Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Darling, you are truly a gift to this family." The booming voice of Margaret Lancaster, her mother-in-law, filled the room. "At last, Damian has found a woman who can give him an heir."

The smile on Elena's face slowly disappeared when she heard the voice from inside the room. She was about to give Damian—her husband of ten years—the best news of her life.

Elena's hand tightly grasped the envelope containing the doctor’s test results. She was pregnant with her fourth child.

She stopped in the doorway. Her eyes froze at the sight before her. A blonde woman with a perfect body was sitting gracefully on the sofa. She was absolutely perfect. She was Isabella Monroe.

A top model who often graced fashion magazines. And now she was sitting confidently in Elena's house, among Elena's family.

"Ah, Auntie, you're too much," Isabella laughed softly, her voice gentle yet full of satisfaction.

"Don't call me Auntie, dear. You are now my daughter-in-law."

"Right, call us Mommy and Daddy." This time, a heavy voice came from Charles Lancaster, Elena's father-in-law. "Daddy is very happy. Daddy finally has a male heir!"

Elena's chest tightened. At that instant, Damian turned to her. As if he had just noticed her, he stood up from his chair and casually put his hands in his pockets.

"You're home?" he said in a casual tone, as if nothing was unusual.

Elena stared at him in disbelief. Then she leaned closer. "Damian, what's all this about?"

Isabella stood up slowly, then walked over to Damian before wrapping her arms around him. "Honey, haven’t you told your wife yet?" she asked in a spoiled tone.

Elena felt her head throb. Her hand gripped the envelope tightly. "Damian, please say something."

The man sighed, then smiled with a grin. "Elena, I'll be straightforward. Isabella and I have been in a relationship for two years now. She has given me something even you can't."

"What do you mean?" Elena whispered, her heart beginning to sink.

Damian looked at her sharply. "Isabella has given birth to a son. This is a picture of my son and Isabella; he's only two months old."

Elena's eyes widened in shock at her husband's revelation.

"You've given me three children, but they were all girls. You know I really want a male heir."

Elena could only shake her head in disbelief.

"And Olivia, Katty, and Delya will remain yours. They won't get a penny of the inheritance either. Elena, you know how this family tradition works, right? A male heir is always more valuable."

"What Damian said is true," Margaret continued. "Your three daughters will never inherit. They are not worthy. And I am so grateful that Isabella came into Damian's life to give him a son. Ten years of marriage, and you can only give three daughters?"

Elena clenched her hands into fists. "So... because I gave birth to girls, you think I'm useless?"

Isabella chuckled. "Elena, you're very smart."

Damian turned to Isabella, looking at her with tenderness—the same look he had always given Elena. "Elena, this is the best decision. I'll make sure you and your three daughters have a comfortable life. I'm even willing to give you a new home, far away from here."

A new home? Like throwing away unwanted trash?

Elena looked at the man she had once loved so much, the man who had promised to be with her through thick and thin. "And me?" Her voice sounded fragile. "Did I ever matter to you, Damian? I was the one who kept you company all these ten years. I was the one who helped you until you were on the same level as the nobles. You throw me away just because of this?"

Damian did not answer. That was more than enough for Elena.

With trembling hands, she slowly opened the envelope she had been holding and pulled out a sheet of paper. In a calm voice, she said, "I was going to tell you today that I'm pregnant."

Damian raised an eyebrow. "Pregnant?"

Elena looked him straight in the eye, undaunted. "Yes, I'm pregnant!"

Margaret's eyes widened. Charles frowned, as if the information were bad news. Isabella just smiled a little, not surprised at all.

"Ugh, at least you'll give birth to another daughter!" Margaret said.

Elena lifted her chin, looking at her mother-in-law.

For a moment, Damian's expression changed. But before Elena could catch it clearly, a sardonic smile spread across his face. "And you think your little pregnancy is going to change things?"

Elena was silent. Tears threatened, but she held them back.

Damian chuckled, then turned to Isabella as if sharing a joke. "Your pregnancy will never change my decision, Elena. Isabella will remain Mrs. Damian."

Isabella smiled mockingly at Elena.

Elena gripped the papers in her hands.

Margaret crossed her arms. "We don't want to waste time. You'd better kill that fetus in your womb!"

Elena's blood boiled. "What if it's a boy?"

Charles grinned. "It can't be! The child must be a girl!"

Elena's heart felt like it was being smashed to pieces. Her eyes began to heat up, but she refused to show weakness in front of them.

Damian approached her, looking at her without emotion. "Elena, consider this a business deal. I will compensate you sufficiently. You can leave in peace."

Tears almost fell, but she held them back with force. She would not give them the satisfaction of watching her crumble.

Taking a deep breath, Elena squared her shoulders. With a steady hand, she tore the pregnancy results sheet in two.

She looked at Damian with a sharp gaze. "You're right, Damian. I should leave this house. I won't let my children grow up in a family that measures worth by gender. Let's divorce, Mr. Damian Lancaster."

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