Chapter 1

After three years working on aid projects in Auchendale, Cora Spade finally returned to Chremford, debt-free. She'd spent every dime of her earnings paying off the three-million-dollar debt her husband, Axel Jaeger, had owed. On the night of her welcome dinner, Axel showed up with another woman in his arms. He carried her purse and coat with practiced ease, while their son, Nolan Jaeger, snuggled in her arms, intimately calling her "Lulu". Cora's expression fell, while Axel frowned at her reaction. "Don't be petty. Louise is the nutritionist I hired for Nolan." Fighting back tears, Louise Leighton sounded hurt as she murmured, "I'll resign tomorrow, Ms. Spade." That night, fresh from a shower, Cora was about to head into her bedroom when she overheard Axel's voice from the children's bedroom. He was on the phone. "How long is Cora planning to stay this time?" someone asked. Nolan piped up, "I don't want Mommy back! If she's here, Lulu has to leave!" Axel chuckled. "In that case, shall I rack up another ten million dollars in debt and keep her stuck in Auchendale for another ten years?" A crack of thunder split through Cora's mind. She stood rooted to the spot, reeling. Before she could process what he meant, the call ended, and Nolan's small voice followed. "Daddy, are you going to sleep with Mommy today? Won't Lulu be upset?" Holding her breath, Cora could hear her heart pounding in her ears. Did Nolan mean what she was thinking? The rest of Axel's words were a blur because she'd rushed into her room. Her breath was still unsteady when the door was gently pushed open. Axel came in, his hands sliding under her nightgown with practiced ease. But as that familiar touch—absent for three years—returned, she only felt numbness where there should have been excitement. His rough, calloused palms slid around her waist, and his warm breath brushed against her neck as his lips twiddled with her ears. Cora shut her eyes and clenched her jaw, refusing to respond. He chuckled. "You're terrible at pretending to be asleep, silly. Your fluttering lashes always give you away." Instead of opening her eyes, Cora shifted away slightly and said, "I'm tired, so not tonight." But he couldn't help but draw closer, his lips tracing lower down her earlobe. "Just lie back, honey. I'll take care of the rest…" Even after three years apart, Axel still knew every inch of her body like the back of his hand. And her defenses slowly crumbled under his relentless teasing. His desire for her was almost overwhelming. The moment their bodies joined, a shared moan of deep satisfaction escaped them both. At the edge of release, Axel gripped her waist, gasping for air as he instructed. "Say it. Call my name." Cora, lost in the blur of passion, softly whispered, "Honey…" Overwhelmed, Axel let out a low groan in response. "Lulu, sweetheart." Cora froze, as if she'd been dumped with a bucket of ice water. "What's wrong?" Axel paused, looking at her nervously. She swiftly withdrew like she'd just been stabbed and glared at him, frowning. "What did you just call me?" He blinked, his expression unchanging as he said, "Cora." She took a deep breath and said in a low, certain voice, "No. It was Lulu." Axel's expression shifted through several emotions before settling into irritation. "We haven't been together in years, Cora. I'm glad you're back, but don't start picking fights the minute you return." She knew that look all too well—the anger of someone humiliated and embarrassed after getting caught in a lie. Her heart sank, and without a word, she grabbed the blanket and turned her back to him. "Must you ruin the mood?" Cora kept her eyes shut and ignored Axel. A moment later, the door slammed shut behind Axel as he left. … The next morning, Cora was awakened by raised voices outside the door. In the dining room, Axel leaned back on the couch, sipping coffee, his eyes glued to the financial news playing on his phone. Dressed neatly, Nolan sat at the table and nibbled on a perfect omelet. In the kitchen, a slender silhouette was busy cooking. "Mommy." Nolan spotted Cora first. His tone was softer than it'd been at the welcome dinner, though it still sounded distant. Axel acted like he hadn't heard, with his eyes fixed on the phone. "Good morning, Ms. Spade. Would you like breakfast?" Louise emerged with a bowl of oatmeal. Cora's eyes flicked to Nolan's wary face before she gave a faint nod. Relieved that she wasn't about to drive Louise away, he went back to his omelet. "Bring it to the study," Cora added. "I need to answer some work messages." Louise looked conflicted. "The oatmeal's for Mr. Jaeger. He has a weak stomach." "In that case, make me another bowl," Cora replied as she drew a steadying breath. Louise glanced at Axel, who didn't so much as look up. "Do as my wife says." Her eyes widened in wounded disbelief. But noticing his firm attitude, she murmured after a beat, "Got it." Just five minutes later, a sharp cry came from the kitchen, followed by the crash of pots and pans. Cora rushed out of the shower to see that Louise's wrist was bright red and covered in large blisters. She bit her lip hard, tears welling up in her eyes, as if she was glass about to shatter, stubbornly holding on. "You're the worst, Mom!" The moment Nolan saw Cora, he bolted forward and swung at her with his little fists. His face was filled with fury as he screamed, "If you hadn't demanded breakfast, Lulu wouldn't have gotten hurt! You're the worst mom ever!" Each tiny blow thudded against Cora's chest, striking her squarely in the heart. "I'll take her to the hospital," Axel announced as he scooped Louise into his arms and carried her out, his cold eyes sliding past Cora without a pause. Nolan trailed after them in tears, leaving the house in chaos. It was barely recognizable after Cora had left for three years. Exhaustion washed over Cora as she took out her phone and dialed a number she never thought she'd call. The wait was so long she'd almost convinced herself the line must have been dead for years when it was picked up. A deep, aged voice answered, trembling with restrained emotions. "Cora?" Cora calmly replied, "I'll do it, Dad."