Chapter 1

Kathleen Johnson was sitting on the bed with a blanket wrapped around her.

There were small red bruises on her exposed smooth shoulder and delicate collarbone. Although she was in a daze, it was undeniable that she still looked nice.

The sound of running water from the bathroom stopped abruptly, and Samuel Macari came out of the bathroom with a white towel wrapped around his waist after a while.

He had broad shoulders, a lean body, well-defined abs, and the chiseled features of a male model. No, he looked much better than a male model.

“Why are you in a daze?” Samuel's deep and magnetic voice rang out. “Have you thought of what you want?”

Kathleen regained her senses. She swallowed a lump in her throat as she looked at the man's muscular body.

“Is it okay if we don't get a divorce?” Her voice was sweet as usual, and her eyes were filled with a hint of innocence and misery.

“Why have you become so ignorant all of a sudden?” Samuel looked at her gently yet coldly at the same time. “Nicolette is back.”

Kathleen's heart sank.

Of course, I know that Nicolette is back.

Nicolette Yoeger was Samuel's childhood sweetheart.

Unfortunately, she was not welcomed in the Yoeger family, as she was an illegitimate child.

Thus, the Macari family did not agree with Samuel marrying her.

Kathleen, on the other hand, had a clean family background.

Her parents were doctors, who had unfortunately passed away in an effort to rescue Samuel's grandmother, Diana Lane, from a fire. They died because of saving the life of another person.

To thank the couple and prevent Samuel from marrying Nicolette, Diana had forced Samuel to marry Kathleen.

Back then, Diana had been in poor health, and the doctor had issued several notices of critical illness to Samuel.

Samuel did not have any choice but to agree to the arranged marriage.

He had told Kathleen that he would not fall in love with her and that everything was done so that Diana would be at ease.

Kathleen completely understood that. She looked very much like a harmless little rabbit. She was gentle and thoughtful and was never a competitive person.

Thus, he had assured her by saying, “As long as you are still Mrs. Macari, I will not let you suffer. We will get a divorce three years later, and I will compensate you when the time comes.”

Kathleen looked at him meekly.

I married him not because of his money, but because I wanted to fulfill a dream from my youth. And the dream is shattered now. It's time for me to face the reality. I've been gentle and obedient for three years, but I just couldn't let this man fall in love with me. How pathetic of me!

“Sam,” Kathleen called him.

She was the only one who would call him by that name. Every time she called him so, her voice would be unusually sweet to his ears.

And whenever she called him that on the bed, Samuel could never stop himself from making love to her.

At the thought that she would probably marry another man after their divorce and of her using that same gentle voice to call another man, he felt displeased.

“Hmm?”

Kathleen could see her reflection in his eyes. She mustered her courage and said, “Sam, I'm pregnant.”

Samuel's face darkened at once. “What did you say?”

Kathleen trembled involuntarily. She bit her lip and repeated, “I'm pregnant.”

“Get rid of it,” Samuel said without hesitation.

“What?”

“I said get rid of it.” His handsome face was full of hostility. “I'm not going to backtrack on my plan to divorce you just because of a baby. Besides, I don't want the baby to become a hindrance between Nicolette and me.”

Kathleen's face turned pale.

It looks like even a child can't change his decision. How could he tell me to abort the baby? What a cold-blooded man. The baby is his own flesh and blood.

Kathleen chuckled softly.

“Why are you laughing?” Samuel's face clouded over.

“I'm not pregnant. I lied.” Kathleen had a smile on her face, but her heart was bleeding inside.

“You lied?” Samuel was visibly upset.

“That's right. If you don't believe me, why don't we go to the hospital for a checkup?”

“Good. I don't want the existence of a potential threat. Abort the baby if you're really pregnant. I'll give you an extra one hundred million so that you can do what's necessary for your health. Don't worry, it won't affect your... second marriage.”

Second marriage?

Kathleen gave a rueful smile. “I'm really not pregnant, so you don't have to give me extra money. If you're worried, we can go to the hospital for a checkup.”

Samuel held her chin. “What's your plan after we get a divorce?”

Kathleen wrapped her arms around his neck. “I wanna join showbiz.”

Samuel was stunned.

Kathleen had graduated from a film academy after taking an acting course.

If not for her marriage to Samuel, she would have won the award for best actress long ago.

For some reason, Samuel did not like the idea of her joining the entertainment industry.

He knew that she was an attractive woman and was afraid that people would have their eyes on her.

“Very well. I will add another clause to our divorce agreement. You'll be signed under Starlight Entertainment, and they'll make you famous in five years.”

Kathleen smiled faintly. “It's fine. I was just saying. How are you going to tell Grandma about it?”

Samuel felt the onset of a headache at the mention of Diana.

He knew that Diana would not agree with them getting a divorce.

Moreover, Diana did not like Nicolette's identity as an illegitimate child.

“You tell her.” Samuel looked at Kathleen coldly. “She listens to you. I will give you an extra house if it works.”

Kathleen was at a loss for words, and there was a throbbing pain in her heart.

Did he really think that I married him for the money and the house? It doesn't even concern him that he has hurt my feelings.

“Fine,” Kathleen agreed. “Sam, make love to me one more time.”

“Your wish is my command, you little vixen.” Samuel pulled her out of the blanket and positioned her such that she was sitting on him.

Truth be told, he could never have enough of her, for the woman was a delightful treat to him.

When he realized that he could never taste her again, he acted even harder than before. He wished he could drain her energy.

The next morning, Kathleen was awakened by the sound of a phone ringing.

Even though she was emotionally abused by Samuel, he had pampered her in other aspects.

Knowing that she would be grumpy in the morning, he would set his phone on silent or vibrate mode when he arrived home at night.

He was afraid that someone would look for him and wake her up.

However, unbeknownst to her, he had switched it back off.

Lifting the phone groggily, she intended to tell him that there was an incoming call for him.

But the moment she saw Nicolette's name on the phone screen, she froze.

So that's the reason for the change. Is he afraid that Nicolette can't find him? What a considerate man!

All of a sudden, Kathleen realized that the past three years had merely been a dream.

As a matter of fact, it was not without any signs.

Even though Samuel did not love her, he had doted on her, for she looked very identical to Nicolette.

She had been Nicolette's replacement for three years.