in love with him for eight years.

She was aware that she would never measure up. All she could do was exert significant effort, emulate his actions, and strive to better herself. She eventually became his assistant, and being close to him had been sufficient for some time. But everything had been shattered that night. Not only did it shatter Max, but it also shattered her dignity, pride, and everything she had left when she faced him. The way he stared at her afterward, like if she were something dirty he couldn't get off his skin, was something she would never forget. Hot against the chilly wind, a tear trickled down Felicia's cheek. She gasped as a searing agony ripped through her abdomen.

Grabbing her stomach, she leaned against a stone pillar, gasping for air. When a nurse saw her, she rushed over and led her into a consultation room. It turned out to be nothing serious—just her feelings overwhelming her. Felicia dragged her weary body back to Oakridge Estate once she had calmed down and left the hospital. Max owned the mansion. Two seasoned housekeepers from the Hawthorne family's former residence were dispatched by his grandmother Miranda to take care of her. However, Felicia discovered the two women relaxing in the comfortable living area, munching and joking as if they owned the space. When the door opened, they looked up.

One of them got up and walked over. "How was the appointment?" she inquired, her tone icy and full of contempt. Although they were meant to be caring for her, they behaved more like guardians, keeping an eye on everything she did. Felicia simply gave her a cold stare and ignored her entirely as she made her way to the stairs. I'm speaking to you, hello. "Felicia's quiet evidently irritated the maid, who scowled. Felicia did not even look back as she continued to move. " She waddles around like a monster," the maid whispered to herself. How embarrassing. Felicia returned to her room, sat on the bed, and gazed blankly. She felt lost and hollow.

She had never truly been accepted by Max or his family. Only because Felicia became pregnant at the perfect moment and Max's grandfather Brysen was gravely ill had Miranda been the one to push for the marriage. Miranda believed that a wedding and a baby would lift Brysen's spirits and aid in his recuperation. Brysen did begin to improve, though perhaps this was just a coincidence. Following that, Miranda's mindset little softened. Nevertheless, Felicia was denigrated by the other Hawthornes, who constantly reminded her that she didn't belong. The purpose of her checkup today was to determine the baby's gender. It was a female.