Chapter 1

Springfield Hospital. Nicole Bush was surprised when she saw the result of the pregnancy test. She had finally gotten pregnant! And it was Samuel Green's child! After three years of marriage, she was pregnant with his child, and it was truly difficult for her. She walked out happily with the result and was eager to tell Samuel the good news. Yet, a familiar shadow loomed before her as she came around the corner. It was Riley George, Samuel's first love. And she came back! Nicole quickly followed her, yet she noticed Samuel, who was supposed to be at the office, was actually staying by her side, and he was holding her carefully. Riley’s tummy was so big that it seems she had been pregnant for five months. Yes, Samuel did not love her from the beginning of their marriage, but it was now three years, and during these years, she had done her part as a good wife. Samuel changed, and Nicole thought she had finally won his heart, seeing as she dedicated all her time to being a good wife and let all her aspirations die as time passed. Because Samuel became a changed person, she thought she had finally won his heart, but now what was happening? She had been wrong all this time. What did Riley George have? Did she also not have one? Is it for beauty or behavior?? Yet, no matter how she tried, Nicole could not win Samuel's iced stone heart. "Samuel, I'm alright. You don't have to worry. The baby's okay." "I still need to let you have a checkup for my peace of mind. After all, the baby in your womb is the eldest grandson of our family, and we would not tolerate any mishap." Riley let out a big smile while Samuel treated her with care. That scene deeply hurt Nicole. "What are you doing?" Nicole grasped the pregnancy test result in her hand tightly, and her fingernails pierced into her palm through the paper. Yet the pain was way incomparable to the pain her heart felt. She had some congenital problems with her womb. To give birth to a child for Samuel, she had taken various medications these past three years and visited multiple hospitals. She even nearly lost her life a few times. Yet she had never imagined that she would witness Riley being pregnant with Samuel's child on the same day she was confirmed to be pregnant. "Why are you here?" Samuel wrinkled his eyebrows as he saw Nicole. The gentleness in his eyes vanished, and his eyes turned cold and numb. Even the temperature of the surroundings seemed to drop. Seeing the contrast between his attitude then and now, Nicole could not bear it anymore, and she came forward to question him, "Why am I here? I'm your wife. You brought her for pregnancy checkup, you dare ask me why am I here?” Nicole’s questions attracted the attention of the bystanders. Riley suddenly burst into tears, acting guiltily "Sam, I'm sorry l've dragged you into this mess. If I've not told you about the child's existence, or I'm determined enough to abort the child, maybe you'll not be misunderstood by Nicole. I'm sorry, it's all my fault." The moment she finished her words, she turned around and ran away. "Jacob, follow her and look out for her tummy. If anything happens to the baby, I'll make you accountable." There was a slight panic in Samuel's voice, and his assistant, Jacob Brown, quickly chased after her. Nicole had difficulty breathing as Samuel had never given her such care. "Samuel Green, you bastard!" Nicole raised her hands, wanting to slap him, but was stopped by him. She frowned because of the pain when Samuel slightly exerted force on his grasp on her wrist. "Nicole Bush, when you used a trick to get married to me three years ago, you should have known that it would be impossible for me to give you the love you want from this marriage. I warned you. The baby in Riley's womb is precious and would also be the flesh and blood of the Green family. Don't blame me for disregarding our husband-and-wife relationship if you dare do anything obnoxious to her." As he finished, Samuel tossed down her hand. Nicole lost her balance and nearly fell. She quickly supported herself on the wall beside her, and the paper escaped her grip. It flew and dropped before Samuel. "You're pregnant?" A startled look flashed across his face, yet Nicole started to smile, tears flowing down her eyes. "Could you possibly care about it? I explained to you three years ago, but you refused to listen. No matter how much I cared about you, you always ignored me. Now your first love wants to give birth to your child. Samuel Green, I love you, but I have my self-esteem and pride! I'll get rid of this child, and I think it's time to call it quits between us." Her heart was torn out, but she was steadfast enough to turn around and leave. Samuel pulled a long face and strode forward, carried her up, and walked straight towards the hospital's exit with quick steps. "Nicole Bush, who do you think you are? It's you who forced me to marry you, and it's also you who insists on aborting the child now. Do you think I won't get angry and could let you fool me as you want? Let me tell you, I decide the child's fate!" "Let go of me! Samuel! This is my child in the first place, and it's none of your business!" Nicole struggled in rage, yet she could not overcome Samuel's suppression. "Your child? Without me, do you think you could get pregnant? Nicole Bush, you'd better not irritate me at this point!" Samuel narrowed his eyes and was surrounded by an oppressive aura at once. Just then, his phone rang. He put Nicole down to pick up the call but restricted her movement with one arm. His action was full of domineering intentions, and Nicole could not help but feel sad. Sometimes, she would have a delusion that Samuel cared for her more or less, just like what happened then. "What did you say? Does Riley want to kill herself? Keep an eye on her; I'll be right there!" Samuel suddenly panicked, and the warmth Nicole had just felt gradually drained away. "Go back first, Nicole. I'll talk to you about this afterward." Samuel hung up the call and wrinkled his eyebrows. He was obviously worried and anxious, yet he never had those emotions for her, his wife. Nicole pushed him away coldly. But her heart was bleeding. "Go mind your business; after all, she's more important to you." Samuel wanted to say something more but did not do so in the end; he stopped a taxi, watched her enter it, and left in a hurry. Nicole inevitably let out a wry smile. To be with a man whose heart belongs to somebody else, what was the point of keeping this kind of marriage any longer? After reaching home, the housemaids greeted her, but she did not notice them. Nicole looked at the bedroom with a black and white color tone, which she didn't like, and suddenly felt that her existence resembled a clown, and her marriage was no less than a farce that was ending now. Nicole waited for Samuel for the whole night. Yet he did not call her even once, and his apathy stabbed right into her heart like needles. "I'm sorry, honey. Mommy won't be able to give you a complete home. But don't worry; Mommy will give you tons of love." Tears streamed down her face, and she signed the divorce agreement she had printed out. Every stroke seemed to scratch her heart and make her bleed. After she finished signing, she pulled off the wedding ring Samuel gave her and put it on top of the agreement. She used to treat it like a treasure, and after three years, the ring had left a trace on her finger. As she took it off, the trace was still there, just like the trace of her love for him that could not be erased. Nicole felt that she was behaving like a loser. Afraid she would change her mind, she took her luggage and left the house. "Missus, Mr. Green is staying with Miss George because Miss George has poor health. Mr. Green ordered us to send you abroad, and we must depart now." The moment Nicole stepped out of the house, she saw Samuel's bodyguard blocking her way, and his words made her anger rise. "Why should I go abroad? I refuse!" "Sorry, Missus, Mr. Green says it's not up to you to decide!" As he finished, he moved forward and landed a chop on her neck. He dragged her straight into the car after she fainted. She was brought to a deserted warehouse, and her clothes were removed. A man lay beside her and caressed her body while someone snapped photos of them with every embarrassing pose. "Miss George, it's all done." The person made a phone call to Riley right after he finished taking the photos. Riley sneered. "Good. Upload the photos to the net afterward; I doubt Samuel would want a woman who's cuckolded him to continue being his wife. Do not leave any trace after getting out." After hanging up the call, the man poured gasoline around the warehouse and lit it. The burning flame immediately grew, and the surrounding temperature became hot and suffocating. When Nicole regained consciousness, the fire was already everywhere around her. The thick smoke choked her, and she was unable to open her mouth. The licking flame approached her mercilessly. "Help! Somebody help me!" Without caring that she was naked, she whirled a stick placed at the side and hit the door with it, yet she heard the bodyguard's voice from the outside. "I'm sorry, Missus. It's all Mr. Green's order. Do go to the afterworld in peace. Mr. Green will pick a nice grave for you." Nicole froze in deep shock. Samuel Green wanted her to die? Why? Was it just because she had gotten pregnant simultaneously with Riley? Was it just because he wanted to make Riley his official wife so their child could be legitimately born? ‘You are cruel, Samuel Green! Did you want to get rid of your child?’ Nicole howled in grief and despair. "Samuel Green, I hate you! I've been blind enough to fall in love with such a cold-blooded man like you. If I have a next life, I let you experience the feeling of being killed by your own loved one!" The raging fire engulfed her words. She had difficulty breathing, and her eyelids felt heavy. She could no longer endure it anymore and collapsed onto the ground, letting the fire burn her skin and engulf her soul. ******* Five years later. Samuel's assistant, Jacob, handed Samuel a document. "Mr. Green, this is the designer's information sent by the H'J Group from the USA. It was mentioned that the designer would arrive in Seapolis City today. Shall we send someone to fetch her? I heard that the designer is very famous overseas and the sports cars she designs are hard to get even with money. If not for our collaboration with the H J Group this time, they won't let the designer come here as an instructor."