Chapter 1

Stellan Thorne walked into my law firm with his third pregnant mistress.

And asked me to draft a property transfer agreement for her.

His friends stood off to the side, taking bets on how many seconds it would take before I lost control.

I didn't say a word as the thick stack of papers printed out.

Stellan pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice low.

"Her body can't handle the physical toll of labor."

"Ines. Once the babies are born, you'll legally adopt them. You are the only Mrs. Thorne."

I slid the notarized trust agreement across the desk without a word.

Out of professional habit, I gave him one last warning.

"This is legally binding."

Stellan took the papers, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

He pushed divorce papers across the table toward me, his tone softening.

"Sign it. It's just a formality."

"She's healthy enough to carry. Once the babies are born and you adopt them, the Board will stop breathing down your neck about being barren."

"You'll always be Mrs. Thorne. I'm doing this to protect you."

I'd played along with this charade twice before.

This time, I signed without hesitation.

Then I turned and slipped on the ten-carat pink diamond ring.

The one that the Wall Street kingpin had given me.

……

Faye Lawson stroked her swollen belly, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

"Stellan, is Ines upset with me?"

"Look, she even bought herself a ring."

Stellan's eyes locked onto my ring finger.

His jaw tightened, irritation flashing across his face.

"Ines, knock it off."

"You think some cheap piece of glass is going to change my mind?"

I pushed the signed divorce papers back across the desk.

"It's done. Tomorrow morning in my lawyer's office. Let's discuss the distribution of assets."

The room went dead silent for a moment.

Then Stellan's buddies burst into laughter.

"Ines, you've been playing hard to get for three years. Aren't you bored yet?"

"Seriously. Stellan just wants an heir. You can't give him one, so why block everyone else?"

"What kind of selfish woman does that?"

Stellan rubbed his temples, clearly fed up with my stubbornness.

"Ines, stop this."

"Faye's carrying twins. The doctor said the pregnancy is high-risk. She needs bed rest."

Faye leaned into Stellan's chest, her eyes welling up with crocodile tears.

"Stellan, I don't want our babies to grow up in some hidden apartment like they're shameful."

She looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes.

"Ines, could I stay at your penthouse while I'm on bed rest? The security is better there, and it's closer to the hospital."

That penthouse was the inheritance my parents left me before they died in a car crash.

"That's my pre-marital property."

Faye flinched like I'd slapped her, tears streaming down her face.

"Ines, don't be so mean. I'm only thinking of the babies."

"If you don't want to, fine. I'll just take them back to my hometown."

Stellan pulled her closer and turned to me, his voice hard with authority.

"Ines, why are you making this difficult?"

"The place is sitting empty anyway. Move out tonight and let Faye move in."

I stared at the face I used to love.

The woman I'd been back then seemed pathetic now.

"Stellan, do you not understand English?"

"That's my property."

Stellan's expression darkened.

"Ines, it's just a penthouse. Once the babies are born, you'll get it back."

"Faye is pregnant. Think of the bigger picture."

His friends chimed in from the sidelines.

"Ines, Faye's carrying the Thorne heirs. You can't spare one apartment?"

I looked at Stellan calmly.

"And if I refuse?"

Stellan let out a cold laugh and pulled out his phone.

"Your firm's biggest client is Thorne Enterprises, isn't it?"

"Ines, you're a smart woman. You know what to do. Don't make me use leverage."

For his mistress, he was threatening the career I'd built from nothing.

I looked at the smug certainty in his eyes and suddenly smiled.

"Fine. I'll move out."

Stellan blinked, clearly not expecting me to cave so easily.

Satisfaction flickered in his eyes, and his tone softened.

"Good. Be reasonable, and I'll take care of you."

"Move back to the Thorne Estate tonight. Tomorrow my assistant will help Faye settle in."

I stood and let my gaze sweep over all of them.

"I'll have it cleared out tonight."

"Stellan, I hope you don't regret this."

Stellan scoffed.

"It's just temporary while Faye's on bed rest. The penthouse is still yours. Stop being dramatic."

Faye tilted her chin up and shot me a triumphant smirk.

I didn't spare them another glance as I walked out of the office.

As the door closed behind me, I could still hear his boys laughing.

"Stellan's got her wrapped around his finger."

"Once those twins are born, Stellan will have three kids. Three!"

Three kids?

I laughed under my breath.

I hoped he'd still be smiling when he learned the truth.