Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
Silvanburg's seasons were always like spring, but this winter was exceptionally chilling.
Cecilia stood before the full-length mirror, clad in a thin wedding gown with a voluminous and heavy train that accentuated her increasingly skeletal frame. Despite her fair complexion and delicate features, she appeared even more emaciated, yet she remained the most beautiful bride of the day.
Bang!
The bedroom door was kicked open.
"Cecilia! What have you FUCKING done now?" Alston's handsome face exuded an imposing aura, his dark eyes tinged with a chilling glint.
He threw a stack of old newspapers at Cecilia's face. "You shameless bitch, how did you convince my mother? How could she agree to this ridiculous marriage?!"
Cecilia furrowed her brows, instinctively touching her small abdomen. The gown was huge, but her eight-month belly was too large to conceal.
Alston's gaze fell on her belly, his eyes filled with disdain and mockery. "And you're carrying someone else's bastard!"
"It's not..."
It's not a bastard.
Cecilia instinctively rebutted, but Alston cut her off, grabbing her by the neck and sneering, "Not a bastard? Then is it my child? It seems like tonight is the first time we've met!"
Cecilia's neck creaked under his grip, but her hands instinctively shielded her abdomen.
"Let go of me..." Cecilia's face flushed as she struggled, her eyes fixed on Alston. "If something happens to me, you won't fare any better!"
Alston's gaze darkened abruptly, and he loosened his grip.
Cecilia slumped to the ground, her slender neck marked with red imprints.
She lifted her trembling hand to touch them, breathing heavily, locking eyes with him as she gritted her teeth. "Didn't your mother tell you? Your three brothers all died of cancer. Your family has a genetic defect, and you can't escape it. You have an eighty percent risk of leukemia, and coincidentally, I'm a suitable match."
"You're lying!" Alston clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "That's just a risk!"
"It's a high risk! Your mother has only you left, and with an eighty percent chance, she wouldn't dare to gamble!" Cecilia smiled coldly. "I promised your mother I'd be ready to donate bone marrow for you anytime, but you have to marry me."
Alston's expression turned uglier. He remained silent for a moment before disdainfully saying, "Cecilia, I can promise you anything except marriage."
"Except marriage, I want nothing." Cecilia's gaze was firm, her tone almost stubborn.
Alston pulled her up from the ground, gripping her chin tightly, his cold eyes tinged with redness. "Why? Have you gone mad? Even if you have to walk down the aisle alone with this fucking bastard today, you still insist on marrying me? Don't you know I only want to marry Marian?!"
Cecilia's ears buzzed, her stomach churning violently. His words, like sharp blades, seized her heart.
Her nose tingled. She bit her lip, took a deep breath, and forcefully suppressed the tears in her eyes. Then she lifted her chin, meeting his gaze coldly. "You're here about Marian's disappearance, aren't you?"
"Marian's disappearance is indeed related to you!" Alston's thin lips curved into a sneer, his strong fingers almost crushing her jaw.
"I don't have that much power. It was your mother's help." Cecilia smiled bitterly, pointing to the marriage contract on the dressing table behind her. "The wedding is over; all that's left is the marriage license. Your mother will only see Marian safe once she sees the signed paper today."
"You're fucking insane!"
Alston was instantly annoyed and swung his arm forcefully.
Cecilia, too weak to resist, was thrown out abruptly, her belly hitting the edge of the table. A sharp pain surged through her.
"AH!!" Her belly tightened as waves of intense pain struck her.
Cecilia clutched her belly, her face drained of color, her delicate eyebrows furrowed deeply. "Take me to the hospital, quickly. Take me to the hospital-"
Alston's gaze darkened as he crouched down, glaring at Cecilia. "Tell me, where is Marian? Tell me, and I'll take you to the hospital!"
Soon, the pure white wedding dress was stained red with blood. Cecilia's hands, trembling as they rested on her belly, were instantly soaked in blood.
"I don't know! She didn't tell me."
Cecilia bit her lip tightly, panic overtaking her as the intense pain in her abdomen made her terrified.
She felt like she might go into premature labor after being bumped by Alston, as if she were about to give birth too soon.
"Are you still lying to me?"
Alston's expression was blank, his eyes like the deep sea. For a moment, something flickered in his gaze, but it disappeared instantly.
At the moment of eye contact with him, Cecilia's heart skipped a beat. She saw ruthlessness in his eyes, just like eight years ago.
She knew begging him was useless, so she dragged her wet hem, soaked in blood, and reached for the phone on the dressing table.
Alston suddenly stood up, one step ahead of her. Grabbing the phone, he pulled out the SIM card right in front of her.
"What are you doing?"
Cecilia's voice choked with tears, the sobs in her throat impossible to suppress. A wave of helplessness and grievance invaded her limbs. The dull pain in her chest even surpassed the pain of labor contractions.
Alston ignored her, walking straight into the bathroom.
Moments later, Cecilia heard the sound of the toilet flushing.
"No-"
Cecilia froze, her head buzzing. She couldn't believe her ears.
She knew what Alston was doing. He must have flushed her SIM card!
For Marian, he forced her to this extent. Even if she died here, he wouldn't show an ounce of pity.
As soon as Alston came out of the bathroom, he reached out and unplugged the landline fixed on the dressing table, tearing apart the phone line completely.
Cecilia couldn't bear it any longer. She slipped and fell to the ground, clutching his trouser leg as she pleaded, "I'll do anything, but my child must be safe! I don't want to marry you anymore. Please save my child, I beg you."
"Alston! This is YOUR child too!"
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
Serena has to accept her greedy father and evil stepmother's arrangement to marry a dying man, Matthew Harrington, in order to save her seriously ill grandmother. Everyone laughed at Serena, ridiculing her for becoming a widow at such a young age. But it didn't occur to those foolish people that after the marriage Serena was completely free and began a plan for revenge without a care in the world! What's even more unexpected is that her husband is the mysterious boss she's always admired! *** Matthew Harrington, rumored to be dead, is actually the heir to the richest family, the mysterious genius entrepreneur. Matthew was hoping to settle this ridiculous marriage with a two-year contract, but then he realized that Serena did seem to be different from other women... But just as he's delivering with all his heart, the woman actually disappears! *** (Sample) "Boss, when it comes to matters of men and women, we should be equal. Besides, even if you like me, it's unrequited love. I've declined your advances from the beginning. You had no right to inform Grandpa." Matthew responded with a mocking smile. "I like YOU?" In response to Matthew's mocking words, Serena clenched her teeth, took a deep breath, and was about to respond when the hospital door swung open, and the doctor entered the room. "Sir, please sign this document. If you're not comfortable, a family member can sign on your behalf," the doctor explained, holding out the paper. Given his weakened condition, Matthew had no desire to get out of bed. He glanced at Serena and indicated that she should sign. Serena, looking perplexed, turned her head to the doctor. "Why are you looking at me? The doctor said a FAMILY MEMBER should sign it, and I'm not your family." Matthew's lips curved into a thin, mocking smile, and a flicker of frustration passed through his eyes. "If you're not my family, then am I married to a ghost?" WHAT?!
The day Lilah found out that she was pregnant, she caught her fiancé cheating on her. Her remorseless fiancé and his mistress almost killed her. Lilah fled for her dear life. When she returned to her hometown five years later, she happened to save a little boy's life. The boy's father turned out to be the world's richest man. Everything changed for Lilah from that moment. The man didn't let her experience any inconvenience. When her ex-fiancé bullied her, he crushed the scumbag's family and also rented out an entire island just to give Lilah a break from all the drama. He also taught Lilah's hateful father a lesson. He crushed all her enemies before she even asked. When Lilah's vile sister threw herself at him, he showed her a marriage certificate and said, "I'm happily married and my wife is much more beautiful than you are!" Lilah was shocked. "When did we ever get married? Last I checked, I was still single." With a wicked smile, he said, "Honey, we've been married for five years. Isn't it about time we had another child together?" Lilah's jaw dropped to the floor. What the hell was he talking about?
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
Three years ago, the Moore family opposed Charles Moore's choice to marry his beloved woman and selected Scarlett Riley as his bride. Charles didn't love her. In fact, he hated her. Not long after they got married, Scarlett received an offer from her dream university and jumped on it. Three years later, Charles's beloved woman fell terribly ill. In order to fulfill her last wish, he called Scarlett back and presented her with a divorce agreement. Scarlett was deeply hurt by Charles's abrupt decision, but she chose to let him go and agreed to sign the divorce papers. However, Charles seemed to delay the process deliberately, leaving Scarlett confused and frustrated. Now, Scarlett was trapped between the consequences of Charles's indecision. Would she be able to break free from him? Would Charles eventually come to his senses and face his true feelings?
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."