Chapter 1
On the tenth anniversary of my marriage to Patrick Winslow, his concubine, Violet, waddled in, hand on her belly, to "congratulate" me on my birthday.
"Well, dear Aria," Violet smirked, "you've been part of the Winslow family for ten years and still haven't given Patrick a single child. But this baby of mine? The doctor says it's six boys at once.
"So maybe it's time you gave up your spot as Mrs. Winslow."
I turned to Patrick, the man who once treated me like something precious. Now he frowned a little and spoke in a cold, measured voice.
"The child Violet is carrying is my rightful heir. He shouldn't start life beneath anyone," he said. "You've always been gracious and considerate.
"For the sake of the Winslow family's legacy, I'm sure you'll do the right thing and let Violet take your place as my wife."
I let out a laugh, sharp with anger. "Fine. Exactly as you wish."
I'd been waiting for this day for far too long.
*****
As soon as I finished speaking, the lively hall went dead silent. All eyes were on me, stunned that I'd agreed to step down so easily.
But I was Fortune-Blessed Lady. I only married Patrick because karma demanded it.
He promised me back then that he would never betray me.
And I told him that as long as he kept his word, I would make sure he lived out this life in wealth and glory.
But if he broke that vow, everything he had would crumble, and he would spend three lifetimes in poverty.
Ten years passed, and he still couldn't hold on to that promise.
When I looked at him now, the signs of financial ruin were already written across his face. They were even worse than when we first met.
Once Patrick started losing money, the karmic tie between us would thin. When it finally disappeared, this mortal form of mine would die along with the debt, and everything would be cleared.
At the pace things were going, it wouldn't be long before I returned to the heavens.
Patrick noticed how calm I was and lifted his head, startled. Panic flashed in his eyes before irritation pushed it aside.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he snapped.
"Oh. Nothing." I didn't want to argue, so I stood up to leave.
But he wouldn't let it go. "Aria, what the hell is your problem?
"You walk around looking like a ghost all day. Who are you putting on this act for?
"I work my butt off, make all this money。 Who do you think it's for?"
He grabbed my arm, refusing to let me leave, determined to argue with me right there.
"What do you want me to say?" I shot back. "You wanted me to step down today and hand your new sweetheart my place. I said yes. What else do you want?"
For a split second, guilt flickered across his face, but then his anger flared up again.
"You've been part of our family for ten years, and there's still not even a sign of a baby from you," he shouted. "I just want a child of my own. How is that wrong?"
I stared at him in disbelief. He really had forgotten everything.
I had told him before we married that I couldn't get pregnant.
Back then, in that shabby hut, he wrapped his arms around me and said with such affection, "Aria, don't worry. I love you. You're the only one I care about.
"You'll be my only wife. I'll grow old with you. I'll stay by your side year after year."
The promise still rang clearly in my ears, but the man who said it was gone.
In the end, he did care about my inability to bear children.
Years ago, I would've exploded. I would've demanded the truth and forced him to face me.
But now, my heart had gone quiet.
Expressionless, I pulled my sleeve from his hand and walked away.
Seeing me so calm only drove him madder. "This is the attitude you're giving me? You used to say I owed everything to you, but this money came from my hard work.
"That whole 'Fortune-Blessed Lady' title—you must've made it up because you were scared I'd leave. Who would believe that nonsense?
"Aria, I'm giving you one more chance. Stay in this house, be my concubine, and I promise no one will dare cut your allowance.
"You'll live comfortably. I'll make sure of it.
"But if you refuse, don't blame me for what happens."