Felicia loved Max Hawthorne for eight years—the kind of love that makes you work too hard and ask for too little. Becoming his assistant was the closest she ever got to being chosen. Then a mistake became a marriage, and her pregnancy made her the villain. People said she planned it. Max didn’t deny it. He didn’t even look at her—while his mistress made sure she felt small. So Felicia left. She had her baby, left divorce papers behind, and walked away. Five years later, she’s back on top—sharp, successful, untouchable. Now Max wants her attention like it’s always been his to claim. When he finds her, she’s on another man’s arm, smiling as she announces her engagement. Max steps in, crowds her against the wall, panic dark in his eyes. “Felicia,” he says, low. “Come back to me. We’re not divorced.”

Chapter 1Felicia was twenty-five weeks pregnant when she caught her husband cheating at the hospital. Max, tall and striking in his black coat, was shielding a gorgeous, delicate girl in his arms. The girl was wrapped in a white fur coat, with rosy cheeks and a tiny face tucked into a soft wool scarf, her features perfect like a porcelain doll.Felicia gripped her prenatal test results so tightly her knuckles turned white. The icy wind stung her cheeks, but it was nothing compared to the ache twisting inside her chest.Max spotted her from across the parking lot. His face was unreadable, without even a flicker of guilt. In fact, he gently held the car door for the girl, his movements so caring it almost didn’t seem real. The cold, untouchable Max could actually be soft and attentive—just not with her.The girl seemed to notice Felicia staring. She paused, shot Felicia a puzzled look, then turned to Max. “Why is that old lady watching you, Max? Do you know her?”Felicia couldn’t hear the words, but she recognized the way the girl’s lips formed “old lady.” The sting of it made Felicia want to laugh. She was only twenty-four, but with her rounder frame, tired face, baggy black coat, and wool hat, plus the awkward heaviness of late pregnancy, she probably did look like someone at least a decade older than this dazzling, fresh-faced girl.Max didn’t even glance her way as he helped the girl into the car. Felicia stood there, frozen, watching them drive off. Her whole body felt numb. Their marriage had never been a fairytale. It was a shotgun wedding, a deal made because she was pregnant. For Max, the golden boy who had everything, their marriage was just a stain. The baby in her belly was proof of the trap she’d set for him. He hated her for it.But she had been in love with him in secret for eight years. She knew she’d never be good enough. All she could do was work hard, chase after his footsteps, and try to make herself better. Eventually, she’d become his assistant, and for a while, that had been enough—just being near him.That night, though, had ruined everything. It didn’t just break Max—it destroyed her pride, her dignity, everything she had left when she stood in front of him. She’d never forget the way he looked at her afterward, like she was something filthy he couldn’t get off his skin.A tear slipped down Felicia’s cheek, hot against the cold wind. A sharp pain shot through her belly, making her gasp. She grabbed her stomach and leaned against a stone pillar, struggling to catch her breath. A nurse noticed and hurried over, guiding her into a consultation room.It turned out to be nothing serious, just her emotions getting the best of her. Once she calmed down, Felicia left the hospital, dragging her tired body back to Oakridge Estate.The mansion belonged to Max. His grandmother Miranda had sent over two experienced housekeepers from the Hawthorne family’s old home to look after her. But when Felicia walked in, she found the two women lounging in the cozy living room, laughing and snacking like they owned the place.They looked up when the door opened. One of them stood and sauntered over. “How was the appointment?” she asked, her voice cold and dripping with disdain. They were supposed to be taking care of her, but they acted more like guards, watching her every move.Felicia just shot her a chilly look and walked straight to the stairs, ignoring her completely.“Hey, I’m talking to you.” The maid frowned, clearly annoyed by Felicia’s silence.Felicia kept moving, not even glancing back.The maid muttered under her breath, “She waddles around like a monster. So embarrassing.”Back in her room, Felicia sat down on the bed and stared at nothing. She felt empty, lost. Neither Max nor his family had ever really accepted her. Miranda had been the one to push for the marriage, but only because Max’s grandfather Brysen was seriously ill and Felicia showed up pregnant at just the right time. Miranda thought a wedding and a baby might cheer Brysen up and help him recover.Maybe it was just a coincidence, but Brysen did start to get better. After that, Miranda’s attitude softened a little. Still, the rest of the Hawthornes looked down on Felicia, never missing a chance to remind her she didn’t belong.Her checkup today had been to confirm the baby’s gender. It was a girl.Max’s mother had probably already heard from the hospital by now.Just then, Felicia’s phone buzzed. She snapped out of her thoughts, reached into her bag, and checked the screen. For a second, she just stared. Her advisor in college was calling. She answered.“Mr. Milman?”“There’s a spot open for a doctoral program at Stanford. Want to give it a shot?”Felicia went quiet, completely blindsided. When she didn’t say anything, Jeremy Milman started to back off.“If you’re not interested—”“I want it,” Felicia cut in, her voice steady and sure.Now it was Jeremy’s turn to pause. He knew exactly how hard Felicia had worked, just for the chance to stand next to Max. Now she was married, pregnant, finally where she thought she wanted to be. He never expected her to consider leaving all that behind. He’d only called on a whim.“Mr. Milman,” Felicia said softly.Jeremy cleared his throat. “Alright, come by my office at ten tomorrow morning.”“Okay.”He hung up, and Felicia set her phone down, letting out a long breath. It felt like sunlight breaking through after a long storm. Maybe it was time for her to wake up. A man who didn’t love you wasn’t going to be changed by a child.Her phone rang again. Miranda wanted her to go back to the Hawthorne estate. Felicia agreed. It was about the baby.Suddenly she felt sharper, more awake. She went to the bathroom, took a long, hot shower, and tried to wash away the heaviness clinging to her. Sitting at her vanity, she studied her face in the mirror. Puffy cheeks, dark circles, bags under her eyes, spots on her skin—she barely recognized herself. Who could love a face like that? How could she ever deserve to stand beside Max?She did her makeup, put on a pink coat, and pulled a white beanie over her hair. It helped. She looked more like herself again.She was about to drive herself to the estate when her phone rang again. Max’s name flashed on the screen. His voice was as cold as ever.“Come outside.”Felicia froze. Maybe Miranda had called him home too.“Okay,” she said quietly.She stepped out of the villa. His Rolls Royce was waiting by the gate. Just two hours ago, she knew, that same car had been used to pick up another girl.Felicia took a steadying breath, walked over, and got in. The car smelled faintly sweet, a girlish perfume lingering in the air. There was a little pink teddy bear on the console, the kind of thing a young girl would love. She glanced over and spotted a hair tie on Max’s wrist, which that girl left behind on purpose, a little mark of territory. Max must really like her.Felicia swallowed the jealousy bubbling up. She buckled her seatbelt and sat back as the car pulled away. She stared out the window, silent.Not long ago, she would have treasured any moment alone with him, no matter how cold he acted. She would have done anything to get him to talk to her, hoping that being a perfect wife, a loving mom, would eventually make Max see her. She kept telling herself that one day, he’d finally look her way.But she was only fooling herself.Max didn’t seem to notice her mood, just kept his eyes forward, his voice flat.“What’s the gender?”“It’s a girl,” Felicia replied.He didn’t react at all, just nodded.“When the baby’s born, we’ll get a divorce.”Felicia’s heart clenched. Her fingers dug into her coat. She’d always known this marriage wouldn’t last, but hearing him say it out loud hurt more than she expected.She bit her lip. “Alright,” she said quietly.Max glanced at her, looking almost surprised by how easily she agreed.He didn’t push for answers.Felicia spoke up again. “Tomorrow’s Monday. Are you free in the afternoon? Maybe we could go to the registry office and get things started. We have to wait for them to sort it out anyway, right?” She figured by the time the paperwork was done, the baby would almost be here.Max glanced at her, his eyes sharp and a little scrutinizing. He looked away. “We’ll do it when I say.”Felicia just nodded, lowering her gaze. She let it go.The car pulled up at the Hawthorne mansion. Miranda had called them home for one reason—the baby.The Hawthorne family was mostly men. Miranda had two sons, Jeffery and Brandon. Jeffery had two boys. The older one, Daniel, had already married and had twin boys who were five now. The younger, Luke, was twenty-four and still single. Brandon only had one son, Max.So when Felicia turned out to be pregnant with a girl, Miranda and Brysen were over the moon.“It’s wonderful news,” Miranda said, her face lighting up. “This little girl is a blessing. Brysen just seems healthier.”Max’s mother Tatiana noticed how much Miranda cared about Felicia’s pregnancy and quickly jumped in to agree, adding a few kind words for Felicia’s benefit.Felicia sat quietly, polite and agreeable. She nodded at the right moments, not drawing any attention to herself.Tatiana watched her, struggling to hide her annoyance at Felicia’s chubby, meek appearance. Still, with Miranda present, she kept her real feelings to herself.Miranda was in such a good mood that she gave Felicia a beautiful bracelet, the kind that cost a small fortune.Felicia was startled and tried to refuse. “I can’t take this.”“She’s giving it to you,” Tatiana said, her voice a little too sharp. “Just accept it.”Felicia hesitated, then gave in. “Thank you, Grandma.”“Take care of yourself,” Miranda said. “We want a healthy, happy baby.”Felicia smiled and nodded. She knew Miranda wasn’t really being kind to her—it was all about the baby.They were supposed to stay for dinner, but Max got a call. His whole demeanor changed. His eyes softened, his voice turned gentle. He was talking to someone with clear affection. It sounded like they had a pet together. He said the name Sugar, his tone warm and tender.Felicia watched him. If he ever married a girl he actually loved, he’d probably be an incredible father.“Yeah, I’ll come right over,” Max said on the phone. He hung up and headed for the balcony, only to find Felicia standing there. She jumped, not expecting him. When she looked up, his face was cold again, completely unreadable.Her heart squeezed in her chest. She quickly said, “Grandma wants you in the study.”Max didn’t say a word. He just walked past her and left the balcony.Felicia stood there, feeling a sharp pain in her chest that wouldn’t go away. She didn’t know how long she stayed frozen like that before she finally pulled herself together.Max went to the study, where Miranda and Brysen were waiting.Miranda started, “Max, I know you don’t care for Felicia, but the baby’s coming soon. She’s smart, graduated from a top university, and she’s gentle. What you need is stability in your marriage. She’s perfect for that.”Max said nothing, but his frown made his feelings pretty clear.Miranda could see it too. She knew Felicia wasn’t much to look at—definitely not a match for her handsome grandson.Brysen spoke up. “Now isn’t the time to change anything. Even if you really can’t stand her, just keep things as they are for a year or two.”Miranda nodded. “Exactly. Everyone’s watching you, waiting for you to mess up. Let her raise the baby, then you can decide what to do. No need to rush things.”Max was quiet for a moment, his expression impossible to read. “I understand, Grandpa. Grandma.”Later, when Felicia saw Miranda again, Miranda told her, “Max had to leave for an urgent work thing. I’ll have the driver take you home when you’re ready.”Felicia nodded. “Thank you.”Before she left, Miranda pulled her aside. “Even though you’re pregnant, you still need to move around and take care of yourself. When your mother-in-law were expecting, she we still went to events and managed the house. Getting something might be easy, but keeping it is the hard part.”Felicia got it right away. Being a Hawthorne wife wasn’t easy. If she wanted to stay, she had to change.As she was now, she only embarrassed Max.She’d tried to get her act together before—yoga, exercise, a few diet plans—but she could never stick with it. She was exhausted, both in body and spirit, and the weight just kept piling on.But Miranda was right. She couldn’t keep going like this. Not for the family, not even for Max, but for herself and her future.Chapter 2Felicia was twenty-five weeks pregnant when she caught her husband cheating at the hospital. Max, tall and striking in his black coat, was shielding a gorgeous, delicate girl in his arms. The girl was wrapped in a white fur coat, with rosy cheeks and a tiny face tucked into a soft wool scarf, her features perfect like a porcelain doll.Felicia gripped her prenatal test results so tightly her knuckles turned white. The icy wind stung her cheeks, but it was nothing compared to the ache twisting inside her chest.Max spotted her from across the parking lot. His face was unreadable, without even a flicker of guilt. In fact, he gently held the car door for the girl, his movements so caring it almost didn’t seem real. The cold, untouchable Max could actually be soft and attentive—just not with her.The girl seemed to notice Felicia staring. She paused, shot Felicia a puzzled look, then turned to Max. “Why is that old lady watching you, Max? Do you know her?”Felicia couldn’t hear the words, but she recognized the way the girl’s lips formed “old lady.” The sting of it made Felicia want to laugh. She was only twenty-four, but with her rounder frame, tired face, baggy black coat, and wool hat, plus the awkward heaviness of late pregnancy, she probably did look like someone at least a decade older than this dazzling, fresh-faced girl.Max didn’t even glance her way as he helped the girl into the car. Felicia stood there, frozen, watching them drive off. Her whole body felt numb. Their marriage had never been a fairytale. It was a shotgun wedding, a deal made because she was pregnant. For Max, the golden boy who had everything, their marriage was just a stain. The baby in her belly was proof of the trap she’d set for him. He hated her for it.But she had been in love with him in secret for eight years. She knew she’d never be good enough. All she could do was work hard, chase after his footsteps, and try to make herself better. Eventually, she’d become his assistant, and for a while, that had been enough—just being near him.That night, though, had ruined everything. It didn’t just break Max—it destroyed her pride, her dignity, everything she had left when she stood in front of him. She’d never forget the way he looked at her afterward, like she was something filthy he couldn’t get off his skin.A tear slipped down Felicia’s cheek, hot against the cold wind. A sharp pain shot through her belly, making her gasp. She grabbed her stomach and leaned against a stone pillar, struggling to catch her breath. A nurse noticed and hurried over, guiding her into a consultation room.It turned out to be nothing serious, just her emotions getting the best of her. Once she calmed down, Felicia left the hospital, dragging her tired body back to Oakridge Estate.The mansion belonged to Max. His grandmother Miranda had sent over two experienced housekeepers from the Hawthorne family’s old home to look after her. But when Felicia walked in, she found the two women lounging in the cozy living room, laughing and snacking like they owned the place.They looked up when the door opened. One of them stood and sauntered over. “How was the appointment?” she asked, her voice cold and dripping with disdain. They were supposed to be taking care of her, but they acted more like guards, watching her every move.Felicia just shot her a chilly look and walked straight to the stairs, ignoring her completely.“Hey, I’m talking to you.” The maid frowned, clearly annoyed by Felicia’s silence.Felicia kept moving, not even glancing back.The maid muttered under her breath, “She waddles around like a monster. So embarrassing.”Back in her room, Felicia sat down on the bed and stared at nothing. She felt empty, lost. Neither Max nor his family had ever really accepted her. Miranda had been the one to push for the marriage, but only because Max’s grandfather Brysen was seriously ill and Felicia showed up pregnant at just the right time. Miranda thought a wedding and a baby might cheer Brysen up and help him recover.Maybe it was just a coincidence, but Brysen did start to get better. After that, Miranda’s attitude softened a little. Still, the rest of the Hawthornes looked down on Felicia, never missing a chance to remind her she didn’t belong.Her checkup today had been to confirm the baby’s gender. It was a girl.Max’s mother had probably already heard from the hospital by now.Just then, Felicia’s phone buzzed. She snapped out of her thoughts, reached into her bag, and checked the screen. For a second, she just stared. Her advisor in college was calling. She answered.“Mr. Milman?”“There’s a spot open for a doctoral program at Stanford. Want to give it a shot?”Felicia went quiet, completely blindsided. When she didn’t say anything, Jeremy Milman started to back off.“If you’re not interested—”“I want it,” Felicia cut in, her voice steady and sure.Now it was Jeremy’s turn to pause. He knew exactly how hard Felicia had worked, just for the chance to stand next to Max. Now she was married, pregnant, finally where she thought she wanted to be. He never expected her to consider leaving all that behind. He’d only called on a whim.“Mr. Milman,” Felicia said softly.Jeremy cleared his throat. “Alright, come by my office at ten tomorrow morning.”“Okay.”He hung up, and Felicia set her phone down, letting out a long breath. It felt like sunlight breaking through after a long storm. Maybe it was time for her to wake up. A man who didn’t love you wasn’t going to be changed by a child.Her phone rang again. Miranda wanted her to go back to the Hawthorne estate. Felicia agreed. It was about the baby.Suddenly she felt sharper, more awake. She went to the bathroom, took a long, hot shower, and tried to wash away the heaviness clinging to her. Sitting at her vanity, she studied her face in the mirror. Puffy cheeks, dark circles, bags under her eyes, spots on her skin—she barely recognized herself. Who could love a face like that? How could she ever deserve to stand beside Max?She did her makeup, put on a pink coat, and pulled a white beanie over her hair. It helped. She looked more like herself again.She was about to drive herself to the estate when her phone rang again. Max’s name flashed on the screen. His voice was as cold as ever.“Come outside.”Felicia froze. Maybe Miranda had called him home too.“Okay,” she said quietly.She stepped out of the villa. His Rolls Royce was waiting by the gate. Just two hours ago, she knew, that same car had been used to pick up another girl.Felicia took a steadying breath, walked over, and got in. The car smelled faintly sweet, a girlish perfume lingering in the air. There was a little pink teddy bear on the console, the kind of thing a young girl would love. She glanced over and spotted a hair tie on Max’s wrist, which that girl left behind on purpose, a little mark of territory. Max must really like her.Felicia swallowed the jealousy bubbling up. She buckled her seatbelt and sat back as the car pulled away. She stared out the window, silent.Not long ago, she would have treasured any moment alone with him, no matter how cold he acted. She would have done anything to get him to talk to her, hoping that being a perfect wife, a loving mom, would eventually make Max see her. She kept telling herself that one day, he’d finally look her way.But she was only fooling herself.Max didn’t seem to notice her mood, just kept his eyes forward, his voice flat.“What’s the gender?”“It’s a girl,” Felicia replied.He didn’t react at all, just nodded.“When the baby’s born, we’ll get a divorce.”Felicia’s heart clenched. Her fingers dug into her coat. She’d always known this marriage wouldn’t last, but hearing him say it out loud hurt more than she expected.She bit her lip. “Alright,” she said quietly.Max glanced at her, looking almost surprised by how easily she agreed.He didn’t push for answers.Felicia spoke up again. “Tomorrow’s Monday. Are you free in the afternoon? Maybe we could go to the registry office and get things started. We have to wait for them to sort it out anyway, right?” She figured by the time the paperwork was done, the baby would almost be here.Max glanced at her, his eyes sharp and a little scrutinizing. He looked away. “We’ll do it when I say.”Felicia just nodded, lowering her gaze. She let it go.The car pulled up at the Hawthorne mansion. Miranda had called them home for one reason—the baby.The Hawthorne family was mostly men. Miranda had two sons, Jeffery and Brandon. Jeffery had two boys. The older one, Daniel, had already married and had twin boys who were five now. The younger, Luke, was twenty-four and still single. Brandon only had one son, Max.So when Felicia turned out to be pregnant with a girl, Miranda and Brysen were over the moon.“It’s wonderful news,” Miranda said, her face lighting up. “This little girl is a blessing. Brysen just seems healthier.”Max’s mother Tatiana noticed how much Miranda cared about Felicia’s pregnancy and quickly jumped in to agree, adding a few kind words for Felicia’s benefit.Felicia sat quietly, polite and agreeable. She nodded at the right moments, not drawing any attention to herself.Tatiana watched her, struggling to hide her annoyance at Felicia’s chubby, meek appearance. Still, with Miranda present, she kept her real feelings to herself.Miranda was in such a good mood that she gave Felicia a beautiful bracelet, the kind that cost a small fortune.Felicia was startled and tried to refuse. “I can’t take this.”“She’s giving it to you,” Tatiana said, her voice a little too sharp. “Just accept it.”Felicia hesitated, then gave in. “Thank you, Grandma.”“Take care of yourself,” Miranda said. “We want a healthy, happy baby.”Felicia smiled and nodded. She knew Miranda wasn’t really being kind to her—it was all about the baby.They were supposed to stay for dinner, but Max got a call. His whole demeanor changed. His eyes softened, his voice turned gentle. He was talking to someone with clear affection. It sounded like they had a pet together. He said the name Sugar, his tone warm and tender.Felicia watched him. If he ever married a girl he actually loved, he’d probably be an incredible father.“Yeah, I’ll come right over,” Max said on the phone. He hung up and headed for the balcony, only to find Felicia standing there. She jumped, not expecting him. When she looked up, his face was cold again, completely unreadable.Her heart squeezed in her chest. She quickly said, “Grandma wants you in the study.”Max didn’t say a word. He just walked past her and left the balcony.Felicia stood there, feeling a sharp pain in her chest that wouldn’t go away. She didn’t know how long she stayed frozen like that before she finally pulled herself together.Max went to the study, where Miranda and Brysen were waiting.Miranda started, “Max, I know you don’t care for Felicia, but the baby’s coming soon. She’s smart, graduated from a top university, and she’s gentle. What you need is stability in your marriage. She’s perfect for that.”Max said nothing, but his frown made his feelings pretty clear.Miranda could see it too. She knew Felicia wasn’t much to look at—definitely not a match for her handsome grandson.Brysen spoke up. “Now isn’t the time to change anything. Even if you really can’t stand her, just keep things as they are for a year or two.”Miranda nodded. “Exactly. Everyone’s watching you, waiting for you to mess up. Let her raise the baby, then you can decide what to do. No need to rush things.”Max was quiet for a moment, his expression impossible to read. “I understand, Grandpa. Grandma.”Later, when Felicia saw Miranda again, Miranda told her, “Max had to leave for an urgent work thing. I’ll have the driver take you home when you’re ready.”Felicia nodded. “Thank you.”Before she left, Miranda pulled her aside. “Even though you’re pregnant, you still need to move around and take care of yourself. When your mother-in-law were expecting, she we still went to events and managed the house. Getting something might be easy, but keeping it is the hard part.”Felicia got it right away. Being a Hawthorne wife wasn’t easy. If she wanted to stay, she had to change.As she was now, she only embarrassed Max.She’d tried to get her act together before—yoga, exercise, a few diet plans—but she could never stick with it. She was exhausted, both in body and spirit, and the weight just kept piling on.But Miranda was right. She couldn’t keep going like this. Not for the family, not even for Max, but for herself and her future.Chapter 3Felicia was twenty-five weeks pregnant when she caught her husband cheating at the hospital. Max, tall and striking in his black coat, was shielding a gorgeous, delicate girl in his arms. The girl was wrapped in a white fur coat, with rosy cheeks and a tiny face tucked into a soft wool scarf, her features perfect like a porcelain doll.Felicia gripped her prenatal test results so tightly her knuckles turned white. The icy wind stung her cheeks, but it was nothing compared to the ache twisting inside her chest.Max spotted her from across the parking lot. His face was unreadable, without even a flicker of guilt. In fact, he gently held the car door for the girl, his movements so caring it almost didn’t seem real. The cold, untouchable Max could actually be soft and attentive—just not with her.The girl seemed to notice Felicia staring. She paused, shot Felicia a puzzled look, then turned to Max. “Why is that old lady watching you, Max? Do you know her?”Felicia couldn’t hear the words, but she recognized the way the girl’s lips formed “old lady.” The sting of it made Felicia want to laugh. She was only twenty-four, but with her rounder frame, tired face, baggy black coat, and wool hat, plus the awkward heaviness of late pregnancy, she probably did look like someone at least a decade older than this dazzling, fresh-faced girl.Max didn’t even glance her way as he helped the girl into the car. Felicia stood there, frozen, watching them drive off. Her whole body felt numb. Their marriage had never been a fairytale. It was a shotgun wedding, a deal made because she was pregnant. For Max, the golden boy who had everything, their marriage was just a stain. The baby in her belly was proof of the trap she’d set for him. He hated her for it.But she had been in love with him in secret for eight years. She knew she’d never be good enough. All she could do was work hard, chase after his footsteps, and try to make herself better. Eventually, she’d become his assistant, and for a while, that had been enough—just being near him.That night, though, had ruined everything. It didn’t just break Max—it destroyed her pride, her dignity, everything she had left when she stood in front of him. She’d never forget the way he looked at her afterward, like she was something filthy he couldn’t get off his skin.A tear slipped down Felicia’s cheek, hot against the cold wind. A sharp pain shot through her belly, making her gasp. She grabbed her stomach and leaned against a stone pillar, struggling to catch her breath. A nurse noticed and hurried over, guiding her into a consultation room.It turned out to be nothing serious, just her emotions getting the best of her. Once she calmed down, Felicia left the hospital, dragging her tired body back to Oakridge Estate.The mansion belonged to Max. His grandmother Miranda had sent over two experienced housekeepers from the Hawthorne family’s old home to look after her. But when Felicia walked in, she found the two women lounging in the cozy living room, laughing and snacking like they owned the place.They looked up when the door opened. One of them stood and sauntered over. “How was the appointment?” she asked, her voice cold and dripping with disdain. They were supposed to be taking care of her, but they acted more like guards, watching her every move.Felicia just shot her a chilly look and walked straight to the stairs, ignoring her completely.“Hey, I’m talking to you.” The maid frowned, clearly annoyed by Felicia’s silence.Felicia kept moving, not even glancing back.The maid muttered under her breath, “She waddles around like a monster. So embarrassing.”Back in her room, Felicia sat down on the bed and stared at nothing. She felt empty, lost. Neither Max nor his family had ever really accepted her. Miranda had been the one to push for the marriage, but only because Max’s grandfather Brysen was seriously ill and Felicia showed up pregnant at just the right time. Miranda thought a wedding and a baby might cheer Brysen up and help him recover.Maybe it was just a coincidence, but Brysen did start to get better. After that, Miranda’s attitude softened a little. Still, the rest of the Hawthornes looked down on Felicia, never missing a chance to remind her she didn’t belong.Her checkup today had been to confirm the baby’s gender. It was a girl.Max’s mother had probably already heard from the hospital by now.Just then, Felicia’s phone buzzed. She snapped out of her thoughts, reached into her bag, and checked the screen. For a second, she just stared. Her advisor in college was calling. She answered.“Mr. Milman?”“There’s a spot open for a doctoral program at Stanford. Want to give it a shot?”Felicia went quiet, completely blindsided. When she didn’t say anything, Jeremy Milman started to back off.“If you’re not interested—”“I want it,” Felicia cut in, her voice steady and sure.Now it was Jeremy’s turn to pause. He knew exactly how hard Felicia had worked, just for the chance to stand next to Max. Now she was married, pregnant, finally where she thought she wanted to be. He never expected her to consider leaving all that behind. He’d only called on a whim.“Mr. Milman,” Felicia said softly.Jeremy cleared his throat. “Alright, come by my office at ten tomorrow morning.”“Okay.”He hung up, and Felicia set her phone down, letting out a long breath. It felt like sunlight breaking through after a long storm. Maybe it was time for her to wake up. A man who didn’t love you wasn’t going to be changed by a child.Her phone rang again. Miranda wanted her to go back to the Hawthorne estate. Felicia agreed. It was about the baby.Suddenly she felt sharper, more awake. She went to the bathroom, took a long, hot shower, and tried to wash away the heaviness clinging to her. Sitting at her vanity, she studied her face in the mirror. Puffy cheeks, dark circles, bags under her eyes, spots on her skin—she barely recognized herself. Who could love a face like that? How could she ever deserve to stand beside Max?She did her makeup, put on a pink coat, and pulled a white beanie over her hair. It helped. She looked more like herself again.She was about to drive herself to the estate when her phone rang again. Max’s name flashed on the screen. His voice was as cold as ever.“Come outside.”Felicia froze. Maybe Miranda had called him home too.“Okay,” she said quietly.She stepped out of the villa. His Rolls Royce was waiting by the gate. Just two hours ago, she knew, that same car had been used to pick up another girl.Felicia took a steadying breath, walked over, and got in. The car smelled faintly sweet, a girlish perfume lingering in the air. There was a little pink teddy bear on the console, the kind of thing a young girl would love. She glanced over and spotted a hair tie on Max’s wrist, which that girl left behind on purpose, a little mark of territory. Max must really like her.Felicia swallowed the jealousy bubbling up. She buckled her seatbelt and sat back as the car pulled away. She stared out the window, silent.Not long ago, she would have treasured any moment alone with him, no matter how cold he acted. She would have done anything to get him to talk to her, hoping that being a perfect wife, a loving mom, would eventually make Max see her. She kept telling herself that one day, he’d finally look her way.But she was only fooling herself.Max didn’t seem to notice her mood, just kept his eyes forward, his voice flat.“What’s the gender?”“It’s a girl,” Felicia replied.He didn’t react at all, just nodded.“When the baby’s born, we’ll get a divorce.”Felicia’s heart clenched. Her fingers dug into her coat. She’d always known this marriage wouldn’t last, but hearing him say it out loud hurt more than she expected.She bit her lip. “Alright,” she said quietly.Max glanced at her, looking almost surprised by how easily she agreed.He didn’t push for answers.Felicia spoke up again. “Tomorrow’s Monday. Are you free in the afternoon? Maybe we could go to the registry office and get things started. We have to wait for them to sort it out anyway, right?” She figured by the time the paperwork was done, the baby would almost be here.Max glanced at her, his eyes sharp and a little scrutinizing. He looked away. “We’ll do it when I say.”Felicia just nodded, lowering her gaze. She let it go.The car pulled up at the Hawthorne mansion. Miranda had called them home for one reason—the baby.The Hawthorne family was mostly men. Miranda had two sons, Jeffery and Brandon. Jeffery had two boys. The older one, Daniel, had already married and had twin boys who were five now. The younger, Luke, was twenty-four and still single. Brandon only had one son, Max.So when Felicia turned out to be pregnant with a girl, Miranda and Brysen were over the moon.“It’s wonderful news,” Miranda said, her face lighting up. “This little girl is a blessing. Brysen just seems healthier.”Max’s mother Tatiana noticed how much Miranda cared about Felicia’s pregnancy and quickly jumped in to agree, adding a few kind words for Felicia’s benefit.Felicia sat quietly, polite and agreeable. She nodded at the right moments, not drawing any attention to herself.Tatiana watched her, struggling to hide her annoyance at Felicia’s chubby, meek appearance. Still, with Miranda present, she kept her real feelings to herself.Miranda was in such a good mood that she gave Felicia a beautiful bracelet, the kind that cost a small fortune.Felicia was startled and tried to refuse. “I can’t take this.”“She’s giving it to you,” Tatiana said, her voice a little too sharp. “Just accept it.”Felicia hesitated, then gave in. “Thank you, Grandma.”“Take care of yourself,” Miranda said. “We want a healthy, happy baby.”Felicia smiled and nodded. She knew Miranda wasn’t really being kind to her—it was all about the baby.They were supposed to stay for dinner, but Max got a call. His whole demeanor changed. His eyes softened, his voice turned gentle. He was talking to someone with clear affection. It sounded like they had a pet together. He said the name Sugar, his tone warm and tender.Felicia watched him. If he ever married a girl he actually loved, he’d probably be an incredible father.“Yeah, I’ll come right over,” Max said on the phone. He hung up and headed for the balcony, only to find Felicia standing there. She jumped, not expecting him. When she looked up, his face was cold again, completely unreadable.Her heart squeezed in her chest. She quickly said, “Grandma wants you in the study.”Max didn’t say a word. He just walked past her and left the balcony.Felicia stood there, feeling a sharp pain in her chest that wouldn’t go away. She didn’t know how long she stayed frozen like that before she finally pulled herself together.Max went to the study, where Miranda and Brysen were waiting.Miranda started, “Max, I know you don’t care for Felicia, but the baby’s coming soon. She’s smart, graduated from a top university, and she’s gentle. What you need is stability in your marriage. She’s perfect for that.”Max said nothing, but his frown made his feelings pretty clear.Miranda could see it too. She knew Felicia wasn’t much to look at—definitely not a match for her handsome grandson.Brysen spoke up. “Now isn’t the time to change anything. Even if you really can’t stand her, just keep things as they are for a year or two.”Miranda nodded. “Exactly. Everyone’s watching you, waiting for you to mess up. Let her raise the baby, then you can decide what to do. No need to rush things.”Max was quiet for a moment, his expression impossible to read. “I understand, Grandpa. Grandma.”Later, when Felicia saw Miranda again, Miranda told her, “Max had to leave for an urgent work thing. I’ll have the driver take you home when you’re ready.”Felicia nodded. “Thank you.”Before she left, Miranda pulled her aside. “Even though you’re pregnant, you still need to move around and take care of yourself. When your mother-in-law were expecting, she we still went to events and managed the house. Getting something might be easy, but keeping it is the hard part.”Felicia got it right away. Being a Hawthorne wife wasn’t easy. If she wanted to stay, she had to change.As she was now, she only embarrassed Max.She’d tried to get her act together before—yoga, exercise, a few diet plans—but she could never stick with it. She was exhausted, both in body and spirit, and the weight just kept piling on.But Miranda was right. She couldn’t keep going like this. Not for the family, not even for Max, but for herself and her future.