Chapter 1

After five years in a coma, Cassandra Monroe finally woke up. Her husband's low, velvety voice brushed against her ear as he stroked her cheek. "Cass, you're no longer of any use to me," Gregory Hart whispered. "Just stay asleep and never wake up." What a jerk! Cassandra dug her nails into her palm, suppressing the wave of nausea churning in her stomach. She had met Gregory when she was 12 years old and married him at 20 years old. At 22 years old, she gave birth to twins, but complications changed everything. To save her children, she was left in a vegetative state. The doctors said she retained only the most basic life functions, with no consciousness at all. In other words, she was nothing more than a hollow shell that breathed. But the truth was, Cassandra could hear and feel everything. She just couldn't wake up. Ironically, this cruel twist of fate had allowed her to see Gregory's true colors. Just then, a nurse knocked and reminded Gregory, "Mr. Hart, visiting hours are over." He smiled gracefully at her and nodded in acknowledgment. Before leaving, he bent down as he always did and kissed Cassandra's forehead. "Cass, wake up soon, okay?" he murmured affectionately. "I'll be waiting. I'll always love you." Cassandra sneered inwardly. Such perfect acting, and he wasted it on her, someone in a coma. Still, Gregory had his audience. Two nurses lingered by the door, staring dreamily at his retreating figure. One of them sighed. "Mr. Hart is such a perfect man. For five long years, he's come to visit his comatose wife every single week." "Not only is he handsome, but he's a billionaire too!" the other nurse said with a pout, her tone tinged with envy. "Women throw themselves at men like him, yet he hasn't had a single scandal in five years. Cassandra must have hit the jackpot to end up with such a perfect husband!" Cassandra's lips curled into a mocking smile at those words. Gregory had used her to secure his position in the company, exploited her for her ability to bear children, and, to top it off, wished she'd remain in a coma forever. Perfect husband, indeed. Cassandra threw off the blanket and tried to get out of bed, but after five years of immobility, her muscles had wasted away. The moment her feet touched the floor, she toppled over. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she crawled toward the window. Outside, a black Bentley was parked by the curb. She recognized it immediately. After all, the license plate was her birthday. The car had been Gregory's birthday gift to her, given on their wedding anniversary. At the time, Cassandra was overjoyed. She threw herself into his arms, clinging to him as she asked, "Gregory, you really love me, don't you?" He smiled, kissed her, and said earnestly, "Silly girl. You're my wife. Who else would I love? Cass, this is just our first year. We have ten, 50 more years ahead of us." As it turned out, love could be staged convincingly. Now, Cassandra watched as Gregory's secretary, Olivia Simmons, stepped out of her car in heels. Olivia carried herself as though she were the lady of the house. Beaming, she ran toward Gregory. But she tripped over something and tumbled. He sprang forward and caught her in his arms, concern etched across his face. It was a look Cassandra had never seen before. To Gregory, Cassandra had always been a woman of steel—never weary, never in pain, and always obedient, like a loyal pet. Whenever he needed her, all he had to do was crook a finger, and she'd come running without hesitation. Back when she graduated from college, she had been offered a position at the world's leading medical research institution. Yet, Gregory had said, "Cass, stay for me. I need you." At the very last second, she had stopped before boarding. Just like that, she gave up her future to become Mrs. Hart. After they got married, Cassandra poured everything she had into helping Gregory. She even worked herself until her stomach bled, eventually developing a new drug that cemented Gregory's position at Nimbus Group. He went on to become the youngest board member in the company's history. Back then, he had promised to treat her well for life, and she had foolishly believed him. Memories cut through Cassandra like a knife, and she trembled all over. She closed her eyes as tears slipped past her lips, leaving a bitter taste on her tongue. She watched coldly as Olivia coquettishly planted a quick kiss on Gregory's cheek. Cassandra felt a wave of disgust at what she saw. In the next instant, the back door of the car swung open. Cassandra saw the twins she had risked her life to bring into the world step out. Noelle and Ashton Hart, her precious children, were perfectly beautiful. "Ash! Elle!" she cried out, tears welling in her eyes. She wanted nothing more than to hold them close. But then, her children ran straight into Olivia's arms, planting kisses on each cheek. Gregory stood beside them and watched on with a tender smile. They looked every bit like a perfect family of four. The sight felt like a knife twisting in Cassandra's chest. She had been in a coma for five long years, and in all that time, Gregory had brought the twins to see her only a handful of times. She remembered one visit vividly. Olivia had been there, too. When no one else was around, Olivia had deliberately made Noelle call her "Mommy" right in front of Cassandra. At the time, Cassandra wished she could tear Olivia apart. She pressed her hands against the window, her eyes hardening with resolve. She could dump Gregory like he was trash, but the twins were her own flesh and blood. She swore to get them back, no matter what. Suddenly, as if sensing something, Noelle looked up at Cassandra's window. The moment their eyes met, they were both taken aback. Cassandra instinctively tidied her hair and gave Noelle a tentative smile. Yet, the girl recoiled, clinging to Olivia in fear. Cassandra's eyes darkened with pain. Her own child was afraid of her. "Daddy, Mommy Olivia! There's someone up there!" Noelle exclaimed as she pointed at Cassandra's window. Gregory turned to see what she was pointing at, and his expression shifted at once. That was Cassandra's hospital room! Yet, there wasn't a soul by the window. "Elle, are you sure you saw that?" he asked. "Yes! I saw her! There's a woman with long hair up there!" Noelle insisted, nodding firmly. Gregory frowned. Just as he was about to speak, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID. It was David Reed, Cassandra's attending physician. So, he answered, "Dr. Reed?" "Mr. Hart! I've got good news!" David's excited voice burst through the receiver. "Mrs. Hart has woken up!"