Chapter 3

She couldn’t hold it in anymore. Cecilia shut off her phone and silently let the tears run down her face.

It struck her like a bombshell—Marcus’s heart had never truly belonged to her. Not even once.

Slowly, she wiped away her tears and tried to compose herself. The message on her phone had come from an unknown sender.

Her trembling hand moved to her belly.

She couldn’t have his child.

And she certainly couldn’t deal with the child he had with someone else.

Taking a deep breath, she dialed a number.

“Cecilia? Hey.”

“Randy, can you fit in an extra surgery for me at the hospital tomorrow morning?”

“Sure. What kind? I’ll check with the chief doctor for you.”

“…An abortion.”

The next day, Cecilia went to the hospital alone.

Last night, after Marcus left, Cecilia received only one message from him.

“I won’t be back tonight. I drank too much. I’ll go straight to the office tomorrow morning and come home tonight.”

But the man who claimed he’d be at work was actually here at the hospital.

Marcus appeared on the maternity ward floor, holding Lucy in his arms.

A small crowd had gathered nearby. Cecilia saw Marcus shielding Lucy in a corner. His commanding presence looked exactly like it had all those years ago—when he used to protect her.

Lucy looked up at Marcus and smiled.

“Marcus, I’m fine. It’s just a maternity ward. Don’t worry.”

His voice was low, restrained. “I told you to go to a private hospital, but you insisted on coming here. What’s so special about this place?”

Lucy lowered her gaze, her expression dimming.

“Marcus, I’m just a housekeeper’s daughter. I’m plain and ordinary. I can’t compare to someone like Ms. Summer. Besides, public hospitals cost less. I don’t want to waste your money.”

Marcus’s sharp profile softened with a mixture of tenderness and pain.

“Cecilia only cares about owning the most expensive, one-of-a-kind things. One of her handbags alone could cover ten years of your salary. She’s never understood what truly matters.”

As he spoke, Marcus wrapped his arms around Lucy and kissed her hair.

Meanwhile, Cecilia stood rigid nearby, wearing a coat, hat, and mask. Her entire body felt cold.

How ironic that word was—‘understood.’

She remembered how Marcus had transferred all his company shares to her right before their wedding.

He had told her then, “Cecilia, I’ll only buy you the best and newest things. You’re my princess. You deserve to be spoiled.”

She also remembered something he had said casually that day.

“Woodsville Estate was my parents’ home. You’ll stay there when you give birth. I’ve already had a ring made from the green diamond at the Manelie auction—your wedding ring.”

Her eyelashes trembled as tears instantly blurred her vision.

That green diamond had come from Manelie.

And she had been the one pestering Marcus to buy it.

Because it was one of a kind.

She had wanted it so badly back then.

Marcus and Lucy's conversation brought me back to reality.

“Does Ms. Summer like the bag I picked out?” Lucy asked.

“Of course she does. My dear Lucy spent three hours choosing it. You did well.”

Lucy gently caressed her belly, her face shadowed with pain.

“Marcus, Ms. Summer will be the adopted mother of my child. Of course I’ll try to make her happy. Don’t worry.”

Hearing that, Marcus’s expression darkened with emotion.

“Lucy, I’m grateful you’re giving me this child. Only with this baby can I secure my position in the company. Everything I have will belong to my child.”

Cecilia found the entire conversation absurd.

So he arranged for Lucy to get pregnant…

Just because she had always wanted a child?

Was that the reason he cheated?

Slowly, she walked toward the operating room.

As she changed into her surgical gown, her phone buzzed.

Marcus was calling.

She answered.

“Cecilia, are you awake? Are you still mad?

“I’ve just sent you roses. They’ll be delivered to the villa soon. And breakfast from St. Antony’s—your favorite.

“You really want a child that much? I’ll find one at an orphanage. If there’s a suitable baby, maybe we can adopt. In a year or so, I’ll make you a mother.”

“No,” she said quietly. “I don’t want a child anymore.”

Not her own.

And she would never accept a child he had with another woman.

His voice softened slightly.

“Cecilia, be good. You’re my treasure. Our seventh anniversary is in three days. I’ve prepared a surprise for you.”

Cecilia ended the call.

She had a surprise prepared for Marcus as well.

Lying on the cold operating table, she closed her eyes and waited for what would come next.