Chapter 1

Husband's 5 AM search query:

"What kind of perfume is safe for pregnant women?"

But because of what I did to save him, I can never have children.

When I finally resolved to leave him, he pulled me back into his embrace.

"I just want a child, Nora."

"The child will only know you as their mother. Please, don't leave me."

But my mind is set—there's no turning back now.

My engagement with my husband was never approved by his family.

Declan's father married into the family and died early under unexpected circumstances.

He was raised by his mother alone, and he holds her in the highest respect, which I'm well aware of.

So when Declan stood up to his mother for my sake, it felt like a profound act of love.

Even though she agreed to our engagement, his mother never allowed me to call her "mom." I had to address her as "Mrs. Declan," just like the servants did.

Mrs. Declan always regarded me with disdain, often saying I was born to bring her misfortune.

Therefore, I dreaded visiting their ancestral home.

Still, the monthly family dinner on the fifteenth was unavoidable.

The Declan family home is vast and imposing. Usually, it only houses Mrs. Declan and a few distant relatives, but today, youthful laughter filled the air.

"Aunt, you should definitely talk to Declan when he gets here."

"Why wait for him, Aunt? He's being mischievous!"

The girl with long curls and a big red bow laughed, her naturally rosy cheeks free of makeup.

I touched my own face, my complexion sallow despite the thick foundation, and felt disheartened.

Her name was Phoebe Thompson, a child of Mrs. Declan's old friend.

"Phoebe's father was also a best friend to Declan’s father, a lifesaver to us," Mrs. Declan remarked sharply, reminding me of a debt to exert pressure.

I, too, owed Declan a debt of life.

"Hello, Young Mrs. Declan." Phoebe extended her slender hand for a handshake.

I was taken aback. No one in the Declan home ever addressed me that way. They always called me "Hey, you."

Mrs. Declan pulled Phoebe's hand into her own. "Why waste words on her."

She motioned for me to leave, "Go inside, don't get in my way."

I obediently turned to leave; I've heard this countless times. Being sent inside was actually a relief.

Phoebe’s perfume lingered, irritating my sensitive nose. I couldn’t help but gag, which earned me a look of disdain from Mrs. Declan.

"Ugh, are you feigning morning sickness?"

"You're not young anymore. Have you thought about having children?"

Mrs. Declan brought up children, fully aware of my inability to have any.

This was one reason she disapproved of my marriage to Declan.

After we started dating, his friends looked down on me, saying I wasn't a match for him.

But Declan never criticized me, insisting they didn’t see my true worth.

He said as long as he understood, that was enough. I didn’t need friends, only him.

I agreed; having him was all I needed.

Later...

We were kidnapped together.

I was just collateral; they only wanted Declan.

That night is a blur.

The doctor said my brain protected me by clouding the memory.

I only remember taking a stab meant for Declan.

The knife pierced my abdomen, shattering my future as a mother.

In the ambulance, Declan held me. It was the first time I saw him cry.

He promised he’d never leave me.

“Only death can part us.”

I believed him. Teenage promises have a way of being convincing.