Chapter 1

To bear Ethan Hayes a child, I endured over three hundred progesterone shots.

But on the day my water broke and I collapsed on the floor, he was driving the Porsche I bought him, taking the underprivileged girl he sponsored to her job interview.

I writhed in a pool of blood, begging him over the phone to come back and save me and our baby.

But he only warned me coldly:

"Chloe is terrified of her first interview, Audrey. Stop throwing these dramatic tantrums. Call 911 yourself. I can't leave her right now."

Because of the delay, I didn't just lose my full-term baby—I was permanently stripped of my chance to ever become a mother.

When he finally rushed to the hospital that evening, his eyes were bloodshot.

I thought he was mourning our unborn child.

Instead, he tucked me in and complained, "Chloe failed her interview and cried so hard she could barely breathe. I couldn't bear to leave her alone."

"We can always adopt another child. Chloe is devastated about her interview right now, so don't give her attitude."

Listening to his righteous accusations, I didn't shed a single tear. I slammed the divorce papers I had prepared beforehand right into his face.

Ethan ripped the papers to shreds in a rage.

"All because I borrowed your car? You’re bringing up divorce just to get my attention? Do you really think I can't survive without you?"

He had no idea that by tomorrow morning, this high-and-mighty CEO and his manipulative little charity case would be kicked out onto the streets with absolutely nothing.

"Are you done throwing tantrums yet?"

Ethan threw the shredded pieces of the divorce papers into the trash can, brushing off non-existent dust from his suit sleeves.

"Audrey, all of this just because I borrowed your car? You’re bringing up divorce just to get my attention? Do you really think I can't survive without you?"

I lay on the hospital bed. The anesthesia hadn't fully worn off, and I could only feel a dull, unbearable emptiness in my lower abdomen.

A fully formed baby boy was supposed to be in there.

To keep him safe, I had endured over three hundred painful injections in my stomach, leaving my skin covered in bruised, hard lumps.

Now, it was all gone.

I stared at Ethan's impatient face.

His brows were slightly furrowed, his tone condescending, as if he were passing judgment on me.

"Audrey, if you just drop this spoiled heiress attitude of yours, we can go back to how we used to be."

"Chloe just graduated. She’s sensitive. You’re the mature one here, why are you picking fights with her?"

This time, I didn't scream or cry like I used to. I just quietly stared at the white fluorescent light on the ceiling.

"The car is mine. The company is mine. Even the penthouse you live in is mine."

My voice was barely a whisper. "Ethan, take Chloe and get the hell out."

Ethan froze, clearly caught off guard by my tone.

In the past, I would always cry and demand to know why he prioritized that charity girl over his own wife.

But soon, he let out a cold chuckle and pulled up a chair to sit beside the bed.

"Audrey, are you doing this again?"

He looked down at me, his eyes full of confidence.

"Every time we fight, you throw your money in my face. Do you really find this amusing?"

"Yes, I used your resources. But have I made little profit for the company over the past two years?"

"Do you still think you're the high-and-mighty Vance family heiress who can look down on everyone?"

"If I hadn't been running the company for you, you would have gone bankrupt long ago."

He casually erased all my sacrifices, acting as if everything he had was earned solely by himself.

"Stop acting up. I’m exhausted today."

"Chloe failed her interview. She stood on the rooftop in the freezing wind for half an hour, almost jumping off."

"It took everything I had to calm her down."

"And what do you do? The moment we meet, you threaten me with divorce."

He reached out to pat my head, but I turned my face away, dodging his sickening touch.

Ethan’s hand froze mid-air, and his expression instantly darkened.

"You just have to ruin my day, don't you?"

"I'm devastated about the baby too."

"But the doctor said you’re still young. Once you recover, we can try again."

"But Chloe’s trauma is irreversible. She’s an orphan, Audrey. I’m the only family she has left."

This man placed a mother who had just lost her baby and a manipulative girl who had failed a job interview on the same scale, and without hesitation, he chose the latter.

Looking at him, I felt nothing but utter disgust.

"Just leave."

I closed my eyes, refusing to look at him.

Ethan assumed I was giving in. He let out a sigh, his tone softening slightly.

"I’ve hired the best private nurse for you."

"I'll be spending more time with Chloe these next few days. She’s emotionally unstable and can't be left alone."

"Be good. Once things settle down, I'll buy you whatever bag you want."

He always did this—slapping me first, then offering a cheap sweet, absolutely certain that I could never leave him.

Right then, his phone rang with a custom ringtone. It was Chloe.

Ethan picked up immediately, his voice incredibly tender.

"What's wrong, Chloe? Did you have another nightmare?"

Chloe’s fragile sobbing came through the speaker.

"Ethan, I'm so scared alone in this hotel room."

"Is Audrey mad at me?"

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't insisted on taking Audrey's car to the interview, her baby wouldn't have..."

"Don't talk nonsense."

Ethan cut her off, casting a quick glance at me.

"This has nothing to do with you. She was just careless."

"Wait for me in your room. I'm coming over to keep you company right now."

He hung up and turned back to me.

"Chloe is scared by herself. I’m going over to check on her."

"Get some rest."

Without another word of comfort, he turned and strode out of the VIP room.

The moment the door slammed shut, I ripped the IV line out of my hand. Blood immediately welled up, dripping onto the white sheets.

Using my other hand, I picked up my phone and dialed my lawyer.

"Marcus, initiate the asset recovery process."

"Before eight tomorrow morning, I want all of Ethan Hayes’s bank cards frozen."

"And revoke all the shares he holds on my behalf."

Marcus paused on the other end.

"Ms. Vance, are you sure? This will bankrupt Mr. Hayes instantly."

"I am sure."

I stared out at the night sky. From the hallway, the faint rolling sound of a nurse's cart echoed.