A storm was looming, and the wind howled outside the window...

Elaina Reyes hurried down the corridor of the private hospital, wrapped snugly in a thick coat. She wore sunglasses, a face mask, and her hat was pulled low, her pace swift. Earlier, she had made a call, offering five times the medical fee, demanding immediate attention—quickly!

A nurse met her downstairs, leading her to the VIP section on the third floor. After an ultrasound, they prepared for the procedure.

"Ms. Reyes, you're expecting twins. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"

"No need."

"You're here alone without any family? Maybe you should think it over, discuss it with them. You're 12 weeks along; you have a few more weeks to decide. After all, the chance of having twins is quite rare, only about 1%..."

The doctor was talking too much, wasting precious time. Elaina checked her watch for the third time, her anxiety and urgency clear.

"Doctor, there's no need for further consideration; I'm here for the procedure today. Please make it quick, with minimal local anesthesia. I have to leave immediately after."

Her voice stayed calm even in her haste as she turned to the nurse, instructing, "Please prepare the contraceptive implant as planned. I mentioned this when I booked the appointment."

"Understood," the nurse replied, leaving as the doctor prepared the surgical instruments.

Elaina removed her hat and mask, revealing her striking beauty. The doctor had never seen anyone so beautiful. Her features were exquisite, embodying a timeless elegance that captivated those who gazed upon her.

Her expression was distant and cool, with an air of detachment. Yet, there was a haunting sadness in her eyes, a brokenness that marred her perfect visage.

The doctor glanced toward the adjoining room and directed, "Please wait in the operating room."

"Alright."

The room was quiet, the scent of antiseptic in the air. Elaina stepped inside, her steps heavy with both her physical burden and the weight on her heart. She didn't hesitate, removing her outer garment, and approached the surgical bed, pulling aside the white curtain...

Ah! Her heart leapt into her throat as fear rendered her mute and paralyzed.

Behind the curtain sat a man in a black coat, holding a metal-handled ebony cane. His hands rested atop the cane, his face a thunderstorm of fury, eyes like a caged demon haunting her.

"You plan to get rid of our children?"

"..."

"Go on!" He gestured toward the operating bed. "I'll assist you personally—go ahead!"

Outside, dark clouds gathered, and a flash of lightning split the sky with a deafening crack. Elaina stepped back, her body paralyzed with fear, her legs buckling beneath her. She was terrified of him!

She watched him approach, his movements deliberate, slow. He raised his hand, grasping her throat gently—not enough to hurt her, but enough to instill terror.

"You ungrateful woman, I ought to strangle you! After everything, even when the doctor asked repeatedly, you didn't hesitate or back down!"

This heartless woman!

"Elaina, for two years, I've supported your family! Even if I'd fed a dog, it would show loyalty. But you? You're worse than an animal!"

"No, it's not—"

"What is it then? Don't want children? Hmm? Still planning on birth control? I might as well remove the option altogether and cut off your lower half!"

His eyes were a fiery red, not of a man, but a being of hell, filled with malevolence. Her fragility, her struggles, had no place here.

Thankfully, he hadn't tightened his grip, and after a couple of coughs, Elaina managed to pry his hand off her neck. Slowly regaining her composure, she hastily explained, "Grant, please, don't be like this. I'm just... I'm still young, I don't want children yet."

"You don't have the right to refuse! You're nothing but a possession, bought and paid for! Have you forgotten the times you begged? Forgotten the times you willingly came to me?"

His words pierced her like daggers, exposing the true nature of their relationship. Who would believe she was a legitimate wife and not some unfortunate purchased from the open market?

Elaina's shame turned to anger, her voice trembling, "You... you're going too far, Grant! We agreed in our marriage contract, but nothing about children. From the start, you insisted on protection. If you didn't want kids then, why humiliate me now?"

"Whether I want them or not is my decision. You have no say!"

Grant Wheeler was used to getting his way, a man of control and unreasonable demands.

Elaina, usually composed and well-mannered, found herself nearing her breaking point.

Even a patient woman could be pushed too far. Deep breaths did little to calm her; she was dizzy, ears ringing, furious enough to wish for an end to it all.

"Let's get divorced..."

"Heh, are you sure about that?" His laughter was bitter, mocking. "If we divorce, I'll withdraw all my support. You'll get nothing, just two wasted years for nothing."

At her wit's end, Elaina felt she had no choice. With a fierce resolve, she looked into his eyes and declared, "I've thought it through, Grant. Divorce it is!"

For a moment, Grant felt a pang of panic, but his pride wouldn't let him relent. "Elaina, still holding your head high? Let me remind you, once divorced, you'll be a ruined woman. Who's going to pick up the mess for a broken woman?"

Each word cut deeper. Elaina stood there, trembling in rage, her complexion pale. Her strength waning, it seemed she might faint at any moment.

Grant abruptly stopped, his grip on the ebony cane tightening. In his anger, he had overstepped.

Recalling the time Elaina had cared for him during his injury, her dedication, her efforts—even if thankless—softened his stance somewhat.

Sighing heavily, he relented a little. With an air of condescension, he extended a hand, "Let's go home, we'll deal with it there."

Cruel words can cut to the bone, even on a sunny June day.

Elaina Reyes was heartbroken...

Since she was 15, she had been engaged to him, meant to be part of a strategic alliance. She gave him every first love and tender emotion she had. After their marriage, she did everything she could to be caring and accommodating, only to be met with harsh treatment and verbal abuse.

"I'm not going back. Let's end this... Every time you lose your temper, it's the same, and I've had enough. Grant Wheeler, just because you invested money in my family's business, does that give you the right to belittle me? Withdraw your investment if you must, but stop hurling insults. Let's go to court and get this marriage annulled."

Her voice trembled several times, feeling oppressed but holding back her tears.

Though seemingly delicate, Elaina had an inner strength, like a fragile yet resilient flower, clinging to the last shred of her dignity.

"Divorce? Fine! But first, have the baby! I'm warning you, Elaina Reyes, if you dare to harm my child, you'll regret it!"

"The prenuptial agreement didn’t mention anything about children."

"Well, I'm saying it now!"

"No."

"You wouldn't dare!"

The standoff was tense, and the atmosphere was dangerous.

Outside, the rain poured relentlessly, while inside, darkness and tension loomed, ready to explode at any moment.

This time, Elaina was resolute, her every word full of determination.

"The child is in my body, and I decide. If I don’t want it, there are ways to handle it."

"You wouldn't dare!" Grant glared at her, his anger rendering him speechless.

Called "The Prince" since childhood, he was used to everyone catering to his whims. As an adult, he had become a global tycoon, a financial mogul with the power to make or break companies with just a word. Anyone who dared oppose him faced dire consequences.

This infuriating woman was driving him mad!

The thought of grabbing her crossed his mind, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Yelling would only make her dig her heels in more.

"Well, Elaina Reyes, got a mind of your own now? Is it because your brother's about to be released, giving you confidence, or have you found another man to rely on? Who is it? Let me judge if he can handle your family's mess."

Elaina turned her face away dismissively; her beautiful features cold as she refused to look at him. His words were just noise now, beyond reaching her.

She was determined to stay silent, waiting for him to tire of yelling and then divorce her.

Her silence only fueled Grant’s anger more, a cold, malicious smile twisting his lips.

"You flew back this morning because you said your mom was sick, right? Such a dutiful daughter, surely you'd want your filial piety rewarded... You can relax; there should be an 'accident' soon. How about your dear mother breaks an arm or a leg? You, the devoted daughter, decide!"

Such malice! It was spine-chilling, downright monstrous!

"Grant Wheeler, don't do this! What right do you have?"

Ignoring her pleas, he called, "Damir, come in here; I've got a task for you..."

"No, Grant Wheeler! You wouldn't! You monster!"

Elaina panicked, blocking his path, and in the ensuing struggle, there was physical conflict. Grant restrained her delicate wrists, pulling her closer, instinctively shielding her abdomen with a protective arm.

Holding her close, he whispered fiercely yet tenderly in her ear, "Oh, by the way, your brother too. I bet there'll be a brawl in prison soon. He’ll slip up and get another five years added to his sentence. It'll be a long wait, haha..."

Oh heavens!

Let it all end!

Complete despair!

Outside the hospital room, Damir heard the fierce arguments and the young lady's cries turning into desperate pleas.

However!

When he opened the door, what he saw was a dramatic reversal.

The young lady was kneeling on the floor, softly apologizing, "I'm sorry, I won't do it again. I'll listen to you from now on, Grant. Please forgive me just this once?"

Damir quickly looked away, not daring to observe further.

"Uh... sir, you called for me?"

Grant raised an eyebrow, exuding an air of smug arrogance, his anger dissipated.

There's an old saying: to err is human, to forgive, divine.

Alright then,

He considered himself quite "magnanimous"; she was his wife, after all. If she made a mistake, he'd teach her a lesson, but if she corrected it, he'd pardon her.

After all, he considered himself someone who could "embrace all streams, encompassing tolerance and greatness."

His mood improved, and with a cheerful wave, he declared, "Never mind, get the car ready; we're going home!"

Elaina Reyes felt if there ever came a time she died, it would be out of sheer frustration.

Before she hit twenty, Elaina was the happiest princess around. Spoiled by her parents and adored by her brother, she floated through life untouched by hardship, like a fairy in a world of her own. She excelled in both academics and the arts, always coming out on top, never facing criticism or scorn.

But after she turned twenty, her world turned upside down. Her father passed away, her brother ended up in prison, and their family lost their status. Yet, her 'good fortune' seemed intact; her fiancé was rich enough to pump $17 billion into the Reyes Corporation, salvaging it and ensuring its survival.

Their wedding was extravagant, the epitome of luxury, plastered across major headlines and celebrated like a fairy tale. Elaina moved far away to a new country, living in a lavish manor with vast grounds and a team of servants—everything anyone could dream of.

But what was her life really like?

In public, she appeared to lead a glamorous life, but behind closed doors, it was a different story—one filled with humiliation and helplessness.

She had signed a prenuptial agreement with Grant Wheeler. His role was to ensure the Reyes Corporation was financially stable, and he delivered on that promise. For her, his only requirement boiled down to four words: "Keep me happy." It sounded simple but turned out to be the hardest rule. There was no reasoning, no negotiation; his word was law. If he was unhappy, it was always deemed Elaina's fault.

Grant was arrogant, domineering, and quick-tempered, leaving much to be desired in his behavior. Elaina dared not confront him and played the part of the most submissive wife possible. If she saw other women flirting with her husband, she quickly averted her eyes, pretending not to notice. When other women approached him, she would find a reason to leave, giving them space.

However, her mother-in-law, Linda Spencer, was not pleased. She harshly criticized Elaina, calling her an "ineffective wife," little more than a decorative vase despite the fortune spent on the wedding. From then on, whenever rumors about Grant's affairs surfaced, Elaina inevitably bore the brunt of Linda's anger. Her father-in-law, Alistair Wheeler, wasn’t any better; he had never approved of bringing this 'fallen princess' into the family, begrudgingly picking up the pieces for the Reyes clan.

Elaina's days were hard to endure, treading lightly as the perpetual scapegoat. If the stock market faltered, it was the Reyes family’s fault, and she had to take the blame. If Grant had a headache or caught a cold, it was because she hadn't cared for him properly, and she had to take the blame. If Grant was out enjoying himself and didn’t come home, it was again her fault, and she had to take the blame.

Every time, Elaina would apologize, "Yes, it’s my fault. I’ll be more careful. I’m sorry, Mom. Please don’t be upset..."

Two years into the marriage, did she hate it? No, it wasn’t hate. Her feelings towards the Wheeler family were complicated. It wasn’t hate but gratitude. Despite their harshness, they were indeed her benefactors. At her family's lowest, most desperate point, it was Grant who extended a helping hand, investing $17 billion and stabilizing the Reyes Corporation.

Linda Spencer had been a kind of 'mentor'; she took a liking to Elaina when she was just fifteen and decided she would be her future daughter-in-law. When the Reyes family fell, Linda supported bringing Elaina into their family. This kindness in their darkest time was a debt of gratitude Elaina would never forget.

She was intimidated by the Wheeler family and yearned to escape, yet she also maintained her respect and gratitude towards them.