Chapter 2

I let out a bitter laugh.

"In that case, there's no point in keeping this baby either."

Rob couldn't have cared less.

"Some bastard from God knows where. Better off aborted."

My nails dug into my palms. I never thought Rob would call his own child a bastard. He probably had no idea that this child would be the only bloodline he'd ever have.

Rob had low sperm count. We'd been married five years and never conceived.

The Balmer family had produced only one son per generation for nine straight generations. When they found out about Rob's condition, they were frantic.

After begging me nonstop, I went abroad for IVF. It took three grueling years before I finally got pregnant with this one.

I came home wanting to surprise him. Turns out, he had a much bigger surprise for me.

I was planning to call my lawyer to start drafting divorce papers when Lily hung up with a sharp click. Her eyes were blazing. She slapped me across the face.

"So you are just a beggar! Trying to pin some random bastard on Rob!"

In my entire life, no one had ever hit me before.

I was shaking with rage. I reached over and pressed the emergency panic button right next to the villa gate.

Lily didn't stop me. She just watched me with a cold smirk.

"You tramp. Do you have any idea what the Balmer name means in this city? I could beat you to death right here and no one would dare say a word."

I glared back at her coldly.

The Balmers were wealthy, but so was my family. Marrying Rob had actually been a step down for me.

How many of his company's bids had succeeded because of my family's connections?

Even the property manager here — I was the one who'd made him supervisor because I thought he'd been attentive enough back in the day.

Within three minutes, property security showed up.

I scanned the group and frowned. I didn't see Thomas Frist, the one I knew.

Before I could speak, Lily batted her lashes at the lead security guard, who turned out to be her cousin.

"Lukas! It's this bitch right here. She's carrying some mystery baby and claiming it's Rob's. I can't get rid of her!"

My stomach turned at the sight of Lily's smug face.

"Get your manager, Thomas, here," I said coldly. "Then you'll find out whether I'm Mrs. Balmer or not."

The guard hesitated.

"Thomas is on a business trip. You know him?"

Lily spat loudly.

"Oh, so that's how you got in! You're sleeping with the property manager! That baby in your belly must be his!"

Someone muttered, "Isn't Thomas married?"

Lily sneered. "So she's a serial homewrecker! Got used up by some married man and now she's looking for Rob to play daddy!"

I gritted my teeth so hard it hurt.

"I am not a mistress. My name is Sherry Knight, and Rob Balmer got down on one knee to marry me!"

But no one was listening. They were all sneering at me.

"She's pretty enough, but she had to go and throw herself at a taken man."

"And of all people, she picks a fight with Lily? That's suicide! Everyone knows Mr. Balmer spoils Lily rotten."

"He's even moved her into his place. They're probably getting married soon. This homewrecker must've found out and came to cause trouble."

At that, Lily's face went dark. She grabbed my hair and slapped me across the face twice more.

"Bitch. I knew you were up to no good."

Her sharp nails tore right through my skin. Warm blood ran into my eye, and the whole world turned red.

But Lily wasn't done. She unhooked the dog leashes and let the mastiffs loose.

"Haven't fed them today. Why don't you be their dinner?"

The second they were free, the drooling mastiffs lunged at me.