Chapter 1 You Are Unworthy

“What's really going on between you and that woman? The media is now speculating about your relationship with her.” Inside the living room, an old man's roar echoed. He threw the phone at a young man. At that moment, the screen of the phone displayed a news headline that read: Famous actress Elsa Larson spotted on a late-night date. The mysterious man is likely her fiancé. The man said indifferently, “Nothing, but the media is right. Elsa is the one I love and my wife.” Francesca Beckman, who was about to step out of the kitchen, carrying a glass of milk, abruptly halted, her gentle face turning deathly pale. Phillip Zeller's eyes widened in anger. “You b*stard! What nonsense are you spouting!” The man took a deep breath, seemingly holding back his anger. “You know very well whether I'm spouting nonsense or not.” “You br*t!” Phillip snapped irritably, hurling a cup at the man's feet. Afterward, the living room fell into an eerie silence. Upon hearing the escalating argument between the grandfather and grandson in the living room, Francesca hastily retreated to the kitchen. In her frantic state, she accidentally collided with the corner of the table. A sharp pain spread from her body to her heart, and her eyes brimmed with tears from the agony. A few days ago, she had received a pregnancy notification on her phone. It was sent by Elsa Larson, her husband Colton Zeller's first crush. Along with it came Elsa's mocking text that read: Francesca, it's time for you to step down. You shamelessly took my place back then. It's about time you returned it. Back then, you and your family committed such despicable acts. If I were in your shoes, I would have been so ashamed and outraged that I would have rather died than marry Colton! Only after marrying did Francesca discover that there was a woman whom Colton had always deeply cherished in his heart. On the night of their wedding, she had seen news of her husband, Colton, and the popular actress, Elsa, entering and exiting a hotel. Back then, she had still nurtured the hope of living in harmony with him, and with a sense of guilt toward him, she became his wife. However, things were not as she had expected three years later. Only when Phillip and Colton talked about something else did she finally leave the kitchen. After seeing Phillip off, Francesca, who had been forcefully holding back her emotions, finally retreated to the bathroom. Just as she did, the door was abruptly pushed open, causing her to stagger back a few steps. Through her tear-blurred vision, she saw the stern man who walked in—her husband, Colton. His expression was icy, and his black suit only accentuated his cold demeanor. As soon as he entered, he gripped her chin. “Did you coax Grandpa into pressuring me to have a child with you? Francesca, you've gotten better at this over the years, huh?” Before Francesca could say anything, his gaze turned even more icy as he added, “Three years ago, you climbed into my bed to become Mrs. Zeller, and now you want to use a child as an excuse to cling to the Zeller family forever?” Francesca's expression shifted abruptly, and she bit her lips. “I didn't!” “You didn't?” Mockery filled Colton's eyes. “Francesca, no one knows better than you how the Beckman family plotted against me. You're unworthy of bearing my child.” The harsh words caused Francesca to clench her fists tightly, her nails digging deeply into her palms. She had always known that Colton did not love her. Yet, when he uttered the word “unworthy,” she still felt as though a thousand arrows had pierced her heart. For three years, she had faithfully fulfilled her role as Mrs. Zeller. Even when her original family had constantly demanded money from the Zellers, she would refuse whenever she could. She had thought that she could gradually thaw Colton's heart. But now, she realized that his heart was like an age-old glacier. No matter how much she gave, it remained frozen. Back then, the Beckman family had schemed against him. He, a figure who had always commanded respect in the business world, had been outmaneuvered by a minor family clan. Naturally, he harbored a deep resentment toward the Beckmans. “Over these past three years, have you... have you ever felt even a little... a tiny bit of affection for me?”