Chapter 1
Marissa Spencer and Matt Holloway had been happily married for five years, enjoying their child–free life.
Then one day, his call shattered everything.
Leah Jensen, a student he had been sponsoring, was pregnant. She had stolen his sperm from a used condom.
He swore they never slept together.
He wanted her to get an abortion, but his family threatened to disown him unless he kept the baby.
With tears in her eyes, Marissa reluctantly agreed.
But from that moment on, everything changed.
The man who once claimed to dislike kids started studying pregnancy guides, accompanied Leah to every check–up–and during a fire, didn’t hesitate to carry Leah out to safety.
“Matt!” Marissa screamed, her voice hoarse, swallowed by the smoke.
“Help me! I’m right here—”
Through the haze, their eyes met. She saw a flicker of hesitation in his.
Then Leah clung to his hand.
“Mr. Holloway, let’s get out of here. I’m scared…”
“Don’t be afraid,” Matt’s voice was so gentle it cut like a knife.
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“I’m here. Our family of three will be safe.”
Our family of three.
Those words stabbed straight through Marissa’s heart.
As he shielded Leah and ran for the exit, a burning beam came crashing down–squarely onto Marissa’s back.
Just before losing consciousness, another memory burned in her mind.
Five years ago, in the pouring rain, she and Matt had just left a restaurant when a truck spun out of control. She had shoved him aside, taking the full impact. Pain tore through her abdomen, hot and sharp, as she heard him scream her name.
When she woke up, the doctor told her she would never be able to have children again.
“Let’s break up,” she’d told him, eyes red. “You’re the only son of your family. You need an heir.”
But Matt had pinned her against the hospital wall, kissing her until she could barely breathe.
“Marissa, I only want you. We’ll stay child–free. I’ll handle my family.”
To prove it, he had knelt in the family hall for a full day and night, enduring ninety–nine lashes without a sound. His mother wept, calling it a sin. His father smashed teacups in rage. In the end, his grandfather sighed and gave in.
Through the suffocating heat of the fire, she recalled his reddened eyes as he lifted her veil on their wedding day.
“Marissa, you’re the only one I want in this life.”
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And now, he held another woman, promising. “The three of us.”
As the flames devoured her last breath, she thought bitterly,
“Fine. I’ll make sure their family of three is complete–without me.”
***
When Marissa woke up, the first thing she saw was the white hospital ceiling.
“Marissa, you’re awake,” Matt’s voice came from beside her.
She turned her head and saw his bloodshot eyes and furrowed brow.
“Does it still hurt?” he asked, his voice tight as his fingers gently brushed her cheek.
“The doctor said you have minor burns and a concussion. But don’t worry, I booked the entire floor and brought in the best medical team. You won’t have a single scar…”
Marissa looked into his concerned eyes and suddenly found it ridiculous.
The man who had chosen his “family of three” without hesitation in the fire was now pretending to be a devoted husband?
She opened her mouth to speak, but her throat burned.
“Matt, let’s-“.
“Marissa,” he cut her off, handing her a document.
“Let’s get a divorce.”
Her whole body went stiff.
