Chapter 1

Zachary Twain's female secretary was pregnant. He showed up at our home with her in tow on our ninth anniversary. He spoke to me in a nonchalant manner. "She's a picky eater. Don't offer her the same thing twice. Also, she's easily spooked at night and needs someone close by. So, pack up your things. You're moving to the guest room." I didn't say a word. I picked up the suitcase I'd already packed and calmly made my way to the exit. The butler tried to stop me, but Zachary sneered and said, "She can act out all she wants. She'll come crawling back in three days anyway." Everyone laughed at that. They placed a ten-million-dollar bet right in front of me, wagering that I wouldn't make it through the night and that I'd return crying and begging for Zachary to let me in like a lapdog. However, they didn't know that the Maybach someone arranged was already waiting outside. This time, I was leaving for real. Just as I was about to leave the mansion, Zachary suddenly called out to me. "Keira, leave your lucky charm behind. Bee has been plagued by nightmares recently." That lucky charm was a memento left to me by my parents in the form of a bracelet. He remained indifferent despite the tears welling in my eyes. "Name your price." What was a nine-year marriage worth when it's been dragged through the mud? I couldn't be bothered to do the math. All I knew was that he stripped me bare and dumped me on the mountainside the last time I refused to give Abigail Nelson my goggles while we were at the ski resort. I took off the bracelet and fastened it onto Abigail's wrist. Then, I said to her, "May the baby you're carrying be born safe and unharmed." Upon hearing my blessing, Zachary let me off the hook just this once. "As long as you behave, my child is your child too, Keira." The moment those words left his mouth, the bracelet on Abigail's wrist suddenly slipped off and shattered. Zachary scooped her up into his arms the moment he noticed a cut on Abigail's leg. He barked at the butler to summon the family doctor. His anxious demeanor made everyone present shoot me amused looks. At that moment, it wasn't just them who found the situation funny. Even I thought it was laughable. When I was suffering from a heart attack last night, Zachary was on his way out to watch the meteor shower with Abigail. Even as I collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth, he stepped over me without a flicker of emotion. Just before I lost consciousness, I heard him giving the butler instructions. "Have the entire living room disinfected. Bee will be coming home tomorrow. I don't want her smelling anything foul." I tightened my grip on the luggage handle and turned to leave, but Zachary grabbed me by the wrist. His expression was icy. "Apologize." "Wha—" Before I could finish, he dragged me over and forced me to kneel at Abigail's feet. My knees scraped against the shattered crystal, staining the marble floor red. Disgust flashed in his eyes at the sight of the bloodstains. He let go of me. "You broke Bee's bracelet with your petty tricks and got her injured. Don't you think you owe her an apology?" Ever since I married Zachary, the words "I'm sorry" had become my catchphrase. If my soups were too bland, I was made to apologize. I texted him because I was worried he wasn't feeling well after drinking. For that, I was sorry. I was truly sorry for invading his privacy when I accidentally read Abigail's texts asking him to meet at a hotel. I bit the inside of my cheek and resigned myself to standing up. I bowed deeply to Abigail and apologized three times. Then, I looked at Zachary with blank eyes and quietly asked, "Will that suffice?" The sight of the blood on my lips had Zachary's nostrils flaring. "Keira, my father isn't here to back you up. Who exactly are you putting on this pathetic act for?" Before I could answer, the family doctor rushed in. After pushing me aside, Zachary led the doctor to Abigail.