Chapter 1

After five years of marriage and 99 rounds of IVF, Avery Langford finally got pregnant. She brought the prenatal report home, ready to share the joy with her husband, Damien Whitlow. However, she heard him bantering with his friends, so she stood outside the study. "There are things Avery never knew. I faked her infertility report and made her go through 99 IVF attempts. The baby she's carrying isn't mine—it's Julian Whitlow's. And truth is, the woman I've loved all along is Serena Langford." The shock hit Avery like a bucket of cold water. Damien continued talking. "Next week at our fifth-anniversary dinner, Grandpa will announce me as the heir. That's when I'll make sure everyone knows Avery's been sleeping with that bastard, Julian!" Avery trembled with rage, and her whole body shook. She crumpled the report in her fist, pulled a number from her blocklist, and sent, "Julian, I want to discuss a big deal." ... Laughter broke out in the study. "I knew Damien hated Avery. No way he suddenly wanted her pregnant. So, it's a bastard after all!" "For a second, I almost thought you'd fallen for her, Damien!" Damien's profile cut sharply in the lamplight as he smiled mockingly. "Fallen for her? I can barely stand her. If I hadn't slipped up and slept with her five years ago, I never would've married her! "And you'd better keep your mouths shut! If Serena hears about this, you're finished!" Avery felt every word cut straight to her bones. A chill swept through her whole body, as if she had been submerged in ice. Five years ago, just a day after her mother, Catherine Doyle, fell to her death, Avery's father, Thomas Whitlow, was already bringing his mistress and illegitimate daughter home. With no way to stop him, Avery went to a bar to drown herself in alcohol. But someone slipped something into her glass. When she opened her eyes the next morning, she was in Damien's bed. That was the moment Serena burst in with her friends and saw everything. Since everyone knew Avery had liked Damien for years, no one believed her and assumed she had done it on purpose. In the end, Damien's grandfather, Eldon Whitlow, stepped in and asked Damien to marry Avery. At the time, Julian, who had long been kept outside the family, was just brought back. Since Damien was desperate to become the heir, he didn't dare defy Eldon. To Avery, marriage was the least awful choice she had. So, they married. For five years, Damien remained cold and distant—except at night, when he liked to entangle himself with her. Avery once believed time and patience would win Damien's heart. But his heart had always belonged to Serena. And the "accident" five years ago had only been the snare he laid for her. He had gone so far as to arrange for her to carry Julian's baby, all to secure his inheritance. The truth hit so hard that it left her breathless and trembling. She could have accepted Damien not loving her, but she couldn't forgive him for torturing her with 99 IVF attempts. How could he be so heartless? From the study, someone warned, "Damien, don't let Avery find out the baby is Julian's, or they might team up against you." Damien let out a derisive snort. "Avery thinks she's superior. She looks down on those born out of wedlock. Why else would she always be at odds with Serena?" Even if Avery learned the truth, she would never cooperate with Julian. The study immediately erupted with applause. "Brilliant! Three birds with one stone. Avery doesn't stand a chance now!" "Why is it still a week away? I can't wait to watch the show!" Avery bit her lip hard and forced back her tears. She had fallen for Damien at 16 years old, carrying that love for ten long years. She thought he would fall for her one day, but it had all been a lie. She dug her nails into her palms as hatred surged. He thought he could crush her? In his dreams! If Damien believed he had already won, she would make him pay for his deceit. The last one standing would be the real winner.