Chapter 1

My fiancé, Marcus Grayson, died trying to save me.

After his death, his parents knelt before me, begging me—someone blessed with exceptional fertility—to bear a child for the notorious mafia boss Xavier Cross to settle their debts.

Overwhelmed with guilt, I tearfully agreed.

Everyone assumed that becoming the gang leader's woman would bring me endless luxury and privilege.

But these past three years, I've been nothing more than his breeding tool, subjected to endless humiliation.

Three months into my pregnancy, Marcus came to visit me.

As I gazed at that face I'd longed for day and night, I felt like I'd fallen into an icy abyss.

I never imagined the man I'd loved for years had been deceiving me for three whole years.

With trembling hands, I scheduled an abortion and sent Xavier a delayed message.

"The child we worked so hard to conceive has been killed by Marcus."

Now I'd just sit back and watch them tear each other apart.

During the three years Marcus faked his death, I lived every day consumed by heartache and guilt.

I was even willing to stay by Xavier's side, never fighting back no matter how he beat or cursed me, just hoping to get pregnant soon and clear the debt.

"Wendy, my son and I have wronged you so deeply. If Marcus hadn't died so young, we would never have let you suffer like this..."

Every time my depression flared up and I wanted to end it all, my father-in-law would blame himself.

Seeing his graying hair and his anguished expression, I could only endure.

Only in the dead of night, alone with Marcus's photo, could I pour out my grief and longing.

Who could have imagined that this very man had sent me to Xavier just so he could run away with another woman?

My phone suddenly rang. I frantically pressed the power button to turn it off.

But Marcus's voice continued.

"Dad, Vivian rejected an arranged marriage for my sake. I have to make her happy."

"Besides, Wendy's pregnant with Xavier's child now. She already has a good life. Even if she knew I was alive, she'd only be able to wish us well. Now is the perfect time to plan the wedding."

My chest felt like it had been filled with concrete. I couldn't breathe, and everything went dark.

I stumbled back to the living room. Before I could even sit down, a slap struck my face.

"How dare you hang up on me? Were you sneaking around with some guy just now!"

Xavier's eyes were bloodshot as his hands clamped around my throat.

Stomach acid surged up, and I vomited all over him.

Xavier froze for a moment. When he came to his senses, he yanked off his belt and began beating me viciously.

"You disgusting bitch! I'll beat you to death!"

I curled into a ball, letting my tears fall silently.

Marcus, is this the happy life you promised me?

Glass suddenly shattered. Marcus jumped through the window.

"What gives you the right to hit Wendy!"

Before Xavier could explode in rage, my father-in-law rushed over and held the pregnancy test result up to his face.

"Mr. Cross, please calm down. She's carrying your child now."

When he turned to look at me, a flash of impatience crossed his face.

"Wendy, why can't you behave now that you're pregnant? What if something happens to the baby? How would you face Marcus?"

Marcus frowned and pulled me behind him, using his body to shield me from my father-in-law's accusing gaze.

Xavier stared at the pregnancy test with wild joy, examining it over and over, completely ignoring me.

"So the useless woman finally did something right. My money wasn't wasted! But you'd better know your place. Don't think being pregnant makes you special."

My father-in-law's eyes lit up as he leaned close to Marcus's ear and whispered.

"Judging by that lunatic's reaction, we'll definitely get the final payment in the next few days! Once the money comes through, we'll hold your wedding with Vivian right away!"

I clenched my fists hard against my abdomen, my heart aching so badly I could barely breathe.

Since I owe him nothing, then this ends here.

Xavier didn't leave until he'd laughed maniacally for what felt like forever. Only then did Marcus breathe a sigh of relief.

He turned to help me sit down, then quickly brought me a glass of milk.

"Wendy, you need to learn to protect yourself. Even for the baby's sake, you can't let that maniac abuse you like this."

"If Marcus knew about this, how heartbroken would he be?"

He knelt on one knee, holding my ice-cold hands, his eyes full of concern that seemed completely genuine.

His gentleness made me feel disoriented again, as if everything had returned to three years ago.

A bitter, self-mocking smile tugged at my lips. I asked him softly.

"Marcus, would you really be heartbroken?"