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Home / Romance Short Story / A Heart That Will Never Warm / Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

All Chapters of A Heart That Will Never Warm: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

25 Chapters

Chapter 1

A message popped up on the screen. "How does it feel to be the mistress, Ms. Bradford? You'll spend the rest of your life living in my shadow as the legal wife."Danielle Bradford's heart tightened in a suffocating grip. With trembling fingers, she looked at the clerk and whispered, "Could you please… check Matthew's marriage record as well?"The printer spat out a sheet of paper. It looked so light, yet holding it in her palm felt unbearably heavy. The record clearly listed Meghan Landry as Matthew's spouse, with a marriage date from seven years ago."Ma'am, do you still want to proceed with the birth certificate registration?"The clerk's voice felt distant, barely registering as Danielle struggled to process what she had just seen.She gazed down at her daughter's sleeping face and forced a bitter smile. "I'd like to change both her first name and last name. She'll be taking my last name."…When Danielle walked out of the county clerk's office, her steps felt unsteady, as

Chapter 2

Matthew let out a sigh of relief and leaned toward Danielle, a teasing pout on his face. "We haven't been intimate since you finished your postpartum recovery. Tonight—"A wave of nausea hit Danielle, and just as she was about to speak, his phone rang.Matthew shot her a guilty look and turned away to answer. After hanging up, he sounded anxious. "Honey, there's an emergency at the office. I need to head over right now."He grabbed his coat and rushed out. Danielle's chest tightened, and she quietly followed him in her car.Matthew's car slowly stopped in front of the secluded villa. Minutes later, Meghan walked out and climbed into the passenger seat, swaying her hips with every step. The car began to rock violently, leaving no doubt of what occurred inside.Danielle opened the surveillance app on her phone. The irony hit her sharply. She had originally installed the listening device to ensure his safety during business outings. Now it served as a tool to witness his betrayal.

Chapter 3

The Escort Project was the smart bionic prosthetics project that Danielle's father, James Bradford, had valued most during his lifetime.James had dedicated his life to philanthropy, and it was his lifelong dream to complete this project to benefit more people with disabilities.Danielle had pushed through her pregnancy to oversee the project for several months. She had only stepped back once it started to take shape just before she gave birth.By the time she arrived at the office, Cindy was already panicking. "Ms. Bradford, Mr. Gardner has entrusted everything to Ms. Landry. We have no idea what's really going on."Danielle remained composed. "It's fine. Let's go to the CEO's office. I know Matthew's computer password."Before they reached the office, Meghan rushed over and blocked her path. "Hold on, Mrs. Gardner."Her lips were swollen, hickeys marked her neck, and her face radiated arrogance. "You can't go in without Mr. Gardner's permission." Danielle shoved her aside wit

Chapter 4

Matthew fell silent. Taylor was the name he had originally chosen for their child.Danielle had once seen it in his notes. He had written it down himself, planning to use it regardless of the child's gender. He hoped the child would grow up to be as strong and elegant as the name he had chosen.Yet now, that very name belonged to Meghan's son."Olivia."Danielle spoke first. "My daughter's name is Olivia."Matthew's Adam's apple bobbed as the tension in his eyes eased, his voice returning to its usual warmth. "Olivia is a beautiful name. It sounds graceful and bright."He reached out, trying to brush her hair. "Danielle, I have to go on a business trip for a few days. When I get back—""Right," she cut in. "Work comes first."Danielle had no patience left for his act. She turned and walked away.…Danielle returned home and had just put Olivia to sleep when a notification popped up on her phone. Meghan had posted a new update on her social media.The photo showed three han

Chapter 5

With Matthew away, Meghan couldn't be bothered to keep up the act, smugness written all over her face. "Why should I give the blood to your daughter? Are you blind? My son is injured!"Danielle's voice cracked with a sob. "He only has a scraped knee, but my daughter has a coagulation disorder. If she doesn't get a transfusion soon, she could die!"A doctor outside overheard the commotion and stepped in, his voice hesitant. "What's going on? If there's enough blood, could you spare some for this lady's child?"Danielle snapped her head up to look at the doctor as if he were her last hope, her voice trembling uncontrollably. "I'm begging you. My daughter needs RH-negative blood immediately. If we wait any longer—"Meghan cut her off with a scoff and rolled her eyes. "Doctor, my husband is the major shareholder of this hospital. You're aware of that, aren't you?"He personally ordered that all RH-negative blood in this hospital be reserved for my son. Are you trying to lose your job?

Chapter 6

Thanks to the 400 ml of blood donated by that kind stranger, Olivia's life was spared.A wave of irony hit Danielle. Olivia's biological father controlled the hospital's entire blood bank, yet he refused to spare her even a single drop. Meanwhile, a complete stranger had donated blood and disappeared without leaving any contact information.Color slowly returned to Olivia's cheeks, and she instinctively searched for milk.Sandra looked at Olivia and voiced her lingering suspicions in a low whisper. "Mrs. Gardner, something feels wrong. I've always been meticulous with Olivia and never let anything sharp near her. The doctor said her wound was caused by a blade, but she had been lying safely in her crib the entire time."Danielle's chest tightened, and she immediately went home to investigate. She then discovered several sharp utility blades hidden in the folds of the crib's velvet sheets, stained with Olivia's blood. Her mind reeled from the shock. She had asked Matthew to bu

Chapter 7

Upon realizing that the intruder was Meghan, Danielle's pulse quickened. She gripped her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. "I'm coming back right now."She drove home as fast as she could.Sandra paced the foyer, anxiety etched across her face. When she saw Danielle return, she rushed over, her voice choked with tears. "Mrs. Gardner, I couldn't stop them. Mr. Gardner personally called and told me to let them in."As Danielle stepped inside, she found Taylor sprawled on the floor playing marbles, sending colorful glass marbles scattering everywhere.The moment he spotted her, he shrieked, "Mommy, look! That mean lady who tried to take my blood is back!"Meanwhile, Meghan stood by the crib, her fingers hovering over Olivia's cheek as she cooed at her."Get away from my daughter!" Danielle shouted.She lunged forward and shoved Meghan aside.Meghan stumbled back a few steps but didn't get angry. Instead, a smile tugged at her lips as she looked at Danielle. "Let me r

Chapter 8

"Why do you keep hitting people?" Meghan snapped.She raised her hand to strike back, but Matthew caught her wrist firmly."Enough!" he said.He shoved her hand away and turned to Danielle, his eyes full of disappointment. "Danielle, what's gotten into you?"He glanced at Meghan. "Let's step outside and give her a moment to calm down."Matthew dragged the wailing Taylor along while guiding Meghan out of the room.The moment the door clicked shut, Danielle's composure shattered, and she collapsed against the wall. Tears streamed down her face, filled with the bitterness of everything she had suffered.Her phone chimed, and the screen lit up with a notification confirming the deposit from her shares transfer.She wiped away her tears haphazardly and gently patted Olivia, sobbing in her arms, her eyes flashing with resolve.Tomorrow, they could finally leave this mess behind for good.…Danielle spent the night making arrangements for Sandra and erased every trace of herself in

Chapter 9

When Danielle regained consciousness, the sharp smell of disinfectant made her cough violently. The stark white ceiling blurred before her vision as Matthew's low and steady voice sounded beside her. "Are you awake? How are you feeling?""Olivia!" Danielle shouted.She bolted upright, ignoring the sharp pull of the IV needle in her arm as she frantically threw back the covers and tried to get out of bed.Matthew quickly restrained her. "Calm down. Olivia is fine. Meghan is watching over her in the next room."Danielle shoved him away. "Get out!"Matthew's expression darkened. "Danielle, I know you're angry, but Taylor's kidnapping was an emergency. I had no choice."Danielle grabbed the glass from her bedside table and hurled it at him. Shards exploded near his feet."How can you sacrifice my daughter's life just because you had no choice? Get out, Matthew! I never want to see your face again!"Impatience crept into Matthew's voice. "Do you really have to act like this? Ever

Chapter 10

Matthew spent three full days at the amusement park with Meghan and Taylor. The shrieks from the plunging roller coasters, the carousel's looping music, and the arcade's electronic cacophony made his temples throb.Taylor yanked on Matthew's arm with all his might, pointing at a distant roller coaster. "Hurry up, Daddy! I want to ride that too! And you have to buy me that limited-edition robot at the entrance!"Matthew felt overwhelmed. He had cleared his entire schedule to keep Taylor company after Meghan claimed that the kidnapping he had just endured must have left him traumatized. Yet the boy was full of energy, showing absolutely no signs of distress or fear.He pulled his aching hand away, his voice weary. "Taylor, we've been here for three days. It's time to go home."Besides, there was one very important matter waiting for him at home. He needed to divorce Meghan.Over the past two days, every time he closed his eyes, he remembered Danielle's shattered expression when he

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