Chapter 1

"I'm sorry, Ms. Reed. You've missed the best timeframe for your surgery…" A doctor tailed off. Evelyn Reed held her medical report that had diagnosed her with cervical cancer. After a long time, she decided to call Lucas Grant's assistant, Michael Pine. The phone rang for quite some time before Michael answered. His tone was as indifferent as ever as he said, "Mrs. Grant, do you need something?" Curling her stiff fingers, Evelyn asked, "Where's Lucas? I need to talk to him." He replied, "Mr. Grant is busy right now." "Could you ask him to answer the phone?" Before Michael could reply, Evelyn heard a gentle voice coming from the other end. "Lucas, what surprise do you have in store for me? Why are you acting so mysteriously?" "Look up." She heard that familiar deep voice speak in such a gentle manner, knowing that she would never be the recipient of that gentleness. Then, Michael ended the call without hesitation. At the same time, a loud explosion echoed from across the harbor. Looking up as well, Evelyn paled. Fireworks burst into the night sky, their dazzling colors intertwining against the night sky, looking just as beautiful as people had described them to be. The hospital's entrance was crowded with people. "I heard that the president of Bluezen, Mr. Grant, had prepared this firework show for his girlfriend. It seems like it cost him about 20 million dollars!" "His girlfriend is Tiffany Moore. She has a doctorate from Valtech, and many top-notch corporations out there all want to work with her. She's stunning, well-accomplished, and from an influential family. Not to mention, her boyfriend is both handsome and capable." "No wonder Mr. Grant loves her so much. He must be so proud to have such an outstanding girlfriend!" Evelyn stared at the beautiful display of fireworks for a long time before she slowly let go of her medical report. The thin piece of paper flew to the ground, and she turned around to leave. At way past midnight, Lucas came home and found Evelyn sitting in the living room with the lights off. Frowning, he turned on the lights and asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet?" She looked up at him. His coat was draped over his arm, and his dark eyes were fixed on her with the same detached indifference gaze he always gave her. Back then, she had believed that he was simply a cold and distant person by nature. But now, she finally understood that he was only cold and distant toward her. His warm and passionate side was kept for someone else. "I couldn't sleep." Her voice was extremely gentle as she continued, "I went to the hospital today." Looking unconcerned, he threw his jacket on the sofa and asked, "What did the doctor say?" Evelyn had told him that her stomach had been feeling quite uncomfortable, and he had promised to accompany her to the doctor's for a check-up, but he had kept postponing it. If it wasn't a billion-dollar contract he had to deal with, it would be some critical issues with his company's current projects. Lucas had indeed promised to accompany her to the doctor's yesterday. However, Tiffany had planned to celebrate her birthday in secret without telling him about it. He had rushed to where she was and only had the time to arrange a firework show. His promise toward Evelyn had indeed slipped his mind. "It's nothing. It'll get better after some time." She lowered her gaze and asked, "Why did you come home tonight?" Lucas froze momentarily before inching closer toward her. He pulled her into his embrace, his hot breath spraying against her neck as he said hoarsely, "You're ovulating now. "For the sake of giving the Grant family an heir, you asked me to sleep with you every month during these days. What's wrong? Have you forgotten about it?" The strong scent of a woman's perfume on him was overwhelming. The scent was like a bullet, shooting straight into Evelyn's pride. Lucas was right. He had always been cold toward her throughout the three years they had been married. He would only come home reluctantly to sleep with her whenever his grandmother insisted that he had the responsibility to continue the family line. At that moment, Evelyn felt slightly dazed. Was she supposed to have a child? That seemed impossible now. Evelyn's personality had always been on the softer side. She was also used to acting obedient and compromising to his wishes. However, she suddenly did not want to compromise herself anymore. "Lucas, aren't you afraid that your girlfriend will get jealous if you sleep with me now?" Her eyes sparkled in the darkness, and she looked like a small beast finally baring its fangs. He looked at her. Realizing that she was being serious, his eyes immediately turned cold. After a long pause, he chuckled but the smile on his lips did not match the look in his eyes. "Why should I be afraid? We're in a secret marriage. You're the one who will never stand by my side as my rightful partner. Since you've decided to be my side piece, you should not ask for too much."