Three years into their hidden marriage, they had always performed their marital duties like this.

Today is the fifth day of the lunar month. As usual, Aiden Fordham had the butler bring Stella Grant to Coregarde.

She had always loved the pure white lilies in the garden of Coregarde, their fragrance filling the garden, beautifully dreamlike.

But now the three-year period has ended, and she came not just for one final meeting.

Moreover, today she must divorce him!

When she entered the room, Aiden Fordham was stepping out of the bathroom.

He was shirtless, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, a typical inverted triangular physique, every inch exuding power. A loosely wrapped towel hung around his waist, droplets of water flowed down his smooth muscular lines, his well-defined abs deep and cut into the edge of the towel, inviting imagination.

His handsome face was nothing short of the Creator's painstaking masterpiece.

At the moment, his thin lips were tightly pursed, carrying a hint of post-shower warmth, yet showing no softness, instead radiating cold indifference.

He picked Stella Grant up and walked directly to the bedside.

She exclaimed in surprise, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

Aiden Fordham said nothing, just bowed his head to kiss her lips, then reached to tug at her cheongsam.

With her arms around his neck, the familiar cedar scent mixed with a faint hint of alcohol made her feel a bit dizzy.

Today, he was as eager as usual, his movements rough, maybe because they hadn't seen each other for a long time.

He kissed her with intensity, as if he wanted to swallow her whole.

The temperature in the room rose higher and higher.

The air was thick with an atmosphere of ambiguity.

She and he melted into one...

The fifth and twenty-fifth of every month were the days Aiden Fordham and she had agreed to be together.

Whenever it was time, the butler would bring her to Coregarde, but they didn't live together.

The time had come, and the divorce agreement in her bag told her this was the fate of her marriage.

She borrowed him for her entire life, just three years.

In the middle of the night, Stella Grant woke up from hunger.

The man beside her had already vanished, leaving not even a trace of warmth on the bed.

She was sore all over, struggling to get out of bed and put on a robe to go downstairs.

Downstairs, the butler greeted her.

"Madam, you're awake. Hungry, aren't you? Sir instructed the servants to make bird's nest porridge for you before he left."

"Okay, thank you."

Stella Grant sat down, slowly drinking the bird's nest porridge.

She casually flipped through her phone, several hot searches suddenly popped up on the screen.

#Magnate Fordham hosts a lavish birthday party for Kensington Group's heiress

#Good news soon, Aiden Fordham and Corinne Kensington's engagement in F-Country.

Her pupils contracted, clearly startled by the news.

A sudden wave of dizziness came over her.

Corinne Kensington!

Turns out, his lover is called Corinne Kensington.

This beautifully dreamlike Coregarde, constantly torturing her feelings. Coregarde... was built for Corinne Kensington!

Her eyes turned slightly red, staring at the stunningly handsome face in the picture, it was her husband Aiden Fordham.

He embraced the beauty, smiling brightly.

She once thought he was born cold, never smiling.

Turns out he just didn't like smiling at her.

Corinne Kensington wore a blazing lily-shaped Red Jade Necklace, deeply piercing her eyes.

That was the one she had liked for a long time...

She put down her spoon, then went upstairs to change her clothes.

Looking at the empty bed, her eyes grew colder.

This man had boundless energy; in the afternoon rolling in bed with her, in the evening off to F-Country for his beloved's birthday.

Ten minutes later, Stella Grant went downstairs and asked the butler to take her home.

She would never return here again.

Back home, she took out the divorce agreement from her bag and flipped through it.

She had prepared this a month ago, always kept it in her bag, planning to give it to Aiden Fordham today, but he ran away.

The next afternoon, she was awakened by the sound of the phone ringing.

Seeing twenty missed calls from her best friend Vivi Sterling, what happened?

She immediately called back.

"Miss, you finally answered. I thought you were in despair, scared me to death."

Vivi Sterling's whining made Stella Grant helplessly pat her forehead.

"Don't worry, I love life, and I cherish it."

After a nap, she felt her heart was less burdened.

"Wait for me, I'll fly back to see you right away."

Vivi Sterling spoke urgently.

"Okay, I'll wait for you!"

Hanging up the phone, Stella Grant felt hollow inside. She stared at the ceiling, recalling the bits and pieces of her years with Aiden Fordham.

In middle school, he skipped a grade, and she followed; when he went abroad, she went abroad; he studied medicine, and she also chose medicine without hesitation... Even when he fell into the sea, she jumped in too...

Yet he still had no impression of her!

Three years ago, he was in a car accident and became blind. It was heard that his first love went abroad.

She came!

At that time, Grandma Prescott, on her deathbed, used her connections to marry her into the Fordham Family.

At first, Aiden Fordham was very repulsed by her, but later, due to Grandpa Fordham's scheme, they became real husband and wife. Later, there was constant pressure to have children, so Aiden Fordham agreed to a twice-a-month marital life.

She remembered that it wasn't until the second year of their marriage that Aiden Fordham's eyesight was restored. When he looked at her, he was full of coldness and disgust.

She thought she could warm him.

Turned out, the spark wasn't with her.

The phone rang again, pulling her thoughts back.

Stella Grant pressed the answer button, and the other side spoke two sentences before hanging up.

The caller was Mrs. Fordham, asking her to return to the old residence immediately.

She had a bad premonition, but there was no time to think about it. She quickly got out of bed.

By four in the afternoon, Stella Grant had returned to the old Fordham Residence.

The Fordham Family was the top noble family in Meritopia, with a large family and business. Elder Fordham had two sons and two daughters. Aiden Fordham, being the eldest grandson of the main house, naturally received more attention.

When Stella Grant walked into the hall, Mrs. Fordham immediately stood up.

She shot Stella Grant a vicious look, "You complained to Dad, didn't you? Didn't expect you to say little but play dirty this time?"

Stella Grant looked at the malicious mother-in-law in front of her, her lips slightly parted, "Mrs. Fordham, I don't know what you're referring to."

"Aiden is in the study, being punished."

With a glance, the butler brought Stella Grant upstairs.

Approaching the study, the sound of arguing could be heard.

"You unfilial grandson, dare to talk back? Do you want to anger me to death?"

Elder Fordham was scolding his grandson, so angry he nearly spat blood.

"Grandpa, forced love is never sweet. Didn't you promise me before, if Stella Grant doesn't get pregnant within three years, you'd allow me to divorce and remarry?"

"You little brat, you still want a divorce? Right now, you're still husband and wife. I won't allow you to keep spreading rumors with that Kensington girl. Release a public statement immediately to clear this up."

"I can't control what's being spread online. Why bother with the internet!"

"I'll beat you."

Clanging noises emanated from inside.

Stella Grant composed herself, then raised her hand to knock on the door.

The door opened, and Steven Fordham looked visibly surprised to see Stella Grant.

"Stella's here!"

"Grandpa, please don't get so worked up."

Stella Grant reached out to support him back into the room, offering a gentle smile.

"Why are you standing there? Apologize to Stella!" Steven Fordham sternly commanded Aiden Fordham.

Aiden Fordham pressed his thin lips together, full of disdain. He had released this news only because of the three-year limit, believing this woman would understand her place.

"Grandpa, I'd like to talk to Aiden alone."

After Stella Grant spoke, Elder Fordham tactfully left the room.

Stella Grant glanced at him, "Aiden Fordham, let's get a divorce, I'll grant you this wish!"

Aiden Fordham was slightly surprised, looking at her as if she were a monster.

He expected her to come back and make a huge fuss, at least to have Grandpa on her side, but unexpectedly, she simply mentioned divorce so casually.

Could she really be willing to give up the position of Mrs. Fordham?

She added another sentence, "We can go through the procedures first, and whenever it's convenient, you can tell Grandpa."

After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke, "What kind of compensation do you want?"

"No need, let's part on good terms. This is the drafted divorce agreement I prepared." She spoke freely, without hesitation, taking the prepared agreement from her bag and placing it on the table.

Aiden Fordham sneered, grabbing her with icy eyes, "Since you're sensible, I won't shortchange you. Tomorrow morning, come to the company for signing. I'll have legal prepare the divorce agreement."

The implication was that what's written in the divorce agreement is not for her to decide.

"Alright, I'll be there!" Stella Grant gave him an indifferent glance, then walked out of the study.

For her, parting amicably was the most dignified way to end this marriage.

Stella Grant stayed at the Fordham Residence for dinner. As she was leaving, she hugged Grandpa Fordham and prepared to drive away.

At that moment, it suddenly started to rain, the drizzle like a lament.

She walked a few steps, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in her abdomen. A stream of warm blood flowed down her leg.

...

Stella was shocked in her heart. Why did her period suddenly come?

She quickly drove off, and by the time the car reached halfway up the mountain, she was already sweating cold sweat.

No, it's too painful!

She hurriedly stopped the car, then took out her phone and dialed Vivi Sterling, "Vivi, are you... back yet? Can you... come pick me up?"

"Stella, where are you, what happened?"

"I'm on the mountain road of Fordham Manor..."

The wailing sound of an ambulance cut through the silence of the night, and fortunately, Vivi Sterling had called an ambulance.

When Stella was taken to the hospital, it was already one in the morning.

After a series of examinations, Stella had actually... miscarried. She was already six weeks pregnant.

Stella lay on the hospital bed, a teardrop slipped from the corner of her eye.

Poor child whom she never got to meet.

Vivi Sterling instantly burst into a rage, spitting out curses, "That damn man, didn't he know you were pregnant? He still had someone take you to Coregarde, exhausting you to death."

Stella's periods were always irregular, and she didn't know how she suddenly got pregnant.

This child should have been conceived last month. Last month she wasn't taken to Coregarde but went to Nation A.

At that time, he was on a business trip in Nation A, and he actually took her to Nation A. She stayed with him in Nation A for a full three days before returning.

At that time, he even warned her that she had used up her quota for this month last month.

Unexpectedly, he still had someone pick her up on time this month.

At this moment, a female doctor knocked and entered with a report in hand.

"You were really careless. Knowing you were pregnant, how could you still take birth control pills? Originally, the child could have been saved."

Birth control pills?

These words left Stella and Vivi stunned!

Stella never took any measures with Aiden Fordham, how could there be birth control pills inside her?

Vivi Sterling was immediately furious.

"That damn man, for the sake of that bitch Corinne Kensington, he secretly gave you birth control pills. If he didn't want a child, he could have just said it openly, why hurt you like this?"

At this moment, Stella's heart was in excruciating pain.

Could it really be Aiden Fordham?

Every time after, he would have the servants prepare bird's nest porridge or chicken soup for her, could the medicine have been mixed into the porridge?

And last month, they were in Nation A, he had no chance to drug her, so this month he came to torment her again? Taking the opportunity to drug her?

In an instant, she felt all her strength drained from her body.

"You wait, I'm going to the Fordham Family to demand justice for the child."

Vivi Sterling was shaking all over in anger, grabbing her phone and about to leave.

"Vivi." Stella spoke weakly, her voice hoarse, "Don't go!"

"Stella!" Vivi Sterling turned her head abruptly, looking at her in disbelief, "He killed your child! Are you just going to let it go like this?"

Stella slowly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, all that was left was cold hatred and determination.

"Aiden and I have already decided to divorce. I don't want to have any more entanglement with him."

She paused, looked at Vivi Sterling, and said word by word, "But, I will find out how this child was lost. I won't let those responsible get away with it!"

Her gaze was so cold, so fierce, that Vivi Sterling couldn't help but shiver.

This was the Stella she knew; seemingly fragile on the surface, but stronger than anyone else inside.

Vivi Sterling put down her phone and tightly held Stella's cold hand.

"Don't worry, we'll avenge this together. No matter who it is, I will make them pay a painful price!"

...

In the middle of the night, Stella was startled awake by the sound of thunder, unable to sleep as she tossed and turned.

She opened her eyes, looked at the dim nightlight, and her thoughts drifted far away.

She remembered the events of when she was 10... it wasn't until she was 12 that she came to Meritopia.

She had followed him for a full 12 years, enduring hardships to be by his side, and had given him everything she could.

She had only accidentally conceived his child, it was really... an accident!

Unknowingly, her tears flowed like a river.

Fate seemed to have stripped away her last piece of armor, causing her daytime strength to collapse in an instant.

This was the last remnant of her three-year marriage with him.

But her child, was gone!

Already gone!

She covered her face with her hands, sobbing uncontrollably...

The night was as deep as ink.

Outside, the heavy rain poured, raindrops pelting the glass with a frenzied rhythm.

Aiden Fordham suddenly sat up in bed, gasping for breath, his forehead covered in cold sweat.

It was that dream again.

Icy water surrounded him completely. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't breathe, only watching helplessly as he kept sinking into endless darkness, the suffocation so real it left him deeply shaken.

He irritably raked his fingers through his hair, got up, and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the city shrouded in rain.

No matter how heavy the night's rain, it couldn't wash away the gloom in his heart.

He walked over to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a large glass of whiskey, and gulped it down.

The fiery liquid burned his throat, unable to numb the inexplicable fear and unease.

It seemed something had happened, unsettling his mind.

Causing a faint pain in his heart... at a loss!

The next morning, Stella was wheeled into the operating room by a nurse.

The cold metal instruments, the glaring lights, and the lingering scent of disinfectant.

The doctor looked at her report, eyebrows tightly knit.

"There are still residues in your womb that must be cleared. You should know you have a genetic defect, and you're allergic to all anesthetics, so for this operation, we can't use any anesthesia."

This meant that she must endure this bone-scraping pain in an almost conscious state.

Stella nodded, her body trembling slightly with fear and cold.

She gritted her teeth, digging her nails deeply into her palms.

When the cold instruments entered her body, the sharp, tearing pain instantly engulfed her.

"Ugh..."

She couldn't help but groan, her forehead instantly covered in cold sweat.

Pain.

Such pain!

Like her internal organs were being torn apart.

Tears flowed uncontrollably, mixed with sweat, blurring her vision.

She bit her lower lip hard, drawing blood, the metallic taste spreading in her mouth.

She wanted to remember this pain.

Remember who made her endure all of this! Remember the heart-wrenching pain of losing her child!

Whoever harmed her child, she will never let them go!

The pain rolled in like waves, battering her nerves. She felt like a small boat in a stormy sea, ready to be torn apart at any moment.

Before long, she fainted!

At the same time, in the president's office of the Fordham Group.

Aiden Fordham looked at his phone screen, his frown getting deeper and deeper.

It was already ten in the morning, and Stella's phone still couldn't be reached.

Shut down!

This woman, disappearing without reason?

Wasn't it agreed that today they would come and sign the divorce papers? Could it be she was standing him up?

An inexplicable rage surged up his heart, and he irritably threw his phone onto the desk.

He didn't know why, but since the morning, he felt restless, as if something was about to happen.

Was it Stella?

What could happen to her?

It's nothing but another trick to gain his sympathy or delay the divorce.

He really wanted to see what new schemes she could come up with.

...

Outside the operating room, time crawled unbearably slow.

Vivi Sterling paced back and forth anxiously, her eyes darting now and then to the tightly shut doors of the operating room.

At last, the door opened.

Stella Grant was pushed out by a nurse. She had already fallen unconscious, but streaks of dried tears still clung to her face, and there were faint teeth marks on her pale lips.

"Stella!" Vivi Sterling hurried up to her.

The doctor took off his mask, his expression grave. "The surgery was a success, but the patient's body is extremely weak. Remember, in her condition, she needs proper rest, or else... she might never be able to get pregnant again."

Vivi's heart plummeted as she looked at the sleeping Stella, tears welling up again.

Such a good girl like Stella—how did she end up with a scumbag like Aiden Fordham!

Stella woke up in the afternoon.

Vivi's mother had come, carrying a steaming bowl of meat congee.

"You're awake, Stella? Here, have some congee while it's hot, it'll help you recover." Mrs. Sterling gazed at her pale face with deep concern.

"Thank you, godmother!" Stella managed a weak smile, struggling to sit up.

"Don't move, just lie down, I'll feed you." Mrs. Sterling quickly steadied her, scooping up some congee, gently blowing on it to cool it, and then bringing the spoon to Stella's lips.

Her heart ached so much—this child was so hard to come by, and now she lost it just like that!

Back when Stella was homeless, Vivi had been bullied after school, and it was Stella who stepped in to help her. Vivi brought her home, and the Sterling Family supported Stella to finish her schooling.

Mrs. Sterling even regarded her as another daughter.

Stella sipped the congee little by little. The warmth spread through her stomach, but her eyes turned red with tears.

Vivi was on the phone nearby, her voice pressed low but brimming with agitation.

"Abraham Grant! I'm telling you, if you keep hanging around with that asshole Aiden Fordham, we're breaking up right now! Engagement off, and I never want to see you again for the rest of my life!"

She slammed the phone down, her chest heaving with rage.

Stella looked at her. "Vivi, don't do this just because of me—"

"It's not about you!" Vivi cut her off, "I just can't stand Abraham Grant being so clueless! Aiden Fordham hurt you like this, and he's still acting like they're best friends? Whose side is he even on?"

The Sterling and Grant Families had long been set for an arranged marriage—the two had been engaged since they were eighteen.

But Vivi's spoiled princess ways had never changed, giving Abraham Grant endless headaches.

At that moment, inside the most exclusive private booth at Nocturne, Meritopia's elite club.

Languid music flowed; the air was thick with expensive liquor and the scent of perfume.

Abraham Grant held his phone, his face clouded with confusion.

He shot an innocent glance at Aiden Fordham. "What the hell is she flipping out about now? She says if I keep hanging with you, she's breaking up with me?"

Aiden raised his glass, slender fingers swirling the amber liquid. At the words, he merely lifted a brow, his face unreadable.

Damian Hawthorne, seated next to him, grinned. "Whoa, Second Master Grant, looks like shit's going down at home! Your girl really has it in for Aiden. Now she's giving you a choice—pick one."

Abraham ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. "Who knows what's up with her! Forget it, let's drink."

Just then, the private suite door swung open.

A woman sauntered in—a red slip dress, sexy, every move oozing confidence. Corinne Kensington.

Corinne, heiress to the Kensington Family, now a top A-list celebrity.

Yesterday's high-profile birthday bash with Aiden Fordham had shot her fan count to twenty million—she shone like a star in the sky, everyone watching.

If she could marry into the Fordham Family, she'd be the most honored woman in Meritopia.

The wife of the wealthiest man! Just the thought made her giddy!

She walked straight to Aiden's side, ignoring the stunned and jealous looks around her, sat down beside him, slipped her arm naturally into his, and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Aiden, can I be your date for the Fordham Group's anniversary this weekend?"

She was done hiding in his shadow.

Three years. She'd waited long enough!

Aiden's eyes softened. "Tomorrow, I'll have someone pick out a dress for you."

Corinne's face lit up. "I knew it, you're the best."

Damian raised his glass. "Congrats, Corinne! About to make it official."

Abraham joined in, teasing, "Looks like the three-year agreement is about to end. Corinne, your hard days are almost over."

It was obvious—Aiden's two closest brothers both sided with Corinne. After all, they'd never seen Aiden bring Stella out, ever.

Besides, that marriage was a strict secret—no one on the outside knew anything.

It might as well have not existed!

Corinne graciously lifted her glass, clinking it with theirs. "Thank you, Young Master Grant, Young Master Hawthorne."

Among the four great families of Meritopia, three heirs were all backing her. Once Aiden and Stella's marriage was over, she'd officially enter the Fordham Family.

"Ding." Damian glanced at his phone at a pop-up message, almost leaping off the sofa in excitement!

"Holy shit! God N is coming back!"

He brandished his phone. The headline on the screen was impossible to miss—[Bluebird Technologies Founder God N Confirmed to Attend Next Month's Global Medical Summit!]

Young Master Hawthorne's voice trembled with wild joy, eyes shining red, "My grandmother might be saved! This is incredible!"

The Hawthorne matriarch had lung cancer—not much time left.

This news was hope from the clouds.

The young heirs in the room immediately erupted in even louder chatter.

"God N? The one who, three years ago, cracked the cancer treatment equation, instantly becoming a legend, then vanished off the face of the earth?"

"No way—they're finally reappearing? I thought she'd ascended already!"

"Bluebird Technologies! The forever benchmark in medtech! That equation from three years ago pulled so many terminal patients back from the brink of death!"

"Exactly! It's her! Three years ago she popped out of nowhere, dropped the equation, then disappeared—no one could find her. Now she's back? This is a bombshell! That medical summit is going to explode next month."

Sitting not far away, Aiden's dark eyes suddenly flashed with burning intensity.

The Fordham Group's medical division was already the domestic leader.

He'd pioneered the country's top medical AI system and had become Meritopia's wealthiest man in only four years.

The Fordham Group, under his leadership, operated in over eighty countries worldwide. He was the definition of the favored son of heaven.

But...God N!

That name wasn't just legend in medicine—it was a symbol of supreme, magnetic leadership.

To Aiden, God N was like a fabled Arcanum Isle—shrouded in mystery and power he couldn't help but want to get close to...

If God N could partner with the Fordham Group, the company's global standing in medicine would be unmatched!

Aiden's fingers tightened minutely on the wineglass, and the corner of his lips lifted with a victorious curve.

Abraham added, "I heard God N's 'Gene Therapy'! Uses biomolecular gene editing tech—directly targets cancer cells! Awesome!"

Everyone chimed in excitedly, talking over each other, imagining the revolutionary changes God N's return would spark—the atmosphere was electric.

God N, the world's top biologist—her value simply defied measure.

At that moment, the suite door was pushed open lightly.

A young waitress came in, carrying a tray, walking gingerly as she prepared to refill the guests' wine.

But when she saw the three elite heirs before her, she got so nervous she suddenly tripped, lurching forward!

The wine glasses on her tray crashed to the floor!

"Bang—crash—"

The crisp shattering of crystal pierced the din.

Corinne, sitting nearest, couldn't react in time.

"Ah!"

Corinne let out a sharp yelp, and Aiden sprang into action. In the same instant the glass shattered, he pulled the startled Corinne straight into his arms.

He shielded her face from flying shards, but glass still slashed two bloody lines across her fair hand.

His brows knit tight as he saw the clear wound and blood oozing from Corinne's hand, his face instantly going cold.

"Damn it!"

Aiden's razor gaze swept the ashen, frozen waitress, his voice like frost.

"What are you standing there for? Get out, now!"

The waitress, terrified, scrambled out on trembling legs.

"Aiden...my hand hurts so much..."

Corinne huddled in Aiden's arms, tears shimmering in her eyes and her voice quivering with pain.

"Don't be scared. I'll take you to the hospital."

Aiden's tone softened. Carefully avoiding her injured hand, he swept her up in his arms and strode purposefully out of the suite.

Hospital.

The smell of antiseptic hung in the air; the corridor was so quiet only footsteps could be heard.

Aiden settled Corinne in and had the doctor tend to her wound thoroughly, making sure it was properly bandaged.

Looking at Corinne's pale, pitiful face, Aiden forced himself to comfort her gently and told her to rest well in the hospital room.

He left the room, and just as he turned into the corridor, out the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse through a half-open door nearby.

A familiar figure appeared in his sight.

Aiden jerked to a stop.

His gaze fixed on the hospital bed—white sheets, a pale face.

A woman lay silently there, eyes closed. Her long lashes cast faint shadows under her lids, a slender arm hooked up to an IV, transparent liquid slowly dripping into her.

Stella Grant!

Why was she here? Lying in a hospital bed?!

A torrent of unspeakable, tangled emotions seized Aiden's heart, as if an invisible hand had clenched him hard.

Aiden pushed the door open and marched straight in!