Chapter 1

Nicholas Faulkner came home just as I had finally put our son to sleep.

He took Yves Faulkner from my arms, and for a moment, there was something almost tender in his expression. But I couldn't have expected what he was about to say.

"I'm going on a business trip to Leekspring this afternoon for a week. When I get back, we'll go get our marriage certificate."

I froze. For a moment, I thought I must have misheard.

After all, just when I had deliberately gotten pregnant, Nicholas had exploded in rage.

"Olivia Thompson, how dare you plan this behind my back? You're not thinking that just because you're carrying my child, you can control me, are you? I'll never marry you!"

Now that he suddenly said he would marry me, I was shocked.

When he saw me standing there in disbelief, a mocking smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Are you surprised to hear I'm willing to marry you? Yves is my son. I have a responsibility toward him. He cannot grow up as an illegitimate child who's mocked by everyone. As for you… The best I can offer is the position as my wife."

Over the past year, he had said the harshest things to me.

He didn't know I had long stopped expecting anything from him. Tomorrow, I would leave.

I really wanted to leave. It was only because of Yves that I had dragged my feet for so long.

Just as I was about to tell him I was leaving, his phone rang.

It was a personalized ringtone that was only reserved for Amelia Lane's calls.

As he answered, his voice softened. "Don't rush. Stay home and wait for me. I'll pick you up, and we'll head to the airport together. When we land, we'll go shopping. No matter if it's a gold bar or a building that you like, I'll buy it for you."

I swallowed the words that had been on the tip of my tongue. There was no need for me to say anything.

After all, he was marrying me only for Yves. He no longer loved me, so he wouldn't care whether I stayed or left. Leaving would probably make him feel better.

After Nicholas left, I began packing. By the time I was done, Yves had just woken up from his nap.

Leaning down, I nuzzled his cheek. He squinted and giggled back at me.

But the thought of leaving tomorrow made my nose sting, and sorrow welled up inside me.

There was no choice. Even before he was born, I had promised my mother-in-law, Tracy Wilson, to leave him with the Faulkner family. I had accepted the money, so I couldn't go back on my word.

As night fell, my phone pinged with new messages.

Amelia had sent more photos to taunt me. She showed me a messy hotel suite, disheveled sheets, and a hickey on her neck.

She made her malice clear.

"Nicholas just devoured me like a starving wolf five times! He even said he'll never touch you again because you disgust him."

In the past, Amelia's existence had driven me to tears. I had confronted Nicholas in hysterics, demanding to know why he hurt me so deeply.

But now, my heart felt nothing.

I calmly typed back.

"You're just a inflatable doll. I never knew they could send messages."

Amelia was furious. "Are you seriously calling me a inflatable doll? You're just jealous that Nicholas loves me!"

Once, I had dreamed of growing old with Nicholas. That dream was gone.

My father had worked for Nicholas' family. He died in an accident while saving Nicholas' father.

After that, I was taken in by the Faulkner family. Their elders treated me with care and affection. Nicholas swore he would always be good to me and that he would never leave me.

As we grew up, it seemed natural that we fell in love. We held hands, embraced, kissed, and shared passionate moments.

But he refused to marry me.

It wasn't because he didn't care, but because he was against marriage and he didn't want children.

He said, "We can stay in love forever, just the two of us. That's enough."

But I couldn't live as freely and openly as he did.

With his looks and status, women constantly threw themselves at him.

Though he had never truly crossed the line, sometimes at parties, he would play along with them.