Chapter 1: Unexpected Pregnancy

Alicia knew that her five-year marriage to Duke Charles was no match for the words of his "white moonlight." To elevate his beloved "white moonlight" to her rightful place, Charles was ruthless, forcing Alicia to divorce him. Alicia gently placed her hand on her belly, where a new life had already begun to grow. She looked at Charles with disappointment. Fine, let’s divorce. Not long after, Charles discovered something strange—he seemed to be connected to Alicia, experiencing her pregnancy symptoms as if they were his own. He felt all her pregnancy pains. Ten months later, Charles knelt before Alicia, trying to win her back. “You see how much the baby cries? He must miss his daddy. Let me come back.” --- “This is wonderful news—this lady is expecting a baby!” On the second floor of the gynecology clinic, Alicia sat on a bench outside, gently touching her stomach. Despite the nurse’s cheerful announcement, Alicia couldn’t muster much enthusiasm. She felt both anticipation and fear for the arrival of this child. Her marriage to her husband, Earl Charles, was one of convenience. Three years ago, Charles had fallen into a coma after a car accident. Multiple top doctors declared him a vegetable with little chance of waking. Charles’ grandmother, Lady Cartie, turned to a sorcerer, who told her that only by marrying Alicia would Charles have a chance of waking up. Initially, Alicia had resisted. She longed for freedom and didn’t want to be trapped in a loveless marriage. But Lady Cartie made her an offer she couldn’t refuse—she would cover all the medical expenses for Alicia’s mother, who was living in a psychiatric hospital. The monthly bills for her mother’s care had become too much for Alicia to handle alone, so she had no choice but to agree. Yet Alicia harbored a secret deep within her heart. Charles had always been a shining, warm light in her life. For years, Alicia had quietly followed in his footsteps, striving to improve herself. The prospect of marrying him had secretly thrilled her for a long time. Miraculously, just two days after their marriage, Charles woke from his coma, a turn of events that filled everyone with joy—except Charles himself. Upon learning about the marriage his grandmother had arranged during his coma, Charles showed no interest. He summoned Alicia to his room. “Miss, our marriage will never be one of love, so don’t waste your heart on me.” Those words hit Alicia like a bolt of lightning, leaving her frozen in place. “I’m sorry, but I’ll allow you to stay in my house for five years. During that time, you can live freely under my name. But know that my heart belongs to someone else. She’ll be back soon, and when she returns, I hope you’ll step aside.” His tone was condescending, as if offering charity to a stray dog. Alicia had no choice but to accept the situation. She fled to her room, crying in silence. “Oh, God! Why can’t I be with the one I love forever? Why must someone else come between us? Seeing him with another woman feels like a knife twisting in my heart.” During that period, Alicia fell into a deep despair. She thought her connection with Charles was over, that she’d pack her things and leave quietly after the five years were up. But everything changed three months ago. On the anniversary of Charles’ father’s death, Charles returned home completely drunk, collapsing to the floor in a daze. He kept gulping down more alcohol, as if it was the only way to numb the pain inside him. Alicia tried to help him up, but in his drunken state, their fingers accidentally intertwined. Charles, with a hazy look in his eyes, leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. One thing led to another, and something happened between them that night. Perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe it was something else, but for the first time, Charles let himself be close to Alicia—despite normally refusing to even touch her. Alicia was torn, half resisting, half yielding, as the night unfolded. By morning, she hurriedly fled the scene, her body aching from the night’s events. She didn’t dare let Charles know what had happened between them. She didn’t dare to think, didn’t dare to gamble on his reaction. That’s why she found herself sitting alone in the hospital today. Facing the nurse’s cheerful smile, Alicia forced a weak grin. “Thank you for the congratulations. I hope your work goes smoothly.” The nurse, hearing Alicia’s polite words, giggled and swayed her hips as she left. Alicia gently stroked her stomach, pulling out her phone. She hesitated, unsure if she should tell Charles about the life growing inside her. But then she thought of Charles’ usual cold demeanor and felt herself giving up. She couldn’t bear to abort the child, though. In this strict family, passing on the bloodline was considered of utmost importance. Charles’ grandmother, Lady Cartie, had even suggested they conceive through in vitro fertilization to ensure a child. But Charles had rejected the idea, dismissing it with claims that he found the procedure “dirty.” Lady Cartie’s expectations weren’t the problem—it was Charles. Alicia feared he wouldn’t acknowledge the child growing inside her, especially since he seemed to have no memory of that night. Suddenly, a commotion broke out at the hospital entrance. “Move aside! Clear the way!” A group of people rushed through the doors. Two or three doctors pushed an emergency stretcher toward the ER. The chaos caught Alicia’s attention, and she lifted her head, curious. What she saw left her stunned. Her husband, Duke Charles, was among the group, looking frantic. His usually composed brow was tightly furrowed, and his face was etched with concern. On the stretcher lay a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman, and as they ran, Charles gently stroked her forehead, his lips moving as if to comfort her. Alicia’s heart shattered into pieces. It was her—*the woman*. Charles’ “white moonlight,” the one he cherished above all. She’s back. So where does that leave me? Alicia thought to herself, feeling lost, her beautiful brow furrowing deeply. She didn’t know why, but she quietly followed them. As Charles and the group of doctors hurried ahead, their voices occasionally drifted back to Alicia. “Duke, please don’t worry. We’re doing everything we can. Our initial diagnosis suggests it’s just a broken arm.” Charles’ face was so dark it looked as if ink might drip from it. “Hurry up! Or else this hospital will be finished!” Lying on the bed, Linda—a delicate-looking girl—reached out her slender hand and gently touched Charles’ wrist.