Chapter 3

In the two years I was most infatuated with Damon, I once thought of using a child to keep him. So I got pregnant with Lily.

He did start coming home more often, and his care and thoughtfulness slowly returned.

It felt like we were back in college, during that period when he was actively pursuing me.

But everything changed completely the day Lily was born.

I was alone in the delivery room, in pain and terrified, while he suddenly went unreachable.

I later found out that on that very night, he had finally succeeded in winning her over.

He was with that woman, enjoying a night of passion in the penthouse suite of the city’s tallest skyscraper.

In that moment, I truly hated him.

Five years were enough to completely erode any expectations I had of Damon. During this time, there were many who urged me to have another child.

“The more powerful a man is, the more women he’ll have around him. Especially in that kind of circle. Damon’s actually not bad.”

“You should just have a few more kids. No matter what he does outside, as long as you're firmly in place as the primary wife, that’s what matters.”

The Thorne family had only ever had one male heir for generations.

If I could have another child, boy or girl—even if Damon intended to make things difficult for me, his parents wouldn’t allow it.

Right. No one would act against their own interests. Besides, I had Lily. She was almost the entire meaning of my life.

I carefully put away my pregnancy report, drove home, and started a pot of slow-simmered soup, waiting for Lily to return.

As dusk settled. After failing to reach Damon for the tenth time, I felt increasingly anxious.

I couldn’t wait any longer. Grabbing my car keys, I decided to go look for them myself.

I went to his office first, but he wasn’t there.

The amusement park was closed. Just as I was about to turn toward the Thorne family estate, our housekeeper, Maria, called.

“Mrs. Thorne, Lily just got back. Mr. Evans dropped her off. She’s fast asleep now.”

I leaned back in the driver’s seat, closed my eyes, and felt my entire body relax.

Maria added, “Mr. Evans also asked me to tell you that Mr. Thorne won’t be home tonight.”

I responded with a quiet “Okay.”

Hanging up, I started the car and drove back. Just as I turned onto another street, I saw Damon’s car.