Chapter 1

After marriage, my husband's first love, Emily Carter, suddenly developed intermittent manic episodes.

Her condition always seemed to flare up precisely when she and I were alone together.

The first time, she pushed me down the stairs while I was at home alone.

It nearly cost the lives of both my baby and myself.

The second time, she kicked me in the stomach right where my baby bump was just beginning to show, causing me to miscarry on the spot.

Each time afterward, she would feel remorseful, self-harm, and end up in the hospital for emergency treatment.

Then, during my third pregnancy, she barged into our home again and stabbed me in the abdomen.

The result was that both of my fallopian tubes were severed, leaving me unable to have children ever again.

She cried, apologizing profusely.

"Alex, after we have a baby through IVF to make it up to her, I'll go away forever," she said.

Alexander slapped her, not too hard.

Then, just like before, he turned to me with another letter of forgiveness.

"Emily didn't mean to do it; I've already disciplined her.

"She promised to give you a child as compensation. You shouldn't hold this against someone who is ill."

I looked at my understanding husband coldly and smiled as I nodded.

"If you want my forgiveness, trade it for a divorce agreement."

As soon as I finished speaking, both of them were stunned for a moment, caught off guard.

Alexander shot up from his seat, gripping the armrests of my hospital bed so hard his knuckles turned white.

His voice shot up, disbelief written all over his face.

"Lillian, what did you just say?" he demanded.

In the depth of Alexander's blue eyes, I glimpsed a reflection. My own face, deathly pale and drawn from losing so much blood.

The entire hospital bed jolted from his frantic move, the pain in my belly tearing through me so brutally, it felt like my insides were being ripped out. I couldn't help but flinch hard.

Seeing me in agony, Alexander hurriedly reached to soothe the crease in my brow, his voice soft and nearly trembling as he tried to comfort me.

"Lillian, I know it's tough for you right now, but please, don't say things you don't mean just because you're hurting." He murmured.

"You're all alone in the world, and you don't even have a job. Without me, you wouldn't know how to get by. I swear I'll make it right."

Alexander's hand was always warm against my skin, but my heart stayed icy cold, no matter what he did.

His empty promises had worn thin. I'd heard it all before.

With all the strength I could muster, I forced his hand away, my tone unyielding as I repeated myself.

"If you won't give me a divorce, then don't blame me when I take Emily to court," I said.

The tenderness in Alexander's eyes slowly shattered, leaving only pain as he looked at me, his voice shakier than ever.

"Lillian, you know Emily's parents died because of me. She's sick and I can't just abandon her, not after everything that's happened. You've always known that," he said.

I closed my eyes, a bitter smile tugging at my lips.

I could understand Alexander wanting to make amends.

But as for Emily, was she really sick?

I just didn't buy it anymore.

Five years ago, Emily's parents came all the way to support Alexander at the grand opening of his new company.

They had intended to support Alexander, who was just getting his feet under him, but they tragically lost their lives in a car accident on the way.

After the funeral, Alexander immediately brought Emily, who was devastated and in tears, to our marital home.

Because Emily was haunted by nightmares every night, Alexander ended up spending our first three months as a married couple camped out by her bedside, keeping watch over her until morning.

He wouldn't come back to our own bed unless he was sure she'd finally fallen asleep safe and sound.

I was torn up inside, and there were times I completely fell apart.

But every time I saw Alexander's tired face under the moonlight, the words of blame just couldn't come out.

I always thought that once Emily managed to put the past behind her, Alexander and I could finally live happily together, just like I had hoped.

But I never expected that she would suddenly go mad when I was alone at home and push me, six months pregnant, down the stairs.

After I lost my baby, an overwhelming wave of pain and despair crashed down on me.

I went berserk, pounding on Alexander, demanding that he throw Emily out of the house and have her locked up in prison.

But Alexander just pulled me into his arms, grief etched all over his face.

He told me Emily only hurt me because her intermittent manic episodes took over.

When she finally snapped out of it, she was so consumed by guilt that she tried to end it all in the bathtub, and she's still in critical condition.

Suddenly, Alexander slapped himself hard across the face, then dropped to his knees in front of me, begging like his life depended on it.

"Lillian, can you forgive Emily? We're still young, and we can have more children. But going to prison will be a lifelong stain on her." He pleaded.