Chapter 1

On my birthday, Thomas Carter stood before me with his childhood sweetheart.

He said, "Eva once saved my life. She's pregnant because she got involved with a scumbag. I'm planning to get a fake divorce from you first, then marry her and give the child a legitimate identity."

I looked down at my belly, which was even bigger than Eva's, and suddenly, everything felt pointless.

I didn't cry or make a scene. Instead, I calmly said, "Okay."

Later, I went to the hospital and had an abortion, completely disappearing from his world.

*****

Thomas's father, Deacon Carter, was a high-ranking military commander. His mother, Pauline Carter, was a renowned writer and painter. Wherever they went, honors followed them.

Thomas stood out in scientific research. He was a key talent cultivated by superiors and represents the future of research. They would never let him be exposed to any kind of danger.

Their family was at the top of the pyramid.

As for me, I was a nobody from the countryside. After my parents died, I was lucky enough to be taken in by Deacon, so I could finally live like a real person.

To get closer to Thomas, I worked hard to get into college. Even after pushing myself to the limit to become a researcher, I still wasn't even qualified to be his assistant.

Three years ago, my mentor wanted to take me away from Krufbert to the Northwest Research Facility, with no idea when I'd be back.

Without thinking, I asked Thomas, "If I stay, will you marry me?"

He smiled and said, "Sure, I'll marry you."

Just like that, I drifted into the Carter family, still clueless as to why Thomas said yes.

I still remember that day. I was standing in the fields when he walked toward me with the sun behind him, reached out his hand, and asked, "Will you come home with me?"

Thomas pulled me out of poverty and loneliness, and I put him on a pedestal.

The mountains were bursting with wildflowers that day, and my heart fluttered for him. That feeling never faded, not even after ten years.

No matter why he chose to marry me, I was more than willing to lose myself in this love.

Pauline always said, "Someone like you doesn't deserve my son, so make sure you fulfill your duties as his wife."

Those words became a chain around my heart, branded into my soul from the moment I was with Thomas.

Because of that, I gave up my studies and my future. For two years, I did everything I could to be the perfect daughter-in-law for the Carter family.

But on my birthday, Thomas still gave me a huge "surprise."

I'd saved up my ration coupons for pastries and meat, put together a special birthday dinner for him, and eagerly waited for him to come home. But instead, he walked in with a pregnant woman.

Eva Summers was the star of the performing arts troupe, Thomas's childhood sweetheart, and Pauline's top pick for a daughter-in-law.

Thomas said, "Nina, Eva got pregnant by some jerk. I'm planning to fake a divorce with you and marry her, so the baby can have a legitimate identity."

In this era, getting pregnant out of wedlock meant someone would be branded for life. And Eva had only just returned from overseas.

If anyone started digging into who the baby's father was, Eva's reputation would be destroyed forever.

Thomas really made sure to cover all the bases for her.

I glanced at my own belly, which was even bigger than Eva's, and suddenly, it all just felt meaningless.

I didn't cry or throw a fit. I quietly said, "Okay."

Thomas's eyes widened in shock. "You said okay?"

He clearly couldn't believe what he was hearing.

I nodded. "I respect your choices."

"Even if I want to marry someone else?" he asked.

I looked at him. Shouldn't I be the one who's angry here? Why was he the one getting all worked up?

"So what am I supposed to do?" I asked honestly.

Thomas was at a loss for words, his face twisting with all sorts of emotions.

It wasn't until Eva gently tugged at his sleeve that he slipped back into that distant, indifferent calm of his.

"Don't resent Eva. This is my decision," he said.

I nodded. "Just tell me when you want to file for divorce. I'll cooperate."

Thomas casually pulled out a document. "I've already filled out the divorce papers."

It turned out he just dropped by to give me the news.

I almost laughed out loud.

"Don't worry. Once Eva has the baby and the kid is officially part of the Carter family, we'll get married again," he said.

The look in his eyes was so resolute, like he was swearing an unbreakable oath.

I nodded again.

Thomas finally breathed out in relief, reaching out to take my hand.

The touch of his warm, steady hand used to be what I longed for most in this world, but now—

I forced myself not to pull away, keeping my expression steady as I looked at him.

"At most, it'll be six months. Just stay here and don't worry," Thomas said.

"Okay," I replied.

He finally looked relieved, giving me a knowing smile.

Eva said, "Thomas, can we head back now? I'm feeling a bit tired. Your parents are waiting for you at home to celebrate your birthday."

As soon as Eva spoke, Thomas's attention shifted entirely to her.

He gave me a few more instructions before leaving with Eva.

From start to finish, he never even noticed the birthday dinner I'd prepared for him.

For the longest time, I never understood why Thomas ended up marrying me.

It wasn't until Eva came back that it finally made sense.

Eva told me she turned down Thomas's proposal because she wanted to be free and see what life was like out there.

I guessed that it hit Thomas very hard, so he married whoever was around, trying to fill the hole Eva left in his heart.

I still remember the day Eva came back. Thomas didn't even come to our bedroom. He sat in the living room all night, not moving an inch.

For two years, Thomas was good to me, but it always felt more like he was fulfilling an obligation, like he was making up for a reckless mistake from his past.

That day, I forced myself to finish every single dish I'd carefully prepared for his birthday, stuffing it all down as if it could fill the emptiness inside.

In those days, food was precious. No matter what happened, I refused to let a single morsel go to waste, not for anyone.

Once I'd eaten my fill, I grabbed the divorce papers and headed to the hospital, ending the pregnancy and closing that chapter for good.

Thomas, I would set you free.

I had just gotten back from the hospital when Pauline called.

"Hurry back! Thomas is about to get killed by his father!" she shouted.

Ignoring the pain in my body, I rushed back home. When I got there, I saw Thomas on his knees, his back a mess of blood and welts from Deacon's whip.

"Marry Nina again right now, or you're no longer my son!" Deacon yelled.

Thomas stubbornly straightened his back and stayed silent, letting the whip hit him again and again.

Blood splattered with every lash of the whip. The bright red burned into my eyes.

"Deacon, are you trying to kill him? He's just chasing freedom and love. What's so wrong with that?" Pauline cried herself limp on the floor.

"Mr. Carter, if you want to hit someone, hit me instead!" Eva said, staying beside Thomas, her eyes full of determination.

Pauline glared at me, as if I were the real culprit here.

I sighed, took a step forward, and said, "Deacon, I did this willingly."

"Willingly? What do you mean? He must have made you do it. If he were one of my men, I would've put a bullet in him myself!" Deacon roared.

But Thomas was the backbone of scientific research. Even as a military commander, Deacon couldn't lay a finger on his own son.

Deacon was shaking with rage as he lashed out again.

Almost without thinking, Thomas shielded Eva, leaving me right in the line of fire.

The pain was searing, like my back was being ripped open.

I heard Deacon shout, "Nina!"

He finally let the whip fall from his hand.