Chapter 1

After his older brother died in a car accident, Luke Graham inherited the Graham Group.

Luke was expected to take care of his widowed sister-in-law. So, his mom, Jenny Green, told Luke, "Susan is all alone now. If you take care of her, not only will you give your brother a child, you'll also be looking after her."

Luke held me in his arms, speaking softly, "I'm only giving her a child. Once this is over, nothing will stand in our way. My heart has belonged to you from the start."

However, when Luke went from visiting Susan's house once a month to visiting mine only once a month, I knew then that he was no longer mine alone.

The day Susan announced her pregnancy, Luke took the Graham family's heirloom diamond necklace, which he had once fastened around my neck during our engagement, and placed it around hers instead.

At that moment, I knew it was time to leave.

…

Susan leaned shyly against Luke's shoulder, her fingertips brushing the diamond necklace on her neck. Her voice carried a deliberate note of modesty as she said, "Luke, this is the Graham family heirloom. It should be worn by your wife, not me."

Jenny chuckled, waving it off. "Don't be silly. You've always loved diamonds, and now you're carrying the Graham family's first grandchild. This necklace suits you perfectly. It belongs with you."

It was only then that Luke noticed me standing at the door.

Without a flicker of guilt, he released Susan's hand and walked toward me. The cloying scent of her lily-of-the-valley scented perfume thickly clung to his clothes, making me nauseous.

"Scarlett, Susan has always loved this necklace. You know her temper. She rarely finds something she likes. Let her wear it for now. You don’t mind, do you?" he said.

Susan immediately made a show of fumbling at the clasp. "Scarlett, please don't take it to heart. I just thought it was so beautiful, I couldn't resist trying it on. Luke only let me borrow it. I'll give it back right now."

However, the more she pretended to tug, the tighter the clasp seemed to catch, until an angry red line marked her neck. Her eyes welled as she whimpered, "Luke, it hurts…"

Luke instantly held her hand, his voice tender. "Don't. I gave it to you. It's yours. Scarlett can have a better one tomorrow. I'll send someone to an auction house to choose one for her."

When Luke turned to me, his tone was warm but firm, leaving no room for refusal. "You've always been generous. Surely you won't argue over a necklace with a pregnant woman. She's carrying enough burden as it is. Why not let her have this small comfort?"

Jenny's face hardened as she looked at me. "Scarlett, you've been married into this family for two years and still haven't gotten pregnant. Luke is now the CEO of a listed company, yet we still have no heir. How do you expect us to hold our heads high?

"Now that Susan is carrying our child, she's done us a great service. When she delivers, she can always have another daughter who'll be adopted under your name. That way, you'll still have a child of your own.

"But for now, stop fussing about a necklace and show some grace. A lady from a scholarly family should know better."

Their voices were overlapping in harmony.

Ironically, without my dad's backing, Luke would never have risen from a penniless young man to the CEO he was today. However, they had long forgotten that.

I turned to the necklace.

Luke had once fastened it around my neck himself, on the night he proposed. After the wedding, I tucked it away in a velvet box, afraid it might get scratched. Now it glittered against Susan's skin, each diamond shard stabbing my eyes like needles.

A bitter ache pressed at my chest, but my voice stayed calm. "The necklace looks better on her. Susan, it's Luke's gift. Keep it."

Jenny gave a short laugh. "At least you know your place."

For a moment, Luke froze, as though he had expected me to weep or lash out. After all, I used to bristle whenever he spoke too long with a female assistant. However, my composure unsettled him, and I caught the flicker of unease in his eyes.

...

That night, Luke did something rare.

He came to my bedroom, pulled me into his arms, and murmured, "Scarlett, I know you've been wronged. But now that Susan is carrying a child, I can finally give you all of me."

I thought of his promise and lifted my head. "Luke, do you remember what you swore to me and my dad?"

He pinched my cheek, smiling indulgently. "You jealous little sweetheart. Of course, I remember. I told you once Susan has the baby, my duty is done. I'll come back to you, and we'll have a child of our own. You won't have to feel insecure anymore."

At that, the last thread of feeling I held for him snapped.

When we first met, Luke had nothing. My dad had opposed us bitterly, insisting he wasn't worthy of me. However, Luke knelt outside our gate for three days and three nights, begging my dad to let him marry me. He swore he would spend his life loving and protecting me, that he would never let me suffer..

I had been moved to tears, kneeling beside him and telling my dad I would marry no one but him.

My dad finally relented after a long hesitation, and he drew up a contract on that day. "This is a divorce agreement. It clearly states that if you ever betray my daughter or break her heart, she has the right to leave you without your consent. Luke, do you dare sign this?"

He signed without hesitation. Yet now, every promise was dust.

Looking at his feigned tenderness, I felt only scorn.

When I stayed silent, Luke leaned down to kiss me. The lily-of-the-valley scent smothered me, churned my stomach.

I frowned and shoved him away.

Chapter 2

Just then, noise erupted from outside the door. "Get a doctor now! If something happens, none of us can answer for it!"

Shortly, a rapid pounding shook the bedroom door. "Mr. Graham, someone from Susan's villa said she doubled over with stomach pain and was bleeding. You need to come right away!"

At those words, Luke roughly shoved me aside, causing my lower back to slam against the edge of the vanity, sending a sharp pain shooting up my spine.

Without even glancing at me, Luke sprang to his feet, yanked the door open, and barked, "What happened? Tell the driver to get the car ready, bring in the best obstetrician in the city, and move fast!"

His voice was still ringing in the room as he stormed out, already running toward Susan's villa.

The housekeeper, Amy White, hurried to my side, rubbing the sore spot on my back with a gentle hand. "Mrs. Graham, don't take it to heart."

Had I?

I froze, touching my face only to realize it was already streaked with tears. Forcing a smile, I whispered, "Help me change. I'll go see Susan too."

When I arrived at Susan's villa, she was curled softly in Luke's arms, her face tilted up toward him, eyes glistening. "I didn't mean to say I wasn't feeling well… I just panicked. I thought once I had the baby, maybe you wouldn't want to see me anymore.

"Whenever I think of you being with someone else, my heart aches like it's being crushed. Luke, I don't know why I feel this way. Please don't blame me… I just want to steal a few more glances at you. I don't want you to leave."

Luke held her close, his palm pressed gently over her stomach. "Silly girl. You're carrying my child. How could I ever ignore you? You and the baby are the most important people in my life now. Our child will inherit the company one day. Do you think I could ever push you aside?

"Scarlett is too stubborn, never as gentle and thoughtful as you. I've been tired of it for a long time. Don't worry. There's no one like you."

Susan clutched the collar of her shirt. "Then, promise me you'll come every day and won't have any children with her, alright? I'll give you as many as you want. Boys, girls, as many as you want."

Luke laughed quietly, kissing her forehead. "Fine, you spoiled thing. I'll be with you every day."

Susan giggled, snuggling deeper into his chest. "Touch it. The baby knows Daddy's here with us."

Clutching my bag, I slipped away unnoticed. Looking at the brightly lit villa, my eyes burned with tears.

I remembered my wedding day, when my dad had clapped Luke on the shoulder. "We only have one daughter. If you ever make her cry, I won't forgive you."

Luke's eyes were red when he promised him, "Adam, if I ever betray Scarlett, I'll spend the rest of my life abandoned by everyone."

It had been less than three years, and he already had another woman pregnant.

Amy noticed the pallor in my face and whispered, "Mrs. Graham, don't worry. Even if Susan gives birth first, when you have a child later, they'll still be the rightful heir."

I shook my head. "No, Amy. There won't be any children."

Amy froze, confused, but I turned my face away.

Now that Luke was tainted, I didn't want him anymore. Some things, once stained, could never be clean again.

Back in my room, I sat at my desk until dawn broke, then typed a message in an encrypted email to my dad: "Dad, I've divorced Luke. I'll come to you in seven days."

After sending it, I retrieved the contract from my safe and went to the nearest law office to file for divorce.

Luke, since you had already betrayed what we had, I would leave completely and give you what you want.

…

The next morning, before I had even eaten, a maid came knocking.

In the living room, Susan was leaning against the sofa while Luke fed her fruit. The moment he saw me, his hand froze midair. He set the plate aside and walked over. "Scarlett, you look pale. Did you not sleep well?"

Jenny's voice cut in from the side, sharp and mocking. "Why would she lose sleep when she's not pregnant? She's not like Susan, who hasn't slept a wink all night carrying that child. That's even more worrying."

Chapter 3

Jenny continued, "Scarlett, Susan is pregnant, and that's a big deal for the Graham family. She keeps saying she can't sleep well, and that may be because the lighting and ventilation in her room aren't good.

"The house you're living in now is the best. You haven't conceived anyway, so why don't you let Susan stay here until she delivers? What do you think of that arrangement?"

Amy stepped forward in protest. "This house has always belonged to Mrs. Graham. How could you ask her to give it up? That's far too unfair to her!"

Jenny's expression darkened. "She's been married into this family for three years without bearing a single child. I've already been merciful enough not to make Luke divorce her. What more does she want? Now, Susan is carrying the family's first grandson. It's just a house. What's the big deal about moving?"

Susan stood, eyes rimmed red, one hand pressed against her waist. "Jenny, don't say that. I'll live anywhere. It doesn't matter if I suffer a little. Scarlett is Luke's rightful wife. I could never compete with her. I only hope to give him a healthy child."

Her face paled further as she sat back down, looking as fragile as glass.

Luke frowned at me. "Scarlett, it's just switching houses. Let Susan have this house. She's pregnant, not in good health. Once she gives birth, I'll have her move out right away. The main house will still be yours."

For the sake of Susan, Luke wanted his wife to give up her place in the main house. If word got out, the entire business world would laugh at me.

It was blatant humiliation, and they all knew it. Yet Luke still said it, all because Susan carried his child.

When I stayed silent, his tone grew impatient. "Scarlett, pack up in the next couple of days. Let Susan move in and rest properly."

I drew in a deep breath and stood straighter. "I'll move today. I won't delay Susan's pregnancy care."

He blinked, caught off guard. "You don't need to be in such a rush…"

Susan quickly cut him off with a smile. "Thank you, Scarlett. Luke, I'm craving dried plums. Could you get me some?"

Luke's attention shifted at once. "Of course. I'll have the kitchen buy the freshest ones."

He sat down beside her, one hand on her belly, the other feeding her a plum.

I turned back to the main house and told Amy, who had followed me when I first moved in, "Only pack the things I brought with me. Leave everything else here."

Amy was fuming. "You've lived here so long. Why should you be the one to move? This is bullying!"

My throat tightened. I looked at her and said quietly, "It won't be for long."

Not much longer, and this would all be over.

That night, Luke came by. He didn't step inside, only lingered at the doorway, his voice tinged with guilt. "Scarlett, I'm sorry you had to go through this once."

I cut him off with a lift of my eyes. "It doesn't matter. This isn't the first time I felt this way. Moving out just makes it easier. Now, you can stay with Susan all you want."

Luke's brows knitted tighter, and anger flashed in his voice. "Why do you have to be so bitter just because you had to move? Scarlett, can't you be more mature?

"Think about the bigger picture. I've promised her only one child. Once Susan has this baby, things between us can go back to the way they were."

Back to the way they were? Never again.

After Susan moved into the main house, she grew bolder by the day, acting like the mistress of the estate, clinging to Luke constantly and never letting him visit me alone. The only time we sat together was at dinner, and even then, she managed to draw every bit of attention to herself with her pregnancy.

...

Seven days later, it was my birthday.

That evening, for once, Luke wasn't trapped at Susan's side. He found me in the garden, guilt written across his face. "Scarlett, I know you've been wronged. It's your birthday today, so let me make it up to you. I've booked a yacht on the river. Tonight we'll watch the lantern festival. It'll be lively."

However, before I could answer, Susan appeared, her face glowing with a coy smile. "Luke, I have a surprise for you."

Chapter 4

Susan pulled Luke's hand to her belly and pressed it gently against her. "Feel it."

The words had barely left her mouth when the baby gave a sudden kick.

Luke straightened in excitement. "It moved? The baby's responding to me!"

Susan leaned into his arms. "You have no idea how lively our baby is. It's always kicking around all day long. You should touch more, talk to him. The doctor said the more you interact with the baby now, the closer he'll feel to you after he's born."

Luke's voice brimmed with anticipation as he helped her toward the door. "Really? Then, I'll talk to the baby every day and let it know my voice from the start."

I couldn't hold back anymore. "Luke."

He turned at the sound of my voice, a flicker of guilt crossing his face as if he had just remembered it was my birthday. "Scarlett, why don't you take Amy and the others out on the yacht tonight? I'll make it up to you another day."

It felt like something heavy had dropped straight into my chest, sinking deeper and deeper.

Susan turned her head just enough for me to catch the triumphant smile tugging at her lips.

"Fine," I said softly.

However, there would be no other day. Tonight was the end.

I let the Graham family's driver take me to the river. With their eyes on me, I boarded the yacht and watched as it drifted slowly into the current.

Standing at the bow, I pulled out my phone and dialed. "Mr. Ramsay, please send the second copy of the divorce papers to the Graham estate. I'll text you the address. The recipient is Luke Graham. Thank you."

Luke, it was completely over.

…

That night at dinner, Susan stroked her stomach with a look of feigned worry. "Scarlett seemed upset today, didn't she? It's my fault for clinging to you all the time. She must be angry with me. It's already dark, and she still hasn't come back."

Jenny slapped the table sharply. "Scarlett has gotten far too bold, letting her elders sit here waiting! She can't even bear a child, and now she doesn't fulfill her duties as a wife? What use is she?"

She turned to Luke. "Good thing I insisted you take care of both households. Otherwise, the Graham family line might have ended with her. Susan's dependable. She can give us more children, unlike a certain barren woman clinging to the title of Mrs. Graham without delivering anything."

Susan quickly soothed her. "Don't worry, Jenny. I'll give you plenty of grandchildren. Our children will grow up strong and capable, just like Luke."

Her easy flattery made Jenny beam.

However, Luke's brow furrowed as he asked the servants. "Has anyone checked the river yet? Why isn't the yacht back? Any word from Scarlett?"

The servants shook their heads.

Jenny scoffed. "Good. If she doesn't return tonight, let her pack up and get out for good."

Yet, unease gnawed at Luke.

Since my parents died three years ago, I have had no family left in this city. I had never once stayed out overnight. "Send more men to the riverbank. The moment you hear anything, tell me at once."

Susan's voice trembled. "She wouldn't really leave just because I'm pregnant, would she?"

Luke's gaze dropped to her belly, then drifted to her wrist. The emerald bracelet she wore was mine. The diamond headband glittering in her hair was mine too. It was his birthday gift to me years ago. Yet, now Susan was the one wearing them.

His voice darkened as he pointed at the headband. "Why do you have the headband? It belongs to Scarlett."

Susan touched the headband lightly and said with a shrug, "She left boxes of jewelry on her vanity when she moved out. I just happened to keep this one."

Luke's unease deepened. Why would I abandon all my jewelry? Why take nothing with me?

Before he could think further, one of Luke's men rushed in, drenched in sweat and trembling. "Mr. Graham… bad news. The yacht that Mrs. Graham took had capsized in the middle of the river. Not a single person came back… They're all gone!"