Chapter 1

On Christmas Eve, snow fell lazily over Copper Valley.

Inside the Patterson Family villa, servants were carefully hanging the last golden star on the Christmas tree.

"Mrs. Parker, Mr. Parker will be over the moon when he sees the gift you prepared yourself," the nanny Connie said with envy in her eyes. "Everyone in Copper Valley knows that Mr. Parker and Mr. Patterson spoil you like you're their most precious treasure."

I stroked the delicate, deep blue velvet box in my hands. Inside lay an antique watch I'd spent three months tracking down, along with a prenatal checkup report.

I planned to give the child's father a surprise.

To tell him the baby was doing well, growing strong, and would soon meet us.

My phone buzzed. Facebook was full of friends' wishes: "Merry Christmas, Lucy, another day of being spoiled by Edward!"

I smiled, replied "Merry Christmas," then grabbed my car keys and drove to the Blooming Flowers Club without telling anyone.

Edward said he had business tonight and wouldn't be back soon.

But I couldn't wait any longer—couldn't wait to show him what our child looked like now.

On the VIP terrace at the top floor of the club, the cold wind cut through the air.

I pulled my coat tighter. Just as I turned the corner, my feet seemed nailed to the ground.

Under the dim wall lamp, the man I'd loved for three years was pressing a woman against the railing.

His slender fingers ran through the woman's hair as they kissed passionately, with an attitude even more cherishing than when he was with me.

The woman turned her face slightly. In the lamplight, I saw clearly who it was—Angela.

Angela, the daughter of Audrey, the mistress who drove my mother to her death. My half-sister!

Blood rushed to my head instantly. The velvet box in my hands felt burning hot.

Just as I was about to rush out and confront them, the private room door opened. Several of Edward's childhood friends walked out, cigarettes in hand, completely unsurprised by the scene.

"Well, well, Mr. Parker, you really know how to play the game." His friend Leon blew out a smoke ring, his eyes suggestively moving between the two. "Mr. Patterson just brought Audrey into the family, and you've already got Angela under your wing. This mother-daughter duo from the Patterson family—both taken by you. We're truly envious of this good fortune, man."

Angela shyly buried herself in Edward's arms, not daring to look up.

Edward didn't push her away. Instead, he smiled indulgently, his voice carrying a tenderness I'd never heard before. "Angela had a rough time abroad. Naturally, I need to take extra care of her."

Another person sighed. "Bro, you're something else. Last time I saw Lucy, you'd kissed her until she was practically dizzy. No wonder you got her pregnant so quickly without having to take responsibility."

"Of course, Edward's that good," another person lowered his voice, his tone full of mockery. "But you're really bold, setting up this kind of scheme to help Angela get back the Patterson Family fortune."

"Who would've thought that last year's wedding of the century in Copper Valley was actually a fake marriage between you and that naive fool Lucy?"

"Lucy looks down on illegitimate daughters the most, yet her own child is about to become illegitimate too."

That sentence was colder than the flying snow, instantly freezing my heartbeat.

Fake marriage?

I gripped the gift in my hands, my whole body ice-cold.

What does it  mean... fake marriage?