Chapter 1

I have a heart condition, and my doctor said I shouldn't have children.

My husband felt sorry for me and spared no expense—millions—to freeze my embryo.

"Once you've recovered a little, we can have a baby whenever you want."

In the five years after our marriage, every time I brought up having a child,

Les Stephens refused, his eyes red.

"I'm afraid you'll suffer. Compared to a child, all I want is you."

Every time I felt the depth of his love, the more I wanted a child of ours.

It wasn't until seven years later that my longing to have a child reached its peak.

That night, Les brought home a young woman.

"Vanessa's family is poor and needs support. She's healthy, and she's willing to help us have a child."

I said only one thing, and he arranged everything perfectly, just like before.

A few days later, my phone showed that the car was shaking abnormally.

I went down to check, only to catch Les laughing with a strange girl inside.

A sharp pain stabbed through my heart, forcing me to pull back the hand that was about to open the car door.

Curled up in pain beside the car door, I listened to their hoarse conversation.

"Baby, have a child for me."

"What if your wife finds out?"

"If you get pregnant, then you can tell her the natural way—that our child is the embryo she froze."

Vanessa giggled. "Lie to her? Aren't you afraid of being found out?"

Les said mockingly, "A person with a heart condition has trouble just staying alive. Where would she find the energy to investigate?"

"Besides, she loves me to death. If I say the child is hers, she'll believe it for sure."

With trembling hands, I dialed a number.

"Hello, I froze an embryo here seven years ago."

"Now, I want it destroyed immediately."

A serious voice answered on the other end.

"Ms. Sanchez, are you sure you want to destroy it? Once it's destroyed, it can never be restored."

"I've pulled up the file. Seven years ago, you and your husband came in together to freeze the embryo. This matter... don't you need to discuss it with your husband first?"

I closed my eyes for a moment. "No need to discuss it. Go ahead and destroy it."

Since Les was already planning to have a child with another woman,

what difference did it make whether I discussed it with him or not?

After I hung up, I braced myself against the car and forced myself to my feet.

But the conversation inside didn't stop.

Vanessa rolled over and pinned Les beneath her.

"But what if, after the child is born, she gets an urge one day to do a paternity test?"

Les's voice, mixed with panting, carried a doting little laugh.

"With her heart the way it is, I have to go with her even to step out the door."

"Her running off to a hospital for a test alone? Impossible."

"Besides—"

Les gave a low laugh.

"I've arranged everything perfectly. She'll only think the child you give birth to is her frozen embryo."

"She wants a child so badly that even if she finds out something's off, she won't have the heart to give it up."

My face was reflected in the car window.

Pale, lips turning purple, the corners of my eyes red.

Seven years ago, it was this same face.

The one that made Les ache with pity.

Through my heart attacks, time and time again.

He'd knelt at the hospital bed with red eyes, holding my hand, and said,

"Cynthia, let's freeze the embryos. Once you're better, we'll have as many as you want."

Then came five years.

Every time I brought up wanting a baby, he'd pull me into his arms with red eyes.

"No, your body hasn't recovered yet."

"Wait a little longer, until you're a bit stronger."

"Cynthia, all I need is you. I don't care about a child."

Every time he said those words with red eyes, I felt like the happiest woman in the world.

But now, Vanessa stroked Les's face and asked sweetly,

"So don't you love Cynthia Sanchez very much?"

"She's wanted a child all these years, and you wouldn't let her—were you really afraid she'd suffer?"

Les lit a cigarette and gave a mocking smile.

"Whether she suffers or not is beside the point."

"The main thing is, what if the child she gives birth to turns out like her, with a congenital heart condition?"

"I can't afford that gamble."

So that was the real reason he never wanted me to have a child.

That night, I sat frozen on the sofa the whole night.

Les sent a message: Cynthia, don't wait up for me tonight. I'm arranging a place for Vanessa. Get some sleep.

What do you want for breakfast tomorrow? I'll bring it to you.

I pressed the phone dark and didn't reply.

Early the next morning, Les came home.

He'd bought breakfast—my favorite, chicken and rice porridge.

"How did you sleep last night? Getting Vanessa settled took quite a while, so I couldn't come back to keep you company. Don't be upset."

As he spoke, he opened the container, set the spoon in place, and handed it to me.

I didn't take it. I raised my eyes and stared at him.

"Settled where?"

"I rented an apartment near the company, so it's convenient for her regular checkups."

"Don't worry, I made it clear to her. You're too weak to carry a child, and she's just helping us have a baby—nothing else between us."

Les sat across from me and reached out to touch my forehead.

"Why do you look so pale? Is your heart bothering you again?"