Chapter 1

From Sophia Brown's Perspective:

August 20th was a day I would never forget.

Because on this day, not only did I confirm my three-week pregnancy, but I also witnessed with my own eyes my husband James Smith's affair partner—his deceased brother's wife, Amelia Martinez.

"The shot hurt so much, I want Daddy to kiss it better!"

Standing in a corner dozens of meters from the pediatric clinic, I clearly saw a little girl in a pink princess dress being held in James's arms.

She was acting cute in a sweet childlike voice—it was Isabella Smith, the five-year-old daughter of James's late brother and Amelia.

And my husband James readily accepted this title, kissing Isabella on the cheek with a gentle smile.

"Does it still hurt now?" James asked softly.

"Still hurts a tiny bit. If Daddy kisses Mommy once, I will be all better!"

"Isabella, stop that nonsense!" Amelia playfully pinched Isabella's face, then smiled as she stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around James's neck.

Just as their lips were about to touch, I called James.

He must have hated me for ruining their "happy family of three" moment, because I could clearly see how annoyed James looked, and even his voice when he answered was cold. "What is it?"

"James, where are you? Can you come home?" I gripped my phone tightly, trying to stay calm, but all I got in return was his cold rejection.

"I'm busy."

"But James, I have something very important to tell you. It won't take long."

"If you need money, I'll have my secretary transfer it to you."

"No, I..."

"Sophia." He called my name coldly, his expression icy and disgusted.

"Smart people should know when enough is enough."

I was James's legal wife, carrying his child in my belly. I just wanted to share this joy with him, to tell James he was going to be a father.

In his eyes, I had become a greedy woman who never knew when to stop.

The busy signal after he hung up sounded, followed by a notification. "Five million dollars received."

I stood there in a daze, watching Amelia tug at his sleeve affectionately, her voice gentle. "James, what if Sophia really has something important? Maybe you should go back."

James just sneered at that. "She always plays these disgusting little tricks. I've already sent her money; no need to pay attention to her."

"You can't say that. Sophia's an orphan who grew up without love. Maybe she just loves you too much and wants to hold onto you, so she..."

"If she really loved me, she wouldn't have used such dirty tricks to drug and trap me in the first place. All she wants is my money and power."

No, James, I was a victim that night too! I didn't know why I woke up in bed with you either!

I was shaking all over, wanting to rush up and explain, but James didn't notice my presence at all. Holding Isabella with one arm while Amelia held his other, he smiled faintly. "Alright, let's not talk about unpleasant things. I promised Isabella we'd go to the amusement park today."

"Daddy's the best! I love Daddy the most!" Isabella cheered, hugging James's neck tightly.

They left the hospital looking so affectionate—anyone would think they were a happy family.

Meanwhile, I, James's actual wife, looked like a thief hiding in a dark corner.

Actually, even if I had confronted them, what would it have changed? In these two years of marriage, this wasn't the first time I'd tried to explain to James, but all I ever got was his mockery.

He must hate me completely. After all, if it weren't for what happened that night, if it weren't for Grandma's pressure, he probably would have married Amelia long ago.

James came home very late. When he saw me, his face showed no expression as he went straight into the bathroom.

In the sound of running water, I picked up his changed clothes.

James was very particular about his appearance, always impeccably dressed in suits. But now, his expensive tailored suit not only had cartoon stickers on it but also ice cream stains—clearly Isabella's doing.

He was so good even to his niece, Isabella. Would he also love our child even more? Could our relationship possibly improve?

When this thought came to me, even I found it a bit ridiculous, but I couldn't help feeling a bit hopeful. However, James's indifferent voice soon came from behind me. "Why didn't you take the money I sent?"

"I told you, I don't want money."

When I received the transfer, I returned the money to the original account. But James just stared at me for a moment, then curved his lips mockingly. "I understand."

What did he mean?

Before I could react, his cold, damp hand suddenly reached into my collar. I shuddered from the stimulation, trying hard to hold his hand back. "James, we can't, I...!"

James didn't give me a chance to speak. He grabbed my chin and kissed me roughly, his long fingers deftly untying his own bathrobe as he leaned down.

"You call me, then refuse the money—isn't this what you wanted all along?"

"No, James, I didn't!" I shook my head desperately, struggling to avoid his cold kiss, trembling all over.

"James, not today, I'm already..."

Suddenly feeling nauseous, I couldn't help dry heaving a few times. I felt terrible all over, but James just watched me and suddenly laughed coldly. "Acting again? You were pretty eager when you climbed into my bed back then. Now you're playing the virtuous woman? Sophia, you're disgusting!"

He was my husband, the father of the child in my belly, yet he was calling me "disgusting"?

I looked at James, trembling. His handsome features showed no emotion, only deep disgust. My mind went blank, and I cried out hysterically.

"Who's more disgusting than you? James, I've been proper and well-behaved since we got married. I've never done anything inappropriate. But you? You have feelings for your dead brother's wife, and you let your niece call you daddy. James, what right do you have..."

"Sophia!" James's face darkened suddenly. He pushed me down on the bed, his reddened eyes like a desperate trapped animal, sending chills down my spine. "Try saying one more word?"

I knew I shouldn't provoke him further, but thinking of what I saw at the hospital during the day, thinking of the child in my belly, I couldn't control my emotions. "If you can do it, don't be afraid of me saying it. James, you bastard, don't you dare touch me again. I hate you..."

James ripped my dress apart and tied my hands with strips of fabric, his eyes filled with unprecedented violence. "Sophia, you asked for this!"

His kisses fell roughly—rather than kisses, they were more like angry venting.

I cried from the pain. Feeling him about to have sex with me, my mind went blank, and I screamed desperately. "James, you can't touch me, I... I'm pregnant!"