At three in the morning, Sophia Palmer stood by the window, listening to the wind wailing and watching the rain pouring down outside. Three hours ago, she had called him, saying she needed him to come back urgently. All she received was his cold laughter before he hung up abruptly.

Sophia had long known her husband, Dillon Palmer, didn't love her. Five years ago, she had fallen for him when he saved her life. Two years later, she saved an elderly man, only to find out he was Dillon’s grandfather. Using that debt of gratitude, she coerced Dillon into marrying her. Everyone said a woman from an ordinary family marrying into wealth was a stroke of luck. But who could see the bitterness behind her fortune?

In three years of marriage, she seldom saw him. She had grown used to facing a cold house and a husband as absent as if he were a ghost, constantly away on business trips. But today was different. Her father was gravely ill and required a significant sum for treatment. With no other option, Sophia texted Dillon again, hoping he would make time for her.

Clutching her phone, she fell asleep as she waited endlessly. She didn't know how much time had passed when a cold hand suddenly touched her waist, waking her with a jolt. In the brief flash of lightning, she saw Dillon’s handsome face. "You’re back," she said, excitement washing away her sleepiness. But touching his wet, cold clothes, she shuddered, "Dry off first."

Before she could express her concern about him catching a cold, Dillon grabbed her wrist tightly. "Is this what you called me back for? You must be pretty desperate. How do you cope when I'm gone?" His voice was filled with biting sarcasm and bitter accusations.

"I'm not…" she began, but Dillon didn't let her continue. He pressed his cold finger against her lips, a smirk of impatience and disdain playing at the corners of his mouth. "Stop wasting time. Let's get this over with."

He moved on her with the aggression of a predator, indifferent to her discomfort. She used to endure these moments, valuing them for their intimacy, rare as it was with Dillon. But this time, the pain was too much, and her abdomen hurt terribly.

"It hurts!" Her tear-filled eyes were so captivating that, for a moment, they tugged at his heart. But he reminded himself that it was all an act, much like three years ago when she drugged him and faked a pregnancy to trap him into marriage, her eyes equally captivating back then, though her tactics were thoroughly detestable.

"Pathetic," Dillon muttered, pulling away. There was no denying the allure of the woman on the bed, enticingly perfect. Yet that body now curled slightly, as if in pain. Normally, he might have stayed longer, but tonight he found no enjoyment in it.

If Sophia had summoned him to put on a sympathy-seeking performance, she was beyond help, foolish to the core.

As the pain in her abdomen subsided, Sophia noticed Dillon was already adjusting his tie, preparing to leave, without even sparing her a glance. He probably thought she was feigning. The misunderstanding about the fake pregnancy three years ago had branded her as a manipulator in his eyes, and no amount of explanation could change that.

Sophia gritted her teeth against the pain, reaching across the bed to tug at Dillon’s sleeve. "Could you spare a few minutes? I really need your help." When Dillon shook her hand off, ready to leave, she quickly wrapped the blanket around herself and blocked the doorway. "Just a moment, please."

"Talk," he said, his cold voice laced with impatience. Sophia knew this was already a concession from him.

"Could you lend me half a million? I really need it. I’ll pay it back with interest, I promise," she pleaded. Her stepmother had called earlier with news that her father, recently hospitalized, had been diagnosed with cancer. The treatment would be expensive.

Dillon curled his lip, "Finally dropping the charade? The pain was just the warm-up, and hitting me up for money is the main event now."

His icy finger tilted her chin, a sneer on his face. "Sophia, do you really think you're all that? Half a million, huh? If you had named this price three years ago, I might have paid without batting an eye. But now, you’re just a worthless freebie, no different from a blow-up doll."

Sophia's eyes reddened with frustration, "I’m just asking for a loan. I’m willing to pay interest. Dillon, please help me."

"Help you? Like how you helped me explain things to Megan?" he taunted, bringing up their past.

"You showed up with others and a pregnancy test report, driving Megan overseas." Sophia shook her head, "That's not true. I went alone to explain. I have no idea why Anna showed up."

Three years ago, after a drugged encounter with Dillon, even as he clung to her, calling another woman’s name, she didn't mind. But when Megan found out, Dillon had asked Sophia to clarify things.

Though it hurt to see Dillon eager to distance himself from her, she had agreed. However, as she was explaining, Anna, a mutual friend, showed up unexpectedly and shoved the test report at Megan. Despite her attempts to explain, Megan wouldn't listen and left the country days later.

A scornful sound escaped Dillon. Sophia knew he didn't believe her. She had repeated this explanation countless times over the years, all in vain. Still, she clung to the hope that one day, he would believe her.

"Fine, let’s say it was all my fault." Her voice was tinged with resignation. "What will it take for you to lend me the money?"

To Dillon, half a million dollars was peanuts, about the cost of a watch. He was simply being vindictive.

Sophia's eyes were filled with emotion, almost imploring, with an undercurrent of innocence—a trait that was dangerously misleading, as he’d learned three years ago. But now, he was immune.

"Three years, and your act is unraveling already?" Dillon’s thumb brushed over her lips, the gesture both intimate and mocking.

Sophia Palmer had long come to terms with the fact that Dillon Palmer would never kiss her. Despite having shared many intimate moments, he had never once kissed her because he didn't love her.

"Feeling regretful now, aren't you?" Dillon said with a smirk. "So clever with that prenuptial agreement. If you hadn't signed it, you wouldn't have to come to me for money."

Before their marriage, Sophia had indeed signed a prenuptial agreement ensuring she wouldn't take a dime from Dillon. In his mind, she married him for the title of Mrs. Palmer and the potential gains it afforded, but Sophia knew her reasons had never involved money.

After their argument, sleep eluded Sophia. At first light, she got up to make some stew for her father.

Sophia arrived at the hospital early, just in time to catch the doctor's rounds. After discussing her father's condition, it became clear she would need a substantial amount of money for his future care.

"Don’t worry, Sophia, I'll be alright," her father said, trying to reassure her. "I can just pick up some medication and leave. Hospital stays are too expensive."

His private room cost hundreds of dollars a day—a considerable expense.

Sophia's father understood, despite her outward image as a wealthy lady, Dillon's attitude toward her was anything but supportive. He didn’t want his daughter shouldering the burden.

Sophia looked at him resolutely. "No, we need to follow the doctor's advice. Proper treatment is important."

"Don’t worry about the money. Dillon has given me some."

Her father seemed skeptical. "Really? Did Dillon truly pay for my treatment?"

"Sophia, don’t lie to me."

Three years prior, he had inadvertently driven a wedge between Dillon and his then-girlfriend by presenting a fake pregnancy report, leading her to leave the country. Dillon had spent a winter night in the rain at the airport as a result, contracting pneumonia. Since then, Dillon had been relentless, demoting him from research director to a minor position, all to make things difficult for Sophia.

"Why would I lie to you? If he hadn't given me any money, how could I afford the hospital bills?"

"Dillon's just been busy, which is why he hasn't visited. He was packing for a business trip last night the moment he got home. But he made sure to remind me to bring you something nourishing. Look, hearty beef stew with herbs. Eat up, Dad."

Worried her father might see through her facade, Sophia quickly busied herself with the pot.

Her stepmother, Evelyn James, was even quicker, opening the pot to serve the stew. "Let me help you with that."

"Tastes good, doesn't it? See how much your daughter and son-in-law care about you."

As Evelyn served the stew, she probed Sophia about Dillon. "Sophia, when will Dillon have time to visit? I should prepare properly for his visit."

It had been two years since she married Sophia's father, yet she had never met Dillon, the business magnate, nor enjoyed any perks of being the mother-in-law to such a wealthy family.

There was no way Dillon could come. Sophia had lied to keep her father from leaving the hospital prematurely due to financial concerns. However, her stepmother couldn’t sense her discomfort and kept asking. With no other choice, Sophia forced out an answer, "I can't say for sure. Dillon travels internationally a lot. Once he has some free time, I'll bring him over. For now, let me go settle the hospital bill with the doctor."

Sophia practically fled the room.

She was a terrible liar and dreaded that her father might notice her deception.

After much persuasion, she managed to convince the doctor to extend the payment deadline by a few days.

She sighed with relief and was about to return to the room when she saw Dillon approaching with a woman clinging to his arm, emerging from the obstetrics department.

What was he doing here?

Sophia wanted to avoid Dillon, so she quickly hid. Still, she couldn’t help but sneak a few glances at him, confident that he wouldn't notice her.

To her surprise, his eyes could look so gentle! Such a stark contrast to the sharpness and coldness he showed her.

The jealousy and heartache welled up, and tears stung her eyes.

"Mr. Palmer, what's so interesting over there?" Carolina Lopez asked with a smile that masked her inner jealousy, quickly figuring out what had caught his attention.

"Ah, that seems like Mrs. Palmer. Why would she be at the hospital? Is she unwell? Should we check on her?" she suggested.

"Ignore it," Dillon replied curtly.

If Sophia were truly sick, she would have used it as an excuse to pressure him to come home. She had that tactic down.

"But what if she misunderstands? Should I go explain?"

Dillon paused briefly. "Since when were you so interested in her affairs?"

Carolina hadn’t noticed his displeasure and continued in a playful tone, "I saw you were paying attention and thought you cared."

Her words caught in her throat when she saw the ice in his gaze.

"Do you think you can read my mind?" he said coolly.

Dillon seemed oblivious to the woman's worried look. "I brought you here for business today. Don’t get ahead of yourself."

"People around me should be sensible and follow the rules. If you can't manage that, go see Mr. Rose for a check."

The mere mention of Sophia's name had become a trigger for his anger. She asked him for money, and he was angry. If she didn't, he was still annoyed. Anyone who mentioned her name faced his wrath.

From Sophia’s vantage point, it seemed as though the two were kissing, as if an unseen hand was squeezing her throat, and she felt she couldn’t breathe.

She had loved him for five years, waited for 1,825 days, only to watch him kiss someone else.

He never even thought of turning to look at her!

Sophia wanted to escape, but for some reason, she couldn’t move. Her body felt drained of all energy.

"Hello, may I have a word with you?"

Sophia hadn’t noticed Carolina approach. By the time she came to her senses, Dillon was gone.

The woman in front of her had long, dark hair and bright eyes that seemed to draw people in. Most strikingly, she bore a resemblance to someone named Anne, to whom Dillon had once been devoted.

No wonder Dillon kissed her—it was always about Anne.

In the end, Sophia couldn’t compete with his idealized memory.

Sophia straightened her spine, gathered her emotions, and faced this woman's provocation head-on. She wouldn’t let herself lose to the other woman’s challenge.

"Alright."

...

In the café next to the hospital, Carolina sat with a self-assured air, sensing Dillon’s dissatisfaction with his wife.

"I’m sure you’ve seen me on TV or in magazines. The paparazzi have snapped plenty of pictures of me with Dillon," Carolina said, her tone full of pride.

Sophia remained unfazed. "Oh, there are so many of my husband's employees. You didn’t stand out."

Sophia had mistaken the famed actress for just another worker.

"I’m not an employee of Mr. Palmer’s. I’m a star, and I have a very close relationship with Dillon."

"Oh, so you’re the other woman. It’s surprising how bold mistresses are these days."

The term "mistress" made Carolina react sharply. "I am not a mistress. Dillon and I are truly in love. In a relationship, the one not loved is the third wheel. Mr. Palmer doesn’t love you."

Though Sophia had already accepted that truth, hearing it from the other woman felt like a slap to the face.

Sophia Palmer fired back, "Even if Dillon Palmer doesn't love me, so what? My name is right there next to his on our marriage certificate. Legally, I'm his wife, which means you have to call me Mrs. Palmer."

How had it come to this? Sophia was supposed to be easily controlled, not someone who could stand her ground. Carolina Lopez had expected to find Sophia in misery and despair, but instead, she was left feeling humiliated.

Carolina clenched her jaw. "But I'm the one he loves. We've been together for a year. He'll be with me at Thanksgiving, making pies, and creating romantic moments on Valentine's Day. He’ll be holding my hand as we stroll through town, catching a movie, and building snowmen with me during the winter. Every holiday, he showers me with gifts and even gave me a supplementary platinum card. I doubt he ever did that for you."

"As far as I know, you barely see him a few times a year. When you truly love someone, you make time for them no matter how busy you are."

He was busy every day, yet he found time for romantic escapades with his lover. It made sense; after all, the woman in front of her looked so much like Anne, someone Dillon had once gone to great lengths for.

With Sophia, he was miserly, not even sparing her a smile.

"If you're just here to brag, I've dealt with too many women like you. You all say the same things; it gets old."

"Oh, and Miss Lopez, since you're in the public eye, maybe you should keep a lower profile. Unless, of course, you have skin as thick as a castle wall."

Sophia's next words left Carolina speechless.

"Of course, if you believe love justifies intruding on someone else's marriage, why not declare it openly here?"

Judging by Carolina's expression, Sophia already knew the outcome. She pulled some hundred-dollar bills from her wallet and placed them on the table. "The coffee's on me. Enjoy."

"No need to thank me—after all, it's our shared money, community property."

Sophia stood and smiled. "Quick tip: I have the right to take you to court to reclaim everything Dillon's given you, including that card. So, when you see me, you might want to tread lightly, unless you plan to lose it all."

Dillon wouldn’t give her a dime, yet he lavished it on his mistress. It was infuriating! She wasn’t planning to go to court; she just wanted to scare Carolina a bit.

The nerve—being so bold while knowingly being the 'other woman'—was disgusting. But Sophia knew Carolina wouldn’t dare mention this to Dillon.

Carolina, a superstar, had never been insulted like this before. She believed she was the only one worthy of a man as exceptional as Dillon.

As Sophia turned to leave, Carolina called out, "I'm carrying Dillon's child."

"We just picked up the report from the clinic."

She'd been visiting because one of Dillon's business partners had a mother who adored her work and wanted to meet her in the hospital. As long as Sophia believed her, that was all that mattered.

Sophia pressed her nails into her arm to stop herself from breaking down. Dillon having a child with someone else was a crushing blow.

After leaving the café, she collapsed to the ground, breathless, as if no amount of air could ease the weight in her chest. Sharp pains seized her abdomen, pulling her further into darkness.

When she awoke, she was in a hospital. A nurse quickly stopped her from getting up. "Stay still and rest. You passed out at the mall and were brought in."

"We're giving you an IV now; you can leave later. Be careful in the future. You're two months pregnant, and it's not stable yet. I suggest visiting the OB-GYN for some medication."

Sophia quickly grabbed the nurse's arm. "What did you say? Two months? Are you saying I'm pregnant?"

"You're two months along. Didn't you know?"

She was pregnant! She was going to be a mom. Sophia couldn’t help but grin widely, the nurse sharing in her excitement. "Yes, do tell the baby’s father. He'll be thrilled."

The nurse's words poured cold water on Sophia’s joy. Dillon would never let her have this child. Three years ago, he had said she would never be the mother of his kids, and if she became pregnant, he'd force her to have an abortion. Dillon must never know about the pregnancy.

She left the emergency room in a daze, her mind a chaotic whirl, and found herself at her father's hospital room without realizing it.

Inside, Evelyn James was talking to Samuel Palmer.

"I just saw an article saying Dillon's been spending time with a young actress, barely coming home."

"Sophia keeps saying he's busy at work, but it seems he's busy with women instead. If this goes on, Sophia could easily lose her place to another woman."

"You should tell Sophia to secure more money for herself. Why let some vixen benefit? After all, who stood by Dillon when he nearly went bankrupt three years ago? It was only Sophia."

Evelyn was relentless, and Samuel snapped, "Quiet."

"Don’t bring this up in front of Sophia."

"She’s had a tough time these years."

The conversation continued, but Sophia no longer had the strength to push open the door. Her father had known all along; he had seen right through her.

Over the years, she had painted Dillon as caring and considerate to her father, who listened with a soft smile. Slowly, she had come to believe the lie herself, a fantasy she clung to for strength.

But illusions shattered inevitably, just like their marriage, which was nothing more than a mirage.

Sophia pressed her hand against her stomach. Though only two months along, she could somehow sense the tiny life growing within.

It was strange. Normally, she would be devastated by what she’d heard. But today, an inexplicable force seemed to bolster her.

She looked down tenderly at her belly.

“Don’t worry, little one. Mommy won't let anything happen to you. No one will take you away from me.”

In that moment, Sophia made the decision to divorce Dillon Palmer.