Chapter 1

I used to think Ethan was my entire world.

During that kidnapping, I nearly lost my life just to keep him safe.

When he burst in with the police and held my battered body while sobbing uncontrollably, I thought it was all worth it.

"Serena, I'll never let you suffer again."

"Marry me. I'll spend my whole life making it up to you."

I touched my belly where the baby had just been discovered, thinking my suffering had finally come to an end.

On our wedding day, I walked toward him in my white gown, step by step. Just as we were about to exchange rings, my stepsister Claire suddenly burst in like a madwoman, pointing at my belly and shouting:

"Don't marry her! That baby isn't even yours!"

She pointed at the kidnapper being dragged in, screaming hysterically:

"This whole kidnapping was staged by her! She's been sleeping with this man all along!"

The kidnapper grinned, revealing yellowed teeth:

"That's right. This woman promised me five hundred thousand after she married into the Hayes family."

I couldn't defend myself. I could only stare at Ethan.

I knew he would believe me.

But he just took a step back, creating distance between us.

He looked at me with terrifyingly unfamiliar eyes.

"Serena," he said, "I never thought you were this kind of person. This baby cannot stay."