Just a month after Julian and I got married, his older brother ran off with his mistress. As I pushed open the door to comfort Julian, he handed me a document. “Scarlett, Stratton Holdings can’t be without an heir. I’ve decided to step in for my brother and have a child with Seraphina.” Shock frozen me. Then, fury. I tore the paper, screaming, “Julian Sterling! This isn’t the Middle Ages! You can’t just ‘loan’ out your husband to another woman to have a child! What do you take me for?” Julian stared at me, stubbornly, “Scarlett, it’s just three years, isn’t it? I’ll come back, and I’ll still be your husband.” “If I had been Mom’s only son back then, I would have been the one to marry Seraphina and merge our families. You wouldn’t even be in the picture.” I looked at Julian, heartbroken, as his familiar face turned cold, so self-righteous. “I’ll let you be a sperm donor for IVF. That’s my biggest concession.” Julian stood up, silently pulling out another agreement. “The heir to Stratton Holdings can’t be some cold, mechanical creation. It has to be a product of passion.” He looked at me, completely unashamed. “For the merger between our two families, a child must be born. I’m informing you, not asking for your opinion.” I clenched my fists, finally giving up completely. “Julian Sterling, let’s get a divorce.”
Mrs. Sterling, my mother-in-law, immediately stood up, slapping me across the face. “Julian has been so good to you, but you dare to suggest divorce? You ungrateful wretch!” The older relatives from the Sterling family began to gather around, trying to persuade me. “Scarlett, Julian still loves you. Otherwise, if he secretly had a child with Seraphina, you wouldn’t even know, would you?” “Exactly! Julian is doing this for the Sterling family. If Seraphina gets angry and backs out, Sterling Corp. will be in danger.” I stared in shock at these elders, spouting morals and righteousness, and then let out a bitter laugh. Julian flushed with anger and roared, “Enough! Scarlett will understand.” I looked around at the indignant relatives. This was the company and family I had sacrificed a prestigious career to save, pouring my soul into its survival. A sharp, desolate pain pierced my heart. I lifted my chin, forcing back tears, and looked at Julian. “Julian, we’ve weathered every storm together. Do you really want to sacrifice our marriage for the future of Sterling Corp.?” Julian fell silent. After a long moment, he looked at me pleadingly. “Scarlett, I’m not sacrificing our marriage for Sterling Corp.’s future. No matter what, you’ll always be my most beloved wife.” “Scarlett, think about it. Seraphina is a titan, with unparalleled intelligence and deep connections to several prominent families in the capital. Given your health condition…” I stared at Julian in shock. He finally said what was truly on his mind. So he looked down on me because of my poor health. That’s why, in our six years together, he always insisted on contraception. But for whom had I drunk myself sick? For whom had I worked myself to the bone to secure deals, leading to a third of my stomach being removed? A tear dropped onto the back of my hand. I looked up, my voice hoarse. “Julian Sterling, what if I absolutely refuse?” “Scarlett, I know it’s hard for you to accept right now. It’s okay… I’ll give you time to think about it.” A flicker of guilt crossed Julian’s face, but then he self-righteously raised his voice. “A joint heir for the Sterling and Stratton families – that child must be born. This is for the greater good. You need to look at the bigger picture, not be so petty.” I laughed bitterly, tears welling in my eyes as I looked at Julian. At twenty-six, in the prime of his life, he already exuded the sharp, imposing aura of a CEO. “So, you mean you’re not only going to have a child with Seraphina, but this child will also inherit everything we have?” “And I am just a tool for making money, destined to never have a child of my own?” Julian pursed his lips, his voice silent, his expression complicated as he looked at me. All the relatives averted their gaze. They stood up, offered a few more hollow words of advice, and swiftly left. Julian also left indifferently, closing the door behind him. I sat there all night. As a sliver of dawn broke on the horizon, I wiped away my tears and called the company lawyer. “Help me draft a divorce agreement. I want a divorce.”
Once the matter was out in the open, Julian stopped hiding. He began openly showing affection for Seraphina. When the private investigator sent me the information and photos, my hands trembled, and I had to muster all my courage to open them. September 11th, 12 PM: Julian made chicken soup for Seraphina and delivered it to her CEO’s office. They stayed there until 1:30 PM. That evening, Julian waited at the hotel entrance. At 11 PM, he picked up Seraphina, drove her home, and didn’t return that night. September 12th, 8 AM: Julian spent two hours making seafood porridge and delivered it to Seraphina’s office. They spent an hour together. September 13th: They went shopping. Julian bought Seraphina a gown and personally selected a Cartier diamond bracelet. September 14th, … Julian, who never posted on social media, shared a romantic photo from a fancy restaurant for the first time. Vibrant roses were presented to a pair of slender, fair hands, and the caption was overflowing with happiness: “Destiny, rekindled.” The clinking wine glasses stung my eyes. After thinking for a long time, I commented below: “Rekindling romance with another woman? What does that make your wife?” Almost instantly, the comment was deleted. Immediately after, Julian sent me several sixty-second voice messages. “What are you commenting on my Ins for? How is Seraphina supposed to feel?” “You’re getting so petty these days, jealous over every little thing. I’m only saying this to win over Seraphina so we can have a child quickly!” Mrs. Sterling was also furious. She stormed into the house, pointing at me and screaming insults. “Julian is younger than you, and he understands the bigger picture! You’ve lived thirty years for nothing; no wonder you’re just a freeloader!” “My Sterling family supported you as Vice President, gave you reputation and status, and you’re still not satisfied? You want to sabotage Julian’s grand plan?” “I’m telling you, if Seraphina refuses to have a child with Julian because of you, I’ll never forgive you!” I stared at Mrs. Sterling in shock. This was the family member I had treated as a mother, now humiliating and scolding me with the most vicious words. I finally gave up completely, slowly handing her the divorce agreement. “Since I’m so worthless, have Julian sign it. I won’t hinder his grand plan to revitalize Sterling Corp.” Seeing that I not only refused to admit fault but dared to threaten them with divorce, Mrs. Sterling immediately exploded in anger. She picked up a vase from the coffee table and threw it at my head. “Your low-class parents must have been trash to raise such an ill-mannered wretch like you! Today, I’m going to teach you some proper manners!” Then she grabbed an ashtray and slammed it onto my head with a loud bang. She glared at me fiercely, spitting on my face. “You look like a pauper. Julian must have been blind to ever look your way.” I clutched my head and coldly looked at Mrs. Sterling. Ever since Sterling Corp. escaped crisis and got back on track, she had always looked at me with more disdain than warmth. She always felt I had climbed above my station by marrying Julian. Otherwise, her second son could have married a wealthy heiress, a second-richest successor, just like her eldest. But she forgot. It was she who had once taken my hand and thanked me for my hard work. It was she who said I was the Sterling family’s lucky star, that I had saved Sterling Corp. from crisis with my selfless dedication. I had knelt in the bank manager’s office to secure loans. I had nursed a business partner’s father in the hospital, saving lost orders… I finally understood: some people only see profit, no affection. Turns out, selfishness is hereditary. My heart suddenly grew calm. There was no more sadness. I ignored Mrs. Sterling’s ranting, grabbed my car keys, and rushed to the hospital. As I reached the second floor, I saw Julian walking towards me, arm-in-arm with a coy Seraphina. The moment our eyes met, Julian’s face flashed with panic and embarrassment. He quickly turned away, coughing. “What happened to your head?” Then he said, with disgust, “Look at you. What can you even do? A grown woman manages to get her head bloody. If you had even a fraction of Seraphina’s capability, I wouldn’t have to work so hard.” My gaze, sharp as ice, fell on Seraphina beside him. Her expression was serene, her eyes enigmatic. In that moment, I admitted that I couldn’t compare to her; she truly was unfathomable. “Alright, go get yourself checked out. Don’t cause any more trouble in the future.” He said, as if afraid of touching something dirty, and walked away with Seraphina, not looking back. As they turned the corner of the stairs, Julian’s message arrived: “Seraphina is pregnant. I’m organizing a celebration for her this Wednesday. You absolutely must attend.” “Seraphina wants everyone to believe this child is Dominic’s, and she’s already three months along. Remember not to say anything out of line.”
I calmly deleted the messages, then looked at the text from my lawyer. “Scarlett, if you’re willing to walk away with nothing, the divorce proceedings will be quick. But if you want to divide assets, it will be more complicated and take some time.” I looked at the message and replied, “I authorize you to liquidate the assets I’m entitled to. I will not walk away with nothing.” Since joining the failing Sterling Corp. after university, I had single-handedly created the legend of turning a profit of over a hundred million within three months. Why should I be a spineless fool and walk away with nothing? I would take back what was rightfully mine. My belongings, even if I donated them, would not go to some illegitimate child. On Wednesday, I arrived on time. Julian had his arm around Seraphina’s waist, circulating among the guests, soaking in their congratulations. Seraphina smiled gracefully, engaging in conversation with everyone. I calmly handed my gift to Julian. He merely glanced at it, then stepped three feet away as if to avoid association. “Oh, Seraphina already has a whole attic full of things like this. You don’t need to bother.” I smiled faintly. “Alright then!” Turns out, in his heart, Seraphina was already his wife. My gift, from his legitimate wife, was just a pointless gesture. I turned and handed it to Mr. Davies, the family butler. “Mr. Davies, this is for your wife. Please take it to her.” Mr. Davies immediately thanked me profusely. “Ms. Scarlett, you are too kind. I thank you on behalf of my wife.” He bowed to me. See? Sometimes, an unintentional kindness to a stranger earns you overwhelming gratitude. Some people, no matter how good you are to them, will take you for granted, seeing you as nothing more than a desperate admirer. Some business associates came up to congratulate me. “Ms. Scarlett, so glad to hear Ms. Stratton has been blessed with a child. Congratulations!” Then they looked puzzled. “Ms. Scarlett, why isn’t Ms. Stratton under your care? Mr. Sterling has been with Ms. Stratton the whole time.” I smiled calmly. “It’s all the same. We’re family, after all. No need to be so particular.” The surrounding people looked at me inquisitively, then at Julian and Seraphina, who stood close together. They seemed to understand something, exchanging knowing, meaningful smiles. Finally, a small voice piped up from a corner. “Mommy, that auntie and uncle look so good together! Their baby must be beautiful!” The grand hall fell silent. Everyone exchanged awkward glances. Julian’s face flushed crimson. He reluctantly walked over to me and took my arm. Then he whispered, full of disgust, “Can’t you have some common sense and stand by me? Do you want everyone to laugh at me?” I smiled indifferently. “I thought you were afraid Seraphina would get jealous, thinking I was still trying to snatch you away.” Hearing me say that, Julian’s face broke into a satisfied smile. “At least you’re sensible enough to know your place. Seraphina is a bit of a clean freak when it comes to relationships. In the future, be mindful of your boundaries when you see me. For these three years, I am not your husband. Remember your place and don’t displease Seraphina.” I scoffed, saying nothing more, and enthusiastically greeted the guests. Once everyone had had their fill, Julian abruptly let go of my arm, disdainfully brushing off his suit. “Seraphina and I are leaving. I need to prepare a tonic for her pregnancy. You can go home on your own.” “I’ll be busy with Seraphina and her pregnancy lately, so I’m leaving the company to you. Be diligent and don’t mess things up.” With that, he took Seraphina’s arm and walked out. It was clear that in his heart, Seraphina was already his wife, and the Stratton estate was his home. I smiled and walked into the night. “Mr. Stone, I’ll give you a million for a job. Extra expenses will be covered.” I wondered if his own brother, when he eventually returned, would even be able to go back to that ‘home’.
Julian, true to his word, spent several days by Seraphina’s side and didn’t come home. Mr. Stone, the private investigator, sent me photos regularly. Perhaps seeing my silence, Julian and Mrs. Sterling simply moved into Seraphina’s mansion. Julian even began openly referring to Seraphina as the baby’s “godparent” (which everyone understood as the father). Everyone in the city’s high society knew exactly what was going on. They’d exchange knowing glances and cast sympathetic looks my way. Soon, it was Mrs. Sterling’s birthday. I looked at the message from Mr. Stone and smiled, then transferred an extra five hundred thousand to him. On the day of the birthday celebration, I invited the city’s most renowned news reporters and every notable influencer I could find. With over a dozen cameras set up, it was more bustling than a movie set. Mrs. Sterling, dressed in a red traditional gown, seeing the cameras pointed at her, finally offered me a rare pleasant look. “Though you’re not as capable as Seraphina, at least you’re sensible and know your place. It’s not for nothing that my Sterling family has kept you.” I smiled and nodded, agreeing with everything she said. The guests’ eyes, when they looked at me, were filled with even more contempt. The Sterling relatives, with their noses in the air, sneered at me. “She has no backbone! Her husband is sleeping with his sister-in-law, and she’s still fawning over her mother-in-law! She’s a disgrace to all women!” “What do you know? She’s a bottom-feeder, a parasite who couldn’t find her way out of a paper bag without the Sterlings! She’s so spineless, she’d probably be happy being cuckolded as long as it benefits her!” Ignoring the constant whispers and mockery, I calmly greeted the guests. As the auspicious hour approached, Julian appeared, arm-in-arm with Seraphina. All the guests swarmed around them, chatting with Seraphina and trying to forge connections. Julian, still arm-in-arm with her, showed no discretion. His head held high, he basked in their adulation, as if he were already the rich husband of a tycoon. Seraphina’s belly was prominently rounded, already six months along. Mrs. Sterling hurried over, greeting them warmly as her daughter-in-law and son, asking if Seraphina was tired, and urging the servants to bring her tea. Throughout it all, Seraphina remained polite and gracious, revealing no discernible emotion. Many times, I wondered: Seraphina, a powerful tycoon, had initially married into the Sterling family out of gratitude for a life saved. But now, the debt of gratitude had been repaid. Wealthy suitors, eager to have children with her and marry her, lined up from one end of the city to the other. Why would she, ignoring all gossip, insist on sleeping with her married brother-in-law? Just as I was lost in thought, fireworks popped, and the emcee’s booming voice rang out. “Today is a joyous day! We thank all friends and family for coming to celebrate Mrs. Sterling’s birthday!” “Now, we invite the son and daughter-in-law to come forward, pay their respects, and wish Mrs. Sterling a long and prosperous life!” The moment the words fell, Julian, smiling, took Seraphina’s arm and stepped forward. “Mom, Seraphina and I wish you a long, healthy life and endless fortune!” With that, he pulled Seraphina, about to bow deeply. Seraphina stood perfectly still, her sharp gaze falling on me. I chuckled and stepped forward. “Julian Sterling, you’ve got the wrong person. Your wife is right here.” Julian’s face immediately flushed red, then he angrily said, “Dominic isn’t here, so I’m taking his place to accompany Seraphina in wishing Mom a happy birthday. Stay out of it!” I silently counted the seconds. One, two, three… Julian again pulled Seraphina’s arm, about to bow deeply to his mother, when a sharp voice suddenly rang out.
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