Chapter 1

The day before our wedding, I went to the hospital and secretly aborted Julian Sterling’s baby.

In the hallway, I ran into a doctor I knew. She looked at me, completely shocked.

"Chloe? Just last week you were worried about how to hide your baby bump in your wedding dress. Why the sudden change of heart?"

"And where is Julian? Why isn't he here with you?"

I looked down, gently stroking my slightly rounded stomach. A hollow, aching emptiness swallowed me.

"He's busy."

"Right downstairs, actually. Escorting his young stepmother for her ultrasound."

The doctor blinked in sheer disbelief, completely speechless.

Just then, the private investigator I had hired ran up to us from the elevator, clutching a thick manila envelope and panting heavily.

"Chloe! I found it! The DNA results—Vivian's baby belongs to Julian!"

The doctor’s eyes went wide, and her shocked expression quickly turned into pure embarrassment.

She hastily took a step back, forcing a stiff, awkward smile.

"Well... I'll leave you to your business, Chloe. I have rounds to make. Take care."

I didn't answer her.

I took the paternity report and flipped past the medical jargon, my eyes locking onto the final conclusion on the last page:

"The probability of paternity is 99.9%."

"Thank you for your hard work, Mark. I'll wire double your usual fee to your account."

The investigator thanked me profusely.

But I barely had the energy to nod.

Cradling my stomach, I walked numbly toward the massive window at the far end of the hallway.

Looking down, I could see Julian. He was gently supporting Vivian, who had just finished her prenatal checkup, as they strolled through the first-floor garden.

They looked incredibly intimate. Vivian was practically melting into Julian's arms.

They laughed and chatted, the picture of a perfectly happy, loving couple.

I watched them, shaking so violently from the pain that I could barely breathe.

And yet, a pathetic, stubborn part of me still wanted to give him one last chance.

Watching their silhouettes, I dialed Julian's number.

The phone rang.

Downstairs, Julian glanced at his buzzing screen. A flash of irritation crossed his face.

He declined the call.

I called again. Declined again.

On my third attempt, he finally picked up.

Before I could even breathe a word, his annoyed voice barked through the receiver:

"Chloe, are you losing your mind?"

"I told you I'm busy! Busy! Yet you keep spamming my phone. What is so damn urgent?"

I fought back the sob rising in my throat.

"Julian, I'm not feeling well. Can you... can you come up and accompany me for an ultrasound?"

Julian let out a heavy, exasperated sigh.

"If you're not feeling well, see a doctor. Hire a nurse, or have Martha drive you. Why the hell do you need me?"

"I'm drowning in work at the office every single day. I don't have time to cater to your pregnancy whims twenty-four-seven."

"But I—"

Before I could finish, the line went dead.

Downstairs, the man who had just barked at me so viciously turned back to Vivian. In an instant, his face softened into pure, gentle devotion. He wrapped his arm around her waist and continued their slow, romantic stroll.

A wave of intense nausea hit me. I felt like I was going to throw up acid.

I shivered from the sudden, icy chill that washed over me.

Looking at my reflection in the window, I saw a pregnant woman with bloodshot, tear-filled eyes.

She looked so incredibly pathetic.

"Chloe? It's time for your procedure."

A nurse's gentle voice sounded behind me, snapping me out of my trance.

"If you're still undecided, we can reschedule or cancel the appointment."

I blinked, the cold reality finally setting in.

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

"No need."

"I've made up my mind. Let's do it."

This baby, Julian...

I wanted none of it anymore.

The surgery was quick.

As the anesthesia began to wear off, a dull, agonizing ache spread through my lower abdomen.

I hadn't brought anyone with me, so I had to support myself against the wall, taking slow, agonizing steps toward the exit.

But as I turned the corner, a loud voice called out my name.

"Chloe!"

I turned around.

Sure enough, it was Vivian. Julian’s young stepmother.