Chapter 1

My one-year-old son died in a strange drowning accident, and Edwin Morris, my husband forbade anyone from investigating what really happened.

I was confused, and when I turned around, I caught him talking to Jerry Shaw, the butler.

He said, "Lillian didn't mean to hurt Grover. Make sure no one in the Morris family finds out about this."

Worried I might go after Lillian Grote, Edwin sent her away in the middle of the night, despite all the chaos outside.

From then on, Edwin never spoke of it again. Instead, he became more attentive to me, treating me with extra care.

He acted as if Lillian had never existed, and even told me his greatest wish was to be with me forever.

But after five years without any sign of pregnancy, Edwin got wasted at his birthday party, his face streaked with tears as he sobbed on Jerry's shoulder.

He choked out, "I have no other wishes. All I want is to have a child of my own with Bertha."

But what Edwin didn't know was that he'd never get his wish.

*****

When Edwin found out my period was two months late, he got so anxious he dragged the doctor over in the middle of the night.

This was already the tenth time I had visited the doctor that month. He had provided plenty of treatment and prescribed various herbal remedies to help my body.

Every time before leaving, he'd say something to reassure Edwin.

He said, "Mrs. Morris's condition is steady, her vitality is good. She'll get pregnant sooner or later, General, so there's no need to worry."

But Edwin had been hearing the same reassurances for five years. No matter how many times his hopes were crushed, he still kept falling back into that endless cycle of longing, just like tonight.

The doctor, bleary-eyed from exhaustion, finished checking Bertha's condition.

He patiently explained to Edwin, "Mrs. Morris's period is irregular because she's been taking too many supplements lately. There's no sign of pregnancy."

He added, "I come to check her every day, sometimes several times a day, but the result is always the same. If I don't get some rest, I won't have the energy to actually help you fulfill your wish, General."

Edwin just ignored the hint of complaint in the doctor's words and stood there, lost in thought. In the end, Jerry had to come over and personally escort the doctor out.

Once the room was empty, Edwin threw himself at my bedside, his eyes red and wild.

He said, "I've been dreaming about Grover so much lately. Do you think he resents me? Is that why he won't come back to our family?"

Five years had gone by, so long that I could barely remember Grover's face anymore.

Every time I thought of him, the memory always stopped at that moment: someone carrying him out of the pond, pale and lifeless, just a little thing in their arms. Never again would he smile up at me from my embrace.

I tried to push him out of my mind, refusing to let myself remember.

When I didn't comfort him, Edwin hugged my waist like a petulant child, refusing to let go until Jerry made up an excuse to talk business and finally pulled him away.

Through the window, Jerry, who was practically a father to Edwin, was gently but firmly trying to talk him around.

He said, "General, you're not getting any younger. The world changes every day. If the Morris family doesn't have anyone to carry on the family name, what am I supposed to tell our ancestors?"

Not long ago, Jerry secretly brought in a few young, beautiful women from outside, and I happened to run right into them.

I knew what he meant immediately. He'd devoted his whole life to the Morris family, and there was no way he'd let the family legacy end with Edwin.

If I couldn't give Edwin a child, he'd bring in someone else to carry on the Morris family line.

There was a loud crash from the other side of the room, and I heard Edwin hurl a cup, his voice ringing out in fury.

He yelled, "Don't you get it? All I've ever wanted in this life is a child with Bertha, no one else!"

Jerry, usually so mild-mannered, finally raised his voice at Edwin.

He said, "It was Mrs. Morris who agreed to let those women in. If even she can accept what needs to be done, why can't you?"

That was the last straw for Edwin. He lost all control, threw open the door, and shouted, making sure I could hear every word.

"Bring in as many women as you want. I only love Bertha. She's the only one who has the right to be the mother of my child in the Morris family!"

Through the flickering candlelight, it felt like I was back six years ago, heavily pregnant, watching Edwin bring Lillian home in his arms.

Jerry was there, trying to reassure me.

He said, "Edwin and Lillian have a childhood bond. She's been through a lot out there.

"Don't worry. You'll always be Mrs. Morris. No one can take that from you."

But he never realized that I didn't marry Edwin just to be Mrs. Morris. That title never mattered to me.

My family had been in the lumber business for generations, but by the time it was my father's turn, I was his only daughter.

When the last man in my family was killed in the chaos of war, everyone started circling, hoping to get their hands on our family's wealth. But Edwin showed up at my door with eighty-eight chests of gifts.

He said, "Bertha, from now on, I'll protect you."