Chapter 1

For seven years, I was a stay-at-home wife. Then, my husband brought his pregnant secretary right to our doorstep, ready to kick me out.

He carefully shielded her swollen belly, his voice dripping with venom.

“Seven years of marriage, and you couldn’t even pop out a single kid. Maybe it’s time you gave up being Mrs. Sterling.”

The secretary, Olivia, leaned into his arms, smug as could be.

“Exactly. You’ve been freeloading for years. Isn’t it time you cleared out?”

Seeing the innocent-looking smirk on Olivia’s face, I decided to grant her wish, starting by stripping my husband of everything he owned.

Later, Olivia and Ryan got married.

It wasn’t until their wedding day that Olivia realized my husband was just a useless nobody. The real power, the real money? That was all mine.

“Get the best tonics and high-end supplements ready for me. And make sure they’re stewed perfectly.”

“I’m going to be the new lady of this house soon. If you don’t all start buttering me up, I’ll fire every single one of you once I’m married in.”

I hadn’t even stepped inside, but that arrogant voice stopped me dead in my tracks.

Seeing the woman sitting on the living room sofa, her pregnant belly clearly visible, my heart seized up, a sharp pain twisting inside me.

Ryan and I had dated for three years and been married for seven. Ten years in total, and our relationship had always been rock solid. We never had a single fight.

Ryan used to check in constantly, always keeping me updated on his whereabouts. He’d even get annoyed if I didn't respond right away.

My friends all said Ryan was completely obsessed with me, that even if every other guy cheated, he never would.

Now, he hadn’t just cheated, he’d let his mistress flaunt her pregnant belly right here in my house, openly challenging me!

I was about to speak when Mrs. Gable, our housekeeper, quickly walked over to me. Her strained face broke into a faint smile.

“Alexa, you’re finally home.”

“Mrs. Gable, I respect you because you’ve been with the family for a long time.”

“But you need to know who’s really in charge here.”

Mrs. Gable shot a disgusted look at Olivia, about to speak, but I quickly squeezed her hand.

“Did Ryan tell you to move in?”

Olivia feigned surprise, carefully standing up from the sofa.

“Oh, when did you get back?”

“I was just laying down some ground rules for the house staff.”

“Honestly, Alexa, I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re just a stay-at-home wife. You haven’t seen much of the world.”

“Look at how spoiled you’ve let the staff get around here. That simply won’t do.”

Olivia chuckled, covering her mouth, her eyes darting around shrewdly.

I said nothing, letting the driver place the expensive gifts my parents had brought back on the porch.

Olivia immediately walked over, carefully inspecting them and pulling the best ones towards her.

“Even though all this money comes from my husband, I still have to thank you, Alexa. How thoughtful of you.”

*All from Ryan’s money?*

Ryan couldn’t even afford a single one of these.

I remained silent, casually leaning back into the sofa. Mrs. Gable naturally handed me a cup of herbal tea.

I took a few sips and pointed indifferently to one of the gift boxes.

“That ‘tonic’ there? It’ll definitely cause a miscarriage if she drinks it.”

“And that one, that’s for beauty, good for your skin, but it’ll make you infertile. Probably best you don't use it, in your condition.”

Olivia frowned, looking disappointed, but then immediately burst out laughing.

She proudly patted her belly, showing off as she moved closer to me.

“You couldn’t even give him a child in seven years, Alexa. Don’t you think it’s time you stepped down as Mrs. Sterling?”

I tightened my grip on the teacup, a sarcastic smile playing on my lips. “Unless you pop out a boy, you’re not getting anything.”

Olivia smugly caressed her belly.

“How do you know it’s a boy?”

She deliberately pushed her stomach closer to me.

“Ryan said as soon as our son is born, he’s divorcing you.”