Chapter 1

For a decade, Cole Lewis pursued me relentlessly before I finally accepted his marriage proposal. However, just three days before our wedding, he requested to swap me for his long-time love from childhood.

I didn't protest or make a fuss, simply responding with a smile, "Okay."

This was because in my previous existence, I had denied his request for a bride change. Consequently, his childhood sweetheart took her own life by cutting her wrists on the day we were to be married.

Outwardly, he appeared fine, but when I was about to deliver our baby, he drugged me and took me to a remote mountain area.

He not only brutally killed our newborn infant with a shovel right before my eyes,

but also subjected me to a slow, agonizing death, dismembering me piece by piece.

Through my tears, I asked him why he had done this.

With a look of madness, he replied, "Did you think I wanted to be with you for any reason other than your wealth? But now, no matter how rich you are, Winona can't come back! You and this illegitimate child both deserve death!"

Subsequently, he played the role of a devoted partner, fooling countless online followers and even my own parents.

In the end, they handed over my business to him and he murdered my parents in the same brutal fashion.

This time around, I was curious to see if their relationship could survive without my "tainted" money!

After my unjust death in my previous life, my vengeful spirit remained, constantly trailing Cole.

I observed as he dragged my lifeless body and our child's remains to Winona's burial site, begging for her forgiveness.

Then, acting as a heartbroken lover, he not only posted online claiming to search for his missing wife but also knelt before my parents, making solemn vows.

He swore that I would be his only wife in this lifetime and if we were never found, he would remain single forever.

He promised to treat my parents as his own and care for them devotedly.

Eventually, he gained their trust. My grief-stricken parents, devastated by losing their daughter, believed him.

They not only treated Cole like their own son and groomed him, but years later, even entrusted the company to him, consoling him.

"The authorities have been searching for years without success. It's likely that Stella and the baby have met a tragic end. You're not getting any younger, perhaps you should think about marrying again."

Faced with my parents' care and sacrifices, he continually spoke of his undying love for me. Yet, once he had full control of the company, he used the same cruel methods to kill my parents.

The agony of losing my loved ones and the memory of being torn apart felt like it would rip my heart to shreds.

I shook uncontrollably, my mouth slightly open, struggling to breathe.

Cole, seated opposite me, noticed my ashen face.

He immediately came around the table, knelt in front of me and gently held my hand, speaking softly. "Darling, why do you look so unwell? Is the baby causing you discomfort again?"

At four months pregnant, my belly was already visible. It was precisely because of this that my parents, who had always opposed my marriage to Cole, finally gave their blessing.

Before I could answer, Cole, as usual, reached out to touch my belly, smiling as he said, "Little rascal, I can't stand to see your mother upset. Just wait until you're born, I'll spoil you rotten!"

I instinctively recoiled from his touch.

Cole's hand stopped mid-air, looking at me with bewilderment.

In the past, such gestures would have filled me with joy. But now, my entire back was covered in cold sweat.

Who would have imagined that this seemingly gentle and attentive man would murder his wife and child just months later for another woman?

Fatigue left me too drained to argue with him. "You haven't washed your hands."

Cole paused momentarily, then recalled my fixation on cleanliness.

A flicker of irritation crossed his eyes, but he quickly masked it with an affectionate smile. "My mistake."

He dutifully went to the bathroom to clean his hands.

A moment later, he returned to my side, pushing the century egg and lean pork porridge he had spent the afternoon preparing towards me.

After a brief pause, he spoke, "Stella, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."