Chapter 1: Pregnancy

"Miss, congratulations, you're pregnant. Four weeks along."

Emma Patterson's hands trembled as she picked up the pregnancy test report, her mind full of confusion.

After that accident a month ago, Marcus Donovan had forced her to take birth control pills. Why was she still pregnant?

Could there have been something wrong with the pills?

Emma didn't dare think further. She hurriedly left the hospital and returned home, searching for that box of birth control pills. She discovered they were actually vitamin tablets.

Marcus had been so insistent at the time that she'd swallowed them without looking carefully. She had no idea when someone had switched the pills.

Just as Emma was puzzling over this, a cold, deep male voice came from behind her. "What are you doing?"

Her hand shook, and she instinctively hid the pill box behind her back, then slowly turned around.

Marcus was leaning against the doorframe, his gaze cold as he stared at Emma. His suit jacket was casually draped over his arm, and his shirt outlined his broad, solid abs.

He walked in step by step, his tall figure looming over her with an overwhelming sense of pressure.

"What's in your hand?" He looked at Emma's hand behind her back and commanded sharply, "Take it out!"

"It's nothing." Emma's voice trembled, and her feet involuntarily stepped backward.

"Take it out! Don't make me say it twice!" He grabbed Emma's wrist, gripping so hard it felt like he would crush her bones.

Emma cried out in pain, her fingers forced open, and the pill box fell from her hand.

Marcus's gaze swept to the floor. He picked up the box, and when he saw the vitamin tablets inside, his deep blue eyes surged with anger and disgust. "What's going on? You'd better explain this clearly!"

"I... I didn't know the pills had been switched either." Emma's face was pale as she stammered her defense.

"Didn't know?" He sharply interrupted Emma, suddenly laughing coldly, his smile full of mockery. "Emma, do you think your clumsy tricks can fool me again?"

"I didn't! I really didn't know!" Emma felt wronged, tears welling up uncontrollably. "Please believe me, I just discovered this."

"Believe you?" He acted as if he'd heard the biggest joke, violently throwing off Emma's wrist and pushing her to the floor. "A woman who used despicable means to have a one-night stand with me—what right do you have to ask for my trust?"

Emma's heart sank bit by bit.

He had once been her adoptive father, but now he was her husband.

This relationship, in everyone's eyes, was immoral.

Ever since the news of Emma and Marcus's one-night stand was exposed, Marcus had never touched her again. That accident a month ago was their only intimacy in three years.

"Tell me, how long ago were the pills switched? Did you go to the hospital for a checkup?"

His gaze was cold as a blade. With each step he pressed forward, Emma couldn't help but stagger backward until her back hit the wall with nowhere to escape.

Emma gently placed her hand on her lower abdomen, holding back her tears, and asked him with a hint of hope, "If—I'm just saying if—we had a child, would you want him?"

"No." Marcus answered almost without hesitation. He lifted Emma's chin, his eyes contemptuous. "You think you deserve to have my child? What, scheming against me wasn't enough? Now you want to threaten me with a child?"

In that moment, Emma's heart died completely.

Seeing her silence, Marcus glanced at her still-flat abdomen. "Are you really pregnant?"

"No!" Emma immediately shook her head in denial.

"Good." He released his hand, his tone cold. "If I find out you're pregnant, I'll personally get rid of this child that shouldn't exist!"

After saying this, he didn't spare Emma another glance and turned to stride away.

When only Emma remained in the room, her legs gave out and she slid to the floor.

Tears fell silently as Emma hugged herself, trembling all over.

"Baby," Emma stroked her abdomen, her voice choked with emotion, "your daddy doesn't want you, but mommy will protect you."

That night, Emma still slept alone in the master bedroom while Marcus slept in the side room. They'd been married three years and sleeping separately for three years.

The next morning, Emma was woken by noise from downstairs.

Coming out of the bedroom, she saw a woman covered in designer brands bossing the servants around in the hall. "The decorations here are too outdated. Replace them all!"

Though the woman looked several years older than Emma, she was still elegant and beautiful.

She picked up a vase from the dining table and said to a nearby servant, "This vase is so outdated, isn't it? I don't like it!"

Without thinking, she tossed it backward!

"No!" Emma cried out and rushed forward to catch the vase, but it was too late.

The vase crashed to the floor, and shards cut her arm, leaving a trail of blood.

Emma looked heartbroken at the pieces on the floor. That was the birthday gift Marcus had given her when she turned eighteen.

From the moment she received it, she'd treasured it, placing it in the most prominent spot in the dining room.

Hearing the commotion, the woman turned around. Seeing Emma, her face showed no remorse. She raised an eyebrow with a perfunctory expression. "I didn't see anyone behind me. Sorry."

Emma endured the sharp pain and stepped forward, demanding, "Who are you? Why are you here messing with other people's things?"

The woman gave Emma a contemptuous glance. "You must be Emma. I'm Evelyn, your future adoptive mother."

Emma's heart jumped. So this was Evelyn Thomas, Marcus's first love.

Three years ago, Marcus's company had run into trouble, and Evelyn had chosen that moment to study abroad.

Marcus had been devastated, drinking heavily, and Emma had ended up having a one-night stand with him, which became known throughout high society.

When Marcus and Evelyn were dating, they'd kept it secret, so Emma had never met Evelyn.

She never imagined their first meeting would be like this. How ironic.

"I'm sure you've heard of me." Evelyn's lips curved into a mocking smile. "Then you should know that you've occupied my position for three years. It's time to return what's mine."

Emma spoke coldly, "What do you mean, your position? When Marcus's company was in trouble, where were you to marry him?"

Evelyn's expression stiffened. "That's because my parents stopped me from marrying him and forced me to go abroad! Otherwise, do you think someone with your status as an adopted daughter could compete with me for a man?"

She looked Emma up and down with contempt. "Don't worry, as your adoptive mother, I'll find you a good match. I heard the head of the Ashford family recently lost his wife and is looking for a new one. He's a bit old, but he's suitable for you."

Emma's heart was stabbed with pain. She turned and fled back to the master bedroom.