Prologue and Chapter 1

"I want you to sign divorce papers!" The man angrily threw a document at the woman.

"Husband, haven't I been a good wife all this time? I've done everything for you," Senna said with disappointment and anger, staring at her husband.

"A good wife? Do you even deserve to say that? Seinna Zhang, you haven't fulfilled your responsibilities properly. What can you offer me now?" Evander Qin laughed.

"It's not my fault. I didn't harm him. You both planned this to ruin my reputation and discard me," Senna yelled. "From the start, you and your mistress plotted to secure a place for that illegitimate child."

"Senna, you still don't see your mistakes and instead blame me and Belinda? Belinda was right; you may look obedient, but you're truly malicious," Evander said coldly. "I don't need a useless wife like you."

Senna's heart ached hearing the words from the man she trusted. "I'll take the divorce papers tomorrow, and you need to leave this house. I'll also withdraw the collaboration with your annoying family."

"Even if you refuse to part ways, everyone will shun you after I announced our divorce at the party," Evander walked away, ignoring Senna's desperate cries.

Senna's phone rang. She checked the message from her parents. She hoped for their support but received only insults.

'You wretched child, if you lose your status this time, we'll disown you. A child who brings disaster shouldn't be in our Zhang family.'

Senna was overwhelmed by the problems. She was alone, and after leaving this house, she'd have nothing.

"If only I could have prevented that incident. If only I hadn't lost it!" Senna lamented her situation.

She sat on the floor, burying her face in her knees.

Creak.

Senna lifted her head. "Husband--"

" it's not Evander, but me." A woman approached her. It was her husband's mistress.

"Senna, you must be devastated by this. I'll give you this syrup to end your troubles."

"You want me to drink poison?"

"Exactly. It's hard for you to live with everything that's happened. It's better if you die. After all, your life is worthless."

"I won't--"

"Hold her," the mistress ordered a servant, who obeyed.

Evander's mistress forced the liquid into Senna's mouth. Pain quickly spread through her body. Senna coughed up blood.

"Goodbye, Senna Zhang!"

Senna's vision faded, filled with hatred. "If only I had a second chance."

The pain became unbearable, and she finally lost her life, filled with regret and bitterness.

Senna didn't expect to really get another chance. Now, she began to change her life, living with a plan for revenge, but her guilt from that event lingered.

***

On their wedding night, Senna began executing her revenge plan. She made an unreasonable demand.

"No obligation to have children! I want that included in this contract." Her voice carried an unwavering seriousness and determination. "And I refuse to be a baby-making machine just because of this stupid agreement!"

Her husband, Evander Qin, paused before responding. "Senna Zhang, what kind of foolish idea is that? Who will continue my family line if you refuse to have children?"

"Giving birth to a child is a duty you cannot refuse!"

Senna's fingers clenched into fists. Of course, she was nothing more than a tool to bear children for this man. It had been the same in her previous life. She sneered openly at him.

Senna calmed herself before presenting a suggestion she had prepared, “You have a mistress you love. Why not have a child with her? Mr. Qin, wouldn’t it be more joyful to have a child with the woman you love rather than with a stranger like me?"

"You think it’s that simple? Stop complaining about duties that are already yours."

Evander Qin left her and walked into the bathroom.

The woman sat frozen in her chair, a sad smile creeping across her lips. “Will it all be the same?”

"If I fail to take this crucial step, all my plans will fall apart. If that child exists, then my fate..." Senna couldn't even bear to think about it. She moved to the cramped sofa, lying down with her thoughts swirling until she finally closed her eyes.

***

"I hate you! I hate parents like you! I... I wish I was never born into this family!" A child's voice screamed, filled with hatred and sorrow, as they ran away.

"Kid, wait! Don't--"

A loud crash was followed by a child's piercing scream.

Senna Zhang's eyes flew open, her back shooting up. She wiped her face with her hands.

The child's screams and the final crash still echoed in her ears. The pain in her heart made her feel suffocated. "That nightmare again?" Senna's voice was barely a whisper, filled with anxiety.

She got up and walked to the bathroom, locking herself in. She turned on the shower, letting the cold water drench her. "How long will this haunt me?"

The screaming child always reminded her of the grave mistake she made. The irritating voices of a man and woman, filled with insults, curses, and piercing, mocking gazes. Senna covered her ears. "Stop it! Can’t you all just stop!" Her voice was drowned out by the running water.

"I will destroy you all and make you pay for my loss." Senna steeled herself every time the dark shadows of her past life surfaced.

A loud knock shattered her thoughts. The cold voice of a man penetrated her ears. "Hey, why are you taking so long? You're not dead in there, are you? I don't want to be blamed if there's news of a wife dying in the bathroom on the first night."

Senna quickly put on a bathrobe and opened the door. The dim light in the room highlighted the handsome, expressionless man. "You see I’m still alive, don’t you?"

She walked past him, intending to return to the sofa, but he grabbed her hand. "Dry your hair. If you get sick, I'll be in trouble."

Senna’s heart pounded at the small gesture of concern. "If this were the old me, I’d misunderstand and think he could be a good husband and love me," she thought. Small gestures could touch an innocent girl who never felt loved by her family.

"I have a private doctor’s number. I can call him if I get sick. There's no need to trouble you, Mr. Qin." She roughly pulled her hand away.

"Suit yourself. Don’t blame me if you get sick." He climbed into bed, and she walked back to the sofa. A blanket suddenly landed on her head.

"Cover yourself with that!"

"I don’t need your kindness." Senna tossed the blanket back at him, refusing to be deceived by his concern.

Evander jumped out of bed, his face cold and dark. "You! Are you doing this to get my attention?"

Senna stood, feeling his oppressive aura. "No. What do I gain from seeking your attention? You already have a mistress you love, and I also—"

"Miss Senna Zhang, there are many rumors about you. You like to flirt with many men. Isn't it natural for me to be suspicious?" Evander said with a belittling tone. "Am I not better than your other lovers?"

Senna was taken aback by his confidence. If she were her past self, she wouldn’t have looked at anyone else and would have seen her husband as perfect, despite repeated hurt. "Mr. Qin, you're too confident. I also have another lover who is better."

"Don’t tell me it’s President Yan, who was involved in a scandal with you. Aren’t you ashamed to be with a married man?" Evander sneered.

"Aren’t you the same as me? Your mistress was someone else’s wife before you took her."

"How dare you!" His hand raised, but Senna stared at him without blinking, an arrogant smile on her lips as if daring him to do it.