Maeve Sinclair once believed Frederick Fairchild would love her for a lifetime. That was why she was willing to cross a thousand miles to marry him. But all she got in return was being left behind, again and again, for the sake of his sister-in-law. She told herself he was only fulfilling a duty on his brother's behalf. Until the day she saw it with her own eyes—Frederick giving his sister-in-law the same tenderness he had once given her. Only then did she truly wake up. Love doesn't vanish. It simply finds a new home. So she pulled her heart back without a moment's hesitation and asked for a divorce. Everyone laughed at her for reaching above her station, calling it a tantrum, attention-seeking, a pathetic ploy to draw Frederick's eye. Even Frederick didn't take her seriously. What he never saw coming was that this time, Maeve meant every word. She stopped orbiting around him. She threw herself into perfumery, built a career from the ground up, and rose step by step onto the international stage, becoming a top-tier perfumer. Admiring men flocked to her one after another, and rivals sprang up like mushrooms after rain. Frederick panicked. He abandoned the office, stopped coming home, and shamelessly trailed after her every day, staking his claim and fending off one man after another. Maeve was fed up. At a banquet, in front of everyone, she dealt him a hard slap across the face. The room fell deathly silent. Everyone assumed a man of his stature would simply turn and walk away. He didn't. He sank to his knees, cradled her reddened hand, and kissed it over and over, his voice low and raw. "Honey, please—just look at me one more time." Maeve slid her hand free with cool indifference, lowered her gaze to him, and looked at him with eyes emptied of all love. "Mr. Fairchild, don't be familiar. We're not close."

Chapter 1Wisteria Cove.By the master bedroom window, two blurred silhouettes intertwined, eventually falling back onto the large bed.A soft flush colored Maeve Sinclair's radiant cheeks. She hadn't fully come down from the intense high of their intimacy, her back still tingling from the soft mesh of the window screen.She lay on her back, admiring the lean, powerful muscles across the man's broad shoulders. His arms were solid, exuding an undeniable raw tension.Just moments ago, those very arms had hooked under her long legs. His tall frame had pinned her against the window, completely enveloping her as he took her with a fierce urgency, as if he wanted to devour her whole.The scorching, out-of-control passion felt exactly like the early days of their romance.A sweet smile graced Maeve's lips, and she reached out to wrap her arms around his lean waist.But in the very next second, Frederick Fairchild's phone suddenly rang. He reached over, glanced at the screen, and his body visibly stiffened. He immediately got up to put on his clothes, leaving Maeve's hands awkwardly hovering in mid-air.Watching Frederick quickly get fully dressed and ready to head out, Maeve's smile slowly vanished."Who is it?"Frederick's hand paused as he buckled his belt."It was a text from my assistant. An emergency came up at the company. I need to go handle it."Maeve stared at him for two seconds before suddenly lunging forward to snatch his phone.The name 'Zoe' flashing on the screen pierced her eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to read the message beneath it, but Frederick abruptly snatched the phone back. His cold words slammed into her."Maeve, can you respect my privacy?"Maeve's eyes reddened. "Is it privacy, or a guilty conscience? Frederick, didn't you just say it was your assistant? Since when did your assistant change his name to Zoe?"Frederick locked the screen, shoved the phone into his pocket, and stood by the bed, looking at her with stark displeasure."Charlie has a fever. Zoe is pregnant and can't manage it on her own. As family, it's completely normal for me to go help. If you're wondering why I felt the need to hide it from you, maybe you should look in the mirror."Maeve clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white as a suffocating wave of frustration washed over her."Look in the mirror? Frederick, you accompany her to her prenatal checkups. Whenever she says she's in a bad mood, you drop everything to take her on a vacation abroad without a second thought. When she has a fever, you stay right by her side to nurse her. And now, on our third wedding anniversary, you literally just got out of my bed and you're already running off to her. And I'm not even allowed to be the slightest bit upset?"Her pace quickened unconsciously, tears welling up in her eyes. The last sentence was practically a scream."Don't you forget, I am your wife, not Zoe Zane!""You're completely out of your mind!" Frederick scoffed, turning on his heel to leave.Maeve quickly grabbed his arm. "Let me make this clear. You're not going anywhere today! You are going to stay here and celebrate our anniversary."Frederick tried to pull his arm away, but her grip was desperate. Failing to shake her off, his brows furrowed tightly."Maeve, can you be reasonable for once? Does this so-called anniversary matter more than Charlie's health?"Maeve stared at him in sheer disbelief, her lips trembling violently."So-called anniversary? You promised me that today would be entirely mine. You lied!""This isn't the time to bring up the past, Maeve." Frederick's frown deepened. He looked at her as if she were a toddler throwing a tantrum, his voice growing increasingly distant."My brother is gone, and it hasn't been easy for Zoe. I don't expect you to step up and care for her like the rest of the family does, but as my wife, you should at least have the basic decency to be understanding."As their eyes locked, Maeve saw nothing but a somber, frozen gaze in Frederick's eyes—an icy wasteland that offered her absolutely no warmth.A suffocating sensation rushed over her. Like a drowning woman, she clung to Frederick's arm as if he were her only lifeline.But in the very next instant, he pulled his arm away without a shred of mercy, leaving her with nothing but the sight of his retreating back.Suddenly losing her support, Maeve stumbled forward, throwing her arms out to block his path.The grievances she had suppressed for days finally erupted. With bloodshot eyes, she screamed at the top of her lungs."Let me make this clear, Frederick. If you insist on going to Zoe today, we're done!""Maeve!" Frederick roared, his face pale with fury. He had completely lost his patience."Can you be reasonable for once? Stop throwing a tantrum!"Maeve froze at his shout. Her heart ached as if it were being crushed, a suffocating wave of despair taking over. Tears spun in her eyes, but she dug her nails into her palms, desperately fighting to keep them from falling.At that moment, Frederick's phone screen lit up with an incoming call. He didn't answer it, merely casting a dismissive glance at Maeve."I'm going to check on Charlie. We'll talk about this when I get back."Without giving Maeve a chance to respond, Frederick marched straight down the stairs.Maeve watched as he finally answered the call, his gentle, coaxing tone drifting up to her ears."Be a good boy, Charlie.""Listen to your mother. I'm on my way."The sound of a car engine soon echoed from below.Maeve watched helplessly as the Maybach pulled out of the driveway.She stood at the top of the stairs, her hand still gripping the railing in a deathly tight hold.It was happening again.Six months ago, on the day of his brother Felix's funeral, he claimed Zoe was overwhelmed and needed rest, so he escorted her away. Since then, whether Zoe had morning sickness or a mild fever, all it took was a single phone call for him to get up and abandon Maeve.Every single time, he left her with nothing but his retreating back.She was supposed to be his wife, yet she felt completely invisible.Gradually, Maeve's gaze drifted toward the living room. The flowers and balloons she had arranged to celebrate their third wedding anniversary were still there.In the dining room sat the steak they had just finished and the half-empty glasses of red wine. The rose petals on the master bed, which she had painstakingly scattered one by one, were now nothing but a chaotic mess.Looking at it all, visions of Frederick caring so tenderly for Zoe flashed relentlessly in her mind.The two contrasting scenes violently collided in her head. Her temples throbbed, and the squeezing pressure in her chest made it impossible to breathe."Ugh—"A sudden wave of nausea hit her. Maeve hurriedly covered her mouth and sprinted into the bathroom, dropping to her knees as she threw up.Before she could catch her breath, a sharp, stabbing pain suddenly tore through her lower abdomen.The relentless cramping drained the strength from her body. In a daze, she saw her own face reflected on the polished marble floor, as pale as a ghost.She had never felt so sick in her life. It felt like she was dying.Gritting her teeth, Maeve forced herself up. Swaying on her feet, she dragged herself back to the master bedroom to find her phone. With her last ounce of strength, she dialed Frederick's number.The line rang out in the quiet room.She pressed the phone tightly to her ear, waiting for what felt like an eternity, only to be met with a cold, automated voice."The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later..."Refusing to give up, Maeve pressed the screen again and redialed.The line rang again. Still no answer.Her vision grew darker by the second.A heavy thud echoed in the room.The phone slipped from her fingertips as her body collapsed heavily onto the cold floor.On the other end of the line, Frederick was waiting at a red light.Inside the silent Maybach, the phone rang persistently, inexplicably grating on his nerves.He glanced at the screen. The caller ID read: Mae.Clearly, she wasn't done throwing her tantrum.His lips pressed into a thin line. He picked up the phone, declined the call, and then turned the device completely off.Peace finally returned to the car.When Maeve woke up again, she was in a hospital room.She blinked, her eyes meeting the anxious face of Martha Higgins."Ma'am, you're finally awake. I went upstairs to clean and saw you lying motionless in the bathroom. You nearly scared me to death.""Thank you, Martha." Maeve's eyes were full of gratitude. If it weren't for Martha, she might have rotted on that bathroom floor without anyone knowing."Don't mention it." Martha looked at her paper-white face, worry etched deeply across her features."Ma'am, wasn't today supposed to be your third anniversary with Mr. Fairchild? How did you end up fainting? And he's nowhere to be found."Maeve's lips twitched into a faint, bitter smile.Forget about celebrating an anniversary; she had nearly lost her life.And where was Frederick? Busy keeping his pitiful sister-in-law company.As for why she fainted?Her hand drifted to her stomach. The sharp, agonizing pain still lingered like a phantom ache."My stomach just started hurting out of nowhere. Are the test results back yet?""Not yet. It'll probably be a little while longer."Just as Martha finished speaking, a nurse walked in carrying a clipboard."Doctor, how is my mistress doing?" Martha asked immediately, and Maeve looked over as well.The nurse looked at Maeve with a warm smile. "Congratulations, you're pregnant."With that, the nurse handed the medical chart to Martha and left.Maeve froze in pure shock. Before she could even process the news, Martha's excited voice beat her to it."You're pregnant, Ma'am? This is wonderful news! I have to tell Mr. Fairchild right away!""No!" Maeve immediately stopped her, snatching the medical chart from Martha's hands and hiding it under her pillow."Do not tell Frederick about this."Martha looked confused. "Why—""What can't you tell me?" A chilling voice suddenly echoed through the room. Maeve looked toward the door.Frederick's tall figure loomed in the doorway. The dim lighting of the hallway cast a heavy shadow over his sharp features. His brow was set low, radiating an overpowering dominance that instantly flooded the room.As he stepped closer, the previously spacious hospital room suddenly felt suffocatingly small.Maeve's breath hitched. Even after three years of marriage, she was still often intimidated by Frederick's overwhelming presence. She discreetly pushed the chart deeper under her pillow, feigning composure."It's nothing..."Frederick noticed her movement. He took a long stride forward, reaching his arm directly behind her back."What are you hiding?"Maeve quickly grabbed his wrist. "I said it's nothing."Frederick's frown deepened. He gripped her shoulder, pushing her slightly to the side as his other hand went straight for the pillow.Maeve swiftly sat back on the pillow, grabbing both of his hands with all her might.As their eyes met, Frederick's gaze darkened, a freezing aura rolling off him."Maeve, show it to me."Maeve gripped his hands until her knuckles turned white, staring right back into his eyes as she enunciated every word."This is my personal privacy. I am under no obligation to show you anything."The veins on Frederick's forehead bulged. "You—""Uncle Frederick!" A clear, childish voice suddenly interrupted as Charlie Fairchild ran in and hugged Frederick's leg tightly.Then, Zoe walked in. She wore a white dress, her long hair woven into a side braid that draped over her shoulder. She looked gentle and sweet, her voice soft as velvet."Frederick, how is Maeve? Is she alright?"The moment they walked in, Frederick had already shaken off Maeve's hands. The icy hostility on his face melted away like thawing frost, replaced by a warm, gentle demeanor."She's fine."His large hand naturally reached down to rest on Charlie's forehead to check his temperature."You're still a little warm. Why aren't you resting in your room?"Charlie glanced nervously at Maeve on the hospital bed, his small body intentionally hiding behind Frederick's legs as he spoke timidly."Mommy said Maeve was sick in the hospital too, so we came over together to check on her."At that moment, Zoe walked up to Maeve with an apologetic, innocent expression."I'm so sorry, Maeve. I know I shouldn't bother Frederick with every little thing, but Charlie was running a fever and refused everyone else. He only wanted Frederick. I really had no other choice but to text him."Chapter 2Wisteria Cove.By the master bedroom window, two blurred silhouettes intertwined, eventually falling back onto the large bed.A soft flush colored Maeve Sinclair's radiant cheeks. She hadn't fully come down from the intense high of their intimacy, her back still tingling from the soft mesh of the window screen.She lay on her back, admiring the lean, powerful muscles across the man's broad shoulders. His arms were solid, exuding an undeniable raw tension.Just moments ago, those very arms had hooked under her long legs. His tall frame had pinned her against the window, completely enveloping her as he took her with a fierce urgency, as if he wanted to devour her whole.The scorching, out-of-control passion felt exactly like the early days of their romance.A sweet smile graced Maeve's lips, and she reached out to wrap her arms around his lean waist.But in the very next second, Frederick Fairchild's phone suddenly rang. He reached over, glanced at the screen, and his body visibly stiffened. He immediately got up to put on his clothes, leaving Maeve's hands awkwardly hovering in mid-air.Watching Frederick quickly get fully dressed and ready to head out, Maeve's smile slowly vanished."Who is it?"Frederick's hand paused as he buckled his belt."It was a text from my assistant. An emergency came up at the company. I need to go handle it."Maeve stared at him for two seconds before suddenly lunging forward to snatch his phone.The name 'Zoe' flashing on the screen pierced her eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to read the message beneath it, but Frederick abruptly snatched the phone back. His cold words slammed into her."Maeve, can you respect my privacy?"Maeve's eyes reddened. "Is it privacy, or a guilty conscience? Frederick, didn't you just say it was your assistant? Since when did your assistant change his name to Zoe?"Frederick locked the screen, shoved the phone into his pocket, and stood by the bed, looking at her with stark displeasure."Charlie has a fever. Zoe is pregnant and can't manage it on her own. As family, it's completely normal for me to go help. If you're wondering why I felt the need to hide it from you, maybe you should look in the mirror."Maeve clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white as a suffocating wave of frustration washed over her."Look in the mirror? Frederick, you accompany her to her prenatal checkups. Whenever she says she's in a bad mood, you drop everything to take her on a vacation abroad without a second thought. When she has a fever, you stay right by her side to nurse her. And now, on our third wedding anniversary, you literally just got out of my bed and you're already running off to her. And I'm not even allowed to be the slightest bit upset?"Her pace quickened unconsciously, tears welling up in her eyes. The last sentence was practically a scream."Don't you forget, I am your wife, not Zoe Zane!""You're completely out of your mind!" Frederick scoffed, turning on his heel to leave.Maeve quickly grabbed his arm. "Let me make this clear. You're not going anywhere today! You are going to stay here and celebrate our anniversary."Frederick tried to pull his arm away, but her grip was desperate. Failing to shake her off, his brows furrowed tightly."Maeve, can you be reasonable for once? Does this so-called anniversary matter more than Charlie's health?"Maeve stared at him in sheer disbelief, her lips trembling violently."So-called anniversary? You promised me that today would be entirely mine. You lied!""This isn't the time to bring up the past, Maeve." Frederick's frown deepened. He looked at her as if she were a toddler throwing a tantrum, his voice growing increasingly distant."My brother is gone, and it hasn't been easy for Zoe. I don't expect you to step up and care for her like the rest of the family does, but as my wife, you should at least have the basic decency to be understanding."As their eyes locked, Maeve saw nothing but a somber, frozen gaze in Frederick's eyes—an icy wasteland that offered her absolutely no warmth.A suffocating sensation rushed over her. Like a drowning woman, she clung to Frederick's arm as if he were her only lifeline.But in the very next instant, he pulled his arm away without a shred of mercy, leaving her with nothing but the sight of his retreating back.Suddenly losing her support, Maeve stumbled forward, throwing her arms out to block his path.The grievances she had suppressed for days finally erupted. With bloodshot eyes, she screamed at the top of her lungs."Let me make this clear, Frederick. If you insist on going to Zoe today, we're done!""Maeve!" Frederick roared, his face pale with fury. He had completely lost his patience."Can you be reasonable for once? Stop throwing a tantrum!"Maeve froze at his shout. Her heart ached as if it were being crushed, a suffocating wave of despair taking over. Tears spun in her eyes, but she dug her nails into her palms, desperately fighting to keep them from falling.At that moment, Frederick's phone screen lit up with an incoming call. He didn't answer it, merely casting a dismissive glance at Maeve."I'm going to check on Charlie. We'll talk about this when I get back."Without giving Maeve a chance to respond, Frederick marched straight down the stairs.Maeve watched as he finally answered the call, his gentle, coaxing tone drifting up to her ears."Be a good boy, Charlie.""Listen to your mother. I'm on my way."The sound of a car engine soon echoed from below.Maeve watched helplessly as the Maybach pulled out of the driveway.She stood at the top of the stairs, her hand still gripping the railing in a deathly tight hold.It was happening again.Six months ago, on the day of his brother Felix's funeral, he claimed Zoe was overwhelmed and needed rest, so he escorted her away. Since then, whether Zoe had morning sickness or a mild fever, all it took was a single phone call for him to get up and abandon Maeve.Every single time, he left her with nothing but his retreating back.She was supposed to be his wife, yet she felt completely invisible.Gradually, Maeve's gaze drifted toward the living room. The flowers and balloons she had arranged to celebrate their third wedding anniversary were still there.In the dining room sat the steak they had just finished and the half-empty glasses of red wine. The rose petals on the master bed, which she had painstakingly scattered one by one, were now nothing but a chaotic mess.Looking at it all, visions of Frederick caring so tenderly for Zoe flashed relentlessly in her mind.The two contrasting scenes violently collided in her head. Her temples throbbed, and the squeezing pressure in her chest made it impossible to breathe."Ugh—"A sudden wave of nausea hit her. Maeve hurriedly covered her mouth and sprinted into the bathroom, dropping to her knees as she threw up.Before she could catch her breath, a sharp, stabbing pain suddenly tore through her lower abdomen.The relentless cramping drained the strength from her body. In a daze, she saw her own face reflected on the polished marble floor, as pale as a ghost.She had never felt so sick in her life. It felt like she was dying.Gritting her teeth, Maeve forced herself up. Swaying on her feet, she dragged herself back to the master bedroom to find her phone. With her last ounce of strength, she dialed Frederick's number.The line rang out in the quiet room.She pressed the phone tightly to her ear, waiting for what felt like an eternity, only to be met with a cold, automated voice."The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later..."Refusing to give up, Maeve pressed the screen again and redialed.The line rang again. Still no answer.Her vision grew darker by the second.A heavy thud echoed in the room.The phone slipped from her fingertips as her body collapsed heavily onto the cold floor.On the other end of the line, Frederick was waiting at a red light.Inside the silent Maybach, the phone rang persistently, inexplicably grating on his nerves.He glanced at the screen. The caller ID read: Mae.Clearly, she wasn't done throwing her tantrum.His lips pressed into a thin line. He picked up the phone, declined the call, and then turned the device completely off.Peace finally returned to the car.When Maeve woke up again, she was in a hospital room.She blinked, her eyes meeting the anxious face of Martha Higgins."Ma'am, you're finally awake. I went upstairs to clean and saw you lying motionless in the bathroom. You nearly scared me to death.""Thank you, Martha." Maeve's eyes were full of gratitude. If it weren't for Martha, she might have rotted on that bathroom floor without anyone knowing."Don't mention it." Martha looked at her paper-white face, worry etched deeply across her features."Ma'am, wasn't today supposed to be your third anniversary with Mr. Fairchild? How did you end up fainting? And he's nowhere to be found."Maeve's lips twitched into a faint, bitter smile.Forget about celebrating an anniversary; she had nearly lost her life.And where was Frederick? Busy keeping his pitiful sister-in-law company.As for why she fainted?Her hand drifted to her stomach. The sharp, agonizing pain still lingered like a phantom ache."My stomach just started hurting out of nowhere. Are the test results back yet?""Not yet. It'll probably be a little while longer."Just as Martha finished speaking, a nurse walked in carrying a clipboard."Doctor, how is my mistress doing?" Martha asked immediately, and Maeve looked over as well.The nurse looked at Maeve with a warm smile. "Congratulations, you're pregnant."With that, the nurse handed the medical chart to Martha and left.Maeve froze in pure shock. Before she could even process the news, Martha's excited voice beat her to it."You're pregnant, Ma'am? This is wonderful news! I have to tell Mr. Fairchild right away!""No!" Maeve immediately stopped her, snatching the medical chart from Martha's hands and hiding it under her pillow."Do not tell Frederick about this."Martha looked confused. "Why—""What can't you tell me?" A chilling voice suddenly echoed through the room. Maeve looked toward the door.Frederick's tall figure loomed in the doorway. The dim lighting of the hallway cast a heavy shadow over his sharp features. His brow was set low, radiating an overpowering dominance that instantly flooded the room.As he stepped closer, the previously spacious hospital room suddenly felt suffocatingly small.Maeve's breath hitched. Even after three years of marriage, she was still often intimidated by Frederick's overwhelming presence. She discreetly pushed the chart deeper under her pillow, feigning composure."It's nothing..."Frederick noticed her movement. He took a long stride forward, reaching his arm directly behind her back."What are you hiding?"Maeve quickly grabbed his wrist. "I said it's nothing."Frederick's frown deepened. He gripped her shoulder, pushing her slightly to the side as his other hand went straight for the pillow.Maeve swiftly sat back on the pillow, grabbing both of his hands with all her might.As their eyes met, Frederick's gaze darkened, a freezing aura rolling off him."Maeve, show it to me."Maeve gripped his hands until her knuckles turned white, staring right back into his eyes as she enunciated every word."This is my personal privacy. I am under no obligation to show you anything."The veins on Frederick's forehead bulged. "You—""Uncle Frederick!" A clear, childish voice suddenly interrupted as Charlie Fairchild ran in and hugged Frederick's leg tightly.Then, Zoe walked in. She wore a white dress, her long hair woven into a side braid that draped over her shoulder. She looked gentle and sweet, her voice soft as velvet."Frederick, how is Maeve? Is she alright?"The moment they walked in, Frederick had already shaken off Maeve's hands. The icy hostility on his face melted away like thawing frost, replaced by a warm, gentle demeanor."She's fine."His large hand naturally reached down to rest on Charlie's forehead to check his temperature."You're still a little warm. Why aren't you resting in your room?"Charlie glanced nervously at Maeve on the hospital bed, his small body intentionally hiding behind Frederick's legs as he spoke timidly."Mommy said Maeve was sick in the hospital too, so we came over together to check on her."At that moment, Zoe walked up to Maeve with an apologetic, innocent expression."I'm so sorry, Maeve. I know I shouldn't bother Frederick with every little thing, but Charlie was running a fever and refused everyone else. He only wanted Frederick. I really had no other choice but to text him."Chapter 3Wisteria Cove.By the master bedroom window, two blurred silhouettes intertwined, eventually falling back onto the large bed.A soft flush colored Maeve Sinclair's radiant cheeks. She hadn't fully come down from the intense high of their intimacy, her back still tingling from the soft mesh of the window screen.She lay on her back, admiring the lean, powerful muscles across the man's broad shoulders. His arms were solid, exuding an undeniable raw tension.Just moments ago, those very arms had hooked under her long legs. His tall frame had pinned her against the window, completely enveloping her as he took her with a fierce urgency, as if he wanted to devour her whole.The scorching, out-of-control passion felt exactly like the early days of their romance.A sweet smile graced Maeve's lips, and she reached out to wrap her arms around his lean waist.But in the very next second, Frederick Fairchild's phone suddenly rang. He reached over, glanced at the screen, and his body visibly stiffened. He immediately got up to put on his clothes, leaving Maeve's hands awkwardly hovering in mid-air.Watching Frederick quickly get fully dressed and ready to head out, Maeve's smile slowly vanished."Who is it?"Frederick's hand paused as he buckled his belt."It was a text from my assistant. An emergency came up at the company. I need to go handle it."Maeve stared at him for two seconds before suddenly lunging forward to snatch his phone.The name 'Zoe' flashing on the screen pierced her eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to read the message beneath it, but Frederick abruptly snatched the phone back. His cold words slammed into her."Maeve, can you respect my privacy?"Maeve's eyes reddened. "Is it privacy, or a guilty conscience? Frederick, didn't you just say it was your assistant? Since when did your assistant change his name to Zoe?"Frederick locked the screen, shoved the phone into his pocket, and stood by the bed, looking at her with stark displeasure."Charlie has a fever. Zoe is pregnant and can't manage it on her own. As family, it's completely normal for me to go help. If you're wondering why I felt the need to hide it from you, maybe you should look in the mirror."Maeve clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white as a suffocating wave of frustration washed over her."Look in the mirror? Frederick, you accompany her to her prenatal checkups. Whenever she says she's in a bad mood, you drop everything to take her on a vacation abroad without a second thought. When she has a fever, you stay right by her side to nurse her. And now, on our third wedding anniversary, you literally just got out of my bed and you're already running off to her. And I'm not even allowed to be the slightest bit upset?"Her pace quickened unconsciously, tears welling up in her eyes. The last sentence was practically a scream."Don't you forget, I am your wife, not Zoe Zane!""You're completely out of your mind!" Frederick scoffed, turning on his heel to leave.Maeve quickly grabbed his arm. "Let me make this clear. You're not going anywhere today! You are going to stay here and celebrate our anniversary."Frederick tried to pull his arm away, but her grip was desperate. Failing to shake her off, his brows furrowed tightly."Maeve, can you be reasonable for once? Does this so-called anniversary matter more than Charlie's health?"Maeve stared at him in sheer disbelief, her lips trembling violently."So-called anniversary? You promised me that today would be entirely mine. You lied!""This isn't the time to bring up the past, Maeve." Frederick's frown deepened. He looked at her as if she were a toddler throwing a tantrum, his voice growing increasingly distant."My brother is gone, and it hasn't been easy for Zoe. I don't expect you to step up and care for her like the rest of the family does, but as my wife, you should at least have the basic decency to be understanding."As their eyes locked, Maeve saw nothing but a somber, frozen gaze in Frederick's eyes—an icy wasteland that offered her absolutely no warmth.A suffocating sensation rushed over her. Like a drowning woman, she clung to Frederick's arm as if he were her only lifeline.But in the very next instant, he pulled his arm away without a shred of mercy, leaving her with nothing but the sight of his retreating back.Suddenly losing her support, Maeve stumbled forward, throwing her arms out to block his path.The grievances she had suppressed for days finally erupted. With bloodshot eyes, she screamed at the top of her lungs."Let me make this clear, Frederick. If you insist on going to Zoe today, we're done!""Maeve!" Frederick roared, his face pale with fury. He had completely lost his patience."Can you be reasonable for once? Stop throwing a tantrum!"Maeve froze at his shout. Her heart ached as if it were being crushed, a suffocating wave of despair taking over. Tears spun in her eyes, but she dug her nails into her palms, desperately fighting to keep them from falling.At that moment, Frederick's phone screen lit up with an incoming call. He didn't answer it, merely casting a dismissive glance at Maeve."I'm going to check on Charlie. We'll talk about this when I get back."Without giving Maeve a chance to respond, Frederick marched straight down the stairs.Maeve watched as he finally answered the call, his gentle, coaxing tone drifting up to her ears."Be a good boy, Charlie.""Listen to your mother. I'm on my way."The sound of a car engine soon echoed from below.Maeve watched helplessly as the Maybach pulled out of the driveway.She stood at the top of the stairs, her hand still gripping the railing in a deathly tight hold.It was happening again.Six months ago, on the day of his brother Felix's funeral, he claimed Zoe was overwhelmed and needed rest, so he escorted her away. Since then, whether Zoe had morning sickness or a mild fever, all it took was a single phone call for him to get up and abandon Maeve.Every single time, he left her with nothing but his retreating back.She was supposed to be his wife, yet she felt completely invisible.Gradually, Maeve's gaze drifted toward the living room. The flowers and balloons she had arranged to celebrate their third wedding anniversary were still there.In the dining room sat the steak they had just finished and the half-empty glasses of red wine. The rose petals on the master bed, which she had painstakingly scattered one by one, were now nothing but a chaotic mess.Looking at it all, visions of Frederick caring so tenderly for Zoe flashed relentlessly in her mind.The two contrasting scenes violently collided in her head. Her temples throbbed, and the squeezing pressure in her chest made it impossible to breathe."Ugh—"A sudden wave of nausea hit her. Maeve hurriedly covered her mouth and sprinted into the bathroom, dropping to her knees as she threw up.Before she could catch her breath, a sharp, stabbing pain suddenly tore through her lower abdomen.The relentless cramping drained the strength from her body. In a daze, she saw her own face reflected on the polished marble floor, as pale as a ghost.She had never felt so sick in her life. It felt like she was dying.Gritting her teeth, Maeve forced herself up. Swaying on her feet, she dragged herself back to the master bedroom to find her phone. With her last ounce of strength, she dialed Frederick's number.The line rang out in the quiet room.She pressed the phone tightly to her ear, waiting for what felt like an eternity, only to be met with a cold, automated voice."The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later..."Refusing to give up, Maeve pressed the screen again and redialed.The line rang again. Still no answer.Her vision grew darker by the second.A heavy thud echoed in the room.The phone slipped from her fingertips as her body collapsed heavily onto the cold floor.On the other end of the line, Frederick was waiting at a red light.Inside the silent Maybach, the phone rang persistently, inexplicably grating on his nerves.He glanced at the screen. The caller ID read: Mae.Clearly, she wasn't done throwing her tantrum.His lips pressed into a thin line. He picked up the phone, declined the call, and then turned the device completely off.Peace finally returned to the car.When Maeve woke up again, she was in a hospital room.She blinked, her eyes meeting the anxious face of Martha Higgins."Ma'am, you're finally awake. I went upstairs to clean and saw you lying motionless in the bathroom. You nearly scared me to death.""Thank you, Martha." Maeve's eyes were full of gratitude. If it weren't for Martha, she might have rotted on that bathroom floor without anyone knowing."Don't mention it." Martha looked at her paper-white face, worry etched deeply across her features."Ma'am, wasn't today supposed to be your third anniversary with Mr. Fairchild? How did you end up fainting? And he's nowhere to be found."Maeve's lips twitched into a faint, bitter smile.Forget about celebrating an anniversary; she had nearly lost her life.And where was Frederick? Busy keeping his pitiful sister-in-law company.As for why she fainted?Her hand drifted to her stomach. The sharp, agonizing pain still lingered like a phantom ache."My stomach just started hurting out of nowhere. Are the test results back yet?""Not yet. It'll probably be a little while longer."Just as Martha finished speaking, a nurse walked in carrying a clipboard."Doctor, how is my mistress doing?" Martha asked immediately, and Maeve looked over as well.The nurse looked at Maeve with a warm smile. "Congratulations, you're pregnant."With that, the nurse handed the medical chart to Martha and left.Maeve froze in pure shock. Before she could even process the news, Martha's excited voice beat her to it."You're pregnant, Ma'am? This is wonderful news! I have to tell Mr. Fairchild right away!""No!" Maeve immediately stopped her, snatching the medical chart from Martha's hands and hiding it under her pillow."Do not tell Frederick about this."Martha looked confused. "Why—""What can't you tell me?" A chilling voice suddenly echoed through the room. Maeve looked toward the door.Frederick's tall figure loomed in the doorway. The dim lighting of the hallway cast a heavy shadow over his sharp features. His brow was set low, radiating an overpowering dominance that instantly flooded the room.As he stepped closer, the previously spacious hospital room suddenly felt suffocatingly small.Maeve's breath hitched. Even after three years of marriage, she was still often intimidated by Frederick's overwhelming presence. She discreetly pushed the chart deeper under her pillow, feigning composure."It's nothing..."Frederick noticed her movement. He took a long stride forward, reaching his arm directly behind her back."What are you hiding?"Maeve quickly grabbed his wrist. "I said it's nothing."Frederick's frown deepened. He gripped her shoulder, pushing her slightly to the side as his other hand went straight for the pillow.Maeve swiftly sat back on the pillow, grabbing both of his hands with all her might.As their eyes met, Frederick's gaze darkened, a freezing aura rolling off him."Maeve, show it to me."Maeve gripped his hands until her knuckles turned white, staring right back into his eyes as she enunciated every word."This is my personal privacy. I am under no obligation to show you anything."The veins on Frederick's forehead bulged. "You—""Uncle Frederick!" A clear, childish voice suddenly interrupted as Charlie Fairchild ran in and hugged Frederick's leg tightly.Then, Zoe walked in. She wore a white dress, her long hair woven into a side braid that draped over her shoulder. She looked gentle and sweet, her voice soft as velvet."Frederick, how is Maeve? Is she alright?"The moment they walked in, Frederick had already shaken off Maeve's hands. The icy hostility on his face melted away like thawing frost, replaced by a warm, gentle demeanor."She's fine."His large hand naturally reached down to rest on Charlie's forehead to check his temperature."You're still a little warm. Why aren't you resting in your room?"Charlie glanced nervously at Maeve on the hospital bed, his small body intentionally hiding behind Frederick's legs as he spoke timidly."Mommy said Maeve was sick in the hospital too, so we came over together to check on her."At that moment, Zoe walked up to Maeve with an apologetic, innocent expression."I'm so sorry, Maeve. I know I shouldn't bother Frederick with every little thing, but Charlie was running a fever and refused everyone else. He only wanted Frederick. I really had no other choice but to text him."