Chapter 1

It was midnight, and raindrops pounded against the window. Inside the house, a man said coldly, "Sign the divorce papers. As compensation, I'll give you $100 million in alimony."

Joanna Haynes asked timidly, "Did I do something wrong again, Bruce?" She had always been subservient to him.

Bruce Everett crossed his long legs, leaning back on the couch. "Roxanne's back, and she doesn't want to see you. It's over. You have to go." He was handsome, like a classical Greek sculpture, but his expression was cold.

Joanna's pale lips trembled. "You're divorcing me because she's back? Was our marriage a joke?"

"You weren't the one I wanted to marry. You drove Roxanne away two years ago with your dirty tricks. Now she's back, I won't repeat that mistake. Sign the papers. $100 million for two years—consider it a bargain." Bruce was adept at verbal cruelty.

"What if I don't sign?" Joanna asked bitterly.

"Suit yourself. I have ways of making you disappear. Legally or not, no one will notice."

As heir to Greyport City's wealthiest family, Bruce could do as he pleased. Who would dare oppose him?

Two years earlier, Joanna's family had arranged her marriage to the Everetts. However, at Bruce and Roxanne's engagement party, Bruce was drugged. Later, he mistook Joanna for Roxanne, and they slept together.

The next day, newspapers blared the scandal of the Haynes eldest daughter's affair with her brother-in-law. Roxanne suffered a mental breakdown and was sent to a nursing home abroad. Everyone condemned Joanna as a homewrecker. Bruce believed she'd drugged him.

Despite this, the Everett and Haynes families had a longstanding friendship, and the marriage was intended to strengthen their bond. Raymond Haynes and Margaret Everett insisted on the union.

The past two years had been hell for Joanna. Her tolerance and affection earned her only humiliation and torment. She was exhausted. So, a divorce was fine by her.

"Fine, I'll sign, but I have a request."

Bruce scoffed, assuming she wanted more money. "Spit it out."

"I want you to sleep with me like a real lover, for once. For two years, you've called out Roxanne's name. You've made me feel like the worst woman alive. I'm your wife; call my name. I am Joanna, not Roxanne!" Joanna screamed, trembling with anger. Bruce had used sex to punish and humiliate her.

"Stop the nonsense. Someone's waiting downstairs"

Joanna laughed derisively. It was probably Roxanne.

"She can wait. She's waited two years; a few minutes more won't hurt. Do it, or don't. I don't care about more media stories!"

Bruce hated being threatened. His lips curled. "Fine. But don't regret it, Joanna!"

He grabbed her blouse, pulling her violently. Her stockings ripped. He hurt her without warning.

"AH!" Joanna cried, shutting her eyes.

Bruce was ruthless, almost cruel. He didn't care if he hurt her; perhaps he enjoyed her suffering.

"Joann. Oh, Joann. Are you happy now?" He finally used her name.

Despite the humiliation, she felt a release from the depression that had plagued her for two years. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Bruce Everett! I won't love you anymore!"

Bruce ignored her, contemptuously catching her jaw. "She wasbeautiful," he thought, "but her mind was filled with filth and schemes. Her so-called love sickened me."

"Sign the papers, take the money, and leave Greyport forever!" He left her on the floor.

Two months later, in a hospital:

"Congratulations, Ms. Haynes, you're pregnant with multiples. I suggest you terminate one or two; otherwise, there's a high risk."

Terminate? No. She wouldn't take away her children's right to live. She would give birth to them and raise them.