Chapter 1

The day I was discovered to be a fake heiress of the Shillington family, the real heiress burst into our home and stabbed me multiple times in the abdomen, robbing me of my ability to become a mother. My fiancé was furious about this, and my parents urgently stated that they would not acknowledge her as their daughter. To comfort me, my fiancé immediately proposed to me, and my parents wrote a letter of disownment to assure me so that I could focus on recovering properly. Later, they told me that after committing the crime, the real heiress had fled abroad and was sold to Goldvale, and I believed them.

Six years into our marriage, I saw the real heiress, who was supposed to be suffering in Goldvale, leaning against my husband's chest, pregnant, and lamenting, "If I hadn't made a mistake in anger six years ago, Cecelia would never have married you. Thank goodness my parents sided with me. Otherwise, I would have been sent to jail. That woman could never imagine that I've been alive right under her nose, carrying your child. Once I give birth, find a reason to adopt the child and let that imposter serve as our nanny for life. These years have been hard on you, Vaughn." Her affectionate gaze made Vaughn blush. "Don't say that. Marrying her was the only way to keep you living without disgrace. As long as you're happy, whatever I do is worth it."

Only then did I realize that the man I thought loved me had been deceiving me all along. My parents were only trying to clear their biological daughter's name. If that was the case, I no longer need them!

Looking at that figure in front of the hospital's obstetrics and gynecology department, the one I would never forget for the rest of my life, I froze in terror where I stood, feeling like my blood ran cold. The pain of the knife in my abdomen still haunted my mind, while the man, who cried, saying he felt my pain, now tenderly embraced the main culprit, gently touching her belly. Even from afar, I could feel his paternal love overflowing. So, this marriage that I thought was my salvation was just a scam.

My parents, who promised to always stand by me, had hidden evidence and forced Vaughn to marry me, all to protect their biological daughter from prison for her intentional assault.

How ridiculous.

I stifled my sorrow and avoided Vaughn's gaze as my phone lit up with an urgent call from my parents. The ringing hinted at their desperation. Steadying myself, I answered the call.

"Cecelia, where have you gone? The butler said you left at noon. Did you go to the hospital? How many times do we have to tell you not to be so disobedient? Your health is poor. You must take someone with you when you go out. What if something happened to you?" My neatly trimmed nails dug into my flesh, pulling me out of my reverie.

They called to ask about me at this particular moment, but were they actually worried that something had happened to me, or were they afraid I might discover the truth?

"Cecelia, did you hear me? Where are you? Your mother and I are at the hospital now. We're coming to find you."

Their seemingly caring questions felt like knives twisting in my heart.

I pondered for a moment before responding warmly, "I'm in the restroom at the obstetrics and gynecology department. Don’t worry about me. I came for a check-up. What could possibly go wrong? Besides, I'm an adult. I can't keep troubling you guys."

I feigned lightheartedness in my complaint to ease my parents' worries.

Minutes later, my mother rushed into the restroom and checked me over anxiously. "Did anything happen? Have you had your check-up?"

Her lowered eyelashes hid her uneasy emotions. Considering how hurriedly Vaughn and Lizbeth had left earlier, it wasn't hard to guess that my parents were always concerned about me, not because they cared about me, but because they feared I might run into Lizbeth and ruin their plans.

"Mom, nothing happens. My stomach just felt upset when I got here. It delayed me a bit before going for the check-up."

"That's good," she replied instinctively before realizing something was off and turning back sternly.

"You haven't had your check-up yet? Since we're both here, how could we let you face those cold instruments alone?"

"Let's go together."

Standing at the restroom door was a kind middle-aged man—my father. Though not biologically related, he had raised me since childhood, and I always thought he loved me more than anyone else in the world until today, when I understood that all ties paled in comparison to blood relations.

If that was how it is, it's time for me to return a grand gesture.