Chapter 1

"Ms. Harris, the tumor in your brain is in a tricky spot. The surgery would be extremely difficult. And whether we go with conservative treatment or surgery, the baby in your belly... you won't be able to keep it. You should really bring a family member with you next time you come."

The doctor's words hit her like a sledgehammer, as if stamping a death sentence on her life in advance.

Looking at the test results in her hand, Jasmine Harris didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

She was finally pregnant, but at this very moment, she'd been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

She gently touched her still-flat belly. This baby had come completely out of the blue.

A brain tumor?

A tear finally slid down her cheek.

Her mother had died from a brain tumor too. Not wanting anyone to see her suffering, she had swallowed an entire bottle of sleeping pills when the pain became unbearable.

Her mother had used death to preserve her final dignity.

What about her?

When she trembled and asked the doctor how much time she had left, he sighed: "Pregnancy and treatment can't happen at the same time. If you insist on keeping the child, three months is the limit. Ms. Harris, bring your family next time. A decision has to be made."

Three months?

She used to think three months was so long, but now it felt too short—too short for the baby in her belly to fully develop, too short to even arrange her own funeral.

Her head started throbbing faintly. Jasmine found a bench and sat down, pressing her phone screen on and off, on and off.

Jasmine knew Sean Gray didn't like her contacting him, especially during work hours.

But she was sick now—wasn't that kind of a big deal?

Before she could dial, her phone rang. It was Luna from the sales department.

"Manager Harris, Mr. Zachary Baker from Horizon Tech has been waiting in the conference room for an hour. Today's the final round for signing the strategic procurement contract. Can you get back to the office as soon as possible?" Luna sounded anxious.

"What about Mr. Gray? He knew about today's signing. How could he let Mr. Baker wait this long?" Pushing down her terrible mood, Jasmine asked calmly.

"Mr. Gray didn't come to the office today."

He didn't go to the office?

When she left for the hospital, he'd clearly said he was too busy with work. If he didn't go to the office, where could he be?

She quickly dialed his number. His voice on the other end was distant and cold: "What is it?"

Jasmine tried to keep her voice light: "Where are you right now?"

"Do I need to report my whereabouts to you?" Sean's voice was ice-cold.

"Attention passengers picking up arrivals: Flight 7765 from Emerald City to Silverlight International Airport has landed. Please wait in the arrivals hall..." An airport announcement came through the phone.

"You're at the airport? Zachary from Horizon Tech is here to sign the contract. I told you about this yesterday." Jasmine's tone turned sharp. Sean couldn't possibly not know how important this contract was, yet he stood up the client?

"The contract can be signed later. I've got something going on here. We'll talk when I get back." Sean sounded impatient.

"Such an important contract, and you..." Before Jasmine could finish, the line went dead.

So domineering, as always.

Jasmine quickly messaged her assistant: [Do whatever it takes to keep Zachary there. I'm heading back right now. Give me half an hour.]

The assistant's reply came quickly: "Manager Harris, no need to rush. Zachary already left."

Jasmine tried calling Zachary, but every time, her calls were rejected.

Clearly, Zachary was really pissed.

Looking at her phone, Jasmine almost laughed from anger.

She had no idea what could be so important that Sean would abandon a multi-million dollar deal to personally pick someone up at the airport.

What she didn't expect was that before she could contact him again, she'd see Sean on her phone's news feed.

A video of a fifteen-second airport embrace had made it to the finance section news.

The woman he was hugging had long wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, a tall and curvy figure. Even without seeing her face clearly, you could tell she was a stunning beauty.

But she didn't need to see her face. She knew that woman all too well.

She was Sean's true love. They'd been together from college through graduation, so sweet that everyone thought they'd get married right after. Until that variable appeared.

She was that variable.

Jasmine let out a deep sigh.

Sean only saw her as the one who ruined his life, but what about her life?

They'd been secretly married for three years. She'd given up an offer from a top research institution, passed on opportunities to study abroad, even abandoned the career she loved...

Sean seemed to take her sacrifices for granted, forgetting she never owed him anything.

As she touched her belly again, she suddenly realized clearly—this was just an unwanted child.

She folded the two test reports and put them in her bag.

As the child's father, Sean had the right to know. She needed to have a proper talk with him.

Sean came home after midnight.

For the first time, when she heard the door open, Jasmine didn't go to greet him.

Sean pushed through the door, reeking of alcohol. He casually pulled off his tie and tossed it on the bed, his eyes full of impatience: "Still awake?"

Jasmine couldn't help frowning slightly: "I've been waiting for you."

His response was a careless laugh: "You always do these things to move yourself."

"I have something to tell you." Jasmine held her patience. "I don't want to fight with you."

Sean loosened his tie, took off his jacket and threw it carelessly on the bed, his face showing disdain: "You just want a kid, don't you? Aren't you tired of calculating your ovulation days like a robot and finding me to fuck you?"

Opening her mouth, Jasmine found she couldn't say a word. Bitterness spread through her heart, though she kept reminding herself that in a marriage full of transactions, whoever gives their heart loses.

Seeing Jasmine's silence, Sean snorted coldly, leaned forward, pressed her down, and lowered his head to kiss her.

The strong smell of alcohol invaded her senses. His hard cock pressed forcefully against her body. The instant he lowered his head to kiss her, Jasmine turned away, dodging him.

The drunkenness in Sean's eyes cleared a bit, his voice cold and emotionless: "What? How am I supposed to give you a child if I don't fuck you? Without a child, how will you secure your position as Mrs. Gray?"

"I don't need it." Jasmine had no energy to argue, pushing him off her body.

Sean slowly got up, squinting at her with a light laugh: "Jasmine, you said it. When Grandpa asks again, don't say I'm the one rejecting you."

Jasmine quickly straightened her nightgown, her usual good temper gone: "Sean, do you want to explain why you were at the airport? Who's so important that you'd drop a multi-million dollar contract to personally pick them up?"

There wasn't a trace of embarrassment on Sean's face at being called out. He yanked off his tie, laughed contemptuously, his eyes devoid of warmth: "Jealous? Do you have that right?"

"I'm talking to you about work." This time Jasmine didn't want to back down.

Sean looked at her mockingly, laughing with contempt: "You really think you're Mrs. Gray? So concerned about company business?"

Jasmine thought he was impossible to communicate with right now, frowning as she responded: "What else would I be?"

Their marriage, even if not public, still existed.

Sean slowly leaned down, looking down at Jasmine from above: "Three years ago when your whole family sent you to my bed, you should have understood—you can never become Mrs. Gray to me."

Those words stabbed Jasmine's heart painfully.

Three years ago?

So in Sean's mind, what happened three years ago had never passed.

But hadn't she been trapped by it for these three years too?

Jasmine closed her eyes, seeing her most helpless self. She'd tried so hard to repair their relationship, but Sean coldly pushed her away, keeping her at a distance.

"Jasmine, if I give you a child, will you finally let me go?" Sean pressed down on her again, leaning close, pinning her hands so she couldn't move.

Her past patience snapped like a spring hitting bottom. Jasmine kicked hard toward his crotch.