Chapter 1

The doctor blinked twice in shock and was clearly at a loss for words.

Right then, the private investigator I, Stevie Santana, had hired came hurrying down the stairs with a file in his hands.

"Mr. Santana, I found it. The baby Ms. Jenner is carrying really is that man's!"

The doctor's eyes widened even further. Her surprise quickly turned into awkwardness.

She quickly took a step back and forced a dry smile.

"Mr. Santana, I'll let you get back to what you're doing. I still have rounds to make, so I'll be going."

I ignored her.

I took the paternity test from the investigator and opened it. My gaze landed on the conclusion on the final page.

[The results support the tested individual as the biological father of the fetus, with a probability of paternity greater than 99.99%.]

"Thank you for your help. I'll transfer you double the fee."

The private investigator thanked me repeatedly, but I didn't even have the strength to respond.

With a hand pressed against my aching stomach, I walked numbly toward the window at the end of the hallway.

There was a huge glass window there.

All I had to do was look down, and I could see Hugo Stanley walking through the garden on the first floor with Willa Jenner after her prenatal checkup.

The two of them chatted as they strolled and seemed incredibly affectionate with each other. Willa was practically nestled against Hugo's chest.

They laughed and talked together, looking every bit like a loving married couple.

I stood there and watched them while trembling with pain.

Yet, I still couldn't let go. I wasn't ready to give up. I wanted to give Willa one last chance.

I stared at their silhouettes and called Willa.

Her phone rang.

Willa glanced at the screen, and her brows furrowed in annoyance.

She declined my call.

I called again, but she declined yet again.

I called one last time, and she finally answered.

Before I could say anything, Willa's impatient voice came through the phone.

"Stevie, are you out of your mind?

"I told you I'm busy! And you keep calling me over and over. What exactly do you want?"

I swallowed the sob rising in my throat.

"My stomach's been aching. Could you come with me for the surgery–?"

Willa let out a heavy sigh. She was clearly irritated that I was bothering her.

"If you're not feeling well, go see a doctor yourself. Can't you bring one of the maids with you to the hospital? I'm carrying your child, and I'm already swamped at work every day. I really don't have time to spend every day taking care of a sick person."

"I–"

I wanted to say something else, but the call had already been disconnected.

Downstairs, the woman who had just been snapping at me over the phone instantly became gentle and affectionate the moment she turned around. She slipped back into Hugo's arms and continued strolling with him at an unhurried pace.

I couldn't even describe what I was feeling. It was as if all the bitterness inside me was about to spill out of my mouth.

I shivered from the cold.

When I looked up, I saw my reflection in the glass. A patient with bloodshot eyes was staring back at me while tears streamed down his face.

I thought he looked so pitiful.

Then I heard a nurse's footsteps behind me.

She gently reminded me, "Mr. Santana, it's time for your surgery.

"If you haven't made up your mind, we can reschedule or cancel the appointment."

Only then did I come back to my senses.

I quickly wiped the tears from my face and turned around.

"It's fine. I've made up my mind. Take me to the operating room."

The surgery was over quickly.

As the anesthesia gradually wore off, a deep, dull pain spread through my body.

I hadn't brought any of the maids with me, so I had no choice but to brace myself against the walls and slowly make my way out.

As I passed a corner, I heard someone calling my name loudly.

"Stevie!"

I turned around.

Sure enough, it was Willa's lover, Hugo.