Chapter 1

“Ms. Quinn, congratulations. You’re three months pregnant.”

As I sat across from the family doctor, not a flicker of emotion crossed my face—not even a hint of joy.

The doctor, who was clearly excited, reached for the phone to call Gideon Wade, but I took it straight from his hand.

“There’s no need to do so.”

The nurses exchanged confused looks, not understanding what I meant.

With my status as the Don's wife, this child would be the family’s glory. They did not understand why I wanted to keep my pregnancy hidden.

They had no idea that if anyone found out, this child would die with me, just like in my past life.

In my previous life, Gideon and my parents took my younger sister, who had just returned from abroad, to the mountains to celebrate Christmas. I followed behind them quietly, watching them laugh and enjoy the holiday.

When the weather turned bad, Gideon called a helicopter to take everyone home. However, even after it landed, not one of them remembered that I was still up there.

I froze to death on that mountain, together with the unborn child in my belly.

Fortunately, I was reborn and returned to the very day I found out I was pregnant, which was also the very day my sister came back home.

The sister my family adored and the woman my husband preferred had returned.

I walked past the nurses' and the doctor's stunned faces and headed home.

As usual, I typed in the passcode to the front gate, but no matter how many times I tried, it was incorrect. All at once, it hit me. This was the very same scene that had played out on this day in my previous life.

After my younger sister came back, everything in this house changed to suit her. Even the passcode was changed to her birthday.

I thought for a moment, then entered 0-6-0-4.

The door opened smoothly.

I gave a bitter smile and was about to step inside when a thick stack of papers hit me right in the face.

“Sign the divorce papers.” My mother’s voice was ice-cold.

I calmly wiped the blood from my forehead, then held out my hand. “Give me a pen.”

That was all it took to silence the room.

My sister was the first to respond. She sneered, “That was fast. Evelyn, don’t you dare try anything sneaky.”

My father let out a cold laugh. “Well, she knows what she’s doing. If Bella hadn’t gone abroad, do you really think she would’ve become the Don's wife? The moment Gideon heard Bella was coming back, he sent a private jet and a dozen bodyguards to bring her home.

"Evelyn is being cooperative because she’s probably just trying to save herself some dignity. After all, choosing to leave is better than getting thrown out.”

Bella let out a little gasp, covering her mouth as though something had just dawned on her. Then, she clung to our father’s arm.

“Dad, you’re so smart! I didn’t even think of that.”

My parents laughed. They doted on her, brushing her nose as their eyes filled with affection.

I stood aside like an outsider in my own home.

Bella shot me a smug look, but I ignored her. Instead, I picked up the papers from the floor and signed my name without hesitation.

Her smile faltered for a second. She snatched the papers from my hands. “You really are decisive, huh?”

Of course. I would not make the same mistake again.

Without another word, I turned to head upstairs. However, Bella blocked my path and pointed at the blank space on the documents.

“Get Gideon’s signature for me. I’m not going to bring it up myself. Wouldn’t want him to think I’m scheming or desperate. You have three days to finalize the divorce. Then, get out of this house and out of Gideon’s life.”

She stared at my face, searching for a crack in my composure.

Yet, I only smiled and replied, “Sure. That’s what I want too.”

I longed to leave this loveless family and the man who made my life a living hell.

I took the papers and went upstairs.

Behind me, my parents were already helping Bella get ready. After all, the party meant to welcome her home was about to begin. It was a party organized entirely by Gideon.

Even after being reborn, I could not forget how seriously he had taken it in my past life. He had personally chosen every detail, down to the flowers in the vases. That powerful man actually went to such lengths for a woman.

It was from that event that everyone in the family finally understood why he had never acknowledged me as his wife. It was because the woman he truly loved was someone else.

Now, she had returned. The real lady of the house had returned.

When I went upstairs to pack, I found that half of my belongings were already gone.

A faint, bitter smile crossed my face as I dragged the empty suitcase behind me and walked toward the door.

The moment I pushed open the door, I ran right into Gideon. He wore a black fedora and a finely tailored purple suit. It was clear he had dressed with care.

He glanced down at my plain dress and the suitcase in my hand. His voice was cold as ice. “Where are you going?”

Before I could answer, Bella hurried down the stairs and clutched my arm.

“Evelyn, why can’t you just accept me? I just want to visit Mom and Dad. Do you really have to throw a tantrum and try to run away?”

“Run away?” Gideon’s cold laugh cut through the air. “Evelyn, I didn’t know you had such a temper.”

With just one look from him, his men swiftly snatched my suitcase and tossed it aside. His cold command followed right after.

“It’s Bella’s party today. As her sister, you’re not going anywhere. Go get changed. Don’t embarrass Bella with this pathetic look.”

I stood still, my fingers digging into my palms.

Before my sister came back, Gideon had never been warm, but he was at least respectful.

Sometimes, when people mocked me for being his unacknowledged wife, he would hold me close in his arms, calling my name and comforting me.

“Evelyn, don’t be upset. It doesn’t matter what others think. You have my love. That’s enough.”

Love?

That man who claimed to love me forgot me the moment my sister returned.

Noticing I had not moved, Bella immediately added, “Gideon, don’t be so harsh with her. She’s still your wife…”

He paused for a second, then looked at me. When he saw my expressionless face, his face hardened again. “What are you waiting for? Do you want me to help you change?”

I lowered my head. All my words were stuck in my throat. Then, I took out the papers and handed them to him.

Bella’s expression shifted instantly. She clearly did not expect me to bring them out now.

Before she could say anything, I said, “The hospital bill from today. I need your signature.”

Gideon frowned. “Are you sick?”

I replied in a calm voice, “Just a routine checkup.”

He nodded and signed without even glancing at the papers.

I slipped the signed divorce papers into my bag and walked upstairs without looking back.

Behind me, Bella deliberately raised her voice. “Gideon, why are you so cold to her? She’s still your wife.”

His voice came quieter, but it pierced through the silence of the house.

He replied, “She’s not worthy.”

Those three words made me stop in my tracks. My whole body suddenly felt drained of strength.

I had asked him so many times before why he refused to announce our marriage.

He used to say things like, “I don’t want you to get hurt. You know how many people out there want me dead. Being my wife is like living with a gun pointed at your head every day.”

I believed him then. I was even grateful. I never thought it would come to this, him calling me unworthy.

My heart felt crushed underfoot, and every breath was like a needle piercing my chest. I wiped away my tears, glanced at the small swell of my belly, and smiled.

If I was not worthy, then I would not bother him anymore.

After all, this would be the last time we ever saw each other.