Chapter 1

Before Yvonne could process what she'd seen and heard, a familiar figure walked out of the doctor's office.

The woman slipped her arm affectionately through Cole's, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Thank God Yuri's okay. I was scared to death."

Only then did Yvonne realize the woman was her direct supervisor, Renee Abbott.

Renee had joined the company after returning from overseas a year ago. She and Yvonne had clicked immediately and soon became close friends who told each other everything.

Yuri Foster was Renee's five-year-old son.

When Renee first arrived, she'd said that she and Yuri's father had separated because of a misunderstanding. But not long afterward, she'd happily treated Yvonne to dinner and announced that they'd remarried.

After that, Renee often shared funny stories and sweet moments from their family life.

So when Yvonne found out she was pregnant, she'd imagined that she and Cole would only be happier once they had a child of their own.

She had even teased Renee about never bringing her husband around to meet everyone.

Renee had laughed and said, "You'll definitely meet him eventually."

Yvonne never could have imagined that she really would meet him today and that he would turn out to be her own husband.

Shortly after, she saw her brother, Yale Carter, arriving with several of their friends.

"How's Yuri?"

"He's okay." Renee paused, her voice choking up. "But the doctor said his condition is progressing very quickly."

One of their friends, Evan Brooks, said, "Once Yvonne has the amniocentesis, there'll still be hope. The doctor said a half-sibling with the same father has a pretty good chance of being a match too."

Another friend, Miles Turner, clicked his tongue. "That's only because Yvonne doesn't know. If she did, knowing her, she'd never agree."

Tears immediately streamed down Renee's face.

"Then is she going to just stand there and watch Yuri die? He's only a child!"

Standing nearby, Yale frowned and said in a low voice, "Yvonne isn't unreasonable. And she really likes Yuri. She'll understand."

Something seemed to explode inside Yvonne's head.

A chill swept down her spine as she covered her stomach and backed away.

They wanted the baby inside her to donate bone marrow.

Just then, a nurse stepped out and called, "Ms. Abbott, your son is awake and asking for you."

After Renee went into the room, Evan clapped Cole on the shoulder.

"When are you going to tell Yvonne?" Evan asked. "You proposed to her without ever telling her you'd been married before.

"And right before the wedding, when Renee told you Yuri needed a bone marrow transplant and asked you to have another child with her, you remarried her out of guilt and gave Yvonne a fake marriage certificate.

"That child wasn't a match. Now the doctor says a paternal half-sibling might be, so you've arranged Yvonne's amniocentesis too."

"Yvonne never needs to know."

Cole cut him off sharply, his expression darkening.

"Once Yvonne gives birth and the baby saves Yuri, I'll divorce Renee. After that, there'll be nothing between us.

"After that, I'll legally marry Yvonne and spend the rest of my life making it up to her."

Yvonne stumbled backward.

Her heart felt as if countless knives had pierced it, leaving her barely able to breathe.

Five years ago, she'd attended a party with Yale and met Cole, who had just returned from overseas. That was when she'd learned he was one of her brother's close friends.

Cole had fallen for her at first sight and pursued her relentlessly.

Once they got together, he'd treated her like a princess, as if he would have plucked the stars and moon from the sky for her if he could.

After becoming friends with Renee, Yvonne even introduced them and brought Renee into her social circle.

But Cole had never shown the slightest sign that anything was wrong. Neither had anyone else.

As it turned out, they had all known. Even her own brother. And they had all kept it from her.

Her phone suddenly vibrated, breaking into her thoughts.

A message had come in.

[Have you decided? Are you really giving up the chance to study abroad?]

Yvonne wiped away her tears and typed a short reply.

[I'm not giving it up. I'll go.]

Then she turned and made an appointment with the doctor nearby for an abortion.

The doctor looked confused. Just minutes ago, Yvonne had been so worried about the baby. Now she wanted to end the pregnancy.

"Are you sure you don't want to keep the baby?"

Yvonne nodded.

"I'm sure. I don't want it."

The words had barely left her mouth when Cole's voice came from behind her.

"Don't want what?"