Chapter 1

After five years of dating, Vivienne finally agreed to marry me.

Overjoyed, I raced from the airport, only to get into a car accident on the way.

Ignoring my injuries, I rushed to the registry office covered in blood.

When Vivienne saw me, instead of concern or comfort, she covered her nose in disgust:

"You show up like this on such an important day? How unlucky!"

Following her orders, I cleaned myself up at a nearby hotel, then pulled out the engagement ring I'd prepared and got down on one knee.

Before I could speak, Vivienne excitedly snatched the ring and put it on, cupping my face for a kiss:

"Darling, I accept."

"I'm pregnant with Nolan's baby. Let's give it a family."

1

The moment hit me like a bolt of lightning, my mind buzzing with disbelief. I wondered if I had misheard.

My smile froze on my face, my voice trembling despite my best efforts:

"Vivienne, did you just say you're pregnant with Nolan's baby?"

Nolan, Vivienne's first love.

Even though I had loved her with every fiber of my being for five years, even though Nolan was a deadbeat, I still couldn't replace him in her heart.

Vivienne, sensing my change in mood, coldly replied:

"What's the big deal about being pregnant with Nolan's kid?"

"As long as you're the one I'm marrying, what does it matter whose child it is?"

"Didn't you say you'd only ever love me, that you'd do anything for me? Well, now's your chance to prove it."

My heart felt like it had been brutally stabbed. I never imagined Vivienne would say something so utterly devoid of morals or shame.

Fighting through the pain in my leg, I slowly stood up, clinging to one last shred of hope. I looked at her with a bitter smile:

"Vivienne, this joke isn't funny at all."

Vivienne shoved me irritably, aggravating my car accident injury. I gritted my teeth against the pain."Who has time to joke with you? This child will fulfill the regret between Nolan and me. From now on, I'll settle down and live a good life with you."

"Stop with all this nonsense and let's go get our marriage license. The office will be closing soon."

She finished speaking and dragged me towards the courthouse.

Anger and despair nearly overwhelmed me. I violently shook off her hand, my pent-up emotions finally bursting out, each word dripping with anguish:

"Vivienne!"

"Do you even realize what you're saying?"

"How can you so shamelessly trample on my dignity as a man?"

The force of my action made Vivienne stumble. She quickly protected her stomach with her hands and shouted angrily:

"Zoran, what the hell is wrong with you?"

"I've told you I'm pregnant. What if you made me fall?"

"Aren't you worried something might happen to me and the baby?"

Vivienne's self-righteousness and ignorance were driving me insane.

I glared at her with bloodshot eyes:

"Vivienne, are you really this clueless or are you just pretending?"

"What man would tolerate marrying his girlfriend while she's pregnant with someone else's child?!"

"I'm not pathetic enough to raise some bastard child!"Vivienne finally realized why I was angry, looking at me with a bewildered expression:

"What right do you have to insult my child?"

"Zoran, I'm telling you, whether you accept it or not, I'm definitely having this baby!"

"You have money, and since you can earn money, you should raise this child. What's the problem?"

Thinking about all these years of my compromises, humble pleasing, taking care of her like a servant, coddling her, only to end up with a forest of green grass on my head.

The last line of defense in my heart came crashing down.

I sighed, feeling utterly dejected:

"Fine, no problem. Have the baby if you want."

Vivienne thought I had conceded and forgiven her. A glint of smugness flashed in her eyes as she haughtily said to me:

"That's more like it. You should always remember, darling's word is law."

"Stop dawdling, let's go get our marriage license."

Perhaps it was because of my unconditional obedience to her all these years that she developed the illusion that no matter what outrageous thing she did, I would forgive her unconditionally.

In her eyes, I was just a super simp who could cover for her and give her money to spend.

Watching her turn to leave, I spoke coldly:

"Vivienne, I don't give a damn about that license anymore. This dog's done serving you!"