Chapter 1

I had been stuck in a loveless marriage with Julian Carter for five years.

I was forced into this marriage because Julian couldn't defy his elders.

After we got married, he made sure to get back at me—speeding around in flashy cars, hooking up with girls, splashing his name across every tabloid headline, and turning me into the joke of our circle.

At the family dinner, Julian showed up with yet another pretty, sweet actress on his arm.

Same old move.

He was just waiting to see me go hysterical and fall apart in front of everyone.

But I didn't.

This time, I kept my cool.

Instead, I just smiled and told Julian, "You sure know how to pick them."

*****

When I walked into the Carter residence, the atmosphere was already tense.

Julian was standing with his back to the door, ramrod straight.

Laurent stood right in front of him, banging his cane against the floor.

"You brat! Bringing some coquette to a family dinner? Did you even think about Nina at all?" Laurent snapped.

Wendy James, the one Laurent had just called "some coquette," had eyes rimmed with red, clearly on the verge of tears.

"Julian, maybe I should just leave..." she whispered.

Julian pulled her into his arms, his face showing no emotion.

"Why leave? You'll be a part of our family soon anyway," he replied coolly.

Laurent grew even more furious, raising his cane as if he might actually bring it down.

I forced a smile, stepped forward, and gently held his cane. "Laurent, take it easy."

Julian's expression froze, and he looked me over for a long moment.

He probably wasn't used to seeing me so calm.

Back then, I would've totally lost it—screaming, throwing a fit, and making sure Wendy got kicked out.

Finally, his gaze landed on my smile.

He paused for a second, lips pressed into a thin line. "My wife is generous indeed."

His tone was dripping with sarcasm.

But I didn't bother to read into it.

I just pretended not to hear him.

I took Laurent's arm and led him to the dining room.

At the dinner table, Julian and Wendy were sitting close, acting intimate.

They acted like Laurent wasn't even there, despite his stormy expression.

Whenever I reached for a dish, Julian would always get there first, serving it to Wendy with a flourish.

With a sharp crack, Laurent slammed his fork down on the table.

Julian just kept serving Wendy, acting like nothing had happened.

Before Laurent could blow up, I quickly stood up.

"Laurent, I think Louise's awake now. She's probably waiting for you out in the backyard," I said.

Once I'd walked Laurent out, I came back and took my seat.

The other guests were still there in the dining room.

As the Carter family's eldest daughter-in-law, I had to keep up appearances.

Julian turned his head and gave me a sidelong look.

He absently toyed with his lighter, saying nothing.

But the pressure he gave off seemed to ease a little.

I stayed silent, too.

Wendy blinked at Julian, looking all pitiful. "Will Nina mind me being here?"

"Just ignore her," Julian replied, not even bothering to look up.

I curled my fingers into my palm, glancing at Wendy.

"You've outdone yourself this time. She's prettier than the last," I said.

Julian gave me a cool once-over, his tone flat.

"She's surely prettier than you," he remarked.

Wendy smiled, quickly masking the pride in her eyes. "Nina is a famous beauty in Harbor City. I'm nowhere near her league."

Julian didn't say a word and just fired up a cigarette.

The smoke was sharp, burning my nose.

I grabbed a bite of food, trying to wash down the scratchiness in my throat.

Just then, Wendy put on her sweetest voice and said, "I left my bra at the hotel earlier."

Julian let out a low chuckle. "You little airhead."

As I swallowed the food, a sudden wave of nausea hit me, sharp and painful.

I shot up from my seat, ignoring the looks on their faces, and bolted for the bathroom.

I just zoned out, staring at myself in the mirror.

The face staring back used to have a healthy glow, but now it just looked sallow and tired.

No way I could compete with those fresh-faced starlets anymore.

Just as I was spacing out, my phone rang. It was my best friend, Susan Taylor, a top surgeon in Harbor City.

She said, "Nina, why didn't you tell me? If I hadn't been on duty today and seen your medical records, you..."

"Would it have made any difference?" I cut her off.

It would only make things more depressing.

There was a long pause on the other end, and when she spoke again, her voice was thick with tears.

"Did you tell him about your illness?" she asked.

I nodded, and then realized she couldn't see me.

I said softly, "He thinks I'm just scheming again."

Susan snapped, "I heard he brought another girl to the family dinner? How much longer is he going to keep putting you through this? After all that went down back then..."

Her voice faltered, like she knew she'd crossed a line.

I sniffled.

"Forget it, Susan," I said.

After hanging up, I just stood there, numb and silent.

I turned on the faucet, watching the blood swirl down the drain, then straightened up and walked out.

At the end of the hallway, Julian was leaning against the wall, his handsome face partially obscured by shadow.

I walked by with my head down, but his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist.

"Are you heading back? The family dinner's long over," Julian said.

I stopped, still not looking at him. "Thanks for handling things."

I'd been feeling so awful earlier that I honestly hadn't even noticed how much time had passed.

Julian probably handled the guests for me.

I really should thank him for that.

After all, I was usually the one handling everything.

He paused, and then shot me a look. "You really had to hide out that long? Were you actually that sick?"

I turned my head and saw him frowning, clearly annoyed. "I just wasn't feeling well," I said.

I tried to pull away, but he just tightened his grip.

His voice was mocking, with a trace of anger. "Nina, are you pretending to be sick again?"

I was speechless.

I'd already told him I was sick, but he just wouldn't believe me.

What else could I say?

So I just joked, "Actually, I'm pregnant. Surprise?"

Julian just fell silent.

After a long moment, his expression stayed blank. "You think this is funny?"

"It's been ages since I last did something intimate with you," Julian said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

He suddenly leaned in close, his breath tickling my skin. "Nina, nobody's going to spoil you," he murmured.

With a sudden, rough shove, he sent me stumbling backward until I crashed into the wall.

By the time I got my balance back, Julian was already walking off with Wendy, who'd been waiting forever at the end of the hall.

I stood there in a daze until the driver called out, "Mrs. Carter, the car's ready. Should I take you to the cemetery now?"

"Do you want to... wait for Mr. Carter?" he asked.

He sounded unsure.

He must've seen Julian leave with Wendy.

I shook off my daze and answered, "No need. Let's just go."