Chapter 1
My husband, the richest man in New York, was drugged, and slept with a college student.
When Damien Corwin sobered up, the first thing he did was call me. His voice was hoarse and panicked.
“Callista, I was drugged… I made an
accident. But I paid her off–she won’t come after me.”
After eight years of love, I thought it was just an accident.
Half a year later, Damien was on a business trip when a massive earthquake hit. The
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news was everywhere.
By the time I arrived at the hospital, he was standing outside a room, looking conflicted.
The doctor told me that Delphine Wynter, three months pregnant, had dug through the rubble with her bare hands to save Damien. Her fingers were torn and bloody.
Damien grabbed my hand and lowered his voice, pleading, “Three months ago, her families passed away. She begged me for help. I had too much to drink… I didn’t mean for it to happen.”
“But don’t worry. She’ll never step foot into our family. She won’t threaten your place- ever.”
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3
Suddenly, Delphine ran out and dropped to her knees before me, crying.
“Please, Mrs.Corwin. I’m begging you. Let the child live!”
Damien looked at me, desperate. “Callista, you’ve always been reasonable. The baby is innocent…”
I stared at him, then suddenly laughed.
“Damien, either we get a divorce…”
“Or she gets out of our lives.”
“I won’t divorce you!” Damien’s eyes were bloodshot as he clung to me. “But I have to take responsibility for her.”
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Later, Delphine gave birth to twins. The whole Corwin family was overjoyed.
I took off my wedding ring and dialed a number I hadn’t called in years.
“I agree to your offer,” I said.
The voice on the other end chuckled softly.
“Mrs.Corwin, it’ll be a pleasure working with you.”
I stood outside the hospital room, fingers clenched tightly.
Through the slightly open door, I saw
Damien’s parents each holding a baby, faces
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glowing with joy.
Even Damien, always composed and reserved in public, now wore a gentle,
tender smile as he cradled the child in his parents’arms.
How ironic. They looked like the perfect happy family.
When Damien saw me, his expression froze. “Callista… you came back.”
I didn’t respond.
His mother shot me a cold glance. Her voice was frosty. “So you do remember how to come home? Six months up in the mountains–got enough peace and quiet?”
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“Good to have you back,” his father tried to smooth things over, though his eyes never left the babies. “Just in time for the full–month celebration. As Mrs. Damien Corwin, you should put in some effort.”
My mother–in–law’s tone softened slightly. “The babies still don’t have official names. You and Damien should think about it. Just know, as long as you behave, your place in this family will always be secure.”
I stared blankly at them and nodded. “Alright.”
After the elders left, Damien’s phone rang.
He glanced at me before stepping out to take the call.
The room fell silent. Only Delphine and I
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remained.
She looked radiant–her skin glowed, her hair was meticulously done. Clearly, the Corwins had spared no expense on her during my absence.
“Mrs.Corwin,” she said timidly, “if I’ve done anything wrong, you can yell at me or hit me. Just… please don’t fight with Damien anymore. You know he only loves you. He had your room cleaned every day while you were gone.”
I looked at her coldly. “Miss.Wynter, you can drop the act. That hush money Damien gave you? It was enough to live comfortably for generations. You could’ve disappeared. But you came back, asked him for help–now here we are.”
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“You know exactly what you’re doing.”
Her face turned pale, then flushed.
Suddenly, she picked up one of the babies and shoved it into my arms.
The warm, milky scent of the baby made my body freeze.
Then–suddenly–the baby slipped from my arms and hit the floor with a sickening thud, crying out in agony.
Before I could react, Damien burst in and shoved me aside.
I stumbled back, watching him scoop the child into his arms, heartbroken.
He didn’t say anything–but his eyes said everything.
Delphine sobbed. “Damien, I just wanted Mrs.Corwin to hold the baby. I didn’t think she’d-”
Damien’s voice was cold. “Callista,
Delphine’s being discharged tomorrow. If you can’t accept the children, then move to Elmswood Estate for now.“”
I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.
I had taken only a single suitcase when I left to live in the mountains. Now, it was enough to hold all my belongings again.
I sat in the empty villa, from dusk to dawn.
Maybe it was better this way. At least I wouldn’t have to watch them play happy family anymore.
