Chapter 1

My husband had a vasectomy five years ago, yet I was pregnant.

We both believed it was a miracle from above—until I heard my mother-in-law's voice:

"Don't drag this out. Getting her pregnant was enough. Whether she gives birth doesn't matter."

Selena responded, "The cord blood is best extracted at eight months. That's when the activity is highest."

My husband murmured in agreement, "Right. Once she's a bit weaker, after the surgery, Leo's leukemia will be cured."

My world collapsed in that moment.

I never imagined they would use my child to save another child.

But they didn't know that there was a reason I hadn't had children all these years.

Then I heard Adrian say, "Actually, I'm not even sure if she's carrying my child. After all, that night, my brother slept with her too..."

That confirmed it—this child, I couldn't keep.

And them? I would never let them get away with it.

......

......

The day I discovered the pregnancy, I stared at those two unmistakably clear red lines on the test, feeling nothing but disbelief.

My husband Adrian had voluntarily undergone a vasectomy five years ago out of respect for my wishes.

We'd agreed to be a childfree couple for life, enjoying our world of two.

Until he told me this was a gift from heaven, that we should keep this child.

Only then did I accept it all with peace of mind.

These past five months, I'd been living in a honeypot. We were even sweeter than before the pregnancy.

Until I heard my mother-in-law Margaret's cold voice:

"Don't drag this out. Getting her pregnant was enough. Whether she gives birth doesn't matter."

Doesn't matter? What did that mean?

A soft, timid female voice responded. I recognized it as Selena, Adrian's secretary.

"The... the doctor said cord blood is best extracted at eight months, when the stem cell activity is highest... that would be most beneficial for Leo."

My blood seemed to freeze instantly, my limbs going rigid.

Eight months...

By then, the child would have a heartbeat, strength, would kick against my palm.

Yet they wanted to take his life when he was most vital.

Adrian put his arm around her shoulder, murmuring agreement, "Right, I know. Once her body is a bit weaker, after the surgery, Leo's leukemia will be cured."

"Don't worry, I'll save our son."

Son...

When did Adrian and Selena have a son?!

My mind buzzed with chaos.

Countless fragmented pieces of information spun before my eyes, unable to form a complete truth.

Selena lowered her eyes with satisfaction, laughing softly, "I'm curious how you explained all this to her. Didn't you tell her you'd had a vasectomy?"

"Explain?" Adrian scoffed dismissively. "A simple 'gift from heaven' was enough to fool her. Women like her, with their heads full of nothing but love—they're the easiest to deceive."

"A vasectomy? That thing hurt like hell. How could I actually go through with it? I just secretly gave her birth control pills every time after we finished."

"If I didn't need her womb now, I wouldn't bother with her at all."

Selena and my mother-in-law exchanged smiles, the air thick with mockery.

"A woman who truly loves her husband—how could she refuse to bear him even one child? Clara's heart was never fully invested in this family."

My mother-in-law added viciously, "Forget it. I've endured this for years, just wanting to hold my own grandson! And she goes on about being childfree? This is her karma! Her child exists only to save my grandson's life!"

A wave of nausea—having nothing to do with morning sickness—surged up my throat.

I leaned against the cold tile wall, barely managing to support my weakening body.

Five years ago, I had a reason for giving up on having children.

I'd never told anyone about it, and hadn't planned to.

So when he voluntarily gave up future children for me, I once thought I'd found true love.

I was willing to give everything in this relationship, willing to endure my mother-in-law's constant difficulties.

Until I discovered I was pregnant, I thought heaven was blessing us, making our small family complete.

But it turned out those miracles were all part of their terrifying calculations.

"Leo needs to begin pre-surgery preparations in a few months," Margaret's voice rang out again with unquestionable decisiveness. "Before then, we must ensure the 'medicine' is ready. Adrian, don't mess this up."

Selena nodded, laughing lightly, "She's at her most dependent on you right now. She absolutely won't suspect anything."

Their footsteps gradually faded, their voices becoming unclear.

The cold tile wall at my back—its chill couldn't compare to one ten-thousandth of what I felt in my heart.

I slowly closed my eyes, forcing myself to breathe.

I couldn't break down. Not yet.

They didn't know I knew everything. This was my only advantage.

If this "miraculous" pregnancy was merely one step in his grand plan to save his illegitimate child, then I needed to understand—

How many more steps of this plan were designed to trample over the bones of me and my child?