Chapter 1 Save The Baby

• “Remember this,” he warned, his voice cutting through the jubilant atmosphere like a blade, “even if you've shared my bed, don't dream of becoming my woman!”
• Despite the celebratory mood that filled the room, his words fell with the icy chill of disdain.
• Jovienne Schumer instinctively clasped her hands in front of her chest and began to retreat, step by cautious step.
• The man who stood before her, his breath tainted with the stench of alcohol, was none other than Hendrik Xenakis, the sole heir to the vast fortunes of Xenakis Group.
• That evening was meant to be their wedding night.
• Yet, it was painfully clear he harbored no love for her.
• Their union was nothing more than a strategic arrangement, born out of gratitude because her mother had once saved the elders of the Xenakis family. To honor this debt, the two families had orchestrated this marriage, thrusting her into the role of his bride.
• Hendrik, however, had set his heart on marrying her adoptive sister, Rochelle Schumer.
• But fate had cruelly twisted its own plot; a severe car accident had occurred just two weeks prior, grievously injuring Rochelle. The accident had not only caused her to miscarry Hendrik's child but had also robbed her of any future possibility of motherhood.
• For a family as influential and affluent as the Xenakis, the continuation of their lineage was paramount. Thus, the marriage proceeded as initially planned, but with a harsh stipulation—Jovienne was to divorce him after the birth of their child.
• “You better hope you conceive tonight; I don't want to repeat this with a woman who's always calculating her moves,” Hendrik said harshly, his words a stark reminder of their grim agreement.
• Without another word, he lifted her effortlessly and threw her onto the bed with little care for her comfort.”
• “I never touched that car!” Jovienne protested one last time.
• The investigation into the accident had clearly shown that someone had tampered with the brakes, making the vehicle uncontrollable.
• But it truly wasn't her who had sabotaged the car.
• “Hah, so pretentious! You just want to be Mrs. Xenakis, don't you? Fine! I'll grant your wish!” Hendrik spat out each word with venom, his anger palpable in the air.
• He then forcibly removed the bathrobe she was wearing and claimed her without any tenderness.
• Jovienne arched back in pain, the delicate line of her neck exposed in torment.
• With trembling hands, she clutched the mattress beneath her, desperately wanting to push him away, to plead for him to stop, but found herself paralyzed by shock and fear.
• Her mind swirled with confusion, tears inevitably spilling from her eyes as the reality of her situation sank in.
• After fulfilling his intent in a mechanical manner, Hendrik left the room under the cover of night, leaving behind only his command, “Take the fertility medication!”
• His urgency was driven by more than just the need to appease his family; he was desperate to have a child quickly to ensure he could bring Rochelle into his life as his legitimate wife.
• Jovienne managed a bitter smile, reaching for the pills on the bedside table and swallowing them dry. The pills left a bitter taste in her mouth, mingling with the salty tang of her tears.
• She felt like a broken doll, exhausted to her very soul, slowly succumbing to sleep.
• Time passed swiftly, and as she had anxiously hoped, she soon confirmed her pregnancy. When she was three months pregnant, the Xenakis family hosted a lavish banquet to announce the joyous news to the world.
• As guests mingled and celebrated at the grand party, Hendrik was conspicuously absent.
• “That rascal, doesn't he remember what significant day it is today?” Edwin Xenakis, visibly upset, could hardly contain his irritation.
• “Grandpa, please don't be angry. Perhaps something just held him up...” Jovienne offered, trying to soothe him, though her eyes couldn't help but scan the crowd for Hendrik's handsome figure.
• Publicly, she was recognized as Mrs. Xenakis, a title that carried weight and respect. Privately, she was reduced to merely a vessel for the next Xenakis heir.
• A bitterness swelled in her heart, but she gathered her composure to maintain her façade with even greater diligence than before.
• Edwin patted her hand affectionately, his heart aching for her plight. “I'm sorry for this, Jovienne. Once we get back, I'll make sure to give him a proper lesson!” he promised.
• Jovienne managed a forced smile and supported the old man as they made their way into the lounge. “Grandpa, you must be tired. I'll go arrange for the butler to prepare some drinks and pastries. Please, rest here for a while.”
• Just as she was about to enter the pantry, she overheard a heated conversation around the corner of the stairway.
• “You're nothing but a blackmailer! I merely obtained a false miscarriage report from you. Even without your involvement, Mr. Xenakis would have believed that I lost the ability to conceive due to the car accident! That fool Jovienne will take the blame. I won't be implicated in any of this!”
• It was Rochelle!
• She wasn't invited to tonight's party. How did she manage to sneak in? And what's this talk of a false miscarriage report? Could it be that she never actually miscarried, and the whole story about the accident causing infertility was fabricated? Why should I take the blame for something I hadn't done?
• Jovienne felt a surge of determination to uncover the truth, so she stealthily moved closer, concealing herself behind the safety door.
• “Whatever, it seems like Mr. Xenakis is convinced that my dear sister is the one who tampered with the brakes. Don't be too extreme. My adoptive mom's condition worsened under your care. You won't be able to escape responsibility either!”
• What? Mom's death wasn't an accident?
• The revelation that her mother's death was not from natural causes but rather something sinister struck Jovienne like a lightning bolt, leaving her reeling.
• “No matter what, all you need to ensure is that Jovienne safely delivers the child. Whether she dies from postpartum hemorrhage or something else, it's your call!”
• The coldness in the voice that responded was chilling. Jovienne couldn't see Rochelle's face, but the venom in her tone was unmistakable.
• She's still not willing to spare me... I've sacrificed so much—my husband and my child—why is she still so ruthless?
• A sudden pain clutched at Jovienne's stomach, forcing her to lean heavily against the door, gasping for breath.
• But the ache in her heart was far deeper.
• Rochelle, who had grown up alone until her mother took her in and nurtured her, had become a “beautiful genius” skilled in arts that should have brought her pride. Yet, she had conspired to end her own mother's life and now sought to pin her sinister actions on Jovienne.
• The weight of this betrayal was crushing. Dazed and heartbroken, Jovienne pushed the door open.
• “Rochelle! You're ruthless!” she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the hallway.
• Rochelle whirled around, her expression shifting dramatically as she recognized Jovienne. Her pupils widened, and her hand trembled visibly. “Why are you here?”
• “In your pursuit of wealth and status, you even caused Mom's death... Aren't you afraid of retribution?” With a rush of emotion, Jovienne moved forward and slapped Rochelle across the face.
• Rochelle, caught off guard, dropped her façade of innocence. With no cameras in sight to capture her confession, she allowed a bitter smile to curl the corners of her mouth.
• “Since you've already heard, there's no point in hiding it anymore. If there's anyone to blame, it's your mother, my adoptive mother. She knew too much, she had to die!”
• “She took care of you for a whole decade. How could you possibly do something like that to her!” Jovienne's voice cracked with sorrow.
• Rochelle clenched her fists, tears streaming down her face. “Yes... she was remarkable! But if she raised me, why did she have to shatter my dreams with her own hands!”