I felt like I'd been struck by lightning.

Finally, the puzzle of Samuel's hatred fell into place.


We'd known each other since high school. Back then, Samuel had been charming and kind—a gentleman with perfect posture and a warm smile.

I'd nursed a crush on him for years. Though he never returned my feelings, he'd always treated me with brotherly affection.

When his family business faltered, I saw my opportunity. I convinced my parents to save his company—with my hand in marriage as part of the deal. I'd foolishly believed love would grow over time.


Instead, marriage transformed him into someone unrecognizable—cold, cruel, and surrounded by an endless parade of women.

I'd assumed his behavior was simple revenge for trapping him in marriage.


But this? My parents couldn't have done something so monstrous…

It made no sense. Why would my parents sterilize their son-in-law? They'd be denying me children as well.

Samuel's fingers dug into my throat. "Don't pretend you didn't know!"

"I swear," I gasped, tears streaming down my face. "I knew nothing about this."

Rachel's eyes narrowed with venom.

"They did it for you," she hissed. "To make sure you could leave him without complications when you got bored."

Nothing made sense. My parents had supported our marriage. Why sabotage it with something so permanent?

And the pregnancy—I'd never been with anyone else. This child could only be Samuel's.

Before I could voice these thoughts, Samuel shoved me hard.

I crashed to the pavement, pain shooting through my injured knee.

"Your parents knew you'd eventually tire of playing house with someone beneath your social standing. They made sure there wouldn't be any inconvenient children to complicate your inevitable exit."

His eyes burned with years of accumulated hatred.

"Whoever fathered that thing inside you, it wasn't me. The divorce papers will be ready by morning. This farce ends now."

He turned sharply, arm around Rachel's waist, and disappeared into the villa without a backward glance.

I remained on the ground, feeling warm blood seeping through my bandages where the stitches had torn.

The security guard approached cautiously. "Let me help you to the hospital, ma'am."

Before he could reach me, Samuel's voice crackled through the guard's radio.

"She's no longer your concern. Let her crawl back to whatever hole she came from."

His hatred was so complete that he'd rather see me bleed out on his doorstep than offer help.

With a bitter laugh, I forced myself upright. The hospital could wait—I needed answers first.

After my parents' deaths, Hayes Corporation had been gutted. Most loyal employees were long gone.

But one person might still have answers.

Rose Blackwood—my father's former secretary and my mother's closest confidante. If anyone knew the truth, it would be her.

I found her in a modest suburban home. Her shock at seeing me was evident.

Samuel had purged the company of anyone loyal to my family and explicitly forbidden me from contacting former employees.

I'd obeyed, afraid of provoking his temper further.

"I'm pregnant," I told her, hand resting protectively on my stomach.

Her face went pale, eyes widening in shock.

My heart plummeted.

Was Samuel right? Did she know something terrible?

Had my parents really gone behind my back to ensure I could leave the marriage childless when I inevitably came to my senses?

If true, Samuel's hatred was justified. I—or at least my family—had wronged him terribly.

But Rose's expression shifted from shock to confusion.

"Sterilized? That's impossible."

"Your parents may have had reservations about Samuel, but once the wedding was set, they spared no expense. They treated him like a son."

I gripped her arm. "Then why did you look so shocked about my pregnancy?"

She hesitated, clearly uncomfortable.

I couldn't let this go. Samuel could divorce me, but I wouldn't let him slander my parents' memory.

After persistent questioning, Rose finally relented.

"Three years ago, the night before your wedding, Samuel had an accident. He fell from the balcony of his bachelor party venue."

"The doctors used experimental treatments to save his life. They warned there would be significant side effects."

"Memory loss and mood swings were expected. But the most concerning side effect was potential infertility."