The year I hated Father most, he tried to make it up to me.

He personally sent his friend to my bed.

After that night, I fell hard.

Three months later, I forgave Father.

Four months later, I got pregnant.

Since then, I've been the most pampered expectant mother in Los Angeles.

For every prenatal checkup, the city's top two billionaires would wait at the hospital.

Everyone said my husband and father spoiled me like a princess.

But on the day of the anatomy scan, they both took leave.

"Major project," Father said, patting my head.

Elijah Anderson gently touched my belly. "We'll bring gifts for you and the baby afterward."

I smiled as they left. Before my scan, an anonymous video arrived—

Father wearing groom's attire, beside him stood Sandra Walker, the mistress who drove my mother to her grave.

Their illegitimate daughter Katia Williams, pregnant and in a wedding dress, held my husband Elijah's arm.

"Double happiness!" someone in the video raised a glass. "Congratulations to Chairman Gerald Williams for welcoming back his true love, and to CEO Elijah for marrying his true match!"

At the end of the video, Gerald's voice floated lightly:

"Your fake marriage certificate with Sophia Williams, won't the child be illegitimate when born?"

Elijah responded with a low laugh:

"Sophia has everything. Katia's been an illegitimate daughter all her life. I can't let her child suffer the same."

I bit my lip hard and left the hospital, but messages kept flooding my phone.

A vasectomy report appeared, followed by a line of text:

"If you'll have it, the child you carry will be my only heir."

After walking out of the hospital, I wandered aimlessly down the street.

The giant mall screen was playing the family feature filmed three months ago, just after I got pregnant.

Father held up the auctioned diamond, explaining to the camera:

"This Heart of the Ocean is for my future granddaughter. Its value matters less than its legacy."

Elijah gently squeezed my hand.

"Katia's bearing the hardest part. I'll spend my life caring for both of them."

The frame froze on our smiling gaze.

"Los Angeles' Happiest Family" scrolled across the screen's bottom.

Rain mingled with tears, blurring my vision.

My phone rang then—Elijah calling.

Once, hearing his special ringtone would've made me snatch it instantly.

But at this moment, I hesitated for a long time.

Finally, I answered before the call hung up.

From the other end of the phone came Elijah's brother's teasing:

"Elijah finally got his wish! Back when Katia went abroad, he turned all of Los Angeles upside down looking for her. Now, to help Katia get back the Williams Group, he even humbled himself to play along with that young lady for two years."

"Ha, Elijah still has charm! Last time, Katia was kissed by Elijah until her legs went weak, and she clung to him. No wonder they didn't even need to get a marriage certificate, and she got pregnant in no time."

"Tsk tsk, she used to look down on illegitimate children the most. Who would have thought her own child would end up being illegitimate!"

"If you ask me, the most amazing thing is today's scene! With Katia saying, 'If Mom doesn't marry, I won't marry,' Elijah convinced Gerald to marry Sandra. Mother and daughter marrying into wealth together! How many years has it been since Los Angeles had such a big drama?"

I gripped my phone tightly, tears streaming down.

Just then, Elijah's icy voice suddenly came through the phone.

"Who touched my phone?"

The noise abruptly stopped.

"Baby? Why so quiet? Feeling unwell?"

Elijah was perfectly gentle.

As if those vicious words were all in my head.

I parted my lips to mention the divorce papers.

Then it hit me—our marriage certificate was fake. I didn’t even have the right to ask for a divorce.

Right then, a sugary female voice chirped from the other end.

"Honey, my back's killing me... the baby's kicking..."

Elijah sounded flustered for a beat.

"Baby, something urgent came up. I’ll be home later."

Before I could respond, the call was hurriedly hung up.

I sat in the living room for an unknown time before hearing the villa door open.

Father and Elijah entered, their faces still glowing with lingering joy.

"Katia, Father specially ordered these from Switzerland—all pure natural ingredients."

Elijah knelt before me, rubbing my swollen ankle.

"Why skip the prenatal check? Upset we didn't accompany you? Tomorrow I'll have the hospital director come personally—okay?"

Their eager words hung unanswered, freezing them both mid-step.

Elijah gave an almost imperceptible shake: wedding news remained secret.

I handed Elijah a document. "Sign this."

Father feigned jealousy. "My daughter would rather have her husband buy things now?"

Elijah signed with a flourish, never reading a word.

"We're one as husband and wife. What's mine is yours, so no need for formalities from now on."

He smiled and handed the document back to me.

As we spoke, both their phones rang simultaneously.

Father patted my shoulder. "There's an urgent matter at the company. We'll handle it in Building B."

Elijah kissed the top of my head. "Building B was expanded for you—this way Dad and I can work while keeping an eye on you."

With that, they hurried off.

The two Pins that fell from their pockets reminded me: tonight was their Wedding Night.

I looked down at the document's words—"Biological father voluntarily relinquishes all parental rights"—and laughed through my tears.

With this, the child in my womb would never be tied to Elijah.

I, Sophia, can love deeply and let go easily.

Wiping away the last tear, I called Justin Rivera.

"Justin, I want to terminate the equity trust early, and also stop all resource support to the Williams Group."

"Miss Williams, after initiating the inheritance process, 72% of Williams Group shares will be transferred to your name within 10 days."

Justin paused and added.

"When your mother passed away... she had set up thorough asset protection. Even if Sandra marries in, she can't take a penny from the Williams Group."

I hummed in agreement and hung up the phone.

The year my mother died, my father knelt in front of the memorial hall, crying bitterly.

He slapped himself repeatedly, saying he had behaved improperly after drinking and was sorry to us, mother and daughter.

I stayed holed up in my room all day, refusing to eat.

It was Elijah who patiently coaxed me spoonful by spoonful to swallow the porridge.

"Your mother in heaven would want you to be happy."

Those words pulled me through.

And made me give him my whole heart.

Only now do I understand the calculation behind that tenderness.

My phone kept buzzing.

Photo after photo flooded in.

Young Elijah kissing Katia on a cruise ship, fingers interlaced in snow.

Each photo bore the inscription: "To my beloved Katia."

Turns out my honeymoon route traced their old haunts.

"Hey sis, the hotel suite from your honeymoon? We left our marks on those sheets."

"Didn't Elijah swear he'd hold you every night? Bet I can summon him with one call."

Katia's voice message churned my stomach.

Ugh—

Just after I threw up, Elijah violently pushed the door open.

"Sophia? Why is the morning sickness so bad? I'll make you something light right away!"

He moved quickly and soon came in with a steaming bowl of tonic soup.

That was the Prenatal Gourmet Plate he specially learned from a Michelin chef.

To learn this dish, he turned down three merger deals.

The man looked at me expectantly, as if waiting for me to throw myself into his arms moved like before.

Seeing me unmoved, he froze for a moment.

Then he skillfully massaged my temples.

"Elijah," I suddenly spoke.

"Is there something you've lied to me about? If you now..."

Elijah, just for the sake of that time I jumped out the window and you tightly shielded me, breaking three ribs.

I'm giving you one last chance.

"What nonsense? You and our child are the loves of my life."

I watched his perfect act.

It felt utterly ridiculous.

Elijah studied my expression intently before chuckling softly.

"I knew it. You say these things to get me to pamper you."

He leaned in to kiss me.

A thunderclap cracked outside the window.

I instinctively burrowed under the blanket.

I hadn't cried over thunder in years.

Since meeting Elijah, I thought I'd found my safe haven.

Yet now, tears streamed down uncontrollably.

Elijah pulled me close: "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

His embrace felt warm as ever, but I shuddered cold to the bone.

Just then, a servant rushed over and whispered in Elijah's ear.

His face paled, but he forced calm.

"Can't you see the lady's here!"

He patted my back halfheartedly, eyes darting toward the door.

"Sleep, I'll stay with you."

But the moment he thought I'd "fallen asleep," he bolted out without looking back.

My phone screen glowed then dimmed in the darkness.

The photos from Katia grew increasingly distasteful.

Rumpled sheets, Elijah's bare muscular back, and a bunny tail damp with fluid.

The last voice message came with a breathy smirk:

["Sis, Elijah hasn't touched you since the pregnancy, has he? But he can't resist me—just took me three times..."]

["Heard he hasn't named your child? Ours is called Niannian."]

Katia revealed the tattoo on her chest, its placement identical to Elijah's.

A deafening roar echoed in my ears.

That wedding night when I'd traced the "Cici" tattoo over his heart with trembling fingers, moved to tears—

The complex emotion flashing in his eyes wasn't tenderness, but guilt.

Every time he tenderly whispered "Cici," his heart had always belonged to someone else.

For three years, I'd been living as the ultimate fool.

I sat motionless until dawn.

Finally, I replied to the waiting number:

[I agree to you being the child's legal father. Let's cooperate.]

The next morning, commotion jolted me awake.

The hall was packed with Los Angeles elites celebrating my birthday.

I froze.

It had been ten years since I'd celebrated after my mother passed away.

Looking around, all my mother’s portraits on the walls had been replaced with Sandra’s.

The butler fawned: "Mr. Anderson ordered this personally, saying Miss Katia would be pleased."

Guests whispered among themselves.

"Did you hear? All those prime storefronts Mrs. Williams left went to Mrs. Walker."

"Tsk. The first wife worked her whole life just to benefit the mistress."

"Hush! She’s the proper wife now."

Sandra leaned her delicate frame against Father’s shoulder, dabbing tears as she told me:

"I know you dislike me, Miss. But today’s festive. I just wish to care for Gerald in his later years—keeping this home in your mother’s stead."

She never mentioned today was also my mother’s death anniversary.

Seeing my bloodshot eyes, Father casually smoothed things over.

"From now on, Aunt Sandra is your elder. She arranged your birthday out of kindness—be gracious."

Before his words faded, Katia appeared arm-in-arm with Elijah.

"Happy birthday, my princess."

Elijah murmured tenderly, handing me a black-and-gold gift box.

"Heavens! That's Christie's exclusive packaging for 'Heart of True Love'!" a guest gasped.

"Last month's mystery buyer who paid a fortune—it was Elijah!"

"What a prince-charming act! Sophia's so blessed!"

But I couldn't care less.

Some showstopping treasure? Some devoted prince?

I didn't care about any of it.

I only cared about the maternity dress Katia was wearing.

It was sewn for me by my mother, stitch by stitch, with her last breath on her deathbed.

"Take it off."

My voice trembled as I stared at her intently.

Katia's eyes immediately welled up with tears as she hid behind Elijah.

The guests gasped in shock, not expecting me to embarrass Elijah like this.

Elijah spoke gently but firmly:

"Sophia, stop making a scene. If you like this style, I'll have the designer come to the house tomorrow to make a new one for you, okay?"

But I couldn't hear anything, I just charged at Katia.

Elijah grabbed my shoulder, "Sophia! Calm down! You're pregnant!"

"Ah!"

Katia suddenly knelt down and frantically tore at the neckline of her dress.

"I know you despise us mother and daughter! You always bullied me before!"

Back in school days, she'd harm herself too, then cry claiming I did it.

Ever since, everyone believed the Williams heiress was spoiled and loved tormenting others.

Guests murmured among themselves, casting scornful glances.

"The legitimate daughter truly is tyrannical..."

"Even an illegitimate child is her sister. Why so cruel?"

Elijah took off his suit jacket, wrapping it around Katia's shoulders, his expression turning cold toward me for the first time.

"Sophia, apologize."

But I remained frozen.

Watching my mother's mementos torn to shreds, my vision blurred.

Elijah stared at me in disbelief, reaching out to steady me: "Sophia..."

Just then, Katia pretended to offer support, but as she drew near, she shoved me violently.

My lower back rammed hard against the metal railing, agony instantly searing through my body.

Katia herself tumbled into the cake, cream smeared across her face in utter disarray.

"Why did you push me, sister!"

"Katia!"

Elijah and Father immediately rushed to her side, nobody noticing the blood seeping between my legs.

Elijah wrapped his coat around Katia while Father pulled Sandra along.

The crowd flocked to the hospital.

Before leaving, Elijah glanced back at me, eyes filled with profound disappointment.

"Sophia, I’ve spoiled you rotten. Reflect on your actions."

The banquet hall emptied in moments.

Trembling, I called the hospital only to be informed all subsidiary cards were frozen.

Staring at the "Heart of True Love" on the floor, I laughed until tears streamed down my face.

So this so-called pampering was just a game of taming a canary.

Giving me the finest cage, the most expensive feed.

Making me believe I was a princess.

But the moment I disobeyed, he cut off my water and food, waiting for me to bow my head in apology.

This kind of "devotion"? I'm done with it.

Seven days passed with no word from Father or Elijah.

Yet Katia kept updating her "happy family of four" feed.

Only then did I learn they'd vacationed in the Maldives.

Mr. Rivera urgently notified me: Williams Group assets were rapidly transferring to Sandra's name.

[Board meeting in three days. Your father plans to sell entrusted shares. Your presence could reclaim all transferred assets.]

Clutching my mother's keepsake, I replied: "Understood."

In the evening, Katia posted her marriage certificate, and the trending topics instantly exploded.

"So it turns out that Katia is the mistress!"

"Someone bullied others for a lifetime, and now her own child is an illegitimate child. Hilarious!"

But in less than three minutes, the post inexplicably disappeared.

Elijah called immediately.

I wasn't in the mood to answer.

For the past seven days, I've been bleeding from down below, and with my assets frozen, I could only hide in a small hospital.

Someone recognized me, "Aren't you that Katia who stole her sister's husband?"

"That's her! The news said she used her family background to force a marriage, but it turned out they were true love."

"Look at her belly, I heard she's carrying an illegitimate child..."

The cramping pain in my abdomen made my voice tremble, "Help me call a doctor..."

"Stop pretending to be pitiful!" A pregnant woman shoved me violently, "I hate mistresses like you the most!"

Someone grabbed my hair, "A mistress's child shouldn't be born!"

"Who says I'm a mistress!" I shielded my belly and stepped back, "If anyone touches me again, I'll make them vanish in Los Angeles!"

But Elijah's phone rang seven times with no answer.

A basin of cold water splashed in my face.

"Still dreaming of being a princess? That mother and daughter both married into wealth, what are you?"

I didn't bother to wipe it off, just kept dialing Elijah's number.

The moment the call connected, it was Katia's charming voice that came through.

"You've neglected Sophia for so long, aren't you afraid she'll run away?"

Elijah chuckled deeply:

"I've pampered her for so many years, she can't leave me. We've never been apart this long, but absence makes the heart grow fonder, she'll be easy to win back. I bought her an island in the Maldives, she loves diving..."

His voice suddenly turned serious, "When your child is born, we'll go to the Civil Registry immediately—"

The call was hung up roughly, and the furious crowd suddenly swung chairs at me!

Thud!

The chair shattered into splinters, blocked by a bony hand.

A black-suited bodyguard roared:

"How dare you! Who dares call Mr. Johnson's child illegitimate?"

Someone gasped: "Holy shit! Larry Johnson, Prince of Houston?!"