Chapter 1

After his older brother died in a car accident, Luke Graham inherited the Graham Group. Luke was expected to take care of his widowed sister-in-law. So, his mom, Jenny Green, told Luke, "Susan is all alone now. If you take care of her, not only will you give your brother a child, you'll also be looking after her." Luke held me in his arms, speaking softly, "I'm only giving her a child. Once this is over, nothing will stand in our way. My heart has belonged to you from the start." However, when Luke went from visiting Susan's house once a month to visiting mine only once a month, I knew then that he was no longer mine alone. The day Susan announced her pregnancy, Luke took the Graham family's heirloom diamond necklace, which he had once fastened around my neck during our engagement, and placed it around hers instead. At that moment, I knew it was time to leave. … Susan leaned shyly against Luke's shoulder, her fingertips brushing the diamond necklace on her neck. Her voice carried a deliberate note of modesty as she said, "Luke, this is the Graham family heirloom. It should be worn by your wife, not me." Jenny chuckled, waving it off. "Don't be silly. You've always loved diamonds, and now you're carrying the Graham family's first grandchild. This necklace suits you perfectly. It belongs with you." It was only then that Luke noticed me standing at the door. Without a flicker of guilt, he released Susan's hand and walked toward me. The cloying scent of her lily-of-the-valley scented perfume thickly clung to his clothes, making me nauseous. "Scarlett, Susan has always loved this necklace. You know her temper. She rarely finds something she likes. Let her wear it for now. You don’t mind, do you?" he said. Susan immediately made a show of fumbling at the clasp. "Scarlett, please don't take it to heart. I just thought it was so beautiful, I couldn't resist trying it on. Luke only let me borrow it. I'll give it back right now." However, the more she pretended to tug, the tighter the clasp seemed to catch, until an angry red line marked her neck. Her eyes welled as she whimpered, "Luke, it hurts…" Luke instantly held her hand, his voice tender. "Don't. I gave it to you. It's yours. Scarlett can have a better one tomorrow. I'll send someone to an auction house to choose one for her." When Luke turned to me, his tone was warm but firm, leaving no room for refusal. "You've always been generous. Surely you won't argue over a necklace with a pregnant woman. She's carrying enough burden as it is. Why not let her have this small comfort?" Jenny's face hardened as she looked at me. "Scarlett, you've been married into this family for two years and still haven't gotten pregnant. Luke is now the CEO of a listed company, yet we still have no heir. How do you expect us to hold our heads high? "Now that Susan is carrying our child, she's done us a great service. When she delivers, she can always have another daughter who'll be adopted under your name. That way, you'll still have a child of your own. "But for now, stop fussing about a necklace and show some grace. A lady from a scholarly family should know better." Their voices were overlapping in harmony. Ironically, without my dad's backing, Luke would never have risen from a penniless young man to the CEO he was today. However, they had long forgotten that. I turned to the necklace. Luke had once fastened it around my neck himself, on the night he proposed. After the wedding, I tucked it away in a velvet box, afraid it might get scratched. Now it glittered against Susan's skin, each diamond shard stabbing my eyes like needles. A bitter ache pressed at my chest, but my voice stayed calm. "The necklace looks better on her. Susan, it's Luke's gift. Keep it." Jenny gave a short laugh. "At least you know your place." For a moment, Luke froze, as though he had expected me to weep or lash out. After all, I used to bristle whenever he spoke too long with a female assistant. However, my composure unsettled him, and I caught the flicker of unease in his eyes. ... That night, Luke did something rare. He came to my bedroom, pulled me into his arms, and murmured, "Scarlett, I know you've been wronged. But now that Susan is carrying a child, I can finally give you all of me." I thought of his promise and lifted my head. "Luke, do you remember what you swore to me and my dad?" He pinched my cheek, smiling indulgently. "You jealous little sweetheart. Of course, I remember. I told you once Susan has the baby, my duty is done. I'll come back to you, and we'll have a child of our own. You won't have to feel insecure anymore." At that, the last thread of feeling I held for him snapped. When we first met, Luke had nothing. My dad had opposed us bitterly, insisting he wasn't worthy of me. However, Luke knelt outside our gate for three days and three nights, begging my dad to let him marry me. He swore he would spend his life loving and protecting me, that he would never let me suffer.. I had been moved to tears, kneeling beside him and telling my dad I would marry no one but him. My dad finally relented after a long hesitation, and he drew up a contract on that day. "This is a divorce agreement. It clearly states that if you ever betray my daughter or break her heart, she has the right to leave you without your consent. Luke, do you dare sign this?" He signed without hesitation. Yet now, every promise was dust. Looking at his feigned tenderness, I felt only scorn. When I stayed silent, Luke leaned down to kiss me. The lily-of-the-valley scent smothered me, churned my stomach. I frowned and shoved him away.