Chapter 2

Through the door, Julian’s sigh drifted out: “Not being able to be with Delilah forever already wronged her… The only thing I can do is ease her pain of infertility.”

He turned, his gaze sharp, to his secretary Chloe: “As for Serena… keep your mouth shut. I won’t let her know.”

Chloe felt a pang of pity, her voice trembling, “Mr. Sterling, all these years, I’ve watched you pour everything into Delilah. She gets whatever she wants…”

“IVF was an option, yet she specifically demanded your wife’s children for her tonic… This cruel method, she’s clearly doing this on purpose! She just wants to sabotage your relationship with Serena!”

Julian’s gaze turned icy. “Have you said enough?”

“If this secret ever gets out, Mrs. Sterling might not be able to bear the blow… Those were her own flesh and blood! And if word gets out, the company’s stock would tank…” Chloe bit her lip, gathering her courage.

“I don’t care.” Julian’s tone was indifferent. “For Delilah, I’ll do anything. I’m completely willing.” He paused. “Besides, Delilah said that once she gets a perfect ten, once she has her tenth child… everything will be over.”

“But… what about Mrs. Sterling? Her body is completely depleted from giving birth to this child… What if she finds out? I’m afraid she won’t be able to cope.”

“Her? She’s a Mystic, she’ll be fine.” Julian scoffed. “Even if she finds out, she won’t bear to leave me.”

“After all, I was the one who pulled her out of hell with my own hands… She’s hopelessly devoted to me, deeply rooted in her affection.”

I stood frozen outside the door, unable to believe what I was hearing.

Every word spoken by the husband I’d loved for ten years was like a knife, flaying me alive.

Ten years ago, when I was imprisoned by the cult leader, on the brink of death, Julian appeared and rescued me from the darkness.

He said he fell in love with me at first sight. I believed him, pledged myself to him, and went home with him… But I never imagined it was all a lie and a trap!

I was nothing but a tool for him to curry favor with Delilah…

Every sweet nothing whispered in moments of passion, every time he coaxed me into intimacy…

I thought it was an expression of his love…

In truth, it was all just to make me conceive and give birth again and again… and then for him to personally send my children off to be made into a tonic! It was… utterly ridiculous!

Click—

The door suddenly swung open. I quickly composed my expression. Julian saw me sitting on the floor, his brow furrowed. He immediately reached out and pulled me up.

“Why are you here? You didn’t say anything. I was just about to come get you.”

His voice was tender, as if the cold, cruel man from moments ago wasn’t him at all. I forced a smile. “I was afraid of disturbing your work.”

He kissed my cheek, then naturally took my hand, but paused. “Your hand is freezing. Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to go to the hospital?”

I shook my head, forcing out, “I’m fine…”

Julian then noticed the scattered scan results on the floor and bent to pick them up. His eyes lit up with wild joy. “You’re pregnant?!”

He pulled me into a fierce embrace, his voice filled with excitement, “This time we’ll definitely keep this baby! Don’t worry, I’ll use all my connections, get the best specialists in the country, to protect your pregnancy!”

Suppressing my emotions, I nodded submissively. “Okay…”

Julian escorted me back to the room, left a gentle kiss on my forehead, then was hurriedly called away by a phone call.

I knew… it must be Delilah. After he left, I slowly got up and walked toward the basement door he never allowed me near.