Chapter 1

I returned from my parents' house only to find the bedroom in a total mess.

The sheets were tangled, and clothes were scattered everywhere.

My husband, Grant Sterling, was shirtless and had his arms around his sister-in-law, April Sinclair.

He was nibbling on her earlobe with sickening intimacy.

April's hair was a disaster, and her pale skin was covered in flushed, suggestive marks.

She leaned into Grant's chest, her eyes shimmering with fake innocence.

"Grant, stop it, that hurts~" she whimpered.

Grant's face darkened the moment he saw me standing in the doorway.

"It's a family tradition, Avery," he said, his voice dripping with impatience.

"We perform a Spring Rejuvenation ritual to bring the family good luck. Don't overthink it."

My fingertips turned ice-cold as I instinctively shielded my belly.

A wave of nausea rolled through my stomach.

"And this ritual involves biting your sister-in-law?"

April blinked at me, clinging to his arm like a delicate vine.

"Avery, don't be so petty. My name means 'April,' the heart of spring. Grant doing this is the best way to ensure the family's prosperity."

"Your pregnancy brings bad energy anyway. I told you to stay at your parents' longer. If our luck turns sour, it's all on you!"

Ha. So, I was the one being difficult.

I turned around and walked out without another word.

I dialed my best friend's number, my voice eerily calm.

"Help me book a procedure to terminate my pregnancy."

Three days later, I sent a package to the house.

Grant opened it and called me, sounding like he'd lost his mind.

"Avery Thorne, how dare you?!"