Chapter 2

Selena's POV

Damien's "cold violence" intertwined with "material affection" continued for half a month.

During this time, Violet became the ghost haunting my life.

Violet would send photos of Damien working in his study, of limited edition bags Damien casually gave her.

She even sent photos of silk lingerie Damien bought for her.

I pretended not to see any of it.

Until my father's birthday banquet.

It was an occasion where New York's elite gathered, and as Damien's fiancée, I naturally had to attend.

Damien's parents were also present.

Halfway through the banquet, Damien's mother suddenly walked over with a wine glass, saying condescendingly, "Selena, you and Damien have been engaged for three years. Why aren't there any children yet?"

I smiled awkwardly. Before I could respond, Damien's cool voice came from the side.

"What's the rush? Selena's health isn't good. She's not ready yet."

Damien's mother sighed. "But that Violet, I hear she's already pregnant."

My mind went blank with a buzzing sound.

I whipped my head around to look at Damien.

Damien's drinking motion froze, his eyes showing a moment of evasion.

Damien's mother continued, "To ensure Damien's assets don't fall into outside hands, once the child is born, we'll publicly announce that you obtained this precious child through surrogacy. You'll be responsible for raising this child as your own, as the first-in-line heir to the foundation."

I felt the world spinning.

They wanted me to raise Damien and his mistress's child?

What did they take me for?

A wife in name only, a nanny who doesn't have to give birth but has to raise the child?

"I won't agree to this." My voice was hoarse but exceptionally firm.

Damien's mother's expression immediately darkened. "Selena, why are you being so unreasonable? As long as you hold the position of Damien's wife, you shouldn't care about these things."

I looked at my father standing to the side.

My father avoided my gaze, saying softly, "Selena, think of the bigger picture."

Everyone in the world was telling me to think of the bigger picture.

No one asked if I was in pain.

I pushed back my chair and ran out of the banquet hall, ignoring everyone's stares.

Outside, the sky was overcast, with pouring rain.

I walked aimlessly through the rain.

A black Maybach slowly stopped beside me.

Damien lowered the window, his expression extremely displeased.

"Get in the car. Stop making a scene."

I stopped walking, rainwater streaming down my face into my neck.

"Damien, is Violet really pregnant?"

Damien was silent for a moment, irritably loosening his tie. "It was an accident. I wasn't planning to let her keep it. But my mother wants that child. There's nothing I can do."

"You have no choice?" I laughed, tears mixing with rainwater. "Damien, you're the one in control of the company. If you don't approve, who can force you?"

Damien pushed open the car door and forcibly pulled me into the car.

His grip was strong, squeezing my wrist painfully.

"Selena, just behave. After the wedding, I'll reduce my contact with her. You'll still be my one and only wife. What exactly are you making a fuss about?"

"What am I making a fuss about?"

I looked at the rapidly retreating scenery outside the window.

What I wanted was never the position of some wealthy wife.

What I wanted was that fifteen-year-old Damien who promised me in the sunset that I would be his "one and only" for life.

But that boy had long since died in power and desire.