Chapter 1

"Her condition is critical." the man handed Rita the surgical consent form. "She needs a bone marrow transplant to save her life. You need to sign the consent."

Rita Esther felt a chill run down her spine. She looked up at the man standing in front of her. He was still effortlessly handsome when he spat out those cruel words.

He was her husband, Nelson Wallis.

"I'm nine months pregnant." Rita said, her voice choking with tears.

"Do you have any idea that both me and the baby could be in danger during the operation?"

"You'll be fine." Nelson's expressionless face remained cold. "As long as you get rid of the child."

Rita's eyes widened and her lips trembled. "Nelson, the baby is your flesh and blood!"

To get rid of the child?

How could he be so heartless? It was as if he were talking about garbage on the side of the road instead of his own flesh and blood.

Nelson's face remained expressionless as Rita questioned him. He looked up and repeated, "Sign it."

"No!" Rita had always been obedient to Nelson, but at that moment she tore the form into pieces. "I won't sign it. If you have the guts, tie me up on the operating table!"

Nelson sneered. "Do you think I wouldn't dare?"

"You..." Rita looked at him as if he were a stranger.

She had been in love with this cold-hearted monster for so long and had even been willing to bear his child. 

What a joke!

SHE was the joke!

"The operation is in three days." Nelson said, perhaps having no patience for her anymore.

"If you're willing to sign in these three days, I'll compensate you with whatever you want. If you're not willing..."

As he spoke, he gave her a cold look and said, "Then don't blame me for being cruel."

With that, he turned around to leave.

Rita clenched her fists, digging her nails deeply into her palms. "I won't sign it!" she yelled after him, watching as he walked away.

Nelson halted and turned to look at her.

A cold smile curling at the corners of Rita's lips. "I want a divorce," she said, each word punctuated with anger.

"A divorce?"

Nelson responded with a sneer. "Since when you get to say the word divorce?"

Rita's face turned pale.

He was always like this, overbearing and unreasonable.

"You will do the operation," Nelson left his last sentence. "Divorce? Don't even think about it."

With that, he left the villa, leaving Rita standing alone in the empty living room, feeling cold all over.

"Ma'am." the nanny called out to her, seeing Nelson's departure.

She came out of the kitchen and attempted to comfort Rita. "Don't be angry. Take care of yourself and the child. Mr. Nelson must have his reasons for doing this. He loves you..."

Love?

Regardless of whether she was pregnant or not, Nelson insisted on having a bone marrow transplant surgery for his mistress. This was his so-called love?

"I want to be alone for a while." said Rita.

The nanny's comfort only made Rita feel colder in her heart with each passing moment.

The nanny looked at her uneasily, afraid that she might do something drastic. But as just an employee, she couldn't say too much to her employer, so she could only leave with worries.

Rita went upstairs to her room and began to pack.

It was almost dinnertime, and she could smell the tasty soup cooked by the servants in the kitchen. She sat at the head of the bed and looked at the bed that had been sleeping for several years, and her tears fell unconsciously.

Since they got married, their marriage had always been distant.

But when she became pregnant, Nelson started to care for her. He made sure she had everything she needed, from food and drink to daily baths and body cleaning, never letting her tire herself out.

Back then, at this hour, he would have brought her soup from the kitchen to eat with her.

For the first time in her marriage, she saw the sign, a sign that things might be turning around for them.

But why?

Why did he suddenly want her to risk her life to save another woman?!

Chapter 2

As Rita wiped away her tears, she noticed a few unfamiliar medicine bottles on the bedside table. 

Curiosity piqued, she took one and examined the label. "Sleeping pill," she murmured.

Her hands were trembling as a realization hit her. Lately, she had been sleeping heavily, but waking up still feeling exhausted and dizzy.

At her last pregnancy checkup, the doctor mentioned that she had anemia...

With a snap, the white pills fell to the ground, scattering all over.

"Could it be..."

A terrible suspicion crept up. The woman who needed her bone marrow must have had something wrong with her blood.

She suddenly pulled open her clothes and ran to the mirror.

The reflection staring back at her was ghastly. She turned around. Her smooth back was riddled with bruises, dark and ominous.

"Thump!"

She collapsed to the ground, unable to contain the horror that washed over her.

It was then that she realized her husband not only need her bone marrow, but he also secretly extracted her blood to save that woman earlier than she knew it!

Every night, the nutritious soup he served her was mixed with sleeping pills!

The daily showers he had insisted on were not out of kindness, but to prevent her from seeing those pinholes on her back...

Behind all the warmth and care, there had been nothing but malice and lies, and she was the only one who was silly and believed it was all genuine!

"NELSON WALLIS!"

Despair and fear consumed her. She lay on the cold floor, almost suffocating. "You are a monster..."

The pain was so great that she couldn't help trembling. But then, as if the little life in her belly had felt her pain, the baby kicked her gently.

"Baby, my baby..."

Rita suddenly came to her senses. She took a deep breath and said, "Yes, I still have you... Mom will never let anything happen to you!"

She gathered her strength and stood up.

She quickly packed her belongings into a suitcase and dragged it downstairs.

"Ma'am!"

The nanny, who heard the commotion, rushed out and asked, "What are you doing, Ma'am?"

"My life is precious." Rita said in a hoarse voice, with a livid face. "I will send the divorce agreement to his mailbox. Please tell him to donate the fucking marrow himself, coz I won't do it."

After that, she did not care about how the nanny stopped her and pulled her suitcase out of the door.

It was raining outside. The cold wind made her shiver, but she didn't stop.

After putting the box in the car, she planned to drive away.

But before she could, a car stopped in front of her, and a man got out. The man's name was Neil Noyes, and he was Nelson Wallis's special assistant. 

"Ma'am. Mr. Nelson asked me to send you to the hospital," he said.

Rita's heart tightened. She looked at him and did not intend to move.

Neil stepped forward and respectfully turned to her. "Something happened at the hospital. The operation was ahead of schedule. Sir asked me to take you there no matter what. Please cooperate and don't force me to do anything."

"If I don't go, that woman will die?" Rita stood still, a sneer on her face.

Neil paused and said, "Yes."

Rita gnashed her teeth and said, "Then let her die."

"Ma'am..." Neil didn't expect her to say such a thing and was taken aback.

Rita looked at him and suddenly asked, "Who is she?"

Nelson had kept that woman's identity for such a long time. She had to find out who that woman was before she left.

Neil thought that revealing the other woman's identity might change Rita's mind. "It's Laurel," he said.

"Laurel?! Laurel Bach?"

It was actually Laurel!

Ha, the woman who had been loved and doted on by Nelson was Laurel Bach! Her 'best' friend!

Sure enough. Just when you think things can't get any worse, they do.

Chapter 3

That woman could be anyone, but why Laurel Bach?!

Rita didn't know where the strength came from, but she pushed Neil away and got into the car. She stepped on the accelerator and the car flew into the rain. Seeing this, Neil quickly started the car to catch up with her.

As Rita thought of Nelson and Laurel, her heart raced and she felt like she was losing control. Behind her, Neil pursued her, but she was determined to shake him off. She wanted to escape from Neil, from Nelson and Laurel, and from this fucking pathetic life.

The rain got heavier, making it even harder to see the road.

Suddenly, the car's tires slipped. Before Rita could react, the car rushed to the side of the bridge out of control!

With a deafening crash, the railings on the bridge were broken, and the car plunged into the river. The bone-piercing water and the suffocating coldness wrapped Rita in an instant. She was forced to sink into despair...

......

Three years later, the world's eye-catching international wedding exhibition was held in New Clamport. Top celebrities and fashion KOLs from around the world had gathered to witness the event.

A woman arrived. She was dressed in a luxurious gown. When she showed up, all eyes were on her.

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, and her slender arm was elegantly rested on a man's arm. His voice was warm and soothing as he whispered to her, "It's your turn."

The woman nodded confidently, "Okay."

She stepped onto the stage, drawing all the cameras in her direction.

She was Rita Esther, and also the most mysterious wedding dress designer in the industry - Victoria.

Two years ago, Victoria designed a wedding dress named "First Meeting", which announced her debut and earned her international acclaim. Later, another dressed named "Heartbreak" made Victoria famous all over the world.

Despite her meteoric rise to fame, Victoria had never shown her face in front of the public. Today was her first time, and everyone at the exhibition was there for her.

When she stood on the stage, the spotlight illuminated her stunning features.

Her face was exquisite, her skin was fair, and her eyes were crystal. She was a real beauty. There was a special charm about her, making her look pure and enchanting.

She was in a long side split black dress, and the split revealed her beautiful leg. When she walked, those legs were partly hidden and partly visible. It was hard for people to look away.

Everyone in the room was looking at her, and some recognized her.

"Is she Rita?" whispered someone.

"Which Rita?"

"Rita Esther! The second young lady of the Wallis family who disappeared in a car accident!"

"But she doesn't look like her. How can that Rita Esther have the aura of Victoria?"

"And it's said that the car accident was very serious. The whole car fell into the water, and Rita Esther was pregnant. How could she survive? It's not a science fiction film."

"The Wallis family Nelsonled off the bridge and Nelsonrched for a month, but they found nothing. The whole city was in gridlock for a month," added yet another.

As the crowd continued to discuss her, a man in a black, custom-made suit arrived late.

Even though he was late, no one dared to say anything about him.

The man had the innate proud and strong temperament. When he walked into the banquet hall step by step, everyone instinctively held their breath.

As Nelson walked, he suddenly seemed to sense something. He looked up at the stage. When he saw the face of the woman on the stage, he froze in his tracks.

Rita saw him as soon as he entered - it was Nelson Wallis.

She couldn't help, because the way this man entered was so high-profile that it was hard for her not to see him.

In the air, their eyes met.

One was shocked and ecstatic.

The other one was cold and disgusted.

Seeing that they were staring at each other, the crowd began to discuss again.

"It seems that it's really Rita!"

"She isn't dead yet. She even became a famous designer, Victoria!"

"But didn't the Mr. Nelson get engaged to Miss Bach half a month ago? And even this exhibition is held by Mr. Nelson. He does it for his fiancee Laurel!"

"Once Victoria's work is released, who else can see Laurel's?"

"Aha! I bet she's here to make a scene. Let's see."

Chapter 4

Rita ignored the chatter. 

After the speech, she made her way to the washroom to freshen up.

When she came out of the washroom, she caught sight of a familiar figure in the hallway. Nelson was propped up against the wall, holding a cigarette. He looked like one of those models on the cover of "GQ" magazine, elegant, but roguishly handsome.

Rita's eyes flickered, but she quickly composed herself.

He was faster than she had anticipated.

She turned a blind eye to his existence and was about to walk past him when he grabbed her by the arm.

Before she could say anything, Nelson encircled his arms around her waist and pinned her to the wall, leaving her unable to move. Her gaze was forced to meet his.

Nelson's eyes were bloodshot and filled with anger.

In contrast, there was nothing but calmness in Rita's eyes.

She raised her eyebrows and smiled faintly, with a touch of sarcastic. "Mr. Wallis, I suppose this is not an appropriate position for people to talk."

Obviously, Nelson didn't think so.

He even got closer to her. "Don't you have anything to say?"

Rita shrugged. "Nothing to you."

Nelson's face grew even colder at her response.

"I've been looking for you," he said through gritted teeth.

For three years.

After she fell into the river that day, people told him she was dead. Nelson didn't believe it and Nelsonrched the whole city for any trace of her, but to no avail.

Hearing this, Rita sneered, "For what? To save your beloved lover?"

"RITA ESTHER!" He gnashed his teeth like a warning.

Every word of this woman was challenging his patience.

The angrier he was, the more Rita wanted to laugh. "Am I wrong? Speaking of which, I find it strange. She seemed to be someone who would die the next second without my bone marrow. How weird. Isn't she alive now?"

Rita spoke each word slowly and deliberately. Her smile twisted with bitterness. "Why isn't she dead yet?"

"Shut up!" Nelson shouted in a low voice.

"No, you shut the fuck up. Who do you think you are, huh?" Rita sneered, raising her hand and pushed away the disgusting man who restricted her freedom.

Nelson's eyes darkened.

He still could not accept that Rita, who had always been docile to him, had such a rebellious side.

Rita straightened up, ignoring the shock on Nelson's face. She smoothed out her dress and about to leave.

A man appeared at the corner.

It was none other than Rita's companion that night, Abbott Pearson.

Seeing that Rita had encountered Nelson, Abbott felt his heart skipped a beat in fear.

He took a few steps forward and gently took Rita's hand. Looking at Nelson, he said to Rita, "Rita, let's go home. Mom has been calling us for dinner. She made your favorite dishes!"

Rita nodded and smiled. "Okay, let's go back. Don't let Mom wait too long."

When the couple were about to leave hand in hand, Abbott even gave Nelson a provocative look.

But after they took a few steps, Nelson's cold voice came from behind them. "Rita Esther, are you really so dependent on men? You found yourself a new keeper in less than three years?" 

His words dripped with sarcasm.

"Mr. Wallis, you'd better watch your mouth."

Rita continued, "I will be angry if you speak so rudely to my husband."

At that moment, Nelson felt a loud bang in his head.

Rita's words made him lose his ability to think.

After a long while, he came to his senses. He took a few steps forward and grabbed Rita's wrist. "Do you know what you're talking about?"

Rita felt the pain on her wrist, and she frowned slightly. But the sarcasm on her face did not diminish at all. "What? It's been only three years since we last saw each other, and Mr. Wallis is deaf now? I suggest you go to the hospital to have a look."

With that, she violently shook off Nelson's hand!

Chapter 5

As Ken Oliver, Nelson's special assistant, came over, Rita had already left.

But Ken had spotted her earlier and knew that the reason his boss lurched in the hallway was for her.

It was clear that they didn't have a nice talk, as there was only his boss left there.

He sighed in his heart.

Ken had been with Nelson long enough to know that he was not one to openly express his emotions. But he also knew how deeply his boss had been affected when Rita had disappeared in that accident three years ago.

Since then, Nelson had become more guarded and reserved.

"I need to know everything that has happened between them over the past three years," Ken waited for a long time beside Nelson before he got the order.

He quickly nodded, "Yes, sir."

......

Ken was very efficient. In less than an hour, all the information about Rita was placed in front of Nelson.

There was not much information. After all, Victoria, who was Rita, had been very mysterious in the past three years. It was very difficult to find out her information. However, Nelson still noticed a name in this pile of documents.

Abbott Pearson.

He was the man who accompanied Rita to the party tonight and was called her husband by Rita.

Abbott's identity was not simple; he was the head of the E&T Group in Westgrad. He had established Rita's studio for her, and with his help over the past three years, Rita had gained access to valuable resources.

Moreover, as per the information, Abbott had also been very engaged in Rita's personal life.

Nelson looked at these documents and felt extremely agitated.

He threw the files aside and asked, "Did you find Neil?"

Neil Noyes, the one who was sent to pick up Rita because Laurel was in a critical situation three years ago.

Ken was actually the person who supposed to pick Rita up that day, but since Neil volunteered, Nelson let him go.

However, Neil himself went missing.

Neil, a retired soldier and former navy member, should have been more than capable of rescuing someone from the river.

Ken couldn't help but feel that something was off about the situation. No wonder Nelson had been Nelsonrching for Neil for the past three years.

Ken wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "I still haven't found any information on him. I'll keep Nelsonrching."

Nelson hated traitors more than anything.

If three years ago, Neil had let Rita escape deliberately and betrayed Nelson, he would be better off dead. Otherwise, he would suffer a fate worse than death.

After a moment of silence, Nelson asked, "Have you found any news about the child?"

Nelson's heart skipped a beat when he mentioned the child.

When Rita disappeared, she was already nine months pregnant and was about to give birth. If she had survived, would the child still be alive?