Chapter 1

After my IVF treatment succeeded, I returned home with the child I'd worked so hard to conceive, hoping to surprise Ethan Quinn.

A friend kindly warned me that during my years abroad, a sultry secretary named Lily had appeared by Ethan's side.

At first, I didn't take it seriously.

After all, in the past, Ethan would be heartbroken if I so much as frowned.

Until I got home and discovered the password to our mansion had been changed.

I pounded on the door repeatedly until it finally opened.

Lily stood there in my nightgown, leaning seductively against the doorframe and frowning at me.

"What homeless person dares to come begging at my house?! Get lost! If you don't leave now, I'll let the dogs out!"

Looking at her arrogant attitude, I was so angry I laughed instead.

"Get Ethan out here! I need to ask him if he doesn't want his child anymore!"

A man who only got his position thanks to my parents' support—and he dares to cheat?

The Tibetan mastiff behind the door barked threateningly at me, emboldened by its owner.

Lily rolled her eyes.

"You Old woman, who do you think you are? Do you think you can just see Mr. Quinn whenever you want?"

She looked me up and down with disdain.

"Can't believe security let someone dressed in cheap market clothes into this neighborhood!"

My skin is prone to allergies—ordinary fabrics make me break out in rashes at the slightest touch.

That's why Ethan had specially ordered Italian fabric to make my clothes.

I never imagined there'd come a day when I'd be looked down upon for not wearing designer brands.

I was almost laughing from anger. After all these years, this was the first time I'd been blocked from seeing Ethan.

I pulled out my phone to call him and demand an explanation.

But when I raised my hand, I realized with dismay that my phone had died at some point.

I simply extended my hand and coldly demanded Lily's phone.

"If you delay his business, you know what the consequences will be!"

Lily was startled by my expression. In that moment of hesitation, I grabbed her phone.

I dialed the number I knew by heart, ready to confront him, but was interrupted by Ethan's gentle, low laugh.

"Didn't reply to your message for two minutes and you're already calling? Miss me that much?"

"I'm in a meeting. I'll come home as soon as it's over."

I gripped the phone as all my words got stuck in my throat.

Such an intimate tone—if I hadn't been holding Lily's phone, I would have thought he was talking to me.

The next second, Lily triumphantly snatched the phone back and cooed in a sweet voice.

"Then hurry back. I want to eat food you cook yourself!"

She even put it on speaker.

Hearing the flirting on the other end, I barely contained my rage.

"Ethan, get back here right now!"

Ethan paused, his voice carrying a note of confusion.

"Lily, is there someone else with you?"

Lily glared at me.

"Just some crazy woman. I'll get rid of her in a minute."

Ethan said casually, "Okay. Don't make a big scene. The company's in the middle of bidding—bad publicity wouldn't help."

Hearing his indifferent tone, I felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over me.

Just last month, Ethan had specifically flown abroad to see me, and now he couldn't even recognize my voice!

I couldn't hold back anymore and raised my voice.

"Ethan, you don't want me—fine! But you don't want your child either?"

The air suddenly turned cold as Ethan's voice came through, laced with icy menace.

"Someone's got guts, trying to pull a scam on me!"

"That child definitely isn't mine. Lily, just deal with her!" Ethan's tone was ice-cold.