Chapter 1

After seven years of marriage, I was finally pregnant.

I excitedly told my husband, Damien Cross.

His hand froze mid-air, cigarette between his fingers. Then he let out a cold laugh.

"Elena Rivers, how many times are you going to play this disgusting trick? Even if you really are pregnant, a vicious woman like you doesn't deserve to carry my child. Go to the hospital tomorrow and get rid of it."

Three years ago, he was a helpless patient who had lost his sight in a car accident. I dragged him out of a burning building, my voice hoarse from smoke inhalation.

Now his sight was restored. He held my "best friend" in his arms while throwing acid on my hands.

I wanted to tell him my brother was still in the ICU, fighting for his life.

But before I could speak, he threw a document at my feet. It was a Patent Transfer Agreement. The competition piece I had spent two years perfecting would now bear her name.

"Sign it," he said, looking down at me. "Or tomorrow, your brother's ventilator gets unplugged."

I didn't want to love this man anymore.