Samuel froze.

Disbelief flashed across his face.


"You still want a divorce?"

"Why?"

His hand clamped down on my forearm, pinning me to the bed.


"Is it because of Rachel?"

"That was nothing!" he snapped. "If I'd known she was manipulating me all these years, I would have destroyed her!"


His words tumbled out faster.

"She convinced me your parents had me sterilized—that I could never have children. That's why I changed, why I stopped caring about my reputation, why I…"

He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"The truth is, I've had feelings for you for years. You've been nothing but good to me. But I kept fighting it—telling myself I couldn't love my enemy's daughter…"

"The more I felt myself falling for you, the more women I brought home. I wanted to hurt you, to push you away. I was a fool."

He seized my hand, forcing his fingers between mine in a desperate grip.

"But now I see clearly. Rachel's betrayal opened my eyes. And heaven has blessed us with a child. Give me one more chance, Lucy. Let me make things right."

I felt nothing from his performance—not a flicker of genuine emotion.

This sudden transformation was solely about the miracle growing inside me.

I yanked my hand free.

"Return my family's company shares."

Something calculating flashed in his eyes.

"We're husband and wife. What's mine is yours. What difference does it make whose name they're under?"

Just as I suspected.

His sudden devotion was only for the heir in my womb.

Rose had explained that despite Samuel's partial recovery, his chances of fathering another child were minimal.

This baby was likely his only chance at an heir.

I needed to secure my future before walking away.

"Return what's rightfully mine, or I'll terminate this pregnancy. I'm not bluffing."

Samuel's face darkened, but he nodded stiffly.

I insisted on calling his lawyer immediately to draft and sign a complete property settlement.

I only asked for what was rightfully mine.

My family's company shares, my parents' wedding gift properties, and half our marital assets—everything was properly documented and returned to me.

Samuel looked exhausted, dark circles under his eyes as he stifled another yawn.

"There. Satisfied now? Everything that belonged to your family is yours again."

Not enough. He still owed my parents an apology.

When my parents died, he was partying at nightclubs. He didn't even attend their funeral.

Samuel shifted uncomfortably.

"I thought they'd wronged me… Fine, I apologize for disrespecting your parents."

He gripped my arm with forced affection.

"Whatever makes my wife happy. Just focus on taking care of our baby."

I looked away, my skin crawling at his touch.

Goosebumps rose on my arm, but he didn't notice as he mumbled about needing sleep.

I carefully folded the signed agreements.

I'd pushed my weakened body to this point for one purpose only.

"Now that our assets are divided, let's finalize the divorce."

He froze at the doorway, slowly turning back with widening eyes.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

This level of asset division was clearly preparation for divorce.

The entire signing process was recorded. Any judge would recognize it as divorce preparation.

Understanding dawned on his face.

"You tricked me into signing those papers?"

I didn't bother denying it.

"No one's heart can withstand three years of cruelty. I meant what I said at the villa."

Marrying him was my greatest regret, and I needed a clean break.

He lunged at me like a predator, his hand closing around my throat.

"You've stolen half my fortune and the Hayes shares I rightfully owned! You won't take my child too!"

His shouting drew nurses and visitors from nearby rooms.

Several male orderlies rushed in to pull him off me.

We were past saving appearances now.

I rubbed my throat, my voice raspy.

"Our marriage was always a business arrangement with a three-year term. That term has expired, Mr. Wilson. As business people, we should honor our contracts."