Chapter 1
The Ashford family had only one son per generation, and having kids was always a struggle.
Just six months after marrying in, I found out I was pregnant with triplets. My in-laws, who used to look down on where I came from, suddenly acted like I was the Ashford family's hero. They went all out and hired four elite nannies to pamper me 24/7.
They decided to keep it under wraps, wanting to surprise their son, Elias, with the news of a lifetime.
Half a month later, Elias came back from abroad with his pregnant first love, Lydia Heart. He acted as if nothing was wrong, telling me to be generous and even raise Lydia's child as my own.
I didn't cry or throw a fit. I simply ended the pregnancy and got rid of the triplets.
When Elias finally learned the truth, he dropped to his knees in the pouring rain, eyes red and desperate as he reached out for my hand. "Mira, I know I messed up... I really do. Please, come back. Let's remarry. I'll give you everything."
Victor stepped out of the house and casually wrapped his arm around me, looking down at Elias from above. His voice was calm, but there was a clear possessiveness in his tone.
"Mr. Ashford, it's late. You're disturbing my fiancée. You're not welcome here, so you'd better leave," Victor said.
*****
On the tenth day of Elias's business trip, I was just watching TV in the living room when, out of nowhere, everything went black, and I fainted on the spot. When I woke up, I was already in the hospital. Genevieve was clutching my hand tightly, her face etched with worry.
She'd always found fault with me, but this was the first time I'd ever seen her so genuinely concerned.
The doctor came in holding the report, unable to hide his grin. "Congratulations, Mrs. Ashford. Your daughter-in-law is pregnant—and... It's triplets!"
Triplets!
Genevieve shot to her feet, her voice shaking with excitement. "Doctor, are you absolutely sure? Three? Did you really say three?"
She'd always looked down on me for my ordinary background, thinking I wasn't good enough for her golden boy of a son. For the past six months of our marriage, she'd never once given me a kind look.
But now, after the doctor's confirmation, she was so overjoyed that she burst into tears and pulled me into a tight hug, her whole attitude doing a complete 180.
"Good girl, good girl! Mira, did you hear that? Triplets! We finally have heirs—three at once! You're the Ashford family's greatest hero!" she exclaimed.
No matter how big the Ashford family's business got, they were always short on heirs—three generations with only one son each.
Back at the villa, Genevieve immediately called Theodore. I heard the sound of a glass shattering on the other end, then came Theodore's wild, ecstatic rambling. He could barely get the words out.
Theodore rushed home right away. He looked at me like I was some priceless treasure, fussing over me and making sure I was comfortable in every possible way.
Genevieve not only cooked broth for me herself, but also hired four top-tier nannies to take care of me 24/7.
Half an hour later, the four elite nannies stood in a row and greeted me respectfully, "Mrs. Ashford."
Genevieve grabbed my hand, way warmer than she'd ever been. "Mira, I picked these four nannies myself. One handles your meals, one keeps you safe, one takes care of your daily stuff, and the last one is here just for pregnancy massages. You don't have to worry about anything, just focus on staying healthy and taking care of your pregnancy."
Her eyes lit up as she suddenly decided, "Let's not tell Elias yet. When he gets back from his trip and sees your belly, we'll hit him with the surprise of a lifetime!" she said.
I was so happy, I nodded without even thinking.
That was the happiest time I'd had since joining the Ashford family.
My in-laws had to leave for urgent business overseas, but before they left, they fussed over me nonstop, showering me with reminders and gazing at my belly like they could already see their three grandkids waving at them.
Every day, my favorite thing was just hanging out in our bedroom, gently rubbing my belly and imagining how cute our three babies would be when they finally arrived.
I knitted tiny sweaters for them myself, set up three matching cribs, and waited with excitement for my husband to come home and for our babies to arrive.
I thought that when he learned the news, he would be very happy.
Every day, I'd scroll through websites picking out clothes and toys for our unborn babies, picturing our cozy family of five, and I couldn't help but smile.
Half a month later, Elias came home.
I heard the door open, put down the half-finished pale blue baby sock I was knitting, and dashed downstairs, practically bursting with anticipation.
I wanted to throw my arms around him and tell him the biggest news ever.
But as the villa door swung open, my smile froze in place.
Standing beside Elias's tall frame was a petite woman, nestled close to him.
Her name was Lydia, the one Elias had always cherished as his first love.