Chapter 1

On our wedding day, my wife, Vivian Sterling, suddenly frowned, her body trembling slightly.

That night, I received a mocking text from her ex, Ryan Vance:

"Your wife's expression at the wedding was priceless. She was wearing the remote-control toy I put inside her."

When I found out the truth, I slapped her and demanded a divorce.

Vivian fell to her knees, sobbing and begging:

"You're the only one I love, Ethan. I swear I'll cut him off forever. Please, just give me one more chance."

Seeing her tears and seeming sincerity, I forgave her.

Seven years later, we were finally expecting our first child.

On the day of her prenatal checkup, I went to the hospital to pick her up.

But just as I reached the door of the clinic, I saw her ex-boyfriend, Ryan.

Ryan was anxiously asking the OB-GYN:

"My wife had a vaginoplasty done down there two years ago. Will there be any complications when she gives birth?"

My heart stopped.

Ryan brushed past me without even giving me a glance.

I took a deep breath, telling myself I was being paranoid.

It had to be a coincidence. After all, seven years had passed, and everyone had moved on with their lives.

Just like Vivian and me—we were finally going to have our own baby.

Thinking of how Vivian had cared for me so unconditionally over the past seven years, a faint smile played on my lips.

She had just made a mistake back then. I needed to trust her more.

Suddenly, a familiar female voice echoed down the hall.

"Babe! Why did you buy me so much stuff again?"

It was Vivian. Her voice was bubbling with joy.

My eyes lit up. Clutches of fresh flowers in my hand, I quickened my pace.

But just as I was about to call her name, I realized Vivian wasn't looking in my direction at all.

Ryan pulled her into his arms, gently stroking her pregnant belly as he handed her a cup of cheap, store-bought juice.

"You've been doing checkups all morning, Vivian. Drink some juice. You must be tired."

Vivian took the juice with a beaming smile, her eyes curving with happiness.

"You spoil me so much, sweetheart."

My wrist felt heavy holding the flowers.

Just two weeks ago, I had lined up for an hour in the freezing cold just to buy Vivian her favorite organic, high-end cold-pressed juice.

But when I presented it to her like a proud puppy, she hadn't even looked up.

"Ethan, can you do some basic research? Pregnant women can't just drink anything."

At the time, I thought it was just pregnancy mood swings.

I never expected that she was saving her sweet side for someone else.

Suddenly, Vivian noticed me. I was wearing a cartoon mascot mask, holding the bouquet.

"Look, babe! That's my favorite cartoon character!"

Ryan noticed me too and walked over with large strides.

Stopping in front of me, he pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and waved it in front of my face.

"I don't care who you're waiting for. Give this bouquet to my wife. If you make her happy, this hundred is yours."

A hundred dollars was pocket change to Vivian, the billionaire CEO of Sterling Enterprises.

But now, looking at Ryan playing the big spender, Vivian's eyes shone with the excitement of a teenage girl in love.

I looked at Vivian's slightly swollen belly, then at Ryan. They looked like a perfect family of three.

Under Vivian's expectant gaze, I spoke in a cold, flat voice.

"No."