Chapter 1

Gianna's POV

I braced myself against the hospital corridor wall as my eighth bout of morning sickness finally subsided.

The person in the mirror looked like a ghost—puffy face, dark circles under bloodshot eyes, my belly stretched so tight the skin was translucent and shining. Three stretch marks crawled across my stomach like cracks.

Triplets. Eight months along. The rejection reactions had nearly killed me.

But they were Frank's and my children. Miracles that took three years of IVF to achieve.

"Mrs. Sterling, are you sure about being discharged?" The nurse hurried after me. "Your current condition..."

"Tonight is my husband's company IPO celebration." I forced a smile. "I have to be there."

The banquet hall gleamed with gold and crystal, but all I could smell was the lingering scent of champagne and perfume.

"Where is Mr. Sterling?" I grabbed a waiter's arm.

"Oh, Mr. Sterling is with some friends in the Emerald private room." His eyes flickered. "Would you like me to escort—"

"No need."

I dragged my heavy body toward the end of the corridor.

The door to the private room was slightly ajar, laughter spilling out.

I stopped in my tracks, my hand instinctively moving to my belly. The babies shifted inside.

Frank's voice drifted through the crack in the door, carrying that familiar, casual amusement I knew so well. "Let's up the bet to another million. I'm putting money on two boys and one girl."

Warmth flickered in my chest. Of course he was excited about the children.

"Frank, that's not fair." Ava's coquettish voice rang out. "You already know the results."

"Of course I know." He chuckled. "They're my children. Of course I know."

A chorus of laughter erupted from the room. I couldn't help but smile, leaning closer to the door.

"So it really is two boys and one girl?" someone asked. "Ava, what did your genetic screening report say?"

The air suddenly went still.

My fingernails dug into my palms.

"They're all my precious babies anyway." Ava's voice was sickeningly sweet. "Poor Gianna, having such a difficult pregnancy."

"She's suited for it." Frank's tone was flat, like he was evaluating a piece of equipment. "Good uterine conditions, strong tolerance. When the doctor initially suggested selective reduction, I said no way. Ava's eggs are too precious—losing even one would be a waste."

The world went silent.

I looked down at my abdomen. Beneath my skin, three tiny lives were moving.

"Frank, you're really ruthless." Another male voice laughed—Michael, Frank's business partner. "Making your wife carry your mistress's babies, and twins at that. If Gianna ever found out..."

"She won't find out." Frank cut him off. "I altered the IVF records. She thinks they're her own eggs."

"What about the third baby?" someone asked. "It's not Ava's, so it must be Gianna's, right?"

Silence.

Then Ava's laughter. "The third one? Why don't you all guess whose it is? If you get it right, Frank will give you a reward."

The people in the room burst into excitement, voices overlapping with wild guesses.

I staggered backward, my spine hitting the cold wall.

The voices from the room continued, like venomous snakes slithering into my ears. "Gianna is so pathetic."

"Pathetic? Wasn't she the one who forced Frank to marry her through that arranged family alliance? She deserves this."

"Exactly. Frank's true love has always been Ava. Doesn't she get it?"

"But Ava, aren't you afraid of pain? You won't even carry your own babies?"

"Of course I'm afraid." Ava whined. "Pregnancy ruins your figure. Since Gianna's happy to be a vessel, why should I suffer?"

Frank's low chuckle. "I'd love you no matter what."

Then came the sound of kissing. Wet and disgusting.

I closed my eyes.

Memory fragments pierced through me: In the IVF clinic, a long needle penetrating my abdomen. I bit down hard, my nails digging into my palms until they bled.

Frank had held my hand, his eyes red with emotion. "Gianna, just hang in there. For our children."

During the selective reduction consultation, the doctor had pointed at the screen. "Three fetuses put too much strain on the mother. I recommend reducing to one or two."

Frank had wrapped his arm around my shoulder, his voice firm. "We can't lose a single one. These are all our flesh and blood. I can't bear to part with any of them."

When I was vomiting until I collapsed, he'd fed me porridge, his gaze so tender it seemed ready to overflow. "Once they're born, I'll be with you every day."

Lies.

All lies.

I slowly straightened my body.

I should leave. I should get out of this hell.

But my feet remained rooted to the spot.

Wait!

They said two. Ava had two embryos.

So... what about mine?

Could the third baby be Frank's and mine?

I pressed my hand against my abdomen. Inside, three heartbeats pulsed through my skin.

What if they made a mistake?

What if they missed something when altering the records?