Chapter 1

After three years together, I stood by Ethan through his rise from nothing to a fortune worth millions.

I thought our struggles were finally over, until I caught him shielding the company's new intern in his arms, calling me a vicious shrew.

For his so-called true love, he not only killed our child with his own hands, but threatened me with my parents' lives to force me to leave with nothing.

Just as my heart turned to ash, Ethan's brother---Alexander, chairman of the Sterling Group---pulled me into his embrace.

His eyes blazed with ruthless intensity. "Natalie, Ethan was never worthy of you! Marry me, and everything the Sterling family has will be yours!"

Late into the stormy night, lightning flashed and thunder roared outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

I sat in the pitch-black living room, staring at the cold, untouched anniversary dinner on the table, my stomach cramping with waves of pain.

The door lock clicked softly.

The motion-sensor lights flickered on as Ethan walked in, dripping with rain. But he wasn't alone---he was holding a soaking wet girl tightly in his arms.

She wore an oversized men's dress shirt that hung loosely on her frame---Ethan's favorite custom-made piece. Like a frightened rabbit, she clutched his sleeve, pressing half her body against him.

The moment the lights blazed on, Ethan saw me sitting on the sofa.

A flash of panic crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by cold indifference. He didn't let go of the girl. Instead, he pulled her behind him in a protective stance.

"Natalie, why are you still awake?" His voice carried a hint of impatience.

I didn't answer. My gaze locked onto the girl.

Her name was Bella.

I recognized her. The new intern at Ethan's company---a girl who posted on social media about being "poor but noble in soul."

"Mr. Sterling... did I upset Miss Carter?" Bella peeked out timidly, her eyes red-rimmed, her voice trembling like leaves shattered by the winter wind. "Miss Carter, please don't misunderstand. The basement I'm renting flooded, and Ethan only brought me here to escape the storm because he felt sorry for me. I'll leave right now..."

She turned as if to rush back out into the torrential rain.

Ethan grabbed her wrist and yanked her back into his arms. The momentum sent Bella crashing into his solid chest with a delicate gasp.

Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed as he turned to glare at me, his eyes instantly cold.

"That's enough, Natalie. Can you stop acting like some high-and-mighty princess? Bella is just a young woman fresh out of college. You're scaring her."

Fury boiled over into bitter laughter. I slowly stood and walked toward them, step by step.

The air carried his familiar cedar scent, now mixed with a cheap, cloying sweet perfume. The combination made me nauseous.

"Ethan, today is our wedding anniversary." I stared into his eyes, my voice eerily calm. "You brought another woman into our home, wearing your clothes, leaning against you, and then you say I'm scaring her?"

Ethan's brows furrowed deeply, irritation flashing in his eyes.

"I told you, she had nowhere to go! You've lived in luxury your whole life. You have no idea how hard it is for people at the bottom. She has a high fever. Did you expect me to leave her on the street to die?"

"Miss Carter, I'm so sorry, this is all my fault..." Bella suddenly burst into tears, reaching out to grab my sleeve.

"Don't touch me!" I jerked away from her hand.

*Slap!*

The sharp sound of the blow echoed through the silent living room.

I didn't hit her.

Ethan did.

He shoved me hard, pulling Bella protectively behind him. I stumbled backward, my lower back slamming into the hard marble bar counter. Searing pain instantly consumed my entire body.

I looked up in disbelief at the man I'd loved for three years.

There wasn't a trace of guilt in Ethan's eyes---only cold warning. "Natalie, I warned you. Don't touch her."

In that moment, I heard my heart shatter.

Three years.

I'd stood by him as he climbed from a bankrupt rich kid to where he was today. For him, I'd threatened to end my life and severed ties with my parents. For him, I'd swallowed my pride and begged people who once looked down on him.

I thought I was his safe harbor.

But now, he was giving all his tenderness and protection to another woman.

"Ethan," I bit my trembling lip hard, swallowing the metallic taste of blood in my throat. "Do you think I can't survive without you?"

Ethan laughed coldly, looking down at me. "Isn't that true? You were willing to die just to marry me back then. What's with this act now?"

He bent down and scooped up the shivering Bella, walking toward the guest room without looking back.

"Clean up that disgusting mess on the table. Bella has a sensitive stomach. Make some oatmeal for her in the morning."

*Bang.*

The guest room door slammed shut.

I slid down onto the cold floor, clutching my aching abdomen as tears finally broke free.

Originally, I'd planned to tell him tonight that I was pregnant.

Now it seemed pointless.