Chapter 1

My husband, Brandon, wanted us to be child-free for life.

Ten years later, he brought home a pair of children he'd adopted, expecting me to raise them into successful adults.

I agreed.

When the kids turned eighteen, they both got into Ivy League universities.

At their coming-of-age celebration, Brandon handed me a property transfer deed, demanding I sign over all my assets to the children.

I agreed again.

Just as I reached for the pen to sign, my mother pulled me aside, her face etched with worry.

"Eleanor, these children's background is shady. You absolutely cannot give them all your fortune."

I replied calmly,

"Mom, I trust my instincts."

After I signed, Brandon burst into a satisfied laugh. Then, he embraced a woman and shoved a divorce agreement into my hands.

"Eleanor, thank you for looking after *our* children all this time. It's time to give them back to Veronica."

I smiled.

"Alright!"

Eighteen years ago, Brandon, who swore he wanted a child-free life with me forever, suddenly brought home a pair of children.

The boy and girl were tiny and thin, but undeniably cute.

Brandon said they were adopted from an orphanage and asked me to raise them.

From that day on, I became a mom, changing their diapers, feeding them, and watching them grow. Eighteen years later, they had both gotten into Ivy League schools.

At their coming-of-age celebration, when I was about to transfer my assets to the children, it became the talk of the town.

My parents and all our friends and relatives tried to dissuade me.

But I ignored all their pleas and transferred the property to the two kids.

The moment he got the transfer documents, Brandon couldn't hold back his excitement, laughing out loud.

Then, he pulled a woman from the crowd and walked towards me. They handed me a divorce agreement, demanding I leave empty-handed.

My mind reeled. I stared at him in disbelief.

Back then, to be child-free with him, I had even undergone a hysterectomy.

For years, I was known as the perfect wife in this city.

Now, looking at that divorce agreement, I shouted at them.

"Brandon, so you and Veronica have been secretly involved all this time!"

Veronica was an employee at my company, manipulative and utterly despicable. She had risen to director.

Veronica smiled calmly.

"Eleanor, there's no need to be angry. If you truly love Brandon, you should be willing to sacrifice for his happiness."

Brandon snapped impatiently.

"Just sign it already, what are you waiting for?"

Brandon and I were college sweethearts. He came from a dirt-poor rural family, barely had money for food, often hiding in his dorm room just munching on stale bread.

Due to a lack of nutrition, he was pale, gaunt, with lifeless hair, and a perpetually hunched posture back then.

The day he fainted on the track, I rushed him to the campus clinic and learned about his predicament.

I generously paid for all his living expenses, and soon after, we fell for each other and started dating.

Veronica was Brandon's high school classmate. They grew up together as childhood sweethearts but had long drifted apart. I never expected them to secretly get together again.

"Poor Ms. Davis, isn't she? The moment she transfers her assets to the kids, he drops the act and demands a divorce."

"I heard they agreed to be child-free for life, but then Mr. Davis adopted two kids. They got into Ivy League, which is what this celebration is for."

"I bet those kids are his illegitimate children with that woman."

"Do you even need to doubt it? It's obvious! Otherwise, why would he make Ms. Davis transfer her property to them?"

"Ms. Davis is so unlucky, she was completely played."

The guests at the celebration murmured amongst themselves, stunned by the sudden turn of events.

My mom cried, tears streaming down her face.

"Eleanor, see? You fell right into their trap. Your father and I warned you long ago that this man had dark intentions, a real schemer. He only befriended you and treated you well for your money. We even mentioned that those two children's background was shady and advised you to be careful, but you just wouldn't listen!"

My dad said angrily.

"How could a Davis be so foolish? For a man, you just hand over your entire fortune!"

Amidst the commotion, I looked down at the divorce agreement. No one noticed the faint, knowing smile playing on my lips.

"Eleanor, you don't need to blame me. I'm a normal man. You don't have a uterus, you can't have children, so I had to find someone else to have them with."

Brandon tried to explain, seeking some justification for his infidelity.

I smiled.

"It was *your* idea for me to have a hysterectomy and be child-free with you forever, saying we'd never regret it! I made such a huge sacrifice for you."