Prologue
“If I can’t divorce him on his fault.”
Eugene smirked crookedly and took a step closer to me. As he drew near, the crisp woody scent grew stronger.
“Then I just need to create a fault on the wife’s side.”
A large hand seized my chin. My jaw was yanked upward, matching his towering height.
Before I knew it, he was right in front of me. My reflection filled his purple eyes, which held a trace of amusement.
I swallowed a trembling breath and squeezed my eyes shut.
‘I’m pregnant with your husband’s child.’
Chloe’s voice lingered in my ears like an afterimage. I couldn’t bring myself to believe the betrayal of a friend I’d known for so long.
‘Wouldn’t it be so pitiful for a child to grow up without a father? Don’t you think, Winter?’
My heart sank at her innocent smile, so typical of Chloe. As always, her clear face showed no hint of malice.
‘Winter, it’s Hayden’s child. Something you couldn’t do, but I did.’
A delighted smile spread across her eyes as they met mine.
It was the lovely smile I’d always adored. Her calm tone revealed a horrific truth, yet not a shred of guilt remained on her face.
‘Divorce Hayden for me, Winter. You always told me to seize the opportunity, didn’t you?’
I never imagined the advice I’d once given her would come back like this.
‘If you step in, Hayden won’t have to struggle with the decision. He’s the child’s father, after all. And you couldn’t even have a child.’
How did it come to this? Biting my lip, a sharp pain shot through.
Firm fingers traced my lips, pulling me back to reality. When I lifted my eyelids, Eugene gazed down at me with languid eyes.
“Answer me, Winter.”
Amusement laced his voice. I turned my head, gasping for breath.
The situation was pushing me to my limit. It was overwhelming.
‘Please divorce me, Hayden.’
‘Winter.’
A gentle sigh, so like his kind nature, poured over my head. I couldn’t bring myself to look up.
‘You know how dishonorable divorce is for a noble, don’t you?’
His voice was unbelievably soft for someone who’d orchestrated this mess.
‘I can’t raise your child—a fatherless child. Hayden.’
‘The child is just a mistake.’
A mistake. I never thought my once-affectionate husband would call the baby in her womb that. The shock didn’t end there.
‘We can put the child up for adoption once it’s born. Raise it as our own.’
‘I… I can’t do that. I don’t have the strength to live like that. Even if you refuse, I’ll proceed with the divorce.’
‘You can’t divorce me anyway.’
[Under this contract, Party B shall not file for divorce based on Party A’s fault.]
At the very end of the prenuptial agreement I hadn’t even known existed was my father’s seal.
When did you—when did all of you—start deceiving me?
You drove me to this point, pushed me until I could no longer think rationally, and yet you act as if it’s my fault.
At this stage, the choices left to me were few.
Live as a hollow marchioness, or…
Tears seeped through my closed eyes. Strength returned to Eugene’s fingers gripping my chin.
“Ah…!”
When I opened my eyes, Eugene’s image blurred through transparent tears.
He growled like a black panther eyeing its prey.
“Don’t cry like a pathetic fool.”
As if savoring my misery, Eugene smiled crookedly and said,
“I can’t hold back when you shed tears over a bastard like that.”
He yanked my waist into his arms and kissed me. His soft tongue parted my lips and plunged in. Eugene’s desire, seeking no permission, swallowed me whole.
After a tender kiss, a sharp bite on my nape sent a thin moan escaping. Eugene chuckled lowly and licked the spot. As heat swelled, I twisted my body, crossing my legs. His lips traveled lower.
I knew in my mind that betraying Hayden didn’t justify this.
Yet I couldn’t push Eugene away. I clung to the massive body consuming me. This was my final act of defiance.
Dizzying sensations turned my vision white. In that moment, only Eugene’s stimulation filled my mind.
Before I knew it, he’d laid me on the bed and overlapped his large frame with mine. His burning desire pressed against my lower belly.
He settled between my legs and met my eyes.
“Answer me quickly, Winter.”
His purple eyes, now thick with lust, gleamed fiercely.
“Beg me to save you.”
Eugene bit the trembling mound through my parted clothes, forcing a response.
I cried out, arching my back. His relentless movements left me unable to think.
Save me, Eugene. Please.
The words that lingered on the tip of my tongue slipped out mixed with moans. The more he spurred on, the more meaningless sobs spilled from my lips.
An climax I’d never experienced before swept over my body. Pleasure traded for fidelity to my husband.
Through tears flowing again, Eugene’s smiling face blurred. I felt the satisfied fullness of a beast that had successfully hunted.
