Chapter 1 We're Done Here

When Marielle Duvall received the pregnancy test results, her heart soared with joy. She was pregnant! With Rowan Blackwood's child! After three years of marriage, she had finally conceived—something that had seemed impossible. Clutching the test results, she rushed out, desperate to share the news with Rowan, only to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure disappearing around the corner. Selina Vaughn? Rowan's first love—she had returned! Marielle followed quickly, only to discover Rowan—who should have been at the office—walking beside Selina, his hand gently supporting her arm. Selina's belly was unmistakably more than five months along. "Rowan, I'm fine. Don't worry. The baby's doing well." "Still, let's have it checked. This child is the Blackwood family's first grandson. We can't take any chances." Selina glowed; Rowan gazed at her with tender affection. The sight pierced Marielle's heart like a blade. "What are you doing here?" Marielle gripped the results so tightly her fingernails tore through the paper and bit into her palm—yet the physical pain paled beside the agony in her chest. Born with a cold womb, she had spent three years pursuing every remedy, visiting every specialist, desperate to give Rowan a child. She had nearly died multiple times. And now, on the very day she discovered her own pregnancy, she found Selina carrying Rowan's baby. "What are you doing here?" Rowan's expression hardened into a frown. The tenderness in his eyes vanished, replaced by glacial coldness, as if the very air had frozen around them. Witnessing this stark transformation, Marielle stepped forward, her voice trembling with rage. "What am I doing here? Rowan Blackwood, I am your wife! You're here with your mistress for a prenatal appointment, and you dare ask me what I'm doing here?" Her words drew the attention of nearby onlookers. Selina suddenly dissolved into tears, her voice quavering with wounded dignity. "Rowan, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. If I hadn't returned, hadn't told you about this baby, or if I had just... ended it... Marielle wouldn't be suffering. I'm sorry. This is entirely my fault." With that, she turned and fled. "Victor, follow Miss Vaughn. Protect her—and the baby. If anything happens to that child, I'll hold you personally responsible." Rowan's voice carried sharp urgency. His assistant, Victor Langley, immediately pursued her. Marielle's breath caught. Rowan had never shown her such fierce protectiveness. "You bastard, Rowan!" She raised her hand to strike him, but he caught her wrist mid-swing, his grip tight enough to bruise. "Marielle Duvall, three years ago, when you schemed your way into my bed and forced this marriage upon me, you should have understood that I would never offer you love. I'm warning you now—Selina's unborn child is precious beyond measure. It carries Blackwood blood. If you dare harm her in any way, don't expect mercy from me, husband or not." With that, Rowan released her with a harsh shove. Marielle stumbled, nearly falling. She caught herself against the wall, and the pregnancy results slipped from her trembling fingers, fluttering down to rest at Rowan's feet. "You're pregnant?" For a fleeting moment, shock flickered across Rowan's features. But Marielle only laughed through her tears. "Do you even care? Three years ago, I tried to explain the truth, but you refused to listen. No matter how completely I gave you my heart, you remained indifferent. Now your first love is carrying your child. Rowan, I love you—but I have my dignity and pride! I'll handle this pregnancy myself. It's over between us." Her heart shattered, yet she turned and walked away with unwavering resolve. Rowan's eyes darkened to storm clouds. He strode forward, swept Marielle into his arms, and headed toward the hospital exit. "Marielle, who the hell do you think you are? You forced me into this marriage, and now you decide to dispose of my child? Do you truly believe I'm so spineless that I'll let you manipulate me like a marionette? Let me be crystal clear—the fate of this child is mine alone to determine!" "Rowan, release me! This is my child—it has nothing to do with you!" Marielle struggled fiercely but couldn't break free from his iron grip. "Your child? Without me, what are you—capable of parthenogenesis? Marielle, don't test my patience right now!" Rowan's phoenix eyes narrowed dangerously, his commanding presence filling the space with suffocating intensity. Just then, his phone rang. To answer it, Rowan set Marielle down but maintained his grip on her—possessive, unyielding. Marielle felt a familiar pang of heartache. Every time, she couldn't help but hope—just for a moment—that perhaps Rowan did care, even slightly, like now. "What? Selina's attempting suicide? Stop her! I'm coming immediately!" Rowan's voice turned frantic, and Marielle's heart, which had begun to kindle with hope, slowly turned to ice once more.