Chapter 1
11
2wehrs
At my wedding with Isaac Wilcox, his stepsister, Vivian Foley, announced she was pregnant with his child.
Without a second thought, he left me behind and brought her back to our home to take care of her.
‘You’ve always wanted a child, haven’t you? Once Vivian gives birth, I’ll send her abroad. The baby will grow up thinking you’re his mother.
“We’ll hold off on the wedding until after Vivian has the baby.”
I stared at the phone screen, my eyes brimming with tears as I forced a smile.
Did he really think the only daughter of the Hoffman family couldn’t live without him?
The moment I turned away, I married Austin Clayton–the man who’d been secretly in love with me for eight years.
Just as I was about to move out, my ex suddenly dropped to his knees, clutching the train of my wedding gown.
“Lori, I was wrong! I’ll cut all ties with Vivian. I don’t even want that child anymore.”
He pleaded desperately, “Divorce him right now. Let’s go get our marriage certificate right away!”
I shook him off. “Too late.”
***
0.00%
05:30
Chapter 1
After we got our marriage certificate, Austin cursed under his breath as he rushed to the airport.
He’d been waiting to board a flight to Italy for a business meeting when I dragged him to City Hall with just one phone call.
Thinking of how he’d gritted his teeth earlier, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt.
“Lori, did I owe you a debt in my past life or something? I chased you for eight years, and you never even gave me a real look, and now you want to get married just like that?”
I glanced at the clock.
“It’s almost closing time. Are you getting the certificate or not?”
He instantly deflated.
E
“Fine! I brought my ID, rescheduled my flight, and even told my parents. If we’re not doing this, it’d be a waste.”
***
Maybe because I hadn’t responded, Isaac finally called.
His voice was tinged with urgency.
“Lori, don’t overthink this. You’re the only one in my heart. I just admired Vivian. That night was truly an accident.”
“Mm, I understand.” My voice was calm, utterly emotionless. “Men will be men, after all.”
He went silent for a few seconds. I heard him take a deep breath.
“Where are you? I’ll send a driver to pick you up. Vivian’s having morning
22.07%
05:30
Chapter 1
sickness and I really can’t leave right now…”
I cut him off. “No need.”
His voice turned cold in an instant.
288 Vouchers
“Lori, are you throwing a tantrum? I’ve explained everything. Once Vivian has the baby, she’ll be gone. What more do you want from me?”
My chest felt tight. I unconsciously gripped the marriage certificate in my hand, struggling to keep my voice steady.
“Isaac, let’s break up.”
He was stunned for a moment, then let out a self–mocking laugh.
“After all these years, don’t you know how I’ve treated you? Yes, I made a mistake, but what man hasn’t? I’m already making it up to you–do you have to be so unforgiving?”
I pressed my lips together and said nothing.
When I stayed silent, his patience finally snapped. “Fine! Whatever you want. Break up, then! In less than half an hour, you’ll come crawling back to me in tears!”
He hung up abruptly, leaving only the busy tone ringing in my ear.
I hailed a cab and went back to the home that used to be ours.
Not to find him, but just to pack up my things and leave.
When I opened the door, Isaac was wearing an apron, the dining table covered with dishes he’d carefully prepared.
He and Vivian sat across from each other, eating and laughing.
47.17%
05:30
Chapter 1
28 Vac
He gently picked up food for her, even feeding her with such tender care.
That gentle look–I’d once naively believed it belonged to me alone.
I remembered how, whenever I cooked for him, he’d always hug me from behind and whisper in my ear, “Thank you, sweetheart.”
It seemed so affectionate, but in five years, he’d never even poured me a glass of water.
He was the youngest professor of cardiac surgery at the country’s top medical school.
He always said, “These hands are for surgery. I have to protect them at all times.”
Even when holding my hand, he was always so cautious.
Yet now, he’d made an exception, cooking for Vivian.
When Isaac saw me, he let out a snort, wearing a look that said, “I knew you’d be back.”
Vivian greeted me warmly, “Lori, you’re back! Want to join us for
dinner?”
I brushed past her in silence, heading straight to the bedroom.
“Stop right there!” Isaac suddenly stood up, his face dark and menacing. “Vivian’s talking to you. Can’t you at least respond? Don’t you have any basic manners?”
I slowly turned around, forcing a cold smile.
“How should I respond? Thank her for rushing to have my fiancé’s child and making me a mother–without the pain? Or should I slap her and tell the home–wrecking mistress to get out of my house?”
