Chapter 1

My husband, Julian, was a genetic elitist.

He looked down on me for graduating from community college, claimed my genes were inferior, and insisted on having a child with his stepsister, an Ivy League graduate.

Three months into my pregnancy, they forced me to terminate it. My uterus cramped, bleeding heavily, and I begged him through tears to take me to the hospital.

He watched, cold and detached. "It's for the best. That child's genes weren't worthy of mine."

His stepsister, Vivian, tried to console me.

"You should be grateful! You'll get to help raise a child of superior lineage. It's a privilege."

They would discuss intimate fertility details in eight different languages right in front of me.

What they never knew was that I understood every word.

The day Vivian's pregnancy was confirmed, Julian went to church himself to pray for the "genius" in her womb.

That same day, I left a signed divorce agreement and never looked back.

There was one secret I had never told Julian.

He and Vivian would never have a high-IQ child.

As I was wheeled out of the operating room, I heard Julian ask the doctor about safe birth control.

"Your wife is very fertile, Mr. Davies. Both barrier and hormonal methods carry risks. If you're certain you want no more children, I'd recommend..."

The doctor's tone was careful, almost regretful. Julian took my hand, his eyes full of practiced concern.

"Maya, let me have the surgery with you. Vivian's baby will be yours too, someday. I just can't bear to watch you go through this again."

The cramps in my abdomen still twisted like knives.

I stared at him, empty. Tears began to fall, sudden and silent.

Julian had hated our child that much.

When he found out I was three months pregnant, he erupted in uncharacteristic rage and forced me to take the pills.

Just yesterday, he had been meticulously reminding Vivian to take her prenatal folic acid and maintain a light exercise routine.

His voice then had been soft, full of anticipation.

"The fusion of our genetics will produce the world's healthiest, brightest child."

Julian, for the sake of your child, are you truly prepared to strip me of my chance to be a mother?

A tearing pain in my heart made it hard to breathe. I closed my eyes, my voice chilling.

"If you can't bear to see me suffer, why don't you get the surgery yourself?"

Julian went still, staring at me as if he didn't recognize me.

"Maya, you were the one who wanted a child. I was only granting your wish."

He let out a short, cold laugh.

"Besides, what kind of brilliant child could a mother who only attended community college possibly raise?"

"Vivian has been exceptionally clever since childhood and studied abroad for years. Wouldn't a child inheriting her superior genes be a far better fit than one from you?"

Before I could retort, his phone suddenly rang.

Julian's expression softened instantly. "I'll go ask the doctor for some recovery medication."

With that, he hurried away.

I could hear Vivian's sweet, cooing voice from the phone. "Julian, my feet hurt so much! Can you come get me?"

"I told you to stop wearing high heels all the time," Julian said, his voice laced with indulgence. "Take your shoes off. I'll come carry you."

My heart clenched painfully.

The first time I attended a Davies family gala, I was terrified of embarrassing Julian.

My high heels had chafed my heels raw, but I didn't dare say a word. Every step felt like I was walking on razor blades.

Julian watched my discomfort with cold eyes, then reprimanded me mercilessly. "If you can't handle them, don't force it. From now on, you don't need to come to these kinds of events."

Back then, I was foolish enough to think he was showing concern in his own cold way.

But now, witnessing his blatant favoritism toward Vivian, I realized it had always been my own wishful thinking.

Soon after, Julian entered, carrying Vivian on his back.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, grinning as she greeted me.

"Don't laugh at me, Maya. Julian's just worried I walked too much, so he carried me up."

I closed my eyes, ignoring her completely. The atmosphere grew awkward.

Vivian's eyes instantly welled up.

Julian's face darkened, his voice filled with displeasure.

"Maya! If you have a temper, take it out on me, not Vivian!"

"Julian! Maya just lost her child, she's grieving," Vivian said, feigning sympathy, pinching his arm. Then she turned to comfort me.

"Maya, genes are natural. You mustn't feel insecure, okay?"

"Julian not wanting your child was actually for your own good. Davies children are born to be exceptionally privileged. With a mother like you, they might never be able to hold their heads high."

Her voice was soft and gentle, yet every word felt like a sharp blade twisting in my gut.

I snapped my eyes open, staring at her with chilling intensity.

Vivian maintained an expression of concern, as if she genuinely had my best interests at heart, acting as if her relationship with Julian was nothing more than normal step-siblings.

But I knew she had always been madly in love with him.

When Vivian's mother married into the family, Vivian had cried as she smashed our family portrait, screaming in anguish.

"I don't want to be his sister! I want to marry him too!"

Later, Julian married me, and she, in a fit of pique, left the country, not returning for years.

Vivian flinched under my gaze, her composure faltering. She pouted, wiping away feigned tears.

"Maya, if you're upset, hit me, yell at me, just don't give me the silent treatment!"