Chapter 1

The Harrington family, a dynasty steeped in old money and tradition, had one iron-clad rule: their heir could *never* marry outside their elite circle, especially not a woman of humble origins.

Yet, Liam, the sole heir, had fallen hopelessly in love with me—just a regular girl from the wrong side of the tracks.

To be with me, he’d defiantly given up his inheritance, enduring ninety-nine brutal lashes, administered by his father's personal guards, and was forced to kneel in the grand hall of their estate for three days and three nights.

His tailored shirt was soaked crimson with blood, yet he still looked up at me, a faint smile on his battered lips. "Evelyn, don't be afraid. I only want you."

The Harringtons finally conceded, reluctantly agreeing to let him leave the family with me. But there was a non-negotiable condition: he had to secure an heir for the family.

From then on, the words Liam said to me most often were—"Just wait."

The first time, he asked me to wait for him to get another woman pregnant.

So he slept with Seraphina thirty-three times, until she conceived his child.

The second time, he asked me to wait a little longer. That baby was a girl, and the Harringtons demanded a son.

So he slept with Seraphina ninety-nine more times, until she was pregnant again.

Just as I thought I'd finally reached the end of my ordeal, Seraphina and Liam's daughter, who'd just celebrated her hundred-day party, suddenly developed a high fever and started vomiting blood. Everyone immediately blamed me.

Seraphina lunged at me like a madwoman, her nails clawing at my face as she screamed, "If you hate anyone, hate me! Why would you hurt my child?!"

Liam's parents were furious. "This is our first grandchild! How dare you lay a hand on her?!"

When I was stripped and thrown into a freezer at twenty degrees below zero, Liam stood just outside the door.

Through the frosted glass, I saw his hand tremble as he lit a cigarette. But the eyes that once overflowed with love now held nothing but chilling indifference.

"I told you to wait," he said, crushing the cigarette butt, his eyes filled with disappointment. "Why would you hurt my child?"

*His child.* How wonderfully possessive.

I doubled over in pain, my heart feeling like it had been ripped open.

Suddenly, I remembered—

He'd once knelt in the rain, swearing, "Eve, I only want you in this life."

He'd once pressed his forehead against mine, saying, "Eve, I'll only acknowledge the child born from *your* womb."

He'd once kissed my fingertips after we made love, promising, "Eve, just wait a little longer. Soon, it'll just be the two of us."

But now, he stood beside Seraphina, holding *their* child, looking at me as if I were a wicked stranger.

When the freezer door opened again, my frozen fingers dug desperately into my palms.

This time, I wouldn't wait.

I dialed Mrs. Harrington's number.

"I'm willing to leave Liam," my voice was eerily calm. "But I have one condition: I want you to send me somewhere he'll never find me."

A satisfied laugh crackled from Mrs. Harrington's end. "If you'd been this sensible earlier, wouldn't things have been easier? One trip to the freezer taught you manners, it seems. A street vendor like you, worthy of our Harrington family?"

"We'll arrange everything in half a month," Mr. Harrington's voice was laced with contempt. "Then, don't ever appear before Liam again."

The call ended. I stood by the villa door, my fingertips trembling.

In the living room, Liam was bouncing Lily on his knee, while Seraphina leaned on his shoulder, smiling tenderly.

A perfect family of three, filled with joy.

I stood there, my heart feeling like it had been violently torn out.

"Miss Evelyn, you're back?" Seraphina spotted me first. Her spine stiffened immediately.

Liam, almost instinctively, passed our daughter to the nanny. "Take her upstairs."

His gaze, sharp as a blade, pierced my heart. He was afraid I'd harm his child.

The man who'd once said, "I'll only acknowledge the child born from your womb," now guarded against me like a murderer.

Once Lily was taken away, Liam walked over, reaching out as if to check me. "You're back. In the freezer... were you hurt?"

I looked at the man who'd once taken ninety-nine lashes for me, a bitter ache swelling in my chest. I turned my head, dodging his touch.

He frowned, then began to explain. "Eve, last night, under those circumstances, the more I protected you, the harsher their punishment would have been."

"Besides, we're leaving soon. I didn't want any complications. And the child is innocent, why would you—"

"I told you it wasn't me!" My eyes suddenly welled up.

Liam seemed startled by my intense reaction, pausing a moment before softening his tone. "Alright, alright, it doesn't matter anymore."

*It doesn't matter anymore.*

Those four words felt like an ice pick driven into my heart.

He still didn't believe me.

As the atmosphere grew tense, Seraphina walked over, gently touching her belly. She feigned sincerity. "Miss Evelyn, I should apologize too. I was so frantic then. You don't have children, so perhaps you can't understand a mother's feelings..."

She raised a hand to smooth her hair, the vintage diamond bracelet on her wrist glinting softly under the lights. My eyes narrowed. I snatched her arm. "Where did you get that bracelet?"

"Seraphina liked it, so I gave it to her," Liam said, pulling my hand away. "Consider it your apology to her."

"That's my mother's heirloom!" My voice trembled. "How could you give it away? You know how important it is to me!"

I reached out to snatch the bracelet back, but Seraphina suddenly stumbled backward, clutching her belly and crying out in pain.

"Ah... my stomach..."

"Evelyn!" Liam instantly pushed me away, his eyes chillingly cold. "She's carrying my child! Haven't you caused enough trouble?!"

His force was too great. I was thrown violently against the corner of the coffee table, my head hitting it hard. Blood instantly gushed out.

But Liam didn't even glance back. He scooped Seraphina into his arms and rushed out.

"Liam..." Seraphina whimpered, leaning against him, her voice weak. "Will the baby be alright...?"

"Don't worry, I'm here," his voice was sickeningly tender. "You'll be fine, and the baby will be fine."