Chapter 1

When Alistair Lockwood found out I was pregnant, he spared no expense to hire a world-renowned specialist to oversee my prenatal care.

A man who never believed in a higher power, he spent hours kneeling in the cathedral, praying for a safe delivery.

"Sweetheart, you've worked so hard for our family. Once the baby is born, I promise to make it all up to you," he whispered.

That same day, I happened to pick up his phone while he was in the shower.

"Mr. Lockwood, as per your instructions, the mistress's supplements contain the sterilization agent. The fetus will be born without a heartbeat."

"Miss Vance's child, however, is perfectly healthy. She will deliver a strong heir for the Lockwood Group."

"Rest assured, your wife won't suspect a thing. This won't ruin the relationship you have with her."

I looked down at my protruding belly, my heart shattering into a million pieces. I never realized his love was such a calculated lie.

With nothing left to hold onto, I signed the divorce papers and prepared to disappear forever.

1.

The phone slipped from my numb fingers and hit the carpet with a dull thud.

I stared at my belly, gently stroking the life inside me that was already doomed. My eyes overflowed with bitter tears.

No wonder Alistair never looked excited when I asked him to feel the baby kick.

He knew all along that this child would never take its first breath.

Alistair walked out of the bathroom with a bright, charming smile. "Hey, honey. Is the little guy being good? Is he kicking you again? Let me give him a stern talking-to!"

I looked up at him, my face streaked with tears, the accusations burning in my throat.

But before I could speak, he rushed to my side with a look of pure concern and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"What's wrong, baby? Are you just nervous about the delivery? I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere, okay?"

His touch made my skin crawl with a sudden, violent revulsion.

How could a human being be this cruel?

He was murdering our child while maintaining a secret life with a mistress, all while whispering sweet nothings in my ear.

The taste of bile rose in my throat as I decided to test him one last time.

"Alistair... why... why can't I feel the baby moving anymore?" I choked out.

He leaned down, pressing his ear against my stomach. I watched him like a hawk and caught the flicker of cold impatience in his eyes.

But when he looked back up at me, the mask of the doting husband was perfectly back in place.

"I can hear him just fine. He's just being a bit quiet today. You're just anxious, honey. I've got you."

Just as I was about to confront him about the phone call, his assistant knocked and stepped into the room.

"Mr. Lockwood, the doctor needs to discuss the surgical details with you immediately."

Alistair glanced at me instinctively, his voice remaining soft and soothing. "I'll be right back, Sera. Stay put."

Usually, he insisted the doctors speak to us together in my room so I wouldn't worry.

At the door, I heard the assistant whisper in a low, urgent tone, "She's throwing a fit. She wants to see you now. I'm worried her stress will harm the baby."

My heart constricted. I followed them quietly down the hall and saw him slip into the VIP suite next door.

Perhaps he was in such a rush that he forgot to click the door shut. It remained slightly ajar.

Lying on the bed was Flora Vance, the daughter of our longtime housekeeper.

Alistair was leaning over her, his face radiant with a genuine smile I hadn't seen in years.

"The baby is fine, Flora. You're about to be a mother; stop being so dramatic. Don't lie about feeling sick just to get me here. You know how much I worry."

He pinched her cheek affectionately. Flora giggled, pulling his hand to her lips for a kiss.

"I just missed you, Alistair. You spend all your time with that woman. Can't you spare more for me?"

Alistair leaned down, showering her face with tiny, tender kisses.

"I have to keep her stable for a few more days. Otherwise, how can we make her raise our child?"

"Everything I'm doing is to ensure your baby becomes the sole heir to the Lockwood empire, understand?"

A wave of dizziness hit me, and I stumbled back several steps, hitting the cold hospital wall.

He wasn't just killing my child; he was planning to turn me into a surrogate nanny for his bastard.

Ten minutes ago, this man was holding my hand, promising me the world.

Now, he was in another woman's bed, plotting a future that required my total destruction.

If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I would never have believed my husband of eight years was capable of such evil.

From inside the room, the sounds of shifting sheets and heavy breathing filled the air.

"The doctor said I could have a little... release during the third trimester... Oh! Alistair, you're so bad!" Flora moaned.

I stood there like a masochist, listening until I couldn't breathe, before forcing myself to walk toward the head surgeon's office.