Chapter 1
The Bernard family had a long–standing rule–heirs could never marry a woman of humble origins.
But Hugo Bernard, the prince of New York’s elite, fell for Adeline Jardin -a fish seller.
To
be with her, he gave up his inheritance, endured 99 lashes, and knelt in the living room for three days and three nights. Blood soaked through his shirt, but he still smiled at her and said, “Adeline, don’t be afraid. I
only want you.”
Later, the Bernard family finally gave in. They agreed to let him leave with her–but only if he left behind an heir.
From that day on, the word Hugo said to Adeline most often was, “Wait.”
The first time, he asked her to wait so he could get another woman expecting. He slept with Steffie Guenet 33 times until she conceived.
The second time, he told Adeline to wait again because the first baby was a girl, and the family demanded a son. He slept with Steffie 99 more times until she got expecting again.
Just when Adeline thought it was finally over, Steffie’s newborn daughter got a high fever and coughed up blood after her sip–and–see party. Everyone swore it was Adeline’s doing.
Steffie went crazy, clawing her face and screaming, “Hate me if you want –but why hurt my baby?!”
Hugo’s parents were furious as well. “She’s our first granddaughter. How dare you lay a hand on her?!”
10:03
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When they stripped Adeline and threw her into a freezer set at -20°C, Hugo had been standing outside the door.
Through the frosted glass, she saw his hand trembling as he lit a cigarette. But those eyes, which had once held so much love, only held coldness. Crushing the cigarette, he spoke with eyes full of disappointment. “I told you to wait. Why did you hurt my child?”
His child…
Adeline doubled over in pain like her heart had been ripped open.
When the freezer door opened again, her frozen fingers were digging deep into her palms.
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This time, she wouldn’t wait anymore.
She called the Bernards‘ estate.
She said in a calm and cold voice, “I’ll leave Hugo, but I have one condition. Send me somewhere he’ll never find me.”
On the other end of the line, Hugo’s mother, Marcella Jones, laughed with satisfaction. “Why couldn’t you be this sensible before? One trip to the freezer and you finally learned your place. A fish seller, thinking she could join the Bernard family?”
“We’ll handle everything in two weeks. After that, never show your face to Hugo again,” said Hugo’s father, Edwin Bernard. His voice dripped with contempt,
When the call ended, Adeline was standing at the door, her fingertips trembling.
*
*
*
10:03
In the living room, Hugo was holding his daughter, teasing her gently. Steffie leaned against his shoulder, smiling tenderly. They were a happy
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family of three.
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Adeline stood there, her heart feeling like it had been carved open with a
knife.
“Ms. Jardin, you’re back.” Steffie noticed her first and quickly straightened up.
Hugo, almost on instinct, handed the baby to the maid. “Take her upstairs.”
That guarded look in his eyes stabbed straight into Adeline’s heart. He was afraid she’d hurt his daughter.
The man who had once said, “I’ll only acknowledge the child born from you,” now looked at her like she was a criminal.
Once the baby was gone, Hugo walked over and reached out to check on her. “You’re back. The freezer… Did you get hurt in there?”
Adeline looked at the man who had once taken 99 lashes for her. The
bitter feeling inside her only deepened. She turned her head, dodging his touch.
He frowned, trying to explain, “Aline, in a situation like last night, the more I defended you, the worse the punishment would’ve been.
“We’re about to leave anyway. I didn’t want to cause more trouble. And the baby is innocent. Why would you-”
“I told you it wasn’t me!” Adeline’s eyes suddenly reddened.
Hugo seemed startled by her outburst and paused before softening his voice. “Okay, okay. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Those three words stabbed right through her chest. He still didn’t believe her.
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As tension filled the room, Steffie walked over with a hand on her belly, pretending to be sincere. “Ms. Jardin, I should apologize too. I overreacted. You don’t have kids, so maybe you can’t understand how a
mother feels…”
She tucked her hair behind her ear, the crystal bracelet around her wrist catching the light, gleaming softly.
Adeline’s pupils shrank as she grabbed her wrist. “Where did you get this bracelet?!”
J’Steffie liked it, so I gave it to her.” Hugo pulled her hand away. “Think of it as you making it up to her.”
“That’s my mom’s keepsake!” Adeline’s voice trembled. “You know how much it means to me. How could you give it away?!”
She reached out to grab it, but Steffie suddenly stumbled back and clutched her belly with a cry.
“Ouch… My stomach…”
“Adeline!” Hugo shoved her away instantly, his eyes sharp and cold. “She’s carrying my child! Haven’t you done enough?!”
His push was too hard, causing her to slam into the corner of the coffee table. The back of her head cracked against it, and blood gushed out.
Hugo didn’t even look back. He scooped up Steffie and ran.
“Hugo…” Steffie sobbed weakly in his arms. “Is the baby going to be okay…”
“Don’t be scared. I’m here,” he said gently, though his voice hid a sharp edge. “You’ll be fine. The baby will be fine.”
As Hugo rushed out of the house with Steffie in his arms, Adeline sat slumped on the floor, blood trailing down her neck.
