Chapter 1

On the day I went into labor, my husband of ten years locked me in the attic.

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have missed out on so many years with Hazel!" he shouted.

I listened as he hosted a welcome party downstairs for his dream girl who had returned from abroad. The guests cheered loudly as the two kissed.

Meanwhile, I died in agony upstairs, alone and in despair, along with our unborn child.

When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day Lucas first confessed his feelings for me. As I watched him approach with a bouquet of flowers, I turned and walked away.

Later, when he offered his heart to me, helpless as a child, I remained unmoved:

"Lucas, please don't ask me not to leave you..."

As my due date approached, I went to the hospital alone for a prenatal checkup, cradling my belly.

The doctor seemed displeased to see me without anyone accompanying me, but I just shook my head with a forced smile:

"My husband is busy with work. I don't want to bother him."

Lucas and I were childhood sweethearts. We grew up in the same neighborhood, and everyone knew how much I liked him.

Lucas came from a poor family originally. We both got into an Ivy League college, and after graduation we got married and started a successful tech company called "Joy Tech". To others, we were the perfect power couple.

I had given up my career early on to be his supportive wife and partner.

Today was our wedding anniversary. The checkup results were good, so I was in a cheerful mood. I called Lucas to ask when he'd be home.

He hung up before the call connected.

A moment later, I received a text from him: "Busy. Will call you back later."

I put away my phone and looked up, catching a glimpse of a familiar face on the hospital TV screen.

I froze in shock.

In the news report, Lucas was wearing an expensive tailored suit, a tender smile on his normally stern face - an expression I had never seen before.

Surrounded by a crowd of reporters, he made his way out, sheltering a tall, beautiful woman in his arms. She kept her head down, clinging to him like a delicate bird.

The headlines flashed across the screen:

"Tech Mogul Lucas Reunites with First Love, Reportedly Divorced from Wife"

"Tech Tycoon and World-Class Violinist - A Perfect Match Made in Heaven!"

"If you ask me, Lucas and Miss Hazel are much better suited. That shameless Lily woman just clings on desperately. Now that his dream girl is back, of course the wife has to go," I overheard someone say.

"Exactly! She made a fool of herself just to marry a man like Lucas. She has no self-respect. How could she compare to Miss Hazel?" another chimed in.

I stared blankly at Lucas on the screen as he shielded Hazel's face from the cameras.

"Hazel is the love of my life. No one can ever take her place," he declared.

The prenatal report slipped from my hand and fell to the floor.

Joy... Joy...

I used to think he had named our company after me. But the "Joy" in Joy Tech was for Hazel all along.

I don't remember how I got home.

When Hazel saw me, she warmly grasped my hands in greeting.

"Lily, it's been so long!"

I coldly shook her off.

"Hazel," I said, "When did you two get together?"

"Lily, how dare you speak to Hazel that way?" Lucas frowned.

He had never spoken to me so harshly before.

I trembled as I looked at him, pointing at Hazel.

"Lucas, what is the meaning of this?"

His irritated expression made it seem like I was the one being unreasonable.

"Hazel just got back and hasn't found a place to stay yet. What's wrong with letting her stay here?" he said impatiently.

Hazel's face held a look of smug superiority as she gazed at me with unconcealed disdain.

"But I'm your wife!" I cried, tears streaming down my face. My lips quivered as I spoke.

"Doesn't she have her own home? Why does it have to be you, Lucas, taking her in—"

"Lily!" he suddenly roared. I flinched, frozen in place.

Lucas's eyes were cold and unfamiliar. He made no attempt to hide the disgust on his face as he glared at me like I was his mortal enemy.

"Lily," he said mockingly, "If I hadn't needed your money and skills back then, do you think I would have chosen to marry you?"

I was stunned.

"What did you say?"

"You made me miss out on ten years with Hazel. What right do you have to stand here and question me?"

He sneered, as if I were some beggar who didn't know my place.

"Just look at yourself now. What use are you besides being an eyesore and dragging me down?"

I broke down.

All these years I had given up my career, working myself to the bone - and for what?

In the end I was tossed aside like garbage, treated as if I were worthless.

"Lucas, are you really going to kick me out for this homewrecker?" I asked, my voice shaking as I grabbed his sleeve. But Hazel shoved me away:

"Lily, after all these years you're still so petty."

"In relationships, the one who isn't loved is the real homewrecker." She blinked her big eyes innocently.

Lucas said impatiently, "I'll have my assistant send you the divorce papers. Pack your things and leave today."

He glanced at my belly, suddenly pausing.

My heart filled with hope that he might soften for the sake of our child.

Lucas turned away, his eyes full of disgust: "If you want to keep that bastard child, go ahead. If not, get rid of it. Just don't show your face in front of me again."