Chapter 1
The Vista Gardens estate stood in imposing silence.
Lucy Lynwood’s heels clicked against the marble floor of the foyer. A maid immediately bowed her head in deference. “Welcome home, Mrs. Sherwood p>
Lucy gave a faint nod, her gaze drifting to the pair of bespoke leather shoes by the cabinet. A lilt of excitement colored her voice. “Is Kingsley back p>
“Yes, Ma’am. Mr. Sherwood returned just after nine. He is currently in the study p>
Kingsley traveled internationally at least twice a month. In the past, Lucy rarely concerned herself with his schedule, but this time was different.
Lucy clutched the ultrasound printout inside her clutch, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She wanted to share the good news immediately.
She changed her shoes in a hurry and started to trot toward the stairs, but her fingertips grazed the medical slip in her bag, reminding her of the doctor’s warnings. She forced herself to slow down to a measured walk.
As she reached the top of the stairs, she saw the study door was cracked open.
The murmur of conversation drifted out.
Lucy, clutching the thin slip of thermal paper, was about to push the door open when Kingsley’s voice cut through the air-cold as ice and utterly absolute:
“Lucy? She is nothing more than a tool for my revenge against Harland Lynwood. Did you actually think I would fall in love with my enemy’s daughter? It’s laughable p>
On the other end of the line, Thurston Fletcher roared in outrage, “You bastard! Do you have any humanity left? You even deceived me! If this gets out, Jane will skin me alive because of you p>
Thurston had only one thought running through his mind: “It’s over.” If his wife, Jane, found out he knew about this, she would never forgive him.
Inside the study, Kingsley held a cigarette between his fingers. He took a deep drag, the smoke obscuring the chill in his eyes. He looked nothing like the gentle husband Lucy knew.
“You have to throw yourself completely into the part to make it believable. How else can you truly enjoy the revenge p>
Outside the door, Lucy’s fingers convulsed around the ultrasound paper, crushing the corner. A chill shot from the soles of her feet to her scalp. She felt as though she had been plunged into an ice bath; her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
The joy and anticipation in her eyes vanished, replaced by a bottomless, self- deprecating mockery.
Thurston’s furious cursing continued through the speakerphone. “That’s so wrong! Her father’s crimes have nothing to do with Lucy! Why should the child have to pay for the parent’s mistakes p>
Kingsley’s voice was as biting as a winter gale. “I haven’t harmed a hair on her head. It was merely a transaction-we used each other. Besides, a daughter paying her father’s debts is only natural p>
“You are morally bankrupt! I can’t be friends with you anymore!” Thurston’s bellow nearly blew out the speaker.
Just then, the housekeeper, Paula, appeared behind Lucy. “Mrs. Sherwood? Why don’t you go in? The Master is in the study, isn’t he p>
She was holding a tray of coffee for Kingsley and paused, confused by Lucy’s frozen posture.
Inside the study, Kingsley leisurely hung up the phone. He strode to the door and pulled it open. His gaze collided with Lucy’s face, which was pale with shock.
He raised a brow, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather. “You heard p>
Lucy’s hand strangled the ultrasound paper, her knuckles turning white. The small, delusional joy she had harbored shattered like glass, leaving only stinging humiliation.
She forced the corners of her mouth up. Her voice trembled, laced with thors heard. A pity didn’t hear aff Mr. Sherwood, playing such a long game, acting every single day… aren’t you tired p>
Kingsley’s eyes darkened. The coldness floated on the surface, never reaching the
depths. “If you want to blame someone, blame Harland p>
Lucy laughed a sound brittle with ice. Blame? Of course she blamed. She blamed herself for being laughably stupid, for believing that miracles happened, for being naive enough to trust this fabricated warmth.
“Let’s divorce.” She looked him in the eye, articulating every word. “Actually, you chose the wrong target. If you wanted revenge, you should have married his illegitimate daughter p>
Kingsley actually nodded, his tone dismissive. “Fine. Discuss the settlement with my lawyer tomorrow. As long as it’s reasonable, you’ll get it p>
The words had barely landed when a sharp “crack” echoed through the hall. Lucy had backhanded him across the face.
“Kingsley, you owe me this p>
As the slap landed, the crumpled ultrasound paper slipped from her hand and drifted
to the floor.
Kingsley’s head snapped to the side.
His face burned, but his gaze instantly locked onto the paper on the floor. He bent down to retrieve it. When the word “POSITIVE” pierced bis vision, his mind felt like it had been struck by a sledgehammer. A buzzing noise exploded in his ears.