Chapter 1

As Elena stepped out of the hospital, her hand trembled while clutching the test results, tears brimming at the corners of her eyes—unsure if they were from joy or worry.

“Miss Elena, you’re pregnant.” The doctor’s words echoed in her ears.

Three months ago, she had married Damien, the most powerful and desirable man in Sea City. On their wedding day, women across the city were green with envy, and even she felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

Since meeting Damien at the age of twelve, a seed had been planted in Elena’s heart. For seven years, she worked hard to improve herself, just for the chance to catch a glimpse of him in a crowd. She always thought they were from different worlds; a wildflower like her, growing up in the dust, could never truly cross paths with a man like him.

But whether it was fate or destiny’s cruel play, three months ago she had attended a classmate’s party—and woke up the next morning to find Damien lying beside her. The stark red on the white sheets was a glaring reminder of what had happened between them the night before.

Before she could process it, there was a knock at the door, followed by a swarm of reporters eager to expose Damien’s overnight stay with a mysterious woman. The Duncan family—being the most prestigious in Sea City, with a long lineage of scholars—was led by the traditional and commanding Old Mr. Duncan. Upon hearing the news, he immediately announced Damien and Elena’s marriage to the public.

For Elena, it felt like a dream, but not a pleasant one. Damien didn’t love her; in fact, he resented her. He hated her for making him betray the woman he truly loved—her sister, Avery.

Despite this, Elena gathered her courage and called Damien. As expected, the call went unanswered, so she sent him a text, saying she had something important to tell him and hoped he would come home that night.

In the three months since their wedding, he had never spent a night at home. Damien spent every night elsewhere, and Elena knew full well where he was. The unanswered call and ignored text left her feeling cold, realizing he wouldn’t come home tonight either.

She took a shower and was about to rest when the door suddenly slammed open. Looking up, she was surprised to see his cold, handsome face. Her heart skipped a beat.

“Damien, you’re back,” she called softly, a gentle smile gracing her simple face.

But as soon as she stepped forward, he grabbed her arm and heartlessly tossed her onto the bed.

Elena felt a sharp pain in her abdomen and turned over in fear, watching as Damien, irritation etched across his features, yanked at his shirt collar. His strong frame loomed over her.

His fingers, defined and unyielding, gripped Elena’s chin. His eyes burned with a mix of intoxication and anger.

“Elena, do you like me so much that you’d stoop to such low tactics just to get into my bed, huh?” His deep, mocking voice dripped with disdain.

Elena’s face turned pale as she looked at the man she had admired for twelve long years, a dull ache spreading through her chest.

“Damien, you’ve got it all wrong…”

“Wrong?” He sneered, a cold laugh escaping his lips. “Lainey, who are you kidding? Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?”

With those words, he roughly tore open her nightgown.

⸻

The next morning, Elena woke up sore and exhausted. She was still groggy when a box of pills was tossed her way.

“Take these,” Damien said.

Elena looked up to see him, now dressed and composed—a stark contrast to the ruthless man from last night. The sight of the pills made her heart tremble.

She was already pregnant. She couldn’t take them. It could harm the baby.

“Not taking them? Do I need to feed you?” Damien’s impatience grew as Elena remained silent. “Dear wife, don’t even think about having my child. Someone as shameless and ungrateful as you doesn’t deserve it!” His words cut deep.

Despite the summer heat, a chilling air pierced Elena’s heart. She had hoped the baby might bridge the gap between them, but she realized how naive she had been. She didn’t even have the courage to tell him she was already pregnant. Under Damien’s cold gaze, Elena had no choice. She pretended to swallow a pill, hiding it under her tongue.

Her anxiety spiked, fearing Damien might notice—but just then, his phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID and quickly answered, his brows furrowing. “What? Avery attempted suicide? I’m on my way!”

Elena was jolted awake by the news. Avery had tried to take her own life?

Ignoring her discomfort, she quickly freshened up, changed clothes, and rushed downstairs.

Damien was about to drive off when Elena opened the passenger door.

“Get your filthy hands off my car. Who said you could ride with me?” His cold words made Elena withdraw her hand, feeling as insignificant as dust.

“Damien, I’m worried about Avery too. Let me come with you.”

“Worried?” Damien scoffed. “If Avery dies, wouldn’t you be the happiest? If you loved her so much, you wouldn’t have crawled into my bed.” He shot her a disdainful look and sped off.

Elena stood there, pale and stunned, before quickly calling a cab to follow Damien.

At City Hospital, Elena followed Damien to a particular room.

Damien walked toward the hospital bed, worry etched on his face. Avery was sitting up, pale and tearful, looking utterly heartbroken. Thankfully, her life wasn’t in danger. Elena let out a silent sigh of relief.

When Damien arrived, Avery’s expression crumbled. She leaned into his arms, devastated. “Damien…” she whispered, her voice thick with affection, pouring out her grievances while nestled against him. To Elena, it seemed as if Damien and Avery were the true couple, while she was merely the outsider.

Suppressing her own pain, Elena took a step forward. “Avery…” she began, but was abruptly interrupted by an angry voice behind her.

“You ungrateful wretch, Elena! How dare you show your face here!” The voice was all too familiar—it was Avery’s mother, Paula.

Elena turned, only to be met with a heavy slap across her face, her vision blurring.

“You shameless woman! Our family took you in, fed you, clothed you, and this is how you repay us? By stealing Avery’s fiancé?” Paula raged, referring to the incident three months ago when Elena had inexplicably ended up with Damien—a situation she hadn’t orchestrated.

Elena wanted to explain, but another slap landed on the other side of her face. This one split her lip, and stars danced before her eyes as she nearly stumbled. Avery’s father, Peter, shouted in rage, “From today on, you are no longer part of our family, Elena! We have no place for someone as shameless and ruthless as you!”

With those words, Peter kicked Elena, sending her reeling in pain. Avery looked at her with triumph in her eyes. She had vowed to make Elena’s life miserable—and her parents were helping her do just that.