Chapter 1

My stepsister, who’d been paralyzed for six years, suddenly had a swollen belly.

I picked up my phone to call the police, but my father grabbed my hand.

“Seraphina, that’s your baby too!”

My husband, Kalan Vance, stood silently beside my father, tacitly agreeing to this absurdity.

I understood.

My stepsister’s baby was my husband’s.

Seeing my silence, Kalan tried to justify himself:

“You didn’t want kids anyway. Briar is paralyzed, and she’s your sister. Her having a baby won’t shake your position as my wife.”

In their eyes, I never said no to them.

But they didn’t know that I had fulfilled my promise to my mother, and now, it was time for me to leave.

Kalan’s hand was still resting on Briar’s swollen belly.

The sight of it stung my eyes.

“Don’t be mad at Kalan.”

Briar lay in bed, an innocent smile on her face.

“The doctor said I’m not well, Kalan was just worried about me and the baby, that’s why he kept it from you.”

“We’re both doing this for your sake. You’ve been Kalan’s wife for so many years without getting pregnant, it’s… a bit embarrassing for you, isn’t it?”

She even patted my hand affectionately.

“Once the baby’s born, we’ll put him under your name, and he can call you Mom, okay?”

My father cleared his throat, adopting the air of a patriarch.

“Seraphina! Briar is carrying a Vance family child, the hope of our family!”

“Your sister is unwell, yet she’s taking on this burden for you, for the Vance family. Instead of being grateful, who are you giving that sour face to?”

Kalan finally took his hand off Briar’s belly and walked towards me.

He reached for my hand, but I pulled away.

His arm froze in mid-air.

“We’ve been married for so many years, don’t you understand me?”

“Everything I do is for you, for our family. I can’t let people whisper behind your back, saying you’re a barren woman.”

I looked at him, unable to utter a single word.

Seeing my unresponsiveness, Kalan’s patience wore thin. He tugged at his tie, a flicker of irritation in his eyes.

“Alright, stop being dramatic. I’ve already asked Mrs. Davies to prepare dinner to celebrate.”

“As the lady of the house, you should at least show some enthusiasm.”

He turned and gently helped Briar up, with a tenderness I’d never witnessed.

“Briar, what do you want to eat? I’ll have the kitchen make it for you.”

Briar leaned weakly into his arms, pouting playfully:

“I want some of that organic, hand-churned almond milk smoothie you make, and I want you to feed it to me.”

“Of course, anything for you.”

They flirted openly, treating me like a transparent ornament.

I stood there, ridiculously superfluous.

Just then, Dr. Miller, the family physician, walked in with his medical bag.

His face was wreathed in smiles as he pulled a report from his bag.

“Mr. Vance, Mr. Blackwood, congratulations!”

He handed the report to Kalan, his voice booming.

“Miss Briar’s pregnancy is very stable, and the ultrasound suggests it’s a boy! Congratulations, Mr. Vance, you’re having a baby!”

Kalan kissed Briar hard.

My father’s face was flushed with excitement.

Dr. Miller turned to me, a hint of pity in his smile.

“Mrs. Vance, you shouldn’t be too sad.”

“Since you haven’t managed to get pregnant, having Miss Briar help you is just as good.”

The room was filled with laughter and joy, like countless needles pricking my ears.

I clutched my phone, my nails digging into my flesh.

Kalan held up the report and walked over to me.

“Look, isn’t he adorable? From now on, he’ll be our child.”

My father quickly added:

“But Seraphina, even if the child is registered under your name, he’ll still call Briar ‘Mom.’”

They were as complacent as ever, convinced I would agree to all their requests.

Just like the day of my mother’s funeral when my father brought home a stepsister who was only half a year younger than me.

He claimed she was an old friend’s daughter, but her face bore a striking resemblance to his.

Just like when Kalan said he wanted a child, and I tried countless folk remedies.

Even though I had told him before marriage that my body wasn't well and it would be difficult for me to have children, and I couldn't endure continuous injections and medication.

All because seven years ago, I made a solemn vow by my mother’s deathbed.

To help my weak father support the Blackwood family, and to pave a bright future for Kalan, who had nothing.

For my mother, the Blackwood family was love, and the Vance family was gratitude.

They were her last lingering attachments.

But for me, it was nothing more than a promise.

Now, seven years have passed, and I see nothing left here to cling to.

2.

I turned, leaving the family’s joyful reunion behind me.

On the deserted balcony, I dialed the number of the lawyer my mother had designated before she passed.

“Mr. Thompson, seven years are up.”

A brief silence on the other end, then a sigh.

“Miss Seraphina, everything is ready. Just say the word, and all the funds injected into Blackwood Corp and Vance Inc. will begin to be withdrawn within twenty-four hours. We estimate six days for a full extraction.”

“Start.”

Hanging up the phone, I felt the rope that had bound me for seven years finally loosen.

Kalan walked over, I didn't know when, frowning at me.

“Who were you talking to so mysteriously?”

“Seraphina, I’m warning you, don’t take the family money and make reckless investments.

“Raising a child will cost money at every turn, so start saving.”

He lectured me as if it were his right, completely forgetting that his money was earned with my help.

I ignored him and walked straight to the dining room.

The long dining table was laden with dishes, all of them Briar’s favorites.

Kalan meticulously deboned fish for Briar, completely oblivious that I hadn’t eaten anything.

My father drank until his face was flushed.

“Seraphina, transfer your shares in Blackwood Corp to Briar’s unborn child. Consider it a gift from you.”

I looked up at his face, etched with calculation.

I nodded.

“Alright.”

My straightforwardness stunned them all for a moment.

Kalan was the first to react, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

“I knew Seraphina was the most reasonable one.”

He immediately took charge:

“The shares you hold in my company should also be transferred. For our child, you’d surely be willing.”

Briar leaned into Kalan’s arms, pretending to be worried as she tugged at his sleeve.

“Kalan, don’t do that, Seraphina will be unhappy.”

My father scoffed.

“How could she be? She’s thrilled! Aren’t you, Seraphina? Come on, toast Briar and say a few words of blessing.”

Kalan picked up a glass of red wine and offered it to me.

“I can’t drink,” I said.

Kalan’s face instantly darkened.

“Can’t drink? When you drank until your stomach bled on the negotiation table for the South Ridge project, why didn’t you say you couldn’t drink?”

My father chimed in:

“Exactly, how many rounds have you endured over the years? You seemed quite happy drinking then, even eager to go when no one asked.”

All these years, one needed to maintain his image as a refined CEO, and the other his authoritative chairman persona.

The dirty work of schmoozing and charming people naturally fell to me.

Six more days, I counted silently in my head.

Then I took the wine glass Kalan had practically shoved to my lips and turned to Briar.

Her face held a poorly concealed triumph.

I raised the glass, speaking each word distinctly.

“I wish you… everything you desire.”