On their fifth wedding anniversary, after ninety-nine rounds of IVF, Cordelia was finally pregnant.

But the doctor said her uterine lining was too thin; she needed to be hospitalized to keep the baby safe.

She went home, ready to talk to Hendrix McQuillen about it, when she heard teasing voices drifting out of his study.

“Bro, you really can’t get enough of sleeping around, huh? Planning to reward Cordelia with a baby?”

“Yeah, seriously, bro, didn’t you fake her infertility test results and make her go through all those IVF cycles for nothing?”

“Now that she’s carrying your child, don’t tell me you’re actually falling for her?”

Hendrix’s side profile looked sharp and intense, and he twisted his lips in a mocking smile.

“Of course not. I’m doing it for the inheritance. Grandpa said as long as Cordelia gets pregnant, I’ll be named heir of the family.

“I’ve only ever loved Maya. If I hadn’t slipped up that night and slept with Cordelia when I drugged her, Grandpa never would’ve forced me to marry her.

“Besides, Maya’s afraid of pain. So I’m just borrowing Cordelia’s body. I’ll let her bear a child for me and Maya.”

Every word stabbed straight into Cordelia’s ears, drenching her like a bucket of ice water.

She felt herself plummet into a frozen pit, her lungs twisting with every breath.

Five years ago, at her own birthday party, she had been drugged and ended up in a blurry, accidental night with him.

The next morning, Maya, the illegitimate daughter of Cordelia’s father, had burst into the room with a crowd of guests, accusing her of seducing him.

Everyone knew Cordelia had loved Hendrix for years, but she couldn’t defend herself.

Sebastian, his grandfather, then used the pre-arranged engagement between the two families as an excuse, forcing Hendrix to marry Cordelia.

At the time, the McQuillens had just brought home another illegitimate child—Angus.

Desperate for power, Hendrix didn’t dare defy his grandfather.

And Cordelia, who had loved him for so long, agreed to this arrangement.

After the wedding, he changed completely, caring for her meticulously.

She loved pink diamonds; he bought countless pink diamonds for her at auctions.

When she caught a simple fever, he mobilized a private jet to bring top specialists from Switzerland.

She hated rainy days; whenever it rained, he canceled everything and took her out of the city to escape the rain.

He even hired foreign experts to treat her mother, who had fallen into a coma.

Over the years, just the medical bills had cost tens of millions…

When Cordelia asked for the stars, Hendrix practically handed her the moon.

She truly believed he loved her, too. So when she found out she was infertile, she followed his advice and began IVF.

After going through ninety-nine cycles, countless injections, and hundreds of pills, she finally conceived…

What she could never expect was that not only did Hendrix never love her. He didn’t even see her as human.

He used IVF to torture her… and wanted her to have a child for him and Maya!

All color drained from Cordelia’s face as her entire body trembled uncontrollably.

Suddenly, someone inside reminded him. “Bro, you better never let Cordelia know that the baby she’s carrying is actually yours and Maya’s. Or that Maya is the one who made Cordelia’s mom fall into a coma. She will definitely lose it.”

Hendrix let out a soft, dismissive laugh. “Cordelia is obsessed with me. Even if she learns the truth, she’ll still willingly give birth to this child for me.

“Besides, Maya only pushed Helene a little. Helene lost her balance and fell down the stairs herself…

“All these years, I’ve spent tens of millions on her medical bills. Even if Maya was at fault, the debt’s already been paid a long time ago.”

…

Cordelia’s pupils trembled, and her whole body felt as if her blood was boiling.

It turned out, her mom didn’t end up in a coma because of an accident. Maya did it!

And Hendrix had known everything the whole time!

Inside the study, laughter and cheerful voices filled the room.

In contrast, Cordelia felt as if her heart were being cut with knives, pain making it hard to breathe, tears falling like broken strings of pearls from the corners of her eyes.

The laughter inside the study kept going.

Cordelia couldn’t think. She didn’t even remember walking back to her room.

She had liked Hendrix since she was seventeen, and it had already been ten full years.

On their wedding day, she was certain she’d chosen the right man.

And after they married, he treated her so tenderly.

She had thought they would be together for life.

But now, she knew the truth—all of it had been lies.

Memories crashed over her, one after another, until she broke down completely. She buried her face in the blankets and sobbed like a child.

She did not know how much time had passed before her tears finally dried, and her heart had become numb from the pain.

This grand and splendid dream she had lived for five years… Now, it was time to wake up.

She wiped her face roughly, grabbed her phone, and decisively booked an abortion.

That night, she was already lying on the operating table.

She touched her still-flat belly, her eyes quickly reddening, her heart filled with conflicting emotions.

‘Baby… I’m sorry.’

To her, a baby was supposed to come from love.

She didn’t want to abort it, but she could not be a surrogate for Hendrix and Maya.

The doctor was about to give her anesthesia when the door of the operating room flew open.

A group of bodyguards walked in. The one in front said, “Ma’am, our boss wants to see you. Please come with us.”

Before she could refuse, they escorted her out.

Thirty minutes later, she was pushed into the presidential suite of the Peninsula Hotel.

A tall, upright man stood sideways by the floor-to-ceiling window, smoking.

Hearing the noise, he immediately stubbed out his cigarette but did not turn around. In a hoarse and deep voice, he began, “You’re here.”

The voice sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it.

She asked directly. “Who are you? And why did you have these men drag me here?”

He let out a quiet, almost amused breath at her question. “Who I am isn’t the point. What matters is that the baby you’re carrying is mine. And I’m not letting you abort it.”

Cordelia sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes full of disbelief. “I’m pregnant with Hendrix and Maya’s kid. How the hell would it be yours?”

He did not explain, only speaking bluntl, “If you give birth to that child, I will cover your mother’s medical expenses and even hire foreign neurospecialists to operate on her.”

Cordelia refused without hesitation. “No. I’m not having this baby!”

“You sure?” he taunted. “Once Hendrix finds out you got rid of that child, he’ll pull your mom out of the hospital that same day. I bet he’ll use her to force you into carrying another kid for him and Maya.”

Cordelia stiffened all over, unable to speak another word of refusal.

That man was right. If Hendrix knew she had aborted the child, he certainly would not let it go.

But…

She bit her lip, watching the mysterious man in front of her warily. “You won’t even tell me who you are. Why should I trust you?”

The man laughed softly, his tone filled with the certainty of someone in complete control. “Cordelia, you don’t get to choose.”

Her face drained of color, her fingertips going cold.

He was right. She didn’t have a choice.

If she refused him, she’d end up as a surrogate for Hendrix and Maya, spending the rest of her life trapped under their shadow.

So, she could only give birth to this child.

Thinking this through, she quickly made a decision. “I can give birth to this child, but I have one condition.”

The man nodded slightly. “Go ahead.”

Cordelia blurted out, “I want Hendrix ruined completely. And I want Maya in prison!”

Hendrix had played her like a fool, and Maya was the reason Helene ended up in a coma. Cordelia wasn’t going to let any of that go.

The man seemed to have anticipated her request. He agreed without hesitation. “As you wish.”

His voice had a strange, persuasive calm to it—an oddly reassuring presence.

Cordelia’s heart finally steadied a little. She wanted to ask who he really was, but his long, slender fingers made a small motion as he ordered the bodyguards in a cold voice, “Take her home. Drive carefully.”

It was as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. He lowered his voice and said, “Don’t worry. When the time is right, I’ll tell you who I am.”

Cordelia immediately asked, “When?”

“A week from now,” he replied. “At the wedding anniversary party you and Hendrix are hosting, I’ll make sure everyone sees who he really is.”

On the way back, Hendrix called her. She didn’t want to talk to him, so she hung up immediately.

A moment later, a Telegram message came in. [Della, it’s late. Why aren’t you home yet? Do you want me to come pick you up?]

Cordelia bit her lip, her face completely bloodless.

If this were before, she would’ve been touched.

But now…

Forget it. Since he loved to put on an act, she would play along.

After all, there was still one week left, and everything would be over.

The moment she stepped into the villa, Hendrix hurried over and grabbed her hand, his voice worried. “Della, where were you? Why are you home so late?”

Cordelia pulled her hand back and lied casually. “A friend was feeling down, so I stayed and talked with her a little longer.”

Hendrix didn’t question it. He just nodded, then noticed her swollen eyes. His brows immediately drew together, and he asked, “You were crying?”

His blue eyes were full of what looked like deep concern—an illusion of tenderness.

Cordelia froze for a second before denying it instinctively. “I didn’t.”

Hendrix obviously didn’t believe her and was about to keep pressing, but his phone suddenly rang.

He instinctively tilted the screen away from her, but Cordelia still caught a glimpse of the caller ID.

It was Maya.

Hendrix turned away to answer the call. “Okay, don’t worry. I’m leaving now.”

When he hung up, he told her, “There’s something urgent at the company. I have to go.”

He had used that excuse countless times.

Once, Cordelia would’ve just felt sorry he had to work so hard.

Now, she finally understood—it was all lies.

A quiet laugh slipped out of her, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Her face was full of mockery.

For five years, she had been nothing but a joke.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice Hendrix coming closer until he leaned down, trying to kiss her.

She immediately turned her head away to avoid it. “Don’t you have to go to the office? Go on.”

Hendrix stiffened. She was acting strangely tonight.

But Maya was waiting for him, so he didn’t think too deeply. He just nodded. “Then rest early. I’ll come back and keep you company after I finish.”

With that, he left in a hurry.

Watching him walk away without hesitation, Cordelia felt tears surge up again.

So, loving someone could really be an act.

Not long later, she saw Maya’s new post on her Instagram Story.

[Anytime I need you, you’re always there. Thank you for giving me a sense of safety…]

The attached photo was a candid shot of Hendrix driving, his lips curved in a gentle smile.

Within minutes, a mutual friend commented. [Wow, Maya, are you in love? Your boyfriend is so handsome!]

Maya replied. [He’s not my boyfriend. He’s my brother-in-law!]

So two-faced.

She was basically publicizing their romance.

Had they counted on her being pregnant, so they had gotten this bold?

Cordelia bit her lips tightly, clenching her phone until her hand went numb before releasing it.

All her sweet memories with Hendrix flashed across her mind like a cruel slideshow.

Her heart felt as if being cut with blunt knives, pain making it impossible to breathe.

That night, she was almost sleepless until she drifted off in a daze at dawn.

She didn’t know how long she slept before she heard noise downstairs.

Moments later, Maya pushed open her bedroom door and walked in.

“Della, Dad heard you’re pregnant. He asked me to bring you some supplements.”

Cordelia stared at that fake and innocent face, her expression went cold. “Get out! You’re not welcome here!”

Unlike their usual back-and-forth arguments, Maya just pouted and nodded. “If my sister doesn’t want me here, I’ll get going now.”

She had just turned around when Hendrix stepped in to block her.

“Della.” His tone was displeased. “Maya came all the way here to see you. What kind of attitude is that? Apologize!”

Cordelia scowled angrily. No wonder Maya had been so “well-behaved” just now; it turned out she was playing the wounded-strategy act!

Too bad for her, Cordelia wasn’t buying it.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?”

Hendrix’s brows tightened slightly. This was the first time Cordelia had ever talked back to him.

Before, no matter what he said, she always responded with that mild, easygoing temper.

As he thought about that, his expression darkened, and his voice grew colder.

“Hey, did you eat something explosive today? Why are you speaking so harshly?”

The anger burning in Cordelia’s chest made it hard to breathe. She was about to speak when Maya cut in.

“Hendrix, my sister’s pregnant. It’s normal for her to be a little moody.”

Her gaze slid to Cordelia’s still-flat stomach. She tugged at the corner of her lips in a barely-there smirk—one full of meaning.

“Hendrix, don’t argue with her because of me. After all, the baby she’s carrying is yours!”

At those words, some of the tension left Hendrix’s face. He turned to Cordelia, saying, “If you’re not feeling well, then rest a little longer. Once dinner is ready, I’ll have the housekeeper call you.

“Maya’s here for the first time. I’ll show her around.”

With that, he turned and left with Maya.

Right before the door closed, Maya shot Cordelia a bold, triumphant smile.

Cordelia took a few long breaths, forcing herself to calm down. Then she printed out the divorce papers. She’d find the right moment to get Hendrix’s signature.

At the dining table, Maya was there, too.

Cordelia immediately noticed the table was covered with all of Maya’s favorite dishes.

There was no need to ask; clearly, Hendrix had told the chef.

Cordelia barely had an appetite to begin with. Seeing this, she turned to leave.

Suddenly, Maya spoke in a fake-sweet, mocking tone.

“Della, Hendrix asked the kitchen to make all this delicious food just for you. You should eat at least a little!”

Cordelia let out a cold laugh. “Yeah. You’d better not waste your dear brother-in-law’s thoughtful gesture.”

Hendrix immediately heard something was off. He frowned at Cordelia.

“Maya’s a guest. Of course, we should treat her well,” he retorted. “You’re the older sister. Why are you always picking on your younger sister?”

That blatant favoritism hit Cordelia like a knife straight to the chest. It hurt so much she could barely breathe.

A moment later, Maya pushed Cordelia down into a chair.

“Della, even if you’re not hungry, you still need to eat for the baby.”

Maya finished speaking and ladled her a bowl of creamy mushroom soup.

Cordelia had no intention of playing along with this fake sisterly act. She stood up immediately.

Maya grabbed her.

In the tugging, the steaming hot soup spilled all over Cordelia’s chest.

The pain shot through her, forcing a gasp out of her throat, her features twisting.

But Maya yelped instead, “Ahhh! It hurts!”

The next second, Hendrix rushed over, shoved Cordelia aside, and pulled Maya into his arms.

His voice was frantic. “Maya! Are you okay? Where did it burn you?”

Caught off guard, Cordelia stumbled, her lower back slamming hard into the table corner. She clenched her teeth from the pain.

But Hendrix didn’t even look at her. His eyes were full of nothing but Maya.

Because of that, he didn’t see the way Cordelia was staring at him unblinking.

The burning pain spread across her body, but none of it came close to the pain crushing her heart.

So this was it.

Even someone as always-calm as Hendrix could lose control when he cared about the woman he loved.

This was the difference between being loved and not being loved.

Noticing Cordelia’s stare, Maya raised a brow and met her eyes. A victor’s smile flashed across her face before she quickly switched to a pitiful expression.

“I’m fine, Hendrix. Go check on my sister instead. I think she got burned because of me.”

Hendrix paused, finally remembering Cordelia existed. He let go of Maya and walked over.

When he saw the red, swollen skin on Cordelia’s chest, he inhaled sharply.

“You’re this badly burned and didn’t say anything? Does it hurt?”

Cordelia let out a mocking laugh. The movement made the pain lance through her lungs.

“And what difference would it make if I said something?”

Would Hendrix worry about her?

No. He wouldn’t.

Since that was the case, why humiliate herself by asking for his concern?

When he heard her sarcasm, Hendrix’s expression shifted. His tone softened.

“Maya’s visiting for the first time. I just didn’t want her getting hurt and having your father blame me when she goes back, so I…”

“Is that so?” Cordelia cut him off. “Then you really are a great brother-in-law.”

She didn’t want to watch his performance any longer. She turned and headed upstairs.

A few minutes later, Hendrix walked into the bedroom with a medical kit. His voice was earnest this time.

“Hey, I’m sorry. I really messed up just now. I shouldn’t have overlooked you. I promise it won’t happen again.”