Chapter 1

During the checkup, the doctor told me the fetus was developing perfectly.

On the screen, the little one's hand was even even formed a heart shape.

I took a picture, intending to show it to Adrian.

But when I walked into the parking garage, I saw the familiar Maybach rocking rhythmically.

I froze for a moment, then forced myself to walk closer.

Inside the car, two figures were tangled together.

Amidst the movement, an earring flashed on the woman's ear.

It was the birthday gift I had given to my best friend, Chloe Cresswell.

On my phone screen, the baby's 4D ultrasound image still glowed.

Inside the luxury car, my husband and my best friend were reaching their final climax.

The scene before me made me realize with absolute clarity: I had been reborn.

In my last life, I impulsively yanked the car door open, fought with the cheating couple, only to be run over and killed by Adrian.

But this time, I simply cradled my belly and waited quietly outside the car.

I don't know how much time passed before the movement inside finally ceased.

Adrian rolled down the window to light a cigarette, and suddenly met my gaze.

He paused for a second, then nonchalantly clicked the lighter. His naked upper body was covered in hickeys—a nauseating sight.

"Did you have to do it while I was getting my prenatal checkup?

Couldn't you hold back for just a little while?"

My voice was terrifyingly calm.

Adrian nodded casually and stepped out of the car toward me, fully at ease.

I held my stomach and took a step back, asking, "Aren't you going to let her leave first?"

Adrian froze, likely surprised that I hadn't broken down like I usually would.

Just as he was about to speak, Chloe stepped out of the car. Her dress was rumpled, and she was using my lipstick to touch up her makeup.

We looked at each other in silence. She bit her lip, wrapped her arm around Adrian's, and put on an innocent face:

"Anna Morgan, don't blame me.

You're pregnant and can't satisfy Adrian. I just wanted to help him out."

As she spoke, she brushed back her hair, showing off the marks left by their pleasure.

Adrian reached out to hold Chloe, provocatively kneading her breast, eliciting a cascade of soft moans.

"What are you afraid of? ...Even if she wasn't pregnant, you're welcome in my bed."

Chloe playfully punched his chest, feigning coyness. "Oh, you're awful! Anna is my best friend, you know..."

Adrian sneered. "That's exactly what makes it more thrilling.

Isn't that right, Mrs. Vance?"

I let out a soft chuckle. Ignoring his question, I simply asked, "Can we go now?"

But Adrian suddenly grabbed my jaw in a tight grip:

"Who are you putting on this act for?

Wasn't it you who begged me to marry you?"

"You should have realized long ago who I'm messing around with."

He stared me down, trying to provoke me, waiting for me to get hysterical.

But this time, he was disappointed.

Adrian shoved my face away and lit a cigarette in irritation. "Clean up the car."

I closed my eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and nodded. "Okay."

Cradling my belly, I climbed into the backseat. The thick, reeking scent made my stomach churn.

I bit my lip hard, fighting back the urge to vomit as I wiped the fluids off the leather seats.

When I finished, Chloe clung to Adrian's arm, whining playfully:

"Adrian, you worn me out. Can you drive me home?"

Seeing this, I took the hint. "I'll take a taxi."

With that, I grabbed my phone and walked out of his sight.

"Wait!"

Adrian's voice trembled, as if he sensed I was leaving his world for good.

But I didn't look back, nor did I say goodbye.

Adrian, I won't wait for you anymore.

Supporting my belly, I walked for a long time before I managed to hail a taxi.

After I got in, that familiar Maybach brushed past me. In the passenger seat, Chloe was smiling radiantly.

Perhaps this ending was the best thing for me.

At least I wouldn't lose my life for a man who never loved me, like I did in my last life.

I couldn't go back to my parents' home, so I returned to the small apartment I owned before marriage.

My belly ached dully. I curled up on the bed hugging a pillow, suddenly feeling exhausted.

My face felt cold. When I reached up to touch it, my cheeks were wet with tears.

Seven years of unrequited love had ended so abruptly. My heart still ached.

Torn over whether to keep the baby, I lay awake all night.

Meanwhile, Adrian was immersed in Chloe's tenderness, too content to think of anything—or anyone—else.

I watched Chloe flaunt their romance on her Facebook—candlelit dinners, jewelry, designer bags, matching rings...

The background in the photos and videos was my marital home.

There was even a photo of a man's back as he made a late-night snack in the kitchen.

It was Adrian—the man who wouldn't even fetch me a glass of water when I had a high fever.

On the day the Vance Group held a board meeting, I seized the chance to return to the villa.

I quickly packed my luggage and documents.

As I went downstairs, I ran right into Adrian, who had rushed back.

Seeing the things in my hands, he sneered, snatched my luggage, and threw it aside.

"Anna, aren't you being childish? Playing the runaway game again?"

"What are you planning next?

Are you going to threaten suicide like you used to?"

Adrian frowned, scolding me with a look of utter disgust.

I simply said calmly, "Don't worry, I won't do that anymore."

It was true—I hadn't been in my right mind before. To win him back, I'd threatened my own life, again and again.

But having lived through the last life, I understood that staying alive was what mattered most.

I never wanted to experience the feeling of being sent to my death by the person I loved most ever again.

Besides, a heartless man like Adrian wasn't worth holding onto.

Adrian misunderstood, however. He let out a cold laugh, his eyes full of disdain:

"You won't anymore?

What new trick is this?

I'm busy. I don't have time for your drama."

I met his gaze and explained:

"You're overthinking it. I came to pack my things and move out."

"Adrian, let's get a divorce."

Adrian paused, a flicker of emotion I couldn't read passing through his eyes before he composed himself.

"Is this your new trick?

Playing hard to get?"

"You'll try every trick to keep me, won't you? Are you really that obsessed? You can't live without me?"

Even now, Adrian still thought I couldn't live without him.

I didn't want to waste words, so I let my actions speak for me.

I took the divorce papers out of my bag and handed them to him.

"Sign the papers. I don't want anything from the Vances. I just want to cut ties with you completely."

I had been married to Adrian for three years, yet he had never spent much money on me.

Outsiders saw me as the glamorous Mrs. Vance, but only I knew that every penny I spent came from my part-time painting jobs.

Since I didn't spend his money during the marriage, I certainly wouldn't stoop to financial entanglements after the divorce.

Seeing the divorce papers, Adrian showed a rare look of surprise.

As if a thought occurred to him, he quickly scanned the agreement, seemingly checking its authenticity.

Then he let out a scoff:

"You've grown bold, actually using real divorce papers to threaten me. Aren't you afraid I'll actually sign them?"

"Still talking about leaving with nothing?

Anna, are you still this naive at thirty?"

He tossed the papers onto the coffee table and suddenly stood up, looming over me until his shadow completely engulfed me.

"Without the shelter of the Vances, do you think your father and brother have the skill to survive in the business world?"

"After the divorce, how will your family support their current extravagant lifestyle?"

I leaned back to avoid his proximity, the surging emotions beneath my lashes freezing into frost as I stubbornly pursed my lips.

"Adrian, I'm serious. Even if you use my family as leverage, you can't trap me anymore."

Seemingly shaken by the resolve in my eyes, Adrian stepped aside, his expression growing colder and harder: "The reason?"

He paused, then compromised:

"Is it because I was messing around with Chloe during the last prenatal checkup and that upset you?"

"Fine, I apologize. I won't let her appear in front of you again."

Digging my nails into my palms, I laughed openly and freely for the first time:

"There's no need, Adrian."

"For three years, I've had enough of your mental torture and abuse, and enough of waiting day after day for a man whose heart will never be with me."

I suddenly yanked the wedding ring off my finger and smashed it onto the floor; it rolled into the corner, merging with the darkness.

"Even if I have to take my whole family to wash dishes or sweep the streets, I will never be your marionette again."

Chapter 2

Adrian couldn't contain his rage; he slammed the door behind him and stormed out.

I assumed that given his arrogant nature, it wouldn't take more than a few days for him to contact me to finalize the paperwork and kick me out.

Unexpectedly, the first call I received was from my mother.

On the other end of the line, her voice was bubbling with delight:

"Anna, Adrian just sent over the latest season's luxury clothes and bags for me, bought your brother a new supercar, and even handed your father the development rights for that prime plot in the south district!"

"Your father is over the moon. He keeps saying how much trouble you save him, knowing exactly how to keep the Vances' golden goose happy."

"You really have a knack for this, Anna. Now when I go out with the other wealthy wives, everyone flatters me on my good fortune for raising such a wonderful daughter who married into the Vances."

A wave of desolation washed over me.

It turned out that my value as a "good daughter" was measured solely by my ability to marry into a wealthy family and coax a husband who didn't love me into showering benefits upon my parents.

Forcing down my anger, I told my mother, "Don't accept anything from Adrian anymore. We're getting a divorce."

Unable to hide my grievance, I poured my heart out to her.

Adrian didn't love me. He had always held a grudge against me for driving away his first love back then. Over the years, he has kept many mistresses to take revenge on me.

My mother, however, was dismissive.

"Stop throwing a tantrum. Adrian is a man of power and status; it's perfectly normal for a man like him to have a few women on the side."

"Be more tolerant. What matters is holding onto your position as Mrs. Vance!"

"Besides, you're pregnant now. If it's a boy, who could possibly threaten your position among the Vances?

And if it's a girl, just try harder and get pregnant again as soon as possible."

Her words reduced me to sobbing, and I questioned her in anguish:

"Mom, just for the wealth and glory of the Morgan family, you forced me to marry Adrian.

And now you want me to use my child as a patch to fix this marriage?"

"But Mom, I've loved Adrian for ten years. I truly cannot accept him constantly having other women by his side!"

After hanging up, I went straight to Adrian's company.

He showed no surprise at my arrival. He leaned back in his leather executive chair, idly twirling a fountain pen in his fingers. His inky black tie only accentuated his noble bearing—and his cold detachment.

"Here to apologize?"

"I'll forgive you this time, for the sake of your pregnancy. Don't bring up divorce again. Just go home and behave as Mrs. Vance should."

He took out a bank card and slid it across the desk.

"There's five million in there. Consider it your compensation."

I didn't take the card; I just looked at him calmly.

"Adrian, you don't love me. You even loathe me.

Wouldn't it be better if I voluntarily made room for someone else to take my place as Mrs. Vance?"

Adrian's brows furrowed into a sharp angle, the tight line of his jaw betraying his suppressed rage.

"Anna, is this your new way of playing hard to get?"

"There is no need for you to be jealous of those women out there. I can tell you clearly: after breaking up with Hayden Sullivan, I will never love anyone else again, and no one can threaten your position."

"You should understand that a marriage of mutual respect is already the best possible outcome for us. Don't waste your energy hoping for love from me."

"If you have any other demands, name them."

His hypocritical posturing made me sick.

He played the role of the devoted man who couldn't forget his first love, all while tangling with a never-ending stream of different women.

Like a clumsy actor, he had played the part of the devoted lover for so many years.

I looked at Adrian with cold detachment and spoke calmly: "There's no need, Adrian. I only want a divorce."

"That is my only request."

The air in the entire office seemed to freeze solid.

A chilling, oppressive pressure swirled within Adrian's obsidian eyes.

After a long silence, he grabbed the divorce papers and signed his name with a rapid stroke.

"Fine. As you wish. We're getting a divorce."

A heavy weight lifted off my shoulders as I carefully tucked the agreement away.

I offered him a sincere smile.

"Adrian, thank you."

Thank you for making me realize that a heart brimming with fierce passion will eventually become a sharp blade plunged into one's own chest.

Chapter 3

Leaving the Vance Group, I went straight to the hospital where I had my prenatal checkups to schedule an induced labor surgery.

The doctor repeatedly asked me to confirm my decision, emphasizing that the baby was already six months old and perfectly healthy.

My heart ached as if it were being pierced by a thousand tiny needles.

I clenched my fingers tightly, my knuckles turning white from the strain.

How could I possibly bear to part with this child? Yet, I would never give birth to a baby destined to be used as a bargaining chip.

Deciding that a short, sharp pain was better than prolonged agony, I signed my name on the surgery consent form.

The next morning,

I arrived at the private hospital alone for the surgery.

I came face to face with Adrian, who was tenderly guiding Chloe, whose lower abdomen was still flat.

Upon seeing me, a flash of awkwardness crossed Adrian's face, but his expression quickly returned to its usual unruffled calm.

He said to me indifferently: "Go home immediately after your checkup. Your belly is getting big; don't wander around."

Then he shifted his attention back to Chloe, ready to walk away.

Chloe, however, suddenly spoke up in a delicate, cloying voice: "Darling, I left my daily vitamins in the car. Could you go get them for me?"

Suspecting nothing, Adrian reached out to stroke her hair intimately before turning to leave.

Chloe chuckled softly and walked up to me: "What a coincidence. Are you here for a prenatal checkup, too?"

That single word "too" was used with calculated precision.

No wonder Adrian had agreed to the divorce so readily; he wanted to give his mistress a proper status.

But now, I didn't care at all. I stepped around Chloe, having no intention of engaging in conversation.

She blocked my path, continuing her provocation: "Judging by the baby supplies you prepared at home, you're having a girl, aren't you?"

"I've already had a blood test It's a boy."

"Oh, by the way, Adrian said our son can have the nursery you renovated. You don't mind, do you?"

"And those little dresses you bought? They were taking up too much space and were an eyesore, so I burned them all yesterday. You probably won't need them anymore anyway—"

Her bright, mocking smile felt like shards of glass scraping against my eyes.

Before her voice had even faded, my palm slapped heavily across her carefully made-up face.

Chloe stumbled, steadying herself against the wall. Her eyes, which had been vicious a moment ago, instantly filled with tears.

The very next second—

"Are you crazy?!"

Adrian yanked my wrist away with tremendous force.

I stumbled backward, my back slamming hard against a fire hydrant on the wall. The sharp metal edges dug in, sending a numbing shock down my spine.

The intense pain caused white light to explode before my eyes; my knees gave way, and I collapsed to the floor, clutching my belly.

Yet Adrian completely ignored my wretched state. He carefully supported Chloe, then turned to glare at me with fury:

"Anna, you were the one who insisted on the divorce! Why are you causing a scene out of jealousy now?"

"Chloe is pregnant now. If anything happens to her, I will make your entire family pay the price!"

"Adrian."

I tried to stand up by bracing myself against the wall, but the pain made my vision go black.

"Keep your mistress in line—"

Chloe suddenly began to cough violently, her pale fingertips clutching Adrian's sleeve: "Adrian, I only wanted to ask about Anna's health..."

"You shouldn't have to endure this."

Adrian picked Chloe up in his arms and stood.

"Anna, you're free. Tomorrow at 10 a.m.—we'll finalize everything at the Family Court."

His voice was cold, as if tempered in ice, sparing not even a single glance for me, curled up in the corner.

Suddenly, the piercing blare of the broadcast echoed through the corridor:

"Patient Anna, Operating Room 2 is ready. Please proceed immediately for the procedure!"

Adrian heard the announcement, of course. He looked up at the name scrolling across the screen, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his gaze instinctively flicked toward me.

Yet, in the end, he held Chloe close and walked away, drifting further into the distance.

I struggled to my feet and stumbled into the operating room, signing the consent forms.

Lying on the operating table, the doctor confirmed with me one last time.

"Ms. Morgan, the baby is twenty-four weeks old and viable. Are you absolutely certain about the termination?"

The baby in my womb gave a sudden, violent kick, as if protesting the impending separation.

A sharp ache shot through my nose. Tears I could no longer hold back spilled over, falling onto the cold surgical table.

"I'm sure."

Just as the anesthetic was about to enter my veins, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the corridor outside...