In the seven years of my hidden marriage, I had conceived five children. Each one was stillborn.

Gerrald Raymond was heartbroken over my condition and specially hired a top-tier nutritionist to adjust my diet. He reassured me, time and time again, that we would eventually have a healthy child together.

The day I found out I was pregnant again, my heart overflowed with joy. I rushed to share the good news with Gerrald, eager to see his reaction. Instead, I overheard a conversation between him and his closest friend, Lucas O'conell, just outside a private club room.

"You killed Jenny Wond's five children just to provide specimens for Lydia Maron’s medical experiments? Are you insane? Those were your own flesh and blood!"

Gerrald's voice remained indifferent, as if the topic had nothing to do with him.

"Lydia is passionate about her research. I don’t know much about medicine, so the best I can do is be her strongest supporter and give her whatever she needs."

Lucas's voice carried disbelief and anger. "But those were your own children! How could you be so cruel?"

Gerrald merely chuckled. "Does it matter? The marriage certificate between Jenny and me is fake. Any child she bore would be illegitimate, unacknowledged, unwanted. What does it matter if they lived or died? My wife can only be Lydia."

At that moment, everything I had believed in shattered. The marriage I had cherished was nothing but a fraud. The man I had loved with all my heart was nothing more than a monster in human skin. Since this was the truth, there was no longer any need for illusions.

——

Lucas's voice was heavy with emotion. "If Lydia is the only one you love, why did you ever marry Jenny? Why did you let her carry your children?"

Gerrald smirked. "Because Lydia wanted to study abroad. And I, being a normal man, had certain... needs. Jenny was still untouched when she got together with me—pure, easy to deceive into a hidden marriage. Plus, keeping her by my side ensured she wouldn’t go out and mess around, bringing back some disgusting disease."

He paused, then continued with chilling nonchalance. "As for the children... I don’t like using protection and she was so desperate to be a mother. I figured, why not let her have them for fun? Not like I ever planned on letting them live."

Lucas's face darkened. "But you let her live in blissful ignorance for seven whole years. You let her carry and lose five children. And now, you're throwing her away like she never mattered. Jenny loves you deeply. Do you really think she’ll survive this?"

Gerrald impatiently waved him off. "Enough. She was just a poor countryside girl who got lucky, living a lavish life thanks to me. I gave her more than she could have ever dreamed of."

Then, in an almost gleeful tone, he added, "Three days from now, Lydia and I will be leaving the country for our wedding. Be sure to attend and drink to our happiness."

Lucas let out a long sigh. "Gerrald, don’t blame me for not warning you. Hurting someone who truly loves you… one day, you’ll regret it."

Gerrald scoffed. "As long as I can marry Lydia in grand style, I won’t regret a damn thing—even if it kills me. Save your sentimental nonsense."

Lucas shook his head, exasperated. There was nothing more to say.

***

The joy that had filled my heart only moments ago evaporated, leaving behind a hollow emptiness. I stood frozen in place, my body cold as ice. Then, Gerrald turned and saw me. My tear-streaked face seemed to startle him. Panic flashed across his eyes as he rushed toward me.

"Jenny! When did you get here? Why are you crying like this?"

His voice held traces of concern, even heartbreak.

I quickly wiped my tears and forced a smile. "It’s nothing. My false eyelashes weren’t applied properly and one got into my eye. My makeup skills are just awful."

Gerrald let out a relieved sigh before pulling me into his arms. He stroked my hair gently and whispered, "Seeing you cry breaks my heart. Don’t wear those things anymore, okay? My wife is already the most beautiful woman in the world. Now, let’s go home."

His words were as sweet as ever, dripping with affection. But they no longer held any warmth for me.

Once, I had adored him, trusted him. When I had first graduated and joined the Raymond Family’s company, I had been bullied and humiliated by my superiors. It was Gerrald who had swooped in like a hero, defending me, making me feel safe. But now I knew the truth. The man I loved was nothing more than a cold-blooded executioner. And I was nothing more than a fool who had loved him blindly.

He once told me that he would always be my shelter, my protector against the storms of life. That he would guard me for the rest of my days. I believed him. I gave him my body, my heart, my soul. When he asked for a hidden marriage, I agreed without hesitation. He feared that marrying a woman from a humble background would affect the stock price of the Raymond Group.

Every time I found out I was pregnant, Gerrald would light up like a child, shouting with excitement that he was going to be a father. He would hold me in his arms, his joy infectious. Afraid that I would suffer, he personally instructed his private doctor to use general anesthesia, ensuring I wouldn’t feel any pain. And every time, he stayed by my side, watching over me as if I were his most precious treasure.

I thought he cared about me. I thought he cared about our baby. But in reality, he was merely making it easier for himself to strangle our child with his own hands—to provide a specimen for his beloved. And I, foolishly, blamed myself. I thought my body was too weak, too incapable of carrying a child to term. I grieved over every stillborn, burdened with guilt, apologizing to him for my failures. Looking back now, I was nothing but a joke.

***

That night, after returning home, I waited for Gerrald to step into the shower. I booked an appointment for an abortion. And I purchased a plane ticket. Three days from now, I would be gone. When he emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp, he spoke casually, as if it were of little importance.

"Honey, I'm going on a business trip abroad in three days. I'll be busy for over a month."

A month—just enough time for his wedding. And his honeymoon. I looked up at him and asked softly, "Gerrald, I haven’t been feeling well lately. Can you stay? I’d like you to spend more time with me."

His brows furrowed instantly, his voice turning cold. "Honey, we’ve been together for years. You know how I am. I don’t like women interfering with my work. Be good and wait for me at home. I’ll bring you back a gift when I return."

My last shred of hope crumbled. I lowered my gaze, swallowing my disappointment. "You're right. I was being selfish. Go ahead."

Satisfied, Gerrald’s expression softened. He pushed me down onto the bed, his breath laced with the scent of alcohol as he murmured into my ear.

"Honey, the nutritionist says your body has recovered well. Why don’t we have a baby tonight? I really want to watch our child grow up with you."

A wave of bitter irony washed over me. I gently pushed him away. "Not tonight. You’ve been drinking. It could harm the baby’s health."

Knowing how much I cared about this, Gerrald didn't suspect a thing. He kissed my forehead before drifting off to sleep. As his breathing steadied, I quietly reached for his jacket. That was when I discovered it. A second phone. One I had never seen before.

My heart pounded as I pressed the power button. The lock screen wallpaper made my stomach churn. A picture of Gerrald and Lydia. Kissing. I tried a password. Lydia’s birthday. The screen unlocked. I tapped on their chat history. The first thing I saw sent my blood running cold. A photo of one of my stillborn children.

Gerrald’s message read:

[Lydia, I got the specimen for you. It’ll be shipped over by helicopter this afternoon. Fresh. It won’t affect your research data.]

Another message:

[You ran out of the last specimen? Don’t worry. Jenny is pregnant again. I’ll find a way to induce premature labor. You’ll have a new one soon. My girl is such a diligent and hardworking. She’s going to be a great doctor one day.]

And another:

[Lydia, when will you return to Brooklyn? I’ve been saving my wife’s place for you. Jenny is just a tool for me to relieve stress.]

My hands trembled as I touched my stomach, tears spilling down my cheeks. This child… should never have come into this world.

I continued scrolling.

Photo albums filled with pictures of them—together from childhood to adulthood. Tens of thousands of photos, each one captioned with a different love note. Seven years of my hidden marriage and he had spent most of it on ‘business trips’—all of them just excuses to be with her.

My breath hitched when I checked his saved messages. More than a hundred versions of wedding plans. Every detail, big and small, meticulously arranged. All personally planned by Gerrald. For her.

Each version of the wedding plan was incomparably luxurious, allowing Lydia to choose her favorite.

For every holiday, big or small, Gerrald would prepare exquisite and expensive gifts for Lydia. No matter how busy he was, he would travel across the ocean just to personally deliver them to her.

And me? I only deserved the leftovers. I still remembered the day we registered our marriage. Gerrald didn’t even give me a single flower. That evening, as we walked past a florist, I gazed at the colorful bouquets, my heart filled with silent longing. Noticing my expectant eyes, he merely said in an indifferent tone, “Flowers are for little girls. You’re not that childish, are you, Honey?”

Yet, for Lydia, he bought an entire estate abroad and planted a vast garden filled with rare and exotic flowers, just because she loved them.

Looking at the photos of them kissing amidst that sea of blooms, I suddenly laughed—then burst into tears. Taking a deep breath, I snapped pictures of everything—the wedding plans, the gifts, the messages, the garden. And then, I found it. The fake marriage license. At the time, Gerrald had told me he didn’t want me to be troubled, so he arranged for the registration staff to come to our home for the formalities.

Turns out, they were just actors. I tore the certificate in half and tossed it into the trash. Returning to bed, I stared at Gerrald’s sleeping face—so calm, so handsome. Once, this sight had filled my heart with warmth. Now, it only made me sick. A night of silent sorrow left me sleepless.

***

The next morning, as usual, Gerrald had the nutritionist prepare an elaborate breakfast for me. In the past, I was always touched by his thoughtfulness, believing he truly cared for me. But after seeing those messages, I realized it was all just an act.

Every carefully planned, nutritious meal I ate—Lydia had already tasted first. The only difference? Hers were personally made by Gerrald himself. Thinking about it, a wave of nausea crashed over me. I barely made it to the sink before dry-heaving. Gerrald rushed to my side, his hands gently supporting me.

“Honey, what’s wrong?”

A glimmer of excitement flashed in his eyes.

“Are you… pregnant again?”

I caught the look on his face and inwardly sneered. Why are you so happy? Are you just waiting to use this child to please your sweetheart again?

I wiped my mouth, forcing a weak smile. “No. You know my body’s weak. After losing those babies, I can barely conceive anymore.”

Gerrald cupped my face, his voice laced with gentle reassurance. “Jenny, don’t blame yourself. It wasn’t your fault. I don’t hold it against you. Just focus on getting better and I promise—we’ll have a healthy child one day.”

He smoothed my hair, his tone turning lighter. “Don’t be sad, alright? Today is my mother’s 60th birthday. Many guests are coming to celebrate. We need to be there, my love.”

Then, his voice shifted slightly. “But… since our marriage is still a secret, even my mother doesn’t know. So if anyone asks about your identity…”

I already knew what he was about to say. I cut him off with a faint smile. “I understand. I’ll just say I’m your assistant.”

His face lit up with satisfaction. “I knew you’d understand, Honey.”

***

When we arrived at the hotel, the first thing I saw was Lydia clinging to my mother-in-law’s arm, acting like a spoiled child. She was dressed in a designer gown, pretending to take my mother-in-law’s pulse as she said playfully, “Auntie, you have the healthiest body! You could live to be two hundred years old.”

My mother-in-law beamed, delighted by her flattery. With a smile, she slipped off the jade bracelet on her wrist and placed it into Lydia’s hand.

“This belonged to the Raymond Family’s ancestors. It is passed down to the wives of the next generation.”

Lydia turned to me, her smile layered with hidden meaning. Yet, her words were sweetly innocent. “Auntie, this is too precious. I couldn’t possibly accept it.”

My mother-in-law laughed. “Oh, Gerrald brought his girlfriend today! That’s his future wife, isn’t it? Maybe she’ll give us five grandchildren one day. You should give it to her instead.”

Her eyes finally landed on me. She gave me a once-over, her gaze filled with open disdain as she took in my simple, understated dress.

“What girlfriend? That’s just Gerrald’s little assistant from work.”

Then, her expression darkened in disgust. “Running around, having illegitimate children without marriage and not just one—but five stillborns? Hah. Truly, God has eyes.”