Chapter 1

The pregnancy report in my hand felt like a hot potato, inexplicably filling me with anxiety. I pinched the bridge of my nose, suppressing the irritation welling up in my chest, and stepped out of the hospital.

The phone call was mercilessly hung up. Lowering my gaze, I realized the pregnancy report in my hand had been crumpled into a wrinkled ball without my noticing.

I couldn’t go back home. Terrence Mottson’s assistant had already messaged me earlier, telling me to find a friend’s place to stay at. Hmph, Terrence and that secretary were cozying up in the villa my parents left behind while I was left out on the streets?

“Pearl Mottson!” Through a rolled-down car window, Jules stuck half his body out, calling my name with a playful grin. “Come on, let’s go hang out at my place. I’m hosting a party!”

Jules Caston, my uncle’s business rival on the surface, was a devil-may-care man who lived without a care in the world. My uncle always forbade me from interacting with him.

But now... I lowered my eyes. Under Jules’s surprised gaze, I opened the car door and got in.

He chuckled softly but didn’t probe further. Instead, he handed me a warm cup of tea and arched his brows as he started the car. Inside, the car’s blaring music felt even more chaotic than my troubled thoughts. I didn’t even notice the incoming call from Terrence on my phone.

...

“What’s this? You’re here, too? Didn’t your uncle forbid you from coming here?” Clara Caston smirked as she handed me a bottle of my usual favorite.

“Had a fight?” Seeing me instinctively push the bottle away and protect my abdomen with my hands, Clara’s eyes widened in shock as she practically shouted out loud, “OMG! You’re pregnant!”

Yes, I was pregnant, but I had no idea how to handle this child. I didn’t even know what to do with it.

For years, Terrence had taken care of my entire life, pampering me as if I were the happiest princess in the world. No matter how angry he got, he had never once spoken a harsh word to me.

But some things... were impossible to ignore.

“This child... it’s your uncle’s, isn’t it?” Clara, my closest friend, could guess some of my feelings.

“If I were you, I’d get rid of it,” she said. “Your uncle’s been making waves with that secretary, Lyra. Everyone’s been talking about it.”

I lowered my head, gently stroking my slightly rounded abdomen. My heart felt like an empty void. I noticed Terrence’s feelings for Lyra. Having spent years with him, I understood him more than anyone else, but I...

“Clara, if I abort this child... I might never have another one in my life.”

My health was very fragile. The doctor had warned me during a previous checkup that if I went through with an abortion, my chances of conceiving again would be extremely slim. Having lost all my family at a young age, I’d developed an almost obsessive yearning for family. To have a child of my own bloodline was my greatest wish.

Clara nodded knowingly and reminded me that the offer I applied for had been approved.

“Next month? Alright, I’ll think about it.”

Bang—

The door was suddenly kicked open with great force. Terrence stormed in with fury written all over his face. His sharp, cold gaze found me instantly. He marched over and grabbed my wrist, trying to drag me away, but Jules raised his hand to block him.

“Mr. Mottson,” he said, his voice calm yet taunting. “Barging into my place uninvited and taking away my guest... isn’t that rather inappropriate?”