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Dec 23, 2024 - Jan 14, 2025
Hugo Spencer bedded his wife day and night in the name of revenge until she became pregnant.
😡🔥“You’re here to pay off your debt! How dare you get pregnant with my kid!”😡
Chapter 1 She's Pregnant
A beautiful young lady with an unnaturally pale face stood outside the entrance of the ultrasound room with a B-scan report in her hand.
Not only did she not feel the joy and surprise of someone who had become a mother, but she was shrouded in a thick aura of fear.
The results stated below the B-ultrasound report were: One fetus, alive, consistent with an intrauterine pregnancy of 8+ weeks.
She was pregnant, and it had been two months.
Just then, her phone rang, and as she looked at the name on the screen, she took a deep breath before answering, "Hello?"
"Come to the office." It was a low, cold voice that was akin to a demonic presence from hell.
"I—"
The call ended abruptly, giving her no room to refuse.
Celia Stuart quickly put the ultrasound report into her bag, hastily left the hospital, and hurried to the most imposing building in the city center.
There was only one thing on her agenda whenever she came here: to please her husband and satisfy his every physical need.
Regardless of the time or place, she had to be at his beck and call whenever he called, or she would have to face dire consequences.
After reaching the suite on the 32nd floor of the company, Celia was about to sit on the couch to rest when she heard the sound of the fingerprint scanner outside the door.
A tall and handsome figure dressed in a custom-made jet-black suit that accentuated his elegance and cold severity strode in.
It was Hugo Spencer, her husband.
Celia promptly put on a smiling face and stood up. "Did your business trip go well this time, darling?"
It was still mid-afternoon, and the warm sunlight illuminated the sharp contours of the man's eyebrows and nose, giving his exquisite features a cold and ruthless vibe.
Instead of answering her, he simply grabbed a bag and threw it in front of her.
"Go take a shower and change into it," he demanded in his usual commanding tone.
Celia looked at the pale pink lingerie bag and knew what she had to do next. Cheeks turning pink, she softly muttered, "I... I have a stomach ache today. I'm not feeling well. Can we—"
The man who saw through her lie with just one glance coldly snarled, "Stop making excuses."
"It's true." She couldn't help but blush as she lied.
After all, the baby inside her was two months old!
She wouldn't be able to handle what the man was about to do next.
Celia mustered up the courage to ask, "Can I take a day off today and rest?" For the sake of her unborn child, she couldn't engage in marital activities.
With his hands in his pockets, Hugo approached and towered over her. As he looked at her with a contemptuous gaze, he asked in return, "Do you think you deserve a break?"
Celia's eyes turned red. Her heart was filled with bitterness when she looked at the cold and heartless man.
A year ago, she had been set up and given to an old man by her stepmother. She was in her despair when Hugo appeared before her like a savior, rescuing her from trouble.
When she returned home and tried to tell her father about the incident, her stepmother turned the tables and accused her of bringing her daughter to a club which almost led to her being violated.
Without a second thought, her father slapped Celia across the face and kicked her out of the house, leaving her to fend for herself.
It was on a stormy night when she was grabbed by a drunkard. She stumbled and fell in a panic, and that was when she somehow saw Hugo once again.
At that moment, he became her savior who later gave her a place to stay and provided her warmth and comfort.
Hugo was tall and handsome, and he exuded an exceptional aura. Every move and gesture he made gave out a thick aristocratic air.
Furthermore, as the head of the country's top financial conglomerate, Spencer Group, he was immensely wealthy and influential.
After Celia succumbed to his gentle advances a month later, she secretly took her household registration book from home without her father's knowledge and married Hugo without anyone witnessing or blessing the union.
She thought that what awaited her after the marriage was happiness.
Unexpectedly, Hugo whispered a bloody truth into her ear on the night they registered their marriage: marrying her was just the beginning of his revenge.
Back to the present, Celia emerged from the bathroom with her arms around her chest, blushing as she approached the bed.
It seemed that Hugo had a hobby of tormenting her for his own pleasure. Every time he went on a business trip, he would buy some erotica products that pushed her to her limits and forced her to wear them for his amusement.
The man was now reclined on a pillow. In his crisp white shirt and tailored trousers, he exuded an air of sophistication and decadence.
Seeing this, she meekly pleaded again. "I'm really not feeling well. Can't we—"
"You don't have the right to refuse." The man's cold and sharp gaze shot back instantly.
The look in his eyes made Celia want to escape.
"When will you stop tormenting me? When will you let me go?" Celia questioned him for the first time as tears uncontrollably rolled down her face.
She was a person, a living being, not a plaything for him to manipulate at will.
Hugo stood up from the bed, somewhat enjoying the expression of rebellion on his pet kitty's face. After all, women who were too obedient were no fun.
His lips curled into a sneer. "You want me to let you go? That will never happen in this lifetime. You are not allowed to leave my side even if I get tired or annoyed with you."
"You..." Celia couldn't hold back her tears. She felt utterly humiliated.
He walked up to her and gripped her chin with his large hand, forcing her to look at him. It intrigued him more than before to see the touch of fierceness on her pure and ethereal face.
As he leaned in to kiss her on the lips, Celia angrily turned her face to evade his lips.
"You dare refuse me?" He smirked.
The next moment, he carried her up and threw her onto the soft bed beside them.
Two hours later, the exhausted woman gasped and held her lower abdomen when she saw the faint red marks on the bedsheets.
My baby! Please be okay!
With weak legs, Celia dragged her body back to the hospital once again.
While she lay in the ultrasound room, she felt a sense of panic wash over her as she listened to the sound of the small train nearby.
Tears streamed down Celia's face, startling the nurse who hurriedly tried to comfort her. "Miss, don't worry. Your baby is healthy. Its heartbeat is strong."
After Celia entered the doctor's office, she was surprised that the doctor remembered her. The doctor immediately asked her, "Why did you suddenly start bleeding? You were fine this morning. Do you want your child or not?"
Upon hearing the question, Celia almost blurted out, "Yes, I do!"
A strong determination to protect her baby surged within her. She felt responsible as a mother the moment she heard the sound of the baby's heartbeat moments ago.
The doctor glanced at her. "You're not even 20. Isn't your husband here?"
"H-He's busy."
"Well, you need to tell him to be careful for the next three months and prioritize the baby. Otherwise, the risk of miscarriage is high even for someone as young as yourself." The doctor hinted when they noticed the kiss mark on her neck.
"I understand. Thank you, doctor." Celia's face turned beet red.
However, she felt her chest tighten at the same time she breathed a sigh of relief. How was she supposed to tell Hugo about the child?
The baby could be in danger at any moment if she didn't say anything, but if she did tell him about it, the baby would be even more at risk because Hugo would undoubtedly insist on her getting rid of it.
Chapter 2 Unworthy of Having My Child
As Celia trudged out of the hospital, she instinctively covered her abdomen and bitterly wondered why the baby had to come to her womb.
How wonderful it would be if it could find parents who could let it grow up healthy!
The reason Hugo wanted to take revenge on her was because of her mother.
From a young age, her father never mentioned her mother's death. It was at the age of ten when she heard her stepmother's sarcastic remarks about how Celia's birth mother and a wealthy man had a rendezvous in a car in the mountains, resulting in both of them plummeting off a cliff to their deaths.
And that wealthy man was Hugo's father.
Her mother was deemed a disgraceful mistress who had intruded upon Hugo's parents' marriage.
Celia's father, fueled by his hatred for her mother's affair, openly welcomed the other woman into their home, erasing any trace of her existence in that household.
As if seeing her reminded him of her mother's betrayal, he didn't even spare Celia a glance.
Celia was like an orphan. She was utterly alone in this world.
After returning from the hospital, she ate the lunch prepared by the servants before she dozed off until the evening.
By the time she woke up, she was startled when she glanced at the time. How was it 8.30PM already? She then hurried downstairs.
Hugo had returned at some point. Sitting on the couch in the living room, he looked both relaxed and dangerous as he sat in an unrestrained posture.
Celia suddenly thought about taking the initiative to please him so that it would be easier to discuss the child with him.
She brewed a cup of tea and brought it to him. "You've worked hard, darling. Have a cup of tea to quench your thirst!"
Hugo glanced up at her. "Do you have something to tell me?"
This man had an uncanny ability to see through her as if he could read her every thought just by looking at her.
Celia bit her red lip and sat beside him, tentatively asking, "I was thinking… Should we have a child? It would make our home livelier."
A contemptuous smile played at the corners of Hugo's mouth. "Do you think you're worthy of bearing my child?"
"What if I accidentally get pregnant?" Celia kept biting her lip. She couldn't look him straight in the eyes.
"Abort it immediately," the man answered without any mercy.
A few seconds later, his sharp gaze locked onto her again. "Are you pregnant?"
Taken aback, Celia quickly shook her head. "No... I was just curious because it…it gets lonely staying alone in such a big villa."
Hugo seemed to believe her words because he knew she didn't dare to get pregnant with his child. And even if she did, she knew what she had to do.
He set aside the documents and stood up, fetching a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet. After pouring half a glass, he handed it to her. "Finish it."
Celia panicked and waved. "I don't drink."
"You disappointed me yesterday," the man insisted domineeringly as he pushed the glass toward her. "You will pay if you disappoint me again."
Celia gently placed the cup on the table after taking two sips, indicating that she had drunk her fill.
However, the man's eyes narrowed in an instant as his gaze oppressively fixed on her.
"Do you want me to feed you?" he asked.
Celia's beautiful eyes widened slightly. It wasn't as if he hadn't done something like that before. She then obediently picked up the wine glass on the table and took small sips while enduring the burning sensation in her throat.
After four sips, she choked and coughed lightly.
"Finish it," the man demanded hoarsely. He wasn't worried about her at all.
"I don't want to drink anymore." Celia shook her head. She really couldn't take another sip.
However, the man seemed to be intrigued as he got up and pulled her into his embrace. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and then held her delicate face to feed her the alcohol.
Tonight went on to be another sleepless night for her.
Early the next morning, Celia had to go to the hospital again when she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen.
It was the same doctor as yesterday that attended to her. This time, he was looking at her with a serious expression. "Did you already forget what I reminded you just yesterday? What could be more important than a child? Do you realize how dangerous your condition is?"
"Doctor, how is the baby?"
"There's slight bleeding, but the baby is fine for now. Still, you need to be more careful."
As Celia walked out of the doctor's office, she felt lost and bewildered. She wandered around the hospital for a while until a nurse came out calling for the next patient and asked her, "Is it your turn next?"
"What?"
"The operation!"
"What operation?"
"The cesarean section."
Celia recoiled in fear. "I'm not having surgery. It's not me."
There was a couple holding a three-month-old baby next to her after she got in the elevator. The fair and adorable child smiled happily at her, captivating Celia like an angel.
She instinctively touched her abdomen. I'm sure my baby will be this cute too if it came into this world.
The doctor's words resounded in her ears like an alarm. If Hugo continued bedding her tonight, there was a high chance Celia would lose the baby.
Distraught, Celia returned to the villa. Before she could enter the living room, she felt a sudden wave of dizziness before she collapsed at the villa's doorstep.
The bag containing the ultrasound report she was holding fell to the ground by her feet.
A black sports car slowly pulled up outside the iron gate in the evening. Hugo had returned.
His car parked next to the entrance, and when he caught sight of the woman on the ground, a look of shock flashed in his eyes. He quickly pushed the door open and got out.
As he strode toward the woman who had fainted, his attention was momentarily diverted by a hospital plastic bag nearby.
After he crouched down and picked up the medical records and ultrasound report from inside the bag, he immediately frowned when he thought about Celia's reactions toward him these two days and her questions about having a child.
Sh*t, she isn't supposed to get pregnant! She has been taking her pills!
Is she trying to use the child to earn my forgiveness? His face fell at the thought of that.
This woman dares to try using my child as a bargaining chip. Unforgivable!
Celia slowly opened her eyes as she regained consciousness. As she sat up, her eyes widened in shock and panic before they met the chilling gaze of the man's deep and intimidating eyes.
Why is Hugo back already?
She only further paled when she saw the report he was holding.
Despite feeling a desperate urge to escape, Hugo stood before her like a looming shadow, his voice cold as he questioned, "Where do you think you're going?"
Celia had always been afraid of this man from the bottom of her heart. Now that she couldn't run away, she clutched her lower abdomen in despair and terror.
Hugo took a step closer, his gaze scanning her pale face drenched in a cold sweat like a sharp blade before it lowered to her smooth belly.
He stared in that direction for a few seconds.
During those few seconds, Celia's breath seemed to stop. She lowered her head like someone guilty, unable to meet his eyes.
The arrival of the child was not her decision to make. It was a sudden gift from the universe. In fact, she was more panicked and afraid than anyone else.
"When did you get pregnant?" he asked, his face expressionless.
"I... I only found out two days ago," Celia whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Hugo's eyes flickered with a demonic gleam.
"I…"
"Scared that I would want you to abort it?" the man mocked, his tone growing even colder. "Did you think I would let your child come to this world alive?"
Chapter 3 Escaped With His Child
Celia's breath hitched at that. The man was a demon who wouldn't even let a child out of his clutches.
"The child is innocent," she whispered.
"You honestly think you have the right to give birth to my child?" the man beside her mocked.
She lowered her head at that. "I'm sorry. It was an accident."
The corners of Hugo's lips twitched. He refused to believe that it was just a mistake. She is clearly trying to set me up!
"Word of advice: don't even think about using my child to beg for my forgiveness," he warned through gritted teeth.
Celia peered at him with her beautiful eyes as a surge of intense sorrow emerged within her. Her tears swirled in her eyes and she shook her head. "This really was an accident. I never intended to use the child for anything."
"Any woman in this world has the right to give birth to my child, but not you. I don't want my child to have your mother's dirty genes." His cold voice was dripping with disdain. "Get rid of it."
Tears welled up in her eyes when she heard those words. She was already doing her best to atone for her mother's sins by being his plaything. What more did he want from her?
Am I supposed to give him my life?
"Go to the hospital right now!" Hugo coldly tossed out an instruction.
Celia's tears rolled down her cheeks as she instinctively covered her abdomen. My baby, I'm too powerless to keep you with me. I'm sorry.
She closed her eyes. Her heart was filled with indescribable pain.
Can't I keep it? This is his child as well!
Suddenly, Hugo's phone rang.
He glanced at it and picked it up without hesitation. "Yes."
"Mr. Spencer, something urgent has come up in the stock market. You will need to come back and handle it," came the voice of the finance department's manager from the other end.
Hugo glanced at the time when he heard that. As though he didn't even have the patience to accompany Celia to the hospital, he instructed in a frigid voice, "Deal with it yourself."
He knew that she would not dare to keep the child.
Celia watched as he walked toward the car.
When his sports car left in a trail of taillights into the sunset, she hurriedly got up. She didn't know where she could go, but she knew she had to leave this man.
She then went to her own car and drove off before parking it on a side street. As she glanced around, she noticed a bus by the roadside. Without hesitation, she made her way to it.
The ticket seller looked at her and asked, "Where are you headed, young lady?"
Celia didn't hesitate to step inside the bus.
After she found a seat, she said to the woman, "To the final stop, please."
Celia had made up her mind to escape. She had never been this bold before, nor had she ever defied Hugo. But this time, for the sake of her baby, she decided to confront fate head-on.
With her arms around her bag, she turned her phone off and eventually drifted off to sleep out of exhaustion.
As night fell, a black Bugatti drove into the villa. Now that Hugo had finished his work and returned home, he expected to find Celia, who had undergone surgery, waiting for him.
However, the living room was empty. It didn't feel like anyone had been or was there.
His wife would always welcome him every day when he got back from work, so where was she hiding now?
"Celia?" Hugo called out in a deep voice.
And yet, he didn't hear a reply.
He strode up the stairs and checked the master bedroom, the study, and even the place where Celia often lost herself in reverie. However, the woman was nowhere to be found.
Realization finally dawned upon him—she had never been home.
I told her to come back this afternoon. Where the hell did she go? He suddenly thought of a possibility. Did she run away?
He took out his phone and called Celia, and as expected, her phone was off.
"Damn it!" She actually ran away! How dare she?
After enduring a six-hour bus ride, Celia found herself at the bus station in Bloomstead. She was no longer anxious or in a hurry. As long as she could escape from Hugo, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.
She still had some money in her bank account, and it was enough to sustain her in the days to come.
She switched to using a normal phone in case her phone was being tracked. Since she wanted to make her escape, she needed to get as far away as she could.
She had fled to a place where Hugo would never find her again.
One of her college classmates lived in Honchkon. According to her friend, Honchkon was a beautiful place with a perpetually mild climate and a serene atmosphere. It was located in a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and limited communication.
At this moment, she found herself contemplating a new life there.
She had given it a long thought. She knew Hugo would be searching for her all over the world. He would be furious and if he ever found her, he would undoubtedly kill her, but she didn't care.
She might have made a stupid move, but she only acted on a mother's instinct to protect her child.
Wouldn't her child be pitiful if she had cold-heartedly gotten rid of it?
This, she had guessed correctly.
Hugo was indeed looking for her everywhere.
On the streets of the city, he had mobilized all the company's bodyguards in the middle of the night to search for her in the places she might have gone.
It was 4.00AM when he went to a corner of a garden where he took out a packet of cigarettes. He tried to hold his anger in as he lit one of the sticks.
Right then, she heard a woman's voice screaming, "H-Help me!"
He raised his chin, only to see a drunkard pulling a young lady, trying to take advantage of her.
Hugo narrowed his gaze as he discarded his cigarette and walked toward the drunken man.
The woman, in a state of panic and helplessness, pleaded for his help. "Sir, please save me! Sir..."
Hugo swiftly grabbed the drunken man's hand, causing him to scream in pain and release his grip on the woman.
At this, she seized the chance and hurriedly escaped from danger.
Hugo felt his anger rise out of nowhere and kicked the man into a nearby flower bed. Not wanting to dirty his hands any further, he turned to leave.
However, the one thing that appeared in his head now was a pure and beautiful face. Compared to the young woman he saved, Celia had a face that was more tempting to men.
Who will save her if she gets into a similar situation? How will she be treated?
After Hugo returned to his car, a wave of fury suddenly rose within him. He kicked his own tire, his handsome face contorted with a sour expression.
"Sh*t!"
No man, other than himself, was allowed to touch Celia. It was a possessiveness and dominance etched into his very being.
Not even one of all the incoming calls was the one he was waiting for. She is quite the escapee, isn't she? She completely disappeared with my child in tow! F*ck this. I'm going to make her pay a heavy price when I find her!
What Hugo hadn't expected was for his search for her to last for six whole months.
…
Camellias bloomed everywhere in the mountains, filling the air with a primitive and rustic atmosphere. This place had just gone through a harsh winter and now it was spring, where flowers bloomed.
Inside a cottage, a woman wearing a gray plaid skirt sat down. As she rose, she clearly had a bump on her belly. It only looked smaller than usual because she was thin, but this was a belly that carried an eight-month-old child.
Celia had successfully escaped to a place where Hugo was not there. It was a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and Internet, but it was filled with love and joy.
Her arrival made the people here fond of her. She was beautiful, kind, and diligent, and she even became a substitute music teacher at a school.
Everyone warmly called her Miss Stuart.
"Celia, I suggest you go to the county earlier and rent a house. You have only one month left until you are due," her classmate, Yvonne Lester, advised.
"Mhm. I'll go in a few days. Thank you for taking care of me all this time, Yvonne."
"Celia, are you sure you are ready to be a single mother? What are your plans for the future?"
"I have made up my mind. I'm ready to stay here and teach as a volunteer."
"That won't do. You are a city girl. How can you raise a child here?" Yvonne disapproved of her decision.
However, Celia was prepared to live with her child in this area. She didn't mind that they weren't financially well-off, as long as she could spend her whole life by her child's side.
She had decided to live for her child.
Chapter 4 Found Her at Last
Astoria was a bustling city, and Hugo was desperate to find that girl. He had tried everything to search for her, but she was still not found. He scoured the whole city and even told the cops to set up a task force to search for her, but alas, she was still nowhere to be found. Hugo might look calm on the outside, but unbeknownst to others, a storm was brewing in his heart.
Every time the cops found a female corpse, he would go to check if it was her almost immediately, and when he realized it wasn't her, he would heave a sigh of relief. He wished that woman was alive so he could rain down his wrath on her when he found her.
He would not allow her to die just like that. She still had a debt to repay and had to atone for her sins; she had no right to die. However, there was something else. If she were alive, her baby should be eight months old now. It would be old enough to be born. No, I will not let the woman I hate the most give birth to my child. I will not suffer that indignity!
After taking another phone call, Hugo's fury flared once more, and he hurled the file in front of him away. He was currently in his office, and his action startled the female assistant who had just come in to deliver some documents to him.
Her knees almost gave out when she saw him unleashing his rage. Her boss had been temperamental lately; he was like a ticking bomb that would explode at any minute. Thus, whenever he got mad, everyone made it a point to stay as silent as a mouse.
Right then, the phone suddenly rang, and the assistant quickly scurried off. Hugo took a deep breath before taking the call. "What is it?"
"Mr. Spencer, we found your wife," the cop said.
"Are you sure?"
"Very much so. She's living in a village in Honchkon. We found her through the file in a local hospital. Her name and looks match with your wife's."
"Thank you. Give me the address, please."
"Do you need our help with this, Mr. Spencer?"
"It's all right. I can take my wife home by myself," said Hugo calmly, but there was no mistaking the fury underneath his voice. It was like a violent undercurrent roaring underneath the calm surface of a sea.
He had been waiting for too long, and his anger was on the brink of bursting. So, she has finally appeared. You will taste my wrath, Celia. He clenched his fists, his face contorting with rage. Celia's escape enraged him, and he would not stop until she had seen all his wrath.
An hour later, a private jet set off for Honchkon.
Yvonne Lester was leading Celia onto the bus in Honchkon. Celia was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, so she had difficulties moving around with a big belly. Yvonne had been taking care of her for the last few months. She liked Celia a lot since the latter was beautiful and talented. People looked down on Yvonne because she was a bumpkin from the boonies who only got into university through pure luck, or so they thought. However, Celia never treated her as such and had always been nice to her.
A lady beside Yvonne noticed Celia, and she gasped. "Oh, my! She's beautiful. Just like a celebrity."
All the passengers on the bus turned to look at Celia upon hearing the exclamation. Her skin was fair, and she wore her hair up. Even when she was pregnant, she looked gorgeous.
"Her husband is one lucky man," someone remarked.
"Yeah. Never seen someone as gorgeous as she is," another person said.
"So, how many months now?" a lady asked.
"Eight." Celia smiled.
"Oh, so you're going into labor soon. Are you here for a checkup?"
"Yes." Celia nodded.
In the meantime, Hugo leaned his back against a couch in the luxurious cabin of his private jet. He was staring out the window, the look in his eyes cold. Even though he was taking his private jet, the journey from Astoria to Honchkon took nearly two hours. She sure can run, can't she?
At 11.00AM, four off-road vehicles appeared at the airport, driving toward the terminal.
Meanwhile, Celia had finished her checkup. The baby was perfectly healthy, but she was anemic, so the doctor prescribed her some pills. Celia treated Yvonne to lunch, and they shopped around for clothes for a bit. She had bought a lot of clothes for the baby, but she still wanted more. After they were done shopping, they took a van at 2.00PM, heading home.
At the same time, four off-road vehicles drove into the village. The man in the second car's back seat looked out the window, and what greeted him was the downtrodden village. A frown creased his forehead. Has she been staying in this place all this time? This is even worse than the boonies. No wonder it took me so long to find her.
Still, this place had sceneries that the city did not. Mountains surrounded the entire village, keeping it safely tucked away in a corner.
Once they came to the address the GPS showed them, one of the bodyguards went around to ask for Celia's whereabouts, and he came back a while later. "Sir, I've asked around. There's one villager who knows Miss Stuart, and she said Miss Stuart has gone to the hospital for a checkup. She will probably get home at 4.00PM."
Hugo frowned upon hearing that. Her baby bump must be big now. He then looked at the path, which was the only entrance to the village. It should be easy to see her here. "We'll wait here, then." After saying that, he whipped out a pack of cigarettes, rolled down the window, and smoked.
A few memories flooded his mind just then. Over the last six months, he had spent a lot of time searching for her, and he was worried for her. He was worried that she might have died. Aside from that, he had been thinking about the baby as well. However, he had covered that up with his indifferent facade so no one could see through him.
He took a deep hit, and frustration filled his mind. Hold on a second. Am I pitying that woman? There is no way that's true. Her mother ruined my parents' marriage, and then my father and that homewrecker died in a car crash. We became the butt of everyone's joke. Afterward, my mother got depressed for years and left the house, leaving nothing but a letter for me. Her mother ruined my childhood. My life! I will never forgive her. I will torture Celia until she dies!
At this moment, a van trudged past the muddy path and stopped on a slightly smooth surface right across from Hugo's car.
The off-road vehicles were conspicuous, especially in this village. Yvonne got out of the van and quickly helped Celia out.
Hugo stared at the van. He had a feeling he would see her soon, and just as he had expected, a gray silhouette got out a while later. Celia was no longer as slender as she was. Even though she still looked thin, the baby bump hindered her movements.
He stared at her face. Even though it'd been six months since he saw her, she didn't seem to lose any weight. Instead, the pregnancy had lent her a hint of allure. A strand of hair tumbled down her forehead, but she pulled it back and smiled happily.
She looked just like a woman that jumped straight out of an oil painting. Beautiful enough to even mesmerize Hugo for a while, but then his face fell, and he got out of the car.
Chapter 5 Taken Back
When she heard the sound of the opening door, Celia looked up, and her smile faded, which was soon replaced by horror and panic. It looked like she had just seen a ghost. She trembled and almost fell.
Surprised by her sudden change, Yvonne gasped and held her up. On the other hand, Hugo was already extending his arm to Celia to keep her steady on her feet, but when he realized someone was already helping her, he clenched his fist and pulled it back.
Celia was huffing and puffing. At the sight of his handsome face, she felt nothing but terror. Her heart was thumping furiously because of that. Why is he here? The fiend! How did he find me?! The man before her was her absolute fear, and she was seized by the urge to run. So, she held Yvonne's hand and said, "We need to go."
However, her baby bump was hindering her. Yvonne looked at the stranger who came out of nowhere. He had a face that even the gods would envy, but the look in his eyes was as cold as ice, and she couldn't help shivering. Who is he? Why's Celia trying to run from this man?
"I've been looking for you, Celia." Hugo gritted his teeth.
Celia quickly clutched her belly in an attempt to keep her baby away from this man's grasp. "Don't come any closer. I won't go with you!" She teared up, but she knew there was no escape from this.
The man went ahead and grabbed her wrist. Despite being pregnant, she still looked gaunt and fragile. Feeling her thin wrist, he felt something squeeze his heart. Has she been starving herself?
Even though Hugo looked regal, Yvonne still mustered her courage and piped up, "Hey, mister, she's eight months pregnant, so watch it. You'll hurt her baby." Then, she looked at Celia curiously and whispered, "Who is he, Celia?"
"The baby's father." Celia was pale as a ghost, and her heart was filled with sadness. No one would stop her from giving birth to the baby. No one but Hugo. He would kill the child.
Hugo looked at her imperiously and ordered, "You're coming with me. Right now."
The pregnant woman bit her lip. She felt like she was backed into a corner. One wrong step, and she would fall straight to hell. Still, courage filled her heart. It was precisely because she knew death was imminent that she fought to live. "Fine, but you're going to let the baby live." She looked into his eyes, determination filling her soul.
"Do you think you're in a position to negotiate?" He sneered. Even when I still haven't made you pay?
Celia's face was drained of color. She knew she had no right to negotiate and that this whole mess was her fault. Still, the child is innocent.
Hugo's face darkened. The thought of her disappearance keeping him up at night filled him with fury. "Know your place," he said coldly.
Her heart ached slightly. Of course, she knew her place. No matter where she went, she was still his wife. With tears glistening in her eyes, she made up her mind. I have to make this gamble. There could be a possibility that this man still has an ounce of sympathy left in his heart and will let the baby live.
Though, her agitation alerted the baby. It started moving around and kicked her. The pain made her bend over, but someone wrapped their arm around her and held her up.
"Are you alright, Celia?" Yvonne was worried.
"It's alright. The baby just kicked me," said Celia.
Hugo looked around the village. I need to take her home ASAP. If anything happens to her right now, more than one life will be at risk. He had no idea how to deal with the baby just yet, but there was no time for that. He just wanted to take her away. "Come with me. Now," he commanded imperiously, holding her arm.
Celia knew she could no longer run. "Fine." She then turned to Yvonne. "Thanks for everything, Yvonne."
"Hey, you still need to take your stuff. The baby's clothes, remember?" Yvonne said.
What little color Celia had left disappeared, and her tears streamed down her cheeks. "No need for that anymore." With that, she turned to the car and went inside.
Hugo went into the car as well. Celia held back her sadness and bade Yvonne goodbye. "Thanks for everything you and your family did for me, Yvonne. I'll return the favor someday."
"Take care. Keep the baby safe, too." Yvonne waved her goodbye.
Then, the off-road vehicles turned the corner, disappearing from everyone's sight.
Celia closed her eyes, but then the car bumped suddenly. The bodyguard didn't notice the pothole, and he rammed over it. Startled, Celia quickly held her belly but ended up losing her balance and falling onto Hugo's chest.
The man held her right away, but she quickly moved out of his arms and scurried to the other side of the car, as she worried he might hurt the baby.
They got into the plane and flew back to Astoria. The baby had kept Celia awake the whole night, and she couldn't take it anymore. Even though Hugo was sitting across from her, she fell asleep on the couch. Even when she had drifted off to dreamland, she still put her hands over her belly, keeping her baby safe.
Hugo withdrew his gaze from the window and stared at Celia, especially her belly. Just then, he saw something moving inside. The baby was kicking her, tossing and turning around. He stared at it in surprise. Then, a conflicted feeling filled his heart. So, that's my child, huh? Even now, he had no idea how to deal with it. He heaved a sigh and looked outside the window again. His mind was in a rut, but he told the stewardess to cover Celia with a blanket so she wouldn't catch a cold.
The flight went on for two hours. Right before it would land, the stewardess woke Celia up. The moment she opened her eyes, the sight that greeted her was Hugo sitting with his legs crossed. Panicked, she sat up straight. She couldn't believe she had slept that long, and she massaged her numb arm. The baby in her belly turned around and kicked her, filling her with a sense of security. As long as it was moving, then the baby was fine.
During one of the checkups, the doctor gave her a hint, so she knew the baby was a boy.
Once they landed, they got into Hugo's car and drove toward the city. Celia was in the back seat. After spending six months living in a rural area, she felt a little disoriented at this moment. It all felt unreal to her to be back in the city again.
At 4.00PM, they came back to Hugo's villa. Celia got out of the car, holding her lower back. The whole journey exhausted her.
Hugo walked ahead and looked at her with a sneer. "You brought this upon yourself."
A bitter feeling welled in her heart. I guess he doesn't care about the child at all. "Can we talk?" she asked quietly.
"I do not wish to talk." With that, he turned around and strode ahead, leaving her out in the cold.
😡🔥“You’re here to pay off your debt! How dare you get pregnant with my kid!”😡
Chapter 1 She's Pregnant
A beautiful young lady with an unnaturally pale face stood outside the entrance of the ultrasound room with a B-scan report in her hand.
Not only did she not feel the joy and surprise of someone who had become a mother, but she was shrouded in a thick aura of fear.
The results stated below the B-ultrasound report were: One fetus, alive, consistent with an intrauterine pregnancy of 8+ weeks.
She was pregnant, and it had been two months.
Just then, her phone rang, and as she looked at the name on the screen, she took a deep breath before answering, "Hello?"
"Come to the office." It was a low, cold voice that was akin to a demonic presence from hell.
"I—"
The call ended abruptly, giving her no room to refuse.
Celia Stuart quickly put the ultrasound report into her bag, hastily left the hospital, and hurried to the most imposing building in the city center.
There was only one thing on her agenda whenever she came here: to please her husband and satisfy his every physical need.
Regardless of the time or place, she had to be at his beck and call whenever he called, or she would have to face dire consequences.
After reaching the suite on the 32nd floor of the company, Celia was about to sit on the couch to rest when she heard the sound of the fingerprint scanner outside the door.
A tall and handsome figure dressed in a custom-made jet-black suit that accentuated his elegance and cold severity strode in.
It was Hugo Spencer, her husband.
Celia promptly put on a smiling face and stood up. "Did your business trip go well this time, darling?"
It was still mid-afternoon, and the warm sunlight illuminated the sharp contours of the man's eyebrows and nose, giving his exquisite features a cold and ruthless vibe.
Instead of answering her, he simply grabbed a bag and threw it in front of her.
"Go take a shower and change into it," he demanded in his usual commanding tone.
Celia looked at the pale pink lingerie bag and knew what she had to do next. Cheeks turning pink, she softly muttered, "I... I have a stomach ache today. I'm not feeling well. Can we—"
The man who saw through her lie with just one glance coldly snarled, "Stop making excuses."
"It's true." She couldn't help but blush as she lied.
After all, the baby inside her was two months old!
She wouldn't be able to handle what the man was about to do next.
Celia mustered up the courage to ask, "Can I take a day off today and rest?" For the sake of her unborn child, she couldn't engage in marital activities.
With his hands in his pockets, Hugo approached and towered over her. As he looked at her with a contemptuous gaze, he asked in return, "Do you think you deserve a break?"
Celia's eyes turned red. Her heart was filled with bitterness when she looked at the cold and heartless man.
A year ago, she had been set up and given to an old man by her stepmother. She was in her despair when Hugo appeared before her like a savior, rescuing her from trouble.
When she returned home and tried to tell her father about the incident, her stepmother turned the tables and accused her of bringing her daughter to a club which almost led to her being violated.
Without a second thought, her father slapped Celia across the face and kicked her out of the house, leaving her to fend for herself.
It was on a stormy night when she was grabbed by a drunkard. She stumbled and fell in a panic, and that was when she somehow saw Hugo once again.
At that moment, he became her savior who later gave her a place to stay and provided her warmth and comfort.
Hugo was tall and handsome, and he exuded an exceptional aura. Every move and gesture he made gave out a thick aristocratic air.
Furthermore, as the head of the country's top financial conglomerate, Spencer Group, he was immensely wealthy and influential.
After Celia succumbed to his gentle advances a month later, she secretly took her household registration book from home without her father's knowledge and married Hugo without anyone witnessing or blessing the union.
She thought that what awaited her after the marriage was happiness.
Unexpectedly, Hugo whispered a bloody truth into her ear on the night they registered their marriage: marrying her was just the beginning of his revenge.
Back to the present, Celia emerged from the bathroom with her arms around her chest, blushing as she approached the bed.
It seemed that Hugo had a hobby of tormenting her for his own pleasure. Every time he went on a business trip, he would buy some erotica products that pushed her to her limits and forced her to wear them for his amusement.
The man was now reclined on a pillow. In his crisp white shirt and tailored trousers, he exuded an air of sophistication and decadence.
Seeing this, she meekly pleaded again. "I'm really not feeling well. Can't we—"
"You don't have the right to refuse." The man's cold and sharp gaze shot back instantly.
The look in his eyes made Celia want to escape.
"When will you stop tormenting me? When will you let me go?" Celia questioned him for the first time as tears uncontrollably rolled down her face.
She was a person, a living being, not a plaything for him to manipulate at will.
Hugo stood up from the bed, somewhat enjoying the expression of rebellion on his pet kitty's face. After all, women who were too obedient were no fun.
His lips curled into a sneer. "You want me to let you go? That will never happen in this lifetime. You are not allowed to leave my side even if I get tired or annoyed with you."
"You..." Celia couldn't hold back her tears. She felt utterly humiliated.
He walked up to her and gripped her chin with his large hand, forcing her to look at him. It intrigued him more than before to see the touch of fierceness on her pure and ethereal face.
As he leaned in to kiss her on the lips, Celia angrily turned her face to evade his lips.
"You dare refuse me?" He smirked.
The next moment, he carried her up and threw her onto the soft bed beside them.
Two hours later, the exhausted woman gasped and held her lower abdomen when she saw the faint red marks on the bedsheets.
My baby! Please be okay!
With weak legs, Celia dragged her body back to the hospital once again.
While she lay in the ultrasound room, she felt a sense of panic wash over her as she listened to the sound of the small train nearby.
Tears streamed down Celia's face, startling the nurse who hurriedly tried to comfort her. "Miss, don't worry. Your baby is healthy. Its heartbeat is strong."
After Celia entered the doctor's office, she was surprised that the doctor remembered her. The doctor immediately asked her, "Why did you suddenly start bleeding? You were fine this morning. Do you want your child or not?"
Upon hearing the question, Celia almost blurted out, "Yes, I do!"
A strong determination to protect her baby surged within her. She felt responsible as a mother the moment she heard the sound of the baby's heartbeat moments ago.
The doctor glanced at her. "You're not even 20. Isn't your husband here?"
"H-He's busy."
"Well, you need to tell him to be careful for the next three months and prioritize the baby. Otherwise, the risk of miscarriage is high even for someone as young as yourself." The doctor hinted when they noticed the kiss mark on her neck.
"I understand. Thank you, doctor." Celia's face turned beet red.
However, she felt her chest tighten at the same time she breathed a sigh of relief. How was she supposed to tell Hugo about the child?
The baby could be in danger at any moment if she didn't say anything, but if she did tell him about it, the baby would be even more at risk because Hugo would undoubtedly insist on her getting rid of it.
Chapter 2 Unworthy of Having My Child
As Celia trudged out of the hospital, she instinctively covered her abdomen and bitterly wondered why the baby had to come to her womb.
How wonderful it would be if it could find parents who could let it grow up healthy!
The reason Hugo wanted to take revenge on her was because of her mother.
From a young age, her father never mentioned her mother's death. It was at the age of ten when she heard her stepmother's sarcastic remarks about how Celia's birth mother and a wealthy man had a rendezvous in a car in the mountains, resulting in both of them plummeting off a cliff to their deaths.
And that wealthy man was Hugo's father.
Her mother was deemed a disgraceful mistress who had intruded upon Hugo's parents' marriage.
Celia's father, fueled by his hatred for her mother's affair, openly welcomed the other woman into their home, erasing any trace of her existence in that household.
As if seeing her reminded him of her mother's betrayal, he didn't even spare Celia a glance.
Celia was like an orphan. She was utterly alone in this world.
After returning from the hospital, she ate the lunch prepared by the servants before she dozed off until the evening.
By the time she woke up, she was startled when she glanced at the time. How was it 8.30PM already? She then hurried downstairs.
Hugo had returned at some point. Sitting on the couch in the living room, he looked both relaxed and dangerous as he sat in an unrestrained posture.
Celia suddenly thought about taking the initiative to please him so that it would be easier to discuss the child with him.
She brewed a cup of tea and brought it to him. "You've worked hard, darling. Have a cup of tea to quench your thirst!"
Hugo glanced up at her. "Do you have something to tell me?"
This man had an uncanny ability to see through her as if he could read her every thought just by looking at her.
Celia bit her red lip and sat beside him, tentatively asking, "I was thinking… Should we have a child? It would make our home livelier."
A contemptuous smile played at the corners of Hugo's mouth. "Do you think you're worthy of bearing my child?"
"What if I accidentally get pregnant?" Celia kept biting her lip. She couldn't look him straight in the eyes.
"Abort it immediately," the man answered without any mercy.
A few seconds later, his sharp gaze locked onto her again. "Are you pregnant?"
Taken aback, Celia quickly shook her head. "No... I was just curious because it…it gets lonely staying alone in such a big villa."
Hugo seemed to believe her words because he knew she didn't dare to get pregnant with his child. And even if she did, she knew what she had to do.
He set aside the documents and stood up, fetching a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet. After pouring half a glass, he handed it to her. "Finish it."
Celia panicked and waved. "I don't drink."
"You disappointed me yesterday," the man insisted domineeringly as he pushed the glass toward her. "You will pay if you disappoint me again."
Celia gently placed the cup on the table after taking two sips, indicating that she had drunk her fill.
However, the man's eyes narrowed in an instant as his gaze oppressively fixed on her.
"Do you want me to feed you?" he asked.
Celia's beautiful eyes widened slightly. It wasn't as if he hadn't done something like that before. She then obediently picked up the wine glass on the table and took small sips while enduring the burning sensation in her throat.
After four sips, she choked and coughed lightly.
"Finish it," the man demanded hoarsely. He wasn't worried about her at all.
"I don't want to drink anymore." Celia shook her head. She really couldn't take another sip.
However, the man seemed to be intrigued as he got up and pulled her into his embrace. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and then held her delicate face to feed her the alcohol.
Tonight went on to be another sleepless night for her.
Early the next morning, Celia had to go to the hospital again when she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen.
It was the same doctor as yesterday that attended to her. This time, he was looking at her with a serious expression. "Did you already forget what I reminded you just yesterday? What could be more important than a child? Do you realize how dangerous your condition is?"
"Doctor, how is the baby?"
"There's slight bleeding, but the baby is fine for now. Still, you need to be more careful."
As Celia walked out of the doctor's office, she felt lost and bewildered. She wandered around the hospital for a while until a nurse came out calling for the next patient and asked her, "Is it your turn next?"
"What?"
"The operation!"
"What operation?"
"The cesarean section."
Celia recoiled in fear. "I'm not having surgery. It's not me."
There was a couple holding a three-month-old baby next to her after she got in the elevator. The fair and adorable child smiled happily at her, captivating Celia like an angel.
She instinctively touched her abdomen. I'm sure my baby will be this cute too if it came into this world.
The doctor's words resounded in her ears like an alarm. If Hugo continued bedding her tonight, there was a high chance Celia would lose the baby.
Distraught, Celia returned to the villa. Before she could enter the living room, she felt a sudden wave of dizziness before she collapsed at the villa's doorstep.
The bag containing the ultrasound report she was holding fell to the ground by her feet.
A black sports car slowly pulled up outside the iron gate in the evening. Hugo had returned.
His car parked next to the entrance, and when he caught sight of the woman on the ground, a look of shock flashed in his eyes. He quickly pushed the door open and got out.
As he strode toward the woman who had fainted, his attention was momentarily diverted by a hospital plastic bag nearby.
After he crouched down and picked up the medical records and ultrasound report from inside the bag, he immediately frowned when he thought about Celia's reactions toward him these two days and her questions about having a child.
Sh*t, she isn't supposed to get pregnant! She has been taking her pills!
Is she trying to use the child to earn my forgiveness? His face fell at the thought of that.
This woman dares to try using my child as a bargaining chip. Unforgivable!
Celia slowly opened her eyes as she regained consciousness. As she sat up, her eyes widened in shock and panic before they met the chilling gaze of the man's deep and intimidating eyes.
Why is Hugo back already?
She only further paled when she saw the report he was holding.
Despite feeling a desperate urge to escape, Hugo stood before her like a looming shadow, his voice cold as he questioned, "Where do you think you're going?"
Celia had always been afraid of this man from the bottom of her heart. Now that she couldn't run away, she clutched her lower abdomen in despair and terror.
Hugo took a step closer, his gaze scanning her pale face drenched in a cold sweat like a sharp blade before it lowered to her smooth belly.
He stared in that direction for a few seconds.
During those few seconds, Celia's breath seemed to stop. She lowered her head like someone guilty, unable to meet his eyes.
The arrival of the child was not her decision to make. It was a sudden gift from the universe. In fact, she was more panicked and afraid than anyone else.
"When did you get pregnant?" he asked, his face expressionless.
"I... I only found out two days ago," Celia whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Hugo's eyes flickered with a demonic gleam.
"I…"
"Scared that I would want you to abort it?" the man mocked, his tone growing even colder. "Did you think I would let your child come to this world alive?"
Chapter 3 Escaped With His Child
Celia's breath hitched at that. The man was a demon who wouldn't even let a child out of his clutches.
"The child is innocent," she whispered.
"You honestly think you have the right to give birth to my child?" the man beside her mocked.
She lowered her head at that. "I'm sorry. It was an accident."
The corners of Hugo's lips twitched. He refused to believe that it was just a mistake. She is clearly trying to set me up!
"Word of advice: don't even think about using my child to beg for my forgiveness," he warned through gritted teeth.
Celia peered at him with her beautiful eyes as a surge of intense sorrow emerged within her. Her tears swirled in her eyes and she shook her head. "This really was an accident. I never intended to use the child for anything."
"Any woman in this world has the right to give birth to my child, but not you. I don't want my child to have your mother's dirty genes." His cold voice was dripping with disdain. "Get rid of it."
Tears welled up in her eyes when she heard those words. She was already doing her best to atone for her mother's sins by being his plaything. What more did he want from her?
Am I supposed to give him my life?
"Go to the hospital right now!" Hugo coldly tossed out an instruction.
Celia's tears rolled down her cheeks as she instinctively covered her abdomen. My baby, I'm too powerless to keep you with me. I'm sorry.
She closed her eyes. Her heart was filled with indescribable pain.
Can't I keep it? This is his child as well!
Suddenly, Hugo's phone rang.
He glanced at it and picked it up without hesitation. "Yes."
"Mr. Spencer, something urgent has come up in the stock market. You will need to come back and handle it," came the voice of the finance department's manager from the other end.
Hugo glanced at the time when he heard that. As though he didn't even have the patience to accompany Celia to the hospital, he instructed in a frigid voice, "Deal with it yourself."
He knew that she would not dare to keep the child.
Celia watched as he walked toward the car.
When his sports car left in a trail of taillights into the sunset, she hurriedly got up. She didn't know where she could go, but she knew she had to leave this man.
She then went to her own car and drove off before parking it on a side street. As she glanced around, she noticed a bus by the roadside. Without hesitation, she made her way to it.
The ticket seller looked at her and asked, "Where are you headed, young lady?"
Celia didn't hesitate to step inside the bus.
After she found a seat, she said to the woman, "To the final stop, please."
Celia had made up her mind to escape. She had never been this bold before, nor had she ever defied Hugo. But this time, for the sake of her baby, she decided to confront fate head-on.
With her arms around her bag, she turned her phone off and eventually drifted off to sleep out of exhaustion.
As night fell, a black Bugatti drove into the villa. Now that Hugo had finished his work and returned home, he expected to find Celia, who had undergone surgery, waiting for him.
However, the living room was empty. It didn't feel like anyone had been or was there.
His wife would always welcome him every day when he got back from work, so where was she hiding now?
"Celia?" Hugo called out in a deep voice.
And yet, he didn't hear a reply.
He strode up the stairs and checked the master bedroom, the study, and even the place where Celia often lost herself in reverie. However, the woman was nowhere to be found.
Realization finally dawned upon him—she had never been home.
I told her to come back this afternoon. Where the hell did she go? He suddenly thought of a possibility. Did she run away?
He took out his phone and called Celia, and as expected, her phone was off.
"Damn it!" She actually ran away! How dare she?
After enduring a six-hour bus ride, Celia found herself at the bus station in Bloomstead. She was no longer anxious or in a hurry. As long as she could escape from Hugo, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.
She still had some money in her bank account, and it was enough to sustain her in the days to come.
She switched to using a normal phone in case her phone was being tracked. Since she wanted to make her escape, she needed to get as far away as she could.
She had fled to a place where Hugo would never find her again.
One of her college classmates lived in Honchkon. According to her friend, Honchkon was a beautiful place with a perpetually mild climate and a serene atmosphere. It was located in a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and limited communication.
At this moment, she found herself contemplating a new life there.
She had given it a long thought. She knew Hugo would be searching for her all over the world. He would be furious and if he ever found her, he would undoubtedly kill her, but she didn't care.
She might have made a stupid move, but she only acted on a mother's instinct to protect her child.
Wouldn't her child be pitiful if she had cold-heartedly gotten rid of it?
This, she had guessed correctly.
Hugo was indeed looking for her everywhere.
On the streets of the city, he had mobilized all the company's bodyguards in the middle of the night to search for her in the places she might have gone.
It was 4.00AM when he went to a corner of a garden where he took out a packet of cigarettes. He tried to hold his anger in as he lit one of the sticks.
Right then, she heard a woman's voice screaming, "H-Help me!"
He raised his chin, only to see a drunkard pulling a young lady, trying to take advantage of her.
Hugo narrowed his gaze as he discarded his cigarette and walked toward the drunken man.
The woman, in a state of panic and helplessness, pleaded for his help. "Sir, please save me! Sir..."
Hugo swiftly grabbed the drunken man's hand, causing him to scream in pain and release his grip on the woman.
At this, she seized the chance and hurriedly escaped from danger.
Hugo felt his anger rise out of nowhere and kicked the man into a nearby flower bed. Not wanting to dirty his hands any further, he turned to leave.
However, the one thing that appeared in his head now was a pure and beautiful face. Compared to the young woman he saved, Celia had a face that was more tempting to men.
Who will save her if she gets into a similar situation? How will she be treated?
After Hugo returned to his car, a wave of fury suddenly rose within him. He kicked his own tire, his handsome face contorted with a sour expression.
"Sh*t!"
No man, other than himself, was allowed to touch Celia. It was a possessiveness and dominance etched into his very being.
Not even one of all the incoming calls was the one he was waiting for. She is quite the escapee, isn't she? She completely disappeared with my child in tow! F*ck this. I'm going to make her pay a heavy price when I find her!
What Hugo hadn't expected was for his search for her to last for six whole months.
…
Camellias bloomed everywhere in the mountains, filling the air with a primitive and rustic atmosphere. This place had just gone through a harsh winter and now it was spring, where flowers bloomed.
Inside a cottage, a woman wearing a gray plaid skirt sat down. As she rose, she clearly had a bump on her belly. It only looked smaller than usual because she was thin, but this was a belly that carried an eight-month-old child.
Celia had successfully escaped to a place where Hugo was not there. It was a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and Internet, but it was filled with love and joy.
Her arrival made the people here fond of her. She was beautiful, kind, and diligent, and she even became a substitute music teacher at a school.
Everyone warmly called her Miss Stuart.
"Celia, I suggest you go to the county earlier and rent a house. You have only one month left until you are due," her classmate, Yvonne Lester, advised.
"Mhm. I'll go in a few days. Thank you for taking care of me all this time, Yvonne."
"Celia, are you sure you are ready to be a single mother? What are your plans for the future?"
"I have made up my mind. I'm ready to stay here and teach as a volunteer."
"That won't do. You are a city girl. How can you raise a child here?" Yvonne disapproved of her decision.
However, Celia was prepared to live with her child in this area. She didn't mind that they weren't financially well-off, as long as she could spend her whole life by her child's side.
She had decided to live for her child.
Chapter 4 Found Her at Last
Astoria was a bustling city, and Hugo was desperate to find that girl. He had tried everything to search for her, but she was still not found. He scoured the whole city and even told the cops to set up a task force to search for her, but alas, she was still nowhere to be found. Hugo might look calm on the outside, but unbeknownst to others, a storm was brewing in his heart.
Every time the cops found a female corpse, he would go to check if it was her almost immediately, and when he realized it wasn't her, he would heave a sigh of relief. He wished that woman was alive so he could rain down his wrath on her when he found her.
He would not allow her to die just like that. She still had a debt to repay and had to atone for her sins; she had no right to die. However, there was something else. If she were alive, her baby should be eight months old now. It would be old enough to be born. No, I will not let the woman I hate the most give birth to my child. I will not suffer that indignity!
After taking another phone call, Hugo's fury flared once more, and he hurled the file in front of him away. He was currently in his office, and his action startled the female assistant who had just come in to deliver some documents to him.
Her knees almost gave out when she saw him unleashing his rage. Her boss had been temperamental lately; he was like a ticking bomb that would explode at any minute. Thus, whenever he got mad, everyone made it a point to stay as silent as a mouse.
Right then, the phone suddenly rang, and the assistant quickly scurried off. Hugo took a deep breath before taking the call. "What is it?"
"Mr. Spencer, we found your wife," the cop said.
"Are you sure?"
"Very much so. She's living in a village in Honchkon. We found her through the file in a local hospital. Her name and looks match with your wife's."
"Thank you. Give me the address, please."
"Do you need our help with this, Mr. Spencer?"
"It's all right. I can take my wife home by myself," said Hugo calmly, but there was no mistaking the fury underneath his voice. It was like a violent undercurrent roaring underneath the calm surface of a sea.
He had been waiting for too long, and his anger was on the brink of bursting. So, she has finally appeared. You will taste my wrath, Celia. He clenched his fists, his face contorting with rage. Celia's escape enraged him, and he would not stop until she had seen all his wrath.
An hour later, a private jet set off for Honchkon.
Yvonne Lester was leading Celia onto the bus in Honchkon. Celia was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, so she had difficulties moving around with a big belly. Yvonne had been taking care of her for the last few months. She liked Celia a lot since the latter was beautiful and talented. People looked down on Yvonne because she was a bumpkin from the boonies who only got into university through pure luck, or so they thought. However, Celia never treated her as such and had always been nice to her.
A lady beside Yvonne noticed Celia, and she gasped. "Oh, my! She's beautiful. Just like a celebrity."
All the passengers on the bus turned to look at Celia upon hearing the exclamation. Her skin was fair, and she wore her hair up. Even when she was pregnant, she looked gorgeous.
"Her husband is one lucky man," someone remarked.
"Yeah. Never seen someone as gorgeous as she is," another person said.
"So, how many months now?" a lady asked.
"Eight." Celia smiled.
"Oh, so you're going into labor soon. Are you here for a checkup?"
"Yes." Celia nodded.
In the meantime, Hugo leaned his back against a couch in the luxurious cabin of his private jet. He was staring out the window, the look in his eyes cold. Even though he was taking his private jet, the journey from Astoria to Honchkon took nearly two hours. She sure can run, can't she?
At 11.00AM, four off-road vehicles appeared at the airport, driving toward the terminal.
Meanwhile, Celia had finished her checkup. The baby was perfectly healthy, but she was anemic, so the doctor prescribed her some pills. Celia treated Yvonne to lunch, and they shopped around for clothes for a bit. She had bought a lot of clothes for the baby, but she still wanted more. After they were done shopping, they took a van at 2.00PM, heading home.
At the same time, four off-road vehicles drove into the village. The man in the second car's back seat looked out the window, and what greeted him was the downtrodden village. A frown creased his forehead. Has she been staying in this place all this time? This is even worse than the boonies. No wonder it took me so long to find her.
Still, this place had sceneries that the city did not. Mountains surrounded the entire village, keeping it safely tucked away in a corner.
Once they came to the address the GPS showed them, one of the bodyguards went around to ask for Celia's whereabouts, and he came back a while later. "Sir, I've asked around. There's one villager who knows Miss Stuart, and she said Miss Stuart has gone to the hospital for a checkup. She will probably get home at 4.00PM."
Hugo frowned upon hearing that. Her baby bump must be big now. He then looked at the path, which was the only entrance to the village. It should be easy to see her here. "We'll wait here, then." After saying that, he whipped out a pack of cigarettes, rolled down the window, and smoked.
A few memories flooded his mind just then. Over the last six months, he had spent a lot of time searching for her, and he was worried for her. He was worried that she might have died. Aside from that, he had been thinking about the baby as well. However, he had covered that up with his indifferent facade so no one could see through him.
He took a deep hit, and frustration filled his mind. Hold on a second. Am I pitying that woman? There is no way that's true. Her mother ruined my parents' marriage, and then my father and that homewrecker died in a car crash. We became the butt of everyone's joke. Afterward, my mother got depressed for years and left the house, leaving nothing but a letter for me. Her mother ruined my childhood. My life! I will never forgive her. I will torture Celia until she dies!
At this moment, a van trudged past the muddy path and stopped on a slightly smooth surface right across from Hugo's car.
The off-road vehicles were conspicuous, especially in this village. Yvonne got out of the van and quickly helped Celia out.
Hugo stared at the van. He had a feeling he would see her soon, and just as he had expected, a gray silhouette got out a while later. Celia was no longer as slender as she was. Even though she still looked thin, the baby bump hindered her movements.
He stared at her face. Even though it'd been six months since he saw her, she didn't seem to lose any weight. Instead, the pregnancy had lent her a hint of allure. A strand of hair tumbled down her forehead, but she pulled it back and smiled happily.
She looked just like a woman that jumped straight out of an oil painting. Beautiful enough to even mesmerize Hugo for a while, but then his face fell, and he got out of the car.
Chapter 5 Taken Back
When she heard the sound of the opening door, Celia looked up, and her smile faded, which was soon replaced by horror and panic. It looked like she had just seen a ghost. She trembled and almost fell.
Surprised by her sudden change, Yvonne gasped and held her up. On the other hand, Hugo was already extending his arm to Celia to keep her steady on her feet, but when he realized someone was already helping her, he clenched his fist and pulled it back.
Celia was huffing and puffing. At the sight of his handsome face, she felt nothing but terror. Her heart was thumping furiously because of that. Why is he here? The fiend! How did he find me?! The man before her was her absolute fear, and she was seized by the urge to run. So, she held Yvonne's hand and said, "We need to go."
However, her baby bump was hindering her. Yvonne looked at the stranger who came out of nowhere. He had a face that even the gods would envy, but the look in his eyes was as cold as ice, and she couldn't help shivering. Who is he? Why's Celia trying to run from this man?
"I've been looking for you, Celia." Hugo gritted his teeth.
Celia quickly clutched her belly in an attempt to keep her baby away from this man's grasp. "Don't come any closer. I won't go with you!" She teared up, but she knew there was no escape from this.
The man went ahead and grabbed her wrist. Despite being pregnant, she still looked gaunt and fragile. Feeling her thin wrist, he felt something squeeze his heart. Has she been starving herself?
Even though Hugo looked regal, Yvonne still mustered her courage and piped up, "Hey, mister, she's eight months pregnant, so watch it. You'll hurt her baby." Then, she looked at Celia curiously and whispered, "Who is he, Celia?"
"The baby's father." Celia was pale as a ghost, and her heart was filled with sadness. No one would stop her from giving birth to the baby. No one but Hugo. He would kill the child.
Hugo looked at her imperiously and ordered, "You're coming with me. Right now."
The pregnant woman bit her lip. She felt like she was backed into a corner. One wrong step, and she would fall straight to hell. Still, courage filled her heart. It was precisely because she knew death was imminent that she fought to live. "Fine, but you're going to let the baby live." She looked into his eyes, determination filling her soul.
"Do you think you're in a position to negotiate?" He sneered. Even when I still haven't made you pay?
Celia's face was drained of color. She knew she had no right to negotiate and that this whole mess was her fault. Still, the child is innocent.
Hugo's face darkened. The thought of her disappearance keeping him up at night filled him with fury. "Know your place," he said coldly.
Her heart ached slightly. Of course, she knew her place. No matter where she went, she was still his wife. With tears glistening in her eyes, she made up her mind. I have to make this gamble. There could be a possibility that this man still has an ounce of sympathy left in his heart and will let the baby live.
Though, her agitation alerted the baby. It started moving around and kicked her. The pain made her bend over, but someone wrapped their arm around her and held her up.
"Are you alright, Celia?" Yvonne was worried.
"It's alright. The baby just kicked me," said Celia.
Hugo looked around the village. I need to take her home ASAP. If anything happens to her right now, more than one life will be at risk. He had no idea how to deal with the baby just yet, but there was no time for that. He just wanted to take her away. "Come with me. Now," he commanded imperiously, holding her arm.
Celia knew she could no longer run. "Fine." She then turned to Yvonne. "Thanks for everything, Yvonne."
"Hey, you still need to take your stuff. The baby's clothes, remember?" Yvonne said.
What little color Celia had left disappeared, and her tears streamed down her cheeks. "No need for that anymore." With that, she turned to the car and went inside.
Hugo went into the car as well. Celia held back her sadness and bade Yvonne goodbye. "Thanks for everything you and your family did for me, Yvonne. I'll return the favor someday."
"Take care. Keep the baby safe, too." Yvonne waved her goodbye.
Then, the off-road vehicles turned the corner, disappearing from everyone's sight.
Celia closed her eyes, but then the car bumped suddenly. The bodyguard didn't notice the pothole, and he rammed over it. Startled, Celia quickly held her belly but ended up losing her balance and falling onto Hugo's chest.
The man held her right away, but she quickly moved out of his arms and scurried to the other side of the car, as she worried he might hurt the baby.
They got into the plane and flew back to Astoria. The baby had kept Celia awake the whole night, and she couldn't take it anymore. Even though Hugo was sitting across from her, she fell asleep on the couch. Even when she had drifted off to dreamland, she still put her hands over her belly, keeping her baby safe.
Hugo withdrew his gaze from the window and stared at Celia, especially her belly. Just then, he saw something moving inside. The baby was kicking her, tossing and turning around. He stared at it in surprise. Then, a conflicted feeling filled his heart. So, that's my child, huh? Even now, he had no idea how to deal with it. He heaved a sigh and looked outside the window again. His mind was in a rut, but he told the stewardess to cover Celia with a blanket so she wouldn't catch a cold.
The flight went on for two hours. Right before it would land, the stewardess woke Celia up. The moment she opened her eyes, the sight that greeted her was Hugo sitting with his legs crossed. Panicked, she sat up straight. She couldn't believe she had slept that long, and she massaged her numb arm. The baby in her belly turned around and kicked her, filling her with a sense of security. As long as it was moving, then the baby was fine.
During one of the checkups, the doctor gave her a hint, so she knew the baby was a boy.
Once they landed, they got into Hugo's car and drove toward the city. Celia was in the back seat. After spending six months living in a rural area, she felt a little disoriented at this moment. It all felt unreal to her to be back in the city again.
At 4.00PM, they came back to Hugo's villa. Celia got out of the car, holding her lower back. The whole journey exhausted her.
Hugo walked ahead and looked at her with a sneer. "You brought this upon yourself."
A bitter feeling welled in her heart. I guess he doesn't care about the child at all. "Can we talk?" she asked quietly.
"I do not wish to talk." With that, he turned around and strode ahead, leaving her out in the cold.
00:10
Jan 18, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
😍💞I was reborn three days before the apocalypse. This time, armed with a survival guide for the end of the world and a strange storage space, I will change the tragic end of my previous life!💕🔥
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Chapter 1 Rebirth
"Ah..."
Nadia Jean's eyes snapped open as she sat up abruptly in bed. Beads of sweat were dripping down her forehead. Her gaze filled with confusion and despair.
Her muddled consciousness was startled by the scene before her. Is my apartment before the apocalypse?
Ding. Ding.
A series of text notifications pinged in quick succession. She reached for her phone on the bedside table. 'September 14, 2029. 9:32 a.m.' was displayed on her screen.
She scrolled through a dozen unread messages. All of them were warnings about a super typhoon named "Aeolus" that was expected to make landfall along the coast in the early hours of the 17th. The messages detailed a Category five storm and forecasts of torrential rain.
Nadia was bewildered. Hadn't I died? Didn't I perish in the cannibalistic darkness of the apocalypse?
Could it be my unresolved desires that trapped me in a nightmare on the brink of death?
Ding.
Another warning text arrived at 9:37 a.m.
Nadia pinched her arm hard. The sharp pain confirmed that this wasn't a dream. She was reborn—three days before the super typhoon.
No. To be precise, I only have two and a half days remaining.
Nadia felt no joy. Only an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that was weighing on her heart.
Typhoons, torrential rains, floods, extreme temperatures, and earthquakes. Each disaster is a living hell. What's the purpose of me being reborn?
But now that I'm back in this life, do I want to await the arrival of death? No, absolutely not!
She splashed her face with cold water and gazed in the mirror. The reflection showed a young, beautiful woman with clear skin. This was a woman untouched by the horrors of the apocalypse. Everything seems so perfect.
Her tired gaze fell on the jade pendant around her neck, something she had since she was abandoned at the hospital during birth. Wayne York once requested it as a gift for the popular girl in school—Maya Smith.
Three years into the apocalypse, Maya remained delicate and radiant. Her clothes were always spotless, and her skin was rosy white. It was as if she was still living in the era of abundance.
Nadia remembered a moment when hunger nearly overcame her. She caught a glimpse of Maya taking out an ice cream from the pendant and licking it gracefully.
This memory ignited an idea within Nadia. She reached for a blade and cut her finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the pendant.
The pendant emitted a brilliant glow. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in an apartment without a front door. Aside from running water and electricity, it was completely unfurnished. The two-bedroom, one-living room layout spanned about 80 square meters, with ceilings around three meters high. Adjacent to the living room was a 10-square-meter garden filled with dark soil.
'01:56:13'. A glowing timer was suspended in the living room's mid-air.
Is this the space that allowed Maya to live so exquisitely, or was it taken from me?
As she left the space, a vision of another house lingered in her mind. With a concentrated thought, she could sense everything within it.
Nadia decided to use boiling water to test the functionality of the space. She found out that the water maintained its freshness everywhere except the balcony and garden.
As she began to store items within the domain using her consciousness, the timer paused. But entering the domain caused it to resume its countdown automatically.
Time was running short, and she couldn’t afford to waste a moment pondering the mysteries.
Given this second chance and the power of the space at her fingertips, she had to seize the opportunity to turn her fate around.
She had spent her previous life keeping track of the upcoming natural disasters.
She was overwhelmed by the truth and answers.
Life is hard.
As she pushed aside any lingering emotions, she took out paper and pen to note down a list of supplies.
Nadia grew up in an orphanage. Despite its outwardly peaceful facade, the environment was filled with ruthless competition. This had shaped her into a self-serving individual.
From a young age, she felt an inherent lack of security. In elementary school, she scavenged for cardboard and trash to make ends meet. During middle school, she took on various part-time jobs such as tutoring, cleaning, and anything else that paid. If there was money to be made, she was in.
Besides, she excelled in her studies and was top-ranked in the entrance exams. Even as a second-year medical student, she balanced her coursework while tutoring five high school seniors, charging 200 per session.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of financial stability, Nadia dabbled with side hustles. Whether it be an insurance agent or an online media uploader, she was willing to work legally. Over the years, she managed to save up to 200,000 for her down payment.
But now, all my efforts are futile.
In the afternoon, she had classes in school. Her evenings were followed by tutoring sessions for her students. Yet, these were no longer necessary.
Nadia sent a WeChat message to the parents, informing them that she was hospitalized and unable to continue her tutoring. She urged them to find a replacement and requested that they settle the outstanding fees.
The parents were financially secure. That's why the tutoring fees were paid every half a month. Soon after, two of them responded with 500 as a condolence gift, adding up to a total of 6,000.
In this urgent situation, she made sure to remind the parents. 'A super typhoon is approaching. Please make sure to stock up on food and emergency supplies.'
Natural disasters were becoming a frequent occurrence. Nadia's list of medications stretched across three large pages. Most of the drugs were not only costly but difficult to find in local pharmacies as well.
She snapped a photo of the extensive list and sent it to Caleb Zink, a pharmaceutical salesman and a childhood friend. 'A wealthy new client needs these urgently. Have them delivered by tonight. Please offer me a discounted price.'
Caleb replied instantly, 'Got it.'
Within five minutes, Nadia received his call. "Nadia, this list is weird. Are you sure you're not joking?"
"The payment has been made. The client only has one requirement. They want to have the package by tonight."
Without hesitation, she hung up and transferred 50,000. Better to overpay than under-deliver.
Nadia felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of supplies she needed to gather. As she grabbed her keys and headed out, she caught sight of the limited-edition Air Jordan sneakers on the table. She couldn’t help but wish she could smash her head against a wall out of frustration.
She had always lived a practical life. Yet when it came to Wayne, it felt as if she were under a love spell.
To pursue him, she had made significant sacrifices. She moved out of her dorm to rent an expensive apartment in the school district. During the early hours, she even queued up at the specialty store to buy him the Air Jordan sneakers.
While she never spent more than 300 on her own shoes, she had no hesitation in spending over 8,000 on a limited-edition pair for him.
However, his response was lukewarm. He accepted the gift, only to ask for the pendant. When it came to her confession, he never gave a clear answer. Instead, Wayne had taken Maya out during the impending typhoon and consumed the emergency supplies she had carefully hoarded.
For three relentless years, Wayne never lifted a finger to help Nadia. Instead, he watched coldly as she was beaten and tormented by the monsters of the apocalypse.
If I had known this, I would have fed the Air Jordan sneakers to a dog. This time, I would like to see if Wayne and Maya could live luxuriously without my stockpiled supplies and space!
The super typhoon raged for half a month, followed by three consecutive months of torrential rain. The entire metropolis was submerged in water.
Her rented apartment on the 18th floor spared her from the floodwaters. But her life was far from easy.
…
Nadia left her apartment complex and headed to a nearby breakfast stall to have her first meal of the day.
Without delay, she made her way to a car rental agency and rented a box truck. Her first stop was the Air Jordan specialty store. The staff were surprised by her request to return the sneakers. After all, these were limited-edition new releases that were highly sought after by customers.
She received a refund of over eight thousand. With this money, she could stock up on daily necessities that could last for years. Who needs a man anyway?
She drove to a street lined with doors and window shops. She ordered the two sturdiest stainless steel doors available, each equipped with three-bar locks that were guaranteed to withstand even a sledgehammer. The total cost came to over 6,000 including the installation fee.
Nadia had measured the dimensions of her door before leaving home.
Initially, the store owner was concerned about the accuracy of her measurements, but upon hearing the name of her residential complex, he readily agreed. He had done plenty of business there and knew the specifications well. "If you're in a rush, we can have it ready by the day after tomorrow."
Across the street was a glass shop. Nadia chose the thickest shatterproof glass. It was priced at 600 per square meter. The installation was scheduled for the same morning.
I'll let them hammer and smash. In this life, no one is getting in with a knife to harm me.
Chapter 2 Gathering the Supplies
After paying the deposit, Nadia rushed to the largest outdoor supply store in the city.
Her list consisted of two inflatable boats, four rubber shafts, earthquake and fire emergency kits, tents, fire axes, climbing ropes, binoculars, radios, waterproof flashlights, and large-capacity solar chargers.
Survival gear couldn't be taken lightly. Everything had to be of top quality.
As the shop owner saw an esteemed customer walk in, he recommended various items enthusiastically. "We're having a sale today. We guarantee the quality will meet your expectations."
Nadia was uninterested. "Do you have anything that can withstand temperatures of below 60 or 70 degrees Celsius?"
The shop owner was taken aback. "This is the south. You can wear short sleeves in winter here."
"I'm heading to the Askington for a research expedition," Nadia replied.
As the shop owner noticed her earnestness, he contacted a colleague. "They have polar clothing and mummy sleeping bags. If you layer them, they can withstand the extreme temperatures. However, they're quite expensive and the stock is out of province."
His colleague ran a highly-rated online store. The owner assured Nadia that they could ship it immediately via express delivery and guaranteed the arrival by tomorrow afternoon.
Nadia decided to order two sets of each, spending over 6,000.
At the outdoor supply store, she spent another 12,000. A full cart with gear was loaded up. When no one was looking, she discreetly stored everything in her domain.
The assault boats required diesel, but diesel wasn't sold to individuals.
Thus, she went to an auto repair shop to buy an oil extractor and some barrels. She filled up her car at several nearby gas stations, then drove to an unsupervised area to transfer the fuel into the barrels with an oil extractor. After several trips, she managed to collect 500 liters of gasoline.
In the chaos of the apocalyptic world, bloodshed and violence ran rampant. Nadia made her way to a security supplies store. "Sir, I'm heading to Aglyae."
The shop owner immediately brought out his best goods. "The scenery over there is unique. You can't afford to skimp on safety."
He handed her three sets of stab-resistant and slash-resistant suits, along with two bulletproof vests. Without delay, Nadia loaded them into her car and headed to the largest wholesale clothing market in the suburbs.
There, she bought down jackets, military coats, cashmere sweaters, thermal underwear, scarves, gloves, socks, non-slip snow boots, lightweight sneakers, insulated shoes, and slippers.
She purchased everything she could think of that might be useful, prioritizing quality over brands.
Nadai was in a whirlwind of activity at the wholesale clothing market. She dropped 12,000 without a second thought. Her next stop was the neighboring daily essentials' wholesale market.
She ordered air-conditioning quilts, down comforters, and large cotton quilts that weighed eight to ten kilograms each. She made sure to get three of each and have all of it packed in vacuum bags.
Besides, she grabbed shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, sanitary pads, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, thermoses, lighters, and rubber hot water bottles. She stocked up on an incredible amount of 20,000 heat packs to survive in the extreme cold.
She discovered an online store that sold rare items, like vintage glass kerosene lamps and waterproof, windproof hurricane lamps. These are antiques from the 1960s and 70s. She bought five of each.
"Do you have kerosene?" she inquired.
The seller nodded. But he only had 100 liters in stock.
Nadia bought it all and requested extra lamp wicks, knowing that these lamps would outlast candles.
She also picked up alcohol stoves, alcohol blocks, and portable gas stoves. She added a few induction cookers to her cart when she remembered that there was electricity in her domain.
Next, she stocked up on insect repellents, disinfectants, portable water purification tablets, and Florida Water. She bought everything she could think of. In total, she had spent 20,000.
The fruit wholesale market was next door. Nadia filled her cart with apples, pears, watermelons, kiwis, bananas, cantaloupes, starfruits, summer grapes, and raisins. She purchased twenty different kinds of fruit which cost 6,000.
By the time she emerged from the market, the sky had darkened.
Several missed calls from Caleb appeared on her phone. His WeChat messages indicated that the package was ready.
Nadia drove to his company, where she found twenty large cardboard boxes filled with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, iodine, alcohol wipes, gauze, and even tetanus vaccines.
These lifesaving medicines had cost over 40,000, but they brought her a sense of relief.
Caleb transferred her a 2,000 commission. "Your order is all over the place. Many of them are not available, so I had to source them from my colleagues."
"I'll deliver the supplies first. Then I'll treat you to a feast in a few days," Nadia said as she sat in the driver's seat. "A super typhoon is coming. Make sure you stock up on fuel and food at home."
Caleb didn't take Nadia's warning to heart. This year alone, there have been dozens of typhoons. They always exaggerate how terrible it's going to be.
After stowing the medicines in her domain, she headed to the bustling food street near the university town. She ordered barbecue, beer, and fried rice noodles.
The area was packed with vibrant young students and couples who were completely unaware of the impending disaster.
While waiting for her barbecue, Nadia was drawn to the warm glow of the red-hot coals.
In the midst of her busy preparations, she had nearly forgotten something crucial.
She immediately asked the vendor for contacts to purchase charcoal, coal briquettes, and liquefied gas canisters.
She then made several calls, arranging for deliveries to be made on the next day.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't on her side. The stores were located in low-lying areas, and the authorities had ordered them to relocate their stock due to the impending storm. They were far too busy to fulfill her orders abruptly.
All three suppliers were situated in the same area. Thus, she abandoned her barbecue and drove over without hesitation.
Charcoal was cheap but it took up a lot of space. She checked her domain's capacity and decided to buy 500 pounds of smokeless, high-temperature charcoal, along with a charcoal stove and fire starters.
A single liquefied gas canister could last two months. To prepare for the possibility of losing power in her domain, she ordered ten canisters.
Honeycomb coal could last a long time. However, due to the nationwide electricity shortage and trade sanctions with Adrela, coal prices had skyrocketed.
By the time Nadia returned to her apartment, it was nearly 9 p.m. She took a moment to catch her breath before stepping into her domain to organize the chaotic array of supplies.
To maximize her domain's capacity, she stacked the liquefied gas canisters, coal briquettes, and charcoal in the kitchen.
She removed all unnecessary packaging from the supplies, compressed the fluffy items into vacuum bags, and stacked them layer by layer up to the ceiling.
She had spent over 120,000 throughout the day. The small room and kitchen were now packed to the brim, occupying an estimated 50 cubic meters.
Just as she was done organizing, she felt a forceful kick. The force sent her sprawling out of her domain.
Nadia was dazed and bewildered.
She attempted to re-enter her space, only to be met with an invisible barrier blocking her way.
What the heck? All the supplies have been swallowed by my domain!
Chapter 3 The Supplies Are In Void
Startled and shaken, Nadia used her consciousness to check on her domain.
My domain is there, and so are my supplies. She tried to retrieve an item with her mind. A coal briquette was materialized in her hand.
As she scanned the domain, she noticed that the timer had reset to zero.
Realization dawned on her. The domain had a two-hour usage limit. Two hours. Well, it's better than nothing!
After she took a shower, it was already past midnight.
When she checked her domain once more, she saw that the timer was reset, granting her another two hours. This was a relief to her.
Nadia lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. She decided to resort to melatonin to ease herself to sleep.
Yet, she was haunted by nightmares of being chased and attacked by a group of people wielding blood-stained knives.
She awoke in a cold sweat and a pounding heart.
It was 5 a.m. The sky was still dark. She entered her domain to check on her stockpiled supplies and found some peace in the sight of her careful preparations.
Unable to fall back asleep, she grabbed her car keys and headed to the largest agricultural wholesale market.
By the time she arrived, dawn was breaking. The market was bustling with the sounds of vehicles and the chatter of early-morning traders.
Nadia made her way to the vegetable section, where the fresh produce still glistened with morning dew.
She purchased winter melons, pumpkins, lotus roots, red and white radishes, eggplants, string beans, bitter gourds, celery, tomatoes, and more, each in 100-kilogram quantities. As for potatoes and sweet potatoes, she doubled the order to 200 kilograms.
She also bought 100 kilograms of ginger and garlic, knowing they could be both planted and used as seasoning. During the extreme cold weather, a bowl of ginger tea could be a lifesaver.
She inspected and selected her purchases methodically, ensuring she got everything she needed except for leafy greens. By the time she finished, she had spent around 4,000.
After she grabbed her breakfast, it was nearly 9 a.m. The once bustling wholesale market had quieted down significantly with fewer people around.
Nadia compared prices carefully and stocked up on staple foods. She bought 100 bags of rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, and 50 bags of flour of the same weight. Additionally, she purchased 500 kilograms of white noodles, egg noodles, rice noodles, and sweet potato noodles. For legumes and nuts, she bought 200 kilograms of soybeans, red beans, mung beans, black beans, and peanuts. She also secured 50 large barrels of soybean oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil.
The total cost came to just under 30,000. But after some bargaining, the shop owner threw in three extra bags of rice.
With these edibles, she could survive the next 30 years.
While the shop owner prepared her order, she walked over to the condiments section.
She ordered ten large 20-liter barrels of soy sauce, vinegar, and white liquor. She also bought 30 kilograms of star anise, fennel, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and peppers along with 300 kilograms of brown sugar, white sugar, and rock sugar. For salt, she ordered 3,000 kilograms.
In the apocalypse, food was crucial, but salt was even more vital. Without sufficient salt, the body couldn't function.
Nadia vividly remembered seeing someone trading a single package of salt for 30 kilograms of grain during the third year of the apocalypse.
Despite the substantial amount of salt, it didn't take up much space. She knew that when the resources became scarce, salt would be invaluable for bartering. If she had more space, she would have stored much more.
She drove to a secluded spot and stored her supplies in her domain before she headed to the frozen foods section.
She ordered ten large boxes each of steamed buns, flower rolls, red bean buns, custard buns, brown sugar buns, and shumai. Wary of the quality of meat-filled buns, she opted for 200 kilograms of frozen dumpling skins instead, knowing that they would help pass the time during floods.
Next, she visited the dried goods section for shiitake mushrooms, deer horn mushrooms, tea tree mushrooms, black fungus, kelp, seaweed, red dates, pickled vegetables, and various flavored sunflower seeds. Another 10,000 was spent.
In the meat section, she found a stall that supplied school cafeterias. The owner greeted her warmly, "What can I get for you today, Nadia?"
The oppressive heat before the typhoon had left the stall with little fresh meat, but the prices were reasonable.
She ordered 200 kilograms of pork belly, lean meat, ribs, beef, lamb, and rabbit, along with 100 chickens and ducks, 50 geese, and various pig and cow offals.
The owner was stunned. "Nadia, are you joking?"
Nadia had often referred customers to his wife, who worked at the slaughterhouse. This had earned her a discounted price. "Some relatives are hosting a banquet. Just looking for a good deal."
"Seeing how much you've helped me, do I need to say more? I won't make a profit on this deal. I'll give you a thirty percent discount on everything!"
Buying meat was a costly affair. Pork prices had just dropped recently, but beef and lamb remained expensive. That's why getting supplies from a familiar source was the most economical option.
The total came to nearly 30,000, but Nadia didn't haggle. Instead, she made an additional request for two cleavers and a butcher knife.
Having weapons for self-defense was essential. But she neither had the time nor the means to procure them properly, so she had to make do with what she could get at that moment.
The owner was taken aback. "What do you need these for?"
"Don't worry. I'm not planning to commit any crimes," she reassured him.
Considering both the profit and their relationship, the owner agreed without hesitation.
Nadia then headed to the fish stall, ordering 100 fish to be gutted but left whole. She planned to pick them up later once they were cleaned.
Next, she bought 3,000 chicken eggs and 1,000 duck eggs. Thinking the disaster might eventually end, she also purchased two trays of fertilized chicken, duck, goose, and quail eggs, along with a small household incubator.
With her domain's garden in mind, she visited a seedlings store. She selected vegetable seeds with short growth cycles, such as lettuce, bok choy, water spinach, and various other greens.
The seeds were inexpensive, costing only 500 for a supply that would last decades.
Although she only had 10 square meters of black soil, her two balconies could be put to good use. The gardening instinct in her was awakened, prompting her to buy planting pots, a hoe, a shovel, and some potting soil.
Fueled by hope for the future, she ran to the fruit tree section. She bought three various types of mature trees like apple, grape, tangerine, mandarin, and others. These older trees promised quicker yields.
She knew that as the disaster persisted, fresh meat would become a rare luxury. Eventually, even those in power would struggle to find resources.
Nadia decided to buy a pair of breeding rabbits. Rabbits could be sustained on vegetables and reproduced quickly, ensuring a steady supply of meat.
She loved braised dishes and cold appetizers, so she bought 200 kilograms of frozen chicken and duck feet, and 100 kilograms each of duck intestines, duck kidneys, and chicken hearts.
Spending money felt like pouring water, and it pained her deeply. However, seeing her supplies steadily accumulate in her space gave her a sense of satisfaction and security that was hard to describe.
She spent the entire day at the wholesale market. By the time she left, the streets were brightly lit and bustling with activity. Her day was just about to begin.
Nadia went to a restaurant and indulged in a hearty meal of braised ribs, steamed meatballs, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. She didn't forget to take the leftovers home.
When she arrived home, she spent hours organizing her domain. She filled up her large room completely. Vegetables and fruit tree saplings were placed in the living room, and the breeding rabbits were kept on the balcony.
She had thought things through, leaving the domain with ten minutes left on the timer.
As soon as she exited, the two breeding rabbits were ejected as well. They landed on the floor with a thud, nearly injured.
Nadia was speechless.
At first, she felt a wave of frustration, but it quickly turned into exhilaration.
It seems that the domain not only has a time limit, but other living creatures are not allowed to remain inside if I'm not in there. This means that no one could take my domain away from me.
In high spirits, she sat down to review her preparations, ensuring she had covered everything she could think of.
With around 20,000 left in her account, she realized that only the living room and the bathroom in the space remained unused. To survive extreme disasters, she needed to be strategic about her remaining purchases, avoiding items that took up too much space.
Opening her food delivery app, she ordered from highly-rated restaurants, indulging in dishes she had always wanted but previously couldn't justify. She ordered ten servings each of oil-braised prawns, Hakka salted chicken, stuffed tofu, Dongpo pork, and more than twenty other dishes.
She also got a variety of breakfast items and snacks. Fried dough sticks, steamed dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, hand-grabbed pancakes, beef patties, fried buns, skewers, braised dishes, roasted meats, milk tea, and dozens of other items.
Spending over 10,000, she arranged for everything to be picked up at specified times to ensure freshness.
Though exhausted, Nadia was determined to savor the city's final moments of prosperity.
She received a notice in the afternoon. The school would be closed for three days to prepare for the upcoming super typhoon. The exact date for resuming classes to be announced later.
The students cheered with joy, eagerly inviting friends out for a night of revelry, celebrating before the typhoon's arrival.
The southern coastal regions experienced a dozen typhoons a year. Students always hoped for school cancellations. This time, their wish came true.
Nadia felt the same excitement, but she knew this was different. They didn't realize that after this, they would never have to return to school again.
Eating barbecue and drinking beer, she had mixed feelings as she continued to collect her orders.
Upon returning home, Nadia felt she had forgotten something important. Yet, she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
--------------------------
Chapter 1 Rebirth
"Ah..."
Nadia Jean's eyes snapped open as she sat up abruptly in bed. Beads of sweat were dripping down her forehead. Her gaze filled with confusion and despair.
Her muddled consciousness was startled by the scene before her. Is my apartment before the apocalypse?
Ding. Ding.
A series of text notifications pinged in quick succession. She reached for her phone on the bedside table. 'September 14, 2029. 9:32 a.m.' was displayed on her screen.
She scrolled through a dozen unread messages. All of them were warnings about a super typhoon named "Aeolus" that was expected to make landfall along the coast in the early hours of the 17th. The messages detailed a Category five storm and forecasts of torrential rain.
Nadia was bewildered. Hadn't I died? Didn't I perish in the cannibalistic darkness of the apocalypse?
Could it be my unresolved desires that trapped me in a nightmare on the brink of death?
Ding.
Another warning text arrived at 9:37 a.m.
Nadia pinched her arm hard. The sharp pain confirmed that this wasn't a dream. She was reborn—three days before the super typhoon.
No. To be precise, I only have two and a half days remaining.
Nadia felt no joy. Only an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that was weighing on her heart.
Typhoons, torrential rains, floods, extreme temperatures, and earthquakes. Each disaster is a living hell. What's the purpose of me being reborn?
But now that I'm back in this life, do I want to await the arrival of death? No, absolutely not!
She splashed her face with cold water and gazed in the mirror. The reflection showed a young, beautiful woman with clear skin. This was a woman untouched by the horrors of the apocalypse. Everything seems so perfect.
Her tired gaze fell on the jade pendant around her neck, something she had since she was abandoned at the hospital during birth. Wayne York once requested it as a gift for the popular girl in school—Maya Smith.
Three years into the apocalypse, Maya remained delicate and radiant. Her clothes were always spotless, and her skin was rosy white. It was as if she was still living in the era of abundance.
Nadia remembered a moment when hunger nearly overcame her. She caught a glimpse of Maya taking out an ice cream from the pendant and licking it gracefully.
This memory ignited an idea within Nadia. She reached for a blade and cut her finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the pendant.
The pendant emitted a brilliant glow. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in an apartment without a front door. Aside from running water and electricity, it was completely unfurnished. The two-bedroom, one-living room layout spanned about 80 square meters, with ceilings around three meters high. Adjacent to the living room was a 10-square-meter garden filled with dark soil.
'01:56:13'. A glowing timer was suspended in the living room's mid-air.
Is this the space that allowed Maya to live so exquisitely, or was it taken from me?
As she left the space, a vision of another house lingered in her mind. With a concentrated thought, she could sense everything within it.
Nadia decided to use boiling water to test the functionality of the space. She found out that the water maintained its freshness everywhere except the balcony and garden.
As she began to store items within the domain using her consciousness, the timer paused. But entering the domain caused it to resume its countdown automatically.
Time was running short, and she couldn’t afford to waste a moment pondering the mysteries.
Given this second chance and the power of the space at her fingertips, she had to seize the opportunity to turn her fate around.
She had spent her previous life keeping track of the upcoming natural disasters.
She was overwhelmed by the truth and answers.
Life is hard.
As she pushed aside any lingering emotions, she took out paper and pen to note down a list of supplies.
Nadia grew up in an orphanage. Despite its outwardly peaceful facade, the environment was filled with ruthless competition. This had shaped her into a self-serving individual.
From a young age, she felt an inherent lack of security. In elementary school, she scavenged for cardboard and trash to make ends meet. During middle school, she took on various part-time jobs such as tutoring, cleaning, and anything else that paid. If there was money to be made, she was in.
Besides, she excelled in her studies and was top-ranked in the entrance exams. Even as a second-year medical student, she balanced her coursework while tutoring five high school seniors, charging 200 per session.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of financial stability, Nadia dabbled with side hustles. Whether it be an insurance agent or an online media uploader, she was willing to work legally. Over the years, she managed to save up to 200,000 for her down payment.
But now, all my efforts are futile.
In the afternoon, she had classes in school. Her evenings were followed by tutoring sessions for her students. Yet, these were no longer necessary.
Nadia sent a WeChat message to the parents, informing them that she was hospitalized and unable to continue her tutoring. She urged them to find a replacement and requested that they settle the outstanding fees.
The parents were financially secure. That's why the tutoring fees were paid every half a month. Soon after, two of them responded with 500 as a condolence gift, adding up to a total of 6,000.
In this urgent situation, she made sure to remind the parents. 'A super typhoon is approaching. Please make sure to stock up on food and emergency supplies.'
Natural disasters were becoming a frequent occurrence. Nadia's list of medications stretched across three large pages. Most of the drugs were not only costly but difficult to find in local pharmacies as well.
She snapped a photo of the extensive list and sent it to Caleb Zink, a pharmaceutical salesman and a childhood friend. 'A wealthy new client needs these urgently. Have them delivered by tonight. Please offer me a discounted price.'
Caleb replied instantly, 'Got it.'
Within five minutes, Nadia received his call. "Nadia, this list is weird. Are you sure you're not joking?"
"The payment has been made. The client only has one requirement. They want to have the package by tonight."
Without hesitation, she hung up and transferred 50,000. Better to overpay than under-deliver.
Nadia felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of supplies she needed to gather. As she grabbed her keys and headed out, she caught sight of the limited-edition Air Jordan sneakers on the table. She couldn’t help but wish she could smash her head against a wall out of frustration.
She had always lived a practical life. Yet when it came to Wayne, it felt as if she were under a love spell.
To pursue him, she had made significant sacrifices. She moved out of her dorm to rent an expensive apartment in the school district. During the early hours, she even queued up at the specialty store to buy him the Air Jordan sneakers.
While she never spent more than 300 on her own shoes, she had no hesitation in spending over 8,000 on a limited-edition pair for him.
However, his response was lukewarm. He accepted the gift, only to ask for the pendant. When it came to her confession, he never gave a clear answer. Instead, Wayne had taken Maya out during the impending typhoon and consumed the emergency supplies she had carefully hoarded.
For three relentless years, Wayne never lifted a finger to help Nadia. Instead, he watched coldly as she was beaten and tormented by the monsters of the apocalypse.
If I had known this, I would have fed the Air Jordan sneakers to a dog. This time, I would like to see if Wayne and Maya could live luxuriously without my stockpiled supplies and space!
The super typhoon raged for half a month, followed by three consecutive months of torrential rain. The entire metropolis was submerged in water.
Her rented apartment on the 18th floor spared her from the floodwaters. But her life was far from easy.
…
Nadia left her apartment complex and headed to a nearby breakfast stall to have her first meal of the day.
Without delay, she made her way to a car rental agency and rented a box truck. Her first stop was the Air Jordan specialty store. The staff were surprised by her request to return the sneakers. After all, these were limited-edition new releases that were highly sought after by customers.
She received a refund of over eight thousand. With this money, she could stock up on daily necessities that could last for years. Who needs a man anyway?
She drove to a street lined with doors and window shops. She ordered the two sturdiest stainless steel doors available, each equipped with three-bar locks that were guaranteed to withstand even a sledgehammer. The total cost came to over 6,000 including the installation fee.
Nadia had measured the dimensions of her door before leaving home.
Initially, the store owner was concerned about the accuracy of her measurements, but upon hearing the name of her residential complex, he readily agreed. He had done plenty of business there and knew the specifications well. "If you're in a rush, we can have it ready by the day after tomorrow."
Across the street was a glass shop. Nadia chose the thickest shatterproof glass. It was priced at 600 per square meter. The installation was scheduled for the same morning.
I'll let them hammer and smash. In this life, no one is getting in with a knife to harm me.
Chapter 2 Gathering the Supplies
After paying the deposit, Nadia rushed to the largest outdoor supply store in the city.
Her list consisted of two inflatable boats, four rubber shafts, earthquake and fire emergency kits, tents, fire axes, climbing ropes, binoculars, radios, waterproof flashlights, and large-capacity solar chargers.
Survival gear couldn't be taken lightly. Everything had to be of top quality.
As the shop owner saw an esteemed customer walk in, he recommended various items enthusiastically. "We're having a sale today. We guarantee the quality will meet your expectations."
Nadia was uninterested. "Do you have anything that can withstand temperatures of below 60 or 70 degrees Celsius?"
The shop owner was taken aback. "This is the south. You can wear short sleeves in winter here."
"I'm heading to the Askington for a research expedition," Nadia replied.
As the shop owner noticed her earnestness, he contacted a colleague. "They have polar clothing and mummy sleeping bags. If you layer them, they can withstand the extreme temperatures. However, they're quite expensive and the stock is out of province."
His colleague ran a highly-rated online store. The owner assured Nadia that they could ship it immediately via express delivery and guaranteed the arrival by tomorrow afternoon.
Nadia decided to order two sets of each, spending over 6,000.
At the outdoor supply store, she spent another 12,000. A full cart with gear was loaded up. When no one was looking, she discreetly stored everything in her domain.
The assault boats required diesel, but diesel wasn't sold to individuals.
Thus, she went to an auto repair shop to buy an oil extractor and some barrels. She filled up her car at several nearby gas stations, then drove to an unsupervised area to transfer the fuel into the barrels with an oil extractor. After several trips, she managed to collect 500 liters of gasoline.
In the chaos of the apocalyptic world, bloodshed and violence ran rampant. Nadia made her way to a security supplies store. "Sir, I'm heading to Aglyae."
The shop owner immediately brought out his best goods. "The scenery over there is unique. You can't afford to skimp on safety."
He handed her three sets of stab-resistant and slash-resistant suits, along with two bulletproof vests. Without delay, Nadia loaded them into her car and headed to the largest wholesale clothing market in the suburbs.
There, she bought down jackets, military coats, cashmere sweaters, thermal underwear, scarves, gloves, socks, non-slip snow boots, lightweight sneakers, insulated shoes, and slippers.
She purchased everything she could think of that might be useful, prioritizing quality over brands.
Nadai was in a whirlwind of activity at the wholesale clothing market. She dropped 12,000 without a second thought. Her next stop was the neighboring daily essentials' wholesale market.
She ordered air-conditioning quilts, down comforters, and large cotton quilts that weighed eight to ten kilograms each. She made sure to get three of each and have all of it packed in vacuum bags.
Besides, she grabbed shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, sanitary pads, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, thermoses, lighters, and rubber hot water bottles. She stocked up on an incredible amount of 20,000 heat packs to survive in the extreme cold.
She discovered an online store that sold rare items, like vintage glass kerosene lamps and waterproof, windproof hurricane lamps. These are antiques from the 1960s and 70s. She bought five of each.
"Do you have kerosene?" she inquired.
The seller nodded. But he only had 100 liters in stock.
Nadia bought it all and requested extra lamp wicks, knowing that these lamps would outlast candles.
She also picked up alcohol stoves, alcohol blocks, and portable gas stoves. She added a few induction cookers to her cart when she remembered that there was electricity in her domain.
Next, she stocked up on insect repellents, disinfectants, portable water purification tablets, and Florida Water. She bought everything she could think of. In total, she had spent 20,000.
The fruit wholesale market was next door. Nadia filled her cart with apples, pears, watermelons, kiwis, bananas, cantaloupes, starfruits, summer grapes, and raisins. She purchased twenty different kinds of fruit which cost 6,000.
By the time she emerged from the market, the sky had darkened.
Several missed calls from Caleb appeared on her phone. His WeChat messages indicated that the package was ready.
Nadia drove to his company, where she found twenty large cardboard boxes filled with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, iodine, alcohol wipes, gauze, and even tetanus vaccines.
These lifesaving medicines had cost over 40,000, but they brought her a sense of relief.
Caleb transferred her a 2,000 commission. "Your order is all over the place. Many of them are not available, so I had to source them from my colleagues."
"I'll deliver the supplies first. Then I'll treat you to a feast in a few days," Nadia said as she sat in the driver's seat. "A super typhoon is coming. Make sure you stock up on fuel and food at home."
Caleb didn't take Nadia's warning to heart. This year alone, there have been dozens of typhoons. They always exaggerate how terrible it's going to be.
After stowing the medicines in her domain, she headed to the bustling food street near the university town. She ordered barbecue, beer, and fried rice noodles.
The area was packed with vibrant young students and couples who were completely unaware of the impending disaster.
While waiting for her barbecue, Nadia was drawn to the warm glow of the red-hot coals.
In the midst of her busy preparations, she had nearly forgotten something crucial.
She immediately asked the vendor for contacts to purchase charcoal, coal briquettes, and liquefied gas canisters.
She then made several calls, arranging for deliveries to be made on the next day.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't on her side. The stores were located in low-lying areas, and the authorities had ordered them to relocate their stock due to the impending storm. They were far too busy to fulfill her orders abruptly.
All three suppliers were situated in the same area. Thus, she abandoned her barbecue and drove over without hesitation.
Charcoal was cheap but it took up a lot of space. She checked her domain's capacity and decided to buy 500 pounds of smokeless, high-temperature charcoal, along with a charcoal stove and fire starters.
A single liquefied gas canister could last two months. To prepare for the possibility of losing power in her domain, she ordered ten canisters.
Honeycomb coal could last a long time. However, due to the nationwide electricity shortage and trade sanctions with Adrela, coal prices had skyrocketed.
By the time Nadia returned to her apartment, it was nearly 9 p.m. She took a moment to catch her breath before stepping into her domain to organize the chaotic array of supplies.
To maximize her domain's capacity, she stacked the liquefied gas canisters, coal briquettes, and charcoal in the kitchen.
She removed all unnecessary packaging from the supplies, compressed the fluffy items into vacuum bags, and stacked them layer by layer up to the ceiling.
She had spent over 120,000 throughout the day. The small room and kitchen were now packed to the brim, occupying an estimated 50 cubic meters.
Just as she was done organizing, she felt a forceful kick. The force sent her sprawling out of her domain.
Nadia was dazed and bewildered.
She attempted to re-enter her space, only to be met with an invisible barrier blocking her way.
What the heck? All the supplies have been swallowed by my domain!
Chapter 3 The Supplies Are In Void
Startled and shaken, Nadia used her consciousness to check on her domain.
My domain is there, and so are my supplies. She tried to retrieve an item with her mind. A coal briquette was materialized in her hand.
As she scanned the domain, she noticed that the timer had reset to zero.
Realization dawned on her. The domain had a two-hour usage limit. Two hours. Well, it's better than nothing!
After she took a shower, it was already past midnight.
When she checked her domain once more, she saw that the timer was reset, granting her another two hours. This was a relief to her.
Nadia lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. She decided to resort to melatonin to ease herself to sleep.
Yet, she was haunted by nightmares of being chased and attacked by a group of people wielding blood-stained knives.
She awoke in a cold sweat and a pounding heart.
It was 5 a.m. The sky was still dark. She entered her domain to check on her stockpiled supplies and found some peace in the sight of her careful preparations.
Unable to fall back asleep, she grabbed her car keys and headed to the largest agricultural wholesale market.
By the time she arrived, dawn was breaking. The market was bustling with the sounds of vehicles and the chatter of early-morning traders.
Nadia made her way to the vegetable section, where the fresh produce still glistened with morning dew.
She purchased winter melons, pumpkins, lotus roots, red and white radishes, eggplants, string beans, bitter gourds, celery, tomatoes, and more, each in 100-kilogram quantities. As for potatoes and sweet potatoes, she doubled the order to 200 kilograms.
She also bought 100 kilograms of ginger and garlic, knowing they could be both planted and used as seasoning. During the extreme cold weather, a bowl of ginger tea could be a lifesaver.
She inspected and selected her purchases methodically, ensuring she got everything she needed except for leafy greens. By the time she finished, she had spent around 4,000.
After she grabbed her breakfast, it was nearly 9 a.m. The once bustling wholesale market had quieted down significantly with fewer people around.
Nadia compared prices carefully and stocked up on staple foods. She bought 100 bags of rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, and 50 bags of flour of the same weight. Additionally, she purchased 500 kilograms of white noodles, egg noodles, rice noodles, and sweet potato noodles. For legumes and nuts, she bought 200 kilograms of soybeans, red beans, mung beans, black beans, and peanuts. She also secured 50 large barrels of soybean oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil.
The total cost came to just under 30,000. But after some bargaining, the shop owner threw in three extra bags of rice.
With these edibles, she could survive the next 30 years.
While the shop owner prepared her order, she walked over to the condiments section.
She ordered ten large 20-liter barrels of soy sauce, vinegar, and white liquor. She also bought 30 kilograms of star anise, fennel, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and peppers along with 300 kilograms of brown sugar, white sugar, and rock sugar. For salt, she ordered 3,000 kilograms.
In the apocalypse, food was crucial, but salt was even more vital. Without sufficient salt, the body couldn't function.
Nadia vividly remembered seeing someone trading a single package of salt for 30 kilograms of grain during the third year of the apocalypse.
Despite the substantial amount of salt, it didn't take up much space. She knew that when the resources became scarce, salt would be invaluable for bartering. If she had more space, she would have stored much more.
She drove to a secluded spot and stored her supplies in her domain before she headed to the frozen foods section.
She ordered ten large boxes each of steamed buns, flower rolls, red bean buns, custard buns, brown sugar buns, and shumai. Wary of the quality of meat-filled buns, she opted for 200 kilograms of frozen dumpling skins instead, knowing that they would help pass the time during floods.
Next, she visited the dried goods section for shiitake mushrooms, deer horn mushrooms, tea tree mushrooms, black fungus, kelp, seaweed, red dates, pickled vegetables, and various flavored sunflower seeds. Another 10,000 was spent.
In the meat section, she found a stall that supplied school cafeterias. The owner greeted her warmly, "What can I get for you today, Nadia?"
The oppressive heat before the typhoon had left the stall with little fresh meat, but the prices were reasonable.
She ordered 200 kilograms of pork belly, lean meat, ribs, beef, lamb, and rabbit, along with 100 chickens and ducks, 50 geese, and various pig and cow offals.
The owner was stunned. "Nadia, are you joking?"
Nadia had often referred customers to his wife, who worked at the slaughterhouse. This had earned her a discounted price. "Some relatives are hosting a banquet. Just looking for a good deal."
"Seeing how much you've helped me, do I need to say more? I won't make a profit on this deal. I'll give you a thirty percent discount on everything!"
Buying meat was a costly affair. Pork prices had just dropped recently, but beef and lamb remained expensive. That's why getting supplies from a familiar source was the most economical option.
The total came to nearly 30,000, but Nadia didn't haggle. Instead, she made an additional request for two cleavers and a butcher knife.
Having weapons for self-defense was essential. But she neither had the time nor the means to procure them properly, so she had to make do with what she could get at that moment.
The owner was taken aback. "What do you need these for?"
"Don't worry. I'm not planning to commit any crimes," she reassured him.
Considering both the profit and their relationship, the owner agreed without hesitation.
Nadia then headed to the fish stall, ordering 100 fish to be gutted but left whole. She planned to pick them up later once they were cleaned.
Next, she bought 3,000 chicken eggs and 1,000 duck eggs. Thinking the disaster might eventually end, she also purchased two trays of fertilized chicken, duck, goose, and quail eggs, along with a small household incubator.
With her domain's garden in mind, she visited a seedlings store. She selected vegetable seeds with short growth cycles, such as lettuce, bok choy, water spinach, and various other greens.
The seeds were inexpensive, costing only 500 for a supply that would last decades.
Although she only had 10 square meters of black soil, her two balconies could be put to good use. The gardening instinct in her was awakened, prompting her to buy planting pots, a hoe, a shovel, and some potting soil.
Fueled by hope for the future, she ran to the fruit tree section. She bought three various types of mature trees like apple, grape, tangerine, mandarin, and others. These older trees promised quicker yields.
She knew that as the disaster persisted, fresh meat would become a rare luxury. Eventually, even those in power would struggle to find resources.
Nadia decided to buy a pair of breeding rabbits. Rabbits could be sustained on vegetables and reproduced quickly, ensuring a steady supply of meat.
She loved braised dishes and cold appetizers, so she bought 200 kilograms of frozen chicken and duck feet, and 100 kilograms each of duck intestines, duck kidneys, and chicken hearts.
Spending money felt like pouring water, and it pained her deeply. However, seeing her supplies steadily accumulate in her space gave her a sense of satisfaction and security that was hard to describe.
She spent the entire day at the wholesale market. By the time she left, the streets were brightly lit and bustling with activity. Her day was just about to begin.
Nadia went to a restaurant and indulged in a hearty meal of braised ribs, steamed meatballs, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. She didn't forget to take the leftovers home.
When she arrived home, she spent hours organizing her domain. She filled up her large room completely. Vegetables and fruit tree saplings were placed in the living room, and the breeding rabbits were kept on the balcony.
She had thought things through, leaving the domain with ten minutes left on the timer.
As soon as she exited, the two breeding rabbits were ejected as well. They landed on the floor with a thud, nearly injured.
Nadia was speechless.
At first, she felt a wave of frustration, but it quickly turned into exhilaration.
It seems that the domain not only has a time limit, but other living creatures are not allowed to remain inside if I'm not in there. This means that no one could take my domain away from me.
In high spirits, she sat down to review her preparations, ensuring she had covered everything she could think of.
With around 20,000 left in her account, she realized that only the living room and the bathroom in the space remained unused. To survive extreme disasters, she needed to be strategic about her remaining purchases, avoiding items that took up too much space.
Opening her food delivery app, she ordered from highly-rated restaurants, indulging in dishes she had always wanted but previously couldn't justify. She ordered ten servings each of oil-braised prawns, Hakka salted chicken, stuffed tofu, Dongpo pork, and more than twenty other dishes.
She also got a variety of breakfast items and snacks. Fried dough sticks, steamed dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, hand-grabbed pancakes, beef patties, fried buns, skewers, braised dishes, roasted meats, milk tea, and dozens of other items.
Spending over 10,000, she arranged for everything to be picked up at specified times to ensure freshness.
Though exhausted, Nadia was determined to savor the city's final moments of prosperity.
She received a notice in the afternoon. The school would be closed for three days to prepare for the upcoming super typhoon. The exact date for resuming classes to be announced later.
The students cheered with joy, eagerly inviting friends out for a night of revelry, celebrating before the typhoon's arrival.
The southern coastal regions experienced a dozen typhoons a year. Students always hoped for school cancellations. This time, their wish came true.
Nadia felt the same excitement, but she knew this was different. They didn't realize that after this, they would never have to return to school again.
Eating barbecue and drinking beer, she had mixed feelings as she continued to collect her orders.
Upon returning home, Nadia felt she had forgotten something important. Yet, she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
00:05
Jan 18, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
😍💞I was reborn three days before the apocalypse. This time, armed with a survival guide for the end of the world and a strange storage space, I will change the tragic end of my previous life!💕🔥
--------------------------
Chapter 1 Rebirth
"Ah..."
Nadia Jean's eyes snapped open as she sat up abruptly in bed. Beads of sweat were dripping down her forehead. Her gaze filled with confusion and despair.
Her muddled consciousness was startled by the scene before her. Is my apartment before the apocalypse?
Ding. Ding.
A series of text notifications pinged in quick succession. She reached for her phone on the bedside table. 'September 14, 2029. 9:32 a.m.' was displayed on her screen.
She scrolled through a dozen unread messages. All of them were warnings about a super typhoon named "Aeolus" that was expected to make landfall along the coast in the early hours of the 17th. The messages detailed a Category five storm and forecasts of torrential rain.
Nadia was bewildered. Hadn't I died? Didn't I perish in the cannibalistic darkness of the apocalypse?
Could it be my unresolved desires that trapped me in a nightmare on the brink of death?
Ding.
Another warning text arrived at 9:37 a.m.
Nadia pinched her arm hard. The sharp pain confirmed that this wasn't a dream. She was reborn—three days before the super typhoon.
No. To be precise, I only have two and a half days remaining.
Nadia felt no joy. Only an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that was weighing on her heart.
Typhoons, torrential rains, floods, extreme temperatures, and earthquakes. Each disaster is a living hell. What's the purpose of me being reborn?
But now that I'm back in this life, do I want to await the arrival of death? No, absolutely not!
She splashed her face with cold water and gazed in the mirror. The reflection showed a young, beautiful woman with clear skin. This was a woman untouched by the horrors of the apocalypse. Everything seems so perfect.
Her tired gaze fell on the jade pendant around her neck, something she had since she was abandoned at the hospital during birth. Wayne York once requested it as a gift for the popular girl in school—Maya Smith.
Three years into the apocalypse, Maya remained delicate and radiant. Her clothes were always spotless, and her skin was rosy white. It was as if she was still living in the era of abundance.
Nadia remembered a moment when hunger nearly overcame her. She caught a glimpse of Maya taking out an ice cream from the pendant and licking it gracefully.
This memory ignited an idea within Nadia. She reached for a blade and cut her finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the pendant.
The pendant emitted a brilliant glow. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in an apartment without a front door. Aside from running water and electricity, it was completely unfurnished. The two-bedroom, one-living room layout spanned about 80 square meters, with ceilings around three meters high. Adjacent to the living room was a 10-square-meter garden filled with dark soil.
'01:56:13'. A glowing timer was suspended in the living room's mid-air.
Is this the space that allowed Maya to live so exquisitely, or was it taken from me?
As she left the space, a vision of another house lingered in her mind. With a concentrated thought, she could sense everything within it.
Nadia decided to use boiling water to test the functionality of the space. She found out that the water maintained its freshness everywhere except the balcony and garden.
As she began to store items within the domain using her consciousness, the timer paused. But entering the domain caused it to resume its countdown automatically.
Time was running short, and she couldn’t afford to waste a moment pondering the mysteries.
Given this second chance and the power of the space at her fingertips, she had to seize the opportunity to turn her fate around.
She had spent her previous life keeping track of the upcoming natural disasters.
She was overwhelmed by the truth and answers.
Life is hard.
As she pushed aside any lingering emotions, she took out paper and pen to note down a list of supplies.
Nadia grew up in an orphanage. Despite its outwardly peaceful facade, the environment was filled with ruthless competition. This had shaped her into a self-serving individual.
From a young age, she felt an inherent lack of security. In elementary school, she scavenged for cardboard and trash to make ends meet. During middle school, she took on various part-time jobs such as tutoring, cleaning, and anything else that paid. If there was money to be made, she was in.
Besides, she excelled in her studies and was top-ranked in the entrance exams. Even as a second-year medical student, she balanced her coursework while tutoring five high school seniors, charging 200 per session.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of financial stability, Nadia dabbled with side hustles. Whether it be an insurance agent or an online media uploader, she was willing to work legally. Over the years, she managed to save up to 200,000 for her down payment.
But now, all my efforts are futile.
In the afternoon, she had classes in school. Her evenings were followed by tutoring sessions for her students. Yet, these were no longer necessary.
Nadia sent a WeChat message to the parents, informing them that she was hospitalized and unable to continue her tutoring. She urged them to find a replacement and requested that they settle the outstanding fees.
The parents were financially secure. That's why the tutoring fees were paid every half a month. Soon after, two of them responded with 500 as a condolence gift, adding up to a total of 6,000.
In this urgent situation, she made sure to remind the parents. 'A super typhoon is approaching. Please make sure to stock up on food and emergency supplies.'
Natural disasters were becoming a frequent occurrence. Nadia's list of medications stretched across three large pages. Most of the drugs were not only costly but difficult to find in local pharmacies as well.
She snapped a photo of the extensive list and sent it to Caleb Zink, a pharmaceutical salesman and a childhood friend. 'A wealthy new client needs these urgently. Have them delivered by tonight. Please offer me a discounted price.'
Caleb replied instantly, 'Got it.'
Within five minutes, Nadia received his call. "Nadia, this list is weird. Are you sure you're not joking?"
"The payment has been made. The client only has one requirement. They want to have the package by tonight."
Without hesitation, she hung up and transferred 50,000. Better to overpay than under-deliver.
Nadia felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of supplies she needed to gather. As she grabbed her keys and headed out, she caught sight of the limited-edition Air Jordan sneakers on the table. She couldn’t help but wish she could smash her head against a wall out of frustration.
She had always lived a practical life. Yet when it came to Wayne, it felt as if she were under a love spell.
To pursue him, she had made significant sacrifices. She moved out of her dorm to rent an expensive apartment in the school district. During the early hours, she even queued up at the specialty store to buy him the Air Jordan sneakers.
While she never spent more than 300 on her own shoes, she had no hesitation in spending over 8,000 on a limited-edition pair for him.
However, his response was lukewarm. He accepted the gift, only to ask for the pendant. When it came to her confession, he never gave a clear answer. Instead, Wayne had taken Maya out during the impending typhoon and consumed the emergency supplies she had carefully hoarded.
For three relentless years, Wayne never lifted a finger to help Nadia. Instead, he watched coldly as she was beaten and tormented by the monsters of the apocalypse.
If I had known this, I would have fed the Air Jordan sneakers to a dog. This time, I would like to see if Wayne and Maya could live luxuriously without my stockpiled supplies and space!
The super typhoon raged for half a month, followed by three consecutive months of torrential rain. The entire metropolis was submerged in water.
Her rented apartment on the 18th floor spared her from the floodwaters. But her life was far from easy.
…
Nadia left her apartment complex and headed to a nearby breakfast stall to have her first meal of the day.
Without delay, she made her way to a car rental agency and rented a box truck. Her first stop was the Air Jordan specialty store. The staff were surprised by her request to return the sneakers. After all, these were limited-edition new releases that were highly sought after by customers.
She received a refund of over eight thousand. With this money, she could stock up on daily necessities that could last for years. Who needs a man anyway?
She drove to a street lined with doors and window shops. She ordered the two sturdiest stainless steel doors available, each equipped with three-bar locks that were guaranteed to withstand even a sledgehammer. The total cost came to over 6,000 including the installation fee.
Nadia had measured the dimensions of her door before leaving home.
Initially, the store owner was concerned about the accuracy of her measurements, but upon hearing the name of her residential complex, he readily agreed. He had done plenty of business there and knew the specifications well. "If you're in a rush, we can have it ready by the day after tomorrow."
Across the street was a glass shop. Nadia chose the thickest shatterproof glass. It was priced at 600 per square meter. The installation was scheduled for the same morning.
I'll let them hammer and smash. In this life, no one is getting in with a knife to harm me.
Chapter 2 Gathering the Supplies
After paying the deposit, Nadia rushed to the largest outdoor supply store in the city.
Her list consisted of two inflatable boats, four rubber shafts, earthquake and fire emergency kits, tents, fire axes, climbing ropes, binoculars, radios, waterproof flashlights, and large-capacity solar chargers.
Survival gear couldn't be taken lightly. Everything had to be of top quality.
As the shop owner saw an esteemed customer walk in, he recommended various items enthusiastically. "We're having a sale today. We guarantee the quality will meet your expectations."
Nadia was uninterested. "Do you have anything that can withstand temperatures of below 60 or 70 degrees Celsius?"
The shop owner was taken aback. "This is the south. You can wear short sleeves in winter here."
"I'm heading to the Askington for a research expedition," Nadia replied.
As the shop owner noticed her earnestness, he contacted a colleague. "They have polar clothing and mummy sleeping bags. If you layer them, they can withstand the extreme temperatures. However, they're quite expensive and the stock is out of province."
His colleague ran a highly-rated online store. The owner assured Nadia that they could ship it immediately via express delivery and guaranteed the arrival by tomorrow afternoon.
Nadia decided to order two sets of each, spending over 6,000.
At the outdoor supply store, she spent another 12,000. A full cart with gear was loaded up. When no one was looking, she discreetly stored everything in her domain.
The assault boats required diesel, but diesel wasn't sold to individuals.
Thus, she went to an auto repair shop to buy an oil extractor and some barrels. She filled up her car at several nearby gas stations, then drove to an unsupervised area to transfer the fuel into the barrels with an oil extractor. After several trips, she managed to collect 500 liters of gasoline.
In the chaos of the apocalyptic world, bloodshed and violence ran rampant. Nadia made her way to a security supplies store. "Sir, I'm heading to Aglyae."
The shop owner immediately brought out his best goods. "The scenery over there is unique. You can't afford to skimp on safety."
He handed her three sets of stab-resistant and slash-resistant suits, along with two bulletproof vests. Without delay, Nadia loaded them into her car and headed to the largest wholesale clothing market in the suburbs.
There, she bought down jackets, military coats, cashmere sweaters, thermal underwear, scarves, gloves, socks, non-slip snow boots, lightweight sneakers, insulated shoes, and slippers.
She purchased everything she could think of that might be useful, prioritizing quality over brands.
Nadai was in a whirlwind of activity at the wholesale clothing market. She dropped 12,000 without a second thought. Her next stop was the neighboring daily essentials' wholesale market.
She ordered air-conditioning quilts, down comforters, and large cotton quilts that weighed eight to ten kilograms each. She made sure to get three of each and have all of it packed in vacuum bags.
Besides, she grabbed shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, sanitary pads, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, thermoses, lighters, and rubber hot water bottles. She stocked up on an incredible amount of 20,000 heat packs to survive in the extreme cold.
She discovered an online store that sold rare items, like vintage glass kerosene lamps and waterproof, windproof hurricane lamps. These are antiques from the 1960s and 70s. She bought five of each.
"Do you have kerosene?" she inquired.
The seller nodded. But he only had 100 liters in stock.
Nadia bought it all and requested extra lamp wicks, knowing that these lamps would outlast candles.
She also picked up alcohol stoves, alcohol blocks, and portable gas stoves. She added a few induction cookers to her cart when she remembered that there was electricity in her domain.
Next, she stocked up on insect repellents, disinfectants, portable water purification tablets, and Florida Water. She bought everything she could think of. In total, she had spent 20,000.
The fruit wholesale market was next door. Nadia filled her cart with apples, pears, watermelons, kiwis, bananas, cantaloupes, starfruits, summer grapes, and raisins. She purchased twenty different kinds of fruit which cost 6,000.
By the time she emerged from the market, the sky had darkened.
Several missed calls from Caleb appeared on her phone. His WeChat messages indicated that the package was ready.
Nadia drove to his company, where she found twenty large cardboard boxes filled with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, iodine, alcohol wipes, gauze, and even tetanus vaccines.
These lifesaving medicines had cost over 40,000, but they brought her a sense of relief.
Caleb transferred her a 2,000 commission. "Your order is all over the place. Many of them are not available, so I had to source them from my colleagues."
"I'll deliver the supplies first. Then I'll treat you to a feast in a few days," Nadia said as she sat in the driver's seat. "A super typhoon is coming. Make sure you stock up on fuel and food at home."
Caleb didn't take Nadia's warning to heart. This year alone, there have been dozens of typhoons. They always exaggerate how terrible it's going to be.
After stowing the medicines in her domain, she headed to the bustling food street near the university town. She ordered barbecue, beer, and fried rice noodles.
The area was packed with vibrant young students and couples who were completely unaware of the impending disaster.
While waiting for her barbecue, Nadia was drawn to the warm glow of the red-hot coals.
In the midst of her busy preparations, she had nearly forgotten something crucial.
She immediately asked the vendor for contacts to purchase charcoal, coal briquettes, and liquefied gas canisters.
She then made several calls, arranging for deliveries to be made on the next day.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't on her side. The stores were located in low-lying areas, and the authorities had ordered them to relocate their stock due to the impending storm. They were far too busy to fulfill her orders abruptly.
All three suppliers were situated in the same area. Thus, she abandoned her barbecue and drove over without hesitation.
Charcoal was cheap but it took up a lot of space. She checked her domain's capacity and decided to buy 500 pounds of smokeless, high-temperature charcoal, along with a charcoal stove and fire starters.
A single liquefied gas canister could last two months. To prepare for the possibility of losing power in her domain, she ordered ten canisters.
Honeycomb coal could last a long time. However, due to the nationwide electricity shortage and trade sanctions with Adrela, coal prices had skyrocketed.
By the time Nadia returned to her apartment, it was nearly 9 p.m. She took a moment to catch her breath before stepping into her domain to organize the chaotic array of supplies.
To maximize her domain's capacity, she stacked the liquefied gas canisters, coal briquettes, and charcoal in the kitchen.
She removed all unnecessary packaging from the supplies, compressed the fluffy items into vacuum bags, and stacked them layer by layer up to the ceiling.
She had spent over 120,000 throughout the day. The small room and kitchen were now packed to the brim, occupying an estimated 50 cubic meters.
Just as she was done organizing, she felt a forceful kick. The force sent her sprawling out of her domain.
Nadia was dazed and bewildered.
She attempted to re-enter her space, only to be met with an invisible barrier blocking her way.
What the heck? All the supplies have been swallowed by my domain!
Chapter 3 The Supplies Are In Void
Startled and shaken, Nadia used her consciousness to check on her domain.
My domain is there, and so are my supplies. She tried to retrieve an item with her mind. A coal briquette was materialized in her hand.
As she scanned the domain, she noticed that the timer had reset to zero.
Realization dawned on her. The domain had a two-hour usage limit. Two hours. Well, it's better than nothing!
After she took a shower, it was already past midnight.
When she checked her domain once more, she saw that the timer was reset, granting her another two hours. This was a relief to her.
Nadia lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. She decided to resort to melatonin to ease herself to sleep.
Yet, she was haunted by nightmares of being chased and attacked by a group of people wielding blood-stained knives.
She awoke in a cold sweat and a pounding heart.
It was 5 a.m. The sky was still dark. She entered her domain to check on her stockpiled supplies and found some peace in the sight of her careful preparations.
Unable to fall back asleep, she grabbed her car keys and headed to the largest agricultural wholesale market.
By the time she arrived, dawn was breaking. The market was bustling with the sounds of vehicles and the chatter of early-morning traders.
Nadia made her way to the vegetable section, where the fresh produce still glistened with morning dew.
She purchased winter melons, pumpkins, lotus roots, red and white radishes, eggplants, string beans, bitter gourds, celery, tomatoes, and more, each in 100-kilogram quantities. As for potatoes and sweet potatoes, she doubled the order to 200 kilograms.
She also bought 100 kilograms of ginger and garlic, knowing they could be both planted and used as seasoning. During the extreme cold weather, a bowl of ginger tea could be a lifesaver.
She inspected and selected her purchases methodically, ensuring she got everything she needed except for leafy greens. By the time she finished, she had spent around 4,000.
After she grabbed her breakfast, it was nearly 9 a.m. The once bustling wholesale market had quieted down significantly with fewer people around.
Nadia compared prices carefully and stocked up on staple foods. She bought 100 bags of rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, and 50 bags of flour of the same weight. Additionally, she purchased 500 kilograms of white noodles, egg noodles, rice noodles, and sweet potato noodles. For legumes and nuts, she bought 200 kilograms of soybeans, red beans, mung beans, black beans, and peanuts. She also secured 50 large barrels of soybean oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil.
The total cost came to just under 30,000. But after some bargaining, the shop owner threw in three extra bags of rice.
With these edibles, she could survive the next 30 years.
While the shop owner prepared her order, she walked over to the condiments section.
She ordered ten large 20-liter barrels of soy sauce, vinegar, and white liquor. She also bought 30 kilograms of star anise, fennel, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and peppers along with 300 kilograms of brown sugar, white sugar, and rock sugar. For salt, she ordered 3,000 kilograms.
In the apocalypse, food was crucial, but salt was even more vital. Without sufficient salt, the body couldn't function.
Nadia vividly remembered seeing someone trading a single package of salt for 30 kilograms of grain during the third year of the apocalypse.
Despite the substantial amount of salt, it didn't take up much space. She knew that when the resources became scarce, salt would be invaluable for bartering. If she had more space, she would have stored much more.
She drove to a secluded spot and stored her supplies in her domain before she headed to the frozen foods section.
She ordered ten large boxes each of steamed buns, flower rolls, red bean buns, custard buns, brown sugar buns, and shumai. Wary of the quality of meat-filled buns, she opted for 200 kilograms of frozen dumpling skins instead, knowing that they would help pass the time during floods.
Next, she visited the dried goods section for shiitake mushrooms, deer horn mushrooms, tea tree mushrooms, black fungus, kelp, seaweed, red dates, pickled vegetables, and various flavored sunflower seeds. Another 10,000 was spent.
In the meat section, she found a stall that supplied school cafeterias. The owner greeted her warmly, "What can I get for you today, Nadia?"
The oppressive heat before the typhoon had left the stall with little fresh meat, but the prices were reasonable.
She ordered 200 kilograms of pork belly, lean meat, ribs, beef, lamb, and rabbit, along with 100 chickens and ducks, 50 geese, and various pig and cow offals.
The owner was stunned. "Nadia, are you joking?"
Nadia had often referred customers to his wife, who worked at the slaughterhouse. This had earned her a discounted price. "Some relatives are hosting a banquet. Just looking for a good deal."
"Seeing how much you've helped me, do I need to say more? I won't make a profit on this deal. I'll give you a thirty percent discount on everything!"
Buying meat was a costly affair. Pork prices had just dropped recently, but beef and lamb remained expensive. That's why getting supplies from a familiar source was the most economical option.
The total came to nearly 30,000, but Nadia didn't haggle. Instead, she made an additional request for two cleavers and a butcher knife.
Having weapons for self-defense was essential. But she neither had the time nor the means to procure them properly, so she had to make do with what she could get at that moment.
The owner was taken aback. "What do you need these for?"
"Don't worry. I'm not planning to commit any crimes," she reassured him.
Considering both the profit and their relationship, the owner agreed without hesitation.
Nadia then headed to the fish stall, ordering 100 fish to be gutted but left whole. She planned to pick them up later once they were cleaned.
Next, she bought 3,000 chicken eggs and 1,000 duck eggs. Thinking the disaster might eventually end, she also purchased two trays of fertilized chicken, duck, goose, and quail eggs, along with a small household incubator.
With her domain's garden in mind, she visited a seedlings store. She selected vegetable seeds with short growth cycles, such as lettuce, bok choy, water spinach, and various other greens.
The seeds were inexpensive, costing only 500 for a supply that would last decades.
Although she only had 10 square meters of black soil, her two balconies could be put to good use. The gardening instinct in her was awakened, prompting her to buy planting pots, a hoe, a shovel, and some potting soil.
Fueled by hope for the future, she ran to the fruit tree section. She bought three various types of mature trees like apple, grape, tangerine, mandarin, and others. These older trees promised quicker yields.
She knew that as the disaster persisted, fresh meat would become a rare luxury. Eventually, even those in power would struggle to find resources.
Nadia decided to buy a pair of breeding rabbits. Rabbits could be sustained on vegetables and reproduced quickly, ensuring a steady supply of meat.
She loved braised dishes and cold appetizers, so she bought 200 kilograms of frozen chicken and duck feet, and 100 kilograms each of duck intestines, duck kidneys, and chicken hearts.
Spending money felt like pouring water, and it pained her deeply. However, seeing her supplies steadily accumulate in her space gave her a sense of satisfaction and security that was hard to describe.
She spent the entire day at the wholesale market. By the time she left, the streets were brightly lit and bustling with activity. Her day was just about to begin.
Nadia went to a restaurant and indulged in a hearty meal of braised ribs, steamed meatballs, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. She didn't forget to take the leftovers home.
When she arrived home, she spent hours organizing her domain. She filled up her large room completely. Vegetables and fruit tree saplings were placed in the living room, and the breeding rabbits were kept on the balcony.
She had thought things through, leaving the domain with ten minutes left on the timer.
As soon as she exited, the two breeding rabbits were ejected as well. They landed on the floor with a thud, nearly injured.
Nadia was speechless.
At first, she felt a wave of frustration, but it quickly turned into exhilaration.
It seems that the domain not only has a time limit, but other living creatures are not allowed to remain inside if I'm not in there. This means that no one could take my domain away from me.
In high spirits, she sat down to review her preparations, ensuring she had covered everything she could think of.
With around 20,000 left in her account, she realized that only the living room and the bathroom in the space remained unused. To survive extreme disasters, she needed to be strategic about her remaining purchases, avoiding items that took up too much space.
Opening her food delivery app, she ordered from highly-rated restaurants, indulging in dishes she had always wanted but previously couldn't justify. She ordered ten servings each of oil-braised prawns, Hakka salted chicken, stuffed tofu, Dongpo pork, and more than twenty other dishes.
She also got a variety of breakfast items and snacks. Fried dough sticks, steamed dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, hand-grabbed pancakes, beef patties, fried buns, skewers, braised dishes, roasted meats, milk tea, and dozens of other items.
Spending over 10,000, she arranged for everything to be picked up at specified times to ensure freshness.
Though exhausted, Nadia was determined to savor the city's final moments of prosperity.
She received a notice in the afternoon. The school would be closed for three days to prepare for the upcoming super typhoon. The exact date for resuming classes to be announced later.
The students cheered with joy, eagerly inviting friends out for a night of revelry, celebrating before the typhoon's arrival.
The southern coastal regions experienced a dozen typhoons a year. Students always hoped for school cancellations. This time, their wish came true.
Nadia felt the same excitement, but she knew this was different. They didn't realize that after this, they would never have to return to school again.
Eating barbecue and drinking beer, she had mixed feelings as she continued to collect her orders.
Upon returning home, Nadia felt she had forgotten something important. Yet, she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
--------------------------
Chapter 1 Rebirth
"Ah..."
Nadia Jean's eyes snapped open as she sat up abruptly in bed. Beads of sweat were dripping down her forehead. Her gaze filled with confusion and despair.
Her muddled consciousness was startled by the scene before her. Is my apartment before the apocalypse?
Ding. Ding.
A series of text notifications pinged in quick succession. She reached for her phone on the bedside table. 'September 14, 2029. 9:32 a.m.' was displayed on her screen.
She scrolled through a dozen unread messages. All of them were warnings about a super typhoon named "Aeolus" that was expected to make landfall along the coast in the early hours of the 17th. The messages detailed a Category five storm and forecasts of torrential rain.
Nadia was bewildered. Hadn't I died? Didn't I perish in the cannibalistic darkness of the apocalypse?
Could it be my unresolved desires that trapped me in a nightmare on the brink of death?
Ding.
Another warning text arrived at 9:37 a.m.
Nadia pinched her arm hard. The sharp pain confirmed that this wasn't a dream. She was reborn—three days before the super typhoon.
No. To be precise, I only have two and a half days remaining.
Nadia felt no joy. Only an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that was weighing on her heart.
Typhoons, torrential rains, floods, extreme temperatures, and earthquakes. Each disaster is a living hell. What's the purpose of me being reborn?
But now that I'm back in this life, do I want to await the arrival of death? No, absolutely not!
She splashed her face with cold water and gazed in the mirror. The reflection showed a young, beautiful woman with clear skin. This was a woman untouched by the horrors of the apocalypse. Everything seems so perfect.
Her tired gaze fell on the jade pendant around her neck, something she had since she was abandoned at the hospital during birth. Wayne York once requested it as a gift for the popular girl in school—Maya Smith.
Three years into the apocalypse, Maya remained delicate and radiant. Her clothes were always spotless, and her skin was rosy white. It was as if she was still living in the era of abundance.
Nadia remembered a moment when hunger nearly overcame her. She caught a glimpse of Maya taking out an ice cream from the pendant and licking it gracefully.
This memory ignited an idea within Nadia. She reached for a blade and cut her finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the pendant.
The pendant emitted a brilliant glow. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in an apartment without a front door. Aside from running water and electricity, it was completely unfurnished. The two-bedroom, one-living room layout spanned about 80 square meters, with ceilings around three meters high. Adjacent to the living room was a 10-square-meter garden filled with dark soil.
'01:56:13'. A glowing timer was suspended in the living room's mid-air.
Is this the space that allowed Maya to live so exquisitely, or was it taken from me?
As she left the space, a vision of another house lingered in her mind. With a concentrated thought, she could sense everything within it.
Nadia decided to use boiling water to test the functionality of the space. She found out that the water maintained its freshness everywhere except the balcony and garden.
As she began to store items within the domain using her consciousness, the timer paused. But entering the domain caused it to resume its countdown automatically.
Time was running short, and she couldn’t afford to waste a moment pondering the mysteries.
Given this second chance and the power of the space at her fingertips, she had to seize the opportunity to turn her fate around.
She had spent her previous life keeping track of the upcoming natural disasters.
She was overwhelmed by the truth and answers.
Life is hard.
As she pushed aside any lingering emotions, she took out paper and pen to note down a list of supplies.
Nadia grew up in an orphanage. Despite its outwardly peaceful facade, the environment was filled with ruthless competition. This had shaped her into a self-serving individual.
From a young age, she felt an inherent lack of security. In elementary school, she scavenged for cardboard and trash to make ends meet. During middle school, she took on various part-time jobs such as tutoring, cleaning, and anything else that paid. If there was money to be made, she was in.
Besides, she excelled in her studies and was top-ranked in the entrance exams. Even as a second-year medical student, she balanced her coursework while tutoring five high school seniors, charging 200 per session.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of financial stability, Nadia dabbled with side hustles. Whether it be an insurance agent or an online media uploader, she was willing to work legally. Over the years, she managed to save up to 200,000 for her down payment.
But now, all my efforts are futile.
In the afternoon, she had classes in school. Her evenings were followed by tutoring sessions for her students. Yet, these were no longer necessary.
Nadia sent a WeChat message to the parents, informing them that she was hospitalized and unable to continue her tutoring. She urged them to find a replacement and requested that they settle the outstanding fees.
The parents were financially secure. That's why the tutoring fees were paid every half a month. Soon after, two of them responded with 500 as a condolence gift, adding up to a total of 6,000.
In this urgent situation, she made sure to remind the parents. 'A super typhoon is approaching. Please make sure to stock up on food and emergency supplies.'
Natural disasters were becoming a frequent occurrence. Nadia's list of medications stretched across three large pages. Most of the drugs were not only costly but difficult to find in local pharmacies as well.
She snapped a photo of the extensive list and sent it to Caleb Zink, a pharmaceutical salesman and a childhood friend. 'A wealthy new client needs these urgently. Have them delivered by tonight. Please offer me a discounted price.'
Caleb replied instantly, 'Got it.'
Within five minutes, Nadia received his call. "Nadia, this list is weird. Are you sure you're not joking?"
"The payment has been made. The client only has one requirement. They want to have the package by tonight."
Without hesitation, she hung up and transferred 50,000. Better to overpay than under-deliver.
Nadia felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of supplies she needed to gather. As she grabbed her keys and headed out, she caught sight of the limited-edition Air Jordan sneakers on the table. She couldn’t help but wish she could smash her head against a wall out of frustration.
She had always lived a practical life. Yet when it came to Wayne, it felt as if she were under a love spell.
To pursue him, she had made significant sacrifices. She moved out of her dorm to rent an expensive apartment in the school district. During the early hours, she even queued up at the specialty store to buy him the Air Jordan sneakers.
While she never spent more than 300 on her own shoes, she had no hesitation in spending over 8,000 on a limited-edition pair for him.
However, his response was lukewarm. He accepted the gift, only to ask for the pendant. When it came to her confession, he never gave a clear answer. Instead, Wayne had taken Maya out during the impending typhoon and consumed the emergency supplies she had carefully hoarded.
For three relentless years, Wayne never lifted a finger to help Nadia. Instead, he watched coldly as she was beaten and tormented by the monsters of the apocalypse.
If I had known this, I would have fed the Air Jordan sneakers to a dog. This time, I would like to see if Wayne and Maya could live luxuriously without my stockpiled supplies and space!
The super typhoon raged for half a month, followed by three consecutive months of torrential rain. The entire metropolis was submerged in water.
Her rented apartment on the 18th floor spared her from the floodwaters. But her life was far from easy.
…
Nadia left her apartment complex and headed to a nearby breakfast stall to have her first meal of the day.
Without delay, she made her way to a car rental agency and rented a box truck. Her first stop was the Air Jordan specialty store. The staff were surprised by her request to return the sneakers. After all, these were limited-edition new releases that were highly sought after by customers.
She received a refund of over eight thousand. With this money, she could stock up on daily necessities that could last for years. Who needs a man anyway?
She drove to a street lined with doors and window shops. She ordered the two sturdiest stainless steel doors available, each equipped with three-bar locks that were guaranteed to withstand even a sledgehammer. The total cost came to over 6,000 including the installation fee.
Nadia had measured the dimensions of her door before leaving home.
Initially, the store owner was concerned about the accuracy of her measurements, but upon hearing the name of her residential complex, he readily agreed. He had done plenty of business there and knew the specifications well. "If you're in a rush, we can have it ready by the day after tomorrow."
Across the street was a glass shop. Nadia chose the thickest shatterproof glass. It was priced at 600 per square meter. The installation was scheduled for the same morning.
I'll let them hammer and smash. In this life, no one is getting in with a knife to harm me.
Chapter 2 Gathering the Supplies
After paying the deposit, Nadia rushed to the largest outdoor supply store in the city.
Her list consisted of two inflatable boats, four rubber shafts, earthquake and fire emergency kits, tents, fire axes, climbing ropes, binoculars, radios, waterproof flashlights, and large-capacity solar chargers.
Survival gear couldn't be taken lightly. Everything had to be of top quality.
As the shop owner saw an esteemed customer walk in, he recommended various items enthusiastically. "We're having a sale today. We guarantee the quality will meet your expectations."
Nadia was uninterested. "Do you have anything that can withstand temperatures of below 60 or 70 degrees Celsius?"
The shop owner was taken aback. "This is the south. You can wear short sleeves in winter here."
"I'm heading to the Askington for a research expedition," Nadia replied.
As the shop owner noticed her earnestness, he contacted a colleague. "They have polar clothing and mummy sleeping bags. If you layer them, they can withstand the extreme temperatures. However, they're quite expensive and the stock is out of province."
His colleague ran a highly-rated online store. The owner assured Nadia that they could ship it immediately via express delivery and guaranteed the arrival by tomorrow afternoon.
Nadia decided to order two sets of each, spending over 6,000.
At the outdoor supply store, she spent another 12,000. A full cart with gear was loaded up. When no one was looking, she discreetly stored everything in her domain.
The assault boats required diesel, but diesel wasn't sold to individuals.
Thus, she went to an auto repair shop to buy an oil extractor and some barrels. She filled up her car at several nearby gas stations, then drove to an unsupervised area to transfer the fuel into the barrels with an oil extractor. After several trips, she managed to collect 500 liters of gasoline.
In the chaos of the apocalyptic world, bloodshed and violence ran rampant. Nadia made her way to a security supplies store. "Sir, I'm heading to Aglyae."
The shop owner immediately brought out his best goods. "The scenery over there is unique. You can't afford to skimp on safety."
He handed her three sets of stab-resistant and slash-resistant suits, along with two bulletproof vests. Without delay, Nadia loaded them into her car and headed to the largest wholesale clothing market in the suburbs.
There, she bought down jackets, military coats, cashmere sweaters, thermal underwear, scarves, gloves, socks, non-slip snow boots, lightweight sneakers, insulated shoes, and slippers.
She purchased everything she could think of that might be useful, prioritizing quality over brands.
Nadai was in a whirlwind of activity at the wholesale clothing market. She dropped 12,000 without a second thought. Her next stop was the neighboring daily essentials' wholesale market.
She ordered air-conditioning quilts, down comforters, and large cotton quilts that weighed eight to ten kilograms each. She made sure to get three of each and have all of it packed in vacuum bags.
Besides, she grabbed shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, sanitary pads, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, thermoses, lighters, and rubber hot water bottles. She stocked up on an incredible amount of 20,000 heat packs to survive in the extreme cold.
She discovered an online store that sold rare items, like vintage glass kerosene lamps and waterproof, windproof hurricane lamps. These are antiques from the 1960s and 70s. She bought five of each.
"Do you have kerosene?" she inquired.
The seller nodded. But he only had 100 liters in stock.
Nadia bought it all and requested extra lamp wicks, knowing that these lamps would outlast candles.
She also picked up alcohol stoves, alcohol blocks, and portable gas stoves. She added a few induction cookers to her cart when she remembered that there was electricity in her domain.
Next, she stocked up on insect repellents, disinfectants, portable water purification tablets, and Florida Water. She bought everything she could think of. In total, she had spent 20,000.
The fruit wholesale market was next door. Nadia filled her cart with apples, pears, watermelons, kiwis, bananas, cantaloupes, starfruits, summer grapes, and raisins. She purchased twenty different kinds of fruit which cost 6,000.
By the time she emerged from the market, the sky had darkened.
Several missed calls from Caleb appeared on her phone. His WeChat messages indicated that the package was ready.
Nadia drove to his company, where she found twenty large cardboard boxes filled with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, iodine, alcohol wipes, gauze, and even tetanus vaccines.
These lifesaving medicines had cost over 40,000, but they brought her a sense of relief.
Caleb transferred her a 2,000 commission. "Your order is all over the place. Many of them are not available, so I had to source them from my colleagues."
"I'll deliver the supplies first. Then I'll treat you to a feast in a few days," Nadia said as she sat in the driver's seat. "A super typhoon is coming. Make sure you stock up on fuel and food at home."
Caleb didn't take Nadia's warning to heart. This year alone, there have been dozens of typhoons. They always exaggerate how terrible it's going to be.
After stowing the medicines in her domain, she headed to the bustling food street near the university town. She ordered barbecue, beer, and fried rice noodles.
The area was packed with vibrant young students and couples who were completely unaware of the impending disaster.
While waiting for her barbecue, Nadia was drawn to the warm glow of the red-hot coals.
In the midst of her busy preparations, she had nearly forgotten something crucial.
She immediately asked the vendor for contacts to purchase charcoal, coal briquettes, and liquefied gas canisters.
She then made several calls, arranging for deliveries to be made on the next day.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't on her side. The stores were located in low-lying areas, and the authorities had ordered them to relocate their stock due to the impending storm. They were far too busy to fulfill her orders abruptly.
All three suppliers were situated in the same area. Thus, she abandoned her barbecue and drove over without hesitation.
Charcoal was cheap but it took up a lot of space. She checked her domain's capacity and decided to buy 500 pounds of smokeless, high-temperature charcoal, along with a charcoal stove and fire starters.
A single liquefied gas canister could last two months. To prepare for the possibility of losing power in her domain, she ordered ten canisters.
Honeycomb coal could last a long time. However, due to the nationwide electricity shortage and trade sanctions with Adrela, coal prices had skyrocketed.
By the time Nadia returned to her apartment, it was nearly 9 p.m. She took a moment to catch her breath before stepping into her domain to organize the chaotic array of supplies.
To maximize her domain's capacity, she stacked the liquefied gas canisters, coal briquettes, and charcoal in the kitchen.
She removed all unnecessary packaging from the supplies, compressed the fluffy items into vacuum bags, and stacked them layer by layer up to the ceiling.
She had spent over 120,000 throughout the day. The small room and kitchen were now packed to the brim, occupying an estimated 50 cubic meters.
Just as she was done organizing, she felt a forceful kick. The force sent her sprawling out of her domain.
Nadia was dazed and bewildered.
She attempted to re-enter her space, only to be met with an invisible barrier blocking her way.
What the heck? All the supplies have been swallowed by my domain!
Chapter 3 The Supplies Are In Void
Startled and shaken, Nadia used her consciousness to check on her domain.
My domain is there, and so are my supplies. She tried to retrieve an item with her mind. A coal briquette was materialized in her hand.
As she scanned the domain, she noticed that the timer had reset to zero.
Realization dawned on her. The domain had a two-hour usage limit. Two hours. Well, it's better than nothing!
After she took a shower, it was already past midnight.
When she checked her domain once more, she saw that the timer was reset, granting her another two hours. This was a relief to her.
Nadia lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. She decided to resort to melatonin to ease herself to sleep.
Yet, she was haunted by nightmares of being chased and attacked by a group of people wielding blood-stained knives.
She awoke in a cold sweat and a pounding heart.
It was 5 a.m. The sky was still dark. She entered her domain to check on her stockpiled supplies and found some peace in the sight of her careful preparations.
Unable to fall back asleep, she grabbed her car keys and headed to the largest agricultural wholesale market.
By the time she arrived, dawn was breaking. The market was bustling with the sounds of vehicles and the chatter of early-morning traders.
Nadia made her way to the vegetable section, where the fresh produce still glistened with morning dew.
She purchased winter melons, pumpkins, lotus roots, red and white radishes, eggplants, string beans, bitter gourds, celery, tomatoes, and more, each in 100-kilogram quantities. As for potatoes and sweet potatoes, she doubled the order to 200 kilograms.
She also bought 100 kilograms of ginger and garlic, knowing they could be both planted and used as seasoning. During the extreme cold weather, a bowl of ginger tea could be a lifesaver.
She inspected and selected her purchases methodically, ensuring she got everything she needed except for leafy greens. By the time she finished, she had spent around 4,000.
After she grabbed her breakfast, it was nearly 9 a.m. The once bustling wholesale market had quieted down significantly with fewer people around.
Nadia compared prices carefully and stocked up on staple foods. She bought 100 bags of rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, and 50 bags of flour of the same weight. Additionally, she purchased 500 kilograms of white noodles, egg noodles, rice noodles, and sweet potato noodles. For legumes and nuts, she bought 200 kilograms of soybeans, red beans, mung beans, black beans, and peanuts. She also secured 50 large barrels of soybean oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil.
The total cost came to just under 30,000. But after some bargaining, the shop owner threw in three extra bags of rice.
With these edibles, she could survive the next 30 years.
While the shop owner prepared her order, she walked over to the condiments section.
She ordered ten large 20-liter barrels of soy sauce, vinegar, and white liquor. She also bought 30 kilograms of star anise, fennel, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and peppers along with 300 kilograms of brown sugar, white sugar, and rock sugar. For salt, she ordered 3,000 kilograms.
In the apocalypse, food was crucial, but salt was even more vital. Without sufficient salt, the body couldn't function.
Nadia vividly remembered seeing someone trading a single package of salt for 30 kilograms of grain during the third year of the apocalypse.
Despite the substantial amount of salt, it didn't take up much space. She knew that when the resources became scarce, salt would be invaluable for bartering. If she had more space, she would have stored much more.
She drove to a secluded spot and stored her supplies in her domain before she headed to the frozen foods section.
She ordered ten large boxes each of steamed buns, flower rolls, red bean buns, custard buns, brown sugar buns, and shumai. Wary of the quality of meat-filled buns, she opted for 200 kilograms of frozen dumpling skins instead, knowing that they would help pass the time during floods.
Next, she visited the dried goods section for shiitake mushrooms, deer horn mushrooms, tea tree mushrooms, black fungus, kelp, seaweed, red dates, pickled vegetables, and various flavored sunflower seeds. Another 10,000 was spent.
In the meat section, she found a stall that supplied school cafeterias. The owner greeted her warmly, "What can I get for you today, Nadia?"
The oppressive heat before the typhoon had left the stall with little fresh meat, but the prices were reasonable.
She ordered 200 kilograms of pork belly, lean meat, ribs, beef, lamb, and rabbit, along with 100 chickens and ducks, 50 geese, and various pig and cow offals.
The owner was stunned. "Nadia, are you joking?"
Nadia had often referred customers to his wife, who worked at the slaughterhouse. This had earned her a discounted price. "Some relatives are hosting a banquet. Just looking for a good deal."
"Seeing how much you've helped me, do I need to say more? I won't make a profit on this deal. I'll give you a thirty percent discount on everything!"
Buying meat was a costly affair. Pork prices had just dropped recently, but beef and lamb remained expensive. That's why getting supplies from a familiar source was the most economical option.
The total came to nearly 30,000, but Nadia didn't haggle. Instead, she made an additional request for two cleavers and a butcher knife.
Having weapons for self-defense was essential. But she neither had the time nor the means to procure them properly, so she had to make do with what she could get at that moment.
The owner was taken aback. "What do you need these for?"
"Don't worry. I'm not planning to commit any crimes," she reassured him.
Considering both the profit and their relationship, the owner agreed without hesitation.
Nadia then headed to the fish stall, ordering 100 fish to be gutted but left whole. She planned to pick them up later once they were cleaned.
Next, she bought 3,000 chicken eggs and 1,000 duck eggs. Thinking the disaster might eventually end, she also purchased two trays of fertilized chicken, duck, goose, and quail eggs, along with a small household incubator.
With her domain's garden in mind, she visited a seedlings store. She selected vegetable seeds with short growth cycles, such as lettuce, bok choy, water spinach, and various other greens.
The seeds were inexpensive, costing only 500 for a supply that would last decades.
Although she only had 10 square meters of black soil, her two balconies could be put to good use. The gardening instinct in her was awakened, prompting her to buy planting pots, a hoe, a shovel, and some potting soil.
Fueled by hope for the future, she ran to the fruit tree section. She bought three various types of mature trees like apple, grape, tangerine, mandarin, and others. These older trees promised quicker yields.
She knew that as the disaster persisted, fresh meat would become a rare luxury. Eventually, even those in power would struggle to find resources.
Nadia decided to buy a pair of breeding rabbits. Rabbits could be sustained on vegetables and reproduced quickly, ensuring a steady supply of meat.
She loved braised dishes and cold appetizers, so she bought 200 kilograms of frozen chicken and duck feet, and 100 kilograms each of duck intestines, duck kidneys, and chicken hearts.
Spending money felt like pouring water, and it pained her deeply. However, seeing her supplies steadily accumulate in her space gave her a sense of satisfaction and security that was hard to describe.
She spent the entire day at the wholesale market. By the time she left, the streets were brightly lit and bustling with activity. Her day was just about to begin.
Nadia went to a restaurant and indulged in a hearty meal of braised ribs, steamed meatballs, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. She didn't forget to take the leftovers home.
When she arrived home, she spent hours organizing her domain. She filled up her large room completely. Vegetables and fruit tree saplings were placed in the living room, and the breeding rabbits were kept on the balcony.
She had thought things through, leaving the domain with ten minutes left on the timer.
As soon as she exited, the two breeding rabbits were ejected as well. They landed on the floor with a thud, nearly injured.
Nadia was speechless.
At first, she felt a wave of frustration, but it quickly turned into exhilaration.
It seems that the domain not only has a time limit, but other living creatures are not allowed to remain inside if I'm not in there. This means that no one could take my domain away from me.
In high spirits, she sat down to review her preparations, ensuring she had covered everything she could think of.
With around 20,000 left in her account, she realized that only the living room and the bathroom in the space remained unused. To survive extreme disasters, she needed to be strategic about her remaining purchases, avoiding items that took up too much space.
Opening her food delivery app, she ordered from highly-rated restaurants, indulging in dishes she had always wanted but previously couldn't justify. She ordered ten servings each of oil-braised prawns, Hakka salted chicken, stuffed tofu, Dongpo pork, and more than twenty other dishes.
She also got a variety of breakfast items and snacks. Fried dough sticks, steamed dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, hand-grabbed pancakes, beef patties, fried buns, skewers, braised dishes, roasted meats, milk tea, and dozens of other items.
Spending over 10,000, she arranged for everything to be picked up at specified times to ensure freshness.
Though exhausted, Nadia was determined to savor the city's final moments of prosperity.
She received a notice in the afternoon. The school would be closed for three days to prepare for the upcoming super typhoon. The exact date for resuming classes to be announced later.
The students cheered with joy, eagerly inviting friends out for a night of revelry, celebrating before the typhoon's arrival.
The southern coastal regions experienced a dozen typhoons a year. Students always hoped for school cancellations. This time, their wish came true.
Nadia felt the same excitement, but she knew this was different. They didn't realize that after this, they would never have to return to school again.
Eating barbecue and drinking beer, she had mixed feelings as she continued to collect her orders.
Upon returning home, Nadia felt she had forgotten something important. Yet, she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
00:09
Jan 18, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
😍💞I was reborn three days before the apocalypse. This time, armed with a survival guide for the end of the world and a strange storage space, I will change the tragic end of my previous life!💕🔥
--------------------------
Chapter 1 Rebirth
"Ah..."
Nadia Jean's eyes snapped open as she sat up abruptly in bed. Beads of sweat were dripping down her forehead. Her gaze filled with confusion and despair.
Her muddled consciousness was startled by the scene before her. Is my apartment before the apocalypse?
Ding. Ding.
A series of text notifications pinged in quick succession. She reached for her phone on the bedside table. 'September 14, 2029. 9:32 a.m.' was displayed on her screen.
She scrolled through a dozen unread messages. All of them were warnings about a super typhoon named "Aeolus" that was expected to make landfall along the coast in the early hours of the 17th. The messages detailed a Category five storm and forecasts of torrential rain.
Nadia was bewildered. Hadn't I died? Didn't I perish in the cannibalistic darkness of the apocalypse?
Could it be my unresolved desires that trapped me in a nightmare on the brink of death?
Ding.
Another warning text arrived at 9:37 a.m.
Nadia pinched her arm hard. The sharp pain confirmed that this wasn't a dream. She was reborn—three days before the super typhoon.
No. To be precise, I only have two and a half days remaining.
Nadia felt no joy. Only an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that was weighing on her heart.
Typhoons, torrential rains, floods, extreme temperatures, and earthquakes. Each disaster is a living hell. What's the purpose of me being reborn?
But now that I'm back in this life, do I want to await the arrival of death? No, absolutely not!
She splashed her face with cold water and gazed in the mirror. The reflection showed a young, beautiful woman with clear skin. This was a woman untouched by the horrors of the apocalypse. Everything seems so perfect.
Her tired gaze fell on the jade pendant around her neck, something she had since she was abandoned at the hospital during birth. Wayne York once requested it as a gift for the popular girl in school—Maya Smith.
Three years into the apocalypse, Maya remained delicate and radiant. Her clothes were always spotless, and her skin was rosy white. It was as if she was still living in the era of abundance.
Nadia remembered a moment when hunger nearly overcame her. She caught a glimpse of Maya taking out an ice cream from the pendant and licking it gracefully.
This memory ignited an idea within Nadia. She reached for a blade and cut her finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the pendant.
The pendant emitted a brilliant glow. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in an apartment without a front door. Aside from running water and electricity, it was completely unfurnished. The two-bedroom, one-living room layout spanned about 80 square meters, with ceilings around three meters high. Adjacent to the living room was a 10-square-meter garden filled with dark soil.
'01:56:13'. A glowing timer was suspended in the living room's mid-air.
Is this the space that allowed Maya to live so exquisitely, or was it taken from me?
As she left the space, a vision of another house lingered in her mind. With a concentrated thought, she could sense everything within it.
Nadia decided to use boiling water to test the functionality of the space. She found out that the water maintained its freshness everywhere except the balcony and garden.
As she began to store items within the domain using her consciousness, the timer paused. But entering the domain caused it to resume its countdown automatically.
Time was running short, and she couldn’t afford to waste a moment pondering the mysteries.
Given this second chance and the power of the space at her fingertips, she had to seize the opportunity to turn her fate around.
She had spent her previous life keeping track of the upcoming natural disasters.
She was overwhelmed by the truth and answers.
Life is hard.
As she pushed aside any lingering emotions, she took out paper and pen to note down a list of supplies.
Nadia grew up in an orphanage. Despite its outwardly peaceful facade, the environment was filled with ruthless competition. This had shaped her into a self-serving individual.
From a young age, she felt an inherent lack of security. In elementary school, she scavenged for cardboard and trash to make ends meet. During middle school, she took on various part-time jobs such as tutoring, cleaning, and anything else that paid. If there was money to be made, she was in.
Besides, she excelled in her studies and was top-ranked in the entrance exams. Even as a second-year medical student, she balanced her coursework while tutoring five high school seniors, charging 200 per session.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of financial stability, Nadia dabbled with side hustles. Whether it be an insurance agent or an online media uploader, she was willing to work legally. Over the years, she managed to save up to 200,000 for her down payment.
But now, all my efforts are futile.
In the afternoon, she had classes in school. Her evenings were followed by tutoring sessions for her students. Yet, these were no longer necessary.
Nadia sent a WeChat message to the parents, informing them that she was hospitalized and unable to continue her tutoring. She urged them to find a replacement and requested that they settle the outstanding fees.
The parents were financially secure. That's why the tutoring fees were paid every half a month. Soon after, two of them responded with 500 as a condolence gift, adding up to a total of 6,000.
In this urgent situation, she made sure to remind the parents. 'A super typhoon is approaching. Please make sure to stock up on food and emergency supplies.'
Natural disasters were becoming a frequent occurrence. Nadia's list of medications stretched across three large pages. Most of the drugs were not only costly but difficult to find in local pharmacies as well.
She snapped a photo of the extensive list and sent it to Caleb Zink, a pharmaceutical salesman and a childhood friend. 'A wealthy new client needs these urgently. Have them delivered by tonight. Please offer me a discounted price.'
Caleb replied instantly, 'Got it.'
Within five minutes, Nadia received his call. "Nadia, this list is weird. Are you sure you're not joking?"
"The payment has been made. The client only has one requirement. They want to have the package by tonight."
Without hesitation, she hung up and transferred 50,000. Better to overpay than under-deliver.
Nadia felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of supplies she needed to gather. As she grabbed her keys and headed out, she caught sight of the limited-edition Air Jordan sneakers on the table. She couldn’t help but wish she could smash her head against a wall out of frustration.
She had always lived a practical life. Yet when it came to Wayne, it felt as if she were under a love spell.
To pursue him, she had made significant sacrifices. She moved out of her dorm to rent an expensive apartment in the school district. During the early hours, she even queued up at the specialty store to buy him the Air Jordan sneakers.
While she never spent more than 300 on her own shoes, she had no hesitation in spending over 8,000 on a limited-edition pair for him.
However, his response was lukewarm. He accepted the gift, only to ask for the pendant. When it came to her confession, he never gave a clear answer. Instead, Wayne had taken Maya out during the impending typhoon and consumed the emergency supplies she had carefully hoarded.
For three relentless years, Wayne never lifted a finger to help Nadia. Instead, he watched coldly as she was beaten and tormented by the monsters of the apocalypse.
If I had known this, I would have fed the Air Jordan sneakers to a dog. This time, I would like to see if Wayne and Maya could live luxuriously without my stockpiled supplies and space!
The super typhoon raged for half a month, followed by three consecutive months of torrential rain. The entire metropolis was submerged in water.
Her rented apartment on the 18th floor spared her from the floodwaters. But her life was far from easy.
…
Nadia left her apartment complex and headed to a nearby breakfast stall to have her first meal of the day.
Without delay, she made her way to a car rental agency and rented a box truck. Her first stop was the Air Jordan specialty store. The staff were surprised by her request to return the sneakers. After all, these were limited-edition new releases that were highly sought after by customers.
She received a refund of over eight thousand. With this money, she could stock up on daily necessities that could last for years. Who needs a man anyway?
She drove to a street lined with doors and window shops. She ordered the two sturdiest stainless steel doors available, each equipped with three-bar locks that were guaranteed to withstand even a sledgehammer. The total cost came to over 6,000 including the installation fee.
Nadia had measured the dimensions of her door before leaving home.
Initially, the store owner was concerned about the accuracy of her measurements, but upon hearing the name of her residential complex, he readily agreed. He had done plenty of business there and knew the specifications well. "If you're in a rush, we can have it ready by the day after tomorrow."
Across the street was a glass shop. Nadia chose the thickest shatterproof glass. It was priced at 600 per square meter. The installation was scheduled for the same morning.
I'll let them hammer and smash. In this life, no one is getting in with a knife to harm me.
Chapter 2 Gathering the Supplies
After paying the deposit, Nadia rushed to the largest outdoor supply store in the city.
Her list consisted of two inflatable boats, four rubber shafts, earthquake and fire emergency kits, tents, fire axes, climbing ropes, binoculars, radios, waterproof flashlights, and large-capacity solar chargers.
Survival gear couldn't be taken lightly. Everything had to be of top quality.
As the shop owner saw an esteemed customer walk in, he recommended various items enthusiastically. "We're having a sale today. We guarantee the quality will meet your expectations."
Nadia was uninterested. "Do you have anything that can withstand temperatures of below 60 or 70 degrees Celsius?"
The shop owner was taken aback. "This is the south. You can wear short sleeves in winter here."
"I'm heading to the Askington for a research expedition," Nadia replied.
As the shop owner noticed her earnestness, he contacted a colleague. "They have polar clothing and mummy sleeping bags. If you layer them, they can withstand the extreme temperatures. However, they're quite expensive and the stock is out of province."
His colleague ran a highly-rated online store. The owner assured Nadia that they could ship it immediately via express delivery and guaranteed the arrival by tomorrow afternoon.
Nadia decided to order two sets of each, spending over 6,000.
At the outdoor supply store, she spent another 12,000. A full cart with gear was loaded up. When no one was looking, she discreetly stored everything in her domain.
The assault boats required diesel, but diesel wasn't sold to individuals.
Thus, she went to an auto repair shop to buy an oil extractor and some barrels. She filled up her car at several nearby gas stations, then drove to an unsupervised area to transfer the fuel into the barrels with an oil extractor. After several trips, she managed to collect 500 liters of gasoline.
In the chaos of the apocalyptic world, bloodshed and violence ran rampant. Nadia made her way to a security supplies store. "Sir, I'm heading to Aglyae."
The shop owner immediately brought out his best goods. "The scenery over there is unique. You can't afford to skimp on safety."
He handed her three sets of stab-resistant and slash-resistant suits, along with two bulletproof vests. Without delay, Nadia loaded them into her car and headed to the largest wholesale clothing market in the suburbs.
There, she bought down jackets, military coats, cashmere sweaters, thermal underwear, scarves, gloves, socks, non-slip snow boots, lightweight sneakers, insulated shoes, and slippers.
She purchased everything she could think of that might be useful, prioritizing quality over brands.
Nadai was in a whirlwind of activity at the wholesale clothing market. She dropped 12,000 without a second thought. Her next stop was the neighboring daily essentials' wholesale market.
She ordered air-conditioning quilts, down comforters, and large cotton quilts that weighed eight to ten kilograms each. She made sure to get three of each and have all of it packed in vacuum bags.
Besides, she grabbed shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, sanitary pads, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, thermoses, lighters, and rubber hot water bottles. She stocked up on an incredible amount of 20,000 heat packs to survive in the extreme cold.
She discovered an online store that sold rare items, like vintage glass kerosene lamps and waterproof, windproof hurricane lamps. These are antiques from the 1960s and 70s. She bought five of each.
"Do you have kerosene?" she inquired.
The seller nodded. But he only had 100 liters in stock.
Nadia bought it all and requested extra lamp wicks, knowing that these lamps would outlast candles.
She also picked up alcohol stoves, alcohol blocks, and portable gas stoves. She added a few induction cookers to her cart when she remembered that there was electricity in her domain.
Next, she stocked up on insect repellents, disinfectants, portable water purification tablets, and Florida Water. She bought everything she could think of. In total, she had spent 20,000.
The fruit wholesale market was next door. Nadia filled her cart with apples, pears, watermelons, kiwis, bananas, cantaloupes, starfruits, summer grapes, and raisins. She purchased twenty different kinds of fruit which cost 6,000.
By the time she emerged from the market, the sky had darkened.
Several missed calls from Caleb appeared on her phone. His WeChat messages indicated that the package was ready.
Nadia drove to his company, where she found twenty large cardboard boxes filled with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, iodine, alcohol wipes, gauze, and even tetanus vaccines.
These lifesaving medicines had cost over 40,000, but they brought her a sense of relief.
Caleb transferred her a 2,000 commission. "Your order is all over the place. Many of them are not available, so I had to source them from my colleagues."
"I'll deliver the supplies first. Then I'll treat you to a feast in a few days," Nadia said as she sat in the driver's seat. "A super typhoon is coming. Make sure you stock up on fuel and food at home."
Caleb didn't take Nadia's warning to heart. This year alone, there have been dozens of typhoons. They always exaggerate how terrible it's going to be.
After stowing the medicines in her domain, she headed to the bustling food street near the university town. She ordered barbecue, beer, and fried rice noodles.
The area was packed with vibrant young students and couples who were completely unaware of the impending disaster.
While waiting for her barbecue, Nadia was drawn to the warm glow of the red-hot coals.
In the midst of her busy preparations, she had nearly forgotten something crucial.
She immediately asked the vendor for contacts to purchase charcoal, coal briquettes, and liquefied gas canisters.
She then made several calls, arranging for deliveries to be made on the next day.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't on her side. The stores were located in low-lying areas, and the authorities had ordered them to relocate their stock due to the impending storm. They were far too busy to fulfill her orders abruptly.
All three suppliers were situated in the same area. Thus, she abandoned her barbecue and drove over without hesitation.
Charcoal was cheap but it took up a lot of space. She checked her domain's capacity and decided to buy 500 pounds of smokeless, high-temperature charcoal, along with a charcoal stove and fire starters.
A single liquefied gas canister could last two months. To prepare for the possibility of losing power in her domain, she ordered ten canisters.
Honeycomb coal could last a long time. However, due to the nationwide electricity shortage and trade sanctions with Adrela, coal prices had skyrocketed.
By the time Nadia returned to her apartment, it was nearly 9 p.m. She took a moment to catch her breath before stepping into her domain to organize the chaotic array of supplies.
To maximize her domain's capacity, she stacked the liquefied gas canisters, coal briquettes, and charcoal in the kitchen.
She removed all unnecessary packaging from the supplies, compressed the fluffy items into vacuum bags, and stacked them layer by layer up to the ceiling.
She had spent over 120,000 throughout the day. The small room and kitchen were now packed to the brim, occupying an estimated 50 cubic meters.
Just as she was done organizing, she felt a forceful kick. The force sent her sprawling out of her domain.
Nadia was dazed and bewildered.
She attempted to re-enter her space, only to be met with an invisible barrier blocking her way.
What the heck? All the supplies have been swallowed by my domain!
Chapter 3 The Supplies Are In Void
Startled and shaken, Nadia used her consciousness to check on her domain.
My domain is there, and so are my supplies. She tried to retrieve an item with her mind. A coal briquette was materialized in her hand.
As she scanned the domain, she noticed that the timer had reset to zero.
Realization dawned on her. The domain had a two-hour usage limit. Two hours. Well, it's better than nothing!
After she took a shower, it was already past midnight.
When she checked her domain once more, she saw that the timer was reset, granting her another two hours. This was a relief to her.
Nadia lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. She decided to resort to melatonin to ease herself to sleep.
Yet, she was haunted by nightmares of being chased and attacked by a group of people wielding blood-stained knives.
She awoke in a cold sweat and a pounding heart.
It was 5 a.m. The sky was still dark. She entered her domain to check on her stockpiled supplies and found some peace in the sight of her careful preparations.
Unable to fall back asleep, she grabbed her car keys and headed to the largest agricultural wholesale market.
By the time she arrived, dawn was breaking. The market was bustling with the sounds of vehicles and the chatter of early-morning traders.
Nadia made her way to the vegetable section, where the fresh produce still glistened with morning dew.
She purchased winter melons, pumpkins, lotus roots, red and white radishes, eggplants, string beans, bitter gourds, celery, tomatoes, and more, each in 100-kilogram quantities. As for potatoes and sweet potatoes, she doubled the order to 200 kilograms.
She also bought 100 kilograms of ginger and garlic, knowing they could be both planted and used as seasoning. During the extreme cold weather, a bowl of ginger tea could be a lifesaver.
She inspected and selected her purchases methodically, ensuring she got everything she needed except for leafy greens. By the time she finished, she had spent around 4,000.
After she grabbed her breakfast, it was nearly 9 a.m. The once bustling wholesale market had quieted down significantly with fewer people around.
Nadia compared prices carefully and stocked up on staple foods. She bought 100 bags of rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, and 50 bags of flour of the same weight. Additionally, she purchased 500 kilograms of white noodles, egg noodles, rice noodles, and sweet potato noodles. For legumes and nuts, she bought 200 kilograms of soybeans, red beans, mung beans, black beans, and peanuts. She also secured 50 large barrels of soybean oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil.
The total cost came to just under 30,000. But after some bargaining, the shop owner threw in three extra bags of rice.
With these edibles, she could survive the next 30 years.
While the shop owner prepared her order, she walked over to the condiments section.
She ordered ten large 20-liter barrels of soy sauce, vinegar, and white liquor. She also bought 30 kilograms of star anise, fennel, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and peppers along with 300 kilograms of brown sugar, white sugar, and rock sugar. For salt, she ordered 3,000 kilograms.
In the apocalypse, food was crucial, but salt was even more vital. Without sufficient salt, the body couldn't function.
Nadia vividly remembered seeing someone trading a single package of salt for 30 kilograms of grain during the third year of the apocalypse.
Despite the substantial amount of salt, it didn't take up much space. She knew that when the resources became scarce, salt would be invaluable for bartering. If she had more space, she would have stored much more.
She drove to a secluded spot and stored her supplies in her domain before she headed to the frozen foods section.
She ordered ten large boxes each of steamed buns, flower rolls, red bean buns, custard buns, brown sugar buns, and shumai. Wary of the quality of meat-filled buns, she opted for 200 kilograms of frozen dumpling skins instead, knowing that they would help pass the time during floods.
Next, she visited the dried goods section for shiitake mushrooms, deer horn mushrooms, tea tree mushrooms, black fungus, kelp, seaweed, red dates, pickled vegetables, and various flavored sunflower seeds. Another 10,000 was spent.
In the meat section, she found a stall that supplied school cafeterias. The owner greeted her warmly, "What can I get for you today, Nadia?"
The oppressive heat before the typhoon had left the stall with little fresh meat, but the prices were reasonable.
She ordered 200 kilograms of pork belly, lean meat, ribs, beef, lamb, and rabbit, along with 100 chickens and ducks, 50 geese, and various pig and cow offals.
The owner was stunned. "Nadia, are you joking?"
Nadia had often referred customers to his wife, who worked at the slaughterhouse. This had earned her a discounted price. "Some relatives are hosting a banquet. Just looking for a good deal."
"Seeing how much you've helped me, do I need to say more? I won't make a profit on this deal. I'll give you a thirty percent discount on everything!"
Buying meat was a costly affair. Pork prices had just dropped recently, but beef and lamb remained expensive. That's why getting supplies from a familiar source was the most economical option.
The total came to nearly 30,000, but Nadia didn't haggle. Instead, she made an additional request for two cleavers and a butcher knife.
Having weapons for self-defense was essential. But she neither had the time nor the means to procure them properly, so she had to make do with what she could get at that moment.
The owner was taken aback. "What do you need these for?"
"Don't worry. I'm not planning to commit any crimes," she reassured him.
Considering both the profit and their relationship, the owner agreed without hesitation.
Nadia then headed to the fish stall, ordering 100 fish to be gutted but left whole. She planned to pick them up later once they were cleaned.
Next, she bought 3,000 chicken eggs and 1,000 duck eggs. Thinking the disaster might eventually end, she also purchased two trays of fertilized chicken, duck, goose, and quail eggs, along with a small household incubator.
With her domain's garden in mind, she visited a seedlings store. She selected vegetable seeds with short growth cycles, such as lettuce, bok choy, water spinach, and various other greens.
The seeds were inexpensive, costing only 500 for a supply that would last decades.
Although she only had 10 square meters of black soil, her two balconies could be put to good use. The gardening instinct in her was awakened, prompting her to buy planting pots, a hoe, a shovel, and some potting soil.
Fueled by hope for the future, she ran to the fruit tree section. She bought three various types of mature trees like apple, grape, tangerine, mandarin, and others. These older trees promised quicker yields.
She knew that as the disaster persisted, fresh meat would become a rare luxury. Eventually, even those in power would struggle to find resources.
Nadia decided to buy a pair of breeding rabbits. Rabbits could be sustained on vegetables and reproduced quickly, ensuring a steady supply of meat.
She loved braised dishes and cold appetizers, so she bought 200 kilograms of frozen chicken and duck feet, and 100 kilograms each of duck intestines, duck kidneys, and chicken hearts.
Spending money felt like pouring water, and it pained her deeply. However, seeing her supplies steadily accumulate in her space gave her a sense of satisfaction and security that was hard to describe.
She spent the entire day at the wholesale market. By the time she left, the streets were brightly lit and bustling with activity. Her day was just about to begin.
Nadia went to a restaurant and indulged in a hearty meal of braised ribs, steamed meatballs, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. She didn't forget to take the leftovers home.
When she arrived home, she spent hours organizing her domain. She filled up her large room completely. Vegetables and fruit tree saplings were placed in the living room, and the breeding rabbits were kept on the balcony.
She had thought things through, leaving the domain with ten minutes left on the timer.
As soon as she exited, the two breeding rabbits were ejected as well. They landed on the floor with a thud, nearly injured.
Nadia was speechless.
At first, she felt a wave of frustration, but it quickly turned into exhilaration.
It seems that the domain not only has a time limit, but other living creatures are not allowed to remain inside if I'm not in there. This means that no one could take my domain away from me.
In high spirits, she sat down to review her preparations, ensuring she had covered everything she could think of.
With around 20,000 left in her account, she realized that only the living room and the bathroom in the space remained unused. To survive extreme disasters, she needed to be strategic about her remaining purchases, avoiding items that took up too much space.
Opening her food delivery app, she ordered from highly-rated restaurants, indulging in dishes she had always wanted but previously couldn't justify. She ordered ten servings each of oil-braised prawns, Hakka salted chicken, stuffed tofu, Dongpo pork, and more than twenty other dishes.
She also got a variety of breakfast items and snacks. Fried dough sticks, steamed dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, hand-grabbed pancakes, beef patties, fried buns, skewers, braised dishes, roasted meats, milk tea, and dozens of other items.
Spending over 10,000, she arranged for everything to be picked up at specified times to ensure freshness.
Though exhausted, Nadia was determined to savor the city's final moments of prosperity.
She received a notice in the afternoon. The school would be closed for three days to prepare for the upcoming super typhoon. The exact date for resuming classes to be announced later.
The students cheered with joy, eagerly inviting friends out for a night of revelry, celebrating before the typhoon's arrival.
The southern coastal regions experienced a dozen typhoons a year. Students always hoped for school cancellations. This time, their wish came true.
Nadia felt the same excitement, but she knew this was different. They didn't realize that after this, they would never have to return to school again.
Eating barbecue and drinking beer, she had mixed feelings as she continued to collect her orders.
Upon returning home, Nadia felt she had forgotten something important. Yet, she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
--------------------------
Chapter 1 Rebirth
"Ah..."
Nadia Jean's eyes snapped open as she sat up abruptly in bed. Beads of sweat were dripping down her forehead. Her gaze filled with confusion and despair.
Her muddled consciousness was startled by the scene before her. Is my apartment before the apocalypse?
Ding. Ding.
A series of text notifications pinged in quick succession. She reached for her phone on the bedside table. 'September 14, 2029. 9:32 a.m.' was displayed on her screen.
She scrolled through a dozen unread messages. All of them were warnings about a super typhoon named "Aeolus" that was expected to make landfall along the coast in the early hours of the 17th. The messages detailed a Category five storm and forecasts of torrential rain.
Nadia was bewildered. Hadn't I died? Didn't I perish in the cannibalistic darkness of the apocalypse?
Could it be my unresolved desires that trapped me in a nightmare on the brink of death?
Ding.
Another warning text arrived at 9:37 a.m.
Nadia pinched her arm hard. The sharp pain confirmed that this wasn't a dream. She was reborn—three days before the super typhoon.
No. To be precise, I only have two and a half days remaining.
Nadia felt no joy. Only an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that was weighing on her heart.
Typhoons, torrential rains, floods, extreme temperatures, and earthquakes. Each disaster is a living hell. What's the purpose of me being reborn?
But now that I'm back in this life, do I want to await the arrival of death? No, absolutely not!
She splashed her face with cold water and gazed in the mirror. The reflection showed a young, beautiful woman with clear skin. This was a woman untouched by the horrors of the apocalypse. Everything seems so perfect.
Her tired gaze fell on the jade pendant around her neck, something she had since she was abandoned at the hospital during birth. Wayne York once requested it as a gift for the popular girl in school—Maya Smith.
Three years into the apocalypse, Maya remained delicate and radiant. Her clothes were always spotless, and her skin was rosy white. It was as if she was still living in the era of abundance.
Nadia remembered a moment when hunger nearly overcame her. She caught a glimpse of Maya taking out an ice cream from the pendant and licking it gracefully.
This memory ignited an idea within Nadia. She reached for a blade and cut her finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the pendant.
The pendant emitted a brilliant glow. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in an apartment without a front door. Aside from running water and electricity, it was completely unfurnished. The two-bedroom, one-living room layout spanned about 80 square meters, with ceilings around three meters high. Adjacent to the living room was a 10-square-meter garden filled with dark soil.
'01:56:13'. A glowing timer was suspended in the living room's mid-air.
Is this the space that allowed Maya to live so exquisitely, or was it taken from me?
As she left the space, a vision of another house lingered in her mind. With a concentrated thought, she could sense everything within it.
Nadia decided to use boiling water to test the functionality of the space. She found out that the water maintained its freshness everywhere except the balcony and garden.
As she began to store items within the domain using her consciousness, the timer paused. But entering the domain caused it to resume its countdown automatically.
Time was running short, and she couldn’t afford to waste a moment pondering the mysteries.
Given this second chance and the power of the space at her fingertips, she had to seize the opportunity to turn her fate around.
She had spent her previous life keeping track of the upcoming natural disasters.
She was overwhelmed by the truth and answers.
Life is hard.
As she pushed aside any lingering emotions, she took out paper and pen to note down a list of supplies.
Nadia grew up in an orphanage. Despite its outwardly peaceful facade, the environment was filled with ruthless competition. This had shaped her into a self-serving individual.
From a young age, she felt an inherent lack of security. In elementary school, she scavenged for cardboard and trash to make ends meet. During middle school, she took on various part-time jobs such as tutoring, cleaning, and anything else that paid. If there was money to be made, she was in.
Besides, she excelled in her studies and was top-ranked in the entrance exams. Even as a second-year medical student, she balanced her coursework while tutoring five high school seniors, charging 200 per session.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of financial stability, Nadia dabbled with side hustles. Whether it be an insurance agent or an online media uploader, she was willing to work legally. Over the years, she managed to save up to 200,000 for her down payment.
But now, all my efforts are futile.
In the afternoon, she had classes in school. Her evenings were followed by tutoring sessions for her students. Yet, these were no longer necessary.
Nadia sent a WeChat message to the parents, informing them that she was hospitalized and unable to continue her tutoring. She urged them to find a replacement and requested that they settle the outstanding fees.
The parents were financially secure. That's why the tutoring fees were paid every half a month. Soon after, two of them responded with 500 as a condolence gift, adding up to a total of 6,000.
In this urgent situation, she made sure to remind the parents. 'A super typhoon is approaching. Please make sure to stock up on food and emergency supplies.'
Natural disasters were becoming a frequent occurrence. Nadia's list of medications stretched across three large pages. Most of the drugs were not only costly but difficult to find in local pharmacies as well.
She snapped a photo of the extensive list and sent it to Caleb Zink, a pharmaceutical salesman and a childhood friend. 'A wealthy new client needs these urgently. Have them delivered by tonight. Please offer me a discounted price.'
Caleb replied instantly, 'Got it.'
Within five minutes, Nadia received his call. "Nadia, this list is weird. Are you sure you're not joking?"
"The payment has been made. The client only has one requirement. They want to have the package by tonight."
Without hesitation, she hung up and transferred 50,000. Better to overpay than under-deliver.
Nadia felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of supplies she needed to gather. As she grabbed her keys and headed out, she caught sight of the limited-edition Air Jordan sneakers on the table. She couldn’t help but wish she could smash her head against a wall out of frustration.
She had always lived a practical life. Yet when it came to Wayne, it felt as if she were under a love spell.
To pursue him, she had made significant sacrifices. She moved out of her dorm to rent an expensive apartment in the school district. During the early hours, she even queued up at the specialty store to buy him the Air Jordan sneakers.
While she never spent more than 300 on her own shoes, she had no hesitation in spending over 8,000 on a limited-edition pair for him.
However, his response was lukewarm. He accepted the gift, only to ask for the pendant. When it came to her confession, he never gave a clear answer. Instead, Wayne had taken Maya out during the impending typhoon and consumed the emergency supplies she had carefully hoarded.
For three relentless years, Wayne never lifted a finger to help Nadia. Instead, he watched coldly as she was beaten and tormented by the monsters of the apocalypse.
If I had known this, I would have fed the Air Jordan sneakers to a dog. This time, I would like to see if Wayne and Maya could live luxuriously without my stockpiled supplies and space!
The super typhoon raged for half a month, followed by three consecutive months of torrential rain. The entire metropolis was submerged in water.
Her rented apartment on the 18th floor spared her from the floodwaters. But her life was far from easy.
…
Nadia left her apartment complex and headed to a nearby breakfast stall to have her first meal of the day.
Without delay, she made her way to a car rental agency and rented a box truck. Her first stop was the Air Jordan specialty store. The staff were surprised by her request to return the sneakers. After all, these were limited-edition new releases that were highly sought after by customers.
She received a refund of over eight thousand. With this money, she could stock up on daily necessities that could last for years. Who needs a man anyway?
She drove to a street lined with doors and window shops. She ordered the two sturdiest stainless steel doors available, each equipped with three-bar locks that were guaranteed to withstand even a sledgehammer. The total cost came to over 6,000 including the installation fee.
Nadia had measured the dimensions of her door before leaving home.
Initially, the store owner was concerned about the accuracy of her measurements, but upon hearing the name of her residential complex, he readily agreed. He had done plenty of business there and knew the specifications well. "If you're in a rush, we can have it ready by the day after tomorrow."
Across the street was a glass shop. Nadia chose the thickest shatterproof glass. It was priced at 600 per square meter. The installation was scheduled for the same morning.
I'll let them hammer and smash. In this life, no one is getting in with a knife to harm me.
Chapter 2 Gathering the Supplies
After paying the deposit, Nadia rushed to the largest outdoor supply store in the city.
Her list consisted of two inflatable boats, four rubber shafts, earthquake and fire emergency kits, tents, fire axes, climbing ropes, binoculars, radios, waterproof flashlights, and large-capacity solar chargers.
Survival gear couldn't be taken lightly. Everything had to be of top quality.
As the shop owner saw an esteemed customer walk in, he recommended various items enthusiastically. "We're having a sale today. We guarantee the quality will meet your expectations."
Nadia was uninterested. "Do you have anything that can withstand temperatures of below 60 or 70 degrees Celsius?"
The shop owner was taken aback. "This is the south. You can wear short sleeves in winter here."
"I'm heading to the Askington for a research expedition," Nadia replied.
As the shop owner noticed her earnestness, he contacted a colleague. "They have polar clothing and mummy sleeping bags. If you layer them, they can withstand the extreme temperatures. However, they're quite expensive and the stock is out of province."
His colleague ran a highly-rated online store. The owner assured Nadia that they could ship it immediately via express delivery and guaranteed the arrival by tomorrow afternoon.
Nadia decided to order two sets of each, spending over 6,000.
At the outdoor supply store, she spent another 12,000. A full cart with gear was loaded up. When no one was looking, she discreetly stored everything in her domain.
The assault boats required diesel, but diesel wasn't sold to individuals.
Thus, she went to an auto repair shop to buy an oil extractor and some barrels. She filled up her car at several nearby gas stations, then drove to an unsupervised area to transfer the fuel into the barrels with an oil extractor. After several trips, she managed to collect 500 liters of gasoline.
In the chaos of the apocalyptic world, bloodshed and violence ran rampant. Nadia made her way to a security supplies store. "Sir, I'm heading to Aglyae."
The shop owner immediately brought out his best goods. "The scenery over there is unique. You can't afford to skimp on safety."
He handed her three sets of stab-resistant and slash-resistant suits, along with two bulletproof vests. Without delay, Nadia loaded them into her car and headed to the largest wholesale clothing market in the suburbs.
There, she bought down jackets, military coats, cashmere sweaters, thermal underwear, scarves, gloves, socks, non-slip snow boots, lightweight sneakers, insulated shoes, and slippers.
She purchased everything she could think of that might be useful, prioritizing quality over brands.
Nadai was in a whirlwind of activity at the wholesale clothing market. She dropped 12,000 without a second thought. Her next stop was the neighboring daily essentials' wholesale market.
She ordered air-conditioning quilts, down comforters, and large cotton quilts that weighed eight to ten kilograms each. She made sure to get three of each and have all of it packed in vacuum bags.
Besides, she grabbed shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, sanitary pads, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, thermoses, lighters, and rubber hot water bottles. She stocked up on an incredible amount of 20,000 heat packs to survive in the extreme cold.
She discovered an online store that sold rare items, like vintage glass kerosene lamps and waterproof, windproof hurricane lamps. These are antiques from the 1960s and 70s. She bought five of each.
"Do you have kerosene?" she inquired.
The seller nodded. But he only had 100 liters in stock.
Nadia bought it all and requested extra lamp wicks, knowing that these lamps would outlast candles.
She also picked up alcohol stoves, alcohol blocks, and portable gas stoves. She added a few induction cookers to her cart when she remembered that there was electricity in her domain.
Next, she stocked up on insect repellents, disinfectants, portable water purification tablets, and Florida Water. She bought everything she could think of. In total, she had spent 20,000.
The fruit wholesale market was next door. Nadia filled her cart with apples, pears, watermelons, kiwis, bananas, cantaloupes, starfruits, summer grapes, and raisins. She purchased twenty different kinds of fruit which cost 6,000.
By the time she emerged from the market, the sky had darkened.
Several missed calls from Caleb appeared on her phone. His WeChat messages indicated that the package was ready.
Nadia drove to his company, where she found twenty large cardboard boxes filled with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, iodine, alcohol wipes, gauze, and even tetanus vaccines.
These lifesaving medicines had cost over 40,000, but they brought her a sense of relief.
Caleb transferred her a 2,000 commission. "Your order is all over the place. Many of them are not available, so I had to source them from my colleagues."
"I'll deliver the supplies first. Then I'll treat you to a feast in a few days," Nadia said as she sat in the driver's seat. "A super typhoon is coming. Make sure you stock up on fuel and food at home."
Caleb didn't take Nadia's warning to heart. This year alone, there have been dozens of typhoons. They always exaggerate how terrible it's going to be.
After stowing the medicines in her domain, she headed to the bustling food street near the university town. She ordered barbecue, beer, and fried rice noodles.
The area was packed with vibrant young students and couples who were completely unaware of the impending disaster.
While waiting for her barbecue, Nadia was drawn to the warm glow of the red-hot coals.
In the midst of her busy preparations, she had nearly forgotten something crucial.
She immediately asked the vendor for contacts to purchase charcoal, coal briquettes, and liquefied gas canisters.
She then made several calls, arranging for deliveries to be made on the next day.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't on her side. The stores were located in low-lying areas, and the authorities had ordered them to relocate their stock due to the impending storm. They were far too busy to fulfill her orders abruptly.
All three suppliers were situated in the same area. Thus, she abandoned her barbecue and drove over without hesitation.
Charcoal was cheap but it took up a lot of space. She checked her domain's capacity and decided to buy 500 pounds of smokeless, high-temperature charcoal, along with a charcoal stove and fire starters.
A single liquefied gas canister could last two months. To prepare for the possibility of losing power in her domain, she ordered ten canisters.
Honeycomb coal could last a long time. However, due to the nationwide electricity shortage and trade sanctions with Adrela, coal prices had skyrocketed.
By the time Nadia returned to her apartment, it was nearly 9 p.m. She took a moment to catch her breath before stepping into her domain to organize the chaotic array of supplies.
To maximize her domain's capacity, she stacked the liquefied gas canisters, coal briquettes, and charcoal in the kitchen.
She removed all unnecessary packaging from the supplies, compressed the fluffy items into vacuum bags, and stacked them layer by layer up to the ceiling.
She had spent over 120,000 throughout the day. The small room and kitchen were now packed to the brim, occupying an estimated 50 cubic meters.
Just as she was done organizing, she felt a forceful kick. The force sent her sprawling out of her domain.
Nadia was dazed and bewildered.
She attempted to re-enter her space, only to be met with an invisible barrier blocking her way.
What the heck? All the supplies have been swallowed by my domain!
Chapter 3 The Supplies Are In Void
Startled and shaken, Nadia used her consciousness to check on her domain.
My domain is there, and so are my supplies. She tried to retrieve an item with her mind. A coal briquette was materialized in her hand.
As she scanned the domain, she noticed that the timer had reset to zero.
Realization dawned on her. The domain had a two-hour usage limit. Two hours. Well, it's better than nothing!
After she took a shower, it was already past midnight.
When she checked her domain once more, she saw that the timer was reset, granting her another two hours. This was a relief to her.
Nadia lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. She decided to resort to melatonin to ease herself to sleep.
Yet, she was haunted by nightmares of being chased and attacked by a group of people wielding blood-stained knives.
She awoke in a cold sweat and a pounding heart.
It was 5 a.m. The sky was still dark. She entered her domain to check on her stockpiled supplies and found some peace in the sight of her careful preparations.
Unable to fall back asleep, she grabbed her car keys and headed to the largest agricultural wholesale market.
By the time she arrived, dawn was breaking. The market was bustling with the sounds of vehicles and the chatter of early-morning traders.
Nadia made her way to the vegetable section, where the fresh produce still glistened with morning dew.
She purchased winter melons, pumpkins, lotus roots, red and white radishes, eggplants, string beans, bitter gourds, celery, tomatoes, and more, each in 100-kilogram quantities. As for potatoes and sweet potatoes, she doubled the order to 200 kilograms.
She also bought 100 kilograms of ginger and garlic, knowing they could be both planted and used as seasoning. During the extreme cold weather, a bowl of ginger tea could be a lifesaver.
She inspected and selected her purchases methodically, ensuring she got everything she needed except for leafy greens. By the time she finished, she had spent around 4,000.
After she grabbed her breakfast, it was nearly 9 a.m. The once bustling wholesale market had quieted down significantly with fewer people around.
Nadia compared prices carefully and stocked up on staple foods. She bought 100 bags of rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, and 50 bags of flour of the same weight. Additionally, she purchased 500 kilograms of white noodles, egg noodles, rice noodles, and sweet potato noodles. For legumes and nuts, she bought 200 kilograms of soybeans, red beans, mung beans, black beans, and peanuts. She also secured 50 large barrels of soybean oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil.
The total cost came to just under 30,000. But after some bargaining, the shop owner threw in three extra bags of rice.
With these edibles, she could survive the next 30 years.
While the shop owner prepared her order, she walked over to the condiments section.
She ordered ten large 20-liter barrels of soy sauce, vinegar, and white liquor. She also bought 30 kilograms of star anise, fennel, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and peppers along with 300 kilograms of brown sugar, white sugar, and rock sugar. For salt, she ordered 3,000 kilograms.
In the apocalypse, food was crucial, but salt was even more vital. Without sufficient salt, the body couldn't function.
Nadia vividly remembered seeing someone trading a single package of salt for 30 kilograms of grain during the third year of the apocalypse.
Despite the substantial amount of salt, it didn't take up much space. She knew that when the resources became scarce, salt would be invaluable for bartering. If she had more space, she would have stored much more.
She drove to a secluded spot and stored her supplies in her domain before she headed to the frozen foods section.
She ordered ten large boxes each of steamed buns, flower rolls, red bean buns, custard buns, brown sugar buns, and shumai. Wary of the quality of meat-filled buns, she opted for 200 kilograms of frozen dumpling skins instead, knowing that they would help pass the time during floods.
Next, she visited the dried goods section for shiitake mushrooms, deer horn mushrooms, tea tree mushrooms, black fungus, kelp, seaweed, red dates, pickled vegetables, and various flavored sunflower seeds. Another 10,000 was spent.
In the meat section, she found a stall that supplied school cafeterias. The owner greeted her warmly, "What can I get for you today, Nadia?"
The oppressive heat before the typhoon had left the stall with little fresh meat, but the prices were reasonable.
She ordered 200 kilograms of pork belly, lean meat, ribs, beef, lamb, and rabbit, along with 100 chickens and ducks, 50 geese, and various pig and cow offals.
The owner was stunned. "Nadia, are you joking?"
Nadia had often referred customers to his wife, who worked at the slaughterhouse. This had earned her a discounted price. "Some relatives are hosting a banquet. Just looking for a good deal."
"Seeing how much you've helped me, do I need to say more? I won't make a profit on this deal. I'll give you a thirty percent discount on everything!"
Buying meat was a costly affair. Pork prices had just dropped recently, but beef and lamb remained expensive. That's why getting supplies from a familiar source was the most economical option.
The total came to nearly 30,000, but Nadia didn't haggle. Instead, she made an additional request for two cleavers and a butcher knife.
Having weapons for self-defense was essential. But she neither had the time nor the means to procure them properly, so she had to make do with what she could get at that moment.
The owner was taken aback. "What do you need these for?"
"Don't worry. I'm not planning to commit any crimes," she reassured him.
Considering both the profit and their relationship, the owner agreed without hesitation.
Nadia then headed to the fish stall, ordering 100 fish to be gutted but left whole. She planned to pick them up later once they were cleaned.
Next, she bought 3,000 chicken eggs and 1,000 duck eggs. Thinking the disaster might eventually end, she also purchased two trays of fertilized chicken, duck, goose, and quail eggs, along with a small household incubator.
With her domain's garden in mind, she visited a seedlings store. She selected vegetable seeds with short growth cycles, such as lettuce, bok choy, water spinach, and various other greens.
The seeds were inexpensive, costing only 500 for a supply that would last decades.
Although she only had 10 square meters of black soil, her two balconies could be put to good use. The gardening instinct in her was awakened, prompting her to buy planting pots, a hoe, a shovel, and some potting soil.
Fueled by hope for the future, she ran to the fruit tree section. She bought three various types of mature trees like apple, grape, tangerine, mandarin, and others. These older trees promised quicker yields.
She knew that as the disaster persisted, fresh meat would become a rare luxury. Eventually, even those in power would struggle to find resources.
Nadia decided to buy a pair of breeding rabbits. Rabbits could be sustained on vegetables and reproduced quickly, ensuring a steady supply of meat.
She loved braised dishes and cold appetizers, so she bought 200 kilograms of frozen chicken and duck feet, and 100 kilograms each of duck intestines, duck kidneys, and chicken hearts.
Spending money felt like pouring water, and it pained her deeply. However, seeing her supplies steadily accumulate in her space gave her a sense of satisfaction and security that was hard to describe.
She spent the entire day at the wholesale market. By the time she left, the streets were brightly lit and bustling with activity. Her day was just about to begin.
Nadia went to a restaurant and indulged in a hearty meal of braised ribs, steamed meatballs, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. She didn't forget to take the leftovers home.
When she arrived home, she spent hours organizing her domain. She filled up her large room completely. Vegetables and fruit tree saplings were placed in the living room, and the breeding rabbits were kept on the balcony.
She had thought things through, leaving the domain with ten minutes left on the timer.
As soon as she exited, the two breeding rabbits were ejected as well. They landed on the floor with a thud, nearly injured.
Nadia was speechless.
At first, she felt a wave of frustration, but it quickly turned into exhilaration.
It seems that the domain not only has a time limit, but other living creatures are not allowed to remain inside if I'm not in there. This means that no one could take my domain away from me.
In high spirits, she sat down to review her preparations, ensuring she had covered everything she could think of.
With around 20,000 left in her account, she realized that only the living room and the bathroom in the space remained unused. To survive extreme disasters, she needed to be strategic about her remaining purchases, avoiding items that took up too much space.
Opening her food delivery app, she ordered from highly-rated restaurants, indulging in dishes she had always wanted but previously couldn't justify. She ordered ten servings each of oil-braised prawns, Hakka salted chicken, stuffed tofu, Dongpo pork, and more than twenty other dishes.
She also got a variety of breakfast items and snacks. Fried dough sticks, steamed dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, hand-grabbed pancakes, beef patties, fried buns, skewers, braised dishes, roasted meats, milk tea, and dozens of other items.
Spending over 10,000, she arranged for everything to be picked up at specified times to ensure freshness.
Though exhausted, Nadia was determined to savor the city's final moments of prosperity.
She received a notice in the afternoon. The school would be closed for three days to prepare for the upcoming super typhoon. The exact date for resuming classes to be announced later.
The students cheered with joy, eagerly inviting friends out for a night of revelry, celebrating before the typhoon's arrival.
The southern coastal regions experienced a dozen typhoons a year. Students always hoped for school cancellations. This time, their wish came true.
Nadia felt the same excitement, but she knew this was different. They didn't realize that after this, they would never have to return to school again.
Eating barbecue and drinking beer, she had mixed feelings as she continued to collect her orders.
Upon returning home, Nadia felt she had forgotten something important. Yet, she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
00:06
Jan 18, 2025 - Present
"Get your hands off of my woman!" My ex-husband bellowed angrily, his whole being trembling with burning rage.
"What did you just say?"My boyfriend gritted out, glaring at my ex-husband in front of him. "Your woman?!"
"She is mine!" My ex-husband, the Italian don Alessandro, declared in an intimidating tone.
"Leave her and the house immediately or you will regret it！"
👉😍Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here
Install the APP to search for the book title "Let Me Go, My Mafia Husband " Read more exciting content immediately🎉🥳
"What did you just say?"My boyfriend gritted out, glaring at my ex-husband in front of him. "Your woman?!"
"She is mine!" My ex-husband, the Italian don Alessandro, declared in an intimidating tone.
"Leave her and the house immediately or you will regret it！"
👉😍Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here
Install the APP to search for the book title "Let Me Go, My Mafia Husband " Read more exciting content immediately🎉🥳
00:07
Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
Capitolo 1 Mi Vuole Sposare?
Arrivata in Comune, Vivian William rimase completamente sconcertata nel vedere che era stata la prima ad arrivare. L'uomo con cui avrebbe dovuto sposarsi non era ancora arrivato.
Aveva già mezz’ora di ritardo, rispetto all'orario concordato, ma proprio mentre stava per contattarlo, fu lui a chiamarla invece.
Subito udì la sua voce furiosa risuonare attraverso il telefono: "Vivian William, sei una bugiarda! Hai dimenticato tutte le cose vergognose che hai fatto all'università? Come osi anche solo pensare che io possa sposarti adesso? Ora stammi a sentire: non ti sposerò neanche per sogno! Adesso mi è tutto chiaro, eri così pronta a parlare di matrimonio nonostante ci conoscessimo solo da tre giorni! Menomale che la mia ex ragazza studiava nella tua stessa università, altrimenti saresti riuscita a ingannarmi! Sei senza vergogna!"
E poi riattaccò, senza lasciare a Vivian nemmeno una possibilità di spiegarsi. Era rimasta a bocca aperta, senza emettere suono e le sue dita stavano diventando bianche per la stretta che avevano sul telefono che. L'uomo non si era preoccupato di abbassare la voce, e molte persone avevano sentito la telefonata; tutte quelli nella stanza le lanciavano sguardi pieni di disprezzo e disgusto, pungenti come migliaia di aghi.
Era tutto esattamente come quella notte da incubo di due anni fa. Aveva la sensazione l’oscurità la stesse inghiottendo. Non importa quanto si sforzasse, non c'era via di fuga...Gocce di sudore le si formarono sulla fronte mentre diventava sempre più pallida. Senza rendersene conto, tutto il suo corpo aveva iniziato a tremare incontrollabilmente.
Di lato, un paio di occhi scuri e profondi osservavano la donna tremante mentre, con fare pensieroso, batteva le sue dita esili sui braccioli della sedia a rotelle. "Signor Norton." In quel momento, un giovane raggiunse in fretta il fianco di Finnick Norton. Chinandosi, sussurrò: "La signorina Lopez mi ha informato che è ancora bloccata nel traffico. Ha detto che potrebbe impiegare almeno un'ora per arrivare qui."
"Dille pure di tornare a casa. Dille di non disturbarsi più a venire." Finnick non si preoccupò nemmeno di girarsi. Il suo sguardo acuto era fissato su Vivian mentre aggiunse placidamente: "Non mi piacciono le donne ipocrite."
"Ma..." Il giovane, il suo assistente, aveva un'espressione contrariata sul viso. "Suo nonno sta insistendo molto per farla sposare..."
Come se non avesse sentito le parole del suo assistente, Finnick premé il pulsante sulla sua sedia a rotelle per avvicinarsi a Vivian.
"Mi scusi signorina, mi vuole sposare?"
Una voce nitida risuonò, trascinando Vivian fuori dall'oscurità che stava quasi per inghiottirla del tutto. Alzando la testa, fu leggermente sorpresa da ciò che si trovò davanti agli occhi. Non sapeva come, ma un uomo su una sedia a rotelle le si era fermato davanti e le stava parlando.
Aveva dei lineamenti perfetti, da togliere il fiato; sopracciglia estremamente folte che riposavano su un volto con fattezze molto definite che sembrava essere stato scolpito nel marmo. Somigliava ad un’opera d’arte senza neanche un difetto. Nonostante indossasse una semplice camicia bianca, il modello accentuava la sua corporatura snella, ma bella robusta. Il fatto che fosse seduto su una sedia a rotelle non toglieva nulla al suo aspetto nobile e fiero. Al contrario, sembrava solo renderlo più distante e inavvicinabile.
Solo dopo che l'uomo ripeté la domanda, Vivian uscì dallo stordimento in cui era caduta.
"Cosa?"
"Non ho potuto fare a meno di ascoltare la sua conversazione prima. Ha bisogno di sposarsi, vero?"
Sentendo queste parole il respiro le si bloccò nei polmoni, mentre umiliazione e angoscia la travolgevano.
Non aspettandosi una risposta da parte di Vivian, l'uomo continuò con tono indifferente. "Che coincidenza. Siamo sulla stessa barca. Dato che abbiamo lo stesso obiettivo, perché non ci aiutiamo a vicenda?" Per come ne parlava, sembrava che stesse trattando di affari, non di uno degli eventi più importanti della propria vita.
A questo punto, Vivian capì finalmente che quell'uomo non stava scherzando, e le stava davvero proponendo di sposarla. Però, ci siamo appena conosciuti! Sposarsi subito sarebbe troppo scandaloso!
"Signore, non ci conosciamo nemmeno! Non pensa di essere troppo precipitoso e impulsivo?"
"Penso che lei non conoscesse nemmeno gli uomini con cui andava agli appuntamenti al buio."
La sua risposta fu calma e diretta, Vivian si trovò colta di sorpresa, rimanendo senza parole.
"Oh, capisco. Crede di essere meglio di me perché sono uno storpio, vero?"
"Certo che no!" - fu la sua risposta automatica. Quando vide un piccolo bagliore di divertimento nei suoi occhi scuri, si rese conto che stava facendo esattamente il suo gioco.
"Signorina." Lui incrociò tranquillamente le mani sulle ginocchia, fissandola poi con uno sguardo ardente. "Sono abbastanza sicuro che lei abbia molto bisogno di sposarsi. Se ora perde questa occasione, cosa le fa pensare che ne avrà un'altra?"
Dovetti ammettere che era molto persuasivo. Ha ragione. Ho un disperato bisogno di questo matrimonio. In realtà, è più preciso dire che ho bisogno di far parte di un nucleo familiare di qualcuno che risiede in questa città. Solo allora mi sarà concesso di richiedere l'assicurazione sanitaria, per poter sostenere le costose spese mediche di mia madre.
I secondi passavano in fretta, mentre continuava a fissare quell'uomo. Alla fine, riuscì a dire a stento: "Vive qui in pianta stabile, a Sunshine City?"
Le labbra di lui si piegarono in un piccolo sorriso: "Sì."
Vivian rimase di nuovo in silenzio. Le sue dita continuavano a stringersi attorno al suo registro familiare.
Anche se era storpio, l'uomo che aveva davanti possedeva modi e aspetto che superavano di anni luce quelli degli orribili uomini che aveva incontrato di recente nei suoi appuntamenti al buio. Oh Vivian, non era forse questo il tuo unico obiettivo? Negli ultimi tre mesi non hai fatto altro che cercare un uomo da sposare il prima possibile. Ora, l'opportunità di farlo ti sta praticamente saltando addosso! Perché ancora esiti ancora?
Sentiva delle emozioni contrastanti dentro di lei. Alla fine, si morse il labbro e decise, risoluta. La donna annuì, dicendo: "Va bene, sono d'accordo."
Capitolo 2 Matrimonio All’Improvviso
Un'ora dopo, Vivian uscì dagli Uffici Comunali con il certificato di matrimonio tra le mani. Mentre camminava le sembrava di fluttuare in aria, come se tutto fosse stato solo un sogno. Non avrebbe mai pensato che un giorno si sarebbe sposata da un momento all’altro, con un uomo che aveva incontrato solo per caso. Sarà forse questo il destino?
Abbassò lo sguardo, e vide la loro foto, che li ritraeva seduti uno accanto all'altro, e sotto c’erano scritti i nomi di entrambi. L'espressione dell'uomo era neutra, mentre la sua chiaramente mostrava inquietudine e riserve. Ho appena scoperto il nome di mio marito così, direttamente dal certificato di matrimonio. È assurdo! Finnick Norton. Un nome semplice, ma adatto a un uomo come lui.
"Vivian William?"
Anche l'uomo, Finnick, stava fissando il certificato di matrimonio. Aveva pronunciato il suo nome lentamente, con il timbro basso della sua voce, il nome era scivolato via dalla sua lingua senza intoppi. Sentirlo pronunciare il suo nome le faceva venire dei brividi che le correvano per tutta la schiena.
Era ancora sotto shock per il suo cambiamento di stato civile, quando improvvisamente una mano le apparve davanti agli occhi, con una carta di credito tra le dita.
"Signorina William, sono consapevole che sposarsi e indossare una fede al dito sono alcuni degli eventi più desiderati da una donna. Purtroppo, mi dispiace dirtelo, ma non ho tempo per occuparmene. Se desideri un anello, scegli pure quello che più di piace."
Inclinando la testa all'indietro, Vivian incontrò lo sguardo indecifrabile di Finnick.
"Non ce n’è bisogno." Agitò in modo frenetico le mani rifiutando. "Non mi interessano tali formalità."
Ormai aveva già superato l'età in cui si sarebbe preoccupata di questi gesti romantici. Inoltre, non voleva essere in debito con lui, anche se era legalmente suo marito. "Almeno scegli un anello." Non aveva ancora finito di pronunciare quelle parole, che subito prese le mani e le diede la carta di credito. Allo sfiorarsi delle loro mani, la leggera differenza di temperatura generò un brivido, che attraversò tutta Vivian. Fu piuttosto sorpresa dal suo calore.
"Allora, va bene." Dato che si erano appena sposati, per così dire, non voleva litigare con lui per le sue buone intenzioni. Quindi, prese la carta e la mise nella borsa. “Ho una riunione nel pomeriggio, quindi devo andare via, non posso accompagnarti." Il suo tono di voce era impassibile come sempre.
"Va bene." Non aveva alcuna speranza che lui la trattasse davvero come una vera moglie, qualcuno da amare e viziare. Ecco perché non era né sorpresa e né delusa che la stesse lasciando lì.
All’improvviso si ricordò di una cosa, e disse: "A proposito, dopo ti invierò il mio indirizzo di casa, trasferisciti pure quando ti è più comodo."
Si erano scambiati i numeri di telefono prima, mentre aspettavano il certificato di matrimonio.
"Non vado di fretta!" rispose lei subito.
Anche se per uno uomo e una donna sposati era normale vivere insieme, la verità era semplicemente che non era pronta a vivere sotto lo stesso tetto di uno sconosciuto. Forse il rifiuto che provava era trasparito eccessivamente nel suo tono di voce, visto che Finnick subito alzò la testa per guardarla. Vivian arrossì un po', imbarazzata. Comunque, non disse nulla, tutto ciò che fece fu premere un pulsante sulla sua sedia a rotelle per girarsi subito dopo aver detto: "Se non c'è altro, me ne vado."
"Va bene."
Vivan aspettò che lui fosse salito nella sua auto nera prima di andare via. Appena partita, chiamò immediatamente il dipartimento delle risorse umane della sua azienda. Gli disse che presto sarebbe stata registrata come residente di Sunshine City. Dalle risorse umane le confermarono che avrebbero stipulato un’assicurazione sanitaria locale sia per lei che per la sua famiglia, e allora tirò un sospiro di sollievo. Sebbene sposarsi oggi era stata una decisione piuttosto impulsiva da parte sua, almeno era riuscita a risolvere questo problema, che la tormentava da tempo. Finalmente, non avrebbe più dovuto angosciarsi per le spese mediche di sua madre.
Arrivata alla redazione di Glamour Magazine, dove lavorava come giornalista, Vivian scoprì che era ancora troppo presto per l’intervista che avevano fissato nel pomeriggio. Approfittando del poco tempo libero che aveva, decise di andare al centro commerciale lì accanto, per comprare un paio di fedi nuziali con la carta di Finnick.
Dopo, tornò alla sua scrivania e si mise a ripassare le informazioni sull’intervista di questo pomeriggio per l'ultima volta. Proprio in quel momento, Sarah la raggiunse, avvicinandosi con la sua sedia. Le brillavano gli occhi mentre chiedeva: "Vivian, cos’è quell'anello?"
"Sei proprio una brava osservatrice, eh?" Vivian non aveva intenzione di nascondere nulla. Dopotutto, alle risorse umane sapevano già che aveva cambiato residenza e anche nucleo familiare, presto in redazione tutti avrebbero saputo del suo nuovo stato civile. "Mi sono sposata da poco."
"Congratulazioni, Vivian!" esclamò Sarah mentre guardava attentamente l'anello. "Te l’ha regalato tuo marito? Non è un diamante molto grande, vero? Quanto vi è costato?"
"Poco più di mille."
Vivian, non conoscendo quale fosse la situazione finanziaria di Finnick, aveva scelto uno tra gli anelli più economici e semplici che potesse trovare.
Le sopracciglia di Sarah si aggrottavano mentre dichiarava con un'espressione seria: "Vivian, questo non va affatto bene! L’anello nuziale è un simbolo del vostro matrimonio. Quanto affidabile può essere un uomo se non ti compra nemmeno un anello importante?"
"Guarda, sta facendo del suo meglio," rispose Vivian. Notando lo sguardo compassionevole negli occhi di Sarah, si accorse che pensava che il suo nuovo marito non fosse molto benestante.
"Basta così. Non ne parliamo più." Cambiò rapidamente argomento, non volendo dilungarsi. "Sei pronta per l’intervista che abbiamo dopo?"
"Ahahah, assolutamente!" La tattica di distrazione di Vivian aveva funzionato, poiché Sarah indicando il suo abbigliamento, disse subito: "Vivian, cosa ne pensi? Sono bella?”
Fu solo allora che Vivian notò che la sua collega indossava un completo rosa e bianco. Si era anche acconciata i capelli con molta cura. "Sei stupenda!" si complimentò Vivian. Solleticata dalle sue parole lusinghiere, gli occhi di Sarah si illuminarono di gioia. "Allora, pensi che avrò una possibilità con uno scapolo riccone come il presidente del Gruppo Finnor?"
Capitolo 3 Il Presidente È Mio Marito
Vivian spalancò gli occhi dalla sorpresa, mentre capì perché Sarah si fosse impegnata così tanto per farsi bella. La persona che avrebbero intervistato nel pomeriggio era il presidente del Gruppo Finnor. A Sunshine City, il Gruppo Finnor era considerato una leggenda; l’azienda era nata dal nulla solo tre anni fa. Aveva avuto un’ascesa molto rapida, riuscendo a farsi un nome nell'industria finanziaria, utilizzando metodi estremamente aggressivi. Al momento, era considerata uno dei magnati finanziari di Sunshine City, essendo al pari delle prime tre famiglie della città.
Eppure, ad attirare l'attenzione più di ogni altra cosa era il presidente dell'azienda. Ancora oggi, nessuno conosceva il suo nome, o il suo aspetto; la sua intera identità era un mistero, rendendo la sua figura sempre più affascinante. Non c'era esempio migliore di Sarah, che si era impegnata a vestirsi bene, dopo aver scoperto chi sarebbe stato il protagonista dell’intervista.
Un lampo di divertimento brillò negli occhi di Vivian mentre scherzava: "Sarah, sei sicura di volerlo impressionare così tanto? Non temi che il presidente possa rivelarsi un vecchio uomo calvo e cattivo?"
"Pfft! Non ci credo!" Sarah sbottò infastidita: "Si dice che sia molto giovane!"
In contrasto all'atteggiamento speranzosa e divertente di Sarah, Jenny era completamente seria quando disse: "Questa intervista è un'opportunità unica nella vita, quindi dobbiamo essere preparate al meglio. È la prima volta che il presidente accetta effettivamente un'intervista per un giornale. Le nostre vendite schizzeranno alle stelle se riusciremo a ottenere una sua foto."
Vivian annuì comprensiva.
Era vero che il presidente del Gruppo Finnor non aveva mai accettato un'intervista. Quando Glamour Magazine lo aveva invitato per la prima volta, inizialmente aveva rifiutato, come al solito. Ma, contro ogni aspettativa, ieri era arrivata una telefonata in cui affermava di voler fare l’intervista. Inutile dire che la notizia improvvisa aveva scioccato i caporedattori.
Dopo aver rivisto la struttura dell'intervista per l'ultima volta, Vivian, Sarah e Jenny si diressero al Gruppo Finnor insieme ad un fotografo. Il Gruppo Finnor si trovava nel quartiere finanziario di Sunshine City. Salutarono la receptionist al primo piano, dichiarando il motivo della loro visita e presero l'ascensore fino all'ultimo piano.
"Venite da Glamour Magazine?" La segretaria venne ad accoglierli non appena uscirono dall'ascensore. "Il signor Norton vi sta già aspettando dentro" e li condusse nell'ufficio del presidente.
Vivian si bloccò leggermente sentendo ciò che aveva detto la segretaria.
Signor Norton? Che coincidenza, chi l’avrebbe mai detto, che il presidente del Gruppo Finnor aveva lo stesso cognome del mio nuovo marito?
Appena prima di entrare, Sarah, nervosa, tirò la manica di Vivian, sussurrando: "Come vanno i capelli? Sono disordinati? Oh, meglio che non si siano rovinati..." Sghignazzando leggermente, Vivian rispose sussurrando: "Stanno bene. Non hai un solo capello fuori posto. È tutto…"
In quel momento, guardò per caso nell'ufficio mentre parlava. Appena vide la figura vicino alla finestra, si irrigidì sorpresa e si interruppe. Tutti i pensieri rassicuranti che aveva per Sarah svanirono all’istante. Proprio in quel momento, lo sguardo di Sarah cadde sull'uomo, facendole dimenticare del tutto il suo aspetto. Lo shock era evidente nella sua voce mentre mormorava: "Oh mio dio, il presidente del Gruppo Finnor... Sta davvero seduto su una sedia a rotelle?"
Prima che Vivian potesse dire qualcosa, la sedia a rotelle si girò verso di loro lentamente.
Sarah ansimò: "Wow! È così bello! È più bello di una celebrità!"
La sua una sedia a rotelle era stato completamente eclissata dal suo fascino e quindi Sarah non riuscì più a trattenere i suoi sussurri ammirati.
Vivian non sentì una sola delle sue parole. Anche la sua attenzione era concentrata sull'uomo, ma per motivi completamente diversi. In quel momento, il suo cervello sembrava essersi fermato, mentre lo fissava, era completamente sbalordita. I raggi di luce che entravano dalla finestra davano forma ai lineamenti spigolosi e decisi del volto di quell’uomo nell'ombra, mentre gli occhi scuri rimanevano freddi come sempre.
Era Finnick.
Finnick è il presidente del Gruppo Finnor?
Leggete subito il capitolo seguente👉Mai in ritardo, mai lontano
Arrivata in Comune, Vivian William rimase completamente sconcertata nel vedere che era stata la prima ad arrivare. L'uomo con cui avrebbe dovuto sposarsi non era ancora arrivato.
Aveva già mezz’ora di ritardo, rispetto all'orario concordato, ma proprio mentre stava per contattarlo, fu lui a chiamarla invece.
Subito udì la sua voce furiosa risuonare attraverso il telefono: "Vivian William, sei una bugiarda! Hai dimenticato tutte le cose vergognose che hai fatto all'università? Come osi anche solo pensare che io possa sposarti adesso? Ora stammi a sentire: non ti sposerò neanche per sogno! Adesso mi è tutto chiaro, eri così pronta a parlare di matrimonio nonostante ci conoscessimo solo da tre giorni! Menomale che la mia ex ragazza studiava nella tua stessa università, altrimenti saresti riuscita a ingannarmi! Sei senza vergogna!"
E poi riattaccò, senza lasciare a Vivian nemmeno una possibilità di spiegarsi. Era rimasta a bocca aperta, senza emettere suono e le sue dita stavano diventando bianche per la stretta che avevano sul telefono che. L'uomo non si era preoccupato di abbassare la voce, e molte persone avevano sentito la telefonata; tutte quelli nella stanza le lanciavano sguardi pieni di disprezzo e disgusto, pungenti come migliaia di aghi.
Era tutto esattamente come quella notte da incubo di due anni fa. Aveva la sensazione l’oscurità la stesse inghiottendo. Non importa quanto si sforzasse, non c'era via di fuga...Gocce di sudore le si formarono sulla fronte mentre diventava sempre più pallida. Senza rendersene conto, tutto il suo corpo aveva iniziato a tremare incontrollabilmente.
Di lato, un paio di occhi scuri e profondi osservavano la donna tremante mentre, con fare pensieroso, batteva le sue dita esili sui braccioli della sedia a rotelle. "Signor Norton." In quel momento, un giovane raggiunse in fretta il fianco di Finnick Norton. Chinandosi, sussurrò: "La signorina Lopez mi ha informato che è ancora bloccata nel traffico. Ha detto che potrebbe impiegare almeno un'ora per arrivare qui."
"Dille pure di tornare a casa. Dille di non disturbarsi più a venire." Finnick non si preoccupò nemmeno di girarsi. Il suo sguardo acuto era fissato su Vivian mentre aggiunse placidamente: "Non mi piacciono le donne ipocrite."
"Ma..." Il giovane, il suo assistente, aveva un'espressione contrariata sul viso. "Suo nonno sta insistendo molto per farla sposare..."
Come se non avesse sentito le parole del suo assistente, Finnick premé il pulsante sulla sua sedia a rotelle per avvicinarsi a Vivian.
"Mi scusi signorina, mi vuole sposare?"
Una voce nitida risuonò, trascinando Vivian fuori dall'oscurità che stava quasi per inghiottirla del tutto. Alzando la testa, fu leggermente sorpresa da ciò che si trovò davanti agli occhi. Non sapeva come, ma un uomo su una sedia a rotelle le si era fermato davanti e le stava parlando.
Aveva dei lineamenti perfetti, da togliere il fiato; sopracciglia estremamente folte che riposavano su un volto con fattezze molto definite che sembrava essere stato scolpito nel marmo. Somigliava ad un’opera d’arte senza neanche un difetto. Nonostante indossasse una semplice camicia bianca, il modello accentuava la sua corporatura snella, ma bella robusta. Il fatto che fosse seduto su una sedia a rotelle non toglieva nulla al suo aspetto nobile e fiero. Al contrario, sembrava solo renderlo più distante e inavvicinabile.
Solo dopo che l'uomo ripeté la domanda, Vivian uscì dallo stordimento in cui era caduta.
"Cosa?"
"Non ho potuto fare a meno di ascoltare la sua conversazione prima. Ha bisogno di sposarsi, vero?"
Sentendo queste parole il respiro le si bloccò nei polmoni, mentre umiliazione e angoscia la travolgevano.
Non aspettandosi una risposta da parte di Vivian, l'uomo continuò con tono indifferente. "Che coincidenza. Siamo sulla stessa barca. Dato che abbiamo lo stesso obiettivo, perché non ci aiutiamo a vicenda?" Per come ne parlava, sembrava che stesse trattando di affari, non di uno degli eventi più importanti della propria vita.
A questo punto, Vivian capì finalmente che quell'uomo non stava scherzando, e le stava davvero proponendo di sposarla. Però, ci siamo appena conosciuti! Sposarsi subito sarebbe troppo scandaloso!
"Signore, non ci conosciamo nemmeno! Non pensa di essere troppo precipitoso e impulsivo?"
"Penso che lei non conoscesse nemmeno gli uomini con cui andava agli appuntamenti al buio."
La sua risposta fu calma e diretta, Vivian si trovò colta di sorpresa, rimanendo senza parole.
"Oh, capisco. Crede di essere meglio di me perché sono uno storpio, vero?"
"Certo che no!" - fu la sua risposta automatica. Quando vide un piccolo bagliore di divertimento nei suoi occhi scuri, si rese conto che stava facendo esattamente il suo gioco.
"Signorina." Lui incrociò tranquillamente le mani sulle ginocchia, fissandola poi con uno sguardo ardente. "Sono abbastanza sicuro che lei abbia molto bisogno di sposarsi. Se ora perde questa occasione, cosa le fa pensare che ne avrà un'altra?"
Dovetti ammettere che era molto persuasivo. Ha ragione. Ho un disperato bisogno di questo matrimonio. In realtà, è più preciso dire che ho bisogno di far parte di un nucleo familiare di qualcuno che risiede in questa città. Solo allora mi sarà concesso di richiedere l'assicurazione sanitaria, per poter sostenere le costose spese mediche di mia madre.
I secondi passavano in fretta, mentre continuava a fissare quell'uomo. Alla fine, riuscì a dire a stento: "Vive qui in pianta stabile, a Sunshine City?"
Le labbra di lui si piegarono in un piccolo sorriso: "Sì."
Vivian rimase di nuovo in silenzio. Le sue dita continuavano a stringersi attorno al suo registro familiare.
Anche se era storpio, l'uomo che aveva davanti possedeva modi e aspetto che superavano di anni luce quelli degli orribili uomini che aveva incontrato di recente nei suoi appuntamenti al buio. Oh Vivian, non era forse questo il tuo unico obiettivo? Negli ultimi tre mesi non hai fatto altro che cercare un uomo da sposare il prima possibile. Ora, l'opportunità di farlo ti sta praticamente saltando addosso! Perché ancora esiti ancora?
Sentiva delle emozioni contrastanti dentro di lei. Alla fine, si morse il labbro e decise, risoluta. La donna annuì, dicendo: "Va bene, sono d'accordo."
Capitolo 2 Matrimonio All’Improvviso
Un'ora dopo, Vivian uscì dagli Uffici Comunali con il certificato di matrimonio tra le mani. Mentre camminava le sembrava di fluttuare in aria, come se tutto fosse stato solo un sogno. Non avrebbe mai pensato che un giorno si sarebbe sposata da un momento all’altro, con un uomo che aveva incontrato solo per caso. Sarà forse questo il destino?
Abbassò lo sguardo, e vide la loro foto, che li ritraeva seduti uno accanto all'altro, e sotto c’erano scritti i nomi di entrambi. L'espressione dell'uomo era neutra, mentre la sua chiaramente mostrava inquietudine e riserve. Ho appena scoperto il nome di mio marito così, direttamente dal certificato di matrimonio. È assurdo! Finnick Norton. Un nome semplice, ma adatto a un uomo come lui.
"Vivian William?"
Anche l'uomo, Finnick, stava fissando il certificato di matrimonio. Aveva pronunciato il suo nome lentamente, con il timbro basso della sua voce, il nome era scivolato via dalla sua lingua senza intoppi. Sentirlo pronunciare il suo nome le faceva venire dei brividi che le correvano per tutta la schiena.
Era ancora sotto shock per il suo cambiamento di stato civile, quando improvvisamente una mano le apparve davanti agli occhi, con una carta di credito tra le dita.
"Signorina William, sono consapevole che sposarsi e indossare una fede al dito sono alcuni degli eventi più desiderati da una donna. Purtroppo, mi dispiace dirtelo, ma non ho tempo per occuparmene. Se desideri un anello, scegli pure quello che più di piace."
Inclinando la testa all'indietro, Vivian incontrò lo sguardo indecifrabile di Finnick.
"Non ce n’è bisogno." Agitò in modo frenetico le mani rifiutando. "Non mi interessano tali formalità."
Ormai aveva già superato l'età in cui si sarebbe preoccupata di questi gesti romantici. Inoltre, non voleva essere in debito con lui, anche se era legalmente suo marito. "Almeno scegli un anello." Non aveva ancora finito di pronunciare quelle parole, che subito prese le mani e le diede la carta di credito. Allo sfiorarsi delle loro mani, la leggera differenza di temperatura generò un brivido, che attraversò tutta Vivian. Fu piuttosto sorpresa dal suo calore.
"Allora, va bene." Dato che si erano appena sposati, per così dire, non voleva litigare con lui per le sue buone intenzioni. Quindi, prese la carta e la mise nella borsa. “Ho una riunione nel pomeriggio, quindi devo andare via, non posso accompagnarti." Il suo tono di voce era impassibile come sempre.
"Va bene." Non aveva alcuna speranza che lui la trattasse davvero come una vera moglie, qualcuno da amare e viziare. Ecco perché non era né sorpresa e né delusa che la stesse lasciando lì.
All’improvviso si ricordò di una cosa, e disse: "A proposito, dopo ti invierò il mio indirizzo di casa, trasferisciti pure quando ti è più comodo."
Si erano scambiati i numeri di telefono prima, mentre aspettavano il certificato di matrimonio.
"Non vado di fretta!" rispose lei subito.
Anche se per uno uomo e una donna sposati era normale vivere insieme, la verità era semplicemente che non era pronta a vivere sotto lo stesso tetto di uno sconosciuto. Forse il rifiuto che provava era trasparito eccessivamente nel suo tono di voce, visto che Finnick subito alzò la testa per guardarla. Vivian arrossì un po', imbarazzata. Comunque, non disse nulla, tutto ciò che fece fu premere un pulsante sulla sua sedia a rotelle per girarsi subito dopo aver detto: "Se non c'è altro, me ne vado."
"Va bene."
Vivan aspettò che lui fosse salito nella sua auto nera prima di andare via. Appena partita, chiamò immediatamente il dipartimento delle risorse umane della sua azienda. Gli disse che presto sarebbe stata registrata come residente di Sunshine City. Dalle risorse umane le confermarono che avrebbero stipulato un’assicurazione sanitaria locale sia per lei che per la sua famiglia, e allora tirò un sospiro di sollievo. Sebbene sposarsi oggi era stata una decisione piuttosto impulsiva da parte sua, almeno era riuscita a risolvere questo problema, che la tormentava da tempo. Finalmente, non avrebbe più dovuto angosciarsi per le spese mediche di sua madre.
Arrivata alla redazione di Glamour Magazine, dove lavorava come giornalista, Vivian scoprì che era ancora troppo presto per l’intervista che avevano fissato nel pomeriggio. Approfittando del poco tempo libero che aveva, decise di andare al centro commerciale lì accanto, per comprare un paio di fedi nuziali con la carta di Finnick.
Dopo, tornò alla sua scrivania e si mise a ripassare le informazioni sull’intervista di questo pomeriggio per l'ultima volta. Proprio in quel momento, Sarah la raggiunse, avvicinandosi con la sua sedia. Le brillavano gli occhi mentre chiedeva: "Vivian, cos’è quell'anello?"
"Sei proprio una brava osservatrice, eh?" Vivian non aveva intenzione di nascondere nulla. Dopotutto, alle risorse umane sapevano già che aveva cambiato residenza e anche nucleo familiare, presto in redazione tutti avrebbero saputo del suo nuovo stato civile. "Mi sono sposata da poco."
"Congratulazioni, Vivian!" esclamò Sarah mentre guardava attentamente l'anello. "Te l’ha regalato tuo marito? Non è un diamante molto grande, vero? Quanto vi è costato?"
"Poco più di mille."
Vivian, non conoscendo quale fosse la situazione finanziaria di Finnick, aveva scelto uno tra gli anelli più economici e semplici che potesse trovare.
Le sopracciglia di Sarah si aggrottavano mentre dichiarava con un'espressione seria: "Vivian, questo non va affatto bene! L’anello nuziale è un simbolo del vostro matrimonio. Quanto affidabile può essere un uomo se non ti compra nemmeno un anello importante?"
"Guarda, sta facendo del suo meglio," rispose Vivian. Notando lo sguardo compassionevole negli occhi di Sarah, si accorse che pensava che il suo nuovo marito non fosse molto benestante.
"Basta così. Non ne parliamo più." Cambiò rapidamente argomento, non volendo dilungarsi. "Sei pronta per l’intervista che abbiamo dopo?"
"Ahahah, assolutamente!" La tattica di distrazione di Vivian aveva funzionato, poiché Sarah indicando il suo abbigliamento, disse subito: "Vivian, cosa ne pensi? Sono bella?”
Fu solo allora che Vivian notò che la sua collega indossava un completo rosa e bianco. Si era anche acconciata i capelli con molta cura. "Sei stupenda!" si complimentò Vivian. Solleticata dalle sue parole lusinghiere, gli occhi di Sarah si illuminarono di gioia. "Allora, pensi che avrò una possibilità con uno scapolo riccone come il presidente del Gruppo Finnor?"
Capitolo 3 Il Presidente È Mio Marito
Vivian spalancò gli occhi dalla sorpresa, mentre capì perché Sarah si fosse impegnata così tanto per farsi bella. La persona che avrebbero intervistato nel pomeriggio era il presidente del Gruppo Finnor. A Sunshine City, il Gruppo Finnor era considerato una leggenda; l’azienda era nata dal nulla solo tre anni fa. Aveva avuto un’ascesa molto rapida, riuscendo a farsi un nome nell'industria finanziaria, utilizzando metodi estremamente aggressivi. Al momento, era considerata uno dei magnati finanziari di Sunshine City, essendo al pari delle prime tre famiglie della città.
Eppure, ad attirare l'attenzione più di ogni altra cosa era il presidente dell'azienda. Ancora oggi, nessuno conosceva il suo nome, o il suo aspetto; la sua intera identità era un mistero, rendendo la sua figura sempre più affascinante. Non c'era esempio migliore di Sarah, che si era impegnata a vestirsi bene, dopo aver scoperto chi sarebbe stato il protagonista dell’intervista.
Un lampo di divertimento brillò negli occhi di Vivian mentre scherzava: "Sarah, sei sicura di volerlo impressionare così tanto? Non temi che il presidente possa rivelarsi un vecchio uomo calvo e cattivo?"
"Pfft! Non ci credo!" Sarah sbottò infastidita: "Si dice che sia molto giovane!"
In contrasto all'atteggiamento speranzosa e divertente di Sarah, Jenny era completamente seria quando disse: "Questa intervista è un'opportunità unica nella vita, quindi dobbiamo essere preparate al meglio. È la prima volta che il presidente accetta effettivamente un'intervista per un giornale. Le nostre vendite schizzeranno alle stelle se riusciremo a ottenere una sua foto."
Vivian annuì comprensiva.
Era vero che il presidente del Gruppo Finnor non aveva mai accettato un'intervista. Quando Glamour Magazine lo aveva invitato per la prima volta, inizialmente aveva rifiutato, come al solito. Ma, contro ogni aspettativa, ieri era arrivata una telefonata in cui affermava di voler fare l’intervista. Inutile dire che la notizia improvvisa aveva scioccato i caporedattori.
Dopo aver rivisto la struttura dell'intervista per l'ultima volta, Vivian, Sarah e Jenny si diressero al Gruppo Finnor insieme ad un fotografo. Il Gruppo Finnor si trovava nel quartiere finanziario di Sunshine City. Salutarono la receptionist al primo piano, dichiarando il motivo della loro visita e presero l'ascensore fino all'ultimo piano.
"Venite da Glamour Magazine?" La segretaria venne ad accoglierli non appena uscirono dall'ascensore. "Il signor Norton vi sta già aspettando dentro" e li condusse nell'ufficio del presidente.
Vivian si bloccò leggermente sentendo ciò che aveva detto la segretaria.
Signor Norton? Che coincidenza, chi l’avrebbe mai detto, che il presidente del Gruppo Finnor aveva lo stesso cognome del mio nuovo marito?
Appena prima di entrare, Sarah, nervosa, tirò la manica di Vivian, sussurrando: "Come vanno i capelli? Sono disordinati? Oh, meglio che non si siano rovinati..." Sghignazzando leggermente, Vivian rispose sussurrando: "Stanno bene. Non hai un solo capello fuori posto. È tutto…"
In quel momento, guardò per caso nell'ufficio mentre parlava. Appena vide la figura vicino alla finestra, si irrigidì sorpresa e si interruppe. Tutti i pensieri rassicuranti che aveva per Sarah svanirono all’istante. Proprio in quel momento, lo sguardo di Sarah cadde sull'uomo, facendole dimenticare del tutto il suo aspetto. Lo shock era evidente nella sua voce mentre mormorava: "Oh mio dio, il presidente del Gruppo Finnor... Sta davvero seduto su una sedia a rotelle?"
Prima che Vivian potesse dire qualcosa, la sedia a rotelle si girò verso di loro lentamente.
Sarah ansimò: "Wow! È così bello! È più bello di una celebrità!"
La sua una sedia a rotelle era stato completamente eclissata dal suo fascino e quindi Sarah non riuscì più a trattenere i suoi sussurri ammirati.
Vivian non sentì una sola delle sue parole. Anche la sua attenzione era concentrata sull'uomo, ma per motivi completamente diversi. In quel momento, il suo cervello sembrava essersi fermato, mentre lo fissava, era completamente sbalordita. I raggi di luce che entravano dalla finestra davano forma ai lineamenti spigolosi e decisi del volto di quell’uomo nell'ombra, mentre gli occhi scuri rimanevano freddi come sempre.
Era Finnick.
Finnick è il presidente del Gruppo Finnor?
Leggete subito il capitolo seguente👉Mai in ritardo, mai lontano
Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
"Divorce and you'll get $10 million." The CEO husband ordered.
Without telling him she's pregnant , she agreed and went abroad for a new life. Then the husband was completely panicked.
Chapter 1 A Night of Absurdities
"Anastasia, help! I've been molested at the club!"
The desperate and helpless sound of her best friend's voice was the only thing on Anastasia Tillman's mind as she rushed over to the clubhouse.
Room 808. Anastasia looked up at the number plaque on the door of the private room. It was the same room number that her best friend, Hayley Seymour, had texted her. Without another thought, she barged through the door to save her friend.
When the door swung open under her hand, she was greeted by the darkness within. Suddenly, a strong hand clasped around her wrist and dragged her into the dark room, followed by a loud thud as the door slammed shut.
"Hey—who are you, and what do you want?!" Anastasia shrieked, her eyes darting around wildly as she tried to make out her surroundings.
"Settle down, and I'll treat you well." A man's deep and husky voice spoke close to her ear.
The next second, Anastasia was unceremoniously tossed onto the couch, and before she could scramble to her feet, a lean and strong body pinned her down.
She let out a muffled cry when a pair of lips that tasted like peppermint captured hers.
The man on top of her felt burning hot to the touch. A sense of hopelessness brought tears to her eyes as she tried to struggle against the man, but in the end, she could do nothing but endure the man's ferocity.
An hour later, Anastasia staggered out of the room, looking disheveled. She had only just been through a nightmare, but that didn't distract her from worrying about her best friend's safety.
She was just about to call Hayley's number when she saw a group of men and women walking out the side door. Under the lights, she instantly recognized the two of the women in the group.
One happened to be Hayley, her best friend who had cried for help on the phone earlier, and the other was Anastasia's stepsister, Erica Tillman. The two girls walked side by side with their arms linked, as if they were the closest of friends.
Shock and rage colored Anastasia's features when she saw them. "Stop right there, Hayley!" she called out loudly over the distance as her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
Upon hearing this, Hayley and Erica swiveled around to face her. Anastasia glowered at them, ashen-faced as she demanded of Hayley, "Why would you lie to me?!"
Hayley smirked. "It's not my fault that you're always so gullible, Anastasia."
"Did you have a good time with that gigolo back there?" Erica asked in a sing-song voice, smiling wickedly.
It was only then that Anastasia realized that both of them had set her up. The chastity she had held dear for the past nineteen years was now sacrificed for their despicable glee.
Presently, Hayley's eyes were frosty as she seethed, "Did you actually think I was your friend, Anastasia? I've been living in your shadow ever since we met! I hate you, and I want nothing more than to ruin that face of yours!"
Erica, on the other hand, swiftly interjected by mocking, "I have the proof I need to show Dad that you've been pimping yourself for money at the club. It won't be long until you're thrown out of the house!"
"You two—" Anastasia was so furious that she swayed. Her body was in tatters after the ordeal she had been through, and the collective weight of her friend's betrayal and her sister's cruelty nearly knocked her down.
"Let's go, Hayley! We don't want to be seen with trash, do we?" With her arm looped through Hayley's, Erica led her toward the sports car she had parked by the curb.
Three days later, at the Tillman Residence, a low male voice yelled out in rage, "You became an escort for money just because I wouldn't let you go abroad for your studies? How can I, Francis Tillman, be capable of having such a shameless daughter like you?"
"Dad, I didn't—"
"You didn't? But you did, Anastasia! How could you go to such shameless lengths? Did we starve you, or did we deprive you of anything? I can't believe you would pimp yourself to random strangers in a filthy clubhouse! For your sake, I hope you haven't brought any disease back to this house. Who knows what my daughter and I could have caught from you," the woman who was dressed in jewels and fine clothes sneered from where she sat on the couch.
"Dad, I really didn't do it. I—" Anastasia tried to explain herself.
However, Francis did not want to hear another word from her. He glowered at her maliciously as he snapped, "Still lying to me, I see. Get out of this home right now! I will not stand to have you under my roof. No daughter of mine could be so shameless. From now on, you are not my child!"
Meanwhile, on the staircase landing, Erica watched this scene play out as she leaned against the banister with her chin propped on her hand. Everything was going exactly the way she had planned. In a matter of minutes, Anastasia was going to be cast out of the house and wander around like some pathetic stray mutt.
Downstairs in the living room, Anastasia fell silent when she saw the thunderous and disappointed look on her father's face. She wordlessly rose from her seat and walked up the stairs to pack up her things.
She had only just rounded the landing when Erica barricaded her. With her arms crossed haughtily in front of her chest, the younger girl sneered, "Get out of here! Don't linger around like an eyesore. This house will never have a place for you ever again!"
Anastasia clenched her fists as she glowered at Erica's pleased expression.
Seeing the hatred and anger in Anastasia's eyes, Erica leaned forward. "What, do you want to slap me or something?" She turned her cheek toward the fuming girl and said smugly, "Go right ahead, then!"
Without holding back, Anastasia brought her hand down across Erica's face, resulting in a hard slap.
"Ah!" Erica let out a shrill cry. "You just hit me! Mom, Dad—Anastasia just hit me!" She howled as she bolted down the stairs.
Naomi Lowell quickly pulled her daughter into her arms and cried up the stairwell, "How dare you strike my daughter, Anastasia! What the hell are you playing at?!"
Francis glanced at the red imprints on Erica's cheek, and he had never been more disappointed in his life. When did my oldest daughter become so infuriatingly rebellious?
"Dad, it hurts..." Erica sobbed as she burrowed into her father's arms, taking in exaggerated deep breaths like she was in great pain.
"Get out of here, Anastasia!" Francis roared up the stairs.
Having packed up her things, Anastasia grabbed her passport and went down the stairs. Her heart grew stone-cold when she saw how her own father was holding Erica in his arms like she was something precious.
Anastasia knew then that she indeed had no place in his heart. Francis had only heard Erica's side of the story instead of asking Anastasia about the horrific incident she had endured last night.
Ever since her mother had passed, she had spent her years in this home living like an outsider, for her father had brought home his mistress and his illegitimate daughter to form a new family.
Anastasia's poor mother had never known about her husband's extra-marital affairs, not even in her death.
I will never come back to this place ever again.
Inside the house, Erica watched as Anastasia dragged her suitcase out the front door, and a wicked smile curled on her lips. I finally got rid of that useless eyesore!
…
Five years later, a knock came on the front door of an apartment in Dansbury.
The woman living in the apartment had been poring over her designs when she heard the knock. A little bewildered, she walked up to the door and pulled it open unhappily. When she saw the two Asian men in suits, she asked in Chinese, "Who are you looking for?"
"Are you Miss Anastasia Tillman?" one of the two men asked in English.
"I am. And you are?" Anastasia pressed.
"We were asked to look for you. Your mother, Amelia Chapman, saved our young master's life back in the day. The old madam whom we serve wishes to see you."
She frowned at this. "Who's the old madam you serve?"
"Old Madam Presgrave," the first man answered respectfully.
Upon hearing this, Anastasia understood what had brought these men here. Old Madam Presgrave was the woman behind the Presgrave Group, the foremost conglomerate in the country. Years ago, Anastasia's mother had sacrificed her life to save Old Madam Presgrave's oldest grandson.
It gave Anastasia great pride to have been born to a police officer as capable and righteous as Amelia.
"I'm sorry, but I don't intend to see her," Anastasia said decidedly. She had a feeling that the Presgraves wanted to repay Amelia's great deed, but she had no plans of accepting their gesture whatsoever.
Just then, a childish and curious voice sounded from somewhere inside the apartment, asking, "Mommy,
who is it?"
"No one," Anastasia replied hastily. Then, she turned to address the men at the door, "Sorry, but I'm really not in a mood for guests at the moment."
With that, she closed the door.
Meanwhile, back in the country, a man was seated on the couch inside the villa tucked halfway up the hill. "Have you tracked her down?"
"Yes, Young Master Elliot. The girl from the clubhouse five years ago just sold off your watch at the second-hand market."
"Find her," said the man on the couch, his voice deep and authoritative.
"Yes, sir!"
Without telling him she's pregnant , she agreed and went abroad for a new life. Then the husband was completely panicked.
Chapter 1 A Night of Absurdities
"Anastasia, help! I've been molested at the club!"
The desperate and helpless sound of her best friend's voice was the only thing on Anastasia Tillman's mind as she rushed over to the clubhouse.
Room 808. Anastasia looked up at the number plaque on the door of the private room. It was the same room number that her best friend, Hayley Seymour, had texted her. Without another thought, she barged through the door to save her friend.
When the door swung open under her hand, she was greeted by the darkness within. Suddenly, a strong hand clasped around her wrist and dragged her into the dark room, followed by a loud thud as the door slammed shut.
"Hey—who are you, and what do you want?!" Anastasia shrieked, her eyes darting around wildly as she tried to make out her surroundings.
"Settle down, and I'll treat you well." A man's deep and husky voice spoke close to her ear.
The next second, Anastasia was unceremoniously tossed onto the couch, and before she could scramble to her feet, a lean and strong body pinned her down.
She let out a muffled cry when a pair of lips that tasted like peppermint captured hers.
The man on top of her felt burning hot to the touch. A sense of hopelessness brought tears to her eyes as she tried to struggle against the man, but in the end, she could do nothing but endure the man's ferocity.
An hour later, Anastasia staggered out of the room, looking disheveled. She had only just been through a nightmare, but that didn't distract her from worrying about her best friend's safety.
She was just about to call Hayley's number when she saw a group of men and women walking out the side door. Under the lights, she instantly recognized the two of the women in the group.
One happened to be Hayley, her best friend who had cried for help on the phone earlier, and the other was Anastasia's stepsister, Erica Tillman. The two girls walked side by side with their arms linked, as if they were the closest of friends.
Shock and rage colored Anastasia's features when she saw them. "Stop right there, Hayley!" she called out loudly over the distance as her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
Upon hearing this, Hayley and Erica swiveled around to face her. Anastasia glowered at them, ashen-faced as she demanded of Hayley, "Why would you lie to me?!"
Hayley smirked. "It's not my fault that you're always so gullible, Anastasia."
"Did you have a good time with that gigolo back there?" Erica asked in a sing-song voice, smiling wickedly.
It was only then that Anastasia realized that both of them had set her up. The chastity she had held dear for the past nineteen years was now sacrificed for their despicable glee.
Presently, Hayley's eyes were frosty as she seethed, "Did you actually think I was your friend, Anastasia? I've been living in your shadow ever since we met! I hate you, and I want nothing more than to ruin that face of yours!"
Erica, on the other hand, swiftly interjected by mocking, "I have the proof I need to show Dad that you've been pimping yourself for money at the club. It won't be long until you're thrown out of the house!"
"You two—" Anastasia was so furious that she swayed. Her body was in tatters after the ordeal she had been through, and the collective weight of her friend's betrayal and her sister's cruelty nearly knocked her down.
"Let's go, Hayley! We don't want to be seen with trash, do we?" With her arm looped through Hayley's, Erica led her toward the sports car she had parked by the curb.
Three days later, at the Tillman Residence, a low male voice yelled out in rage, "You became an escort for money just because I wouldn't let you go abroad for your studies? How can I, Francis Tillman, be capable of having such a shameless daughter like you?"
"Dad, I didn't—"
"You didn't? But you did, Anastasia! How could you go to such shameless lengths? Did we starve you, or did we deprive you of anything? I can't believe you would pimp yourself to random strangers in a filthy clubhouse! For your sake, I hope you haven't brought any disease back to this house. Who knows what my daughter and I could have caught from you," the woman who was dressed in jewels and fine clothes sneered from where she sat on the couch.
"Dad, I really didn't do it. I—" Anastasia tried to explain herself.
However, Francis did not want to hear another word from her. He glowered at her maliciously as he snapped, "Still lying to me, I see. Get out of this home right now! I will not stand to have you under my roof. No daughter of mine could be so shameless. From now on, you are not my child!"
Meanwhile, on the staircase landing, Erica watched this scene play out as she leaned against the banister with her chin propped on her hand. Everything was going exactly the way she had planned. In a matter of minutes, Anastasia was going to be cast out of the house and wander around like some pathetic stray mutt.
Downstairs in the living room, Anastasia fell silent when she saw the thunderous and disappointed look on her father's face. She wordlessly rose from her seat and walked up the stairs to pack up her things.
She had only just rounded the landing when Erica barricaded her. With her arms crossed haughtily in front of her chest, the younger girl sneered, "Get out of here! Don't linger around like an eyesore. This house will never have a place for you ever again!"
Anastasia clenched her fists as she glowered at Erica's pleased expression.
Seeing the hatred and anger in Anastasia's eyes, Erica leaned forward. "What, do you want to slap me or something?" She turned her cheek toward the fuming girl and said smugly, "Go right ahead, then!"
Without holding back, Anastasia brought her hand down across Erica's face, resulting in a hard slap.
"Ah!" Erica let out a shrill cry. "You just hit me! Mom, Dad—Anastasia just hit me!" She howled as she bolted down the stairs.
Naomi Lowell quickly pulled her daughter into her arms and cried up the stairwell, "How dare you strike my daughter, Anastasia! What the hell are you playing at?!"
Francis glanced at the red imprints on Erica's cheek, and he had never been more disappointed in his life. When did my oldest daughter become so infuriatingly rebellious?
"Dad, it hurts..." Erica sobbed as she burrowed into her father's arms, taking in exaggerated deep breaths like she was in great pain.
"Get out of here, Anastasia!" Francis roared up the stairs.
Having packed up her things, Anastasia grabbed her passport and went down the stairs. Her heart grew stone-cold when she saw how her own father was holding Erica in his arms like she was something precious.
Anastasia knew then that she indeed had no place in his heart. Francis had only heard Erica's side of the story instead of asking Anastasia about the horrific incident she had endured last night.
Ever since her mother had passed, she had spent her years in this home living like an outsider, for her father had brought home his mistress and his illegitimate daughter to form a new family.
Anastasia's poor mother had never known about her husband's extra-marital affairs, not even in her death.
I will never come back to this place ever again.
Inside the house, Erica watched as Anastasia dragged her suitcase out the front door, and a wicked smile curled on her lips. I finally got rid of that useless eyesore!
…
Five years later, a knock came on the front door of an apartment in Dansbury.
The woman living in the apartment had been poring over her designs when she heard the knock. A little bewildered, she walked up to the door and pulled it open unhappily. When she saw the two Asian men in suits, she asked in Chinese, "Who are you looking for?"
"Are you Miss Anastasia Tillman?" one of the two men asked in English.
"I am. And you are?" Anastasia pressed.
"We were asked to look for you. Your mother, Amelia Chapman, saved our young master's life back in the day. The old madam whom we serve wishes to see you."
She frowned at this. "Who's the old madam you serve?"
"Old Madam Presgrave," the first man answered respectfully.
Upon hearing this, Anastasia understood what had brought these men here. Old Madam Presgrave was the woman behind the Presgrave Group, the foremost conglomerate in the country. Years ago, Anastasia's mother had sacrificed her life to save Old Madam Presgrave's oldest grandson.
It gave Anastasia great pride to have been born to a police officer as capable and righteous as Amelia.
"I'm sorry, but I don't intend to see her," Anastasia said decidedly. She had a feeling that the Presgraves wanted to repay Amelia's great deed, but she had no plans of accepting their gesture whatsoever.
Just then, a childish and curious voice sounded from somewhere inside the apartment, asking, "Mommy,
who is it?"
"No one," Anastasia replied hastily. Then, she turned to address the men at the door, "Sorry, but I'm really not in a mood for guests at the moment."
With that, she closed the door.
Meanwhile, back in the country, a man was seated on the couch inside the villa tucked halfway up the hill. "Have you tracked her down?"
"Yes, Young Master Elliot. The girl from the clubhouse five years ago just sold off your watch at the second-hand market."
"Find her," said the man on the couch, his voice deep and authoritative.
"Yes, sir!"
00:21
Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
Jared was released from Horington Prison after he finished his three-year sentence. He returned to his former residence, which his parents gifted him and where he and his girlfriend, Sandy, had many sweet memories.
Jared went upstairs and pushed the door to his house open, only to be greeted by a complete mess of a living room.
Coming from the bedroom was the sound of lewd moans. “Be gentler, Ley. You're hurting me...”
Jared's face immediately turned red because that was obviously Sandy's voice. I was sent to prison for protecting Sandy by beating that trust fund baby, Leyton, three years ago, and she promised me we'd get married when I got out!
Then, a raspy male voice replied, “How will I satisfy you if I go gentler on you? I thought you like it rough.”
“You're a nasty one. Tomorrow's the wedding. I can't afford to look exhausted.”
“Jared's never done this with you before, has he? I wonder how he'll react if he finds out what you're doing now. Hahaha!”
“You're also a meanie. You purposely bought that pauper's house so we could do the deed here.”
With his fists clenched and eyes crimson-red, Jared could stand the conversation no longer as he violently kicked the bedroom door open.
Right before Jared's eyes was Sandy lying together with Leyton.
The scene made Jared's already red eyes turn even redder.
Read Next Chapter Now👉
Jared went upstairs and pushed the door to his house open, only to be greeted by a complete mess of a living room.
Coming from the bedroom was the sound of lewd moans. “Be gentler, Ley. You're hurting me...”
Jared's face immediately turned red because that was obviously Sandy's voice. I was sent to prison for protecting Sandy by beating that trust fund baby, Leyton, three years ago, and she promised me we'd get married when I got out!
Then, a raspy male voice replied, “How will I satisfy you if I go gentler on you? I thought you like it rough.”
“You're a nasty one. Tomorrow's the wedding. I can't afford to look exhausted.”
“Jared's never done this with you before, has he? I wonder how he'll react if he finds out what you're doing now. Hahaha!”
“You're also a meanie. You purposely bought that pauper's house so we could do the deed here.”
With his fists clenched and eyes crimson-red, Jared could stand the conversation no longer as he violently kicked the bedroom door open.
Right before Jared's eyes was Sandy lying together with Leyton.
The scene made Jared's already red eyes turn even redder.
Read Next Chapter Now👉
Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
Jared was released from Horington Prison after he finished his three-year sentence. He returned to his former residence, which his parents gifted him and where he and his girlfriend, Sandy, had many sweet memories.
Jared went upstairs and pushed the door to his house open, only to be greeted by a complete mess of a living room.
Coming from the bedroom was the sound of lewd moans. “Be gentler, Ley. You're hurting me...”
Jared's face immediately turned red because that was obviously Sandy's voice. I was sent to prison for protecting Sandy by beating that trust fund baby, Leyton, three years ago, and she promised me we'd get married when I got out!
Then, a raspy male voice replied, “How will I satisfy you if I go gentler on you? I thought you like it rough.”
“You're a nasty one. Tomorrow's the wedding. I can't afford to look exhausted.”
“Jared's never done this with you before, has he? I wonder how he'll react if he finds out what you're doing now. Hahaha!”
“You're also a meanie. You purposely bought that pauper's house so we could do the deed here.”
With his fists clenched and eyes crimson-red, Jared could stand the conversation no longer as he violently kicked the bedroom door open.
Right before Jared's eyes was Sandy lying together with Leyton.
The scene made Jared's already red eyes turn even redder.
Read Next Chapter Now👉
Jared went upstairs and pushed the door to his house open, only to be greeted by a complete mess of a living room.
Coming from the bedroom was the sound of lewd moans. “Be gentler, Ley. You're hurting me...”
Jared's face immediately turned red because that was obviously Sandy's voice. I was sent to prison for protecting Sandy by beating that trust fund baby, Leyton, three years ago, and she promised me we'd get married when I got out!
Then, a raspy male voice replied, “How will I satisfy you if I go gentler on you? I thought you like it rough.”
“You're a nasty one. Tomorrow's the wedding. I can't afford to look exhausted.”
“Jared's never done this with you before, has he? I wonder how he'll react if he finds out what you're doing now. Hahaha!”
“You're also a meanie. You purposely bought that pauper's house so we could do the deed here.”
With his fists clenched and eyes crimson-red, Jared could stand the conversation no longer as he violently kicked the bedroom door open.
Right before Jared's eyes was Sandy lying together with Leyton.
The scene made Jared's already red eyes turn even redder.
Read Next Chapter Now👉
Jan 19, 2025 - Present
Hugo Spencer bedded his wife day and night in the name of revenge until she became pregnant.
😡🔥“You’re here to pay off your debt! How dare you get pregnant with my kid!”😡
Chapter 1 She's Pregnant
A beautiful young lady with an unnaturally pale face stood outside the entrance of the ultrasound room with a B-scan report in her hand.
Not only did she not feel the joy and surprise of someone who had become a mother, but she was shrouded in a thick aura of fear.
The results stated below the B-ultrasound report were: One fetus, alive, consistent with an intrauterine pregnancy of 8+ weeks.
She was pregnant, and it had been two months.
Just then, her phone rang, and as she looked at the name on the screen, she took a deep breath before answering, "Hello?"
"Come to the office." It was a low, cold voice that was akin to a demonic presence from hell.
"I—"
The call ended abruptly, giving her no room to refuse.
Celia Stuart quickly put the ultrasound report into her bag, hastily left the hospital, and hurried to the most imposing building in the city center.
There was only one thing on her agenda whenever she came here: to please her husband and satisfy his every physical need.
Regardless of the time or place, she had to be at his beck and call whenever he called, or she would have to face dire consequences.
After reaching the suite on the 32nd floor of the company, Celia was about to sit on the couch to rest when she heard the sound of the fingerprint scanner outside the door.
A tall and handsome figure dressed in a custom-made jet-black suit that accentuated his elegance and cold severity strode in.
It was Hugo Spencer, her husband.
Celia promptly put on a smiling face and stood up. "Did your business trip go well this time, darling?"
It was still mid-afternoon, and the warm sunlight illuminated the sharp contours of the man's eyebrows and nose, giving his exquisite features a cold and ruthless vibe.
Instead of answering her, he simply grabbed a bag and threw it in front of her.
"Go take a shower and change into it," he demanded in his usual commanding tone.
Celia looked at the pale pink lingerie bag and knew what she had to do next. Cheeks turning pink, she softly muttered, "I... I have a stomach ache today. I'm not feeling well. Can we—"
The man who saw through her lie with just one glance coldly snarled, "Stop making excuses."
"It's true." She couldn't help but blush as she lied.
After all, the baby inside her was two months old!
She wouldn't be able to handle what the man was about to do next.
Celia mustered up the courage to ask, "Can I take a day off today and rest?" For the sake of her unborn child, she couldn't engage in marital activities.
With his hands in his pockets, Hugo approached and towered over her. As he looked at her with a contemptuous gaze, he asked in return, "Do you think you deserve a break?"
Celia's eyes turned red. Her heart was filled with bitterness when she looked at the cold and heartless man.
A year ago, she had been set up and given to an old man by her stepmother. She was in her despair when Hugo appeared before her like a savior, rescuing her from trouble.
When she returned home and tried to tell her father about the incident, her stepmother turned the tables and accused her of bringing her daughter to a club which almost led to her being violated.
Without a second thought, her father slapped Celia across the face and kicked her out of the house, leaving her to fend for herself.
It was on a stormy night when she was grabbed by a drunkard. She stumbled and fell in a panic, and that was when she somehow saw Hugo once again.
At that moment, he became her savior who later gave her a place to stay and provided her warmth and comfort.
Hugo was tall and handsome, and he exuded an exceptional aura. Every move and gesture he made gave out a thick aristocratic air.
Furthermore, as the head of the country's top financial conglomerate, Spencer Group, he was immensely wealthy and influential.
After Celia succumbed to his gentle advances a month later, she secretly took her household registration book from home without her father's knowledge and married Hugo without anyone witnessing or blessing the union.
She thought that what awaited her after the marriage was happiness.
Unexpectedly, Hugo whispered a bloody truth into her ear on the night they registered their marriage: marrying her was just the beginning of his revenge.
Back to the present, Celia emerged from the bathroom with her arms around her chest, blushing as she approached the bed.
It seemed that Hugo had a hobby of tormenting her for his own pleasure. Every time he went on a business trip, he would buy some erotica products that pushed her to her limits and forced her to wear them for his amusement.
The man was now reclined on a pillow. In his crisp white shirt and tailored trousers, he exuded an air of sophistication and decadence.
Seeing this, she meekly pleaded again. "I'm really not feeling well. Can't we—"
"You don't have the right to refuse." The man's cold and sharp gaze shot back instantly.
The look in his eyes made Celia want to escape.
"When will you stop tormenting me? When will you let me go?" Celia questioned him for the first time as tears uncontrollably rolled down her face.
She was a person, a living being, not a plaything for him to manipulate at will.
Hugo stood up from the bed, somewhat enjoying the expression of rebellion on his pet kitty's face. After all, women who were too obedient were no fun.
His lips curled into a sneer. "You want me to let you go? That will never happen in this lifetime. You are not allowed to leave my side even if I get tired or annoyed with you."
"You..." Celia couldn't hold back her tears. She felt utterly humiliated.
He walked up to her and gripped her chin with his large hand, forcing her to look at him. It intrigued him more than before to see the touch of fierceness on her pure and ethereal face.
As he leaned in to kiss her on the lips, Celia angrily turned her face to evade his lips.
"You dare refuse me?" He smirked.
The next moment, he carried her up and threw her onto the soft bed beside them.
Two hours later, the exhausted woman gasped and held her lower abdomen when she saw the faint red marks on the bedsheets.
My baby! Please be okay!
With weak legs, Celia dragged her body back to the hospital once again.
While she lay in the ultrasound room, she felt a sense of panic wash over her as she listened to the sound of the small train nearby.
Tears streamed down Celia's face, startling the nurse who hurriedly tried to comfort her. "Miss, don't worry. Your baby is healthy. Its heartbeat is strong."
After Celia entered the doctor's office, she was surprised that the doctor remembered her. The doctor immediately asked her, "Why did you suddenly start bleeding? You were fine this morning. Do you want your child or not?"
Upon hearing the question, Celia almost blurted out, "Yes, I do!"
A strong determination to protect her baby surged within her. She felt responsible as a mother the moment she heard the sound of the baby's heartbeat moments ago.
The doctor glanced at her. "You're not even 20. Isn't your husband here?"
"H-He's busy."
"Well, you need to tell him to be careful for the next three months and prioritize the baby. Otherwise, the risk of miscarriage is high even for someone as young as yourself." The doctor hinted when they noticed the kiss mark on her neck.
"I understand. Thank you, doctor." Celia's face turned beet red.
However, she felt her chest tighten at the same time she breathed a sigh of relief. How was she supposed to tell Hugo about the child?
The baby could be in danger at any moment if she didn't say anything, but if she did tell him about it, the baby would be even more at risk because Hugo would undoubtedly insist on her getting rid of it.
Chapter 2 Unworthy of Having My Child
As Celia trudged out of the hospital, she instinctively covered her abdomen and bitterly wondered why the baby had to come to her womb.
How wonderful it would be if it could find parents who could let it grow up healthy!
The reason Hugo wanted to take revenge on her was because of her mother.
From a young age, her father never mentioned her mother's death. It was at the age of ten when she heard her stepmother's sarcastic remarks about how Celia's birth mother and a wealthy man had a rendezvous in a car in the mountains, resulting in both of them plummeting off a cliff to their deaths.
And that wealthy man was Hugo's father.
Her mother was deemed a disgraceful mistress who had intruded upon Hugo's parents' marriage.
Celia's father, fueled by his hatred for her mother's affair, openly welcomed the other woman into their home, erasing any trace of her existence in that household.
As if seeing her reminded him of her mother's betrayal, he didn't even spare Celia a glance.
Celia was like an orphan. She was utterly alone in this world.
After returning from the hospital, she ate the lunch prepared by the servants before she dozed off until the evening.
By the time she woke up, she was startled when she glanced at the time. How was it 8.30PM already? She then hurried downstairs.
Hugo had returned at some point. Sitting on the couch in the living room, he looked both relaxed and dangerous as he sat in an unrestrained posture.
Celia suddenly thought about taking the initiative to please him so that it would be easier to discuss the child with him.
She brewed a cup of tea and brought it to him. "You've worked hard, darling. Have a cup of tea to quench your thirst!"
Hugo glanced up at her. "Do you have something to tell me?"
This man had an uncanny ability to see through her as if he could read her every thought just by looking at her.
Celia bit her red lip and sat beside him, tentatively asking, "I was thinking… Should we have a child? It would make our home livelier."
A contemptuous smile played at the corners of Hugo's mouth. "Do you think you're worthy of bearing my child?"
"What if I accidentally get pregnant?" Celia kept biting her lip. She couldn't look him straight in the eyes.
"Abort it immediately," the man answered without any mercy.
A few seconds later, his sharp gaze locked onto her again. "Are you pregnant?"
Taken aback, Celia quickly shook her head. "No... I was just curious because it…it gets lonely staying alone in such a big villa."
Hugo seemed to believe her words because he knew she didn't dare to get pregnant with his child. And even if she did, she knew what she had to do.
He set aside the documents and stood up, fetching a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet. After pouring half a glass, he handed it to her. "Finish it."
Celia panicked and waved. "I don't drink."
"You disappointed me yesterday," the man insisted domineeringly as he pushed the glass toward her. "You will pay if you disappoint me again."
Celia gently placed the cup on the table after taking two sips, indicating that she had drunk her fill.
However, the man's eyes narrowed in an instant as his gaze oppressively fixed on her.
"Do you want me to feed you?" he asked.
Celia's beautiful eyes widened slightly. It wasn't as if he hadn't done something like that before. She then obediently picked up the wine glass on the table and took small sips while enduring the burning sensation in her throat.
After four sips, she choked and coughed lightly.
"Finish it," the man demanded hoarsely. He wasn't worried about her at all.
"I don't want to drink anymore." Celia shook her head. She really couldn't take another sip.
However, the man seemed to be intrigued as he got up and pulled her into his embrace. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and then held her delicate face to feed her the alcohol.
Tonight went on to be another sleepless night for her.
Early the next morning, Celia had to go to the hospital again when she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen.
It was the same doctor as yesterday that attended to her. This time, he was looking at her with a serious expression. "Did you already forget what I reminded you just yesterday? What could be more important than a child? Do you realize how dangerous your condition is?"
"Doctor, how is the baby?"
"There's slight bleeding, but the baby is fine for now. Still, you need to be more careful."
As Celia walked out of the doctor's office, she felt lost and bewildered. She wandered around the hospital for a while until a nurse came out calling for the next patient and asked her, "Is it your turn next?"
"What?"
"The operation!"
"What operation?"
"The cesarean section."
Celia recoiled in fear. "I'm not having surgery. It's not me."
There was a couple holding a three-month-old baby next to her after she got in the elevator. The fair and adorable child smiled happily at her, captivating Celia like an angel.
She instinctively touched her abdomen. I'm sure my baby will be this cute too if it came into this world.
The doctor's words resounded in her ears like an alarm. If Hugo continued bedding her tonight, there was a high chance Celia would lose the baby.
Distraught, Celia returned to the villa. Before she could enter the living room, she felt a sudden wave of dizziness before she collapsed at the villa's doorstep.
The bag containing the ultrasound report she was holding fell to the ground by her feet.
A black sports car slowly pulled up outside the iron gate in the evening. Hugo had returned.
His car parked next to the entrance, and when he caught sight of the woman on the ground, a look of shock flashed in his eyes. He quickly pushed the door open and got out.
As he strode toward the woman who had fainted, his attention was momentarily diverted by a hospital plastic bag nearby.
After he crouched down and picked up the medical records and ultrasound report from inside the bag, he immediately frowned when he thought about Celia's reactions toward him these two days and her questions about having a child.
Sh*t, she isn't supposed to get pregnant! She has been taking her pills!
Is she trying to use the child to earn my forgiveness? His face fell at the thought of that.
This woman dares to try using my child as a bargaining chip. Unforgivable!
Celia slowly opened her eyes as she regained consciousness. As she sat up, her eyes widened in shock and panic before they met the chilling gaze of the man's deep and intimidating eyes.
Why is Hugo back already?
She only further paled when she saw the report he was holding.
Despite feeling a desperate urge to escape, Hugo stood before her like a looming shadow, his voice cold as he questioned, "Where do you think you're going?"
Celia had always been afraid of this man from the bottom of her heart. Now that she couldn't run away, she clutched her lower abdomen in despair and terror.
Hugo took a step closer, his gaze scanning her pale face drenched in a cold sweat like a sharp blade before it lowered to her smooth belly.
He stared in that direction for a few seconds.
During those few seconds, Celia's breath seemed to stop. She lowered her head like someone guilty, unable to meet his eyes.
The arrival of the child was not her decision to make. It was a sudden gift from the universe. In fact, she was more panicked and afraid than anyone else.
"When did you get pregnant?" he asked, his face expressionless.
"I... I only found out two days ago," Celia whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Hugo's eyes flickered with a demonic gleam.
"I…"
"Scared that I would want you to abort it?" the man mocked, his tone growing even colder. "Did you think I would let your child come to this world alive?"
Chapter 3 Escaped With His Child
Celia's breath hitched at that. The man was a demon who wouldn't even let a child out of his clutches.
"The child is innocent," she whispered.
"You honestly think you have the right to give birth to my child?" the man beside her mocked.
She lowered her head at that. "I'm sorry. It was an accident."
The corners of Hugo's lips twitched. He refused to believe that it was just a mistake. She is clearly trying to set me up!
"Word of advice: don't even think about using my child to beg for my forgiveness," he warned through gritted teeth.
Celia peered at him with her beautiful eyes as a surge of intense sorrow emerged within her. Her tears swirled in her eyes and she shook her head. "This really was an accident. I never intended to use the child for anything."
"Any woman in this world has the right to give birth to my child, but not you. I don't want my child to have your mother's dirty genes." His cold voice was dripping with disdain. "Get rid of it."
Tears welled up in her eyes when she heard those words. She was already doing her best to atone for her mother's sins by being his plaything. What more did he want from her?
Am I supposed to give him my life?
"Go to the hospital right now!" Hugo coldly tossed out an instruction.
Celia's tears rolled down her cheeks as she instinctively covered her abdomen. My baby, I'm too powerless to keep you with me. I'm sorry.
She closed her eyes. Her heart was filled with indescribable pain.
Can't I keep it? This is his child as well!
Suddenly, Hugo's phone rang.
He glanced at it and picked it up without hesitation. "Yes."
"Mr. Spencer, something urgent has come up in the stock market. You will need to come back and handle it," came the voice of the finance department's manager from the other end.
Hugo glanced at the time when he heard that. As though he didn't even have the patience to accompany Celia to the hospital, he instructed in a frigid voice, "Deal with it yourself."
He knew that she would not dare to keep the child.
Celia watched as he walked toward the car.
When his sports car left in a trail of taillights into the sunset, she hurriedly got up. She didn't know where she could go, but she knew she had to leave this man.
She then went to her own car and drove off before parking it on a side street. As she glanced around, she noticed a bus by the roadside. Without hesitation, she made her way to it.
The ticket seller looked at her and asked, "Where are you headed, young lady?"
Celia didn't hesitate to step inside the bus.
After she found a seat, she said to the woman, "To the final stop, please."
Celia had made up her mind to escape. She had never been this bold before, nor had she ever defied Hugo. But this time, for the sake of her baby, she decided to confront fate head-on.
With her arms around her bag, she turned her phone off and eventually drifted off to sleep out of exhaustion.
As night fell, a black Bugatti drove into the villa. Now that Hugo had finished his work and returned home, he expected to find Celia, who had undergone surgery, waiting for him.
However, the living room was empty. It didn't feel like anyone had been or was there.
His wife would always welcome him every day when he got back from work, so where was she hiding now?
"Celia?" Hugo called out in a deep voice.
And yet, he didn't hear a reply.
He strode up the stairs and checked the master bedroom, the study, and even the place where Celia often lost herself in reverie. However, the woman was nowhere to be found.
Realization finally dawned upon him—she had never been home.
I told her to come back this afternoon. Where the hell did she go? He suddenly thought of a possibility. Did she run away?
He took out his phone and called Celia, and as expected, her phone was off.
"Damn it!" She actually ran away! How dare she?
After enduring a six-hour bus ride, Celia found herself at the bus station in Bloomstead. She was no longer anxious or in a hurry. As long as she could escape from Hugo, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.
She still had some money in her bank account, and it was enough to sustain her in the days to come.
She switched to using a normal phone in case her phone was being tracked. Since she wanted to make her escape, she needed to get as far away as she could.
She had fled to a place where Hugo would never find her again.
One of her college classmates lived in Honchkon. According to her friend, Honchkon was a beautiful place with a perpetually mild climate and a serene atmosphere. It was located in a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and limited communication.
At this moment, she found herself contemplating a new life there.
She had given it a long thought. She knew Hugo would be searching for her all over the world. He would be furious and if he ever found her, he would undoubtedly kill her, but she didn't care.
She might have made a stupid move, but she only acted on a mother's instinct to protect her child.
Wouldn't her child be pitiful if she had cold-heartedly gotten rid of it?
This, she had guessed correctly.
Hugo was indeed looking for her everywhere.
On the streets of the city, he had mobilized all the company's bodyguards in the middle of the night to search for her in the places she might have gone.
It was 4.00AM when he went to a corner of a garden where he took out a packet of cigarettes. He tried to hold his anger in as he lit one of the sticks.
Right then, she heard a woman's voice screaming, "H-Help me!"
He raised his chin, only to see a drunkard pulling a young lady, trying to take advantage of her.
Hugo narrowed his gaze as he discarded his cigarette and walked toward the drunken man.
The woman, in a state of panic and helplessness, pleaded for his help. "Sir, please save me! Sir..."
Hugo swiftly grabbed the drunken man's hand, causing him to scream in pain and release his grip on the woman.
At this, she seized the chance and hurriedly escaped from danger.
Hugo felt his anger rise out of nowhere and kicked the man into a nearby flower bed. Not wanting to dirty his hands any further, he turned to leave.
However, the one thing that appeared in his head now was a pure and beautiful face. Compared to the young woman he saved, Celia had a face that was more tempting to men.
Who will save her if she gets into a similar situation? How will she be treated?
After Hugo returned to his car, a wave of fury suddenly rose within him. He kicked his own tire, his handsome face contorted with a sour expression.
"Sh*t!"
No man, other than himself, was allowed to touch Celia. It was a possessiveness and dominance etched into his very being.
Not even one of all the incoming calls was the one he was waiting for. She is quite the escapee, isn't she? She completely disappeared with my child in tow! F*ck this. I'm going to make her pay a heavy price when I find her!
What Hugo hadn't expected was for his search for her to last for six whole months.
…
Camellias bloomed everywhere in the mountains, filling the air with a primitive and rustic atmosphere. This place had just gone through a harsh winter and now it was spring, where flowers bloomed.
Inside a cottage, a woman wearing a gray plaid skirt sat down. As she rose, she clearly had a bump on her belly. It only looked smaller than usual because she was thin, but this was a belly that carried an eight-month-old child.
Celia had successfully escaped to a place where Hugo was not there. It was a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and Internet, but it was filled with love and joy.
Her arrival made the people here fond of her. She was beautiful, kind, and diligent, and she even became a substitute music teacher at a school.
Everyone warmly called her Miss Stuart.
"Celia, I suggest you go to the county earlier and rent a house. You have only one month left until you are due," her classmate, Yvonne Lester, advised.
"Mhm. I'll go in a few days. Thank you for taking care of me all this time, Yvonne."
"Celia, are you sure you are ready to be a single mother? What are your plans for the future?"
"I have made up my mind. I'm ready to stay here and teach as a volunteer."
"That won't do. You are a city girl. How can you raise a child here?" Yvonne disapproved of her decision.
However, Celia was prepared to live with her child in this area. She didn't mind that they weren't financially well-off, as long as she could spend her whole life by her child's side.
She had decided to live for her child.
Chapter 4 Found Her at Last
Astoria was a bustling city, and Hugo was desperate to find that girl. He had tried everything to search for her, but she was still not found. He scoured the whole city and even told the cops to set up a task force to search for her, but alas, she was still nowhere to be found. Hugo might look calm on the outside, but unbeknownst to others, a storm was brewing in his heart.
Every time the cops found a female corpse, he would go to check if it was her almost immediately, and when he realized it wasn't her, he would heave a sigh of relief. He wished that woman was alive so he could rain down his wrath on her when he found her.
He would not allow her to die just like that. She still had a debt to repay and had to atone for her sins; she had no right to die. However, there was something else. If she were alive, her baby should be eight months old now. It would be old enough to be born. No, I will not let the woman I hate the most give birth to my child. I will not suffer that indignity!
After taking another phone call, Hugo's fury flared once more, and he hurled the file in front of him away. He was currently in his office, and his action startled the female assistant who had just come in to deliver some documents to him.
Her knees almost gave out when she saw him unleashing his rage. Her boss had been temperamental lately; he was like a ticking bomb that would explode at any minute. Thus, whenever he got mad, everyone made it a point to stay as silent as a mouse.
Right then, the phone suddenly rang, and the assistant quickly scurried off. Hugo took a deep breath before taking the call. "What is it?"
"Mr. Spencer, we found your wife," the cop said.
"Are you sure?"
"Very much so. She's living in a village in Honchkon. We found her through the file in a local hospital. Her name and looks match with your wife's."
"Thank you. Give me the address, please."
"Do you need our help with this, Mr. Spencer?"
"It's all right. I can take my wife home by myself," said Hugo calmly, but there was no mistaking the fury underneath his voice. It was like a violent undercurrent roaring underneath the calm surface of a sea.
He had been waiting for too long, and his anger was on the brink of bursting. So, she has finally appeared. You will taste my wrath, Celia. He clenched his fists, his face contorting with rage. Celia's escape enraged him, and he would not stop until she had seen all his wrath.
An hour later, a private jet set off for Honchkon.
Yvonne Lester was leading Celia onto the bus in Honchkon. Celia was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, so she had difficulties moving around with a big belly. Yvonne had been taking care of her for the last few months. She liked Celia a lot since the latter was beautiful and talented. People looked down on Yvonne because she was a bumpkin from the boonies who only got into university through pure luck, or so they thought. However, Celia never treated her as such and had always been nice to her.
A lady beside Yvonne noticed Celia, and she gasped. "Oh, my! She's beautiful. Just like a celebrity."
All the passengers on the bus turned to look at Celia upon hearing the exclamation. Her skin was fair, and she wore her hair up. Even when she was pregnant, she looked gorgeous.
"Her husband is one lucky man," someone remarked.
"Yeah. Never seen someone as gorgeous as she is," another person said.
"So, how many months now?" a lady asked.
"Eight." Celia smiled.
"Oh, so you're going into labor soon. Are you here for a checkup?"
"Yes." Celia nodded.
In the meantime, Hugo leaned his back against a couch in the luxurious cabin of his private jet. He was staring out the window, the look in his eyes cold. Even though he was taking his private jet, the journey from Astoria to Honchkon took nearly two hours. She sure can run, can't she?
At 11.00AM, four off-road vehicles appeared at the airport, driving toward the terminal.
Meanwhile, Celia had finished her checkup. The baby was perfectly healthy, but she was anemic, so the doctor prescribed her some pills. Celia treated Yvonne to lunch, and they shopped around for clothes for a bit. She had bought a lot of clothes for the baby, but she still wanted more. After they were done shopping, they took a van at 2.00PM, heading home.
At the same time, four off-road vehicles drove into the village. The man in the second car's back seat looked out the window, and what greeted him was the downtrodden village. A frown creased his forehead. Has she been staying in this place all this time? This is even worse than the boonies. No wonder it took me so long to find her.
Still, this place had sceneries that the city did not. Mountains surrounded the entire village, keeping it safely tucked away in a corner.
Once they came to the address the GPS showed them, one of the bodyguards went around to ask for Celia's whereabouts, and he came back a while later. "Sir, I've asked around. There's one villager who knows Miss Stuart, and she said Miss Stuart has gone to the hospital for a checkup. She will probably get home at 4.00PM."
Hugo frowned upon hearing that. Her baby bump must be big now. He then looked at the path, which was the only entrance to the village. It should be easy to see her here. "We'll wait here, then." After saying that, he whipped out a pack of cigarettes, rolled down the window, and smoked.
A few memories flooded his mind just then. Over the last six months, he had spent a lot of time searching for her, and he was worried for her. He was worried that she might have died. Aside from that, he had been thinking about the baby as well. However, he had covered that up with his indifferent facade so no one could see through him.
He took a deep hit, and frustration filled his mind. Hold on a second. Am I pitying that woman? There is no way that's true. Her mother ruined my parents' marriage, and then my father and that homewrecker died in a car crash. We became the butt of everyone's joke. Afterward, my mother got depressed for years and left the house, leaving nothing but a letter for me. Her mother ruined my childhood. My life! I will never forgive her. I will torture Celia until she dies!
At this moment, a van trudged past the muddy path and stopped on a slightly smooth surface right across from Hugo's car.
The off-road vehicles were conspicuous, especially in this village. Yvonne got out of the van and quickly helped Celia out.
Hugo stared at the van. He had a feeling he would see her soon, and just as he had expected, a gray silhouette got out a while later. Celia was no longer as slender as she was. Even though she still looked thin, the baby bump hindered her movements.
He stared at her face. Even though it'd been six months since he saw her, she didn't seem to lose any weight. Instead, the pregnancy had lent her a hint of allure. A strand of hair tumbled down her forehead, but she pulled it back and smiled happily.
She looked just like a woman that jumped straight out of an oil painting. Beautiful enough to even mesmerize Hugo for a while, but then his face fell, and he got out of the car.
Chapter 5 Taken Back
When she heard the sound of the opening door, Celia looked up, and her smile faded, which was soon replaced by horror and panic. It looked like she had just seen a ghost. She trembled and almost fell.
Surprised by her sudden change, Yvonne gasped and held her up. On the other hand, Hugo was already extending his arm to Celia to keep her steady on her feet, but when he realized someone was already helping her, he clenched his fist and pulled it back.
Celia was huffing and puffing. At the sight of his handsome face, she felt nothing but terror. Her heart was thumping furiously because of that. Why is he here? The fiend! How did he find me?! The man before her was her absolute fear, and she was seized by the urge to run. So, she held Yvonne's hand and said, "We need to go."
However, her baby bump was hindering her. Yvonne looked at the stranger who came out of nowhere. He had a face that even the gods would envy, but the look in his eyes was as cold as ice, and she couldn't help shivering. Who is he? Why's Celia trying to run from this man?
"I've been looking for you, Celia." Hugo gritted his teeth.
Celia quickly clutched her belly in an attempt to keep her baby away from this man's grasp. "Don't come any closer. I won't go with you!" She teared up, but she knew there was no escape from this.
The man went ahead and grabbed her wrist. Despite being pregnant, she still looked gaunt and fragile. Feeling her thin wrist, he felt something squeeze his heart. Has she been starving herself?
Even though Hugo looked regal, Yvonne still mustered her courage and piped up, "Hey, mister, she's eight months pregnant, so watch it. You'll hurt her baby." Then, she looked at Celia curiously and whispered, "Who is he, Celia?"
"The baby's father." Celia was pale as a ghost, and her heart was filled with sadness. No one would stop her from giving birth to the baby. No one but Hugo. He would kill the child.
Hugo looked at her imperiously and ordered, "You're coming with me. Right now."
The pregnant woman bit her lip. She felt like she was backed into a corner. One wrong step, and she would fall straight to hell. Still, courage filled her heart. It was precisely because she knew death was imminent that she fought to live. "Fine, but you're going to let the baby live." She looked into his eyes, determination filling her soul.
"Do you think you're in a position to negotiate?" He sneered. Even when I still haven't made you pay?
Celia's face was drained of color. She knew she had no right to negotiate and that this whole mess was her fault. Still, the child is innocent.
Hugo's face darkened. The thought of her disappearance keeping him up at night filled him with fury. "Know your place," he said coldly.
Her heart ached slightly. Of course, she knew her place. No matter where she went, she was still his wife. With tears glistening in her eyes, she made up her mind. I have to make this gamble. There could be a possibility that this man still has an ounce of sympathy left in his heart and will let the baby live.
Though, her agitation alerted the baby. It started moving around and kicked her. The pain made her bend over, but someone wrapped their arm around her and held her up.
"Are you alright, Celia?" Yvonne was worried.
"It's alright. The baby just kicked me," said Celia.
Hugo looked around the village. I need to take her home ASAP. If anything happens to her right now, more than one life will be at risk. He had no idea how to deal with the baby just yet, but there was no time for that. He just wanted to take her away. "Come with me. Now," he commanded imperiously, holding her arm.
Celia knew she could no longer run. "Fine." She then turned to Yvonne. "Thanks for everything, Yvonne."
"Hey, you still need to take your stuff. The baby's clothes, remember?" Yvonne said.
What little color Celia had left disappeared, and her tears streamed down her cheeks. "No need for that anymore." With that, she turned to the car and went inside.
Hugo went into the car as well. Celia held back her sadness and bade Yvonne goodbye. "Thanks for everything you and your family did for me, Yvonne. I'll return the favor someday."
"Take care. Keep the baby safe, too." Yvonne waved her goodbye.
Then, the off-road vehicles turned the corner, disappearing from everyone's sight.
Celia closed her eyes, but then the car bumped suddenly. The bodyguard didn't notice the pothole, and he rammed over it. Startled, Celia quickly held her belly but ended up losing her balance and falling onto Hugo's chest.
The man held her right away, but she quickly moved out of his arms and scurried to the other side of the car, as she worried he might hurt the baby.
They got into the plane and flew back to Astoria. The baby had kept Celia awake the whole night, and she couldn't take it anymore. Even though Hugo was sitting across from her, she fell asleep on the couch. Even when she had drifted off to dreamland, she still put her hands over her belly, keeping her baby safe.
Hugo withdrew his gaze from the window and stared at Celia, especially her belly. Just then, he saw something moving inside. The baby was kicking her, tossing and turning around. He stared at it in surprise. Then, a conflicted feeling filled his heart. So, that's my child, huh? Even now, he had no idea how to deal with it. He heaved a sigh and looked outside the window again. His mind was in a rut, but he told the stewardess to cover Celia with a blanket so she wouldn't catch a cold.
The flight went on for two hours. Right before it would land, the stewardess woke Celia up. The moment she opened her eyes, the sight that greeted her was Hugo sitting with his legs crossed. Panicked, she sat up straight. She couldn't believe she had slept that long, and she massaged her numb arm. The baby in her belly turned around and kicked her, filling her with a sense of security. As long as it was moving, then the baby was fine.
During one of the checkups, the doctor gave her a hint, so she knew the baby was a boy.
Once they landed, they got into Hugo's car and drove toward the city. Celia was in the back seat. After spending six months living in a rural area, she felt a little disoriented at this moment. It all felt unreal to her to be back in the city again.
At 4.00PM, they came back to Hugo's villa. Celia got out of the car, holding her lower back. The whole journey exhausted her.
Hugo walked ahead and looked at her with a sneer. "You brought this upon yourself."
A bitter feeling welled in her heart. I guess he doesn't care about the child at all. "Can we talk?" she asked quietly.
"I do not wish to talk." With that, he turned around and strode ahead, leaving her out in the cold.
😡🔥“You’re here to pay off your debt! How dare you get pregnant with my kid!”😡
Chapter 1 She's Pregnant
A beautiful young lady with an unnaturally pale face stood outside the entrance of the ultrasound room with a B-scan report in her hand.
Not only did she not feel the joy and surprise of someone who had become a mother, but she was shrouded in a thick aura of fear.
The results stated below the B-ultrasound report were: One fetus, alive, consistent with an intrauterine pregnancy of 8+ weeks.
She was pregnant, and it had been two months.
Just then, her phone rang, and as she looked at the name on the screen, she took a deep breath before answering, "Hello?"
"Come to the office." It was a low, cold voice that was akin to a demonic presence from hell.
"I—"
The call ended abruptly, giving her no room to refuse.
Celia Stuart quickly put the ultrasound report into her bag, hastily left the hospital, and hurried to the most imposing building in the city center.
There was only one thing on her agenda whenever she came here: to please her husband and satisfy his every physical need.
Regardless of the time or place, she had to be at his beck and call whenever he called, or she would have to face dire consequences.
After reaching the suite on the 32nd floor of the company, Celia was about to sit on the couch to rest when she heard the sound of the fingerprint scanner outside the door.
A tall and handsome figure dressed in a custom-made jet-black suit that accentuated his elegance and cold severity strode in.
It was Hugo Spencer, her husband.
Celia promptly put on a smiling face and stood up. "Did your business trip go well this time, darling?"
It was still mid-afternoon, and the warm sunlight illuminated the sharp contours of the man's eyebrows and nose, giving his exquisite features a cold and ruthless vibe.
Instead of answering her, he simply grabbed a bag and threw it in front of her.
"Go take a shower and change into it," he demanded in his usual commanding tone.
Celia looked at the pale pink lingerie bag and knew what she had to do next. Cheeks turning pink, she softly muttered, "I... I have a stomach ache today. I'm not feeling well. Can we—"
The man who saw through her lie with just one glance coldly snarled, "Stop making excuses."
"It's true." She couldn't help but blush as she lied.
After all, the baby inside her was two months old!
She wouldn't be able to handle what the man was about to do next.
Celia mustered up the courage to ask, "Can I take a day off today and rest?" For the sake of her unborn child, she couldn't engage in marital activities.
With his hands in his pockets, Hugo approached and towered over her. As he looked at her with a contemptuous gaze, he asked in return, "Do you think you deserve a break?"
Celia's eyes turned red. Her heart was filled with bitterness when she looked at the cold and heartless man.
A year ago, she had been set up and given to an old man by her stepmother. She was in her despair when Hugo appeared before her like a savior, rescuing her from trouble.
When she returned home and tried to tell her father about the incident, her stepmother turned the tables and accused her of bringing her daughter to a club which almost led to her being violated.
Without a second thought, her father slapped Celia across the face and kicked her out of the house, leaving her to fend for herself.
It was on a stormy night when she was grabbed by a drunkard. She stumbled and fell in a panic, and that was when she somehow saw Hugo once again.
At that moment, he became her savior who later gave her a place to stay and provided her warmth and comfort.
Hugo was tall and handsome, and he exuded an exceptional aura. Every move and gesture he made gave out a thick aristocratic air.
Furthermore, as the head of the country's top financial conglomerate, Spencer Group, he was immensely wealthy and influential.
After Celia succumbed to his gentle advances a month later, she secretly took her household registration book from home without her father's knowledge and married Hugo without anyone witnessing or blessing the union.
She thought that what awaited her after the marriage was happiness.
Unexpectedly, Hugo whispered a bloody truth into her ear on the night they registered their marriage: marrying her was just the beginning of his revenge.
Back to the present, Celia emerged from the bathroom with her arms around her chest, blushing as she approached the bed.
It seemed that Hugo had a hobby of tormenting her for his own pleasure. Every time he went on a business trip, he would buy some erotica products that pushed her to her limits and forced her to wear them for his amusement.
The man was now reclined on a pillow. In his crisp white shirt and tailored trousers, he exuded an air of sophistication and decadence.
Seeing this, she meekly pleaded again. "I'm really not feeling well. Can't we—"
"You don't have the right to refuse." The man's cold and sharp gaze shot back instantly.
The look in his eyes made Celia want to escape.
"When will you stop tormenting me? When will you let me go?" Celia questioned him for the first time as tears uncontrollably rolled down her face.
She was a person, a living being, not a plaything for him to manipulate at will.
Hugo stood up from the bed, somewhat enjoying the expression of rebellion on his pet kitty's face. After all, women who were too obedient were no fun.
His lips curled into a sneer. "You want me to let you go? That will never happen in this lifetime. You are not allowed to leave my side even if I get tired or annoyed with you."
"You..." Celia couldn't hold back her tears. She felt utterly humiliated.
He walked up to her and gripped her chin with his large hand, forcing her to look at him. It intrigued him more than before to see the touch of fierceness on her pure and ethereal face.
As he leaned in to kiss her on the lips, Celia angrily turned her face to evade his lips.
"You dare refuse me?" He smirked.
The next moment, he carried her up and threw her onto the soft bed beside them.
Two hours later, the exhausted woman gasped and held her lower abdomen when she saw the faint red marks on the bedsheets.
My baby! Please be okay!
With weak legs, Celia dragged her body back to the hospital once again.
While she lay in the ultrasound room, she felt a sense of panic wash over her as she listened to the sound of the small train nearby.
Tears streamed down Celia's face, startling the nurse who hurriedly tried to comfort her. "Miss, don't worry. Your baby is healthy. Its heartbeat is strong."
After Celia entered the doctor's office, she was surprised that the doctor remembered her. The doctor immediately asked her, "Why did you suddenly start bleeding? You were fine this morning. Do you want your child or not?"
Upon hearing the question, Celia almost blurted out, "Yes, I do!"
A strong determination to protect her baby surged within her. She felt responsible as a mother the moment she heard the sound of the baby's heartbeat moments ago.
The doctor glanced at her. "You're not even 20. Isn't your husband here?"
"H-He's busy."
"Well, you need to tell him to be careful for the next three months and prioritize the baby. Otherwise, the risk of miscarriage is high even for someone as young as yourself." The doctor hinted when they noticed the kiss mark on her neck.
"I understand. Thank you, doctor." Celia's face turned beet red.
However, she felt her chest tighten at the same time she breathed a sigh of relief. How was she supposed to tell Hugo about the child?
The baby could be in danger at any moment if she didn't say anything, but if she did tell him about it, the baby would be even more at risk because Hugo would undoubtedly insist on her getting rid of it.
Chapter 2 Unworthy of Having My Child
As Celia trudged out of the hospital, she instinctively covered her abdomen and bitterly wondered why the baby had to come to her womb.
How wonderful it would be if it could find parents who could let it grow up healthy!
The reason Hugo wanted to take revenge on her was because of her mother.
From a young age, her father never mentioned her mother's death. It was at the age of ten when she heard her stepmother's sarcastic remarks about how Celia's birth mother and a wealthy man had a rendezvous in a car in the mountains, resulting in both of them plummeting off a cliff to their deaths.
And that wealthy man was Hugo's father.
Her mother was deemed a disgraceful mistress who had intruded upon Hugo's parents' marriage.
Celia's father, fueled by his hatred for her mother's affair, openly welcomed the other woman into their home, erasing any trace of her existence in that household.
As if seeing her reminded him of her mother's betrayal, he didn't even spare Celia a glance.
Celia was like an orphan. She was utterly alone in this world.
After returning from the hospital, she ate the lunch prepared by the servants before she dozed off until the evening.
By the time she woke up, she was startled when she glanced at the time. How was it 8.30PM already? She then hurried downstairs.
Hugo had returned at some point. Sitting on the couch in the living room, he looked both relaxed and dangerous as he sat in an unrestrained posture.
Celia suddenly thought about taking the initiative to please him so that it would be easier to discuss the child with him.
She brewed a cup of tea and brought it to him. "You've worked hard, darling. Have a cup of tea to quench your thirst!"
Hugo glanced up at her. "Do you have something to tell me?"
This man had an uncanny ability to see through her as if he could read her every thought just by looking at her.
Celia bit her red lip and sat beside him, tentatively asking, "I was thinking… Should we have a child? It would make our home livelier."
A contemptuous smile played at the corners of Hugo's mouth. "Do you think you're worthy of bearing my child?"
"What if I accidentally get pregnant?" Celia kept biting her lip. She couldn't look him straight in the eyes.
"Abort it immediately," the man answered without any mercy.
A few seconds later, his sharp gaze locked onto her again. "Are you pregnant?"
Taken aback, Celia quickly shook her head. "No... I was just curious because it…it gets lonely staying alone in such a big villa."
Hugo seemed to believe her words because he knew she didn't dare to get pregnant with his child. And even if she did, she knew what she had to do.
He set aside the documents and stood up, fetching a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet. After pouring half a glass, he handed it to her. "Finish it."
Celia panicked and waved. "I don't drink."
"You disappointed me yesterday," the man insisted domineeringly as he pushed the glass toward her. "You will pay if you disappoint me again."
Celia gently placed the cup on the table after taking two sips, indicating that she had drunk her fill.
However, the man's eyes narrowed in an instant as his gaze oppressively fixed on her.
"Do you want me to feed you?" he asked.
Celia's beautiful eyes widened slightly. It wasn't as if he hadn't done something like that before. She then obediently picked up the wine glass on the table and took small sips while enduring the burning sensation in her throat.
After four sips, she choked and coughed lightly.
"Finish it," the man demanded hoarsely. He wasn't worried about her at all.
"I don't want to drink anymore." Celia shook her head. She really couldn't take another sip.
However, the man seemed to be intrigued as he got up and pulled her into his embrace. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and then held her delicate face to feed her the alcohol.
Tonight went on to be another sleepless night for her.
Early the next morning, Celia had to go to the hospital again when she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen.
It was the same doctor as yesterday that attended to her. This time, he was looking at her with a serious expression. "Did you already forget what I reminded you just yesterday? What could be more important than a child? Do you realize how dangerous your condition is?"
"Doctor, how is the baby?"
"There's slight bleeding, but the baby is fine for now. Still, you need to be more careful."
As Celia walked out of the doctor's office, she felt lost and bewildered. She wandered around the hospital for a while until a nurse came out calling for the next patient and asked her, "Is it your turn next?"
"What?"
"The operation!"
"What operation?"
"The cesarean section."
Celia recoiled in fear. "I'm not having surgery. It's not me."
There was a couple holding a three-month-old baby next to her after she got in the elevator. The fair and adorable child smiled happily at her, captivating Celia like an angel.
She instinctively touched her abdomen. I'm sure my baby will be this cute too if it came into this world.
The doctor's words resounded in her ears like an alarm. If Hugo continued bedding her tonight, there was a high chance Celia would lose the baby.
Distraught, Celia returned to the villa. Before she could enter the living room, she felt a sudden wave of dizziness before she collapsed at the villa's doorstep.
The bag containing the ultrasound report she was holding fell to the ground by her feet.
A black sports car slowly pulled up outside the iron gate in the evening. Hugo had returned.
His car parked next to the entrance, and when he caught sight of the woman on the ground, a look of shock flashed in his eyes. He quickly pushed the door open and got out.
As he strode toward the woman who had fainted, his attention was momentarily diverted by a hospital plastic bag nearby.
After he crouched down and picked up the medical records and ultrasound report from inside the bag, he immediately frowned when he thought about Celia's reactions toward him these two days and her questions about having a child.
Sh*t, she isn't supposed to get pregnant! She has been taking her pills!
Is she trying to use the child to earn my forgiveness? His face fell at the thought of that.
This woman dares to try using my child as a bargaining chip. Unforgivable!
Celia slowly opened her eyes as she regained consciousness. As she sat up, her eyes widened in shock and panic before they met the chilling gaze of the man's deep and intimidating eyes.
Why is Hugo back already?
She only further paled when she saw the report he was holding.
Despite feeling a desperate urge to escape, Hugo stood before her like a looming shadow, his voice cold as he questioned, "Where do you think you're going?"
Celia had always been afraid of this man from the bottom of her heart. Now that she couldn't run away, she clutched her lower abdomen in despair and terror.
Hugo took a step closer, his gaze scanning her pale face drenched in a cold sweat like a sharp blade before it lowered to her smooth belly.
He stared in that direction for a few seconds.
During those few seconds, Celia's breath seemed to stop. She lowered her head like someone guilty, unable to meet his eyes.
The arrival of the child was not her decision to make. It was a sudden gift from the universe. In fact, she was more panicked and afraid than anyone else.
"When did you get pregnant?" he asked, his face expressionless.
"I... I only found out two days ago," Celia whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Hugo's eyes flickered with a demonic gleam.
"I…"
"Scared that I would want you to abort it?" the man mocked, his tone growing even colder. "Did you think I would let your child come to this world alive?"
Chapter 3 Escaped With His Child
Celia's breath hitched at that. The man was a demon who wouldn't even let a child out of his clutches.
"The child is innocent," she whispered.
"You honestly think you have the right to give birth to my child?" the man beside her mocked.
She lowered her head at that. "I'm sorry. It was an accident."
The corners of Hugo's lips twitched. He refused to believe that it was just a mistake. She is clearly trying to set me up!
"Word of advice: don't even think about using my child to beg for my forgiveness," he warned through gritted teeth.
Celia peered at him with her beautiful eyes as a surge of intense sorrow emerged within her. Her tears swirled in her eyes and she shook her head. "This really was an accident. I never intended to use the child for anything."
"Any woman in this world has the right to give birth to my child, but not you. I don't want my child to have your mother's dirty genes." His cold voice was dripping with disdain. "Get rid of it."
Tears welled up in her eyes when she heard those words. She was already doing her best to atone for her mother's sins by being his plaything. What more did he want from her?
Am I supposed to give him my life?
"Go to the hospital right now!" Hugo coldly tossed out an instruction.
Celia's tears rolled down her cheeks as she instinctively covered her abdomen. My baby, I'm too powerless to keep you with me. I'm sorry.
She closed her eyes. Her heart was filled with indescribable pain.
Can't I keep it? This is his child as well!
Suddenly, Hugo's phone rang.
He glanced at it and picked it up without hesitation. "Yes."
"Mr. Spencer, something urgent has come up in the stock market. You will need to come back and handle it," came the voice of the finance department's manager from the other end.
Hugo glanced at the time when he heard that. As though he didn't even have the patience to accompany Celia to the hospital, he instructed in a frigid voice, "Deal with it yourself."
He knew that she would not dare to keep the child.
Celia watched as he walked toward the car.
When his sports car left in a trail of taillights into the sunset, she hurriedly got up. She didn't know where she could go, but she knew she had to leave this man.
She then went to her own car and drove off before parking it on a side street. As she glanced around, she noticed a bus by the roadside. Without hesitation, she made her way to it.
The ticket seller looked at her and asked, "Where are you headed, young lady?"
Celia didn't hesitate to step inside the bus.
After she found a seat, she said to the woman, "To the final stop, please."
Celia had made up her mind to escape. She had never been this bold before, nor had she ever defied Hugo. But this time, for the sake of her baby, she decided to confront fate head-on.
With her arms around her bag, she turned her phone off and eventually drifted off to sleep out of exhaustion.
As night fell, a black Bugatti drove into the villa. Now that Hugo had finished his work and returned home, he expected to find Celia, who had undergone surgery, waiting for him.
However, the living room was empty. It didn't feel like anyone had been or was there.
His wife would always welcome him every day when he got back from work, so where was she hiding now?
"Celia?" Hugo called out in a deep voice.
And yet, he didn't hear a reply.
He strode up the stairs and checked the master bedroom, the study, and even the place where Celia often lost herself in reverie. However, the woman was nowhere to be found.
Realization finally dawned upon him—she had never been home.
I told her to come back this afternoon. Where the hell did she go? He suddenly thought of a possibility. Did she run away?
He took out his phone and called Celia, and as expected, her phone was off.
"Damn it!" She actually ran away! How dare she?
After enduring a six-hour bus ride, Celia found herself at the bus station in Bloomstead. She was no longer anxious or in a hurry. As long as she could escape from Hugo, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.
She still had some money in her bank account, and it was enough to sustain her in the days to come.
She switched to using a normal phone in case her phone was being tracked. Since she wanted to make her escape, she needed to get as far away as she could.
She had fled to a place where Hugo would never find her again.
One of her college classmates lived in Honchkon. According to her friend, Honchkon was a beautiful place with a perpetually mild climate and a serene atmosphere. It was located in a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and limited communication.
At this moment, she found herself contemplating a new life there.
She had given it a long thought. She knew Hugo would be searching for her all over the world. He would be furious and if he ever found her, he would undoubtedly kill her, but she didn't care.
She might have made a stupid move, but she only acted on a mother's instinct to protect her child.
Wouldn't her child be pitiful if she had cold-heartedly gotten rid of it?
This, she had guessed correctly.
Hugo was indeed looking for her everywhere.
On the streets of the city, he had mobilized all the company's bodyguards in the middle of the night to search for her in the places she might have gone.
It was 4.00AM when he went to a corner of a garden where he took out a packet of cigarettes. He tried to hold his anger in as he lit one of the sticks.
Right then, she heard a woman's voice screaming, "H-Help me!"
He raised his chin, only to see a drunkard pulling a young lady, trying to take advantage of her.
Hugo narrowed his gaze as he discarded his cigarette and walked toward the drunken man.
The woman, in a state of panic and helplessness, pleaded for his help. "Sir, please save me! Sir..."
Hugo swiftly grabbed the drunken man's hand, causing him to scream in pain and release his grip on the woman.
At this, she seized the chance and hurriedly escaped from danger.
Hugo felt his anger rise out of nowhere and kicked the man into a nearby flower bed. Not wanting to dirty his hands any further, he turned to leave.
However, the one thing that appeared in his head now was a pure and beautiful face. Compared to the young woman he saved, Celia had a face that was more tempting to men.
Who will save her if she gets into a similar situation? How will she be treated?
After Hugo returned to his car, a wave of fury suddenly rose within him. He kicked his own tire, his handsome face contorted with a sour expression.
"Sh*t!"
No man, other than himself, was allowed to touch Celia. It was a possessiveness and dominance etched into his very being.
Not even one of all the incoming calls was the one he was waiting for. She is quite the escapee, isn't she? She completely disappeared with my child in tow! F*ck this. I'm going to make her pay a heavy price when I find her!
What Hugo hadn't expected was for his search for her to last for six whole months.
…
Camellias bloomed everywhere in the mountains, filling the air with a primitive and rustic atmosphere. This place had just gone through a harsh winter and now it was spring, where flowers bloomed.
Inside a cottage, a woman wearing a gray plaid skirt sat down. As she rose, she clearly had a bump on her belly. It only looked smaller than usual because she was thin, but this was a belly that carried an eight-month-old child.
Celia had successfully escaped to a place where Hugo was not there. It was a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and Internet, but it was filled with love and joy.
Her arrival made the people here fond of her. She was beautiful, kind, and diligent, and she even became a substitute music teacher at a school.
Everyone warmly called her Miss Stuart.
"Celia, I suggest you go to the county earlier and rent a house. You have only one month left until you are due," her classmate, Yvonne Lester, advised.
"Mhm. I'll go in a few days. Thank you for taking care of me all this time, Yvonne."
"Celia, are you sure you are ready to be a single mother? What are your plans for the future?"
"I have made up my mind. I'm ready to stay here and teach as a volunteer."
"That won't do. You are a city girl. How can you raise a child here?" Yvonne disapproved of her decision.
However, Celia was prepared to live with her child in this area. She didn't mind that they weren't financially well-off, as long as she could spend her whole life by her child's side.
She had decided to live for her child.
Chapter 4 Found Her at Last
Astoria was a bustling city, and Hugo was desperate to find that girl. He had tried everything to search for her, but she was still not found. He scoured the whole city and even told the cops to set up a task force to search for her, but alas, she was still nowhere to be found. Hugo might look calm on the outside, but unbeknownst to others, a storm was brewing in his heart.
Every time the cops found a female corpse, he would go to check if it was her almost immediately, and when he realized it wasn't her, he would heave a sigh of relief. He wished that woman was alive so he could rain down his wrath on her when he found her.
He would not allow her to die just like that. She still had a debt to repay and had to atone for her sins; she had no right to die. However, there was something else. If she were alive, her baby should be eight months old now. It would be old enough to be born. No, I will not let the woman I hate the most give birth to my child. I will not suffer that indignity!
After taking another phone call, Hugo's fury flared once more, and he hurled the file in front of him away. He was currently in his office, and his action startled the female assistant who had just come in to deliver some documents to him.
Her knees almost gave out when she saw him unleashing his rage. Her boss had been temperamental lately; he was like a ticking bomb that would explode at any minute. Thus, whenever he got mad, everyone made it a point to stay as silent as a mouse.
Right then, the phone suddenly rang, and the assistant quickly scurried off. Hugo took a deep breath before taking the call. "What is it?"
"Mr. Spencer, we found your wife," the cop said.
"Are you sure?"
"Very much so. She's living in a village in Honchkon. We found her through the file in a local hospital. Her name and looks match with your wife's."
"Thank you. Give me the address, please."
"Do you need our help with this, Mr. Spencer?"
"It's all right. I can take my wife home by myself," said Hugo calmly, but there was no mistaking the fury underneath his voice. It was like a violent undercurrent roaring underneath the calm surface of a sea.
He had been waiting for too long, and his anger was on the brink of bursting. So, she has finally appeared. You will taste my wrath, Celia. He clenched his fists, his face contorting with rage. Celia's escape enraged him, and he would not stop until she had seen all his wrath.
An hour later, a private jet set off for Honchkon.
Yvonne Lester was leading Celia onto the bus in Honchkon. Celia was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, so she had difficulties moving around with a big belly. Yvonne had been taking care of her for the last few months. She liked Celia a lot since the latter was beautiful and talented. People looked down on Yvonne because she was a bumpkin from the boonies who only got into university through pure luck, or so they thought. However, Celia never treated her as such and had always been nice to her.
A lady beside Yvonne noticed Celia, and she gasped. "Oh, my! She's beautiful. Just like a celebrity."
All the passengers on the bus turned to look at Celia upon hearing the exclamation. Her skin was fair, and she wore her hair up. Even when she was pregnant, she looked gorgeous.
"Her husband is one lucky man," someone remarked.
"Yeah. Never seen someone as gorgeous as she is," another person said.
"So, how many months now?" a lady asked.
"Eight." Celia smiled.
"Oh, so you're going into labor soon. Are you here for a checkup?"
"Yes." Celia nodded.
In the meantime, Hugo leaned his back against a couch in the luxurious cabin of his private jet. He was staring out the window, the look in his eyes cold. Even though he was taking his private jet, the journey from Astoria to Honchkon took nearly two hours. She sure can run, can't she?
At 11.00AM, four off-road vehicles appeared at the airport, driving toward the terminal.
Meanwhile, Celia had finished her checkup. The baby was perfectly healthy, but she was anemic, so the doctor prescribed her some pills. Celia treated Yvonne to lunch, and they shopped around for clothes for a bit. She had bought a lot of clothes for the baby, but she still wanted more. After they were done shopping, they took a van at 2.00PM, heading home.
At the same time, four off-road vehicles drove into the village. The man in the second car's back seat looked out the window, and what greeted him was the downtrodden village. A frown creased his forehead. Has she been staying in this place all this time? This is even worse than the boonies. No wonder it took me so long to find her.
Still, this place had sceneries that the city did not. Mountains surrounded the entire village, keeping it safely tucked away in a corner.
Once they came to the address the GPS showed them, one of the bodyguards went around to ask for Celia's whereabouts, and he came back a while later. "Sir, I've asked around. There's one villager who knows Miss Stuart, and she said Miss Stuart has gone to the hospital for a checkup. She will probably get home at 4.00PM."
Hugo frowned upon hearing that. Her baby bump must be big now. He then looked at the path, which was the only entrance to the village. It should be easy to see her here. "We'll wait here, then." After saying that, he whipped out a pack of cigarettes, rolled down the window, and smoked.
A few memories flooded his mind just then. Over the last six months, he had spent a lot of time searching for her, and he was worried for her. He was worried that she might have died. Aside from that, he had been thinking about the baby as well. However, he had covered that up with his indifferent facade so no one could see through him.
He took a deep hit, and frustration filled his mind. Hold on a second. Am I pitying that woman? There is no way that's true. Her mother ruined my parents' marriage, and then my father and that homewrecker died in a car crash. We became the butt of everyone's joke. Afterward, my mother got depressed for years and left the house, leaving nothing but a letter for me. Her mother ruined my childhood. My life! I will never forgive her. I will torture Celia until she dies!
At this moment, a van trudged past the muddy path and stopped on a slightly smooth surface right across from Hugo's car.
The off-road vehicles were conspicuous, especially in this village. Yvonne got out of the van and quickly helped Celia out.
Hugo stared at the van. He had a feeling he would see her soon, and just as he had expected, a gray silhouette got out a while later. Celia was no longer as slender as she was. Even though she still looked thin, the baby bump hindered her movements.
He stared at her face. Even though it'd been six months since he saw her, she didn't seem to lose any weight. Instead, the pregnancy had lent her a hint of allure. A strand of hair tumbled down her forehead, but she pulled it back and smiled happily.
She looked just like a woman that jumped straight out of an oil painting. Beautiful enough to even mesmerize Hugo for a while, but then his face fell, and he got out of the car.
Chapter 5 Taken Back
When she heard the sound of the opening door, Celia looked up, and her smile faded, which was soon replaced by horror and panic. It looked like she had just seen a ghost. She trembled and almost fell.
Surprised by her sudden change, Yvonne gasped and held her up. On the other hand, Hugo was already extending his arm to Celia to keep her steady on her feet, but when he realized someone was already helping her, he clenched his fist and pulled it back.
Celia was huffing and puffing. At the sight of his handsome face, she felt nothing but terror. Her heart was thumping furiously because of that. Why is he here? The fiend! How did he find me?! The man before her was her absolute fear, and she was seized by the urge to run. So, she held Yvonne's hand and said, "We need to go."
However, her baby bump was hindering her. Yvonne looked at the stranger who came out of nowhere. He had a face that even the gods would envy, but the look in his eyes was as cold as ice, and she couldn't help shivering. Who is he? Why's Celia trying to run from this man?
"I've been looking for you, Celia." Hugo gritted his teeth.
Celia quickly clutched her belly in an attempt to keep her baby away from this man's grasp. "Don't come any closer. I won't go with you!" She teared up, but she knew there was no escape from this.
The man went ahead and grabbed her wrist. Despite being pregnant, she still looked gaunt and fragile. Feeling her thin wrist, he felt something squeeze his heart. Has she been starving herself?
Even though Hugo looked regal, Yvonne still mustered her courage and piped up, "Hey, mister, she's eight months pregnant, so watch it. You'll hurt her baby." Then, she looked at Celia curiously and whispered, "Who is he, Celia?"
"The baby's father." Celia was pale as a ghost, and her heart was filled with sadness. No one would stop her from giving birth to the baby. No one but Hugo. He would kill the child.
Hugo looked at her imperiously and ordered, "You're coming with me. Right now."
The pregnant woman bit her lip. She felt like she was backed into a corner. One wrong step, and she would fall straight to hell. Still, courage filled her heart. It was precisely because she knew death was imminent that she fought to live. "Fine, but you're going to let the baby live." She looked into his eyes, determination filling her soul.
"Do you think you're in a position to negotiate?" He sneered. Even when I still haven't made you pay?
Celia's face was drained of color. She knew she had no right to negotiate and that this whole mess was her fault. Still, the child is innocent.
Hugo's face darkened. The thought of her disappearance keeping him up at night filled him with fury. "Know your place," he said coldly.
Her heart ached slightly. Of course, she knew her place. No matter where she went, she was still his wife. With tears glistening in her eyes, she made up her mind. I have to make this gamble. There could be a possibility that this man still has an ounce of sympathy left in his heart and will let the baby live.
Though, her agitation alerted the baby. It started moving around and kicked her. The pain made her bend over, but someone wrapped their arm around her and held her up.
"Are you alright, Celia?" Yvonne was worried.
"It's alright. The baby just kicked me," said Celia.
Hugo looked around the village. I need to take her home ASAP. If anything happens to her right now, more than one life will be at risk. He had no idea how to deal with the baby just yet, but there was no time for that. He just wanted to take her away. "Come with me. Now," he commanded imperiously, holding her arm.
Celia knew she could no longer run. "Fine." She then turned to Yvonne. "Thanks for everything, Yvonne."
"Hey, you still need to take your stuff. The baby's clothes, remember?" Yvonne said.
What little color Celia had left disappeared, and her tears streamed down her cheeks. "No need for that anymore." With that, she turned to the car and went inside.
Hugo went into the car as well. Celia held back her sadness and bade Yvonne goodbye. "Thanks for everything you and your family did for me, Yvonne. I'll return the favor someday."
"Take care. Keep the baby safe, too." Yvonne waved her goodbye.
Then, the off-road vehicles turned the corner, disappearing from everyone's sight.
Celia closed her eyes, but then the car bumped suddenly. The bodyguard didn't notice the pothole, and he rammed over it. Startled, Celia quickly held her belly but ended up losing her balance and falling onto Hugo's chest.
The man held her right away, but she quickly moved out of his arms and scurried to the other side of the car, as she worried he might hurt the baby.
They got into the plane and flew back to Astoria. The baby had kept Celia awake the whole night, and she couldn't take it anymore. Even though Hugo was sitting across from her, she fell asleep on the couch. Even when she had drifted off to dreamland, she still put her hands over her belly, keeping her baby safe.
Hugo withdrew his gaze from the window and stared at Celia, especially her belly. Just then, he saw something moving inside. The baby was kicking her, tossing and turning around. He stared at it in surprise. Then, a conflicted feeling filled his heart. So, that's my child, huh? Even now, he had no idea how to deal with it. He heaved a sigh and looked outside the window again. His mind was in a rut, but he told the stewardess to cover Celia with a blanket so she wouldn't catch a cold.
The flight went on for two hours. Right before it would land, the stewardess woke Celia up. The moment she opened her eyes, the sight that greeted her was Hugo sitting with his legs crossed. Panicked, she sat up straight. She couldn't believe she had slept that long, and she massaged her numb arm. The baby in her belly turned around and kicked her, filling her with a sense of security. As long as it was moving, then the baby was fine.
During one of the checkups, the doctor gave her a hint, so she knew the baby was a boy.
Once they landed, they got into Hugo's car and drove toward the city. Celia was in the back seat. After spending six months living in a rural area, she felt a little disoriented at this moment. It all felt unreal to her to be back in the city again.
At 4.00PM, they came back to Hugo's villa. Celia got out of the car, holding her lower back. The whole journey exhausted her.
Hugo walked ahead and looked at her with a sneer. "You brought this upon yourself."
A bitter feeling welled in her heart. I guess he doesn't care about the child at all. "Can we talk?" she asked quietly.
"I do not wish to talk." With that, he turned around and strode ahead, leaving her out in the cold.
00:05
Jan 19, 2025 - Present
Hugo Spencer bedded his wife day and night in the name of revenge until she became pregnant.
😡🔥“You’re here to pay off your debt! How dare you get pregnant with my kid!”😡
Chapter 1 She's Pregnant
A beautiful young lady with an unnaturally pale face stood outside the entrance of the ultrasound room with a B-scan report in her hand.
Not only did she not feel the joy and surprise of someone who had become a mother, but she was shrouded in a thick aura of fear.
The results stated below the B-ultrasound report were: One fetus, alive, consistent with an intrauterine pregnancy of 8+ weeks.
She was pregnant, and it had been two months.
Just then, her phone rang, and as she looked at the name on the screen, she took a deep breath before answering, "Hello?"
"Come to the office." It was a low, cold voice that was akin to a demonic presence from hell.
"I—"
The call ended abruptly, giving her no room to refuse.
Celia Stuart quickly put the ultrasound report into her bag, hastily left the hospital, and hurried to the most imposing building in the city center.
There was only one thing on her agenda whenever she came here: to please her husband and satisfy his every physical need.
Regardless of the time or place, she had to be at his beck and call whenever he called, or she would have to face dire consequences.
After reaching the suite on the 32nd floor of the company, Celia was about to sit on the couch to rest when she heard the sound of the fingerprint scanner outside the door.
A tall and handsome figure dressed in a custom-made jet-black suit that accentuated his elegance and cold severity strode in.
It was Hugo Spencer, her husband.
Celia promptly put on a smiling face and stood up. "Did your business trip go well this time, darling?"
It was still mid-afternoon, and the warm sunlight illuminated the sharp contours of the man's eyebrows and nose, giving his exquisite features a cold and ruthless vibe.
Instead of answering her, he simply grabbed a bag and threw it in front of her.
"Go take a shower and change into it," he demanded in his usual commanding tone.
Celia looked at the pale pink lingerie bag and knew what she had to do next. Cheeks turning pink, she softly muttered, "I... I have a stomach ache today. I'm not feeling well. Can we—"
The man who saw through her lie with just one glance coldly snarled, "Stop making excuses."
"It's true." She couldn't help but blush as she lied.
After all, the baby inside her was two months old!
She wouldn't be able to handle what the man was about to do next.
Celia mustered up the courage to ask, "Can I take a day off today and rest?" For the sake of her unborn child, she couldn't engage in marital activities.
With his hands in his pockets, Hugo approached and towered over her. As he looked at her with a contemptuous gaze, he asked in return, "Do you think you deserve a break?"
Celia's eyes turned red. Her heart was filled with bitterness when she looked at the cold and heartless man.
A year ago, she had been set up and given to an old man by her stepmother. She was in her despair when Hugo appeared before her like a savior, rescuing her from trouble.
When she returned home and tried to tell her father about the incident, her stepmother turned the tables and accused her of bringing her daughter to a club which almost led to her being violated.
Without a second thought, her father slapped Celia across the face and kicked her out of the house, leaving her to fend for herself.
It was on a stormy night when she was grabbed by a drunkard. She stumbled and fell in a panic, and that was when she somehow saw Hugo once again.
At that moment, he became her savior who later gave her a place to stay and provided her warmth and comfort.
Hugo was tall and handsome, and he exuded an exceptional aura. Every move and gesture he made gave out a thick aristocratic air.
Furthermore, as the head of the country's top financial conglomerate, Spencer Group, he was immensely wealthy and influential.
After Celia succumbed to his gentle advances a month later, she secretly took her household registration book from home without her father's knowledge and married Hugo without anyone witnessing or blessing the union.
She thought that what awaited her after the marriage was happiness.
Unexpectedly, Hugo whispered a bloody truth into her ear on the night they registered their marriage: marrying her was just the beginning of his revenge.
Back to the present, Celia emerged from the bathroom with her arms around her chest, blushing as she approached the bed.
It seemed that Hugo had a hobby of tormenting her for his own pleasure. Every time he went on a business trip, he would buy some erotica products that pushed her to her limits and forced her to wear them for his amusement.
The man was now reclined on a pillow. In his crisp white shirt and tailored trousers, he exuded an air of sophistication and decadence.
Seeing this, she meekly pleaded again. "I'm really not feeling well. Can't we—"
"You don't have the right to refuse." The man's cold and sharp gaze shot back instantly.
The look in his eyes made Celia want to escape.
"When will you stop tormenting me? When will you let me go?" Celia questioned him for the first time as tears uncontrollably rolled down her face.
She was a person, a living being, not a plaything for him to manipulate at will.
Hugo stood up from the bed, somewhat enjoying the expression of rebellion on his pet kitty's face. After all, women who were too obedient were no fun.
His lips curled into a sneer. "You want me to let you go? That will never happen in this lifetime. You are not allowed to leave my side even if I get tired or annoyed with you."
"You..." Celia couldn't hold back her tears. She felt utterly humiliated.
He walked up to her and gripped her chin with his large hand, forcing her to look at him. It intrigued him more than before to see the touch of fierceness on her pure and ethereal face.
As he leaned in to kiss her on the lips, Celia angrily turned her face to evade his lips.
"You dare refuse me?" He smirked.
The next moment, he carried her up and threw her onto the soft bed beside them.
Two hours later, the exhausted woman gasped and held her lower abdomen when she saw the faint red marks on the bedsheets.
My baby! Please be okay!
With weak legs, Celia dragged her body back to the hospital once again.
While she lay in the ultrasound room, she felt a sense of panic wash over her as she listened to the sound of the small train nearby.
Tears streamed down Celia's face, startling the nurse who hurriedly tried to comfort her. "Miss, don't worry. Your baby is healthy. Its heartbeat is strong."
After Celia entered the doctor's office, she was surprised that the doctor remembered her. The doctor immediately asked her, "Why did you suddenly start bleeding? You were fine this morning. Do you want your child or not?"
Upon hearing the question, Celia almost blurted out, "Yes, I do!"
A strong determination to protect her baby surged within her. She felt responsible as a mother the moment she heard the sound of the baby's heartbeat moments ago.
The doctor glanced at her. "You're not even 20. Isn't your husband here?"
"H-He's busy."
"Well, you need to tell him to be careful for the next three months and prioritize the baby. Otherwise, the risk of miscarriage is high even for someone as young as yourself." The doctor hinted when they noticed the kiss mark on her neck.
"I understand. Thank you, doctor." Celia's face turned beet red.
However, she felt her chest tighten at the same time she breathed a sigh of relief. How was she supposed to tell Hugo about the child?
The baby could be in danger at any moment if she didn't say anything, but if she did tell him about it, the baby would be even more at risk because Hugo would undoubtedly insist on her getting rid of it.
Chapter 2 Unworthy of Having My Child
As Celia trudged out of the hospital, she instinctively covered her abdomen and bitterly wondered why the baby had to come to her womb.
How wonderful it would be if it could find parents who could let it grow up healthy!
The reason Hugo wanted to take revenge on her was because of her mother.
From a young age, her father never mentioned her mother's death. It was at the age of ten when she heard her stepmother's sarcastic remarks about how Celia's birth mother and a wealthy man had a rendezvous in a car in the mountains, resulting in both of them plummeting off a cliff to their deaths.
And that wealthy man was Hugo's father.
Her mother was deemed a disgraceful mistress who had intruded upon Hugo's parents' marriage.
Celia's father, fueled by his hatred for her mother's affair, openly welcomed the other woman into their home, erasing any trace of her existence in that household.
As if seeing her reminded him of her mother's betrayal, he didn't even spare Celia a glance.
Celia was like an orphan. She was utterly alone in this world.
After returning from the hospital, she ate the lunch prepared by the servants before she dozed off until the evening.
By the time she woke up, she was startled when she glanced at the time. How was it 8.30PM already? She then hurried downstairs.
Hugo had returned at some point. Sitting on the couch in the living room, he looked both relaxed and dangerous as he sat in an unrestrained posture.
Celia suddenly thought about taking the initiative to please him so that it would be easier to discuss the child with him.
She brewed a cup of tea and brought it to him. "You've worked hard, darling. Have a cup of tea to quench your thirst!"
Hugo glanced up at her. "Do you have something to tell me?"
This man had an uncanny ability to see through her as if he could read her every thought just by looking at her.
Celia bit her red lip and sat beside him, tentatively asking, "I was thinking… Should we have a child? It would make our home livelier."
A contemptuous smile played at the corners of Hugo's mouth. "Do you think you're worthy of bearing my child?"
"What if I accidentally get pregnant?" Celia kept biting her lip. She couldn't look him straight in the eyes.
"Abort it immediately," the man answered without any mercy.
A few seconds later, his sharp gaze locked onto her again. "Are you pregnant?"
Taken aback, Celia quickly shook her head. "No... I was just curious because it…it gets lonely staying alone in such a big villa."
Hugo seemed to believe her words because he knew she didn't dare to get pregnant with his child. And even if she did, she knew what she had to do.
He set aside the documents and stood up, fetching a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet. After pouring half a glass, he handed it to her. "Finish it."
Celia panicked and waved. "I don't drink."
"You disappointed me yesterday," the man insisted domineeringly as he pushed the glass toward her. "You will pay if you disappoint me again."
Celia gently placed the cup on the table after taking two sips, indicating that she had drunk her fill.
However, the man's eyes narrowed in an instant as his gaze oppressively fixed on her.
"Do you want me to feed you?" he asked.
Celia's beautiful eyes widened slightly. It wasn't as if he hadn't done something like that before. She then obediently picked up the wine glass on the table and took small sips while enduring the burning sensation in her throat.
After four sips, she choked and coughed lightly.
"Finish it," the man demanded hoarsely. He wasn't worried about her at all.
"I don't want to drink anymore." Celia shook her head. She really couldn't take another sip.
However, the man seemed to be intrigued as he got up and pulled her into his embrace. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and then held her delicate face to feed her the alcohol.
Tonight went on to be another sleepless night for her.
Early the next morning, Celia had to go to the hospital again when she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen.
It was the same doctor as yesterday that attended to her. This time, he was looking at her with a serious expression. "Did you already forget what I reminded you just yesterday? What could be more important than a child? Do you realize how dangerous your condition is?"
"Doctor, how is the baby?"
"There's slight bleeding, but the baby is fine for now. Still, you need to be more careful."
As Celia walked out of the doctor's office, she felt lost and bewildered. She wandered around the hospital for a while until a nurse came out calling for the next patient and asked her, "Is it your turn next?"
"What?"
"The operation!"
"What operation?"
"The cesarean section."
Celia recoiled in fear. "I'm not having surgery. It's not me."
There was a couple holding a three-month-old baby next to her after she got in the elevator. The fair and adorable child smiled happily at her, captivating Celia like an angel.
She instinctively touched her abdomen. I'm sure my baby will be this cute too if it came into this world.
The doctor's words resounded in her ears like an alarm. If Hugo continued bedding her tonight, there was a high chance Celia would lose the baby.
Distraught, Celia returned to the villa. Before she could enter the living room, she felt a sudden wave of dizziness before she collapsed at the villa's doorstep.
The bag containing the ultrasound report she was holding fell to the ground by her feet.
A black sports car slowly pulled up outside the iron gate in the evening. Hugo had returned.
His car parked next to the entrance, and when he caught sight of the woman on the ground, a look of shock flashed in his eyes. He quickly pushed the door open and got out.
As he strode toward the woman who had fainted, his attention was momentarily diverted by a hospital plastic bag nearby.
After he crouched down and picked up the medical records and ultrasound report from inside the bag, he immediately frowned when he thought about Celia's reactions toward him these two days and her questions about having a child.
Sh*t, she isn't supposed to get pregnant! She has been taking her pills!
Is she trying to use the child to earn my forgiveness? His face fell at the thought of that.
This woman dares to try using my child as a bargaining chip. Unforgivable!
Celia slowly opened her eyes as she regained consciousness. As she sat up, her eyes widened in shock and panic before they met the chilling gaze of the man's deep and intimidating eyes.
Why is Hugo back already?
She only further paled when she saw the report he was holding.
Despite feeling a desperate urge to escape, Hugo stood before her like a looming shadow, his voice cold as he questioned, "Where do you think you're going?"
Celia had always been afraid of this man from the bottom of her heart. Now that she couldn't run away, she clutched her lower abdomen in despair and terror.
Hugo took a step closer, his gaze scanning her pale face drenched in a cold sweat like a sharp blade before it lowered to her smooth belly.
He stared in that direction for a few seconds.
During those few seconds, Celia's breath seemed to stop. She lowered her head like someone guilty, unable to meet his eyes.
The arrival of the child was not her decision to make. It was a sudden gift from the universe. In fact, she was more panicked and afraid than anyone else.
"When did you get pregnant?" he asked, his face expressionless.
"I... I only found out two days ago," Celia whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Hugo's eyes flickered with a demonic gleam.
"I…"
"Scared that I would want you to abort it?" the man mocked, his tone growing even colder. "Did you think I would let your child come to this world alive?"
Chapter 3 Escaped With His Child
Celia's breath hitched at that. The man was a demon who wouldn't even let a child out of his clutches.
"The child is innocent," she whispered.
"You honestly think you have the right to give birth to my child?" the man beside her mocked.
She lowered her head at that. "I'm sorry. It was an accident."
The corners of Hugo's lips twitched. He refused to believe that it was just a mistake. She is clearly trying to set me up!
"Word of advice: don't even think about using my child to beg for my forgiveness," he warned through gritted teeth.
Celia peered at him with her beautiful eyes as a surge of intense sorrow emerged within her. Her tears swirled in her eyes and she shook her head. "This really was an accident. I never intended to use the child for anything."
"Any woman in this world has the right to give birth to my child, but not you. I don't want my child to have your mother's dirty genes." His cold voice was dripping with disdain. "Get rid of it."
Tears welled up in her eyes when she heard those words. She was already doing her best to atone for her mother's sins by being his plaything. What more did he want from her?
Am I supposed to give him my life?
"Go to the hospital right now!" Hugo coldly tossed out an instruction.
Celia's tears rolled down her cheeks as she instinctively covered her abdomen. My baby, I'm too powerless to keep you with me. I'm sorry.
She closed her eyes. Her heart was filled with indescribable pain.
Can't I keep it? This is his child as well!
Suddenly, Hugo's phone rang.
He glanced at it and picked it up without hesitation. "Yes."
"Mr. Spencer, something urgent has come up in the stock market. You will need to come back and handle it," came the voice of the finance department's manager from the other end.
Hugo glanced at the time when he heard that. As though he didn't even have the patience to accompany Celia to the hospital, he instructed in a frigid voice, "Deal with it yourself."
He knew that she would not dare to keep the child.
Celia watched as he walked toward the car.
When his sports car left in a trail of taillights into the sunset, she hurriedly got up. She didn't know where she could go, but she knew she had to leave this man.
She then went to her own car and drove off before parking it on a side street. As she glanced around, she noticed a bus by the roadside. Without hesitation, she made her way to it.
The ticket seller looked at her and asked, "Where are you headed, young lady?"
Celia didn't hesitate to step inside the bus.
After she found a seat, she said to the woman, "To the final stop, please."
Celia had made up her mind to escape. She had never been this bold before, nor had she ever defied Hugo. But this time, for the sake of her baby, she decided to confront fate head-on.
With her arms around her bag, she turned her phone off and eventually drifted off to sleep out of exhaustion.
As night fell, a black Bugatti drove into the villa. Now that Hugo had finished his work and returned home, he expected to find Celia, who had undergone surgery, waiting for him.
However, the living room was empty. It didn't feel like anyone had been or was there.
His wife would always welcome him every day when he got back from work, so where was she hiding now?
"Celia?" Hugo called out in a deep voice.
And yet, he didn't hear a reply.
He strode up the stairs and checked the master bedroom, the study, and even the place where Celia often lost herself in reverie. However, the woman was nowhere to be found.
Realization finally dawned upon him—she had never been home.
I told her to come back this afternoon. Where the hell did she go? He suddenly thought of a possibility. Did she run away?
He took out his phone and called Celia, and as expected, her phone was off.
"Damn it!" She actually ran away! How dare she?
After enduring a six-hour bus ride, Celia found herself at the bus station in Bloomstead. She was no longer anxious or in a hurry. As long as she could escape from Hugo, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.
She still had some money in her bank account, and it was enough to sustain her in the days to come.
She switched to using a normal phone in case her phone was being tracked. Since she wanted to make her escape, she needed to get as far away as she could.
She had fled to a place where Hugo would never find her again.
One of her college classmates lived in Honchkon. According to her friend, Honchkon was a beautiful place with a perpetually mild climate and a serene atmosphere. It was located in a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and limited communication.
At this moment, she found herself contemplating a new life there.
She had given it a long thought. She knew Hugo would be searching for her all over the world. He would be furious and if he ever found her, he would undoubtedly kill her, but she didn't care.
She might have made a stupid move, but she only acted on a mother's instinct to protect her child.
Wouldn't her child be pitiful if she had cold-heartedly gotten rid of it?
This, she had guessed correctly.
Hugo was indeed looking for her everywhere.
On the streets of the city, he had mobilized all the company's bodyguards in the middle of the night to search for her in the places she might have gone.
It was 4.00AM when he went to a corner of a garden where he took out a packet of cigarettes. He tried to hold his anger in as he lit one of the sticks.
Right then, she heard a woman's voice screaming, "H-Help me!"
He raised his chin, only to see a drunkard pulling a young lady, trying to take advantage of her.
Hugo narrowed his gaze as he discarded his cigarette and walked toward the drunken man.
The woman, in a state of panic and helplessness, pleaded for his help. "Sir, please save me! Sir..."
Hugo swiftly grabbed the drunken man's hand, causing him to scream in pain and release his grip on the woman.
At this, she seized the chance and hurriedly escaped from danger.
Hugo felt his anger rise out of nowhere and kicked the man into a nearby flower bed. Not wanting to dirty his hands any further, he turned to leave.
However, the one thing that appeared in his head now was a pure and beautiful face. Compared to the young woman he saved, Celia had a face that was more tempting to men.
Who will save her if she gets into a similar situation? How will she be treated?
After Hugo returned to his car, a wave of fury suddenly rose within him. He kicked his own tire, his handsome face contorted with a sour expression.
"Sh*t!"
No man, other than himself, was allowed to touch Celia. It was a possessiveness and dominance etched into his very being.
Not even one of all the incoming calls was the one he was waiting for. She is quite the escapee, isn't she? She completely disappeared with my child in tow! F*ck this. I'm going to make her pay a heavy price when I find her!
What Hugo hadn't expected was for his search for her to last for six whole months.
…
Camellias bloomed everywhere in the mountains, filling the air with a primitive and rustic atmosphere. This place had just gone through a harsh winter and now it was spring, where flowers bloomed.
Inside a cottage, a woman wearing a gray plaid skirt sat down. As she rose, she clearly had a bump on her belly. It only looked smaller than usual because she was thin, but this was a belly that carried an eight-month-old child.
Celia had successfully escaped to a place where Hugo was not there. It was a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and Internet, but it was filled with love and joy.
Her arrival made the people here fond of her. She was beautiful, kind, and diligent, and she even became a substitute music teacher at a school.
Everyone warmly called her Miss Stuart.
"Celia, I suggest you go to the county earlier and rent a house. You have only one month left until you are due," her classmate, Yvonne Lester, advised.
"Mhm. I'll go in a few days. Thank you for taking care of me all this time, Yvonne."
"Celia, are you sure you are ready to be a single mother? What are your plans for the future?"
"I have made up my mind. I'm ready to stay here and teach as a volunteer."
"That won't do. You are a city girl. How can you raise a child here?" Yvonne disapproved of her decision.
However, Celia was prepared to live with her child in this area. She didn't mind that they weren't financially well-off, as long as she could spend her whole life by her child's side.
She had decided to live for her child.
Chapter 4 Found Her at Last
Astoria was a bustling city, and Hugo was desperate to find that girl. He had tried everything to search for her, but she was still not found. He scoured the whole city and even told the cops to set up a task force to search for her, but alas, she was still nowhere to be found. Hugo might look calm on the outside, but unbeknownst to others, a storm was brewing in his heart.
Every time the cops found a female corpse, he would go to check if it was her almost immediately, and when he realized it wasn't her, he would heave a sigh of relief. He wished that woman was alive so he could rain down his wrath on her when he found her.
He would not allow her to die just like that. She still had a debt to repay and had to atone for her sins; she had no right to die. However, there was something else. If she were alive, her baby should be eight months old now. It would be old enough to be born. No, I will not let the woman I hate the most give birth to my child. I will not suffer that indignity!
After taking another phone call, Hugo's fury flared once more, and he hurled the file in front of him away. He was currently in his office, and his action startled the female assistant who had just come in to deliver some documents to him.
Her knees almost gave out when she saw him unleashing his rage. Her boss had been temperamental lately; he was like a ticking bomb that would explode at any minute. Thus, whenever he got mad, everyone made it a point to stay as silent as a mouse.
Right then, the phone suddenly rang, and the assistant quickly scurried off. Hugo took a deep breath before taking the call. "What is it?"
"Mr. Spencer, we found your wife," the cop said.
"Are you sure?"
"Very much so. She's living in a village in Honchkon. We found her through the file in a local hospital. Her name and looks match with your wife's."
"Thank you. Give me the address, please."
"Do you need our help with this, Mr. Spencer?"
"It's all right. I can take my wife home by myself," said Hugo calmly, but there was no mistaking the fury underneath his voice. It was like a violent undercurrent roaring underneath the calm surface of a sea.
He had been waiting for too long, and his anger was on the brink of bursting. So, she has finally appeared. You will taste my wrath, Celia. He clenched his fists, his face contorting with rage. Celia's escape enraged him, and he would not stop until she had seen all his wrath.
An hour later, a private jet set off for Honchkon.
Yvonne Lester was leading Celia onto the bus in Honchkon. Celia was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, so she had difficulties moving around with a big belly. Yvonne had been taking care of her for the last few months. She liked Celia a lot since the latter was beautiful and talented. People looked down on Yvonne because she was a bumpkin from the boonies who only got into university through pure luck, or so they thought. However, Celia never treated her as such and had always been nice to her.
A lady beside Yvonne noticed Celia, and she gasped. "Oh, my! She's beautiful. Just like a celebrity."
All the passengers on the bus turned to look at Celia upon hearing the exclamation. Her skin was fair, and she wore her hair up. Even when she was pregnant, she looked gorgeous.
"Her husband is one lucky man," someone remarked.
"Yeah. Never seen someone as gorgeous as she is," another person said.
"So, how many months now?" a lady asked.
"Eight." Celia smiled.
"Oh, so you're going into labor soon. Are you here for a checkup?"
"Yes." Celia nodded.
In the meantime, Hugo leaned his back against a couch in the luxurious cabin of his private jet. He was staring out the window, the look in his eyes cold. Even though he was taking his private jet, the journey from Astoria to Honchkon took nearly two hours. She sure can run, can't she?
At 11.00AM, four off-road vehicles appeared at the airport, driving toward the terminal.
Meanwhile, Celia had finished her checkup. The baby was perfectly healthy, but she was anemic, so the doctor prescribed her some pills. Celia treated Yvonne to lunch, and they shopped around for clothes for a bit. She had bought a lot of clothes for the baby, but she still wanted more. After they were done shopping, they took a van at 2.00PM, heading home.
At the same time, four off-road vehicles drove into the village. The man in the second car's back seat looked out the window, and what greeted him was the downtrodden village. A frown creased his forehead. Has she been staying in this place all this time? This is even worse than the boonies. No wonder it took me so long to find her.
Still, this place had sceneries that the city did not. Mountains surrounded the entire village, keeping it safely tucked away in a corner.
Once they came to the address the GPS showed them, one of the bodyguards went around to ask for Celia's whereabouts, and he came back a while later. "Sir, I've asked around. There's one villager who knows Miss Stuart, and she said Miss Stuart has gone to the hospital for a checkup. She will probably get home at 4.00PM."
Hugo frowned upon hearing that. Her baby bump must be big now. He then looked at the path, which was the only entrance to the village. It should be easy to see her here. "We'll wait here, then." After saying that, he whipped out a pack of cigarettes, rolled down the window, and smoked.
A few memories flooded his mind just then. Over the last six months, he had spent a lot of time searching for her, and he was worried for her. He was worried that she might have died. Aside from that, he had been thinking about the baby as well. However, he had covered that up with his indifferent facade so no one could see through him.
He took a deep hit, and frustration filled his mind. Hold on a second. Am I pitying that woman? There is no way that's true. Her mother ruined my parents' marriage, and then my father and that homewrecker died in a car crash. We became the butt of everyone's joke. Afterward, my mother got depressed for years and left the house, leaving nothing but a letter for me. Her mother ruined my childhood. My life! I will never forgive her. I will torture Celia until she dies!
At this moment, a van trudged past the muddy path and stopped on a slightly smooth surface right across from Hugo's car.
The off-road vehicles were conspicuous, especially in this village. Yvonne got out of the van and quickly helped Celia out.
Hugo stared at the van. He had a feeling he would see her soon, and just as he had expected, a gray silhouette got out a while later. Celia was no longer as slender as she was. Even though she still looked thin, the baby bump hindered her movements.
He stared at her face. Even though it'd been six months since he saw her, she didn't seem to lose any weight. Instead, the pregnancy had lent her a hint of allure. A strand of hair tumbled down her forehead, but she pulled it back and smiled happily.
She looked just like a woman that jumped straight out of an oil painting. Beautiful enough to even mesmerize Hugo for a while, but then his face fell, and he got out of the car.
Chapter 5 Taken Back
When she heard the sound of the opening door, Celia looked up, and her smile faded, which was soon replaced by horror and panic. It looked like she had just seen a ghost. She trembled and almost fell.
Surprised by her sudden change, Yvonne gasped and held her up. On the other hand, Hugo was already extending his arm to Celia to keep her steady on her feet, but when he realized someone was already helping her, he clenched his fist and pulled it back.
Celia was huffing and puffing. At the sight of his handsome face, she felt nothing but terror. Her heart was thumping furiously because of that. Why is he here? The fiend! How did he find me?! The man before her was her absolute fear, and she was seized by the urge to run. So, she held Yvonne's hand and said, "We need to go."
However, her baby bump was hindering her. Yvonne looked at the stranger who came out of nowhere. He had a face that even the gods would envy, but the look in his eyes was as cold as ice, and she couldn't help shivering. Who is he? Why's Celia trying to run from this man?
"I've been looking for you, Celia." Hugo gritted his teeth.
Celia quickly clutched her belly in an attempt to keep her baby away from this man's grasp. "Don't come any closer. I won't go with you!" She teared up, but she knew there was no escape from this.
The man went ahead and grabbed her wrist. Despite being pregnant, she still looked gaunt and fragile. Feeling her thin wrist, he felt something squeeze his heart. Has she been starving herself?
Even though Hugo looked regal, Yvonne still mustered her courage and piped up, "Hey, mister, she's eight months pregnant, so watch it. You'll hurt her baby." Then, she looked at Celia curiously and whispered, "Who is he, Celia?"
"The baby's father." Celia was pale as a ghost, and her heart was filled with sadness. No one would stop her from giving birth to the baby. No one but Hugo. He would kill the child.
Hugo looked at her imperiously and ordered, "You're coming with me. Right now."
The pregnant woman bit her lip. She felt like she was backed into a corner. One wrong step, and she would fall straight to hell. Still, courage filled her heart. It was precisely because she knew death was imminent that she fought to live. "Fine, but you're going to let the baby live." She looked into his eyes, determination filling her soul.
"Do you think you're in a position to negotiate?" He sneered. Even when I still haven't made you pay?
Celia's face was drained of color. She knew she had no right to negotiate and that this whole mess was her fault. Still, the child is innocent.
Hugo's face darkened. The thought of her disappearance keeping him up at night filled him with fury. "Know your place," he said coldly.
Her heart ached slightly. Of course, she knew her place. No matter where she went, she was still his wife. With tears glistening in her eyes, she made up her mind. I have to make this gamble. There could be a possibility that this man still has an ounce of sympathy left in his heart and will let the baby live.
Though, her agitation alerted the baby. It started moving around and kicked her. The pain made her bend over, but someone wrapped their arm around her and held her up.
"Are you alright, Celia?" Yvonne was worried.
"It's alright. The baby just kicked me," said Celia.
Hugo looked around the village. I need to take her home ASAP. If anything happens to her right now, more than one life will be at risk. He had no idea how to deal with the baby just yet, but there was no time for that. He just wanted to take her away. "Come with me. Now," he commanded imperiously, holding her arm.
Celia knew she could no longer run. "Fine." She then turned to Yvonne. "Thanks for everything, Yvonne."
"Hey, you still need to take your stuff. The baby's clothes, remember?" Yvonne said.
What little color Celia had left disappeared, and her tears streamed down her cheeks. "No need for that anymore." With that, she turned to the car and went inside.
Hugo went into the car as well. Celia held back her sadness and bade Yvonne goodbye. "Thanks for everything you and your family did for me, Yvonne. I'll return the favor someday."
"Take care. Keep the baby safe, too." Yvonne waved her goodbye.
Then, the off-road vehicles turned the corner, disappearing from everyone's sight.
Celia closed her eyes, but then the car bumped suddenly. The bodyguard didn't notice the pothole, and he rammed over it. Startled, Celia quickly held her belly but ended up losing her balance and falling onto Hugo's chest.
The man held her right away, but she quickly moved out of his arms and scurried to the other side of the car, as she worried he might hurt the baby.
They got into the plane and flew back to Astoria. The baby had kept Celia awake the whole night, and she couldn't take it anymore. Even though Hugo was sitting across from her, she fell asleep on the couch. Even when she had drifted off to dreamland, she still put her hands over her belly, keeping her baby safe.
Hugo withdrew his gaze from the window and stared at Celia, especially her belly. Just then, he saw something moving inside. The baby was kicking her, tossing and turning around. He stared at it in surprise. Then, a conflicted feeling filled his heart. So, that's my child, huh? Even now, he had no idea how to deal with it. He heaved a sigh and looked outside the window again. His mind was in a rut, but he told the stewardess to cover Celia with a blanket so she wouldn't catch a cold.
The flight went on for two hours. Right before it would land, the stewardess woke Celia up. The moment she opened her eyes, the sight that greeted her was Hugo sitting with his legs crossed. Panicked, she sat up straight. She couldn't believe she had slept that long, and she massaged her numb arm. The baby in her belly turned around and kicked her, filling her with a sense of security. As long as it was moving, then the baby was fine.
During one of the checkups, the doctor gave her a hint, so she knew the baby was a boy.
Once they landed, they got into Hugo's car and drove toward the city. Celia was in the back seat. After spending six months living in a rural area, she felt a little disoriented at this moment. It all felt unreal to her to be back in the city again.
At 4.00PM, they came back to Hugo's villa. Celia got out of the car, holding her lower back. The whole journey exhausted her.
Hugo walked ahead and looked at her with a sneer. "You brought this upon yourself."
A bitter feeling welled in her heart. I guess he doesn't care about the child at all. "Can we talk?" she asked quietly.
"I do not wish to talk." With that, he turned around and strode ahead, leaving her out in the cold.
😡🔥“You’re here to pay off your debt! How dare you get pregnant with my kid!”😡
Chapter 1 She's Pregnant
A beautiful young lady with an unnaturally pale face stood outside the entrance of the ultrasound room with a B-scan report in her hand.
Not only did she not feel the joy and surprise of someone who had become a mother, but she was shrouded in a thick aura of fear.
The results stated below the B-ultrasound report were: One fetus, alive, consistent with an intrauterine pregnancy of 8+ weeks.
She was pregnant, and it had been two months.
Just then, her phone rang, and as she looked at the name on the screen, she took a deep breath before answering, "Hello?"
"Come to the office." It was a low, cold voice that was akin to a demonic presence from hell.
"I—"
The call ended abruptly, giving her no room to refuse.
Celia Stuart quickly put the ultrasound report into her bag, hastily left the hospital, and hurried to the most imposing building in the city center.
There was only one thing on her agenda whenever she came here: to please her husband and satisfy his every physical need.
Regardless of the time or place, she had to be at his beck and call whenever he called, or she would have to face dire consequences.
After reaching the suite on the 32nd floor of the company, Celia was about to sit on the couch to rest when she heard the sound of the fingerprint scanner outside the door.
A tall and handsome figure dressed in a custom-made jet-black suit that accentuated his elegance and cold severity strode in.
It was Hugo Spencer, her husband.
Celia promptly put on a smiling face and stood up. "Did your business trip go well this time, darling?"
It was still mid-afternoon, and the warm sunlight illuminated the sharp contours of the man's eyebrows and nose, giving his exquisite features a cold and ruthless vibe.
Instead of answering her, he simply grabbed a bag and threw it in front of her.
"Go take a shower and change into it," he demanded in his usual commanding tone.
Celia looked at the pale pink lingerie bag and knew what she had to do next. Cheeks turning pink, she softly muttered, "I... I have a stomach ache today. I'm not feeling well. Can we—"
The man who saw through her lie with just one glance coldly snarled, "Stop making excuses."
"It's true." She couldn't help but blush as she lied.
After all, the baby inside her was two months old!
She wouldn't be able to handle what the man was about to do next.
Celia mustered up the courage to ask, "Can I take a day off today and rest?" For the sake of her unborn child, she couldn't engage in marital activities.
With his hands in his pockets, Hugo approached and towered over her. As he looked at her with a contemptuous gaze, he asked in return, "Do you think you deserve a break?"
Celia's eyes turned red. Her heart was filled with bitterness when she looked at the cold and heartless man.
A year ago, she had been set up and given to an old man by her stepmother. She was in her despair when Hugo appeared before her like a savior, rescuing her from trouble.
When she returned home and tried to tell her father about the incident, her stepmother turned the tables and accused her of bringing her daughter to a club which almost led to her being violated.
Without a second thought, her father slapped Celia across the face and kicked her out of the house, leaving her to fend for herself.
It was on a stormy night when she was grabbed by a drunkard. She stumbled and fell in a panic, and that was when she somehow saw Hugo once again.
At that moment, he became her savior who later gave her a place to stay and provided her warmth and comfort.
Hugo was tall and handsome, and he exuded an exceptional aura. Every move and gesture he made gave out a thick aristocratic air.
Furthermore, as the head of the country's top financial conglomerate, Spencer Group, he was immensely wealthy and influential.
After Celia succumbed to his gentle advances a month later, she secretly took her household registration book from home without her father's knowledge and married Hugo without anyone witnessing or blessing the union.
She thought that what awaited her after the marriage was happiness.
Unexpectedly, Hugo whispered a bloody truth into her ear on the night they registered their marriage: marrying her was just the beginning of his revenge.
Back to the present, Celia emerged from the bathroom with her arms around her chest, blushing as she approached the bed.
It seemed that Hugo had a hobby of tormenting her for his own pleasure. Every time he went on a business trip, he would buy some erotica products that pushed her to her limits and forced her to wear them for his amusement.
The man was now reclined on a pillow. In his crisp white shirt and tailored trousers, he exuded an air of sophistication and decadence.
Seeing this, she meekly pleaded again. "I'm really not feeling well. Can't we—"
"You don't have the right to refuse." The man's cold and sharp gaze shot back instantly.
The look in his eyes made Celia want to escape.
"When will you stop tormenting me? When will you let me go?" Celia questioned him for the first time as tears uncontrollably rolled down her face.
She was a person, a living being, not a plaything for him to manipulate at will.
Hugo stood up from the bed, somewhat enjoying the expression of rebellion on his pet kitty's face. After all, women who were too obedient were no fun.
His lips curled into a sneer. "You want me to let you go? That will never happen in this lifetime. You are not allowed to leave my side even if I get tired or annoyed with you."
"You..." Celia couldn't hold back her tears. She felt utterly humiliated.
He walked up to her and gripped her chin with his large hand, forcing her to look at him. It intrigued him more than before to see the touch of fierceness on her pure and ethereal face.
As he leaned in to kiss her on the lips, Celia angrily turned her face to evade his lips.
"You dare refuse me?" He smirked.
The next moment, he carried her up and threw her onto the soft bed beside them.
Two hours later, the exhausted woman gasped and held her lower abdomen when she saw the faint red marks on the bedsheets.
My baby! Please be okay!
With weak legs, Celia dragged her body back to the hospital once again.
While she lay in the ultrasound room, she felt a sense of panic wash over her as she listened to the sound of the small train nearby.
Tears streamed down Celia's face, startling the nurse who hurriedly tried to comfort her. "Miss, don't worry. Your baby is healthy. Its heartbeat is strong."
After Celia entered the doctor's office, she was surprised that the doctor remembered her. The doctor immediately asked her, "Why did you suddenly start bleeding? You were fine this morning. Do you want your child or not?"
Upon hearing the question, Celia almost blurted out, "Yes, I do!"
A strong determination to protect her baby surged within her. She felt responsible as a mother the moment she heard the sound of the baby's heartbeat moments ago.
The doctor glanced at her. "You're not even 20. Isn't your husband here?"
"H-He's busy."
"Well, you need to tell him to be careful for the next three months and prioritize the baby. Otherwise, the risk of miscarriage is high even for someone as young as yourself." The doctor hinted when they noticed the kiss mark on her neck.
"I understand. Thank you, doctor." Celia's face turned beet red.
However, she felt her chest tighten at the same time she breathed a sigh of relief. How was she supposed to tell Hugo about the child?
The baby could be in danger at any moment if she didn't say anything, but if she did tell him about it, the baby would be even more at risk because Hugo would undoubtedly insist on her getting rid of it.
Chapter 2 Unworthy of Having My Child
As Celia trudged out of the hospital, she instinctively covered her abdomen and bitterly wondered why the baby had to come to her womb.
How wonderful it would be if it could find parents who could let it grow up healthy!
The reason Hugo wanted to take revenge on her was because of her mother.
From a young age, her father never mentioned her mother's death. It was at the age of ten when she heard her stepmother's sarcastic remarks about how Celia's birth mother and a wealthy man had a rendezvous in a car in the mountains, resulting in both of them plummeting off a cliff to their deaths.
And that wealthy man was Hugo's father.
Her mother was deemed a disgraceful mistress who had intruded upon Hugo's parents' marriage.
Celia's father, fueled by his hatred for her mother's affair, openly welcomed the other woman into their home, erasing any trace of her existence in that household.
As if seeing her reminded him of her mother's betrayal, he didn't even spare Celia a glance.
Celia was like an orphan. She was utterly alone in this world.
After returning from the hospital, she ate the lunch prepared by the servants before she dozed off until the evening.
By the time she woke up, she was startled when she glanced at the time. How was it 8.30PM already? She then hurried downstairs.
Hugo had returned at some point. Sitting on the couch in the living room, he looked both relaxed and dangerous as he sat in an unrestrained posture.
Celia suddenly thought about taking the initiative to please him so that it would be easier to discuss the child with him.
She brewed a cup of tea and brought it to him. "You've worked hard, darling. Have a cup of tea to quench your thirst!"
Hugo glanced up at her. "Do you have something to tell me?"
This man had an uncanny ability to see through her as if he could read her every thought just by looking at her.
Celia bit her red lip and sat beside him, tentatively asking, "I was thinking… Should we have a child? It would make our home livelier."
A contemptuous smile played at the corners of Hugo's mouth. "Do you think you're worthy of bearing my child?"
"What if I accidentally get pregnant?" Celia kept biting her lip. She couldn't look him straight in the eyes.
"Abort it immediately," the man answered without any mercy.
A few seconds later, his sharp gaze locked onto her again. "Are you pregnant?"
Taken aback, Celia quickly shook her head. "No... I was just curious because it…it gets lonely staying alone in such a big villa."
Hugo seemed to believe her words because he knew she didn't dare to get pregnant with his child. And even if she did, she knew what she had to do.
He set aside the documents and stood up, fetching a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet. After pouring half a glass, he handed it to her. "Finish it."
Celia panicked and waved. "I don't drink."
"You disappointed me yesterday," the man insisted domineeringly as he pushed the glass toward her. "You will pay if you disappoint me again."
Celia gently placed the cup on the table after taking two sips, indicating that she had drunk her fill.
However, the man's eyes narrowed in an instant as his gaze oppressively fixed on her.
"Do you want me to feed you?" he asked.
Celia's beautiful eyes widened slightly. It wasn't as if he hadn't done something like that before. She then obediently picked up the wine glass on the table and took small sips while enduring the burning sensation in her throat.
After four sips, she choked and coughed lightly.
"Finish it," the man demanded hoarsely. He wasn't worried about her at all.
"I don't want to drink anymore." Celia shook her head. She really couldn't take another sip.
However, the man seemed to be intrigued as he got up and pulled her into his embrace. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and then held her delicate face to feed her the alcohol.
Tonight went on to be another sleepless night for her.
Early the next morning, Celia had to go to the hospital again when she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen.
It was the same doctor as yesterday that attended to her. This time, he was looking at her with a serious expression. "Did you already forget what I reminded you just yesterday? What could be more important than a child? Do you realize how dangerous your condition is?"
"Doctor, how is the baby?"
"There's slight bleeding, but the baby is fine for now. Still, you need to be more careful."
As Celia walked out of the doctor's office, she felt lost and bewildered. She wandered around the hospital for a while until a nurse came out calling for the next patient and asked her, "Is it your turn next?"
"What?"
"The operation!"
"What operation?"
"The cesarean section."
Celia recoiled in fear. "I'm not having surgery. It's not me."
There was a couple holding a three-month-old baby next to her after she got in the elevator. The fair and adorable child smiled happily at her, captivating Celia like an angel.
She instinctively touched her abdomen. I'm sure my baby will be this cute too if it came into this world.
The doctor's words resounded in her ears like an alarm. If Hugo continued bedding her tonight, there was a high chance Celia would lose the baby.
Distraught, Celia returned to the villa. Before she could enter the living room, she felt a sudden wave of dizziness before she collapsed at the villa's doorstep.
The bag containing the ultrasound report she was holding fell to the ground by her feet.
A black sports car slowly pulled up outside the iron gate in the evening. Hugo had returned.
His car parked next to the entrance, and when he caught sight of the woman on the ground, a look of shock flashed in his eyes. He quickly pushed the door open and got out.
As he strode toward the woman who had fainted, his attention was momentarily diverted by a hospital plastic bag nearby.
After he crouched down and picked up the medical records and ultrasound report from inside the bag, he immediately frowned when he thought about Celia's reactions toward him these two days and her questions about having a child.
Sh*t, she isn't supposed to get pregnant! She has been taking her pills!
Is she trying to use the child to earn my forgiveness? His face fell at the thought of that.
This woman dares to try using my child as a bargaining chip. Unforgivable!
Celia slowly opened her eyes as she regained consciousness. As she sat up, her eyes widened in shock and panic before they met the chilling gaze of the man's deep and intimidating eyes.
Why is Hugo back already?
She only further paled when she saw the report he was holding.
Despite feeling a desperate urge to escape, Hugo stood before her like a looming shadow, his voice cold as he questioned, "Where do you think you're going?"
Celia had always been afraid of this man from the bottom of her heart. Now that she couldn't run away, she clutched her lower abdomen in despair and terror.
Hugo took a step closer, his gaze scanning her pale face drenched in a cold sweat like a sharp blade before it lowered to her smooth belly.
He stared in that direction for a few seconds.
During those few seconds, Celia's breath seemed to stop. She lowered her head like someone guilty, unable to meet his eyes.
The arrival of the child was not her decision to make. It was a sudden gift from the universe. In fact, she was more panicked and afraid than anyone else.
"When did you get pregnant?" he asked, his face expressionless.
"I... I only found out two days ago," Celia whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Hugo's eyes flickered with a demonic gleam.
"I…"
"Scared that I would want you to abort it?" the man mocked, his tone growing even colder. "Did you think I would let your child come to this world alive?"
Chapter 3 Escaped With His Child
Celia's breath hitched at that. The man was a demon who wouldn't even let a child out of his clutches.
"The child is innocent," she whispered.
"You honestly think you have the right to give birth to my child?" the man beside her mocked.
She lowered her head at that. "I'm sorry. It was an accident."
The corners of Hugo's lips twitched. He refused to believe that it was just a mistake. She is clearly trying to set me up!
"Word of advice: don't even think about using my child to beg for my forgiveness," he warned through gritted teeth.
Celia peered at him with her beautiful eyes as a surge of intense sorrow emerged within her. Her tears swirled in her eyes and she shook her head. "This really was an accident. I never intended to use the child for anything."
"Any woman in this world has the right to give birth to my child, but not you. I don't want my child to have your mother's dirty genes." His cold voice was dripping with disdain. "Get rid of it."
Tears welled up in her eyes when she heard those words. She was already doing her best to atone for her mother's sins by being his plaything. What more did he want from her?
Am I supposed to give him my life?
"Go to the hospital right now!" Hugo coldly tossed out an instruction.
Celia's tears rolled down her cheeks as she instinctively covered her abdomen. My baby, I'm too powerless to keep you with me. I'm sorry.
She closed her eyes. Her heart was filled with indescribable pain.
Can't I keep it? This is his child as well!
Suddenly, Hugo's phone rang.
He glanced at it and picked it up without hesitation. "Yes."
"Mr. Spencer, something urgent has come up in the stock market. You will need to come back and handle it," came the voice of the finance department's manager from the other end.
Hugo glanced at the time when he heard that. As though he didn't even have the patience to accompany Celia to the hospital, he instructed in a frigid voice, "Deal with it yourself."
He knew that she would not dare to keep the child.
Celia watched as he walked toward the car.
When his sports car left in a trail of taillights into the sunset, she hurriedly got up. She didn't know where she could go, but she knew she had to leave this man.
She then went to her own car and drove off before parking it on a side street. As she glanced around, she noticed a bus by the roadside. Without hesitation, she made her way to it.
The ticket seller looked at her and asked, "Where are you headed, young lady?"
Celia didn't hesitate to step inside the bus.
After she found a seat, she said to the woman, "To the final stop, please."
Celia had made up her mind to escape. She had never been this bold before, nor had she ever defied Hugo. But this time, for the sake of her baby, she decided to confront fate head-on.
With her arms around her bag, she turned her phone off and eventually drifted off to sleep out of exhaustion.
As night fell, a black Bugatti drove into the villa. Now that Hugo had finished his work and returned home, he expected to find Celia, who had undergone surgery, waiting for him.
However, the living room was empty. It didn't feel like anyone had been or was there.
His wife would always welcome him every day when he got back from work, so where was she hiding now?
"Celia?" Hugo called out in a deep voice.
And yet, he didn't hear a reply.
He strode up the stairs and checked the master bedroom, the study, and even the place where Celia often lost herself in reverie. However, the woman was nowhere to be found.
Realization finally dawned upon him—she had never been home.
I told her to come back this afternoon. Where the hell did she go? He suddenly thought of a possibility. Did she run away?
He took out his phone and called Celia, and as expected, her phone was off.
"Damn it!" She actually ran away! How dare she?
After enduring a six-hour bus ride, Celia found herself at the bus station in Bloomstead. She was no longer anxious or in a hurry. As long as she could escape from Hugo, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.
She still had some money in her bank account, and it was enough to sustain her in the days to come.
She switched to using a normal phone in case her phone was being tracked. Since she wanted to make her escape, she needed to get as far away as she could.
She had fled to a place where Hugo would never find her again.
One of her college classmates lived in Honchkon. According to her friend, Honchkon was a beautiful place with a perpetually mild climate and a serene atmosphere. It was located in a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and limited communication.
At this moment, she found herself contemplating a new life there.
She had given it a long thought. She knew Hugo would be searching for her all over the world. He would be furious and if he ever found her, he would undoubtedly kill her, but she didn't care.
She might have made a stupid move, but she only acted on a mother's instinct to protect her child.
Wouldn't her child be pitiful if she had cold-heartedly gotten rid of it?
This, she had guessed correctly.
Hugo was indeed looking for her everywhere.
On the streets of the city, he had mobilized all the company's bodyguards in the middle of the night to search for her in the places she might have gone.
It was 4.00AM when he went to a corner of a garden where he took out a packet of cigarettes. He tried to hold his anger in as he lit one of the sticks.
Right then, she heard a woman's voice screaming, "H-Help me!"
He raised his chin, only to see a drunkard pulling a young lady, trying to take advantage of her.
Hugo narrowed his gaze as he discarded his cigarette and walked toward the drunken man.
The woman, in a state of panic and helplessness, pleaded for his help. "Sir, please save me! Sir..."
Hugo swiftly grabbed the drunken man's hand, causing him to scream in pain and release his grip on the woman.
At this, she seized the chance and hurriedly escaped from danger.
Hugo felt his anger rise out of nowhere and kicked the man into a nearby flower bed. Not wanting to dirty his hands any further, he turned to leave.
However, the one thing that appeared in his head now was a pure and beautiful face. Compared to the young woman he saved, Celia had a face that was more tempting to men.
Who will save her if she gets into a similar situation? How will she be treated?
After Hugo returned to his car, a wave of fury suddenly rose within him. He kicked his own tire, his handsome face contorted with a sour expression.
"Sh*t!"
No man, other than himself, was allowed to touch Celia. It was a possessiveness and dominance etched into his very being.
Not even one of all the incoming calls was the one he was waiting for. She is quite the escapee, isn't she? She completely disappeared with my child in tow! F*ck this. I'm going to make her pay a heavy price when I find her!
What Hugo hadn't expected was for his search for her to last for six whole months.
…
Camellias bloomed everywhere in the mountains, filling the air with a primitive and rustic atmosphere. This place had just gone through a harsh winter and now it was spring, where flowers bloomed.
Inside a cottage, a woman wearing a gray plaid skirt sat down. As she rose, she clearly had a bump on her belly. It only looked smaller than usual because she was thin, but this was a belly that carried an eight-month-old child.
Celia had successfully escaped to a place where Hugo was not there. It was a remote area with underdeveloped transportation and Internet, but it was filled with love and joy.
Her arrival made the people here fond of her. She was beautiful, kind, and diligent, and she even became a substitute music teacher at a school.
Everyone warmly called her Miss Stuart.
"Celia, I suggest you go to the county earlier and rent a house. You have only one month left until you are due," her classmate, Yvonne Lester, advised.
"Mhm. I'll go in a few days. Thank you for taking care of me all this time, Yvonne."
"Celia, are you sure you are ready to be a single mother? What are your plans for the future?"
"I have made up my mind. I'm ready to stay here and teach as a volunteer."
"That won't do. You are a city girl. How can you raise a child here?" Yvonne disapproved of her decision.
However, Celia was prepared to live with her child in this area. She didn't mind that they weren't financially well-off, as long as she could spend her whole life by her child's side.
She had decided to live for her child.
Chapter 4 Found Her at Last
Astoria was a bustling city, and Hugo was desperate to find that girl. He had tried everything to search for her, but she was still not found. He scoured the whole city and even told the cops to set up a task force to search for her, but alas, she was still nowhere to be found. Hugo might look calm on the outside, but unbeknownst to others, a storm was brewing in his heart.
Every time the cops found a female corpse, he would go to check if it was her almost immediately, and when he realized it wasn't her, he would heave a sigh of relief. He wished that woman was alive so he could rain down his wrath on her when he found her.
He would not allow her to die just like that. She still had a debt to repay and had to atone for her sins; she had no right to die. However, there was something else. If she were alive, her baby should be eight months old now. It would be old enough to be born. No, I will not let the woman I hate the most give birth to my child. I will not suffer that indignity!
After taking another phone call, Hugo's fury flared once more, and he hurled the file in front of him away. He was currently in his office, and his action startled the female assistant who had just come in to deliver some documents to him.
Her knees almost gave out when she saw him unleashing his rage. Her boss had been temperamental lately; he was like a ticking bomb that would explode at any minute. Thus, whenever he got mad, everyone made it a point to stay as silent as a mouse.
Right then, the phone suddenly rang, and the assistant quickly scurried off. Hugo took a deep breath before taking the call. "What is it?"
"Mr. Spencer, we found your wife," the cop said.
"Are you sure?"
"Very much so. She's living in a village in Honchkon. We found her through the file in a local hospital. Her name and looks match with your wife's."
"Thank you. Give me the address, please."
"Do you need our help with this, Mr. Spencer?"
"It's all right. I can take my wife home by myself," said Hugo calmly, but there was no mistaking the fury underneath his voice. It was like a violent undercurrent roaring underneath the calm surface of a sea.
He had been waiting for too long, and his anger was on the brink of bursting. So, she has finally appeared. You will taste my wrath, Celia. He clenched his fists, his face contorting with rage. Celia's escape enraged him, and he would not stop until she had seen all his wrath.
An hour later, a private jet set off for Honchkon.
Yvonne Lester was leading Celia onto the bus in Honchkon. Celia was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, so she had difficulties moving around with a big belly. Yvonne had been taking care of her for the last few months. She liked Celia a lot since the latter was beautiful and talented. People looked down on Yvonne because she was a bumpkin from the boonies who only got into university through pure luck, or so they thought. However, Celia never treated her as such and had always been nice to her.
A lady beside Yvonne noticed Celia, and she gasped. "Oh, my! She's beautiful. Just like a celebrity."
All the passengers on the bus turned to look at Celia upon hearing the exclamation. Her skin was fair, and she wore her hair up. Even when she was pregnant, she looked gorgeous.
"Her husband is one lucky man," someone remarked.
"Yeah. Never seen someone as gorgeous as she is," another person said.
"So, how many months now?" a lady asked.
"Eight." Celia smiled.
"Oh, so you're going into labor soon. Are you here for a checkup?"
"Yes." Celia nodded.
In the meantime, Hugo leaned his back against a couch in the luxurious cabin of his private jet. He was staring out the window, the look in his eyes cold. Even though he was taking his private jet, the journey from Astoria to Honchkon took nearly two hours. She sure can run, can't she?
At 11.00AM, four off-road vehicles appeared at the airport, driving toward the terminal.
Meanwhile, Celia had finished her checkup. The baby was perfectly healthy, but she was anemic, so the doctor prescribed her some pills. Celia treated Yvonne to lunch, and they shopped around for clothes for a bit. She had bought a lot of clothes for the baby, but she still wanted more. After they were done shopping, they took a van at 2.00PM, heading home.
At the same time, four off-road vehicles drove into the village. The man in the second car's back seat looked out the window, and what greeted him was the downtrodden village. A frown creased his forehead. Has she been staying in this place all this time? This is even worse than the boonies. No wonder it took me so long to find her.
Still, this place had sceneries that the city did not. Mountains surrounded the entire village, keeping it safely tucked away in a corner.
Once they came to the address the GPS showed them, one of the bodyguards went around to ask for Celia's whereabouts, and he came back a while later. "Sir, I've asked around. There's one villager who knows Miss Stuart, and she said Miss Stuart has gone to the hospital for a checkup. She will probably get home at 4.00PM."
Hugo frowned upon hearing that. Her baby bump must be big now. He then looked at the path, which was the only entrance to the village. It should be easy to see her here. "We'll wait here, then." After saying that, he whipped out a pack of cigarettes, rolled down the window, and smoked.
A few memories flooded his mind just then. Over the last six months, he had spent a lot of time searching for her, and he was worried for her. He was worried that she might have died. Aside from that, he had been thinking about the baby as well. However, he had covered that up with his indifferent facade so no one could see through him.
He took a deep hit, and frustration filled his mind. Hold on a second. Am I pitying that woman? There is no way that's true. Her mother ruined my parents' marriage, and then my father and that homewrecker died in a car crash. We became the butt of everyone's joke. Afterward, my mother got depressed for years and left the house, leaving nothing but a letter for me. Her mother ruined my childhood. My life! I will never forgive her. I will torture Celia until she dies!
At this moment, a van trudged past the muddy path and stopped on a slightly smooth surface right across from Hugo's car.
The off-road vehicles were conspicuous, especially in this village. Yvonne got out of the van and quickly helped Celia out.
Hugo stared at the van. He had a feeling he would see her soon, and just as he had expected, a gray silhouette got out a while later. Celia was no longer as slender as she was. Even though she still looked thin, the baby bump hindered her movements.
He stared at her face. Even though it'd been six months since he saw her, she didn't seem to lose any weight. Instead, the pregnancy had lent her a hint of allure. A strand of hair tumbled down her forehead, but she pulled it back and smiled happily.
She looked just like a woman that jumped straight out of an oil painting. Beautiful enough to even mesmerize Hugo for a while, but then his face fell, and he got out of the car.
Chapter 5 Taken Back
When she heard the sound of the opening door, Celia looked up, and her smile faded, which was soon replaced by horror and panic. It looked like she had just seen a ghost. She trembled and almost fell.
Surprised by her sudden change, Yvonne gasped and held her up. On the other hand, Hugo was already extending his arm to Celia to keep her steady on her feet, but when he realized someone was already helping her, he clenched his fist and pulled it back.
Celia was huffing and puffing. At the sight of his handsome face, she felt nothing but terror. Her heart was thumping furiously because of that. Why is he here? The fiend! How did he find me?! The man before her was her absolute fear, and she was seized by the urge to run. So, she held Yvonne's hand and said, "We need to go."
However, her baby bump was hindering her. Yvonne looked at the stranger who came out of nowhere. He had a face that even the gods would envy, but the look in his eyes was as cold as ice, and she couldn't help shivering. Who is he? Why's Celia trying to run from this man?
"I've been looking for you, Celia." Hugo gritted his teeth.
Celia quickly clutched her belly in an attempt to keep her baby away from this man's grasp. "Don't come any closer. I won't go with you!" She teared up, but she knew there was no escape from this.
The man went ahead and grabbed her wrist. Despite being pregnant, she still looked gaunt and fragile. Feeling her thin wrist, he felt something squeeze his heart. Has she been starving herself?
Even though Hugo looked regal, Yvonne still mustered her courage and piped up, "Hey, mister, she's eight months pregnant, so watch it. You'll hurt her baby." Then, she looked at Celia curiously and whispered, "Who is he, Celia?"
"The baby's father." Celia was pale as a ghost, and her heart was filled with sadness. No one would stop her from giving birth to the baby. No one but Hugo. He would kill the child.
Hugo looked at her imperiously and ordered, "You're coming with me. Right now."
The pregnant woman bit her lip. She felt like she was backed into a corner. One wrong step, and she would fall straight to hell. Still, courage filled her heart. It was precisely because she knew death was imminent that she fought to live. "Fine, but you're going to let the baby live." She looked into his eyes, determination filling her soul.
"Do you think you're in a position to negotiate?" He sneered. Even when I still haven't made you pay?
Celia's face was drained of color. She knew she had no right to negotiate and that this whole mess was her fault. Still, the child is innocent.
Hugo's face darkened. The thought of her disappearance keeping him up at night filled him with fury. "Know your place," he said coldly.
Her heart ached slightly. Of course, she knew her place. No matter where she went, she was still his wife. With tears glistening in her eyes, she made up her mind. I have to make this gamble. There could be a possibility that this man still has an ounce of sympathy left in his heart and will let the baby live.
Though, her agitation alerted the baby. It started moving around and kicked her. The pain made her bend over, but someone wrapped their arm around her and held her up.
"Are you alright, Celia?" Yvonne was worried.
"It's alright. The baby just kicked me," said Celia.
Hugo looked around the village. I need to take her home ASAP. If anything happens to her right now, more than one life will be at risk. He had no idea how to deal with the baby just yet, but there was no time for that. He just wanted to take her away. "Come with me. Now," he commanded imperiously, holding her arm.
Celia knew she could no longer run. "Fine." She then turned to Yvonne. "Thanks for everything, Yvonne."
"Hey, you still need to take your stuff. The baby's clothes, remember?" Yvonne said.
What little color Celia had left disappeared, and her tears streamed down her cheeks. "No need for that anymore." With that, she turned to the car and went inside.
Hugo went into the car as well. Celia held back her sadness and bade Yvonne goodbye. "Thanks for everything you and your family did for me, Yvonne. I'll return the favor someday."
"Take care. Keep the baby safe, too." Yvonne waved her goodbye.
Then, the off-road vehicles turned the corner, disappearing from everyone's sight.
Celia closed her eyes, but then the car bumped suddenly. The bodyguard didn't notice the pothole, and he rammed over it. Startled, Celia quickly held her belly but ended up losing her balance and falling onto Hugo's chest.
The man held her right away, but she quickly moved out of his arms and scurried to the other side of the car, as she worried he might hurt the baby.
They got into the plane and flew back to Astoria. The baby had kept Celia awake the whole night, and she couldn't take it anymore. Even though Hugo was sitting across from her, she fell asleep on the couch. Even when she had drifted off to dreamland, she still put her hands over her belly, keeping her baby safe.
Hugo withdrew his gaze from the window and stared at Celia, especially her belly. Just then, he saw something moving inside. The baby was kicking her, tossing and turning around. He stared at it in surprise. Then, a conflicted feeling filled his heart. So, that's my child, huh? Even now, he had no idea how to deal with it. He heaved a sigh and looked outside the window again. His mind was in a rut, but he told the stewardess to cover Celia with a blanket so she wouldn't catch a cold.
The flight went on for two hours. Right before it would land, the stewardess woke Celia up. The moment she opened her eyes, the sight that greeted her was Hugo sitting with his legs crossed. Panicked, she sat up straight. She couldn't believe she had slept that long, and she massaged her numb arm. The baby in her belly turned around and kicked her, filling her with a sense of security. As long as it was moving, then the baby was fine.
During one of the checkups, the doctor gave her a hint, so she knew the baby was a boy.
Once they landed, they got into Hugo's car and drove toward the city. Celia was in the back seat. After spending six months living in a rural area, she felt a little disoriented at this moment. It all felt unreal to her to be back in the city again.
At 4.00PM, they came back to Hugo's villa. Celia got out of the car, holding her lower back. The whole journey exhausted her.
Hugo walked ahead and looked at her with a sneer. "You brought this upon yourself."
A bitter feeling welled in her heart. I guess he doesn't care about the child at all. "Can we talk?" she asked quietly.
"I do not wish to talk." With that, he turned around and strode ahead, leaving her out in the cold.
00:21
Jan 19, 2025 - Present
Capitolo 1 Primo Amore
Una pioggia pesante cominciò a cadere incessantemente.
All'ingresso dell'ospedale.
In piedi all'ingresso dell'ospedale, Cecilia Smith stringeva il referto del test di gravidanza nella sua delicata e fragile mano. Il risultato era inequivocabile: non incinta.
"Tre anni di matrimonio e non sei ancora incinta?"
"Sei così inutile. Se non rimani incinta presto, la famiglia Rainsworth ti caccierà. Che ne sarà della famiglia Smith allora?"
Vestita elegantemente e barcollante sui suoi tacchi alti, Paula Escobar, la madre di Cecilia, la puntava con il dito, il viso una maschera di delusione.
Gli occhi di Cecilia erano vuoti. Le parole che desiderava dire erano bloccate nel suo cuore, condensandosi infine in una singola frase.
"Mi dispiace."
"Non voglio che tu ti scusi. Voglio che tu abbia un figlio con Nathaniel. Capisci?"
La gola di Cecilia era secca. Non sapeva come rispondere.
Erano sposati da tre anni, eppure suo marito, Nathaniel Rainsworth, non l'aveva mai toccata.
Come poteva esserci un bambino?
Vedendo la sua impotenza, Paula sentì che non era per niente come lei.
"Se davvero non ce la fai, allora aiuta Nathaniel a trovare una donna fuori. Sicuramente ricorderà la tua gentilezza."
Cecilia guardò incredula la figura in ritirata di sua madre, incapace di comprendere cosa fosse appena successo.
Sua madre biologica, incredibilmente, le aveva chiesto di trovare un'altra donna per suo marito.
Un brivido le congelò immediatamente il cuore fino al nucleo.
Mentre Cecilia sedeva in macchina diretta a casa, le ultime parole di Paula risuonavano nella sua mente, accompagnate da un improvviso e intermittente ruggito nelle sue orecchie.
Sapeva che la sua malattia era peggiorata.
In quel momento, ricevette un messaggio di testo.
Il messaggio proveniva da Nathaniel, come sempre costante negli ultimi tre anni. Diceva: Non tornerò a casa stasera.
Durante i loro tre anni di matrimonio, Nathaniel non aveva mai passato una sola notte a casa, né l'aveva mai toccata.
Cecilia ricordava ancora la loro notte di nozze tre anni fa.
Aveva detto: "Dal momento che tu, della famiglia Smith, osi ingannarmi nel matrimonio, allora preparati a affrontare una vita di solitudine."
Tre anni fa, le famiglie Smith e Rainsworth avevano formato un'alleanza commerciale attraverso il matrimonio.
La promessa era già stata fatta, un beneficio reciproco condiviso tra entrambe le parti.
Tuttavia, il giorno del matrimonio, la famiglia Smith cambiò improvvisamente idea. Trasferirono tutti i loro beni, compresi i diversi miliardi dati a Nathaniel per sposare Cecilia, altrove.
Un'ombra attraversò gli occhi di Cecilia, ma rispose al messaggio di Nathaniel con un semplice "va bene" come al solito.
Senza rendersene conto, aveva accartocciato il referto del test di gravidanza nella sua mano in una palla rugosa.
Quando arrivò a casa, lo gettò nel cestino.
Ogni mese, in questo particolare momento, si sentiva particolarmente svuotata.
Non fece cena e passò un po' di tempo appoggiata al divano, vagando tra uno stato di sogno e di veglia.
Sentiva costantemente un rumore sordo nelle sue orecchie.
Questo era anche un motivo per cui Nathaniel la disprezzava. Era dura di udito, che, nell'alta società, era come avere una disabilità.
Come poteva Nathaniel permetterle di avere un figlio in uno stato del genere?
L'orologio da parete emetteva un suono opaco.
Erano le cinque del mattino.
Tra un'ora, Nathaniel sarebbe tornato.
Solo all'alba Cecilia si rese conto di aver passato inconsapevolmente tutta la notte a dormire sul divano.
Si alzò di fretta per preparare la colazione per Nathaniel, temendo anche un solo momento di ritardo.
Nathaniel era meticoloso nel suo lavoro, con un riguardo rigoroso per il tempo. Una volta, Cecilia dovette partecipare al funerale di suo padre e dimenticò di tornare in tempo per preparare la sua colazione.
In seguito, non le inviò un solo messaggio né le parlò per un intero mese.
Alle sei in punto, Nathaniel tornò puntualmente.
Era impeccabilmente vestito con un completo, la sua figura alta e snella emanava un'eleganza contenuta. I suoi tratti belli erano sorprendenti, ma non mancavano di un certo fascino maschile.
Ma agli occhi di Cecilia, il suo riflesso era solo freddo e distante.
Senza nemmeno guardare Cecilia, tirò fuori una sedia e si sedette. "Non hai bisogno di fare colazione per me."
Cecilia rimase sorpresa.
Non era sicura se fosse istinto o qualcos'altro, ma le parole che pronunciò riflettevano un'umiltà che nemmeno lei si era resa conto.
"Ho fatto qualcosa di sbagliato?"
Nathaniel alzò lo sguardo, i suoi occhi incontrarono il volto di Cecilia, che era rimasto impassibile per gli ultimi tre anni. Le sue labbra si aprirono leggermente.
"Voglio una moglie, non una governante."
Per tre anni, Cecilia era sempre stata vista indossare lo stesso abito grigio chiaro. Anche quando rispondeva ai messaggi di testo, usava sempre la stessa parola, "va bene".
Se non fosse stato per l'alleanza commerciale e l'inganno della famiglia Smith, Nathaniel non avrebbe sposato una tale donna.
Lei semplicemente non era alla sua altezza.
Voglio una moglie, non una governante.
Il ronzio nelle orecchie di Cecilia si intensificò.
Si formò un nodo in gola, eppure, pronunciò la parola che Nathaniel detestava di più.
"Va bene."
Improvvisamente, Nathaniel si sentì particolarmente di cattivo umore, anche la sua colazione preferita sul tavolo sembrava insolitamente insipida e senza sapore.
Si alzò in piedi, tirando indietro la sedia con irritazione, pronto a partire.
Con sua sorpresa, Cecilia raccolse il coraggio e afferrò la sua mano.
"Nathaniel, c'è qualcuno che ti piace?"
Quella domanda improvvisa fece scurire gli occhi di Nathaniel. "Cosa intendi?"
Cecilia guardò l'uomo che stava davanti a lei.
Nathaniel non era solo suo marito da tre anni, ma anche l'uomo che aveva inseguito e amato per dodici anni.
Ingoiando l'amarezza in gola, Cecilia pensò alle parole di Paula e disse: "Nathaniel, se c'è qualcuno che ti piace, puoi stare con—"
Prima che potesse finire la sua frase, Nathaniel l'aveva già interrotta.
"Sei pazza."
Alla fine, la vita è tutta una questione di continuo lasciare andare.
Dopo che Nathaniel se ne andò, Cecilia si ritrovò da sola sul balcone, guardando senza espressione la pioggia fuori.
Doveva ammettere che anche dopo dodici anni di adorazione per Nathaniel, ancora non lo capiva.
Il suono della pioggia era a volte chiaro e a volte ovattato.
Un mese fa, il dottore aveva detto: "Signorina Smith, i tuoi nervi uditivi e il sistema nervoso centrale hanno subito cambiamenti patologici, che hanno conseguentemente portato a un ulteriore declino della tua udito."
"Non c'è un modo per curarlo?"
Il dottore scosse la testa. "La perdita uditiva sensorineurale a lungo termine non risponde bene ai farmaci. Il mio consiglio sarebbe di continuare a usare l'apparecchio acustico per la riabilitazione uditiva."
Cecilia capì cosa intendeva il dottore; non c'era una cura disponibile.
Rimosse il suo apparecchio acustico.
Nel mondo di Cecilia, tutto cominciò a stabilizzarsi nella tranquillità.
Non era abituata a un mondo così silenzioso. Entrando nel soggiorno, accese la televisione.
Il volume era al massimo, e solo allora un suono tenue poteva essere appena sentito.
La televisione stava trasmettendo un'intervista con Stella Ross, la regina internazionalmente acclamata delle canzoni d'amore, al suo ritorno nel paese.
La mano di Cecilia, che teneva il telecomando, tremava.
Non era per nessun altro motivo, ma perché Stella era stata una volta il primo amore di Nathaniel.
Dopo molti anni di separazione, Stella era ancora bella come sempre.
Affrontava la telecamera con facilità e sicurezza, non più la timida e insicura Cenerentola che una volta cercava il sostegno finanziario della famiglia Smith.
Quando i giornalisti chiesero a Stella perché fosse tornata, rispose audacemente: "Sono tornata per riconquistare il mio primo amore."
Il telecomando nella mano di Cecilia colpì il pavimento.
Nello stesso momento, il suo cuore affondò.
La pioggia fuori sembrava essersi intensificata.
Cecilia aveva paura. Temeva che Stella avrebbe rubato Nathaniel a lei.
Allora, era la figlia adorata della famiglia Smith, eppure non riusciva a eclissare Stella, che non aveva alcun background.
Ora, Stella era diventata una cantante di canzoni d'amore famosa a livello internazionale, emanando sicurezza e positività. Naturalmente, non era alla sua altezza.
Cecilia andò nel panico e spegnì rapidamente la televisione, poi procedette a pulire la colazione intatta.
Quando arrivò in cucina, si rese conto che Nathaniel aveva lasciato il suo telefono.
Prese il telefono, sbloccandolo accidentalmente, e i suoi occhi caddero su un messaggio di testo non letto visualizzato sullo schermo.
Capitolo 2 Ti compatisco davvero
Stella: Nathaniel, devono essere stati un paio di anni duri per te.
Stella: So che non la ami. Incontriamoci stasera. Mi manchi davvero.
Cecilia non riuscì a tornare in sé fino a quando lo schermo non si spense.
Prese un taxi e si diresse verso l'azienda di Nathaniel.
Durante il tragitto, guardava fuori dalla finestra. Il ticchettio della pioggia sembrava non voler mai cessare.
A Nathaniel non piaceva quando Cecilia visitava il suo ufficio, quindi ogni volta che veniva a trovarlo, usava l'ascensore di servizio sul retro.
L'assistente personale di Nathaniel, Mason Sanders, vide Cecilia avvicinarsi. La salutò semplicemente con un freddo, "Signorina Smith."
Nessuno al fianco di Nathaniel la riconosceva come la signora della famiglia Rainsworth.
Era un'esistenza che non poteva essere vista in pubblico.
Quando Nathaniel vide il telefono che Cecilia aveva portato, le sue sopracciglia si incresparono leggermente.
Lei era sempre la stessa. Che si trattasse di un pranzo dimenticato, un documento, un pezzo di abbigliamento o un ombrello, lei glieli portava sempre quando li lasciava indietro.
"Non ti ho detto prima, non c'è bisogno che tu ti sforzi per portarmi le cose."
Cecilia rimase sorpresa.
"Scusa, me ne sono dimenticata."
Quando la mia memoria è diventata così scarsa?
Forse era stata la vista del messaggio di testo di Stella a spaventarla davvero per un momento.
Aveva paura che Nathaniel potesse improvvisamente svanire.
Mentre stava per andarsene, si voltò a guardare Nathaniel. Nonostante i suoi sforzi per trattenersi, alla fine chiese, "Nathaniel, hai ancora sentimenti per Stella?"
Nathaniel trovò il comportamento recente di Cecilia piuttosto strano.
Non solo era dimentica, ma aveva anche un debole per fare domande strane.
Come poteva mai essere degna di essere sua moglie?
Rispose con impazienza, "Se hai troppo tempo libero, trova qualcosa da fare."
Alla fine, Cecilia non ottenne la risposta.
Aveva precedentemente tentato di trovare un impiego, ma i suoi sforzi furono alla fine ostacolati dagli anziani della famiglia Rainsworth. Sostenevano che le sue apparizioni pubbliche stavano portando imbarazzo alla famiglia.
La madre di Nathaniel, Elena Griffiths, una volta l'aveva interrogata senza vergogna. "Vuoi che tutto il mondo sappia che Nathaniel ha sposato una moglie handicappata con un deficit uditivo?"
Tornata a casa, Cecilia cercò di tenersi occupata il più possibile.
Anche se aveva già pulito la casa fino a renderla immacolata, non si fermò.
Solo in questo modo poteva scoprire il suo ultimo briciolo di valore.
Quel pomeriggio, non ricevette un messaggio di testo da Nathaniel.
Di solito, in una situazione del genere, significava o che era arrabbiato, o che era semplicemente troppo occupato.
La notte era profondamente avvolta nell'oscurità.
Cecilia faticava a prendere sonno.
In quel momento, il suo telefono sul comodino squillò.
Se ne accorse in ritardo e raggiunse il suo telefono.
Era una chiamata da un numero sconosciuto.
La voce che risuonava era dolce, ma riempiva sempre Cecilia di paura.
Era Stella.
"Ceci, ci sei? Nathaniel è ubriaco. Potresti venire a prenderlo?"
Al Elite Club, Nathaniel era seduto alla testa del tavolo, bevendo distrattamente.
Stella, che era seduta accanto a lui, veniva incitata da un gruppo di eredi. Insistevano che doveva cantare una canzone.
"Stella, non sei tornata per riconquistare il signor Rainsworth? Vai avanti, canta e dichiara il tuo amore a lui."
La straordinaria bellezza e fascino di Stella, uniti alla sua personalità simpatica, la rendevano una favorita tra l'alta società. Aggiungendo a ciò, il suo status di primo amore di Nathaniel alimentava solo l'euforia degli eredi a fare da intermediari per lei.
Stella non si fece pregare. Scelse prontamente di cantare una canzone Hestryana intitolata Nel tuo cuore.
"Desidero che la brezza serale mi porti nelle profondità del tuo cuore..."
La sua voce era melodiosa e affascinante, facendo tacere tutti.
Quando Cecilia arrivò all'ingresso della stanza privata, Stella aveva appena finito una canzone.
Dentro la stanza privata, le persone stavano consigliando Nathaniel, con la voce del suo amico stretto, Zachary Sinclair, che spiccava di più.
"Nathaniel, hai aspettato Stella per tre anni, e ora è finalmente tornata. Dovresti esprimere i tuoi sentimenti. La ragazza ti ha già confessato i suoi sentimenti per prima."
Cecilia rimase ferma sul posto, stringendo i pugni.
Proprio in quel momento, la porta della stanza privata fu aperta da un uomo, che intendeva usare il bagno.
Ma quando vide Cecilia, rimase sorpreso.
"Signorina Smith."
Tutti al party rivolsero lo sguardo verso l'ingresso.
Improvvisamente, la stanza cadde in un silenzio spettrale.
Appena Cecilia vide Nathaniel seduto alla testa del tavolo, notò subito i suoi occhi chiari e sobri, senza segni di ubriachezza.
Sapeva di essere stata ingannata da Stella.
Vedendo Cecilia, Nathaniel strinse gli occhi.
Tutti gli altri, compreso Zachary che aveva appena suggerito che Nathaniel dovesse accettare la confessione di Stella, avevano un'espressione imbarazzata sui loro volti.
Cecilia non avrebbe dovuto venire in un posto del genere.
"Non fraintendere, Ceci. Zachary stava solo scherzando. Nathaniel e io siamo solo buoni amici."
Fu Stella a rompere per prima la tranquillità.
Prima che Cecilia potesse rispondere, Nathaniel si alzò con impazienza.
"Non devi spiegare nulla a lei."
Appena finì di parlare, si avvicinò direttamente a Cecilia. "Cosa stai facendo qui?"
"Pensavo che fossi ubriaco, quindi sono venuta a portarti a casa," rispose onestamente Cecilia.
Nathaniel rise sarcasticamente, "Sembra che non ti ricordi una sola parola di quello che ho detto oggi."
Abbassò la voce, ponendo una controdomanda in un tono che solo loro due potevano sentire.
"Pensi che negli ultimi tre anni, tutti abbiano dimenticato come io, Nathaniel, sono stato ingannato? È per questo che sei venuta qui, per ricordarglielo?"
Cecilia rimase stupita per un momento.
Lo sguardo di Nathaniel era freddo come il ghiaccio. "Non cercare di affermare la tua presenza quando non è necessario. Mi stai solo facendo disprezzare di più!"
Una volta finito di parlare, lasciò Cecilia lì mentre si girava e se ne andava.
Mentre guardava la sua alta figura allontanarsi, ci volle un bel po' di tempo a Cecilia per raccogliere i suoi pensieri.
Quel giorno potrebbe essere stato il giorno in cui Nathaniel le parlò di più, ma fu anche il giorno in cui la ferì di più.
Nella stanza privata, i giovani ricchi guardavano Cecilia rimanere indietro, senza un briciolo di simpatia nei loro occhi.
Zachary era ancora meno riservato. Disse a Stella, che fingeva di essere sconvolta, "Stella, sei una brava persona. Cosa c'è da spiegare su questa situazione? Se Cecilia non avesse ingannato Nathaniel nel matrimonio, Nathaniel avrebbe sposato te. Non avresti dovuto viaggiare in un paese straniero e condurre una vita così difficile."
Un costante ronzio risuonava nelle orecchie di Cecilia, eppure poteva sentire tutto perfettamente.
Capiva meglio di chiunque altro.
Indipendentemente dal fatto che Nathaniel avesse scelto di sposarla o no, non avrebbe mai sposato Stella, che non aveva alcun background familiare.
Stella era ben consapevole di questo fatto, motivo per cui aveva scelto risolutamente di lasciarlo e attraversare l'oceano.
Ma come è diventato tutto colpa sua?
Cecilia tornò a Villa Daltonia.
Come sempre, era avvolta in un'oscurità e un silenzio ininterrotti.
La casa sembrava immutata quando tornò, proprio come quando se ne era andata.
Nathaniel non era tornato.
Cecilia, con l'ombrello in mano, stava sulla soglia, sentendosi come se fosse avvolta nell'oscurità.
Improvvisamente, non le andava di entrare, in un posto dove era sempre sola. Invece, si sedette nel gazebo all'aperto, affrontando il vento freddo e guardando la pioggia.
Dopo un tempo indeterminabile, una figura appariscente le apparve davanti.
Era Stella.
Era elegantemente vestita, indossava un paio di tacchi alti. Si avvicinò e si sedette accanto a lei.
"Fa davvero freddo stasera, vero? Come ti senti a cercare Nathaniel nel cuore della notte, solo per essere derisa da lui?"
All'udire queste parole, Cecilia non rispose.
A Stella non sembrava importare. Continuò, "Sai, all'inizio, ti invidiavo moltissimo. Avevi una famiglia meravigliosa, un padre amorevole e una vita senza preoccupazioni. Ma ora, ti compatisco davvero. Mi dispiace come hai silenziosamente nutrito sentimenti per Nathaniel per oltre un decennio, eppure lui non ti ha mostrato un briciolo di amore in cambio."
Capitolo 3 Ultima Volontà
"Probabilmente non hai ancora assaporato la dolcezza dell'amore, vero? Sai, quando Nathaniel era con me, cucinava per me, e ogni volta che mi ammalavo, era il primo a correre al mio fianco. Mi ha detto le parole più tenere, 'Stella, spero che tu sia sempre felice...' Ceci, Nathaniel ti ha mai detto che ti amava? Me lo diceva sempre, ma io pensavo sempre che fosse infantile..."
In silenzio, Cecilia ascoltava, riflettendo sugli anni trascorsi con Nathaniel negli ultimi tre anni.
Non aveva mai messo piede in cucina.
Quando era malata, non aveva mai espresso una parola di preoccupazione.
Per quanto riguarda l'amore, non ne aveva mai parlato.
Cecilia la guardò con calma. "Hai finito di parlare?"
Stella rimase sorpresa.
Forse era dovuto alla calma travolgente di Cecilia o ai suoi occhi penetranti e chiari che sembravano vedere nell'anima di una persona.
Rimase in uno stato di smarrimento fino al momento in cui Cecilia se ne andò.
Per qualche motivo sconosciuto, in quel momento, Stella sembrava essere tornata al suo stato iniziale: un'orfana povera che doveva fare affidamento sulla carità della famiglia Smith.
Dietro l'immagine della figlia della famiglia Smith, stava sempre facendo la stupida.
Naturalmente, Cecilia non poteva rimanere indifferente a ciò che Stella aveva detto.
Aveva inseguito l'uomo che adorava per dodici anni, solo per scoprire che anche lui aveva una volta amato appassionatamente qualcun altro con l'innocenza di un bambino.
Il suo orecchio iniziò a pulsare di nuovo con dolore. Quando si alzò per togliere l'apparecchio acustico, notò che era macchiato di sangue.
Si pulì il sangue dall'apparecchio acustico, mettendolo da parte.
Incapace di addormentarsi, sbloccò il telefono e aprì un'applicazione.
Vide un post dopo l'altro, tutti la taggavano.
Aprendolo, scoprì che era pieno di foto postate da Stella, visibili solo a lei.
La prima foto era uno scatto di Stella e Nathaniel dai loro giorni universitari. Stavano fianco a fianco, con gli occhi di Nathaniel che irradiavano un calore gentile.
La seconda foto era un record della loro conversazione. Nathaniel scrisse affettuosamente: Ella, buon compleanno. Ti renderò la persona più felice del mondo.
La terza foto era di Nathaniel e Stella, mano nella mano, passeggiando tranquillamente lungo la spiaggia, di spalle alla macchina fotografica.
La quarta foto, la quinta, la sesta, e innumerevoli altre erano così travolgenti che lasciavano Cecilia senza fiato.
Non osava continuare a scorrere, spegnendo rapidamente il telefono.
In quel momento, sentì improvvisamente il bisogno di arrendersi.
Quel giorno, Cecilia scrisse una frase nel suo diario privato.
Diceva: Avrei potuto sopportare l'oscurità, ma era prima che avessi visto la luce.
Il giorno seguente, si mise a preparare la colazione come al solito.
Non fu fino alle sei passate, e Nathaniel non era ancora tornato, che Cecilia si rese conto di aver dimenticato la sua precedente menzione di non preparare più la colazione.
Aveva pensato che Nathaniel non sarebbe tornato, così si sedette da sola sul divano, addormentandosi leggermente.
"Non ti ho detto che non hai bisogno di fare colazione per me?"
Una voce impaziente risuonò.
Svegliata di soprassalto, Cecilia aprì gli occhi, solo per vedere Nathaniel che le passava accanto.
Si scusò rapidamente. "Mi dispiace, ho dimenticato."
Di nuovo, quelle stesse parole...
Nathaniel si voltò a guardarla, il suo sguardo eccezionalmente freddo.
I vestiti che indossava quel giorno erano, come al solito, di un modesto tono di grigio morbido.
Sembrava come se fosse senza un soldo, suggerendo che lui l'aveva maltrattata per tutto il tempo.
"Perché non hai dimenticato di tornare? Perché non hai dimenticato che ci siamo sposati? Perché non hai dimenticato te stessa? Non riesci a lasciarmi, vero? Non riesci a lasciare andare la ricchezza della famiglia Rainsworth! Non sopporti l'idea di perdere me, Nathaniel, la tua personale macchina per fare soldi!"
Le sue parole erano come un coltello, che penetrava dritto nel cuore di Cecilia.
Cecilia abbassò lo sguardo. "Nathaniel, non ho mai voluto i tuoi soldi."
La persona di cui si era sempre preoccupata era Nathaniel.
Nathaniel rise, la sua risata era piena di scherno.
"Allora, qual è la storia di tua madre che è venuta nel mio ufficio stamattina, chiedendomi di darti un figlio?"
Cecilia era sconcertata.
Guardò negli occhi freddi e neri di Nathaniel e capì che la sua rabbia non era dovuta agli eventi della notte precedente.
Nathaniel non si preoccupò di fare chiacchiere con lei.
"Cecilia, se vuoi continuare a vivere comodamente a Daltonia Villa e mantenere stabile la famiglia Smith, faresti meglio a fare in modo che tua madre si comporti."
Dopo aver finito in fretta le sue parole, corse nello studio per prendere qualcosa. Una volta cambiato con un set fresco di vestiti, se ne andò.
Prima che Cecilia potesse cercare Paula, Paula si avvicinò a lei, un netto contrasto con la sua precedente indifferenza. Prese dolcemente la mano di Cecilia e disse, "Ceci, dovresti pregare Nathaniel. Chiedigli di darti un figlio, anche se significa ricorrere a un intervento medico."
Cecilia la fissò semplicemente, ascoltando attentamente mentre continuava a parlare.
"Stella mi ha già detto che in questi ultimi tre anni, Nathaniel non ti ha mai toccato."
Questo commento era probabilmente la goccia che aveva fatto traboccare il vaso.
In questo mondo, non c'era mai vera empatia, solo gli interessi individuali prevalevano.
Cecilia non riusciva a capire perché Nathaniel avrebbe rivelato questa questione a Stella.
Forse la ama davvero...
Riflettendo su questo, sentì improvvisamente un senso di sollievo.
"Mamma, lascia andare."
Le sopracciglia di Paula si strinsero in confusione. "Cosa hai detto?"
"Sono esausta. Voglio divorziare da Nathaniel..."
Uno schiaffo duro di Paula atterrò sul viso di Cecilia.
La sua immagine di madre gentile fu completamente distrutta mentre puntava il dito contro Cecilia.
"Cosa ti fa pensare che tu possa parlare di divorzio? Una volta che lasci la famiglia Rainsworth, chi vorrebbe sposare una donna come te, handicappata e al suo secondo matrimonio? Come posso avere una figlia così inutile come te? Non sei per niente come me! Se lo avessi saputo, non ti avrei mai riportato a casa!"
Cecilia sembrava essere diventata insensibile.
Dai suoi primi ricordi, Paula non le era mai stata affezionata.
Paula era una ballerina rinomata.
Tuttavia, sua figlia, Cecilia, nata con problemi di udito, divenne la preoccupazione per tutta la vita che portava nel suo cuore.
Pertanto, prese la dura decisione di affidare completamente Cecilia alle cure di una tata. Non fu fino a quando raggiunse l'età scolare che le permise di tornare alla residenza Smith.
Cecilia ricordava che il suo insegnante diceva in passato che nessuna madre avrebbe mai disprezzato il proprio figlio.
E così, si sforzò di migliorare se stessa, facendo del suo meglio per compiacere sua madre.
Anche se era dura di udito, eccelleva in vari campi come la danza, la musica, la pittura e le lingue.
Solo ora capiva che non importava quanto si esibisse bene, non sarebbe mai stata la figlia ideale agli occhi di sua madre.
Proprio come aveva detto Paula, era una persona handicappata.
Non era solo fisicamente handicappata; aveva anche problemi con le sue relazioni familiari e la vita amorosa.
Dopo che Paula se ne andò, coprì l'impronta della mano rosso vivo sul suo viso con il fondotinta e fece un viaggio in uno studio legale.
Nell'ufficio, Norman Jenkins, che aveva servito come consulente legale del defunto padre di Cecilia, Regas Smith, accettò la lettera di autorizzazione che le consegnò. Dopo averla esaminata, si voltò verso di lei con un'espressione perplessa.
"Stai davvero per dare tutta l'eredità che il signor Smith ti ha segretamente lasciato a Nathaniel? Dovresti sapere che lui non ha bisogno dei soldi."
Cecilia fece un cenno con la testa.
"Lo so, ma è un debito che gli devo, che devo ripagare."
Tre anni fa, Regas era tragicamente passato a miglior vita.
Aveva già preparato tre testamenti durante la sua vita. Sapendo che Paula non si prendeva cura di Cecilia, aveva incaricato Norman di informarla segretamente dell'ultimo testamento.
L'ultimo testamento affermava che dopo tre anni di matrimonio, se si fosse sentita infelice o avesse desiderato stabilire la sua carriera indipendente da chiunque altro, avrebbe potuto usarlo.
Leggi subito il capitolo successivo 👉Dopo la ''morte'' di sua moglie, è impazzito
Una pioggia pesante cominciò a cadere incessantemente.
All'ingresso dell'ospedale.
In piedi all'ingresso dell'ospedale, Cecilia Smith stringeva il referto del test di gravidanza nella sua delicata e fragile mano. Il risultato era inequivocabile: non incinta.
"Tre anni di matrimonio e non sei ancora incinta?"
"Sei così inutile. Se non rimani incinta presto, la famiglia Rainsworth ti caccierà. Che ne sarà della famiglia Smith allora?"
Vestita elegantemente e barcollante sui suoi tacchi alti, Paula Escobar, la madre di Cecilia, la puntava con il dito, il viso una maschera di delusione.
Gli occhi di Cecilia erano vuoti. Le parole che desiderava dire erano bloccate nel suo cuore, condensandosi infine in una singola frase.
"Mi dispiace."
"Non voglio che tu ti scusi. Voglio che tu abbia un figlio con Nathaniel. Capisci?"
La gola di Cecilia era secca. Non sapeva come rispondere.
Erano sposati da tre anni, eppure suo marito, Nathaniel Rainsworth, non l'aveva mai toccata.
Come poteva esserci un bambino?
Vedendo la sua impotenza, Paula sentì che non era per niente come lei.
"Se davvero non ce la fai, allora aiuta Nathaniel a trovare una donna fuori. Sicuramente ricorderà la tua gentilezza."
Cecilia guardò incredula la figura in ritirata di sua madre, incapace di comprendere cosa fosse appena successo.
Sua madre biologica, incredibilmente, le aveva chiesto di trovare un'altra donna per suo marito.
Un brivido le congelò immediatamente il cuore fino al nucleo.
Mentre Cecilia sedeva in macchina diretta a casa, le ultime parole di Paula risuonavano nella sua mente, accompagnate da un improvviso e intermittente ruggito nelle sue orecchie.
Sapeva che la sua malattia era peggiorata.
In quel momento, ricevette un messaggio di testo.
Il messaggio proveniva da Nathaniel, come sempre costante negli ultimi tre anni. Diceva: Non tornerò a casa stasera.
Durante i loro tre anni di matrimonio, Nathaniel non aveva mai passato una sola notte a casa, né l'aveva mai toccata.
Cecilia ricordava ancora la loro notte di nozze tre anni fa.
Aveva detto: "Dal momento che tu, della famiglia Smith, osi ingannarmi nel matrimonio, allora preparati a affrontare una vita di solitudine."
Tre anni fa, le famiglie Smith e Rainsworth avevano formato un'alleanza commerciale attraverso il matrimonio.
La promessa era già stata fatta, un beneficio reciproco condiviso tra entrambe le parti.
Tuttavia, il giorno del matrimonio, la famiglia Smith cambiò improvvisamente idea. Trasferirono tutti i loro beni, compresi i diversi miliardi dati a Nathaniel per sposare Cecilia, altrove.
Un'ombra attraversò gli occhi di Cecilia, ma rispose al messaggio di Nathaniel con un semplice "va bene" come al solito.
Senza rendersene conto, aveva accartocciato il referto del test di gravidanza nella sua mano in una palla rugosa.
Quando arrivò a casa, lo gettò nel cestino.
Ogni mese, in questo particolare momento, si sentiva particolarmente svuotata.
Non fece cena e passò un po' di tempo appoggiata al divano, vagando tra uno stato di sogno e di veglia.
Sentiva costantemente un rumore sordo nelle sue orecchie.
Questo era anche un motivo per cui Nathaniel la disprezzava. Era dura di udito, che, nell'alta società, era come avere una disabilità.
Come poteva Nathaniel permetterle di avere un figlio in uno stato del genere?
L'orologio da parete emetteva un suono opaco.
Erano le cinque del mattino.
Tra un'ora, Nathaniel sarebbe tornato.
Solo all'alba Cecilia si rese conto di aver passato inconsapevolmente tutta la notte a dormire sul divano.
Si alzò di fretta per preparare la colazione per Nathaniel, temendo anche un solo momento di ritardo.
Nathaniel era meticoloso nel suo lavoro, con un riguardo rigoroso per il tempo. Una volta, Cecilia dovette partecipare al funerale di suo padre e dimenticò di tornare in tempo per preparare la sua colazione.
In seguito, non le inviò un solo messaggio né le parlò per un intero mese.
Alle sei in punto, Nathaniel tornò puntualmente.
Era impeccabilmente vestito con un completo, la sua figura alta e snella emanava un'eleganza contenuta. I suoi tratti belli erano sorprendenti, ma non mancavano di un certo fascino maschile.
Ma agli occhi di Cecilia, il suo riflesso era solo freddo e distante.
Senza nemmeno guardare Cecilia, tirò fuori una sedia e si sedette. "Non hai bisogno di fare colazione per me."
Cecilia rimase sorpresa.
Non era sicura se fosse istinto o qualcos'altro, ma le parole che pronunciò riflettevano un'umiltà che nemmeno lei si era resa conto.
"Ho fatto qualcosa di sbagliato?"
Nathaniel alzò lo sguardo, i suoi occhi incontrarono il volto di Cecilia, che era rimasto impassibile per gli ultimi tre anni. Le sue labbra si aprirono leggermente.
"Voglio una moglie, non una governante."
Per tre anni, Cecilia era sempre stata vista indossare lo stesso abito grigio chiaro. Anche quando rispondeva ai messaggi di testo, usava sempre la stessa parola, "va bene".
Se non fosse stato per l'alleanza commerciale e l'inganno della famiglia Smith, Nathaniel non avrebbe sposato una tale donna.
Lei semplicemente non era alla sua altezza.
Voglio una moglie, non una governante.
Il ronzio nelle orecchie di Cecilia si intensificò.
Si formò un nodo in gola, eppure, pronunciò la parola che Nathaniel detestava di più.
"Va bene."
Improvvisamente, Nathaniel si sentì particolarmente di cattivo umore, anche la sua colazione preferita sul tavolo sembrava insolitamente insipida e senza sapore.
Si alzò in piedi, tirando indietro la sedia con irritazione, pronto a partire.
Con sua sorpresa, Cecilia raccolse il coraggio e afferrò la sua mano.
"Nathaniel, c'è qualcuno che ti piace?"
Quella domanda improvvisa fece scurire gli occhi di Nathaniel. "Cosa intendi?"
Cecilia guardò l'uomo che stava davanti a lei.
Nathaniel non era solo suo marito da tre anni, ma anche l'uomo che aveva inseguito e amato per dodici anni.
Ingoiando l'amarezza in gola, Cecilia pensò alle parole di Paula e disse: "Nathaniel, se c'è qualcuno che ti piace, puoi stare con—"
Prima che potesse finire la sua frase, Nathaniel l'aveva già interrotta.
"Sei pazza."
Alla fine, la vita è tutta una questione di continuo lasciare andare.
Dopo che Nathaniel se ne andò, Cecilia si ritrovò da sola sul balcone, guardando senza espressione la pioggia fuori.
Doveva ammettere che anche dopo dodici anni di adorazione per Nathaniel, ancora non lo capiva.
Il suono della pioggia era a volte chiaro e a volte ovattato.
Un mese fa, il dottore aveva detto: "Signorina Smith, i tuoi nervi uditivi e il sistema nervoso centrale hanno subito cambiamenti patologici, che hanno conseguentemente portato a un ulteriore declino della tua udito."
"Non c'è un modo per curarlo?"
Il dottore scosse la testa. "La perdita uditiva sensorineurale a lungo termine non risponde bene ai farmaci. Il mio consiglio sarebbe di continuare a usare l'apparecchio acustico per la riabilitazione uditiva."
Cecilia capì cosa intendeva il dottore; non c'era una cura disponibile.
Rimosse il suo apparecchio acustico.
Nel mondo di Cecilia, tutto cominciò a stabilizzarsi nella tranquillità.
Non era abituata a un mondo così silenzioso. Entrando nel soggiorno, accese la televisione.
Il volume era al massimo, e solo allora un suono tenue poteva essere appena sentito.
La televisione stava trasmettendo un'intervista con Stella Ross, la regina internazionalmente acclamata delle canzoni d'amore, al suo ritorno nel paese.
La mano di Cecilia, che teneva il telecomando, tremava.
Non era per nessun altro motivo, ma perché Stella era stata una volta il primo amore di Nathaniel.
Dopo molti anni di separazione, Stella era ancora bella come sempre.
Affrontava la telecamera con facilità e sicurezza, non più la timida e insicura Cenerentola che una volta cercava il sostegno finanziario della famiglia Smith.
Quando i giornalisti chiesero a Stella perché fosse tornata, rispose audacemente: "Sono tornata per riconquistare il mio primo amore."
Il telecomando nella mano di Cecilia colpì il pavimento.
Nello stesso momento, il suo cuore affondò.
La pioggia fuori sembrava essersi intensificata.
Cecilia aveva paura. Temeva che Stella avrebbe rubato Nathaniel a lei.
Allora, era la figlia adorata della famiglia Smith, eppure non riusciva a eclissare Stella, che non aveva alcun background.
Ora, Stella era diventata una cantante di canzoni d'amore famosa a livello internazionale, emanando sicurezza e positività. Naturalmente, non era alla sua altezza.
Cecilia andò nel panico e spegnì rapidamente la televisione, poi procedette a pulire la colazione intatta.
Quando arrivò in cucina, si rese conto che Nathaniel aveva lasciato il suo telefono.
Prese il telefono, sbloccandolo accidentalmente, e i suoi occhi caddero su un messaggio di testo non letto visualizzato sullo schermo.
Capitolo 2 Ti compatisco davvero
Stella: Nathaniel, devono essere stati un paio di anni duri per te.
Stella: So che non la ami. Incontriamoci stasera. Mi manchi davvero.
Cecilia non riuscì a tornare in sé fino a quando lo schermo non si spense.
Prese un taxi e si diresse verso l'azienda di Nathaniel.
Durante il tragitto, guardava fuori dalla finestra. Il ticchettio della pioggia sembrava non voler mai cessare.
A Nathaniel non piaceva quando Cecilia visitava il suo ufficio, quindi ogni volta che veniva a trovarlo, usava l'ascensore di servizio sul retro.
L'assistente personale di Nathaniel, Mason Sanders, vide Cecilia avvicinarsi. La salutò semplicemente con un freddo, "Signorina Smith."
Nessuno al fianco di Nathaniel la riconosceva come la signora della famiglia Rainsworth.
Era un'esistenza che non poteva essere vista in pubblico.
Quando Nathaniel vide il telefono che Cecilia aveva portato, le sue sopracciglia si incresparono leggermente.
Lei era sempre la stessa. Che si trattasse di un pranzo dimenticato, un documento, un pezzo di abbigliamento o un ombrello, lei glieli portava sempre quando li lasciava indietro.
"Non ti ho detto prima, non c'è bisogno che tu ti sforzi per portarmi le cose."
Cecilia rimase sorpresa.
"Scusa, me ne sono dimenticata."
Quando la mia memoria è diventata così scarsa?
Forse era stata la vista del messaggio di testo di Stella a spaventarla davvero per un momento.
Aveva paura che Nathaniel potesse improvvisamente svanire.
Mentre stava per andarsene, si voltò a guardare Nathaniel. Nonostante i suoi sforzi per trattenersi, alla fine chiese, "Nathaniel, hai ancora sentimenti per Stella?"
Nathaniel trovò il comportamento recente di Cecilia piuttosto strano.
Non solo era dimentica, ma aveva anche un debole per fare domande strane.
Come poteva mai essere degna di essere sua moglie?
Rispose con impazienza, "Se hai troppo tempo libero, trova qualcosa da fare."
Alla fine, Cecilia non ottenne la risposta.
Aveva precedentemente tentato di trovare un impiego, ma i suoi sforzi furono alla fine ostacolati dagli anziani della famiglia Rainsworth. Sostenevano che le sue apparizioni pubbliche stavano portando imbarazzo alla famiglia.
La madre di Nathaniel, Elena Griffiths, una volta l'aveva interrogata senza vergogna. "Vuoi che tutto il mondo sappia che Nathaniel ha sposato una moglie handicappata con un deficit uditivo?"
Tornata a casa, Cecilia cercò di tenersi occupata il più possibile.
Anche se aveva già pulito la casa fino a renderla immacolata, non si fermò.
Solo in questo modo poteva scoprire il suo ultimo briciolo di valore.
Quel pomeriggio, non ricevette un messaggio di testo da Nathaniel.
Di solito, in una situazione del genere, significava o che era arrabbiato, o che era semplicemente troppo occupato.
La notte era profondamente avvolta nell'oscurità.
Cecilia faticava a prendere sonno.
In quel momento, il suo telefono sul comodino squillò.
Se ne accorse in ritardo e raggiunse il suo telefono.
Era una chiamata da un numero sconosciuto.
La voce che risuonava era dolce, ma riempiva sempre Cecilia di paura.
Era Stella.
"Ceci, ci sei? Nathaniel è ubriaco. Potresti venire a prenderlo?"
Al Elite Club, Nathaniel era seduto alla testa del tavolo, bevendo distrattamente.
Stella, che era seduta accanto a lui, veniva incitata da un gruppo di eredi. Insistevano che doveva cantare una canzone.
"Stella, non sei tornata per riconquistare il signor Rainsworth? Vai avanti, canta e dichiara il tuo amore a lui."
La straordinaria bellezza e fascino di Stella, uniti alla sua personalità simpatica, la rendevano una favorita tra l'alta società. Aggiungendo a ciò, il suo status di primo amore di Nathaniel alimentava solo l'euforia degli eredi a fare da intermediari per lei.
Stella non si fece pregare. Scelse prontamente di cantare una canzone Hestryana intitolata Nel tuo cuore.
"Desidero che la brezza serale mi porti nelle profondità del tuo cuore..."
La sua voce era melodiosa e affascinante, facendo tacere tutti.
Quando Cecilia arrivò all'ingresso della stanza privata, Stella aveva appena finito una canzone.
Dentro la stanza privata, le persone stavano consigliando Nathaniel, con la voce del suo amico stretto, Zachary Sinclair, che spiccava di più.
"Nathaniel, hai aspettato Stella per tre anni, e ora è finalmente tornata. Dovresti esprimere i tuoi sentimenti. La ragazza ti ha già confessato i suoi sentimenti per prima."
Cecilia rimase ferma sul posto, stringendo i pugni.
Proprio in quel momento, la porta della stanza privata fu aperta da un uomo, che intendeva usare il bagno.
Ma quando vide Cecilia, rimase sorpreso.
"Signorina Smith."
Tutti al party rivolsero lo sguardo verso l'ingresso.
Improvvisamente, la stanza cadde in un silenzio spettrale.
Appena Cecilia vide Nathaniel seduto alla testa del tavolo, notò subito i suoi occhi chiari e sobri, senza segni di ubriachezza.
Sapeva di essere stata ingannata da Stella.
Vedendo Cecilia, Nathaniel strinse gli occhi.
Tutti gli altri, compreso Zachary che aveva appena suggerito che Nathaniel dovesse accettare la confessione di Stella, avevano un'espressione imbarazzata sui loro volti.
Cecilia non avrebbe dovuto venire in un posto del genere.
"Non fraintendere, Ceci. Zachary stava solo scherzando. Nathaniel e io siamo solo buoni amici."
Fu Stella a rompere per prima la tranquillità.
Prima che Cecilia potesse rispondere, Nathaniel si alzò con impazienza.
"Non devi spiegare nulla a lei."
Appena finì di parlare, si avvicinò direttamente a Cecilia. "Cosa stai facendo qui?"
"Pensavo che fossi ubriaco, quindi sono venuta a portarti a casa," rispose onestamente Cecilia.
Nathaniel rise sarcasticamente, "Sembra che non ti ricordi una sola parola di quello che ho detto oggi."
Abbassò la voce, ponendo una controdomanda in un tono che solo loro due potevano sentire.
"Pensi che negli ultimi tre anni, tutti abbiano dimenticato come io, Nathaniel, sono stato ingannato? È per questo che sei venuta qui, per ricordarglielo?"
Cecilia rimase stupita per un momento.
Lo sguardo di Nathaniel era freddo come il ghiaccio. "Non cercare di affermare la tua presenza quando non è necessario. Mi stai solo facendo disprezzare di più!"
Una volta finito di parlare, lasciò Cecilia lì mentre si girava e se ne andava.
Mentre guardava la sua alta figura allontanarsi, ci volle un bel po' di tempo a Cecilia per raccogliere i suoi pensieri.
Quel giorno potrebbe essere stato il giorno in cui Nathaniel le parlò di più, ma fu anche il giorno in cui la ferì di più.
Nella stanza privata, i giovani ricchi guardavano Cecilia rimanere indietro, senza un briciolo di simpatia nei loro occhi.
Zachary era ancora meno riservato. Disse a Stella, che fingeva di essere sconvolta, "Stella, sei una brava persona. Cosa c'è da spiegare su questa situazione? Se Cecilia non avesse ingannato Nathaniel nel matrimonio, Nathaniel avrebbe sposato te. Non avresti dovuto viaggiare in un paese straniero e condurre una vita così difficile."
Un costante ronzio risuonava nelle orecchie di Cecilia, eppure poteva sentire tutto perfettamente.
Capiva meglio di chiunque altro.
Indipendentemente dal fatto che Nathaniel avesse scelto di sposarla o no, non avrebbe mai sposato Stella, che non aveva alcun background familiare.
Stella era ben consapevole di questo fatto, motivo per cui aveva scelto risolutamente di lasciarlo e attraversare l'oceano.
Ma come è diventato tutto colpa sua?
Cecilia tornò a Villa Daltonia.
Come sempre, era avvolta in un'oscurità e un silenzio ininterrotti.
La casa sembrava immutata quando tornò, proprio come quando se ne era andata.
Nathaniel non era tornato.
Cecilia, con l'ombrello in mano, stava sulla soglia, sentendosi come se fosse avvolta nell'oscurità.
Improvvisamente, non le andava di entrare, in un posto dove era sempre sola. Invece, si sedette nel gazebo all'aperto, affrontando il vento freddo e guardando la pioggia.
Dopo un tempo indeterminabile, una figura appariscente le apparve davanti.
Era Stella.
Era elegantemente vestita, indossava un paio di tacchi alti. Si avvicinò e si sedette accanto a lei.
"Fa davvero freddo stasera, vero? Come ti senti a cercare Nathaniel nel cuore della notte, solo per essere derisa da lui?"
All'udire queste parole, Cecilia non rispose.
A Stella non sembrava importare. Continuò, "Sai, all'inizio, ti invidiavo moltissimo. Avevi una famiglia meravigliosa, un padre amorevole e una vita senza preoccupazioni. Ma ora, ti compatisco davvero. Mi dispiace come hai silenziosamente nutrito sentimenti per Nathaniel per oltre un decennio, eppure lui non ti ha mostrato un briciolo di amore in cambio."
Capitolo 3 Ultima Volontà
"Probabilmente non hai ancora assaporato la dolcezza dell'amore, vero? Sai, quando Nathaniel era con me, cucinava per me, e ogni volta che mi ammalavo, era il primo a correre al mio fianco. Mi ha detto le parole più tenere, 'Stella, spero che tu sia sempre felice...' Ceci, Nathaniel ti ha mai detto che ti amava? Me lo diceva sempre, ma io pensavo sempre che fosse infantile..."
In silenzio, Cecilia ascoltava, riflettendo sugli anni trascorsi con Nathaniel negli ultimi tre anni.
Non aveva mai messo piede in cucina.
Quando era malata, non aveva mai espresso una parola di preoccupazione.
Per quanto riguarda l'amore, non ne aveva mai parlato.
Cecilia la guardò con calma. "Hai finito di parlare?"
Stella rimase sorpresa.
Forse era dovuto alla calma travolgente di Cecilia o ai suoi occhi penetranti e chiari che sembravano vedere nell'anima di una persona.
Rimase in uno stato di smarrimento fino al momento in cui Cecilia se ne andò.
Per qualche motivo sconosciuto, in quel momento, Stella sembrava essere tornata al suo stato iniziale: un'orfana povera che doveva fare affidamento sulla carità della famiglia Smith.
Dietro l'immagine della figlia della famiglia Smith, stava sempre facendo la stupida.
Naturalmente, Cecilia non poteva rimanere indifferente a ciò che Stella aveva detto.
Aveva inseguito l'uomo che adorava per dodici anni, solo per scoprire che anche lui aveva una volta amato appassionatamente qualcun altro con l'innocenza di un bambino.
Il suo orecchio iniziò a pulsare di nuovo con dolore. Quando si alzò per togliere l'apparecchio acustico, notò che era macchiato di sangue.
Si pulì il sangue dall'apparecchio acustico, mettendolo da parte.
Incapace di addormentarsi, sbloccò il telefono e aprì un'applicazione.
Vide un post dopo l'altro, tutti la taggavano.
Aprendolo, scoprì che era pieno di foto postate da Stella, visibili solo a lei.
La prima foto era uno scatto di Stella e Nathaniel dai loro giorni universitari. Stavano fianco a fianco, con gli occhi di Nathaniel che irradiavano un calore gentile.
La seconda foto era un record della loro conversazione. Nathaniel scrisse affettuosamente: Ella, buon compleanno. Ti renderò la persona più felice del mondo.
La terza foto era di Nathaniel e Stella, mano nella mano, passeggiando tranquillamente lungo la spiaggia, di spalle alla macchina fotografica.
La quarta foto, la quinta, la sesta, e innumerevoli altre erano così travolgenti che lasciavano Cecilia senza fiato.
Non osava continuare a scorrere, spegnendo rapidamente il telefono.
In quel momento, sentì improvvisamente il bisogno di arrendersi.
Quel giorno, Cecilia scrisse una frase nel suo diario privato.
Diceva: Avrei potuto sopportare l'oscurità, ma era prima che avessi visto la luce.
Il giorno seguente, si mise a preparare la colazione come al solito.
Non fu fino alle sei passate, e Nathaniel non era ancora tornato, che Cecilia si rese conto di aver dimenticato la sua precedente menzione di non preparare più la colazione.
Aveva pensato che Nathaniel non sarebbe tornato, così si sedette da sola sul divano, addormentandosi leggermente.
"Non ti ho detto che non hai bisogno di fare colazione per me?"
Una voce impaziente risuonò.
Svegliata di soprassalto, Cecilia aprì gli occhi, solo per vedere Nathaniel che le passava accanto.
Si scusò rapidamente. "Mi dispiace, ho dimenticato."
Di nuovo, quelle stesse parole...
Nathaniel si voltò a guardarla, il suo sguardo eccezionalmente freddo.
I vestiti che indossava quel giorno erano, come al solito, di un modesto tono di grigio morbido.
Sembrava come se fosse senza un soldo, suggerendo che lui l'aveva maltrattata per tutto il tempo.
"Perché non hai dimenticato di tornare? Perché non hai dimenticato che ci siamo sposati? Perché non hai dimenticato te stessa? Non riesci a lasciarmi, vero? Non riesci a lasciare andare la ricchezza della famiglia Rainsworth! Non sopporti l'idea di perdere me, Nathaniel, la tua personale macchina per fare soldi!"
Le sue parole erano come un coltello, che penetrava dritto nel cuore di Cecilia.
Cecilia abbassò lo sguardo. "Nathaniel, non ho mai voluto i tuoi soldi."
La persona di cui si era sempre preoccupata era Nathaniel.
Nathaniel rise, la sua risata era piena di scherno.
"Allora, qual è la storia di tua madre che è venuta nel mio ufficio stamattina, chiedendomi di darti un figlio?"
Cecilia era sconcertata.
Guardò negli occhi freddi e neri di Nathaniel e capì che la sua rabbia non era dovuta agli eventi della notte precedente.
Nathaniel non si preoccupò di fare chiacchiere con lei.
"Cecilia, se vuoi continuare a vivere comodamente a Daltonia Villa e mantenere stabile la famiglia Smith, faresti meglio a fare in modo che tua madre si comporti."
Dopo aver finito in fretta le sue parole, corse nello studio per prendere qualcosa. Una volta cambiato con un set fresco di vestiti, se ne andò.
Prima che Cecilia potesse cercare Paula, Paula si avvicinò a lei, un netto contrasto con la sua precedente indifferenza. Prese dolcemente la mano di Cecilia e disse, "Ceci, dovresti pregare Nathaniel. Chiedigli di darti un figlio, anche se significa ricorrere a un intervento medico."
Cecilia la fissò semplicemente, ascoltando attentamente mentre continuava a parlare.
"Stella mi ha già detto che in questi ultimi tre anni, Nathaniel non ti ha mai toccato."
Questo commento era probabilmente la goccia che aveva fatto traboccare il vaso.
In questo mondo, non c'era mai vera empatia, solo gli interessi individuali prevalevano.
Cecilia non riusciva a capire perché Nathaniel avrebbe rivelato questa questione a Stella.
Forse la ama davvero...
Riflettendo su questo, sentì improvvisamente un senso di sollievo.
"Mamma, lascia andare."
Le sopracciglia di Paula si strinsero in confusione. "Cosa hai detto?"
"Sono esausta. Voglio divorziare da Nathaniel..."
Uno schiaffo duro di Paula atterrò sul viso di Cecilia.
La sua immagine di madre gentile fu completamente distrutta mentre puntava il dito contro Cecilia.
"Cosa ti fa pensare che tu possa parlare di divorzio? Una volta che lasci la famiglia Rainsworth, chi vorrebbe sposare una donna come te, handicappata e al suo secondo matrimonio? Come posso avere una figlia così inutile come te? Non sei per niente come me! Se lo avessi saputo, non ti avrei mai riportato a casa!"
Cecilia sembrava essere diventata insensibile.
Dai suoi primi ricordi, Paula non le era mai stata affezionata.
Paula era una ballerina rinomata.
Tuttavia, sua figlia, Cecilia, nata con problemi di udito, divenne la preoccupazione per tutta la vita che portava nel suo cuore.
Pertanto, prese la dura decisione di affidare completamente Cecilia alle cure di una tata. Non fu fino a quando raggiunse l'età scolare che le permise di tornare alla residenza Smith.
Cecilia ricordava che il suo insegnante diceva in passato che nessuna madre avrebbe mai disprezzato il proprio figlio.
E così, si sforzò di migliorare se stessa, facendo del suo meglio per compiacere sua madre.
Anche se era dura di udito, eccelleva in vari campi come la danza, la musica, la pittura e le lingue.
Solo ora capiva che non importava quanto si esibisse bene, non sarebbe mai stata la figlia ideale agli occhi di sua madre.
Proprio come aveva detto Paula, era una persona handicappata.
Non era solo fisicamente handicappata; aveva anche problemi con le sue relazioni familiari e la vita amorosa.
Dopo che Paula se ne andò, coprì l'impronta della mano rosso vivo sul suo viso con il fondotinta e fece un viaggio in uno studio legale.
Nell'ufficio, Norman Jenkins, che aveva servito come consulente legale del defunto padre di Cecilia, Regas Smith, accettò la lettera di autorizzazione che le consegnò. Dopo averla esaminata, si voltò verso di lei con un'espressione perplessa.
"Stai davvero per dare tutta l'eredità che il signor Smith ti ha segretamente lasciato a Nathaniel? Dovresti sapere che lui non ha bisogno dei soldi."
Cecilia fece un cenno con la testa.
"Lo so, ma è un debito che gli devo, che devo ripagare."
Tre anni fa, Regas era tragicamente passato a miglior vita.
Aveva già preparato tre testamenti durante la sua vita. Sapendo che Paula non si prendeva cura di Cecilia, aveva incaricato Norman di informarla segretamente dell'ultimo testamento.
L'ultimo testamento affermava che dopo tre anni di matrimonio, se si fosse sentita infelice o avesse desiderato stabilire la sua carriera indipendente da chiunque altro, avrebbe potuto usarlo.
Leggi subito il capitolo successivo 👉Dopo la ''morte'' di sua moglie, è impazzito
Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
"Divorce and you'll get $10 million." The CEO husband ordered.
Without telling him she's pregnant , she agreed and went abroad for a new life. Then the husband was completely panicked.
Chapter 1 A Night of Absurdities
"Anastasia, help! I've been molested at the club!"
The desperate and helpless sound of her best friend's voice was the only thing on Anastasia Tillman's mind as she rushed over to the clubhouse.
Room 808. Anastasia looked up at the number plaque on the door of the private room. It was the same room number that her best friend, Hayley Seymour, had texted her. Without another thought, she barged through the door to save her friend.
When the door swung open under her hand, she was greeted by the darkness within. Suddenly, a strong hand clasped around her wrist and dragged her into the dark room, followed by a loud thud as the door slammed shut.
"Hey—who are you, and what do you want?!" Anastasia shrieked, her eyes darting around wildly as she tried to make out her surroundings.
"Settle down, and I'll treat you well." A man's deep and husky voice spoke close to her ear.
The next second, Anastasia was unceremoniously tossed onto the couch, and before she could scramble to her feet, a lean and strong body pinned her down.
She let out a muffled cry when a pair of lips that tasted like peppermint captured hers.
The man on top of her felt burning hot to the touch. A sense of hopelessness brought tears to her eyes as she tried to struggle against the man, but in the end, she could do nothing but endure the man's ferocity.
An hour later, Anastasia staggered out of the room, looking disheveled. She had only just been through a nightmare, but that didn't distract her from worrying about her best friend's safety.
She was just about to call Hayley's number when she saw a group of men and women walking out the side door. Under the lights, she instantly recognized the two of the women in the group.
One happened to be Hayley, her best friend who had cried for help on the phone earlier, and the other was Anastasia's stepsister, Erica Tillman. The two girls walked side by side with their arms linked, as if they were the closest of friends.
Shock and rage colored Anastasia's features when she saw them. "Stop right there, Hayley!" she called out loudly over the distance as her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
Upon hearing this, Hayley and Erica swiveled around to face her. Anastasia glowered at them, ashen-faced as she demanded of Hayley, "Why would you lie to me?!"
Hayley smirked. "It's not my fault that you're always so gullible, Anastasia."
"Did you have a good time with that gigolo back there?" Erica asked in a sing-song voice, smiling wickedly.
It was only then that Anastasia realized that both of them had set her up. The chastity she had held dear for the past nineteen years was now sacrificed for their despicable glee.
Presently, Hayley's eyes were frosty as she seethed, "Did you actually think I was your friend, Anastasia? I've been living in your shadow ever since we met! I hate you, and I want nothing more than to ruin that face of yours!"
Erica, on the other hand, swiftly interjected by mocking, "I have the proof I need to show Dad that you've been pimping yourself for money at the club. It won't be long until you're thrown out of the house!"
"You two—" Anastasia was so furious that she swayed. Her body was in tatters after the ordeal she had been through, and the collective weight of her friend's betrayal and her sister's cruelty nearly knocked her down.
"Let's go, Hayley! We don't want to be seen with trash, do we?" With her arm looped through Hayley's, Erica led her toward the sports car she had parked by the curb.
Three days later, at the Tillman Residence, a low male voice yelled out in rage, "You became an escort for money just because I wouldn't let you go abroad for your studies? How can I, Francis Tillman, be capable of having such a shameless daughter like you?"
"Dad, I didn't—"
"You didn't? But you did, Anastasia! How could you go to such shameless lengths? Did we starve you, or did we deprive you of anything? I can't believe you would pimp yourself to random strangers in a filthy clubhouse! For your sake, I hope you haven't brought any disease back to this house. Who knows what my daughter and I could have caught from you," the woman who was dressed in jewels and fine clothes sneered from where she sat on the couch.
"Dad, I really didn't do it. I—" Anastasia tried to explain herself.
However, Francis did not want to hear another word from her. He glowered at her maliciously as he snapped, "Still lying to me, I see. Get out of this home right now! I will not stand to have you under my roof. No daughter of mine could be so shameless. From now on, you are not my child!"
Meanwhile, on the staircase landing, Erica watched this scene play out as she leaned against the banister with her chin propped on her hand. Everything was going exactly the way she had planned. In a matter of minutes, Anastasia was going to be cast out of the house and wander around like some pathetic stray mutt.
Downstairs in the living room, Anastasia fell silent when she saw the thunderous and disappointed look on her father's face. She wordlessly rose from her seat and walked up the stairs to pack up her things.
She had only just rounded the landing when Erica barricaded her. With her arms crossed haughtily in front of her chest, the younger girl sneered, "Get out of here! Don't linger around like an eyesore. This house will never have a place for you ever again!"
Anastasia clenched her fists as she glowered at Erica's pleased expression.
Seeing the hatred and anger in Anastasia's eyes, Erica leaned forward. "What, do you want to slap me or something?" She turned her cheek toward the fuming girl and said smugly, "Go right ahead, then!"
Without holding back, Anastasia brought her hand down across Erica's face, resulting in a hard slap.
"Ah!" Erica let out a shrill cry. "You just hit me! Mom, Dad—Anastasia just hit me!" She howled as she bolted down the stairs.
Naomi Lowell quickly pulled her daughter into her arms and cried up the stairwell, "How dare you strike my daughter, Anastasia! What the hell are you playing at?!"
Francis glanced at the red imprints on Erica's cheek, and he had never been more disappointed in his life. When did my oldest daughter become so infuriatingly rebellious?
"Dad, it hurts..." Erica sobbed as she burrowed into her father's arms, taking in exaggerated deep breaths like she was in great pain.
"Get out of here, Anastasia!" Francis roared up the stairs.
Having packed up her things, Anastasia grabbed her passport and went down the stairs. Her heart grew stone-cold when she saw how her own father was holding Erica in his arms like she was something precious.
Anastasia knew then that she indeed had no place in his heart. Francis had only heard Erica's side of the story instead of asking Anastasia about the horrific incident she had endured last night.
Ever since her mother had passed, she had spent her years in this home living like an outsider, for her father had brought home his mistress and his illegitimate daughter to form a new family.
Anastasia's poor mother had never known about her husband's extra-marital affairs, not even in her death.
I will never come back to this place ever again.
Inside the house, Erica watched as Anastasia dragged her suitcase out the front door, and a wicked smile curled on her lips. I finally got rid of that useless eyesore!
…
Five years later, a knock came on the front door of an apartment in Dansbury.
The woman living in the apartment had been poring over her designs when she heard the knock. A little bewildered, she walked up to the door and pulled it open unhappily. When she saw the two Asian men in suits, she asked in Chinese, "Who are you looking for?"
"Are you Miss Anastasia Tillman?" one of the two men asked in English.
"I am. And you are?" Anastasia pressed.
"We were asked to look for you. Your mother, Amelia Chapman, saved our young master's life back in the day. The old madam whom we serve wishes to see you."
She frowned at this. "Who's the old madam you serve?"
"Old Madam Presgrave," the first man answered respectfully.
Upon hearing this, Anastasia understood what had brought these men here. Old Madam Presgrave was the woman behind the Presgrave Group, the foremost conglomerate in the country. Years ago, Anastasia's mother had sacrificed her life to save Old Madam Presgrave's oldest grandson.
It gave Anastasia great pride to have been born to a police officer as capable and righteous as Amelia.
"I'm sorry, but I don't intend to see her," Anastasia said decidedly. She had a feeling that the Presgraves wanted to repay Amelia's great deed, but she had no plans of accepting their gesture whatsoever.
Just then, a childish and curious voice sounded from somewhere inside the apartment, asking, "Mommy,
who is it?"
"No one," Anastasia replied hastily. Then, she turned to address the men at the door, "Sorry, but I'm really not in a mood for guests at the moment."
With that, she closed the door.
Meanwhile, back in the country, a man was seated on the couch inside the villa tucked halfway up the hill. "Have you tracked her down?"
"Yes, Young Master Elliot. The girl from the clubhouse five years ago just sold off your watch at the second-hand market."
"Find her," said the man on the couch, his voice deep and authoritative.
"Yes, sir!"
Without telling him she's pregnant , she agreed and went abroad for a new life. Then the husband was completely panicked.
Chapter 1 A Night of Absurdities
"Anastasia, help! I've been molested at the club!"
The desperate and helpless sound of her best friend's voice was the only thing on Anastasia Tillman's mind as she rushed over to the clubhouse.
Room 808. Anastasia looked up at the number plaque on the door of the private room. It was the same room number that her best friend, Hayley Seymour, had texted her. Without another thought, she barged through the door to save her friend.
When the door swung open under her hand, she was greeted by the darkness within. Suddenly, a strong hand clasped around her wrist and dragged her into the dark room, followed by a loud thud as the door slammed shut.
"Hey—who are you, and what do you want?!" Anastasia shrieked, her eyes darting around wildly as she tried to make out her surroundings.
"Settle down, and I'll treat you well." A man's deep and husky voice spoke close to her ear.
The next second, Anastasia was unceremoniously tossed onto the couch, and before she could scramble to her feet, a lean and strong body pinned her down.
She let out a muffled cry when a pair of lips that tasted like peppermint captured hers.
The man on top of her felt burning hot to the touch. A sense of hopelessness brought tears to her eyes as she tried to struggle against the man, but in the end, she could do nothing but endure the man's ferocity.
An hour later, Anastasia staggered out of the room, looking disheveled. She had only just been through a nightmare, but that didn't distract her from worrying about her best friend's safety.
She was just about to call Hayley's number when she saw a group of men and women walking out the side door. Under the lights, she instantly recognized the two of the women in the group.
One happened to be Hayley, her best friend who had cried for help on the phone earlier, and the other was Anastasia's stepsister, Erica Tillman. The two girls walked side by side with their arms linked, as if they were the closest of friends.
Shock and rage colored Anastasia's features when she saw them. "Stop right there, Hayley!" she called out loudly over the distance as her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
Upon hearing this, Hayley and Erica swiveled around to face her. Anastasia glowered at them, ashen-faced as she demanded of Hayley, "Why would you lie to me?!"
Hayley smirked. "It's not my fault that you're always so gullible, Anastasia."
"Did you have a good time with that gigolo back there?" Erica asked in a sing-song voice, smiling wickedly.
It was only then that Anastasia realized that both of them had set her up. The chastity she had held dear for the past nineteen years was now sacrificed for their despicable glee.
Presently, Hayley's eyes were frosty as she seethed, "Did you actually think I was your friend, Anastasia? I've been living in your shadow ever since we met! I hate you, and I want nothing more than to ruin that face of yours!"
Erica, on the other hand, swiftly interjected by mocking, "I have the proof I need to show Dad that you've been pimping yourself for money at the club. It won't be long until you're thrown out of the house!"
"You two—" Anastasia was so furious that she swayed. Her body was in tatters after the ordeal she had been through, and the collective weight of her friend's betrayal and her sister's cruelty nearly knocked her down.
"Let's go, Hayley! We don't want to be seen with trash, do we?" With her arm looped through Hayley's, Erica led her toward the sports car she had parked by the curb.
Three days later, at the Tillman Residence, a low male voice yelled out in rage, "You became an escort for money just because I wouldn't let you go abroad for your studies? How can I, Francis Tillman, be capable of having such a shameless daughter like you?"
"Dad, I didn't—"
"You didn't? But you did, Anastasia! How could you go to such shameless lengths? Did we starve you, or did we deprive you of anything? I can't believe you would pimp yourself to random strangers in a filthy clubhouse! For your sake, I hope you haven't brought any disease back to this house. Who knows what my daughter and I could have caught from you," the woman who was dressed in jewels and fine clothes sneered from where she sat on the couch.
"Dad, I really didn't do it. I—" Anastasia tried to explain herself.
However, Francis did not want to hear another word from her. He glowered at her maliciously as he snapped, "Still lying to me, I see. Get out of this home right now! I will not stand to have you under my roof. No daughter of mine could be so shameless. From now on, you are not my child!"
Meanwhile, on the staircase landing, Erica watched this scene play out as she leaned against the banister with her chin propped on her hand. Everything was going exactly the way she had planned. In a matter of minutes, Anastasia was going to be cast out of the house and wander around like some pathetic stray mutt.
Downstairs in the living room, Anastasia fell silent when she saw the thunderous and disappointed look on her father's face. She wordlessly rose from her seat and walked up the stairs to pack up her things.
She had only just rounded the landing when Erica barricaded her. With her arms crossed haughtily in front of her chest, the younger girl sneered, "Get out of here! Don't linger around like an eyesore. This house will never have a place for you ever again!"
Anastasia clenched her fists as she glowered at Erica's pleased expression.
Seeing the hatred and anger in Anastasia's eyes, Erica leaned forward. "What, do you want to slap me or something?" She turned her cheek toward the fuming girl and said smugly, "Go right ahead, then!"
Without holding back, Anastasia brought her hand down across Erica's face, resulting in a hard slap.
"Ah!" Erica let out a shrill cry. "You just hit me! Mom, Dad—Anastasia just hit me!" She howled as she bolted down the stairs.
Naomi Lowell quickly pulled her daughter into her arms and cried up the stairwell, "How dare you strike my daughter, Anastasia! What the hell are you playing at?!"
Francis glanced at the red imprints on Erica's cheek, and he had never been more disappointed in his life. When did my oldest daughter become so infuriatingly rebellious?
"Dad, it hurts..." Erica sobbed as she burrowed into her father's arms, taking in exaggerated deep breaths like she was in great pain.
"Get out of here, Anastasia!" Francis roared up the stairs.
Having packed up her things, Anastasia grabbed her passport and went down the stairs. Her heart grew stone-cold when she saw how her own father was holding Erica in his arms like she was something precious.
Anastasia knew then that she indeed had no place in his heart. Francis had only heard Erica's side of the story instead of asking Anastasia about the horrific incident she had endured last night.
Ever since her mother had passed, she had spent her years in this home living like an outsider, for her father had brought home his mistress and his illegitimate daughter to form a new family.
Anastasia's poor mother had never known about her husband's extra-marital affairs, not even in her death.
I will never come back to this place ever again.
Inside the house, Erica watched as Anastasia dragged her suitcase out the front door, and a wicked smile curled on her lips. I finally got rid of that useless eyesore!
…
Five years later, a knock came on the front door of an apartment in Dansbury.
The woman living in the apartment had been poring over her designs when she heard the knock. A little bewildered, she walked up to the door and pulled it open unhappily. When she saw the two Asian men in suits, she asked in Chinese, "Who are you looking for?"
"Are you Miss Anastasia Tillman?" one of the two men asked in English.
"I am. And you are?" Anastasia pressed.
"We were asked to look for you. Your mother, Amelia Chapman, saved our young master's life back in the day. The old madam whom we serve wishes to see you."
She frowned at this. "Who's the old madam you serve?"
"Old Madam Presgrave," the first man answered respectfully.
Upon hearing this, Anastasia understood what had brought these men here. Old Madam Presgrave was the woman behind the Presgrave Group, the foremost conglomerate in the country. Years ago, Anastasia's mother had sacrificed her life to save Old Madam Presgrave's oldest grandson.
It gave Anastasia great pride to have been born to a police officer as capable and righteous as Amelia.
"I'm sorry, but I don't intend to see her," Anastasia said decidedly. She had a feeling that the Presgraves wanted to repay Amelia's great deed, but she had no plans of accepting their gesture whatsoever.
Just then, a childish and curious voice sounded from somewhere inside the apartment, asking, "Mommy,
who is it?"
"No one," Anastasia replied hastily. Then, she turned to address the men at the door, "Sorry, but I'm really not in a mood for guests at the moment."
With that, she closed the door.
Meanwhile, back in the country, a man was seated on the couch inside the villa tucked halfway up the hill. "Have you tracked her down?"
"Yes, Young Master Elliot. The girl from the clubhouse five years ago just sold off your watch at the second-hand market."
"Find her," said the man on the couch, his voice deep and authoritative.
"Yes, sir!"
00:21
Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
My bestfriend's brother shouldn't know how I taste.But...
His fingers tangled in my hair, his warm breath fanning against my parted lips as he thrust up into me slowly.
I let out the most strangled moan as he filled me with his girthy and lengthy c0ck.
This was bad. I wasn't supposed to be sleeping with my best friend's brother. But here I was with his cock deep inside me and his tongue inside my mouth.
"Bailey, why do you feel so good under me?"
NEW story of Demiah13's young adult series!
~~~
👉To continue reading the story for free, download the app and search📚《Bestfriends Shouldn't Know How You Taste》. Enjoy Romance Now🥰
His fingers tangled in my hair, his warm breath fanning against my parted lips as he thrust up into me slowly.
I let out the most strangled moan as he filled me with his girthy and lengthy c0ck.
This was bad. I wasn't supposed to be sleeping with my best friend's brother. But here I was with his cock deep inside me and his tongue inside my mouth.
"Bailey, why do you feel so good under me?"
NEW story of Demiah13's young adult series!
~~~
👉To continue reading the story for free, download the app and search📚《Bestfriends Shouldn't Know How You Taste》. Enjoy Romance Now🥰
00:22
Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
Jared was released from Horington Prison after he finished his three-year sentence. He returned to his former residence, which his parents gifted him and where he and his girlfriend, Sandy, had many sweet memories.
Jared went upstairs and pushed the door to his house open, only to be greeted by a complete mess of a living room.
Coming from the bedroom was the sound of lewd moans. “Be gentler, Ley. You're hurting me...”
Jared's face immediately turned red because that was obviously Sandy's voice. I was sent to prison for protecting Sandy by beating that trust fund baby, Leyton, three years ago, and she promised me we'd get married when I got out!
Then, a raspy male voice replied, “How will I satisfy you if I go gentler on you? I thought you like it rough.”
“You're a nasty one. Tomorrow's the wedding. I can't afford to look exhausted.”
“Jared's never done this with you before, has he? I wonder how he'll react if he finds out what you're doing now. Hahaha!”
“You're also a meanie. You purposely bought that pauper's house so we could do the deed here.”
With his fists clenched and eyes crimson-red, Jared could stand the conversation no longer as he violently kicked the bedroom door open.
Right before Jared's eyes was Sandy lying together with Leyton.
The scene made Jared's already red eyes turn even redder.
Read Next Chapter Now👉
Jared went upstairs and pushed the door to his house open, only to be greeted by a complete mess of a living room.
Coming from the bedroom was the sound of lewd moans. “Be gentler, Ley. You're hurting me...”
Jared's face immediately turned red because that was obviously Sandy's voice. I was sent to prison for protecting Sandy by beating that trust fund baby, Leyton, three years ago, and she promised me we'd get married when I got out!
Then, a raspy male voice replied, “How will I satisfy you if I go gentler on you? I thought you like it rough.”
“You're a nasty one. Tomorrow's the wedding. I can't afford to look exhausted.”
“Jared's never done this with you before, has he? I wonder how he'll react if he finds out what you're doing now. Hahaha!”
“You're also a meanie. You purposely bought that pauper's house so we could do the deed here.”
With his fists clenched and eyes crimson-red, Jared could stand the conversation no longer as he violently kicked the bedroom door open.
Right before Jared's eyes was Sandy lying together with Leyton.
The scene made Jared's already red eyes turn even redder.
Read Next Chapter Now👉
Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
"Papà, aiuta la mamma!" Cinque anni dopo il divorzio, ricevette una chiamata dall'ex moglie.
Capitolo 1 Il ritorno del Dio della Guerra
A Erudia, un jet privato è atterrato all'aeroporto di North Hampton, dove tutti i voli internazionali hanno subito un ritardo di otto ore.
Al varco riservato c'erano cinque uomini in giacca e cravatta e scarpe di cuoio, dritti come un giavellotto.
Ogni tanto alzavano il polso per guardare l'ora, perché stava arrivando un pezzo grosso in città.
L'alta società di North Hampton aveva saputo del suo arrivo, ma nessuno era in grado di avvicinarsi di un centimetro al varco riservato.
Persino l'uomo più ricco di North Hampton, venuto a rendere omaggio, fu scacciato.
Finalmente si sentirono dei movimenti provenire dal corridoio.
"Dio della Guerra!!!", gridò la massa, con gli occhi pieni di stupore e venerazione alla vista dell'imbattibile leggenda di Erudia.
Lui, che era soprannominato il Dio della Guerra, era l'unico e solo Dio della Guerra a cinque stelle nella storia di Erudia.
Una volta inflisse una cocente sconfitta ai più forti battaglioni di diciotto Paesi. Era un uomo prepotente e formidabile.
Colui che ha sopraffatto il mondo con il suo impareggiabile potere ha persino creato il Reggimento delle Cinque Grandi Guerre, il Reggimento di Cavalleria e molti altri.
...
Quando mise piede nella sua patria, Levi Garrison fu sopraffatto dalle emozioni.
Un tempo era un orfano abbandonato per le strade di North Hampton e poi adottato dalla famiglia Garrison.
Ma la famiglia Garrison non si era mai affezionata a lui.
I suoi genitori adottivi, che avevano la tendenza a picchiarlo e rimproverarlo, lo trattavano come un estraneo.
Quanto agli estranei, lo trattavano come una nullità.
Ma a lui non importava nulla. Era sempre stato orgoglioso del suo cognome fin da bambino e si sforzava di portare gloria a questa famiglia quando sarebbe diventato grande.
Finalmente Levi aveva fondato il Gruppo Levi, il più grande cavallo nero della comunità imprenditoriale di North Hampton.
Con un patrimonio miliardario, era tra i primi posti a North Hampton, spingendo la famiglia Garrison, ormai in declino, verso la vetta.
Tuttavia, non solo la famiglia Garrison non mostrava segni di apprezzamento, ma addirittura nutriva insoddisfazione nei suoi confronti. Invidiosi del suo successo, lo consideravano una spina nel fianco e ambivano al Gruppo Levi.
A prescindere dalla sua ricchezza e dal suo potere, salvo il loro controllo, agli occhi della famiglia Garrison era solo un estraneo.
Alla fine, la prima notte di nozze di Levi, la famiglia Garrison complottò una montatura contro di lui facendolo ubriacare prima di gettarlo sul letto della cognata. Volevano creare l' impressione che lui le avesse fatto qualcosa di sgradevole e che fosse stato sorpreso a letto dal fratello e dai genitori adottivi.
Quella notte, la famiglia Garrison gli aveva brutalmente rotto gli arti e lo aveva abbandonato sulla strada come un cane selvatico.
Non solo era invalido, ma doveva anche prendersi la colpa per qualcosa che non aveva commesso.
Da emergente nel mondo degli affari, era diventato da un giorno all'altro il bersaglio del disprezzo.
Il giorno dopo fu punito per diversi reati e condannato a sei anni di carcere.
Non avrebbe mai potuto dimenticare le facce spietate e sinistre di tutti i membri della famiglia Garrison e le prese in giro di amici, compagni di classe e soci in affari.
E soprattutto non avrebbe mai potuto dimenticare la delusione sul volto di Zoey, la moglie appena sposata.
Aveva considerato la famiglia Garrison come la sua casa e si era dedicato alla famiglia.
Ma loro lo trattavano come spazzatura.
Si sentiva come se un coltello gli si fosse conficcato nel cuore ogni volta che ci pensava.
Quanto odiava la famiglia Garrison!
Ma chi avrebbe mai pensato che Levi fosse stato segretamente trasferito dalla prigione per entrare nell'esercito?
In pochi anni dominò il mondo militare e divenne l'unico Dio della Guerra a cinque stelle.
Ora che era tornato, la famiglia Garrison doveva stare all'erta.
"Come va, Drago Azzurro?". Chiese Levi.
Drago Azzurro, il comandante del Reggimento delle Cinque Grandi Guerre, fece un passo avanti e disse con rispetto: "Signore, temo che sua moglie, la signora Zoey Lopez, si risposerà alle dieci di stasera!".
Da quando il marito di Zoey era stato mandato in prigione la prima notte di nozze, lei viveva come una vedova.
Solo Dio sapeva quanto fosse sotto pressione.
E in questo momento, la persona che Levi non vedeva l'ora di vedere era Zoey.
Dopo un attimo di esitazione, Drago Azzurro continuò: "Inoltre, signore, la famiglia Garrison sta organizzando un banchetto per festeggiare il successo della quotazione all'Hotel Crystal Palace stasera! Molte persone hanno invitato il Dio della Guerra proprio ora, compresa la famiglia Garrison, ma non ho accettato né rifiutato direttamente".
"A che ora?" Chiese Levi con tono secco.
"Alle otto, signore".
"Va bene. Dite alla famiglia Garrison che parteciperò al banchetto!".
Dato che i due eventi non coincidevano, Levi accettò volentieri l'invito.
Il banchetto di celebrazione della quotazione pubblica del Gruppo Garrison si tenne al Crystal Palace Hotel di North Hampton.
Con l'aiuto del Gruppo Levi, erano diventati una famiglia ricca e potente in un colpo solo.
La sala era piena di entusiasmo e di rumore, e di tanto in tanto si sentiva il fragore dei bicchieri che tintinnavano nell'aria.
"Dio benedica la famiglia Garrison", disse Joseph, il capo della famiglia Garrison. "Le giovani generazioni sono le stelle tra gli uomini. Il Gruppo Garrison è ora quotato in borsa ed è diventato una realtà emergente a North Hampton!".
I tre figli e la figlia di Joseph accolsero gli ospiti con un sorriso smagliante sui loro volti.
La generazione più giovane della famiglia Garrison era ancora più compiaciuta e orgogliosa perché, dopo la giornata inaugurale, la famiglia Garrison sarebbe diventata una famiglia potente e sarebbe diventata una delle famiglie più ricche.
La maggior parte degli ospiti che partecipavano al banchetto di oggi appartenevano alla cerchia più alta di North Hampton.
"Garrison, sai cosa è successo oggi?! La tua festa non è niente in confronto a questo". Stavano spettegolando sull'evento principale che era accaduto oggi.
"Già! Ho sentito che un pezzo grosso è arrivato a North Hampton!".
"L'uomo più ricco di North Hampton voleva incontrarlo, ma è stato allontanato. A quanto pare, non è abbastanza qualificato!".
"E allora? Jesse Nielsen lo ha aspettato per cinque ore in anticipo all'aeroporto!".
Joseph annuì. "Sì, so anche questo. Ho anche mandato qualcuno a invitare questo pezzo grosso alla festa di celebrazione!".
"Non è possibile! Perché questo pezzo grosso dovrebbe partecipare a una festa del genere?".
Nessuno ci credeva.
In effetti, essendo un novellino, Joseph stava solo tentando la fortuna.
"Papà!" gridò Jaycob, il secondogenito della famiglia Garrison, che si vide arrivare di corsa. "Il pezzo grosso ha accettato l'invito a partecipare al nostro banchetto di festeggiamento! Sta arrivando!".
"Gesù! Dio ha davvero benedetto la famiglia Garrison!".
Tutti i membri della famiglia Garrison riuscirono a malapena a nascondere la loro gioia, perché questa era la loro occasione per raggiungere il cielo in un sol colpo.
I nipoti della famiglia Garrison si riunirono, con il sorriso che inondava le loro anime.
Il fratello di Levi, Bryan, e la cognata, Victoria, sorrisero. "Beh, tutto è iniziato con la prigionia di Levi che ha portato la famiglia Garrison al punto in cui siamo oggi...".
"Bene, a proposito di Levi, sapete che oggi è il giorno in cui quel ragazzo esce di prigione?", chiese qualcuno bruscamente.
"Davvero? Non è una sfortuna? Perché doveva essere rilasciato in un giorno così importante?".
"Per favore, per favore, per favore non tornare! È la più grande disgrazia della famiglia Garrison!".
Le labbra di Victoria si trasformarono in un ghigno. "A proposito, Levi è il fiore all'occhiello dello status della famiglia Garrison oggi".
"È quello che si suppone che faccia!". Disse Bryan. "Dovrebbe contribuire alla famiglia Garrison per aver cresciuto lui, un orfano! Il suo Gruppo Levi multimiliardario non significa nulla. Per dirla senza mezzi termini, è solo un cane allevato dalla famiglia Garrison!".
Qualcuno fece una risatina. "In effetti, è da molto tempo che mi interessa la moglie di Levi. È ancora vedova e ho intenzione di sposarla!".
L'osservazione dell'uomo provocò una risata di scherno.
"Smettete tutti di fare quello che state facendo. Ho un annuncio importante da fare", disse Joseph e proseguì annunciando l'arrivo del pezzo grosso.
Si sentì un applauso fragoroso.
Ma quando l'applauso si placò, c'era ancora qualcuno che applaudiva.
Il suono era forte e chiaro, proveniva da lontano.
Sul tappeto rosso, un uomo si avvicinò con un'aria audace ed energica.
Il suo passo emanava un'aura maestosa e imponente, che fece trattenere il fiato alla massa.
"È Levi!" Bryan e Victoria esclamarono.
All'improvviso, tutti gli occhi erano puntati su di lui.
"Dimenticavo che oggi questo moccioso è uscito di prigione!". I genitori adottivi di Levi parlarono all'unisono.
Ignorando gli sguardi stupiti che lo guardavano, Levi si avvicinò passo dopo passo a Joseph.
"Un uccellino mi ha detto che l'azienda è ora quotata in borsa. Come ti senti, Joseph? Sei contento?".
Levi gli rivolse un sorriso significativo.
"Come osi presentarti qui, moccioso insolente! E come mi hai appena chiamato?". La furia di Joseph si scatenò.
"Chi lo ha fatto entrare? Non sapevate che è appena uscito di prigione? Questo sì che è sconveniente!".
Bryan si alzò in piedi. "Che diavolo ci fai qui, Levi?".
Levi lo squadrò. "Perché non posso stare qui?".
Leggi subito il capitolo successivo 👉 Il Protettore
Capitolo 1 Il ritorno del Dio della Guerra
A Erudia, un jet privato è atterrato all'aeroporto di North Hampton, dove tutti i voli internazionali hanno subito un ritardo di otto ore.
Al varco riservato c'erano cinque uomini in giacca e cravatta e scarpe di cuoio, dritti come un giavellotto.
Ogni tanto alzavano il polso per guardare l'ora, perché stava arrivando un pezzo grosso in città.
L'alta società di North Hampton aveva saputo del suo arrivo, ma nessuno era in grado di avvicinarsi di un centimetro al varco riservato.
Persino l'uomo più ricco di North Hampton, venuto a rendere omaggio, fu scacciato.
Finalmente si sentirono dei movimenti provenire dal corridoio.
"Dio della Guerra!!!", gridò la massa, con gli occhi pieni di stupore e venerazione alla vista dell'imbattibile leggenda di Erudia.
Lui, che era soprannominato il Dio della Guerra, era l'unico e solo Dio della Guerra a cinque stelle nella storia di Erudia.
Una volta inflisse una cocente sconfitta ai più forti battaglioni di diciotto Paesi. Era un uomo prepotente e formidabile.
Colui che ha sopraffatto il mondo con il suo impareggiabile potere ha persino creato il Reggimento delle Cinque Grandi Guerre, il Reggimento di Cavalleria e molti altri.
...
Quando mise piede nella sua patria, Levi Garrison fu sopraffatto dalle emozioni.
Un tempo era un orfano abbandonato per le strade di North Hampton e poi adottato dalla famiglia Garrison.
Ma la famiglia Garrison non si era mai affezionata a lui.
I suoi genitori adottivi, che avevano la tendenza a picchiarlo e rimproverarlo, lo trattavano come un estraneo.
Quanto agli estranei, lo trattavano come una nullità.
Ma a lui non importava nulla. Era sempre stato orgoglioso del suo cognome fin da bambino e si sforzava di portare gloria a questa famiglia quando sarebbe diventato grande.
Finalmente Levi aveva fondato il Gruppo Levi, il più grande cavallo nero della comunità imprenditoriale di North Hampton.
Con un patrimonio miliardario, era tra i primi posti a North Hampton, spingendo la famiglia Garrison, ormai in declino, verso la vetta.
Tuttavia, non solo la famiglia Garrison non mostrava segni di apprezzamento, ma addirittura nutriva insoddisfazione nei suoi confronti. Invidiosi del suo successo, lo consideravano una spina nel fianco e ambivano al Gruppo Levi.
A prescindere dalla sua ricchezza e dal suo potere, salvo il loro controllo, agli occhi della famiglia Garrison era solo un estraneo.
Alla fine, la prima notte di nozze di Levi, la famiglia Garrison complottò una montatura contro di lui facendolo ubriacare prima di gettarlo sul letto della cognata. Volevano creare l' impressione che lui le avesse fatto qualcosa di sgradevole e che fosse stato sorpreso a letto dal fratello e dai genitori adottivi.
Quella notte, la famiglia Garrison gli aveva brutalmente rotto gli arti e lo aveva abbandonato sulla strada come un cane selvatico.
Non solo era invalido, ma doveva anche prendersi la colpa per qualcosa che non aveva commesso.
Da emergente nel mondo degli affari, era diventato da un giorno all'altro il bersaglio del disprezzo.
Il giorno dopo fu punito per diversi reati e condannato a sei anni di carcere.
Non avrebbe mai potuto dimenticare le facce spietate e sinistre di tutti i membri della famiglia Garrison e le prese in giro di amici, compagni di classe e soci in affari.
E soprattutto non avrebbe mai potuto dimenticare la delusione sul volto di Zoey, la moglie appena sposata.
Aveva considerato la famiglia Garrison come la sua casa e si era dedicato alla famiglia.
Ma loro lo trattavano come spazzatura.
Si sentiva come se un coltello gli si fosse conficcato nel cuore ogni volta che ci pensava.
Quanto odiava la famiglia Garrison!
Ma chi avrebbe mai pensato che Levi fosse stato segretamente trasferito dalla prigione per entrare nell'esercito?
In pochi anni dominò il mondo militare e divenne l'unico Dio della Guerra a cinque stelle.
Ora che era tornato, la famiglia Garrison doveva stare all'erta.
"Come va, Drago Azzurro?". Chiese Levi.
Drago Azzurro, il comandante del Reggimento delle Cinque Grandi Guerre, fece un passo avanti e disse con rispetto: "Signore, temo che sua moglie, la signora Zoey Lopez, si risposerà alle dieci di stasera!".
Da quando il marito di Zoey era stato mandato in prigione la prima notte di nozze, lei viveva come una vedova.
Solo Dio sapeva quanto fosse sotto pressione.
E in questo momento, la persona che Levi non vedeva l'ora di vedere era Zoey.
Dopo un attimo di esitazione, Drago Azzurro continuò: "Inoltre, signore, la famiglia Garrison sta organizzando un banchetto per festeggiare il successo della quotazione all'Hotel Crystal Palace stasera! Molte persone hanno invitato il Dio della Guerra proprio ora, compresa la famiglia Garrison, ma non ho accettato né rifiutato direttamente".
"A che ora?" Chiese Levi con tono secco.
"Alle otto, signore".
"Va bene. Dite alla famiglia Garrison che parteciperò al banchetto!".
Dato che i due eventi non coincidevano, Levi accettò volentieri l'invito.
Il banchetto di celebrazione della quotazione pubblica del Gruppo Garrison si tenne al Crystal Palace Hotel di North Hampton.
Con l'aiuto del Gruppo Levi, erano diventati una famiglia ricca e potente in un colpo solo.
La sala era piena di entusiasmo e di rumore, e di tanto in tanto si sentiva il fragore dei bicchieri che tintinnavano nell'aria.
"Dio benedica la famiglia Garrison", disse Joseph, il capo della famiglia Garrison. "Le giovani generazioni sono le stelle tra gli uomini. Il Gruppo Garrison è ora quotato in borsa ed è diventato una realtà emergente a North Hampton!".
I tre figli e la figlia di Joseph accolsero gli ospiti con un sorriso smagliante sui loro volti.
La generazione più giovane della famiglia Garrison era ancora più compiaciuta e orgogliosa perché, dopo la giornata inaugurale, la famiglia Garrison sarebbe diventata una famiglia potente e sarebbe diventata una delle famiglie più ricche.
La maggior parte degli ospiti che partecipavano al banchetto di oggi appartenevano alla cerchia più alta di North Hampton.
"Garrison, sai cosa è successo oggi?! La tua festa non è niente in confronto a questo". Stavano spettegolando sull'evento principale che era accaduto oggi.
"Già! Ho sentito che un pezzo grosso è arrivato a North Hampton!".
"L'uomo più ricco di North Hampton voleva incontrarlo, ma è stato allontanato. A quanto pare, non è abbastanza qualificato!".
"E allora? Jesse Nielsen lo ha aspettato per cinque ore in anticipo all'aeroporto!".
Joseph annuì. "Sì, so anche questo. Ho anche mandato qualcuno a invitare questo pezzo grosso alla festa di celebrazione!".
"Non è possibile! Perché questo pezzo grosso dovrebbe partecipare a una festa del genere?".
Nessuno ci credeva.
In effetti, essendo un novellino, Joseph stava solo tentando la fortuna.
"Papà!" gridò Jaycob, il secondogenito della famiglia Garrison, che si vide arrivare di corsa. "Il pezzo grosso ha accettato l'invito a partecipare al nostro banchetto di festeggiamento! Sta arrivando!".
"Gesù! Dio ha davvero benedetto la famiglia Garrison!".
Tutti i membri della famiglia Garrison riuscirono a malapena a nascondere la loro gioia, perché questa era la loro occasione per raggiungere il cielo in un sol colpo.
I nipoti della famiglia Garrison si riunirono, con il sorriso che inondava le loro anime.
Il fratello di Levi, Bryan, e la cognata, Victoria, sorrisero. "Beh, tutto è iniziato con la prigionia di Levi che ha portato la famiglia Garrison al punto in cui siamo oggi...".
"Bene, a proposito di Levi, sapete che oggi è il giorno in cui quel ragazzo esce di prigione?", chiese qualcuno bruscamente.
"Davvero? Non è una sfortuna? Perché doveva essere rilasciato in un giorno così importante?".
"Per favore, per favore, per favore non tornare! È la più grande disgrazia della famiglia Garrison!".
Le labbra di Victoria si trasformarono in un ghigno. "A proposito, Levi è il fiore all'occhiello dello status della famiglia Garrison oggi".
"È quello che si suppone che faccia!". Disse Bryan. "Dovrebbe contribuire alla famiglia Garrison per aver cresciuto lui, un orfano! Il suo Gruppo Levi multimiliardario non significa nulla. Per dirla senza mezzi termini, è solo un cane allevato dalla famiglia Garrison!".
Qualcuno fece una risatina. "In effetti, è da molto tempo che mi interessa la moglie di Levi. È ancora vedova e ho intenzione di sposarla!".
L'osservazione dell'uomo provocò una risata di scherno.
"Smettete tutti di fare quello che state facendo. Ho un annuncio importante da fare", disse Joseph e proseguì annunciando l'arrivo del pezzo grosso.
Si sentì un applauso fragoroso.
Ma quando l'applauso si placò, c'era ancora qualcuno che applaudiva.
Il suono era forte e chiaro, proveniva da lontano.
Sul tappeto rosso, un uomo si avvicinò con un'aria audace ed energica.
Il suo passo emanava un'aura maestosa e imponente, che fece trattenere il fiato alla massa.
"È Levi!" Bryan e Victoria esclamarono.
All'improvviso, tutti gli occhi erano puntati su di lui.
"Dimenticavo che oggi questo moccioso è uscito di prigione!". I genitori adottivi di Levi parlarono all'unisono.
Ignorando gli sguardi stupiti che lo guardavano, Levi si avvicinò passo dopo passo a Joseph.
"Un uccellino mi ha detto che l'azienda è ora quotata in borsa. Come ti senti, Joseph? Sei contento?".
Levi gli rivolse un sorriso significativo.
"Come osi presentarti qui, moccioso insolente! E come mi hai appena chiamato?". La furia di Joseph si scatenò.
"Chi lo ha fatto entrare? Non sapevate che è appena uscito di prigione? Questo sì che è sconveniente!".
Bryan si alzò in piedi. "Che diavolo ci fai qui, Levi?".
Levi lo squadrò. "Perché non posso stare qui?".
Leggi subito il capitolo successivo 👉 Il Protettore
Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
🔥I heard his whisper, "What the hell...I smell the scent of my cubs..."😍💕
--------------------------------------
Chapter 1 The Beginning
Belle's POV:
I'm Belle Harmon, a 20-year-old with a loving older sister and an adoring boyfriend. While I grew up without parents, my sister has always been there for me. And now, after a whirlwind three-month romance, my boyfriend proposed, saying that marrying me would be the best thing he's ever done.
I thought I was going to be a happy bride, filled with the excitement of our wedding and dreams of a sweet life together. However, my world came crashing down on our wedding night when I discovered my groom was gay.
To make matters even worse, he and his boyfriend raped me.
He raped me twice, and his boyfriend three times.
I had cried myself empty, my body wracked with sobs and pain.
"Belle, you need to get pregnant with our child soon," said Henry, my so-called husband. "Give us two children, and I'll set you free."
"Why? If you want children, you could pay for an egg donor or use a surrogate!"
I was lost and confused. He could have achieved his goal without destroying me. I had dreamed of marriage and having my own children. But now, those dreams were shattered.
"That's too expensive," Henry sneered, his eyes filled with disgust. "You're just a free tool."
"Exactly. Disgusting as it may be, you can still bear children," his boyfriend added, "so we'll just have to see if you get pregnant."
"You're monsters! Both of you!"
I screamed, but my words were met with silence. They held me captive, confiscating my phone and any means of communication. I was trapped in that room, barely kept alive with meager rations of food and water. Escaping is an impossible dream.
A month later, I took a pregnancy test. It was negative.
Their fury was palpable, but instead of physical violence, they resorted to a crueler tactic. They meticulously calculated my ovulation cycle, planning to repeatedly violate me.
I feigned submission, playing the role of the obedient captive, even cooperating during my fertile days.
This lulled them into a false sense of security, and I seized my chance. While they were preoccupied with each other, I escaped.
Battered, bruised, and carrying the evidence of their assaults within me, I went to the police. But justice was not served.
Henry, wielding his wealth, hired a formidable lawyer who skillfully twisted my accusations into a mere "marital discord." The legal system failed me; all I received was a divorce.
After receiving the divorce certificate, I fled that very night, afraid they'd retaliate. I prayed that Henry and his boyfriend would never be able to have children.
Thankfully, my prayer was answered—I still wasn't pregnant.
The relief was overwhelming; I couldn't bear the thought of carrying their child.
I settled in a city called Alabaster, but I couldn't start a new life. I was haunted by nightmares, unable to interact with people normally. Just seeing men made me shake with fear, except when it came to my sister and brother-in-law.
When I had initially pressed charges against Henry, my sister had poured her life savings into my case. After the devastating loss, she brought me to Alabaster to help me escape. She and her husband ran a small clothing factory there. However, her husband resented her for spending their savings, forcing her to work tirelessly to repay the debt, leaving her little time to care for me.
Concerned about my well-being, she suggested, "Don't you always love children? Maybe you could consider having a baby through IVF. I heard Alabaster has a reputable sperm bank."
"Alright, I'll think about it."
The truth was, I'd always adored children. Their presence brought me joy, a sense of light, and life. My sister's suggestion resonated with me; I wanted to move forward and ease her worries.
In the year since arriving in Alabaster, I had slowly begun to heal. Nightmares still surfaced occasionally, but they no longer consumed my days. I started to rebuild my life, working diligently and saving every penny. With newfound determination, I carefully selected a donor from a reputable sperm bank. The doctor there was incredibly kind, and we developed a genuine friendship. With her support, I successfully conceived.
She assured me I'd made a good choice. The sperm bank catered to many affluent individuals, some storing sperm for preservation, others contributing to infertility research.
But those details were irrelevant to me. All that mattered was the donor's excellent genetic profile and the incredible news that I was expecting twins.
I rented a live-work space, with a small storefront on the first floor and my living quarters upstairs. I converted the ground floor into a little bakery called Sweetheart Bakery.
With my baking skills, I was confident I could provide a secure future for myself and my babies.
In the blink of an eye, two years had passed, and my twins were now a year and a half old.
My son is named Sunny Harmon, and my daughter is named Moona Harmon.
The two little ones were starting to talk and take their first steps, absolutely adorable. Their presence filled my once-dark life with sunlight, helping me leave the pain of the past behind.
Until today, when my daughter came down with a fever.
"Erin Johnson," I said to the nanny, "Moona has a slight fever. Can you watch Sunny while I take her to the hospital?"
"Be careful," Erin said. "It's rush hour now, so the roads are crowded."
"No worries," I replied, settling my daughter into the stroller. "The hospital isn't far. I'll just take it slow."
I temporarily closed the bakery downstairs and set off with the stroller.
To reach the hospital, I had to cross a busy intersection.
The area was packed, with schools, a residential community, and the hospital all nearby.
Clunk!
While turning a corner, I accidentally bumped the stroller into the back of a slowly moving car.
The stroller tipped over, and the cloth bag in the storage basket fell to the ground.
Keys, my phone, tissues, a bottle, diapers ... all scattered everywhere.
"Waaa!" Startled, Moona opened her mouth and started crying.
Flustered, I tried to soothe her while bending down to gather everything off the ground.
"What, are you using your child to stage an accident?"
A cold, low voice spoke, and I noticed a pair of shiny black leather shoes next to me.
Looking up from the shoes, I saw long, straight legs in tailored black dress pants.
Above them was an exquisite black suit jacket, and underneath it, a man who looked to be about 30.
His features were striking, his gaze deep and cold like stars on a winter night.
And yet ... those eyes seemed strangely familiar.
The man radiated an aura of authority as he moved closer, his aloof elegance sending chills down my spine.
That's when I noticed I had bumped into the back of a luxury Bentley Continental.
The bumper had a nasty scrape, with a chunk of paint peeling off miserably.
This damage would easily cost 2,000 or 3,000 dollars to repair.
"Uh ... "
I started to panic, sweat forming on my forehead. I barely even noticed the scattered items on the ground.
Even Moona's cries from the stroller couldn't pull my attention away.
"I'm sorry, sir. It was an accident—I didn't mean to. Please tell me how I can make this right."
The man frowned, his well-defined brows furrowing, looking annoyed.
"Forget it. I don't have time to deal with this."
He turned to leave, but I couldn't just ignore the damage. I had caused it, after all.
"Sir!" I reached out and grabbed his sleeves. "I'll pay for it. Could you leave me a number? You can send me the bill, and I'll transfer the money."
He scoffed, his eyes raking over me with disdain. "It costs about 2,000 or 3,000. Are you sure you can afford me?"
"I know it's around 2,000 or 3,000," I mumbled, "but that's okay. I'll pay in installments, if that's alright? Don't worry, I won't go back on my word."
He looked at me for a moment, then recited a number, which I hastily saved.
"I'll wait for your message."
"Hmm." He replied coolly, then turned to go. Meanwhile, I stared at the stroller, realizing the wheel was bent and wouldn't budge.
"Uh, sir, could you help me a bit?" I asked, trying my luck. "The wheel's damaged, and I can't push it."
The man frowned, but he stepped back toward me.
He looked down at the stroller's wheel, thought for a moment, then glanced up at me.
"Take the child out. I'll give it a try."
I scooped up my sniffling daughter, soothing her with gentle pats. Then, I watched in surprise as he effortlessly squatted down, gripped the stroller's wheel, and popped it back into place.
I stared, wide-eyed. How strong was he? He made it look so easy.
"Thank you so much!" I said, delighted, and hurried to pick up the scattered items. But with my daughter in my arms, I'd grab the bottle only to drop the keys, pick up the tissues only for the bag to slip from my grasp.
Maybe he got fed up watching me struggle, because the man ended up helping me gather everything.
I noticed he glanced at my daughter several times; he seemed to like children.
And in that moment, a thought sparked in my mind—a flash of recognition. I suddenly remembered why he looked so familiar.
He was Leroy Tucker!
A billionaire on the Pantheon Billionaires List!
He was already at the pinnacle of society, with anything he could ever want at his fingertips. But little was known about his personal life. The only detail I had was from my doctor friend, who once mentioned that he had almost no fertility.
She'd also told me I had an exceptionally high fertility rate, so if it were me, I might actually be able to have a child with Leroy.
Could he be the father of my twins?
The idea flashed through my mind, but I immediately dismissed it. What was I even thinking? A man of his status would never deposit sperm in a public bank.
Even if he had, there's no way I would have been able to buy it for just 3,000 dollars.
Chapter 2 Daddy
Belle's POV:
After gathering up all the scattered items, Leroy gently patted my daughter's head. His movements were practiced, almost as if he was used to caring for children. I couldn't help but ask, "Do you have a child around her age?"
"No," Leroy replied, looking a bit surprised, but he still answered me.
His words brought a flicker of sympathy to my eyes. It seemed the rumors were true; he couldn't have children.
Thankfully, I had my two precious little ones. Holding my daughter tightly in my arms, I felt a surge of gratitude.
"What's wrong with her?" Leroy asked.
"She has a fever. I was just on my way to take her to the hospital."
"Let me drive you," Leroy said, frowning slightly.
I shook my head. "That's really not necessary. It's just a short walk."
"She's running a fever. You shouldn't waste time." His face darkened. "Do you have any idea how lucky you are to have a child?"
"Of course I do, but really, I don't want to bother you ... "
"Get in," Leroy ordered, already holding open the back door of his car.
I hesitated for a moment, realizing that there was no point in arguing with him.
He spoke with a tone of authority, leaving no room for refusal.
So I climbed into the car with Moona in my arms.
The car sped toward the hospital.
"Her fever's up to 102.6°F—there's a risk it could turn into pneumonia!"
The doctor adjusted his glasses, looking back and forth between me and Leroy.
"How can you as the parents be so careless? Aren't you worried about the damage a high fever could cause?"
"Wait, doctor, we're not ... "
"Enough with the excuses. Parents today are so irresponsible, always absorbed in their own lives!"
"No, what I mean is, we're ... "
"Stop standing around and go pay the fees," the doctor said, ignoring me and handing the bill to Leroy. "The child needs to be admitted for treatment. How can you just stand there as the father?"
"Oh, no, that's not ... " I turned to Leroy, about to explain, but he was already walking briskly away with the bill in hand, his face unreadable.
"Doctor, you misunderstood," I finally managed to say. "He's not my child's father!"
The doctor's voice was sharp with disapproval. "You young people are all alike. Here you are in the hospital, still bickering. If your relationship is over, then end it. But at least acknowledge that this child is yours, your own flesh and blood! They're the spitting image of you both."
I gaped at him.
Before long, Moona was admitted to the pediatric ward, and a nurse came in with a cart full of supplies to set up her IV.
"Waa!" Moona took one look at the equipment and started wailing. She was terrified of needles.
"No, Mommy, it hurts! Moona doesn't want it!"
"Shh, shh," I held her tightly. "Moona is sick. How else will you get better if you don't take the medicine?
"Mommy's here. It'll be over soon. Be a good girl and don't cry."
As I struggled to comfort my daughter, I glanced around and realized that Leroy was gone.
I figured he must have left by now.
To be honest, I'd gotten used to this kind of chaos. When I first had the twins, I would have been overwhelmed by it, but now it was just part of life.
"Don't cry, sweetheart," the nurse said gently, holding the shiny IV tube with a drop of medicine glistening on the tip of the needle. "I will do it very slowly. It won't hurt at all!"
Moona's cries grew louder; she knew better than to believe the nurse's lie.
How could a needle not hurt?
"Mommy, no needle, it hurts! Moona doesn't want it, waah!"
"Give this to her."
A shadow fell over me, and suddenly a lollipop shaped like a little bunny appeared in front of us.
I looked up in surprise and saw that Leroy had returned.
Apparently, he hadn't left earlier; he'd gone out to buy a lollipop.
"Oh ... thank you." I hesitated but accepted the gesture, as Moona's little eyes lit up at the sight of the cartoon bunny candy. She pouted and sniffled, but she stopped crying.
"Candy, I want bunny candy," she said.
She reached out her chubby little hand to grab the lollipop, immediately popping it into her mouth.
The nurse took the opportunity to quickly insert the IV needle into her little hand.
With the lollipop in her mouth, Moona only whimpered a little and then calmed down.
"Looks like Daddy knows how to handle things," the nurse smiled. "He got the baby to settle down right away."
My face flushed bright red.
"He isn't ... "
Before I could finish, the nurse had already wheeled her cart out of the room.
I glanced up at Leroy, feeling embarrassed. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."
"It's fine," Leroy replied, his face expressionless.
His deep, dark eyes were fixed on Moona, who was contentedly licking her lollipop.
"I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time," I said softly. "I really appreciate your help, and about the hospital fees ... let me know the amount, and I'll transfer it to you later."
"Don't worry about it," Leroy said, glancing at his watch. "I have other things to attend to, so I'll be going now."
Just as Leroy turned to leave, Moona's tiny voice piped up from the hospital bed, "Da-ddy?"
Chapter 3 They Look So Much Alike
Belle's POV:
Both Leroy and I froze in shock, and then I felt his sharp gaze fix on my face.
He must think I'm trying to use my child to get close to him.
"Mr. Tucker, please don't misunderstand," I rushed to explain. "She's probably just been watching too many cartoons."
Leroy let out a soft scoff, clearly about to say something, but Moona interrupted him.
My daughter gazed up at him, her eyes sparkling, and reached out her chubby little hands. "I want Daddy to hold me. Daddy smells so nice."
Leroy froze, and I stammered, "She's just babbling ... please don't take it seriously!"
A nearby nurse looked at us in bewilderment. "You two are strange. The child wants her daddy to hold her, and you're both refusing?"
"No, it's not ... " I started to explain, but Leroy had already leaned down. "I'll hold her."
I stood there, dumbfounded, as I watched Leroy carefully lift Moona into his arms and sit down on the edge of the hospital bed with her.
Moona's little hands clutched tightly to Leroy's black shirt, her face filled with contentment.
Normally, Moona was clingy only with me. This was the first time I'd ever seen her so attached to a stranger. Could it be that my little girl has a thing for handsome men?
I lowered my head and murmured, "Mr. Tucker, I'm really sorry for all the trouble. She's not usually this affectionate ... "
Leroy sat on the edge of the bed, holding Moona, his head down as he gazed intently at the little one in his arms.
"My name is Moona Harmon," she said, snuggling against him, her long lashes still wet with tears. "Daddy, you're as handsome as my brother!"
Leroy looked taken aback.
I quickly explained, "Oh! I often tell her at home that her brother is handsome and she's pretty, so she remembers it. Whenever she sees a boy she likes, she says he looks like her brother."
"You have a son, too?" Leroy looked up at me for the first time. "How old is he?"
"He's the same age as her—eighteen months," I said with a happy smile. "They're twins, a boy and a girl."
"That's wonderful," Leroy said, smiling slightly. Then he added, "You and your husband must be very happy."
I lowered my gaze, biting my lip slightly. "The children don't have a father."
Leroy raised an eyebrow, smirking. "What, did you reproduce asexually?"
Not wanting him to ask further questions, I said, "I was already separated when I got pregnant, so the children aren't related to him."
"Well." Leroy nodded, seeming to drop the topic.
"Um ... " I changed the subject. "Mr. Tucker, it's almost one o'clock now. You haven't eaten lunch yet. How about I order some takeout?"
"Just get something for yourself," Leroy said in his low, pleasant voice. "I won't be staying to eat."
"Fine, forget it," I said. "I'll take the child now. You can head home. I really appreciate your help today."
Leroy didn't hesitate. He gently passed Moona back to me.
Moona had finally fallen asleep, no longer clinging to Leroy. As I watched him walk away, I felt an inexplicable sense of relief; being around him made me a bit tense.
We'd exchanged contact information, but I hadn't expected that just a short while later, I would receive a message from him.
"I ordered lunch for you. Wait for it to arrive."
I held my phone, frowning slightly. His thoughtfulness was almost too much, bringing up some unpleasant memories.
After some thought, I typed a quick reply. "Thank you."
Before long, someone arrived with a lunchbox.
But the person who brought it wasn't a typical delivery worker—it was a man in his thirties, dressed in a navy suit and neatly tied tie. He didn't look like he was here to deliver food.
He had an ID badge around his neck, though he'd tucked it into his jacket pocket.
"Ms. Harmon?" The man smiled professionally. "I'm here to deliver your lunch."
"Thank you," I said, my curiosity piqued. "Where is your restaurant located? You seem very professional."
The man didn't answer directly. Instead, he opened the lunchbox efficiently and laid out four dishes and a soup.
One of the dishes was shrimp egg custard, clearly prepared specifically for a child.
"Sir," I said, startled, "this must have been expensive, right?"
"Not at all. Just some simple home-style dishes," the man replied with a smile. "They're here for you and your child. Enjoy them while they're hot."
As he spoke, he glanced at Moona lying on the hospital bed, her big eyes blinking at him. He muttered under his breath, "They look so much alike ... "
Then he packed up the empty lunchbox, nodded politely, and left.
I turned back to look at my daughter.
They look so much alike ...
Of course my daughter looked like me!
My son and daughter must have inherited the best features from both parents. They were adorable no matter how I looked at them.
I should be grateful to the man I'd never met who'd given me such wonderful babies.
But if I'd known what lay ahead, I would never have felt gratitude toward that man ...
😍💕👇Free reading now......👇😍💕
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Chapter 1 The Beginning
Belle's POV:
I'm Belle Harmon, a 20-year-old with a loving older sister and an adoring boyfriend. While I grew up without parents, my sister has always been there for me. And now, after a whirlwind three-month romance, my boyfriend proposed, saying that marrying me would be the best thing he's ever done.
I thought I was going to be a happy bride, filled with the excitement of our wedding and dreams of a sweet life together. However, my world came crashing down on our wedding night when I discovered my groom was gay.
To make matters even worse, he and his boyfriend raped me.
He raped me twice, and his boyfriend three times.
I had cried myself empty, my body wracked with sobs and pain.
"Belle, you need to get pregnant with our child soon," said Henry, my so-called husband. "Give us two children, and I'll set you free."
"Why? If you want children, you could pay for an egg donor or use a surrogate!"
I was lost and confused. He could have achieved his goal without destroying me. I had dreamed of marriage and having my own children. But now, those dreams were shattered.
"That's too expensive," Henry sneered, his eyes filled with disgust. "You're just a free tool."
"Exactly. Disgusting as it may be, you can still bear children," his boyfriend added, "so we'll just have to see if you get pregnant."
"You're monsters! Both of you!"
I screamed, but my words were met with silence. They held me captive, confiscating my phone and any means of communication. I was trapped in that room, barely kept alive with meager rations of food and water. Escaping is an impossible dream.
A month later, I took a pregnancy test. It was negative.
Their fury was palpable, but instead of physical violence, they resorted to a crueler tactic. They meticulously calculated my ovulation cycle, planning to repeatedly violate me.
I feigned submission, playing the role of the obedient captive, even cooperating during my fertile days.
This lulled them into a false sense of security, and I seized my chance. While they were preoccupied with each other, I escaped.
Battered, bruised, and carrying the evidence of their assaults within me, I went to the police. But justice was not served.
Henry, wielding his wealth, hired a formidable lawyer who skillfully twisted my accusations into a mere "marital discord." The legal system failed me; all I received was a divorce.
After receiving the divorce certificate, I fled that very night, afraid they'd retaliate. I prayed that Henry and his boyfriend would never be able to have children.
Thankfully, my prayer was answered—I still wasn't pregnant.
The relief was overwhelming; I couldn't bear the thought of carrying their child.
I settled in a city called Alabaster, but I couldn't start a new life. I was haunted by nightmares, unable to interact with people normally. Just seeing men made me shake with fear, except when it came to my sister and brother-in-law.
When I had initially pressed charges against Henry, my sister had poured her life savings into my case. After the devastating loss, she brought me to Alabaster to help me escape. She and her husband ran a small clothing factory there. However, her husband resented her for spending their savings, forcing her to work tirelessly to repay the debt, leaving her little time to care for me.
Concerned about my well-being, she suggested, "Don't you always love children? Maybe you could consider having a baby through IVF. I heard Alabaster has a reputable sperm bank."
"Alright, I'll think about it."
The truth was, I'd always adored children. Their presence brought me joy, a sense of light, and life. My sister's suggestion resonated with me; I wanted to move forward and ease her worries.
In the year since arriving in Alabaster, I had slowly begun to heal. Nightmares still surfaced occasionally, but they no longer consumed my days. I started to rebuild my life, working diligently and saving every penny. With newfound determination, I carefully selected a donor from a reputable sperm bank. The doctor there was incredibly kind, and we developed a genuine friendship. With her support, I successfully conceived.
She assured me I'd made a good choice. The sperm bank catered to many affluent individuals, some storing sperm for preservation, others contributing to infertility research.
But those details were irrelevant to me. All that mattered was the donor's excellent genetic profile and the incredible news that I was expecting twins.
I rented a live-work space, with a small storefront on the first floor and my living quarters upstairs. I converted the ground floor into a little bakery called Sweetheart Bakery.
With my baking skills, I was confident I could provide a secure future for myself and my babies.
In the blink of an eye, two years had passed, and my twins were now a year and a half old.
My son is named Sunny Harmon, and my daughter is named Moona Harmon.
The two little ones were starting to talk and take their first steps, absolutely adorable. Their presence filled my once-dark life with sunlight, helping me leave the pain of the past behind.
Until today, when my daughter came down with a fever.
"Erin Johnson," I said to the nanny, "Moona has a slight fever. Can you watch Sunny while I take her to the hospital?"
"Be careful," Erin said. "It's rush hour now, so the roads are crowded."
"No worries," I replied, settling my daughter into the stroller. "The hospital isn't far. I'll just take it slow."
I temporarily closed the bakery downstairs and set off with the stroller.
To reach the hospital, I had to cross a busy intersection.
The area was packed, with schools, a residential community, and the hospital all nearby.
Clunk!
While turning a corner, I accidentally bumped the stroller into the back of a slowly moving car.
The stroller tipped over, and the cloth bag in the storage basket fell to the ground.
Keys, my phone, tissues, a bottle, diapers ... all scattered everywhere.
"Waaa!" Startled, Moona opened her mouth and started crying.
Flustered, I tried to soothe her while bending down to gather everything off the ground.
"What, are you using your child to stage an accident?"
A cold, low voice spoke, and I noticed a pair of shiny black leather shoes next to me.
Looking up from the shoes, I saw long, straight legs in tailored black dress pants.
Above them was an exquisite black suit jacket, and underneath it, a man who looked to be about 30.
His features were striking, his gaze deep and cold like stars on a winter night.
And yet ... those eyes seemed strangely familiar.
The man radiated an aura of authority as he moved closer, his aloof elegance sending chills down my spine.
That's when I noticed I had bumped into the back of a luxury Bentley Continental.
The bumper had a nasty scrape, with a chunk of paint peeling off miserably.
This damage would easily cost 2,000 or 3,000 dollars to repair.
"Uh ... "
I started to panic, sweat forming on my forehead. I barely even noticed the scattered items on the ground.
Even Moona's cries from the stroller couldn't pull my attention away.
"I'm sorry, sir. It was an accident—I didn't mean to. Please tell me how I can make this right."
The man frowned, his well-defined brows furrowing, looking annoyed.
"Forget it. I don't have time to deal with this."
He turned to leave, but I couldn't just ignore the damage. I had caused it, after all.
"Sir!" I reached out and grabbed his sleeves. "I'll pay for it. Could you leave me a number? You can send me the bill, and I'll transfer the money."
He scoffed, his eyes raking over me with disdain. "It costs about 2,000 or 3,000. Are you sure you can afford me?"
"I know it's around 2,000 or 3,000," I mumbled, "but that's okay. I'll pay in installments, if that's alright? Don't worry, I won't go back on my word."
He looked at me for a moment, then recited a number, which I hastily saved.
"I'll wait for your message."
"Hmm." He replied coolly, then turned to go. Meanwhile, I stared at the stroller, realizing the wheel was bent and wouldn't budge.
"Uh, sir, could you help me a bit?" I asked, trying my luck. "The wheel's damaged, and I can't push it."
The man frowned, but he stepped back toward me.
He looked down at the stroller's wheel, thought for a moment, then glanced up at me.
"Take the child out. I'll give it a try."
I scooped up my sniffling daughter, soothing her with gentle pats. Then, I watched in surprise as he effortlessly squatted down, gripped the stroller's wheel, and popped it back into place.
I stared, wide-eyed. How strong was he? He made it look so easy.
"Thank you so much!" I said, delighted, and hurried to pick up the scattered items. But with my daughter in my arms, I'd grab the bottle only to drop the keys, pick up the tissues only for the bag to slip from my grasp.
Maybe he got fed up watching me struggle, because the man ended up helping me gather everything.
I noticed he glanced at my daughter several times; he seemed to like children.
And in that moment, a thought sparked in my mind—a flash of recognition. I suddenly remembered why he looked so familiar.
He was Leroy Tucker!
A billionaire on the Pantheon Billionaires List!
He was already at the pinnacle of society, with anything he could ever want at his fingertips. But little was known about his personal life. The only detail I had was from my doctor friend, who once mentioned that he had almost no fertility.
She'd also told me I had an exceptionally high fertility rate, so if it were me, I might actually be able to have a child with Leroy.
Could he be the father of my twins?
The idea flashed through my mind, but I immediately dismissed it. What was I even thinking? A man of his status would never deposit sperm in a public bank.
Even if he had, there's no way I would have been able to buy it for just 3,000 dollars.
Chapter 2 Daddy
Belle's POV:
After gathering up all the scattered items, Leroy gently patted my daughter's head. His movements were practiced, almost as if he was used to caring for children. I couldn't help but ask, "Do you have a child around her age?"
"No," Leroy replied, looking a bit surprised, but he still answered me.
His words brought a flicker of sympathy to my eyes. It seemed the rumors were true; he couldn't have children.
Thankfully, I had my two precious little ones. Holding my daughter tightly in my arms, I felt a surge of gratitude.
"What's wrong with her?" Leroy asked.
"She has a fever. I was just on my way to take her to the hospital."
"Let me drive you," Leroy said, frowning slightly.
I shook my head. "That's really not necessary. It's just a short walk."
"She's running a fever. You shouldn't waste time." His face darkened. "Do you have any idea how lucky you are to have a child?"
"Of course I do, but really, I don't want to bother you ... "
"Get in," Leroy ordered, already holding open the back door of his car.
I hesitated for a moment, realizing that there was no point in arguing with him.
He spoke with a tone of authority, leaving no room for refusal.
So I climbed into the car with Moona in my arms.
The car sped toward the hospital.
"Her fever's up to 102.6°F—there's a risk it could turn into pneumonia!"
The doctor adjusted his glasses, looking back and forth between me and Leroy.
"How can you as the parents be so careless? Aren't you worried about the damage a high fever could cause?"
"Wait, doctor, we're not ... "
"Enough with the excuses. Parents today are so irresponsible, always absorbed in their own lives!"
"No, what I mean is, we're ... "
"Stop standing around and go pay the fees," the doctor said, ignoring me and handing the bill to Leroy. "The child needs to be admitted for treatment. How can you just stand there as the father?"
"Oh, no, that's not ... " I turned to Leroy, about to explain, but he was already walking briskly away with the bill in hand, his face unreadable.
"Doctor, you misunderstood," I finally managed to say. "He's not my child's father!"
The doctor's voice was sharp with disapproval. "You young people are all alike. Here you are in the hospital, still bickering. If your relationship is over, then end it. But at least acknowledge that this child is yours, your own flesh and blood! They're the spitting image of you both."
I gaped at him.
Before long, Moona was admitted to the pediatric ward, and a nurse came in with a cart full of supplies to set up her IV.
"Waa!" Moona took one look at the equipment and started wailing. She was terrified of needles.
"No, Mommy, it hurts! Moona doesn't want it!"
"Shh, shh," I held her tightly. "Moona is sick. How else will you get better if you don't take the medicine?
"Mommy's here. It'll be over soon. Be a good girl and don't cry."
As I struggled to comfort my daughter, I glanced around and realized that Leroy was gone.
I figured he must have left by now.
To be honest, I'd gotten used to this kind of chaos. When I first had the twins, I would have been overwhelmed by it, but now it was just part of life.
"Don't cry, sweetheart," the nurse said gently, holding the shiny IV tube with a drop of medicine glistening on the tip of the needle. "I will do it very slowly. It won't hurt at all!"
Moona's cries grew louder; she knew better than to believe the nurse's lie.
How could a needle not hurt?
"Mommy, no needle, it hurts! Moona doesn't want it, waah!"
"Give this to her."
A shadow fell over me, and suddenly a lollipop shaped like a little bunny appeared in front of us.
I looked up in surprise and saw that Leroy had returned.
Apparently, he hadn't left earlier; he'd gone out to buy a lollipop.
"Oh ... thank you." I hesitated but accepted the gesture, as Moona's little eyes lit up at the sight of the cartoon bunny candy. She pouted and sniffled, but she stopped crying.
"Candy, I want bunny candy," she said.
She reached out her chubby little hand to grab the lollipop, immediately popping it into her mouth.
The nurse took the opportunity to quickly insert the IV needle into her little hand.
With the lollipop in her mouth, Moona only whimpered a little and then calmed down.
"Looks like Daddy knows how to handle things," the nurse smiled. "He got the baby to settle down right away."
My face flushed bright red.
"He isn't ... "
Before I could finish, the nurse had already wheeled her cart out of the room.
I glanced up at Leroy, feeling embarrassed. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."
"It's fine," Leroy replied, his face expressionless.
His deep, dark eyes were fixed on Moona, who was contentedly licking her lollipop.
"I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time," I said softly. "I really appreciate your help, and about the hospital fees ... let me know the amount, and I'll transfer it to you later."
"Don't worry about it," Leroy said, glancing at his watch. "I have other things to attend to, so I'll be going now."
Just as Leroy turned to leave, Moona's tiny voice piped up from the hospital bed, "Da-ddy?"
Chapter 3 They Look So Much Alike
Belle's POV:
Both Leroy and I froze in shock, and then I felt his sharp gaze fix on my face.
He must think I'm trying to use my child to get close to him.
"Mr. Tucker, please don't misunderstand," I rushed to explain. "She's probably just been watching too many cartoons."
Leroy let out a soft scoff, clearly about to say something, but Moona interrupted him.
My daughter gazed up at him, her eyes sparkling, and reached out her chubby little hands. "I want Daddy to hold me. Daddy smells so nice."
Leroy froze, and I stammered, "She's just babbling ... please don't take it seriously!"
A nearby nurse looked at us in bewilderment. "You two are strange. The child wants her daddy to hold her, and you're both refusing?"
"No, it's not ... " I started to explain, but Leroy had already leaned down. "I'll hold her."
I stood there, dumbfounded, as I watched Leroy carefully lift Moona into his arms and sit down on the edge of the hospital bed with her.
Moona's little hands clutched tightly to Leroy's black shirt, her face filled with contentment.
Normally, Moona was clingy only with me. This was the first time I'd ever seen her so attached to a stranger. Could it be that my little girl has a thing for handsome men?
I lowered my head and murmured, "Mr. Tucker, I'm really sorry for all the trouble. She's not usually this affectionate ... "
Leroy sat on the edge of the bed, holding Moona, his head down as he gazed intently at the little one in his arms.
"My name is Moona Harmon," she said, snuggling against him, her long lashes still wet with tears. "Daddy, you're as handsome as my brother!"
Leroy looked taken aback.
I quickly explained, "Oh! I often tell her at home that her brother is handsome and she's pretty, so she remembers it. Whenever she sees a boy she likes, she says he looks like her brother."
"You have a son, too?" Leroy looked up at me for the first time. "How old is he?"
"He's the same age as her—eighteen months," I said with a happy smile. "They're twins, a boy and a girl."
"That's wonderful," Leroy said, smiling slightly. Then he added, "You and your husband must be very happy."
I lowered my gaze, biting my lip slightly. "The children don't have a father."
Leroy raised an eyebrow, smirking. "What, did you reproduce asexually?"
Not wanting him to ask further questions, I said, "I was already separated when I got pregnant, so the children aren't related to him."
"Well." Leroy nodded, seeming to drop the topic.
"Um ... " I changed the subject. "Mr. Tucker, it's almost one o'clock now. You haven't eaten lunch yet. How about I order some takeout?"
"Just get something for yourself," Leroy said in his low, pleasant voice. "I won't be staying to eat."
"Fine, forget it," I said. "I'll take the child now. You can head home. I really appreciate your help today."
Leroy didn't hesitate. He gently passed Moona back to me.
Moona had finally fallen asleep, no longer clinging to Leroy. As I watched him walk away, I felt an inexplicable sense of relief; being around him made me a bit tense.
We'd exchanged contact information, but I hadn't expected that just a short while later, I would receive a message from him.
"I ordered lunch for you. Wait for it to arrive."
I held my phone, frowning slightly. His thoughtfulness was almost too much, bringing up some unpleasant memories.
After some thought, I typed a quick reply. "Thank you."
Before long, someone arrived with a lunchbox.
But the person who brought it wasn't a typical delivery worker—it was a man in his thirties, dressed in a navy suit and neatly tied tie. He didn't look like he was here to deliver food.
He had an ID badge around his neck, though he'd tucked it into his jacket pocket.
"Ms. Harmon?" The man smiled professionally. "I'm here to deliver your lunch."
"Thank you," I said, my curiosity piqued. "Where is your restaurant located? You seem very professional."
The man didn't answer directly. Instead, he opened the lunchbox efficiently and laid out four dishes and a soup.
One of the dishes was shrimp egg custard, clearly prepared specifically for a child.
"Sir," I said, startled, "this must have been expensive, right?"
"Not at all. Just some simple home-style dishes," the man replied with a smile. "They're here for you and your child. Enjoy them while they're hot."
As he spoke, he glanced at Moona lying on the hospital bed, her big eyes blinking at him. He muttered under his breath, "They look so much alike ... "
Then he packed up the empty lunchbox, nodded politely, and left.
I turned back to look at my daughter.
They look so much alike ...
Of course my daughter looked like me!
My son and daughter must have inherited the best features from both parents. They were adorable no matter how I looked at them.
I should be grateful to the man I'd never met who'd given me such wonderful babies.
But if I'd known what lay ahead, I would never have felt gratitude toward that man ...
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00:08
Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
🔥I heard his whisper, "What the hell...I smell the scent of my cubs..."😍💕
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Chapter 1 The Beginning
Belle's POV:
I'm Belle Harmon, a 20-year-old with a loving older sister and an adoring boyfriend. While I grew up without parents, my sister has always been there for me. And now, after a whirlwind three-month romance, my boyfriend proposed, saying that marrying me would be the best thing he's ever done.
I thought I was going to be a happy bride, filled with the excitement of our wedding and dreams of a sweet life together. However, my world came crashing down on our wedding night when I discovered my groom was gay.
To make matters even worse, he and his boyfriend raped me.
He raped me twice, and his boyfriend three times.
I had cried myself empty, my body wracked with sobs and pain.
"Belle, you need to get pregnant with our child soon," said Henry, my so-called husband. "Give us two children, and I'll set you free."
"Why? If you want children, you could pay for an egg donor or use a surrogate!"
I was lost and confused. He could have achieved his goal without destroying me. I had dreamed of marriage and having my own children. But now, those dreams were shattered.
"That's too expensive," Henry sneered, his eyes filled with disgust. "You're just a free tool."
"Exactly. Disgusting as it may be, you can still bear children," his boyfriend added, "so we'll just have to see if you get pregnant."
"You're monsters! Both of you!"
I screamed, but my words were met with silence. They held me captive, confiscating my phone and any means of communication. I was trapped in that room, barely kept alive with meager rations of food and water. Escaping is an impossible dream.
A month later, I took a pregnancy test. It was negative.
Their fury was palpable, but instead of physical violence, they resorted to a crueler tactic. They meticulously calculated my ovulation cycle, planning to repeatedly violate me.
I feigned submission, playing the role of the obedient captive, even cooperating during my fertile days.
This lulled them into a false sense of security, and I seized my chance. While they were preoccupied with each other, I escaped.
Battered, bruised, and carrying the evidence of their assaults within me, I went to the police. But justice was not served.
Henry, wielding his wealth, hired a formidable lawyer who skillfully twisted my accusations into a mere "marital discord." The legal system failed me; all I received was a divorce.
After receiving the divorce certificate, I fled that very night, afraid they'd retaliate. I prayed that Henry and his boyfriend would never be able to have children.
Thankfully, my prayer was answered—I still wasn't pregnant.
The relief was overwhelming; I couldn't bear the thought of carrying their child.
I settled in a city called Alabaster, but I couldn't start a new life. I was haunted by nightmares, unable to interact with people normally. Just seeing men made me shake with fear, except when it came to my sister and brother-in-law.
When I had initially pressed charges against Henry, my sister had poured her life savings into my case. After the devastating loss, she brought me to Alabaster to help me escape. She and her husband ran a small clothing factory there. However, her husband resented her for spending their savings, forcing her to work tirelessly to repay the debt, leaving her little time to care for me.
Concerned about my well-being, she suggested, "Don't you always love children? Maybe you could consider having a baby through IVF. I heard Alabaster has a reputable sperm bank."
"Alright, I'll think about it."
The truth was, I'd always adored children. Their presence brought me joy, a sense of light, and life. My sister's suggestion resonated with me; I wanted to move forward and ease her worries.
In the year since arriving in Alabaster, I had slowly begun to heal. Nightmares still surfaced occasionally, but they no longer consumed my days. I started to rebuild my life, working diligently and saving every penny. With newfound determination, I carefully selected a donor from a reputable sperm bank. The doctor there was incredibly kind, and we developed a genuine friendship. With her support, I successfully conceived.
She assured me I'd made a good choice. The sperm bank catered to many affluent individuals, some storing sperm for preservation, others contributing to infertility research.
But those details were irrelevant to me. All that mattered was the donor's excellent genetic profile and the incredible news that I was expecting twins.
I rented a live-work space, with a small storefront on the first floor and my living quarters upstairs. I converted the ground floor into a little bakery called Sweetheart Bakery.
With my baking skills, I was confident I could provide a secure future for myself and my babies.
In the blink of an eye, two years had passed, and my twins were now a year and a half old.
My son is named Sunny Harmon, and my daughter is named Moona Harmon.
The two little ones were starting to talk and take their first steps, absolutely adorable. Their presence filled my once-dark life with sunlight, helping me leave the pain of the past behind.
Until today, when my daughter came down with a fever.
"Erin Johnson," I said to the nanny, "Moona has a slight fever. Can you watch Sunny while I take her to the hospital?"
"Be careful," Erin said. "It's rush hour now, so the roads are crowded."
"No worries," I replied, settling my daughter into the stroller. "The hospital isn't far. I'll just take it slow."
I temporarily closed the bakery downstairs and set off with the stroller.
To reach the hospital, I had to cross a busy intersection.
The area was packed, with schools, a residential community, and the hospital all nearby.
Clunk!
While turning a corner, I accidentally bumped the stroller into the back of a slowly moving car.
The stroller tipped over, and the cloth bag in the storage basket fell to the ground.
Keys, my phone, tissues, a bottle, diapers ... all scattered everywhere.
"Waaa!" Startled, Moona opened her mouth and started crying.
Flustered, I tried to soothe her while bending down to gather everything off the ground.
"What, are you using your child to stage an accident?"
A cold, low voice spoke, and I noticed a pair of shiny black leather shoes next to me.
Looking up from the shoes, I saw long, straight legs in tailored black dress pants.
Above them was an exquisite black suit jacket, and underneath it, a man who looked to be about 30.
His features were striking, his gaze deep and cold like stars on a winter night.
And yet ... those eyes seemed strangely familiar.
The man radiated an aura of authority as he moved closer, his aloof elegance sending chills down my spine.
That's when I noticed I had bumped into the back of a luxury Bentley Continental.
The bumper had a nasty scrape, with a chunk of paint peeling off miserably.
This damage would easily cost 2,000 or 3,000 dollars to repair.
"Uh ... "
I started to panic, sweat forming on my forehead. I barely even noticed the scattered items on the ground.
Even Moona's cries from the stroller couldn't pull my attention away.
"I'm sorry, sir. It was an accident—I didn't mean to. Please tell me how I can make this right."
The man frowned, his well-defined brows furrowing, looking annoyed.
"Forget it. I don't have time to deal with this."
He turned to leave, but I couldn't just ignore the damage. I had caused it, after all.
"Sir!" I reached out and grabbed his sleeves. "I'll pay for it. Could you leave me a number? You can send me the bill, and I'll transfer the money."
He scoffed, his eyes raking over me with disdain. "It costs about 2,000 or 3,000. Are you sure you can afford me?"
"I know it's around 2,000 or 3,000," I mumbled, "but that's okay. I'll pay in installments, if that's alright? Don't worry, I won't go back on my word."
He looked at me for a moment, then recited a number, which I hastily saved.
"I'll wait for your message."
"Hmm." He replied coolly, then turned to go. Meanwhile, I stared at the stroller, realizing the wheel was bent and wouldn't budge.
"Uh, sir, could you help me a bit?" I asked, trying my luck. "The wheel's damaged, and I can't push it."
The man frowned, but he stepped back toward me.
He looked down at the stroller's wheel, thought for a moment, then glanced up at me.
"Take the child out. I'll give it a try."
I scooped up my sniffling daughter, soothing her with gentle pats. Then, I watched in surprise as he effortlessly squatted down, gripped the stroller's wheel, and popped it back into place.
I stared, wide-eyed. How strong was he? He made it look so easy.
"Thank you so much!" I said, delighted, and hurried to pick up the scattered items. But with my daughter in my arms, I'd grab the bottle only to drop the keys, pick up the tissues only for the bag to slip from my grasp.
Maybe he got fed up watching me struggle, because the man ended up helping me gather everything.
I noticed he glanced at my daughter several times; he seemed to like children.
And in that moment, a thought sparked in my mind—a flash of recognition. I suddenly remembered why he looked so familiar.
He was Leroy Tucker!
A billionaire on the Pantheon Billionaires List!
He was already at the pinnacle of society, with anything he could ever want at his fingertips. But little was known about his personal life. The only detail I had was from my doctor friend, who once mentioned that he had almost no fertility.
She'd also told me I had an exceptionally high fertility rate, so if it were me, I might actually be able to have a child with Leroy.
Could he be the father of my twins?
The idea flashed through my mind, but I immediately dismissed it. What was I even thinking? A man of his status would never deposit sperm in a public bank.
Even if he had, there's no way I would have been able to buy it for just 3,000 dollars.
Chapter 2 Daddy
Belle's POV:
After gathering up all the scattered items, Leroy gently patted my daughter's head. His movements were practiced, almost as if he was used to caring for children. I couldn't help but ask, "Do you have a child around her age?"
"No," Leroy replied, looking a bit surprised, but he still answered me.
His words brought a flicker of sympathy to my eyes. It seemed the rumors were true; he couldn't have children.
Thankfully, I had my two precious little ones. Holding my daughter tightly in my arms, I felt a surge of gratitude.
"What's wrong with her?" Leroy asked.
"She has a fever. I was just on my way to take her to the hospital."
"Let me drive you," Leroy said, frowning slightly.
I shook my head. "That's really not necessary. It's just a short walk."
"She's running a fever. You shouldn't waste time." His face darkened. "Do you have any idea how lucky you are to have a child?"
"Of course I do, but really, I don't want to bother you ... "
"Get in," Leroy ordered, already holding open the back door of his car.
I hesitated for a moment, realizing that there was no point in arguing with him.
He spoke with a tone of authority, leaving no room for refusal.
So I climbed into the car with Moona in my arms.
The car sped toward the hospital.
"Her fever's up to 102.6°F—there's a risk it could turn into pneumonia!"
The doctor adjusted his glasses, looking back and forth between me and Leroy.
"How can you as the parents be so careless? Aren't you worried about the damage a high fever could cause?"
"Wait, doctor, we're not ... "
"Enough with the excuses. Parents today are so irresponsible, always absorbed in their own lives!"
"No, what I mean is, we're ... "
"Stop standing around and go pay the fees," the doctor said, ignoring me and handing the bill to Leroy. "The child needs to be admitted for treatment. How can you just stand there as the father?"
"Oh, no, that's not ... " I turned to Leroy, about to explain, but he was already walking briskly away with the bill in hand, his face unreadable.
"Doctor, you misunderstood," I finally managed to say. "He's not my child's father!"
The doctor's voice was sharp with disapproval. "You young people are all alike. Here you are in the hospital, still bickering. If your relationship is over, then end it. But at least acknowledge that this child is yours, your own flesh and blood! They're the spitting image of you both."
I gaped at him.
Before long, Moona was admitted to the pediatric ward, and a nurse came in with a cart full of supplies to set up her IV.
"Waa!" Moona took one look at the equipment and started wailing. She was terrified of needles.
"No, Mommy, it hurts! Moona doesn't want it!"
"Shh, shh," I held her tightly. "Moona is sick. How else will you get better if you don't take the medicine?
"Mommy's here. It'll be over soon. Be a good girl and don't cry."
As I struggled to comfort my daughter, I glanced around and realized that Leroy was gone.
I figured he must have left by now.
To be honest, I'd gotten used to this kind of chaos. When I first had the twins, I would have been overwhelmed by it, but now it was just part of life.
"Don't cry, sweetheart," the nurse said gently, holding the shiny IV tube with a drop of medicine glistening on the tip of the needle. "I will do it very slowly. It won't hurt at all!"
Moona's cries grew louder; she knew better than to believe the nurse's lie.
How could a needle not hurt?
"Mommy, no needle, it hurts! Moona doesn't want it, waah!"
"Give this to her."
A shadow fell over me, and suddenly a lollipop shaped like a little bunny appeared in front of us.
I looked up in surprise and saw that Leroy had returned.
Apparently, he hadn't left earlier; he'd gone out to buy a lollipop.
"Oh ... thank you." I hesitated but accepted the gesture, as Moona's little eyes lit up at the sight of the cartoon bunny candy. She pouted and sniffled, but she stopped crying.
"Candy, I want bunny candy," she said.
She reached out her chubby little hand to grab the lollipop, immediately popping it into her mouth.
The nurse took the opportunity to quickly insert the IV needle into her little hand.
With the lollipop in her mouth, Moona only whimpered a little and then calmed down.
"Looks like Daddy knows how to handle things," the nurse smiled. "He got the baby to settle down right away."
My face flushed bright red.
"He isn't ... "
Before I could finish, the nurse had already wheeled her cart out of the room.
I glanced up at Leroy, feeling embarrassed. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."
"It's fine," Leroy replied, his face expressionless.
His deep, dark eyes were fixed on Moona, who was contentedly licking her lollipop.
"I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time," I said softly. "I really appreciate your help, and about the hospital fees ... let me know the amount, and I'll transfer it to you later."
"Don't worry about it," Leroy said, glancing at his watch. "I have other things to attend to, so I'll be going now."
Just as Leroy turned to leave, Moona's tiny voice piped up from the hospital bed, "Da-ddy?"
Chapter 3 They Look So Much Alike
Belle's POV:
Both Leroy and I froze in shock, and then I felt his sharp gaze fix on my face.
He must think I'm trying to use my child to get close to him.
"Mr. Tucker, please don't misunderstand," I rushed to explain. "She's probably just been watching too many cartoons."
Leroy let out a soft scoff, clearly about to say something, but Moona interrupted him.
My daughter gazed up at him, her eyes sparkling, and reached out her chubby little hands. "I want Daddy to hold me. Daddy smells so nice."
Leroy froze, and I stammered, "She's just babbling ... please don't take it seriously!"
A nearby nurse looked at us in bewilderment. "You two are strange. The child wants her daddy to hold her, and you're both refusing?"
"No, it's not ... " I started to explain, but Leroy had already leaned down. "I'll hold her."
I stood there, dumbfounded, as I watched Leroy carefully lift Moona into his arms and sit down on the edge of the hospital bed with her.
Moona's little hands clutched tightly to Leroy's black shirt, her face filled with contentment.
Normally, Moona was clingy only with me. This was the first time I'd ever seen her so attached to a stranger. Could it be that my little girl has a thing for handsome men?
I lowered my head and murmured, "Mr. Tucker, I'm really sorry for all the trouble. She's not usually this affectionate ... "
Leroy sat on the edge of the bed, holding Moona, his head down as he gazed intently at the little one in his arms.
"My name is Moona Harmon," she said, snuggling against him, her long lashes still wet with tears. "Daddy, you're as handsome as my brother!"
Leroy looked taken aback.
I quickly explained, "Oh! I often tell her at home that her brother is handsome and she's pretty, so she remembers it. Whenever she sees a boy she likes, she says he looks like her brother."
"You have a son, too?" Leroy looked up at me for the first time. "How old is he?"
"He's the same age as her—eighteen months," I said with a happy smile. "They're twins, a boy and a girl."
"That's wonderful," Leroy said, smiling slightly. Then he added, "You and your husband must be very happy."
I lowered my gaze, biting my lip slightly. "The children don't have a father."
Leroy raised an eyebrow, smirking. "What, did you reproduce asexually?"
Not wanting him to ask further questions, I said, "I was already separated when I got pregnant, so the children aren't related to him."
"Well." Leroy nodded, seeming to drop the topic.
"Um ... " I changed the subject. "Mr. Tucker, it's almost one o'clock now. You haven't eaten lunch yet. How about I order some takeout?"
"Just get something for yourself," Leroy said in his low, pleasant voice. "I won't be staying to eat."
"Fine, forget it," I said. "I'll take the child now. You can head home. I really appreciate your help today."
Leroy didn't hesitate. He gently passed Moona back to me.
Moona had finally fallen asleep, no longer clinging to Leroy. As I watched him walk away, I felt an inexplicable sense of relief; being around him made me a bit tense.
We'd exchanged contact information, but I hadn't expected that just a short while later, I would receive a message from him.
"I ordered lunch for you. Wait for it to arrive."
I held my phone, frowning slightly. His thoughtfulness was almost too much, bringing up some unpleasant memories.
After some thought, I typed a quick reply. "Thank you."
Before long, someone arrived with a lunchbox.
But the person who brought it wasn't a typical delivery worker—it was a man in his thirties, dressed in a navy suit and neatly tied tie. He didn't look like he was here to deliver food.
He had an ID badge around his neck, though he'd tucked it into his jacket pocket.
"Ms. Harmon?" The man smiled professionally. "I'm here to deliver your lunch."
"Thank you," I said, my curiosity piqued. "Where is your restaurant located? You seem very professional."
The man didn't answer directly. Instead, he opened the lunchbox efficiently and laid out four dishes and a soup.
One of the dishes was shrimp egg custard, clearly prepared specifically for a child.
"Sir," I said, startled, "this must have been expensive, right?"
"Not at all. Just some simple home-style dishes," the man replied with a smile. "They're here for you and your child. Enjoy them while they're hot."
As he spoke, he glanced at Moona lying on the hospital bed, her big eyes blinking at him. He muttered under his breath, "They look so much alike ... "
Then he packed up the empty lunchbox, nodded politely, and left.
I turned back to look at my daughter.
They look so much alike ...
Of course my daughter looked like me!
My son and daughter must have inherited the best features from both parents. They were adorable no matter how I looked at them.
I should be grateful to the man I'd never met who'd given me such wonderful babies.
But if I'd known what lay ahead, I would never have felt gratitude toward that man ...
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Chapter 1 The Beginning
Belle's POV:
I'm Belle Harmon, a 20-year-old with a loving older sister and an adoring boyfriend. While I grew up without parents, my sister has always been there for me. And now, after a whirlwind three-month romance, my boyfriend proposed, saying that marrying me would be the best thing he's ever done.
I thought I was going to be a happy bride, filled with the excitement of our wedding and dreams of a sweet life together. However, my world came crashing down on our wedding night when I discovered my groom was gay.
To make matters even worse, he and his boyfriend raped me.
He raped me twice, and his boyfriend three times.
I had cried myself empty, my body wracked with sobs and pain.
"Belle, you need to get pregnant with our child soon," said Henry, my so-called husband. "Give us two children, and I'll set you free."
"Why? If you want children, you could pay for an egg donor or use a surrogate!"
I was lost and confused. He could have achieved his goal without destroying me. I had dreamed of marriage and having my own children. But now, those dreams were shattered.
"That's too expensive," Henry sneered, his eyes filled with disgust. "You're just a free tool."
"Exactly. Disgusting as it may be, you can still bear children," his boyfriend added, "so we'll just have to see if you get pregnant."
"You're monsters! Both of you!"
I screamed, but my words were met with silence. They held me captive, confiscating my phone and any means of communication. I was trapped in that room, barely kept alive with meager rations of food and water. Escaping is an impossible dream.
A month later, I took a pregnancy test. It was negative.
Their fury was palpable, but instead of physical violence, they resorted to a crueler tactic. They meticulously calculated my ovulation cycle, planning to repeatedly violate me.
I feigned submission, playing the role of the obedient captive, even cooperating during my fertile days.
This lulled them into a false sense of security, and I seized my chance. While they were preoccupied with each other, I escaped.
Battered, bruised, and carrying the evidence of their assaults within me, I went to the police. But justice was not served.
Henry, wielding his wealth, hired a formidable lawyer who skillfully twisted my accusations into a mere "marital discord." The legal system failed me; all I received was a divorce.
After receiving the divorce certificate, I fled that very night, afraid they'd retaliate. I prayed that Henry and his boyfriend would never be able to have children.
Thankfully, my prayer was answered—I still wasn't pregnant.
The relief was overwhelming; I couldn't bear the thought of carrying their child.
I settled in a city called Alabaster, but I couldn't start a new life. I was haunted by nightmares, unable to interact with people normally. Just seeing men made me shake with fear, except when it came to my sister and brother-in-law.
When I had initially pressed charges against Henry, my sister had poured her life savings into my case. After the devastating loss, she brought me to Alabaster to help me escape. She and her husband ran a small clothing factory there. However, her husband resented her for spending their savings, forcing her to work tirelessly to repay the debt, leaving her little time to care for me.
Concerned about my well-being, she suggested, "Don't you always love children? Maybe you could consider having a baby through IVF. I heard Alabaster has a reputable sperm bank."
"Alright, I'll think about it."
The truth was, I'd always adored children. Their presence brought me joy, a sense of light, and life. My sister's suggestion resonated with me; I wanted to move forward and ease her worries.
In the year since arriving in Alabaster, I had slowly begun to heal. Nightmares still surfaced occasionally, but they no longer consumed my days. I started to rebuild my life, working diligently and saving every penny. With newfound determination, I carefully selected a donor from a reputable sperm bank. The doctor there was incredibly kind, and we developed a genuine friendship. With her support, I successfully conceived.
She assured me I'd made a good choice. The sperm bank catered to many affluent individuals, some storing sperm for preservation, others contributing to infertility research.
But those details were irrelevant to me. All that mattered was the donor's excellent genetic profile and the incredible news that I was expecting twins.
I rented a live-work space, with a small storefront on the first floor and my living quarters upstairs. I converted the ground floor into a little bakery called Sweetheart Bakery.
With my baking skills, I was confident I could provide a secure future for myself and my babies.
In the blink of an eye, two years had passed, and my twins were now a year and a half old.
My son is named Sunny Harmon, and my daughter is named Moona Harmon.
The two little ones were starting to talk and take their first steps, absolutely adorable. Their presence filled my once-dark life with sunlight, helping me leave the pain of the past behind.
Until today, when my daughter came down with a fever.
"Erin Johnson," I said to the nanny, "Moona has a slight fever. Can you watch Sunny while I take her to the hospital?"
"Be careful," Erin said. "It's rush hour now, so the roads are crowded."
"No worries," I replied, settling my daughter into the stroller. "The hospital isn't far. I'll just take it slow."
I temporarily closed the bakery downstairs and set off with the stroller.
To reach the hospital, I had to cross a busy intersection.
The area was packed, with schools, a residential community, and the hospital all nearby.
Clunk!
While turning a corner, I accidentally bumped the stroller into the back of a slowly moving car.
The stroller tipped over, and the cloth bag in the storage basket fell to the ground.
Keys, my phone, tissues, a bottle, diapers ... all scattered everywhere.
"Waaa!" Startled, Moona opened her mouth and started crying.
Flustered, I tried to soothe her while bending down to gather everything off the ground.
"What, are you using your child to stage an accident?"
A cold, low voice spoke, and I noticed a pair of shiny black leather shoes next to me.
Looking up from the shoes, I saw long, straight legs in tailored black dress pants.
Above them was an exquisite black suit jacket, and underneath it, a man who looked to be about 30.
His features were striking, his gaze deep and cold like stars on a winter night.
And yet ... those eyes seemed strangely familiar.
The man radiated an aura of authority as he moved closer, his aloof elegance sending chills down my spine.
That's when I noticed I had bumped into the back of a luxury Bentley Continental.
The bumper had a nasty scrape, with a chunk of paint peeling off miserably.
This damage would easily cost 2,000 or 3,000 dollars to repair.
"Uh ... "
I started to panic, sweat forming on my forehead. I barely even noticed the scattered items on the ground.
Even Moona's cries from the stroller couldn't pull my attention away.
"I'm sorry, sir. It was an accident—I didn't mean to. Please tell me how I can make this right."
The man frowned, his well-defined brows furrowing, looking annoyed.
"Forget it. I don't have time to deal with this."
He turned to leave, but I couldn't just ignore the damage. I had caused it, after all.
"Sir!" I reached out and grabbed his sleeves. "I'll pay for it. Could you leave me a number? You can send me the bill, and I'll transfer the money."
He scoffed, his eyes raking over me with disdain. "It costs about 2,000 or 3,000. Are you sure you can afford me?"
"I know it's around 2,000 or 3,000," I mumbled, "but that's okay. I'll pay in installments, if that's alright? Don't worry, I won't go back on my word."
He looked at me for a moment, then recited a number, which I hastily saved.
"I'll wait for your message."
"Hmm." He replied coolly, then turned to go. Meanwhile, I stared at the stroller, realizing the wheel was bent and wouldn't budge.
"Uh, sir, could you help me a bit?" I asked, trying my luck. "The wheel's damaged, and I can't push it."
The man frowned, but he stepped back toward me.
He looked down at the stroller's wheel, thought for a moment, then glanced up at me.
"Take the child out. I'll give it a try."
I scooped up my sniffling daughter, soothing her with gentle pats. Then, I watched in surprise as he effortlessly squatted down, gripped the stroller's wheel, and popped it back into place.
I stared, wide-eyed. How strong was he? He made it look so easy.
"Thank you so much!" I said, delighted, and hurried to pick up the scattered items. But with my daughter in my arms, I'd grab the bottle only to drop the keys, pick up the tissues only for the bag to slip from my grasp.
Maybe he got fed up watching me struggle, because the man ended up helping me gather everything.
I noticed he glanced at my daughter several times; he seemed to like children.
And in that moment, a thought sparked in my mind—a flash of recognition. I suddenly remembered why he looked so familiar.
He was Leroy Tucker!
A billionaire on the Pantheon Billionaires List!
He was already at the pinnacle of society, with anything he could ever want at his fingertips. But little was known about his personal life. The only detail I had was from my doctor friend, who once mentioned that he had almost no fertility.
She'd also told me I had an exceptionally high fertility rate, so if it were me, I might actually be able to have a child with Leroy.
Could he be the father of my twins?
The idea flashed through my mind, but I immediately dismissed it. What was I even thinking? A man of his status would never deposit sperm in a public bank.
Even if he had, there's no way I would have been able to buy it for just 3,000 dollars.
Chapter 2 Daddy
Belle's POV:
After gathering up all the scattered items, Leroy gently patted my daughter's head. His movements were practiced, almost as if he was used to caring for children. I couldn't help but ask, "Do you have a child around her age?"
"No," Leroy replied, looking a bit surprised, but he still answered me.
His words brought a flicker of sympathy to my eyes. It seemed the rumors were true; he couldn't have children.
Thankfully, I had my two precious little ones. Holding my daughter tightly in my arms, I felt a surge of gratitude.
"What's wrong with her?" Leroy asked.
"She has a fever. I was just on my way to take her to the hospital."
"Let me drive you," Leroy said, frowning slightly.
I shook my head. "That's really not necessary. It's just a short walk."
"She's running a fever. You shouldn't waste time." His face darkened. "Do you have any idea how lucky you are to have a child?"
"Of course I do, but really, I don't want to bother you ... "
"Get in," Leroy ordered, already holding open the back door of his car.
I hesitated for a moment, realizing that there was no point in arguing with him.
He spoke with a tone of authority, leaving no room for refusal.
So I climbed into the car with Moona in my arms.
The car sped toward the hospital.
"Her fever's up to 102.6°F—there's a risk it could turn into pneumonia!"
The doctor adjusted his glasses, looking back and forth between me and Leroy.
"How can you as the parents be so careless? Aren't you worried about the damage a high fever could cause?"
"Wait, doctor, we're not ... "
"Enough with the excuses. Parents today are so irresponsible, always absorbed in their own lives!"
"No, what I mean is, we're ... "
"Stop standing around and go pay the fees," the doctor said, ignoring me and handing the bill to Leroy. "The child needs to be admitted for treatment. How can you just stand there as the father?"
"Oh, no, that's not ... " I turned to Leroy, about to explain, but he was already walking briskly away with the bill in hand, his face unreadable.
"Doctor, you misunderstood," I finally managed to say. "He's not my child's father!"
The doctor's voice was sharp with disapproval. "You young people are all alike. Here you are in the hospital, still bickering. If your relationship is over, then end it. But at least acknowledge that this child is yours, your own flesh and blood! They're the spitting image of you both."
I gaped at him.
Before long, Moona was admitted to the pediatric ward, and a nurse came in with a cart full of supplies to set up her IV.
"Waa!" Moona took one look at the equipment and started wailing. She was terrified of needles.
"No, Mommy, it hurts! Moona doesn't want it!"
"Shh, shh," I held her tightly. "Moona is sick. How else will you get better if you don't take the medicine?
"Mommy's here. It'll be over soon. Be a good girl and don't cry."
As I struggled to comfort my daughter, I glanced around and realized that Leroy was gone.
I figured he must have left by now.
To be honest, I'd gotten used to this kind of chaos. When I first had the twins, I would have been overwhelmed by it, but now it was just part of life.
"Don't cry, sweetheart," the nurse said gently, holding the shiny IV tube with a drop of medicine glistening on the tip of the needle. "I will do it very slowly. It won't hurt at all!"
Moona's cries grew louder; she knew better than to believe the nurse's lie.
How could a needle not hurt?
"Mommy, no needle, it hurts! Moona doesn't want it, waah!"
"Give this to her."
A shadow fell over me, and suddenly a lollipop shaped like a little bunny appeared in front of us.
I looked up in surprise and saw that Leroy had returned.
Apparently, he hadn't left earlier; he'd gone out to buy a lollipop.
"Oh ... thank you." I hesitated but accepted the gesture, as Moona's little eyes lit up at the sight of the cartoon bunny candy. She pouted and sniffled, but she stopped crying.
"Candy, I want bunny candy," she said.
She reached out her chubby little hand to grab the lollipop, immediately popping it into her mouth.
The nurse took the opportunity to quickly insert the IV needle into her little hand.
With the lollipop in her mouth, Moona only whimpered a little and then calmed down.
"Looks like Daddy knows how to handle things," the nurse smiled. "He got the baby to settle down right away."
My face flushed bright red.
"He isn't ... "
Before I could finish, the nurse had already wheeled her cart out of the room.
I glanced up at Leroy, feeling embarrassed. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."
"It's fine," Leroy replied, his face expressionless.
His deep, dark eyes were fixed on Moona, who was contentedly licking her lollipop.
"I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time," I said softly. "I really appreciate your help, and about the hospital fees ... let me know the amount, and I'll transfer it to you later."
"Don't worry about it," Leroy said, glancing at his watch. "I have other things to attend to, so I'll be going now."
Just as Leroy turned to leave, Moona's tiny voice piped up from the hospital bed, "Da-ddy?"
Chapter 3 They Look So Much Alike
Belle's POV:
Both Leroy and I froze in shock, and then I felt his sharp gaze fix on my face.
He must think I'm trying to use my child to get close to him.
"Mr. Tucker, please don't misunderstand," I rushed to explain. "She's probably just been watching too many cartoons."
Leroy let out a soft scoff, clearly about to say something, but Moona interrupted him.
My daughter gazed up at him, her eyes sparkling, and reached out her chubby little hands. "I want Daddy to hold me. Daddy smells so nice."
Leroy froze, and I stammered, "She's just babbling ... please don't take it seriously!"
A nearby nurse looked at us in bewilderment. "You two are strange. The child wants her daddy to hold her, and you're both refusing?"
"No, it's not ... " I started to explain, but Leroy had already leaned down. "I'll hold her."
I stood there, dumbfounded, as I watched Leroy carefully lift Moona into his arms and sit down on the edge of the hospital bed with her.
Moona's little hands clutched tightly to Leroy's black shirt, her face filled with contentment.
Normally, Moona was clingy only with me. This was the first time I'd ever seen her so attached to a stranger. Could it be that my little girl has a thing for handsome men?
I lowered my head and murmured, "Mr. Tucker, I'm really sorry for all the trouble. She's not usually this affectionate ... "
Leroy sat on the edge of the bed, holding Moona, his head down as he gazed intently at the little one in his arms.
"My name is Moona Harmon," she said, snuggling against him, her long lashes still wet with tears. "Daddy, you're as handsome as my brother!"
Leroy looked taken aback.
I quickly explained, "Oh! I often tell her at home that her brother is handsome and she's pretty, so she remembers it. Whenever she sees a boy she likes, she says he looks like her brother."
"You have a son, too?" Leroy looked up at me for the first time. "How old is he?"
"He's the same age as her—eighteen months," I said with a happy smile. "They're twins, a boy and a girl."
"That's wonderful," Leroy said, smiling slightly. Then he added, "You and your husband must be very happy."
I lowered my gaze, biting my lip slightly. "The children don't have a father."
Leroy raised an eyebrow, smirking. "What, did you reproduce asexually?"
Not wanting him to ask further questions, I said, "I was already separated when I got pregnant, so the children aren't related to him."
"Well." Leroy nodded, seeming to drop the topic.
"Um ... " I changed the subject. "Mr. Tucker, it's almost one o'clock now. You haven't eaten lunch yet. How about I order some takeout?"
"Just get something for yourself," Leroy said in his low, pleasant voice. "I won't be staying to eat."
"Fine, forget it," I said. "I'll take the child now. You can head home. I really appreciate your help today."
Leroy didn't hesitate. He gently passed Moona back to me.
Moona had finally fallen asleep, no longer clinging to Leroy. As I watched him walk away, I felt an inexplicable sense of relief; being around him made me a bit tense.
We'd exchanged contact information, but I hadn't expected that just a short while later, I would receive a message from him.
"I ordered lunch for you. Wait for it to arrive."
I held my phone, frowning slightly. His thoughtfulness was almost too much, bringing up some unpleasant memories.
After some thought, I typed a quick reply. "Thank you."
Before long, someone arrived with a lunchbox.
But the person who brought it wasn't a typical delivery worker—it was a man in his thirties, dressed in a navy suit and neatly tied tie. He didn't look like he was here to deliver food.
He had an ID badge around his neck, though he'd tucked it into his jacket pocket.
"Ms. Harmon?" The man smiled professionally. "I'm here to deliver your lunch."
"Thank you," I said, my curiosity piqued. "Where is your restaurant located? You seem very professional."
The man didn't answer directly. Instead, he opened the lunchbox efficiently and laid out four dishes and a soup.
One of the dishes was shrimp egg custard, clearly prepared specifically for a child.
"Sir," I said, startled, "this must have been expensive, right?"
"Not at all. Just some simple home-style dishes," the man replied with a smile. "They're here for you and your child. Enjoy them while they're hot."
As he spoke, he glanced at Moona lying on the hospital bed, her big eyes blinking at him. He muttered under his breath, "They look so much alike ... "
Then he packed up the empty lunchbox, nodded politely, and left.
I turned back to look at my daughter.
They look so much alike ...
Of course my daughter looked like me!
My son and daughter must have inherited the best features from both parents. They were adorable no matter how I looked at them.
I should be grateful to the man I'd never met who'd given me such wonderful babies.
But if I'd known what lay ahead, I would never have felt gratitude toward that man ...
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Jan 19, 2025 - Jan 19, 2025
Jared was released from Horington Prison after he finished his three-year sentence. He returned to his former residence, which his parents gifted him and where he and his girlfriend, Sandy, had many sweet memories.
Jared went upstairs and pushed the door to his house open, only to be greeted by a complete mess of a living room.
Coming from the bedroom was the sound of lewd moans. “Be gentler, Ley. You're hurting me...”
Jared's face immediately turned red because that was obviously Sandy's voice. I was sent to prison for protecting Sandy by beating that trust fund baby, Leyton, three years ago, and she promised me we'd get married when I got out!
Then, a raspy male voice replied, “How will I satisfy you if I go gentler on you? I thought you like it rough.”
“You're a nasty one. Tomorrow's the wedding. I can't afford to look exhausted.”
“Jared's never done this with you before, has he? I wonder how he'll react if he finds out what you're doing now. Hahaha!”
“You're also a meanie. You purposely bought that pauper's house so we could do the deed here.”
With his fists clenched and eyes crimson-red, Jared could stand the conversation no longer as he violently kicked the bedroom door open.
Right before Jared's eyes was Sandy lying together with Leyton.
The scene made Jared's already red eyes turn even redder.
Read Next Chapter Now👉
Jared went upstairs and pushed the door to his house open, only to be greeted by a complete mess of a living room.
Coming from the bedroom was the sound of lewd moans. “Be gentler, Ley. You're hurting me...”
Jared's face immediately turned red because that was obviously Sandy's voice. I was sent to prison for protecting Sandy by beating that trust fund baby, Leyton, three years ago, and she promised me we'd get married when I got out!
Then, a raspy male voice replied, “How will I satisfy you if I go gentler on you? I thought you like it rough.”
“You're a nasty one. Tomorrow's the wedding. I can't afford to look exhausted.”
“Jared's never done this with you before, has he? I wonder how he'll react if he finds out what you're doing now. Hahaha!”
“You're also a meanie. You purposely bought that pauper's house so we could do the deed here.”
With his fists clenched and eyes crimson-red, Jared could stand the conversation no longer as he violently kicked the bedroom door open.
Right before Jared's eyes was Sandy lying together with Leyton.
The scene made Jared's already red eyes turn even redder.
Read Next Chapter Now👉
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