Chapter 1

That year, when I was twenty, I married Damien, my father's closest friend. He was eight years older than me, a formidable business elite in the city's elite circles, known for his decisive and tough demeanor in the business world, always keeping women at arm's length. But with me, he showed an extraordinary tenderness. He'd have multi-million dollar jewelry delivered to me the very next day, just because I'd casually mentioned, "That necklace is pretty. "

When my period cramps had me curled up in bed, he'd drop a massive project, personally brew me comforting ginger tea, and gently coax me to drink it spoon by spoon. In moments of passion, he'd cup my waist, his voice low and husky, calling me "baby," saying I was so good, so addictive. Even all his social media accounts bore the name "Für Elise. "

I always thought it was to commemorate the day we first met, when I played that very piece on the piano. Until that day, when I found an old photo album in his study. The album was filled with pictures of the same girl, who bore a striking resemblance to me, smiling as she stood by a piano. On the back of one photo, it read—

"Für Elise, my dearest Isabelle. "

…

After uncovering the truth, I did only two things. First, I went to the hospital and terminated my five-month pregnancy. A five-month-old baby already kicks in your belly. On the operating table, I gritted my teeth and held back tears, but when the nurse asked, "Do you want to see the baby? " I broke down, shaking my head. Second, I drafted a divorce agreement. Then, I called Damien. Before, he’d always answered my calls instantly, his voice soft as he’d ask, "What's wrong, baby? "

But this time, I had to call twenty-three times before he finally picked up. A jumble of voices came from the other end, followed by his friends' mocking tones:

"How important is a first love, really? The moment Isabelle came back, Damien just ditched his five-month pregnant wife at home. "

"What do you expect? The girl was just a stand-in. You should've seen how much Damien loved Isabelle back then; he practically drank himself to death after they broke up. He never forgot her all these years, even coaxed some girl into being her replacement. "

"And that girl's still clueless, clinging to Damien like a shadow every day. Last time I saw Aurora kissing Damien, the way she was acting all cute and sweet? It totally melted my heart. If I had a sweet, bubbly girl like that at home, I'd have forgotten Isabelle ages ago. "

"Ah, well, Damien might seem cold, but he's incredibly devoted. He only loves Isabelle. Look, Isabelle just casually complained about her feet hurting in heels, and he immediately scooped her up to buy her flats…"

I gripped my phone, tears silently streaming down my face. Suddenly, the other end of the line went quiet. "Who picked up my call? " Damien's voice abruptly cut through. "Huh? I don't know, maybe someone accidentally pressed it…"

Footsteps sounded from the other end, and soon the background noise returned to silence. When he spoke again, that intoxicatingly gentle voice of Damien's whispered through the receiver: "What's wrong, baby? Is it thundering? Can't you sleep? "

"Husband has a business dinner, I'll be back later to keep you and the baby company, okay? "

I took a deep breath: "I'm calling to sign the divo—"

Before I could finish, a woman's voice chimed in: "Damien, my feet hurt…"

He paused for a moment, then hastily told me: "Be a good girl, go to sleep first. Husband will be back later to be with you. "

And then, the call ended. I smiled, wiping away all my tears, then looked up at the desktop. Two "gifts" lay there, both for Damien. A divorce agreement, and a gift box containing the baby we'd aborted. Those who betray a sincere heart deserve to swallow a thousand needles. I might be young, but I wouldn't tolerate such deceit. I wouldn't keep the person who deceived me. I could love wholeheartedly, and I could let go just as completely. I don't know how long I sat there, but finally, I stood up and put the gift box with the baby into the freezer. Just then, a sound came from the main entrance of the villa. "Baby, why aren't you asleep yet? " Damien walked in, shedding his suit jacket, his tie loosely around his neck. "What are you looking for in the fridge? Are you hungry? "

I didn't answer, just watched him silently. He seemed a bit unaccustomed to my coldness. He pulled out an exquisite lunchbox from behind him, his eyes soft: "I ran all over town to buy this. Haven't you been craving this lately? "

He meticulously laid out the pastries, all my favorites during my morning sickness these past few months. In the past, I would have thrown myself into his arms and kissed him. But now, I only felt a bitter irony. "Why are you standing there without saying anything? Is the baby in your tummy bothering you again? "

As he spoke, his hand reached out to caress my lower abdomen. I blocked his hand and handed him a document: "Sign this. "

He paused, about to open it, when his phone suddenly rang. I saw the caller ID – it was Isabelle. After he answered, I didn't hear what was said, but his expression changed slightly. He hung up the phone without even looking at the document, quickly signed it. Then he grabbed his car keys and started to leave. "Baby, I have an urgent matter to deal with. You go to bed early.