Chapter 1

The day Noelle Jensen married the man she loves, he went bankrupt.

Throughout their five-year marriage, she worked 20 hours a day. Even their son helped to collect bottles to scrape together enough to pay off their debts.

On their son's birthday, the two of them stood outside a hotel in heavy mascot costumes in the sweltering heat. They handed out flyers, drenched in sweat.

That was when a staff member walked by and sneered. "Hey, you two pathetic flyer pushers—looks like luck's on your side today. Mr. Yarrow's beloved is celebrating her son's birthday here, and the kid loves the mascots you're dressed as. Do a little dance, and he'll give you ten thousand dollars."

Tempted by what felt like a fortune, they stepped into the grand, lavish banquet hall.

But the moment Noelle looked up, she felt as if lightning had struck her on the spot. Sitting at the head of the table, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, was none other than Hector Yarrow, her husband!

He looked like he was back to being the man who was used to being in the spotlight. He held a flute of champagne as he lowered his head to listen to the woman beside him. His eyes were filled with a tenderness that Noelle had never seen.

She grabbed hold of the staff member who'd led her in and asked, "The man you mentioned—is he Hector Yarrow? Didn't he go bankrupt?"

"Bankrupt? What the hell?" He looked at her like she was nuts. "Mr. Yarrow is the city's richest man!"

A chill crept over Noelle.

Just then, the woman beside Hector, Lindsey Sutton, spoke with a smile. "Hector, look at this party you've thrown for my son. It's your son's birthday too, right? Do you want him to come over so we can celebrate together?"

Hector lovingly tucked her hair behind her ear and said, "That's not necessary. I once said that you would be the only person I'd spend my money on. I'm a man of my word, Lindsey."

The music started, and the staff member shoved Noelle hard. "Why are you still standing there? Dance!"

She bit her lip so hard that she drew blood. Then, she started moving robotically. Through the costume's mesh eyepiece, she saw her son, Ian Yarrow, standing there stiffly. He was smart—he must've recognized Hector's voice.

"Good job!" Lindsey's son, Micah Brown, suddenly threw a bunch of notes at them. As the notes fluttered down around them, he burst into raucous laughter. "This is so fun!"

Lindsey and Hector exchanged a look and smiled, indulging in his behavior.

Noelle felt like she'd been struck by lightning. Hector had lied to her and Ian for five years—he'd pretended to be bankrupt just because of his dumb promise to Lindsey that he wouldn't spend his money on anyone other than her.

Was he still hung up on Lindsey?

Memories flooded over Noelle, stabbing her like knives. She was the daughter of the Yarrow family's butler, and she'd always known Hector was like a star she'd never reach. She was nothing but a shadow that watched him while hiding in a corner.

She'd never dared to ask for anything. All she'd done was watch as he doted on Lindsey, his childhood sweetheart.

When Lindsey turned 18, he'd reserved a cruise ship to celebrate her coming of age. Fireworks had lit up the sky throughout the night.

Lindsey had thrown herself into his arms while dressed in haute couture, saying daintily, "This is too much!"

He'd held her close with a tender smile. "You deserve the best, and I have plenty of money. From now on, you're the only one I'll spend my money on."

Later, they'd gotten into a fight, and Lindsey had left the country in the heat of the moment. Hector had chased her to the airport like a madman, but it had only taken a simple sentence from her to utterly defeat him. She'd said, "Leave me alone. I'm getting married."

That night, Hector had drunk the bar dry. Noelle had gone to care for him, but he'd dragged her into his bed.

"Do you like me?" He'd looked at her, his gaze unfocused. He'd gripped her so tightly that it had hurt.

Noelle parted her lips, but she'd been unable to make a sound. Hector had snorted at that. "Help me forget her, then. I'll marry you."

Silly as she was, she'd agreed with a racing heart. But the day after they'd gotten married, he'd gone "bankrupt".

Noelle had never wanted Hector's money, so she'd willingly suffered with him. They'd moved into a basement, and she'd eaten leftover food. She'd also worked three jobs in the harsh winter… She'd even given birth to Ian when things were at their worst.

Noelle thought that one day, Hector would see her and truly love her. But now, she knew that day would never come.

The party was soon over. Noelle returned to her senses after the crowd dispersed, and her hands trembled as she unzipped Ian's costume.

His face was wet with tears, but he hadn't dared to make a sound. His face was red from holding himself back.

"Mommy…" he choked out. "Daddy lied to us for five years, didn't he? He's not poor at all. He just doesn't want to spend his money on us because he doesn't love us. That's why he kept all his money for that lady and her son…"

Noelle's heart shattered. She was a horrible mother—she'd made Ian suffer with her for five years just so she could win Hector's heart.

She wrapped her arms around Ian as tears streamed down her face. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I failed to make your father fall in love with me. That's why you had to suffer with me…"

Hector had lied to them and kept his poor act going for five years!

While she and Ian had eaten leftovers, Hector had dined with Lindsey at expensive restaurants. While she and Ian had begged their debtors to give them a few more days to get more money, Hector had spent millions of dollars on Micah's birthday party.

Noelle held Ian tightly and made up her mind. "I don't want him anymore. Come with me, Ian, and I'll find you a new daddy who loves you, alright?"

"Okay!" Ian sobbed. "Let's go far, far away. We don't want him anymore."

…

Noelle took Ian with her to a law firm. She had a lawyer draw up a divorce agreement for her. Then, when they got home, she cooked Ian something, and they shared a tiny piece of cake.

Hector returned that night. He'd changed out of his expensive suit and into a cheap one. He frowned as he asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Instead of answering, Noelle handed him a document. "I was waiting for you to come back to sign this."

"What's that?" His phone rang as soon as the words were out of his mouth.

He answered it, and Lindsey's voice came from the other end of the line. "Hector, did you take your coat? Micah is still waiting for you to catch a meteor shower with him. You'll miss it if you don't hurry up."

Hector hummed gently. Then, he hurriedly signed the document and left.

Once the door swung shut behind him, Noelle answered his question softly. "It's a divorce agreement, Hector."

Chapter 2

"Mommy, does this mean you and Daddy are divorced now?" Ian looked up at Noelle while holding the signed divorce agreement.

She crouched and caressed his head. "We still have to wait for a month for the cooling-off period to pass. When the time comes, I'll take you away from here. We'll never come back."

Ian nodded, his eyes gleaming expectantly.

Hector didn't come home for the next few days. Noelle saw from Lindsey's social media that he was busy bringing her and Micah on trips and to expensive restaurants. He even attended Micah's parent-teacher conference.

He smiled tenderly in each photo—it was a look Noelle had never seen. She looked through each post, feeling like she was being stabbed repeatedly.

She remembered the day she'd married Hector five years ago. She hadn't had a wedding, a wedding dress, or even a proper ceremony.

She'd worked five jobs a day over the past five years, and she hadn't dared to go to the hospital even after passing out by the roadside while making food deliveries.

As for Ian, he'd started collecting bottles and handing out flyers with her since he could walk—all so they could help Hector repay his debt after "going bankrupt".

How ridiculous.

…

Hector returned over a week later. The first thing he said when he entered their home was, "Get Ian ready. I'm taking him out for some fun."

Noelle was taken aback. He'd clearly stated that he would only spend his money on Lindsey, so what was with this change? Why did he suddenly want to take Ian out?

"Don't bother," she instinctively said.

Hector's expression darkened at that. He was about to say something when their landlady, Jane Norton, knocked on the door. She wanted to discuss terminating the tenancy with them.

Hector frowned. "Why are you suddenly terminating the tenancy when we're fine here?"

Noelle didn't want him to know that she was planning on leaving with Ian, so she said, "I wanted a change of environment."

Hector didn't think much of it. He thought she felt the rental was too expensive, so he nodded and said, "You should step outside to talk to Jane, then. I'll watch Ian."

Noelle hesitated before nodding. He was Ian's father, after all.

Jane was a kind woman who was always willing to help. She pulled Noelle to the stairwell and said, "Noelle, you guys have stayed here for years. If you think it's too expensive, I can reduce the rental by a hundred dollars. What do you think?"

"Thanks, but you don't need to do that." Noelle shook her head. "I'm going through a divorce, and I'll soon leave this city."

Jane's jaw dropped in shock. "What? A divorce? Did you ask for it, or did your husband?"

After a pause, she said, "It must've been your husband—you love him so much, after all. How could you possibly leave him?"

Noelle lowered her eyes, feeling bitter. Even outsiders could tell how much she'd loved Hector.

Jane stopped pressing for more information at her silence, not wanting to rub salt in her wounds. She said, "Well, we'll do as you say since you've made up your mind. Don't be sad, alright? I'm sure he'll regret missing out on someone as wonderful as you."

The apartment was empty when Noelle returned. Surprised, she called Hector. However, no one answered. Her heart clenched in fear when she still couldn't get through to him after 30 calls. She ran out and caught anyone she could find, asking them hysterically whether they'd seen Hector and Ian.

Finally, the owner of a nearby convenience store told her what she wanted to know. "Your husband? I saw him get into a car with your boy. He said he was going to the hospital."

The hospital?

Noelle felt cold all over as she hurried to the hospital. It was outside the operating theater that she heard Hector's voice. "They're perfect matches. Micah will be fine after the operation."

Lindsey asked tearfully, "Will Noelle cause a scene if she finds out you brought Ian here for a bone marrow donation?"

Hector sounded so calm that he was almost cruel. "I'm his father, so it's perfectly legal for me to sign the consent form on his behalf. Causing a scene and kicking up a fuss is all she can do now."

He paused, and his voice turned colder. "The operation has already started. I won't let her get in the way of saving Micah."

Chapter 3

Noelle stood frozen at a corner of the corridor. So, Hector had only returned that day for Ian's bone marrow. He'd claimed he was taking Ian out for fun, but it was actually a lie—he wanted to force Ian into the operation! He was willing to give up Ian's life in exchange for Micah's!

She couldn't hold herself back anymore. She barged into the waiting area before the operating theater and screamed, "Hector Yarrow! You brought Ian out just to trick him into donating his bone marrow?"

Hector turned to look at her icily. "Don't act like a madwoman here."

"Me, a madwoman?" Noelle trembled violently as her tears fell. "Ian adores you! He draws you every day and calls your name even in his sleep! He's only five, yet he's been collecting bottles and giving out flyers with me just to help you 'repay your debt'! Yet here you are, giving up his life in exchange for Lindsey's son's health!"

"It's just a bone marrow transplant. It won't kill him." Hector's voice was eerily calm. "Micah has leukemia, and he can't wait any longer. That's a person's life we're talking about."

"What about Ian, then?" Noelle grabbed him hysterically. "He's only five, and you tricked him into signing the consent form! Are you even worthy of being his father?"

He grabbed her wrist, looking steely. "Don't force my hand, Noelle."

She struggled to break free, but bodyguards appeared out of nowhere and subdued her. Just then, the operating theater's doors flew open, and a nurse ran out. "Both children are hemorrhaging! Micah has a rare blood type, and we don't have enough blood in the blood bank!"

Hector's expression shifted. He whipped around to look at Noelle, his gaze sharp. "Your blood type is Rh-negative."

Her eyes widened. He continued, "Donate your blood now. Go!"

"Dream on!" she cried shakily. "That's Lindsey Sutton's child! Why should I—"

"Do it, or Ian isn't getting a blood transfusion, either." Hector cut her off, sounding venomous. "I call the shots over the hospital's blood supply."

Noelle felt like she'd been struck by lightning. He was threatening her with Ian's life.

She stared at him for a long time before suddenly laughing. At the same time, tears streamed down her face. "Fine. I'll do it."

The process of getting her blood taken was long and torturous. The nurse looked at Hector hesitantly after extracting 600cc of blood. "Mr. Yarrow, her life will be in danger if I extract any more…"

"Don't stop." He looked at her emotionlessly.

Noelle's face was as white as a sheet, and her vision was turning spotty. Still, she bit her lip hard, refusing to make a sound.

She had to save Ian. Even if they took every drop of her blood, she had to save her child.

Before losing consciousness, she heard Hector say to the nurse, "Give Micah the blood first."

…

The first thing Noelle felt when she woke up was coldness.

"Mommy!" Ian threw himself into her arms, sounding like he was on the verge of tears as he cried, "It was so painful! I was so scared I wouldn't see you again!"

She held him close, her tears soaking his collar. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I couldn't protect you."

He wiped her tears clumsily. "Don't cry, Mommy. It doesn't hurt anymore."

Her heart twisted painfully, but she forced a smile. "Let's leave once I can be discharged, okay?"

"Where will we go?"

"Somewhere without Daddy."

Ian nodded. "Okay! When are we leaving?"

"In three days."

Just then, the ward door swung open. Hector stood there, looking stormy. "You're leaving? Where to?"

Chapter 4

Ian shrank back in Noelle's arms when he saw Hector. He was so scared that he couldn't stop trembling.

Noelle's heart twisted painfully, and she held him tightly as she looked at Hector icily. "It's none of your business."

Hector frowned. Noelle and Ian had always clung to him in the past, and they'd looked at him with love-filled gazes. This was their first time being so cold to him, and he felt uncomfortable for some reason.

Soon, however, he went back to being cold and aloof. "Lindsey has just returned after a divorce, and it's not easy for her to raise Micah alone. That's why I'm helping in any way I can. Our son is fine, so don't get your panties in a bunch over this."

Noelle felt like she'd been stabbed. "So, you do remember that Micah is the son Lindsey had with someone else and that Ian is your flesh and blood! Yet you still tricked him into that operation! Do you know how much we've sacrificed for you over the years?"

Hector looked at her icily. "I told you to leave when I went bankrupt, but you insisted on staying. I told you I didn't want the baby, but you insisted on having it. I've not forced you two into doing whatever you've done over the years. You two did it willingly, didn't you?"

Noelle's ears buzzed at his words, and she trembled. Her eyes reddened as she told herself that he was right. She was the one who'd loved him so deeply that she'd lost sight of herself—she'd been naive enough to think he would eventually turn back and see her.

She wouldn't do that anymore, though.

Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She said, "You're right. I was so pathetic."

Irritation surged in Hector when he saw her like that. He gave Noelle and Ian one last cold look before turning and leaving.

…

Noelle and Ian recuperated in the hospital for the next few days. When the nurses chatted, they talked about how considerate Hector was toward Lindsey and Micah.

"I heard Mr. Yarrow bought Ms. Sutton a set of jewelry worth millions of dollars. He also bought her son a limited-edition toy—he got him the full set, too!"

"He even took them to an upscale restaurant yesterday. The boy wanted to have ice cream, so Mr. Yarrow bought a whole ice-cream truck for him!"

Noelle's heart no longer hurt as she listened to them.

On the day she was discharged, she brought Ian to a theme park that he'd always wanted to visit. She bought him things that she would never have wanted to spend money on in the past—cotton candy, a balloon, and even a toy car he loved.

Ian's eyes shone brightly as he held the things. But when he saw other children being carried by their fathers, he lowered his head.

"Mommy." He suddenly looked up and did his best to put on a smile. "I'm happy enough with you by my side."

Noelle's nose prickled. She rubbed his head and asked, "Do you want to have a go on the go-kart? I'll go with you."

When they were buying tickets for the go-kart, a staff member enthusiastically recommended a package to them. "If there are three of you, do you want to consider getting the family package? It's more worth it!"

Ian shook his head. "We only need two tickets. I don't have a dad."

"What's that supposed to mean?" A cold voice rang out behind them.

Noelle turned to see Hector standing there while holding Lindsey's and Micah's hands. She looked at him calmly and asked, "Did he say anything wrong? Have you ever spent a day with him?"

Hector was rendered speechless.

The staff member didn't notice anything was wrong and continued promoting the package. "Get a family package, sir! You're handsome, your wife is beautiful, and your son is adorable. It's clear that you three are a happy family!"

Lindsey loved hearing that. She happily bought a family package.

Ian lowered his head and clutched the hem of Noelle's shirt tightly as his eyes reddened.

They entered the go-kart arena. Noelle had never tried this before, so she kept to the side of the arena and drove slowly, not wanting Ian to get hurt.

Meanwhile, Hector patiently taught Micah how to control the go-kart. His tone was unbelievably gentle. "Yes, that's it. Take it slow…"

It was a patience that Noelle and Ian had never seen or experienced.

Micah soon got everything down pat and clamored about wanting to drive alone. Lindsey smiled and agreed. She rented him his own go-kart. Then, she and Hector idyllically drove around the arena.

Once they were further away, Micah abruptly turned his go-kart around and hurtled straight at Noelle and Ian. "How dare you cling to being Mr. Yarrow's wife and son, you two pieces of trash? Make way for me and Mommy!"

He rammed right into them with a loud scream. There was a deafening bang.

Chapter 5

Noelle instinctively shielded Ian when the go-karts collided, but the impact still made them crash against the wall. Blood flowed from her forehead, and there was a deep scratch by Ian's eye. He burst into tears from the pain.

Micah only had a few scratches, but he started howling at the top of his lungs. "Mommy! Mr. Yarrow! They rammed into me!"

When Hector and Lindsey hurried over, they found Micah wailing loudly. Meanwhile, Ian was bleeding profusely. Noelle held him tightly as she trembled all over.

"Noelle Jensen!" Hector's gaze turned ice-cold. "Have you lost your mind? How could you bully a child?"

Lindsey held Micah, looking like her heart was breaking. Her eyes reddened, and she cried, "How could you do this to Micah? He's only five!"

Noelle clamped a hand over Ian's wound as tears streamed down her face, mingling with the blood trickling from her forehead. "He was the one who rammed into us! He tried to hurt us!"

"A five-year-old tried to hurt you?" Hector barked out an exasperated laugh. "Do you even believe that?"

Ian's face was pale from the pain. His blood oozed through the gaps between Noelle's fingers. She had no time to argue with them; she carried him out of the go-kart and turned to leave. "Get out of my way. I need to take Ian to the hospital!"

Hector grabbed her wrist and summoned his bodyguards. "Stop her."

"Hector Yarrow!" Noelle screamed. "Ian's bleeding!"

"Apologize." He looked at her imperiously, his tone commanding. "You frightened Micah."

"I didn't do anything wrong!" She glared at him. "He was the one who—"

"You're not going anywhere if you don't apologize." He cut her off, his gaze icy. "Or do you want Ian to apologize on your behalf?"

Noelle jolted. Ian was already dazed from the pain. He clutched her collar weakly as he mumbled, "Mommy, it hurts…"

Tears streamed down her face. She gritted her teeth and forced out shakily, "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Can I take my child to the hospital now?"

Lindsey shrank back, frightened by her attitude. Hector frowned. "Is that the proper way to apologize?"

Ian's blood had already soaked into Noelle's sleeve. Her knees buckled, and she fell onto them. "I'm sorry! Is this enough?"

The sound of her knees coming into contact with the ground made Hector widen his eyes. "I didn't tell you to…"

Noelle had already scrambled to her feet and run off with Ian.

…

At the hospital, a doctor tended to Ian's wound. He needed sutures but couldn't be given anesthesia because he was too young.

He trembled from the pain, and he clutched Noelle's fingers tightly. His voice was hoarse from all his crying. "Mommy, it hurts so much…"

Noelle's heart twisted painfully. She could only kiss him and repeated, "It'll stop hurting soon. I'm here, okay?"

She only dragged herself to get Ian's medication after he fell asleep. As she walked past the VIP ward next door, she heard Lindsey putting on a performance for Hector.

"Micah isn't badly injured—you should go watch over Ian," she said guiltily. "Noelle must be mad after we forced her to kneel earlier. What if she demands a divorce?

"I was young and insolent, and I've already done you wrong by marrying someone and having Micah just to get back at you. I'm sure Noelle feels horrible now that you're caring for Micah and me like this…"

Hector said calmly, "She would've gotten a divorce ages ago if it was something she wanted. I lied to her about being bankrupt for five years, but she still stuck around. There's no way she'll leave now."

He paused and snorted. "She and Ian love me to the core. There's no way they'll leave me."