Chapter 1

"I need you to fake a private jet crash for me so that I can leave Ruben." When Estelle Bowman made this request, her best friend, Cassie Klein, was so shocked that her jaw nearly dropped. She even wondered if she had misheard. It felt just like the moment she first heard about their marriage. It was a reunion between a poor woman from the mountains and the golden heir of Zorde City—two people from completely different worlds. No one could have imagined that they would end up together. Speculation ran wild back then. Some believed Ruben Daye was just chasing a fleeting thrill. Others thought he had an unattainable love, his true first love, and Estelle was merely a stand-in. Some even guessed that he had married her on a dare. But after three years of marriage, Ruben proved through his actions that he had no ulterior motive. He married Estelle simply because he loved her—and he loved her to the point of madness. Ruben had fallen for Estelle at first sight and pursued her relentlessly. Beyond showering her with gifts, he donated billions in her name to various charities and built hope primary schools worldwide. Not to mention, they were all named "Stellar Academy". He wanted everyone in the world to know Estelle and to be grateful to her. He hoped that if she ever struggled, a multitude of people would be ready to offer their support. Ruben even joined her in part-time jobs to spend more time with her, doing things like waiting tables, handing out flyers, sorting packages… The heir who had never done a single chore in his entire life, had endured it all and worked alongside her for two years. Even his once slender, violin-playing hands became covered in callouses. He finally won Estelle's heart with his sincerity. But their vastly different backgrounds meant his family strongly opposed their relationship. Ruben endured 16 rounds of beatings from his family to gain his parents' approval. He had been beaten until his flesh was torn and bloodied, and scars still remained on his back. When that still failed to change their minds, he gave up his inheritance entirely and started from scratch. It was all to ensure that no one could ever interfere with his choice of partner. His friends in high society thought he had lost his mind. They never expected someone so calculating and shrewd to give up a fortune that could last generations all for a woman. His family had no choice but to relent and approve the marriage. Then, Ruben replaced all his staff with men after their wedding. Even though Estelle never asked for it, he reported his whereabouts down to the smallest detail. He even installed a tracking system so she could check in on him anytime. The online community called it a fairytale romance—the ultimate victory for true love. He and Estelle were the hottest couple online for a time, even outshining A-list celebrities. But no one, not even Estelle, knew that this perfect husband had actually secretly fathered a pair of twins with another woman and built an entirely separate family behind her back. When Estelle learned the truth, the pain was so overwhelming that she got sick and fainted. Ruben abandoned a business deal worth billions and rushed back to the country upon hearing the news. He stayed by her side for two days, caring for her without rest. When Estelle woke up, he was sitting at her bedside with worry etched all over his face. He was even holding the IV tube in his hands to warm the liquid inside. "Are you awake? You scared me to death," Ruben asked as he pressed her hand to his face. He was on the verge of tears. He didn't even blink back when someone pointed a gun at his head in the middle of a business deal. But when he heard that Estelle had fainted, his legs nearly gave out from panic. Seeing the worry and urgency in his eyes, Estelle felt as if her heart was being torn apart. Such love couldn't be faked. She knew he truly loved her. But was this same devoted man, who gazed at her with such tenderness, also looking at Louisa Todd that way? Had he whispered the same sweet words to her? Louisa was Ruben's childhood friend and the woman he had cheated with. When news spread that Ruben was pursuing Estelle, Louisa led a group to bully her at school. She showed up at Estelle's part-time workplace to humiliate her, sabotaged several of her jobs, and even hired thugs to assault her. But just as they were about to strike, Ruben had arrived to confess his feelings. He didn't hesitate to destroy the Todd family's business after that, even bankrupting them overnight. If his mother hadn't intervened, he would have had Louisa destroyed more than once. That was why if Estelle hadn't seen the incriminating videos and the paternity test results with her own eyes, she would never have believed Ruben had cheated. And the worst part of it all? Their children were already a year old. She shut her eyes and turned away with tears streaming down her face, soaking the pillow beneath her. Ruben didn't see her tears. Thinking she was just exhausted, he said softly, "Estelle, the doctor just checked on you. "You're two months pregnant! We're having a baby!" The man, who was usually cold and distant, now looked as joyful as a child. "It's our wedding anniversary in five days. Now you're pregnant too! This is double the good news!" Estelle's eyes flew open. When she was a child, her father had kicked her into an icy river, leaving her submerged for a long time. The prolonged exposure damaged her body, and many doctors said she would likely never be able to conceive. Ruben's parents, who were already dissatisfied with her, had given her cold looks more than once because of this. Estelle endured it because they were Ruben's parents, but Ruben refused to watch her suffer in silence. He said to them coldly, "Estelle is the love of my life. The fact that she's willing to be with me is already the greatest blessing I could ask for. "If you ever mistreat her over this, then we'll cut ties permanently. I don't need parents like the two of you." Estelle gently placed a hand over her stomach. She could no longer hold back her emotions, and she finally broke down sobbing. Why did this baby have to come at such a terrible time? Ruben pulled her into his arms. His voice sounded soft and soothing as he said, "Why are you crying all of a sudden? Who upset you? Tell me, and I'll take care of it." Just then, Estelle caught a faint yet unfamiliar scent on him—a subtle trace of perfume mixed with the distinct smell of baby formula. She suddenly shoved him away and lurched toward the side of the bed, retching violently. Thinking it was morning sickness, Ruben instinctively cupped his hands under her lips to catch it. He was unconcerned if she threw up on him. His gaze was filled with worry. Of course, he was happy that she was pregnant, but he had been there throughout Louisa's pregnancy and childbirth. He knew all too well how much suffering a woman endured through pregnancy, labor, and recovery. Estelle stared at him in a daze. She knew he had severe germophobia, yet he was willing to go this far for her. Even her clothes and shoes—every single piece—were personally hand-washed by him. Ruben had loved her with everything he had for three years, and Estelle had loved him just as deeply. She simply couldn't imagine life without him. At that moment, she even considered abandoning her principles. If Ruben was willing to cut Louisa off, maybe—just maybe—they could go back to how things used to be. But his phone chimed the next second. He glanced at the screen, quickly got up, and said something about an urgent issue at work before hurrying out. Half an hour later, Estelle received a message from Louisa. It was a photo. In it, Ruben was holding the twins, and his head was lowered as he kissed their foreheads. That image shattered every last illusion she had left. After leaving the hospital, she went straight to Cassie's and asked her to fake a plane crash. This was because she knew Ruben. He would never agree to a divorce, would never let her go, and he would only go completely insane.