I had been married for eight years when I inherited a fortune worth hundreds of millions that my grandfather left to me and my mafia boss husband.

However, just as the lawyer was finalizing the transfer, we discovered my marriage certificate was fake. That meant the entire inheritance could only go to me.

“Ms. Rivers, according to the system, you were divorced a year ago. Your husband, Zayn Levine, is legally married to… Whitney Sanders. According to the papers, you're single. In other words, Mr. Levine has no right to claim the inheritance.”

Whitney, the woman Zayn had once loved before she went abroad, the one he never forgot.

I stared at the lawyer’s message, unable to accept it.

All of Zayn’s affection and tenderness over the years had been nothing but a lie.

I had planned to tell him on our anniversary that after eight long years of marriage, I was pregnant. It was the miracle we had both been waiting for. Yet it seemed like he had never really been looking forward to it at all.

As I gently rested my hand on my belly, I told myself that even if my twins grew up without a father, they would be just fine.

In this place built on nothing but lies, the only thing left for me to do was run away.

When the lawyer told me that my husband of eight years and I were already legally divorced a year ago and that he was now another woman’s husband, I froze in place. I was unwilling to believe it.

Then, my phone buzzed with a message from Zayn.

[Baby, I just got back today. I picked up the newest handbag for you. I’ve got a work matter to finish, and then I’ll be home to spend the evening with you.]

My heart was pierced by the sharp lie as I read the message.

If it had been before, I would have been thrilled. He always brought me gifts whenever he came back from a business trip.

This time, I was standing in the airport lobby, waiting to surprise him. Instead, I was the one who got surprised.

From a distance, I saw a familiar figure emerge from the gate. He was tall and broad-shouldered. His black suit made his imposing presence stand out even more.

Yet there he was, gently holding a woman by his side. His gaze was brimming with affection. That woman was glowing with happiness, her belly round with pregnancy. It was Whitney.

Agony twisted through my chest, leaving me trembling.

We had grown up together. We were childhood sweethearts who had never been apart in 28 years.

I had once believed our love was unshakable, that no one could ever come between us. However, it turned out to be nothing more than poison wrapped in the sweetness of candy.

I remembered how we had lost our marriage certificate once. He told me his assistant would handle the replacement. I even signed some kind of paper back then. As I recalled it now, that must have been the divorce papers…

The thought stabbed through me like needles. I clutched the bouquet I brought for him so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. I gave him one last, lingering look, then turned around and dropped the flowers into the trash can.

Back home, I collapsed, feeling drained. It was as though my soul had been ripped out of me.

In a daze, I walked into the bathroom and, without even knowing why, reached for a pregnancy test. Two bright lines appeared, and all I could think was how cruelly fate had toyed with me.

Three months ago, I went alone to the hospital for my 12th round of IVF. We had never been able to have a child all these years. He always told me it did not matter and that even without children, he would give me all his love.

The previous attempts had all failed. Hope crumbled into despair each time. Yet I still longed for a child. It would be living proof of our love.

Six months ago, while he was away on another trip, I used the frozen samples we had saved to try one last time. Just yesterday, the doctor told me it had worked, and the fetuses were healthy.

I was over three months along, and they were twins—a little boy and a little girl. I had planned to surprise Zayn with the news on our anniversary.

However, it turned out that he was already fathering another woman's child.

No wonder he never cared much about whether we had kids of our own. He already had another family elsewhere.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps outside. Zayn’s silhouette emerged in the doorway.

I quickly wiped my tears, hid the test behind me, and slipped it into my pocket.

“Babe, why didn’t you answer my text? I was so worried something had happened to you.”

He rushed to my side, his expression etched with anxiety.

I lowered my head, avoiding his burning gaze.

Back when we were still dating, there were times I would ignore his calls out of spite. He would get so frantic that he would send a helicopter to search the entire city for me.

That love and devotion were reserved for someone else now.

“I… was out shopping with a friend. My phone died.” I forced out a shaky smile.

He pulled me into his arms, resting his chin against the top of my head. His voice was deep and soft—almost tender.

“Don’t do that again. You know I can’t live without you.”

I stood stiff in his embrace. My heart tangled with bitterness and sorrow.

Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, and his expression instantly shifted to something grim. “Sweetheart, I need to take this.”

He released me and stepped out onto the balcony.

I lifted my head, watching him from behind, and my chest ached all over again.

A few minutes later, he hurried back, grabbing his jacket. “Something urgent came up at work. I’ll be back soon.”

I did not speak and just nodded quietly.

The door slammed shut with a bang, and Zayn vanished from my view.

I looked down at the test still in my hand, then tossed it into the trash can. Tears streamed down my face once more.

I felt so sorry for my babies for not being able to give them a complete family. However, I promised to love them with everything I had. I would give them the very best life I could.

One week later, after finalizing the inheritance and getting my passport, I would leave with the twins. I was leaving for good. I would be out of his life, no longer being a hindrance to the family he had built with Whitney and their child.

The next day, I went to the hospital alone. I wanted to check on my babies one more time. However, as I turned the corner of the hallway, two familiar figures came into view.

Zayn was supporting Whitney with careful hands, his face overflowing with tenderness. This morning, he told me he was busy with work. In truth, he was here with her for her prenatal checkup.

My heart felt as though it had been smashed with a heavy hammer. The pain was so sharp that I could barely breathe. I hid behind a pillar and watched them step into an examination room.

“Zayn, do you really want this child?” The voice was Caleb Gray’s—Zayn’s close friend. He was also a doctor here. His words reached me clearly.

“Of course. I must have this child.” Zayn’s tone was firm and absolute.

“But what about Yvonne? What do you plan to do about her?” Caleb pressed.

Zayn fell silent, then he slowly said, “Yvonne can’t have children. Once Whitney gives birth, we’ll use the chance to adopt the baby. That way, the child can rightfully be my heir.”

The words hit me like a thunderbolt. My heart twisted like it was being cut apart. This had been his plan all along. He wanted me to raise his child with another woman.

I covered my mouth, stifling the sobs that threatened to break out. Tears fell in silence, tracing down my cheeks.

Not long after, Whitney finished her examination and walked out of the room.

“Zayn, am I making things difficult for you?” she asked carefully. Her expression was full of wounded sorrow. “It’s all my fault. I never should have told you about the pregnancy. I was planning to get rid of the baby…”

Her voice cracked, thick with tears. “But the doctor said if I do, I’ll never be able to have children again.”

Zayn patted her shoulder gently, his voice warm and tender. “It’s not your fault. She's bound to find out sooner or later.”

Whitney lowered her head. Her voice was choked as she spoke again. “I know Ms. Rivers won’t like me, but I’ll do my best to win her over. Don’t worry. I’ll move into your house as a nanny to take care of her and the child after the baby is born.”

Zayn patted her shoulder again when he heard those words. “I’m sorry.”

My chest tightened as I watched them. The air was squeezing out of my lungs.

A few minutes later, Zayn left to collect her medicine, leaving Whitney alone in the hallway. She straightened her clothes, then curved her lips into a cold smile as she slowly walked toward me.

“Ms. Rivers, you’ve been hiding here for quite a while. You heard everything, didn’t you?”

I pressed my lips together and said nothing.

“You heard everything, didn’t you?” Whitney raised an eyebrow. Her eyes gleamed with nothing but challenge and contempt.

I drew in a deep breath, trying to avoid a confrontation. I turned around to leave.

However, she stepped in front of me, blocking my way as she put on a taunting smile.

“If you’re smart enough, you’ll walk away on your own. I’m carrying his child, so the Levine family will stand behind me. You’ll just end up being thrown out. How humiliating would that be?

“Besides, your marriage certificate is fake. If anyone looks into it, you’ll be known as the other woman, not me!”

Her words grew sharper and crueler. My fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug deep into my palms.

“Whitney, you…”

I had just opened my mouth when hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. Zayn was back.

Whitney’s expression instantly shifted. Gone was the mocking smile, replaced by fragile innocence.

“Ms. Rivers, I know you don’t like me, but the baby is innocent. Please… don’t take it out on the child...”

Then, all of a sudden, she collapsed to the floor, clutching her stomach while her face contorted in pain.

“Whitney!” Zayn shouted, rushing toward her.

“Yvonne, what did you do to her?” His glare cut into me, full of anger and disappointment.

I was stunned for a moment, at a loss for words.

“Zayn, my stomach… It hurts so much. Our baby…” Whitney sobbed as she lay on the floor. “Don’t blame Ms. Rivers. Maybe she was just too upset…”

Zayn gripped her hand tightly, his gaze full of aching tenderness.

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you to the doctor right now.”

Then, he scooped her into his arms and left in a hurry without even looking back.

I never even had the chance to explain. As I watched their figures fade into the distance, I felt nothing but ashes in my heart.

Since he had chosen her once again, then so be it. I would step aside and let him have her.

Fortunately, Whitney’s fall was not serious. After the doctor finished a routine checkup, Zayn brought her back to the ward.

I stood at the door, watching him fuss over her, running around to take care of her. At that moment, I felt like the outsider, the one interfering in someone else’s romantic relationship.

“Zayn, let Ms. Rivers come in.” Whitney’s weak voice floated out.

Zayn glanced at me, but he avoided my gaze, unable to look me in the eye.

I took a deep breath and stepped into the ward.

“Ms. Rivers, please don’t blame Zayn.” Whitney leaned weakly against the headboard. Her face was pale. “I asked him to bring you here. There are some things we need to talk about.”

I pressed my lips together and said nothing.

Zayn sat down beside me and held my hand. His face showed a trace of guilt. His lips parted as though he wanted to speak, yet he could not say a word until a moment later.

“Yvonne, there are some things I need to make clear to you.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “Whitney and I… We ran into each other again at a business dinner. One of my business partners kept forcing her to drink. I couldn’t just stand by, so I stepped in for her.

“I didn’t expect us both to drink too much. That’s how it happened. This child was conceived that night.”

At this point, he looked at me carefully. His eyes were full of regret and remorse. His grip on my hand tightened.

“I swear, in my heart, there has only ever been you. I know this puts you in a difficult place, but the child is innocent. It's my own flesh and blood. I can’t abandon it. But don’t worry. Once the baby is born, I’ll put it under your name. You’ll be its mother.

“I hope you can find it in your heart to understand me.”

His eyes locked on mine, full of expectation.

I lowered my head, tears welling in my eyes.

This was his choice. He was choosing Whitney and their child.

What hurt me the most was not just the betrayal but the lies. Why had he not told me sooner? Why did he secretly divorce me, then cover it up with a fake marriage certificate?

Whitney’s eyes reddened too.

“Ms. Rivers, I truly never meant to come between you. But I have no choice. My health is poor. If I lose this baby, I’ll never be able to conceive again. Please, don’t blame the child, all right?”

Her voice broke into sobs, and her shoulders trembled.

Staring at them, I was overcome by a suffocating tightness in my chest. I was going to be a mother too. I knew what a child meant to a woman.

I took a deep breath and forced a smile.

“I'm not mad.”

Then, I took another breath and tried hard to make my voice sound calm.

“I understand.”

Zayn froze for a moment, clearly shocked that I would forgive something so absurd so easily. After all, even though I had always been obedient and gentle, I had zero tolerance when it came to betrayal.

“Yvonne, do you really understand?”

I nodded, curling my lips into a bitter smile. “Zayn, we both have to think of the family. I understand you need an heir. After all, the Levine mafia empire is vast. Someone has to inherit it.

“If you think it would be easier, you can bring Whitney home so that she’s cared for. That way, I’ll feel reassured too.”

Joy spread across his face when I said those words. He let out a long sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Yvonne. You’re so kind to me.”

He gripped my hand tightly, his eyes brimming with gratitude.

Whitney, off to the side, was stunned. She did not expect me to agree so easily. Nevertheless, she soon collected herself, and a trace of mockery curved her lips.

I looked at her calmly, feeling nothing inside me anymore.

“Zayn, if there’s nothing else, I’d like to go home now. I’ll prepare a room and hire a nutritionist to look after Ms. Sanders to make sure the baby is born safely.”

Zayn nodded. Guilt flickered across his eyes.

“All right. Go on. Once this is over, I’ll make it up to you.”

I gave him a smile, said nothing more, and turned around to leave.