The night before my wedding, I stumbled on the stairs and lost the child I carried. Jeff Thorne rushed me to the operating room, frantic. As I slowly emerged from the general anesthesia, I faintly heard the doctor whispering to him: "It's truly regrettable. Five months along, the fetus was perfectly formed, incredibly healthy." "Regrettable? It's just an unformed embryo," Jeff's voice was cold as frost. "Ms. Lindbergh's body suffered severe trauma. It's unlikely she'll be able to conceive again…" "She can be a stepmother to Daisy's and my child. Without the ability to bear her own, perhaps she'll love our child even more." I was wheeled out of the operating room, silent tears tracing paths down my cheeks. The man I had trusted with my entire heart was, it turned out, a monster. My long-awaited wedding was nothing more than a death warrant for my child. If that's the case, I’ll grant his wish. 1 "Mr. Thorne, the baby is very healthy. It's a perfectly formed boy. Would you like to see him?" "Just dispose of him as medical waste. And don't bother preserving her uterus or ovaries; just make sure she doesn't find out." "Once she recovers, I'll take her to the orphanage to adopt Annie. Without the ability to conceive, she'll surely treat Annie as her own," Jeff's cold, authoritative voice left no room for dissent. The doctor glanced at my weak form on the operating table, hesitating. "But the madam's body has been severely traumatized. Her uterine wall is very thin, making future conception difficult. Forcing this... wouldn't that put her life at risk?" "And your child with Ms. Duval is already quite grown. It might be hard to hide it from the madam. What if she discovers you personally pushed her down the stairs?" "She won't know." Jeff spoke calmly, then tenderly lifted my hand, sliding a ten-carat flawless diamond ring onto my ring finger as if I were a precious treasure. "Say no more. The rest, I will spend my life making up for." … In the hospital room, Jeff gently wiped my forehead, then pressed a soft kiss to my lips. "Clara, I had the doctors use the finest cosmetic sutures for you; there won't be a scar." "This anesthetic won't wear off too quickly. You're weak, so sleep a little longer." He didn't know I had regained consciousness, only barely managing to suppress my tears. Six years of devotion, the wedding I had longed for—it was all a monstrous illusion, a cruel conspiracy. He already had a child with another woman, yet he had lied, telling me Daisy Duval was just his adopted sister. The man I had loved for six years, the father of my unborn child, was also the very monster who had personally extinguished his life. I finally endured until dawn, hearing Jeff's quiet footsteps as he rose and left. Unable to hold back any longer, I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. The sharp, persistent ache in my lower abdomen was nothing compared to the agony in my heart. My trembling fingers traced the surgical incision. Inside, there was no longer the tiny life I had nurtured for five months. I turned on a live stream from a tabloid. It was the meticulously planned garden wedding I had spent half a year arranging. "Today marks the wedding of Mr. Thorne, CEO of Everest Group. The bride, previously hidden from the public eye, is finally being unveiled to the world. The moment has arrived…" The sprawling, manicured lawn and stone pathways unfolded like a scene from a movie. Jeff embraced Daisy from behind as a flock of white doves soared into the sky, a breathtaking display of pure white. "Daisy, a surprise I meticulously prepared for you. Do you like it?" "I know you dislike formalities. Today, our wedding is just for us, no need to honor parents or elders." Daisy let out a silvery laugh, blushing as she pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I love it, Jeff. You're so thoughtful." The two kissed passionately, surrounded by a chorus of blessings and cheers. Tears fell, one by one, onto the screen, blurring the scene before my eyes. I had waited for so long, never imagining that I wouldn't be the bride. For three years of marriage, I had tirelessly cared for his parents, willingly living as his secret wife. Yet, he bestowed all his romantic gestures upon another, leaving me only with the constraints and burdens of marriage. 2 Jeff didn't return that night. The next day, before I fully awoke from my daze, I heard him on the phone. "…Have all news of yesterday's wedding been suppressed? Clara must not find out." When I opened my eyes, he was already seated by my bedside, gazing at me with a look of feigned concern. "Clara, you're awake?" "Jeff, our baby... is gone." The tears I had held back all night now flowed freely, forming a raging river. My eyes, numb and vacant, stared blankly at him. Jeff pulled me into a tight embrace. "Clara, don't worry. Even if you can't have children, you are still Mom and Dad's most favored daughter-in-law, forever a part of the Thorne family." "I love you. You can ask me to confirm that as many times as you need." My fingers twitched slightly. If I hadn't known the truth, I would have, as always, believed his sweet words. But now, all I felt was waves of nausea. I quickly pulled my cold hand from his, pushing him away. Jeff paused, momentarily taken aback, then swiftly resumed his usual tender demeanor. "I've already contacted the children's home. Didn't you always want a daughter? Let's adopt a child." He finally, impatiently, revealed his true motive. I regretted my past blindness, never seeing through his hypocrisy. If this was his game, I would play along. On the day of my discharge, Jeff personally carried me to the car, eliciting envious glances from onlookers. At the children's home, a little girl skipped towards us, her face innocent, and spoke sweetly to Jeff. "Uncle Jeff, are you here to take me home this time? Is my new mommy willing to accept me? Annie will be very well-behaved, she'll make new mommy happy." "Clara, look how adorable Annie is," Jeff said, his voice soft. "Should we adopt her? You'll surely love her." The little girl bore a striking resemblance to Jeff, and a hint of Daisy as well. "Of course," I said, a faint smile playing on my lips. Jeff seemed to sigh with relief. He crouched down, taking my hand. "I knew you'd agree. From now on, you're Annie's mom." I looked into his eyes—those eyes that once captivated me—now filled with a false, saccharine devotion. I suddenly remembered the conversation I'd overheard on the operating table, and my scalp prickled. I remembered Jeff and Daisy's conspiracy, remembered the child they had personally extinguished. I excused myself, fleeing to the restroom in a desperate attempt to compose myself. Footsteps sounded from outside; it was the children's home staff chatting. "Mr. Thorne truly went to great lengths. To bring his biological daughter into the family legitimately, he even came up with this scheme." "Exactly! Who would've thought he'd sacrifice his own flesh and blood with the madam just to protect his mistress's child?" "To pull off this act, we coached Annie so many times. Luckily, she didn't give anything away…" I turned on the faucet, trying to drown out the sound of my spiraling emotions with the gushing water. Stepping out, I saw Daisy already standing beside Jeff. A picture of a happy family of three. Annie, beaming, bragged, "Daddy, how was my acting just now?" "If I can just fool Auntie Clara, then Daddy can spend more time with Mommy and me, right?" Jeff smiled, a helpless tenderness in his eyes, and ruffled her nose. "Annie, you're a clever little imp, of course." She then called out happily to Daisy, "Mommy, do you think Annie is amazing?" Catching sight of me from the corner of his eye, Jeff immediately stood up, flustered, and began to explain. "Clara, don't misunderstand. Daisy often visits Annie here at the children's home, so she's gotten used to calling her Mommy. She hasn't changed the habit yet." Daisy, too, put on a wronged expression. "That's right, sister-in-law. I was just helping my brother scout out options for you. Please, don't misunderstand. This child is truly exceptional, and she'll surely be filial to you both." I suddenly found it all utterly ridiculous. To have their child accept me as a "godmother" and legitimately enter the Thorne family, they had conspired to kill my own child and render me infertile. These people, who had committed such wicked, heartless deeds, were now putting on a display of grievance before me? I gently shook my head. "It's fine. I'm not that unreasonable. Let's go through with the adoption paperwork. I agree to this child entering our home." 3 It was late when we returned home. Jeff went to shower, and Annie was fast asleep. I saw his phone on the bedside table, unlocked, and couldn't resist tapping into it. Inside, there was a photo album, filled entirely with memories of Jeff with Daisy and their child. He celebrated Annie's birthdays with her, from age one to three, never missing a single one. He took Daisy and Annie to Disneyland together, making wishes under the fireworks. The three of them posed for photos in restaurants, Jeff's arm around Daisy, a picture of a close-knit family. ... The last video showed Annie and Daisy, one on each side, kissing Jeff's cheeks. Annie said, "Happy birthday, Daddy!" Daisy said, "Happy birthday, darling." I remembered. On his birthday this year, I had spent a month preparing recipes and test-cooking, personally making him a lavish meal. Jeff had claimed he was working overtime at the office, promising to return later to celebrate with me. But I waited until midnight, warming the dishes again and again, and he never came home. I hadn't realized he was celebrating his birthday with Daisy and their daughter. When Jeff emerged from the shower, I had already turned my back to him, feigning sleep. He lay down and held me close, his heavy breath warm on the nape of my neck. But what he whispered made a chill rise from the soles of my feet. He murmured, "Clara, I'm sorry. You already have the title of Mrs. Thorne. Daisy has nothing. I'll give her and Annie half of Everest Group's shares." "As for the pain you've endured, I will do my best to compensate you for the rest of my life." My eyelids trembled violently, and I clenched my jaw, suppressing the hatred in my heart. This man, who had been my partner day in and day out, now felt utterly alien. Six years of love and time, overturned in an instant by a monumental betrayal. Love and hatred, both, had become terrifyingly indistinct. The next morning, the doorbell rang. Jeff's parents rushed over, with Daisy trailing behind. "We heard you're adopting a child, so we came to see," his mother said. Daisy pursed her lips. "Yes, as Annie's godmother, of course I couldn't miss out on helping to look after her." His mother spoke, her gaze already sweeping past my shoulder, falling on Annie playing in the living room. Seeing Annie, his father's eyes instantly welled up. "So alike, truly alike…" His mother's smile was wide and ecstatic. "My sweet granddaughter, I finally get to see you." Watching their affectionate interactions, I realized with a jolt that they had known about Annie all along. From beginning to end, I had been the only fool, kept completely in the dark. I turned and walked indifferently back to the kitchen. At the dining table, Jeff's parents continuously served Annie, completely ignoring my presence. Jeff seemed to sense something and softly called my name. "Clara, why aren't you eating?" I looked up, offering a perfect smile. "I'm not very hungry." I looked at the table filled with happy faces and felt only profound irony. This home, which I once believed would be my sanctuary, had long been filled with lies. Passing the study, I heard his mother say disdainfully to Jeff, "Look at her. She can't even bear a child, always playing the victim. Such a damaged woman. If it weren't for the Lindbergh family's reputation, I would have thrown her out long ago." She then pulled Daisy's hand, a fawning look on her face. "Daisy, you're so considerate. When you have a son later, I'll divorce this daughter-in-law and put you in her place." Daisy smiled shyly. "Mom, I can certainly have more children. As long as I'm under the same roof as Jeff and we work hard day and night, I'm sure I can bear a son." I laughed at myself. It turned out, in this house, I had always been an outsider. After dinner, I excused myself due to feeling unwell and went back to my room. Sitting by the window, I watched Jeff's parents playing with Annie in the yard. The sun was bright, but its warmth couldn't penetrate my heart. My phone vibrated. It was a message from the private investigator I had hired. "Ms. Lindbergh, I have the results of your inquiry. Jeff Thorne and Daisy Duval were indeed lovers in college and had a child together. The timelines match up perfectly…" I silently scrolled through the photos, saving the evidence of their infidelity. Even though I had already decided to leave, seeing these pictures made my heart ache intensely. I knew it was time to end everything. This beautiful dream woven from lies had to awaken. 4 Yesterday, my aunt, who lives alone in Europe, called. "Clara, if you're ever mistreated or unhappy there, come and stay with me." My aunt had lived alone for many years and doted on me, her niece, intending to leave her vast estate to me. Previously, for Jeff, I had always politely declined her generosity. This time, I finally accepted. But before I left, there were still some things I needed to take care of. That day, while the whole family went camping, I didn't join them. Instead, I gathered all the anniversary gifts Jeff had given me and took them to a pawn shop. I also packed up his clothes and our wedding photos and threw them all into a waste incinerator. Watching the images of two lovers in the photos turn to ash in the flames, I smiled, a sense of release washing over me. Perhaps, the man who had held my heart for so many years had also died with that fire. The day after their camping trip, they returned, full of enjoyment. Daisy entered the house and immediately picked up a glass of water I had left on the table, drinking it down. But unexpectedly, within ten minutes, her face turned scarlet, her breathing became rapid, and she collapsed to the ground. Jeff, rushing back, was frantic. Seeing the honey water on the table, he exploded in rage. "Clara Lindbergh, are you insane?! Don't you know Daisy is allergic to honey? A severe allergic reaction can be fatal!" Daisy lay weakly against his chest. "I just told sister-in-law two days ago that I'm allergic to honey, but... but I didn't know sister-in-law added honey to this water…" Annie cried, clutching Jeff's leg. "Daddy! I don't want this bad woman as my mommy anymore! She hurt Mommy!" "Daddy, kill this bad woman! Kill her!" I watched the spectacle with cold eyes. Jeff gritted his teeth. "Clara, I've told you countless times, my relationship with Daisy is only familial. Why can't you tolerate her?" I looked up and said mockingly, "Whether it's family affection or something else, you know best." He was stunned, his face darkening. "Clara, I'm letting this slide because your body hasn't fully recovered, but don't push your luck!" With that, he frantically scooped up Daisy and rushed her to the hospital. After everyone had left the house in a chaotic scramble, I looked at the discreet pinhole camera I had installed in the corner beforehand. I saved the surveillance footage of Daisy intentionally giving herself honey, framing me, onto my computer. Then, I contacted the city's advertising billboard center and sent a file to the staff. "Please, display the content in this file on all the city's advertising screens, playing it on a loop." The staff member was startled, but when she heard the exorbitant payment I offered, she had no reason to refuse. "Ms. Lindbergh, are you sure?" My expression was calm. "I'm very sure. And please add a line of text: 'Clara Lindbergh wishes Jeff Thorne and Daisy Duval, as a family of three, eternal happiness and never-ending togetherness.'" After doing all this, I avoided the housekeeper and left through the back door. I got into the car and watched the villa recede in the rearview mirror, feeling as if I was saying goodbye to my youth. Goodbye, and forever farewell, to my six years.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "392825", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel