Chapter 1

In the master bedroom of the Harrington mansion, I was feeding the raven in its cage with ancient magic and drops of my own lifeblood.

The raven, nourished by my sacrifice, pulsed with a faint golden glow.

Years of blood loss had left my face pale.

“Five years,” I whispered, my voice a mere breath. “The life-binding spell is finally almost complete. It's just a shame... that I have to leave.”

My gaze lifted to a framed photo of Julian and me on the bedside table. My eyes filled with a deep, bitter sadness.

I was a descendant of an ancient magical lineage, revered by all in our ancestral village, entrusted with the sacred duty of protecting my people.

Five years ago, Julian, gravely ill and clinging to life, unexpectedly stumbled into our hidden village.

I didn't just share a symbiotic, life-binding magic with him, intertwining our fates and lives; I also renounced my sacred calling, giving up everything in the village for him…

After leaving our community, Julian and I pledged our lives to each other.

I still remember our wedding night five years ago, in a cramped, rundown apartment.

I wore a black wedding gown, dressed to the nines, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Julian sat beside me in a simple suit, his gaze fixed on me, overflowing with deep affection.

“Elara, you are the most radiant woman I’ve ever known, my beautiful savior. Meeting you was the greatest blessing of my life.”

“I, Julian Harrington, swear to the heavens, I will never betray you. I vow to love only you for all my days, never to part, even when we’re old and gray.”

My eyes, too, were filled with love as I gently replied:

“As long as you love me as much as I love you, I will never disappoint you. Julian, as long as you don't betray our bond, I will love you for eternity!”

Julian held me tight, his young voice murmuring:

“Elara, my greatest wish in life is to marry a wonderful woman and have a child of our own. Since I’ve already married the best woman, now… let’s have a baby.”

Even then, I sensed Julian's desperate longing for a child.

But I knew his destiny was fragile.

The severe illness five years prior had almost drained all his vitality, leaving him unable to father children.

So, I secretly returned to my ancient magic, nourishing a special raven with my own lifeblood every day.

Once the raven fully matured, it would shield Julian from misfortune and allow him to fulfill his dream of fatherhood.

I firmly believed that with five years of dedicated care, Julian’s body would heal, and his wish to be a father would come true.

Now, my ritual was almost complete.

But human hearts are fickle, and vows are easily shattered.

Just yesterday, when Julian returned home.

I excitedly rushed out of the room, eager to share the good news.

As I descended the stairs, I saw Julian walking through the front door, his arm around a heavily pregnant Skylar.

I froze on the spot.

Julian carefully supported Skylar, their movements intimate. The sight pierced my eyes like a sharp knife.

Skylar glanced at me, then her face contorted in a fearful expression, and she leaned closer to Julian.

Julian turned to look at her, his own expression visibly uncomfortable.

“Elara, this is Skylar. She’s... six months pregnant.”

My gaze slowly, involuntarily, drifted down to Skylar’s swollen belly.

Guilt instantly flushed Julian’s face.

I felt a surge of disorientation, then forced a weak smile, tentatively asking:

“Is she… an employee from your company?”

I then gracefully stepped forward, desperately trying to ignore the unsettling feeling in my heart, my voice tinged with a feigned annoyance:

“Julian, really, how could you bring a pregnant woman to our home? Her baby’s father will be worried sick.”

Julian hesitated for a moment before saying:

“Elara, the child is… mine.”

In that moment, I stood rooted to the spot, asking in disbelief:

“You… what did you say?”

Julian, looking utterly ashamed, explained:

“I know what I’ve done is wrong, and I’ve failed you, but… I had no other choice…”

He pulled out an ultrasound report, walked up, and opened it for me to see.

“Elara, you know I’m an orphan. My greatest wish is to have my own bloodline, my own family.”

Julian lowered his eyes:

“But for five years, you… you haven’t been able to conceive…”

His gaze then fell upon my stomach.

I glanced at the ultrasound report, a sharp pain twisting in my chest:

“So, you cheated?”

Julian quickly defended himself:

“This isn’t cheating!”

He looked at Skylar’s belly, then back at me, choosing his words carefully:

“Elara, after Skylar gives birth, I’ll immediately send her abroad and entrust the child to you to raise. Don’t worry, this child will absolutely not affect our relationship…”

I laughed, a bitter, hollow sound, cutting him off:

“Your solution is for me to raise a child for a mistress?”

Julian’s brows furrowed, a hint of displeasure in his tone:

“Elara, Skylar isn’t a mistress!”

Perhaps sensing his tone was too harsh, he softened his voice and continued:

“Don’t worry. As soon as the baby is born, I’ll announce to everyone that the child is biologically yours…”

Announce the child was biologically mine! I felt a wave of raw humiliation wash over me.

I shook my head without hesitation, my stance firm:

“No way! I will never raise someone else’s child, nor do I need to!”