Chapter 1

After I was released from prison, Julian Vance used every toxic method in the book to force me to remarry him.

He threatened me, begged me, locked me up, and even dragged his favored step-sister, Chloe Miller, to kneel before me.

"Elena, Leo is already dead. Are you going to hate Chloe and me for the rest of your life over a dead child?"

"We are doing everything we can to make it up to you!"

I couldn't stand his disgusting words for another second. I slapped Julian hard across the face.

"Make it up to me? How dare you even say those words! If you hadn't stolen Leo's life-saving experimental medicine for Lily, he would still be alive!"

"And is your idea of 'making it up to me' perjuring yourself to throw me into prison for three consecutive years?"

Julian looked away guiltily, but he still tried to defend himself.

"But I did it because I love you."

"You were too hysterical back then. I was terrified you would hurt Chloe and Lily in a fit of rage."

I suddenly burst out laughing.

Love?

So his version of love was murdering my son, framing me for prison, and then forcing me to remarry him.

Since you, Julian Vance, can commit such atrocities in the name of love.

Then so can I.

"Fine. I agree to remarry you."

"No way!"

The moment the words left my mouth, Chloe, who had been kneeling on the floor, snapped her head up and shrieked in protest.

But when she noticed Julian’s sharp gaze landing on her,

Chloe quickly softened her tone, trying to cover her tracks.

"I... I'm just worried Lily won't be able to handle this sudden change."

"Julian, if you remarry Elena, doesn't that make Lily look like an illegitimate child?

She is still so young. I don't care about a title for myself, but my heart breaks for Lily..."

As Chloe spoke, tears streamed down her face in perfect, pathetic synchronization.

As expected, Julian’s heart instantly melted with pity.

Just as he was about to waver, I spoke up, cutting off his thoughts.

"That's an easy fix."

"From now on, Lily can call me Mom."

"That way, Julian and I will have a child together again, won't we?"

Julian froze, completely caught off guard by my suggestion.

But as the words sank in, his eyes lit up with sudden hope.

"Yes! That’s brilliant!"

"Elena, we lost Leo, but we still have Lily. And after all, you are technically her aunt!"

Chloe was utterly dumbfounded.

She had assumed that with my stubborn, unyielding pride, I would never agree to remarry Julian. That was the only reason she had fake-knelt with him in the first place—to show off her submissiveness.

She never expected I would accept Lily so easily.

Her tears flowed even faster now, panic bleeding into her voice. "No! Absolutely not!"

"Julian, Lily is my baby. How can I let my daughter call another woman her mother?"

I smiled gently.

I stepped forward, reached out, and wiped the tears from Chloe's cheeks.

"Because, Chloe, your actions killed my child," I whispered softly.

"As compensation, having your daughter call me Mom seems incredibly fair, don't you think?"

Turning my head, I offered my hand to Julian, who was still kneeling.

"Julian, do you agree?"

"If you do, we’ll sign the marriage papers today. I will forgive you, and I will forgive Chloe. We can be a happy family again."

Julian’s eyes flooded with pure, ecstatic joy. He grabbed my hand and scrambled to his feet.

"Yes! Of course I agree!"

"Let's go. We're going to the courthouse right now!"

He spoke incredibly fast, terrified I would change my mind. He practically dragged me into his car and sped off toward the city hall.

Through the rearview mirror, I quietly glanced at Chloe sitting in the backseat.

Her face was twisted with silent, murderous rage.

Of course she was furious.

Three years ago, she had successfully used Leo's death to force Julian to divorce me.

She never dreamed I would walk back into his life this easily.

With venom dripping from her eyes, Chloe pulled out her phone, tapped out two quick messages, and then suddenly screamed from the back seat.

"Julian! Oh my god, this is bad!"

"The doctor just texted! Lily's condition has taken a turn for the worse. We need to get to the private hospital immediately!"