Quality Novels Reading 09

My ex-husband abandoned me overseas to fend for myself. I slept on the streets and was nearly dragged into the red-light district. Then the untouchable mafia boss saved me. Now I'm back with his child, and my ex is on his knees begging me to stay. One year after being forcibly sent abroad by her ex-husband, Ava Sterling returned to Ashford with her baby to apply for residency registration. She went to retrieve her household registration booklet from the family home. There, she ran into a maid who had always looked down on her. "You—a discarded wife Mr. Blackwood threw out—how dare you come back?" Bertha raised her voice. "Mr. Blackwood said you weren't to return for three years. It's only been one, and you sneak back? I'm calling him right now." She pulled out her phone, expecting to see panic flash across Ava's face. But Ava simply walked past her without a word and headed straight for the master bedroom. She would grab her booklet and leave. She pushed open the door—only to find the room completely remodeled. The minimalist wood-and-natural style she had loved was gone, replaced by a girly, pastel-pink aesthetic. Her belongings had vanished. Bertha roughly shoved her aside. "The current lady of the Blackwood Family is Miss Victoria Deville. This is Miss Deville's room now. Your things were thrown out long ago by Mr. Blackwood. Please leave." Downstairs, Liam Blackwood arrived late. The moment his eyes landed on Ava, his face darkened. "Who told you to come back?" "Wasn't it agreed? You stay abroad for three years. Give me three years with Victoria. She's been unstable ever since she lost my brother. The doctors say the only way to heal her is to fulfill her wishes." "Her biggest wish is to stay with my brother. My brother and I look exactly alike. Playing his role and acting as her husband—it's all for her treatment. Can you please be reasonable?" His tone was heavy, his gaze sharp as a blade. Ava calmly glanced around the room. Under the bed was a wrapper that hadn't been cleaned up. "Playing husband all the way to the bedroom?" To her own surprise, she felt nothing. No anger. No hurt. A year ago, in this very villa, she had fought with Liam until she was breathless over his dead brother's wife. Because after Victoria's husband died, she began losing her mind. She often mistook Liam for Lucas. Whenever she had an episode, only Liam could soothe her, and he was on call around the clock. When Ava went for prenatal checkups, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava ran a fever late in her third trimester, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava hemorrhaged during childbirth and needed someone to sign the consent form, Liam was still with Victoria. Later, after Ava narrowly survived the birth, Victoria suddenly had an episode, claimed the baby was hers, and snatched the child. Ava chased her in the rain for half an hour with her C‑section wound still bleeding, then collapsed on the roadside. When she woke up, Liam told her that because she had chased Victoria, Victoria became frightened and lost her grip, and the baby fell into the river. Drowned. The baby she had seen only once—right after birth—was gone. Ava wept as if her heart were being ripped out. She smashed everything in the hospital room. She grabbed a pair of scissors to go after Victoria. But Liam shoved her hard, protecting Victoria. Afterward, Liam said, "The doctors say Victoria only stabilizes when she sees me. So we designed a treatment plan. I pretend to be my brother and live as her husband for three years. You go abroad during that time. Don't come back. After three years, I'll bring you home." Ava refused. They fought at the villa. But Liam gave her no choice—he had her escorted onto a plane. She had thought she would hate him for a long time. But now, looking back, she realized her heart had probably died the day her child died. If not for his cruelty, if not for being forced abroad, she never would have met her current husband. With that thought, Ava replied coldly, "I just came for the household registration booklet. I'll leave once I have it." Only then did Liam notice the baby in her arms. His eyes widened. "You were already pregnant when you left?" A year was just enough time to give birth overseas. A jumble of emotions crossed his face. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" Ava avoided his reaching hand. "This child has nothing to do with you. Where's my booklet?" Before Liam could answer, Victoria's voice drifted up from downstairs. "Luke, I'm home." Liam immediately grabbed Ava. "You can't be here when Victoria sees you. It'll set her off. Go out the back door. Now." Ignoring her resistance, he dragged her to the rear exit. He looked at the baby, and guilt flickered in his eyes. "She's still young. She won't remember any of this. When three years are up, I'll bring you back. We'll still be husband and wife. I'll be a good father." Ava almost laughed. She looked up at his retreating back. "Does he really think this child is his?" The back door slammed shut. Ava didn't want to provoke a madwoman like Victoria, so she left. Back at the hotel, she had just put the baby down when an overseas call came in. "How's everything? How's the baby?" Thinking of her husband's jealous, high-strung nature, she didn't mention what had happened. She just said she had arrived and was about to rest. The man's dejected face appeared on the screen. "Damn work. I can't even come home with my wife. But I found the best nanny in Ashford. She'll start tomorrow. She'll take wonderful care of my wife and baby." Ava laughed despite herself. They talked until late. The next day, the baby spit up several times. Worried, Ava took her to the hospital. On the third floor, she saw Liam and Victoria. Liam was carefully supporting Victoria, who wore a fitted dress with a slight bump at her midsection. A glance at the obstetrics department ahead told her everything. She was about to pretend she hadn't seen them when Liam spotted her. He pulled her into a corner. "Didn't I tell you to leave? You followed me to the hospital with the baby?" His voice dropped. "You had me followed. You knew today was Victoria's prenatal visit, so you brought the child here to trigger her." "Ava, since when did you become so calculating?" Ava shook him off. "You're imagining things. I brought my baby to see a doctor." Who would have guessed they'd end up on the same floor? Liam clearly didn't believe her. "You'd lie about your child being sick just to stay?" He summoned his bodyguards. "Take her out. Book the earliest flight. I don't want to see her again." Several guards grabbed Ava to drag her away. Their rough handling upset the baby, who had already been unwell. Her face grew pale, and she began to wail. Fiercely protective, Ava shoved the guards. "Liam Blackwood, if you hurt my child, I'll kill you." Victoria, waiting for her appointment, heard the noise and came over. The moment she saw Ava, her eyes went wide.

In my past life, he drained me dry for my sister. Reborn, I delivered him straight to her. "Here's your prize." "Miss Windsor, have you finished signing your form?" Clara Windsor stared blankly at the City Hall before her, then heard the staff member's urging voice again. Only then did she finally realize. She had been reborn? Reborn on the very day she was supposed to get her marriage license with Caspian Blackwood. In her previous life, she had been overjoyed that morning—waking early, eager to drag him to wait in line. Now she fingered the registration form in her hand, but there was not a trace of happiness on her face. The Blackwood Family was the most powerful noble house in Kingsbridge—strict, ritualistic, and unforgiving. As the heir, Caspian needed a wife who would be his steadfast support: gentle, utterly devoted to him and the family, and able to leave him with no worries at home. So in her past life, to be the perfect wife, she had abandoned her future, her sense of self. She resigned from her post, bore children, managed the household, and sacrificed everything. By the time she was barely past fifty, illness had worn her down. Lying on her deathbed, she discovered the love letters he had written to her younger sister. "You are a free bird, meant to soar across the blue sky. Because I love you, I cannot bear to trap you." "Your sister resembles you a little. Whenever I look at her face, I can fool myself into thinking the woman spending her life with me is you. In the future, let your sister handle the children, the elders, the housework—I only want you to live happily, freely, and brilliantly every single day." Only then did she understand: Caspian Blackwood, the man she had grown old with, had always loved her sister, Vanessa Windsor. He had married her only because she served another purpose. After discovering the truth, she was consumed by agony. Her son rushed back, but instead of comforting her, his face lit up. He kept urging her at her bedside. "Mom, since Dad really loves Aunt Ness, you should just divorce him already." "All these years, you've never measured up to Aunt Ness. She's a diplomat, while you've just stayed home doing chores. You don't suit Dad at all. You've kept the whole family running smoothly—now Aunt Ness can marry in without a care and live blissfully with Dad. Just let go and make way for them." That day, she died from sheer rage, slipping from the world. Opening her eyes again, she was back on the day she was supposed to get her marriage license with Caspian Blackwood. To love others, you must first love yourself. In this life, she would not repeat her mistakes. She was about to speak when the phone in Caspian's pocket rang. It was Vanessa. Seeing the caller ID, his cold expression instantly softened. He stepped aside to take the call. A minute later, he returned. "Clara, your sister sprained her ankle. As her brother-in-law, I should go see her. After you sign, just go home by yourself." Without waiting for her reply, he hurried out. His assistant, Danny, chased after him. "Mr. Blackwood, the board meeting is about to start—this contract is worth hundreds of billions. You—" "Cancel it." Caspian stepped on the accelerator, and the car vanished into traffic. Watching his receding figure, Clara felt nothing but sorrow and irony. In her past life, her eyes and heart had been full of Caspian Blackwood. She had never known that his eyes and heart were full of Vanessa. Such obvious affection—how had she missed it? She had wasted an entire lifetime. At the counter, the staff member tapped on the glass. "Miss Windsor, are you still signing the form?" Clara curved her lips, but the smile did not reach her eyes. "Yes." She picked up the pen and, stroke by stroke, wrote a name: Vanessa Windsor. Then she slid the corresponding page from the family register across the counter. Caspian Blackwood, since you love her so much, I will grant your wish. Stepping out of the City Hall, she looked at the marriage certificate in her hand and smiled bitterly. Groom: Caspian Blackwood. Bride: Vanessa Windsor. She wondered what face Caspian would make when he saw these two certificates. She had just tucked them into her bag when her phone rang. Minister Sterling's voice came through, tinged with regret. "Clara, have you really decided to resign from your diplomatic post?" "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs chooses only the best. You're someone I've always had high hopes for—limitless potential. I was planning to give you an overseas assignment, and then you suddenly said you wanted to quit." "I know family matters to you, but I have to say a few more words—" Before he could finish, Clara's resolute voice cut in. "Minister Sterling, I'm sorry. I was confused before. I'm not resigning. I'll take the overseas post." In her previous life, she had resigned from the Foreign Ministry, and right after that, the overseas post went to Vanessa. She had naively believed that sacrificing her dreams for love would earn her his love. Instead, she had spent the rest of her life trapped inside the Blackwood mansion, her spirit and talent wilting like an ephemeral flower. Meanwhile, Vanessa went abroad, made a name for herself, became a role model for students, and a national pride. In this life, she would never be hindered by love again. She would never sacrifice her future for Caspian Blackwood. From now on, she would live only for herself, shining brilliantly on her own terms.

My sister-in-law faked insanity to steal my husband? I sent her straight to prison. My ex chased me to the airport, sobbing, "Give me one more chance!" I wrapped my arm around my new love and didn't look back. "Try again in another lifetime." One year after being forcibly sent abroad by her ex-husband, Ava Sterling returned to Ashford with her baby to apply for residency registration. She went to retrieve her household registration booklet from the family home. There, she ran into a maid who had always looked down on her. "You—a discarded wife Mr. Blackwood threw out—how dare you come back?" Bertha raised her voice. "Mr. Blackwood said you weren't to return for three years. It's only been one, and you sneak back? I'm calling him right now." She pulled out her phone, expecting to see panic flash across Ava's face. But Ava simply walked past her without a word and headed straight for the master bedroom. She would grab her booklet and leave. She pushed open the door—only to find the room completely remodeled. The minimalist wood-and-natural style she had loved was gone, replaced by a girly, pastel-pink aesthetic. Her belongings had vanished. Bertha roughly shoved her aside. "The current lady of the Blackwood Family is Miss Victoria Deville. This is Miss Deville's room now. Your things were thrown out long ago by Mr. Blackwood. Please leave." Downstairs, Liam Blackwood arrived late. The moment his eyes landed on Ava, his face darkened. "Who told you to come back?" "Wasn't it agreed? You stay abroad for three years. Give me three years with Victoria. She's been unstable ever since she lost my brother. The doctors say the only way to heal her is to fulfill her wishes." "Her biggest wish is to stay with my brother. My brother and I look exactly alike. Playing his role and acting as her husband—it's all for her treatment. Can you please be reasonable?" His tone was heavy, his gaze sharp as a blade. Ava calmly glanced around the room. Under the bed was a wrapper that hadn't been cleaned up. "Playing husband all the way to the bedroom?" To her own surprise, she felt nothing. No anger. No hurt. A year ago, in this very villa, she had fought with Liam until she was breathless over his dead brother's wife. Because after Victoria's husband died, she began losing her mind. She often mistook Liam for Lucas. Whenever she had an episode, only Liam could soothe her, and he was on call around the clock. When Ava went for prenatal checkups, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava ran a fever late in her third trimester, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava hemorrhaged during childbirth and needed someone to sign the consent form, Liam was still with Victoria. Later, after Ava narrowly survived the birth, Victoria suddenly had an episode, claimed the baby was hers, and snatched the child. Ava chased her in the rain for half an hour with her C‑section wound still bleeding, then collapsed on the roadside. When she woke up, Liam told her that because she had chased Victoria, Victoria became frightened and lost her grip, and the baby fell into the river. Drowned. The baby she had seen only once—right after birth—was gone. Ava wept as if her heart were being ripped out. She smashed everything in the hospital room. She grabbed a pair of scissors to go after Victoria. But Liam shoved her hard, protecting Victoria. Afterward, Liam said, "The doctors say Victoria only stabilizes when she sees me. So we designed a treatment plan. I pretend to be my brother and live as her husband for three years. You go abroad during that time. Don't come back. After three years, I'll bring you home." Ava refused. They fought at the villa. But Liam gave her no choice—he had her escorted onto a plane. She had thought she would hate him for a long time. But now, looking back, she realized her heart had probably died the day her child died. If not for his cruelty, if not for being forced abroad, she never would have met her current husband. With that thought, Ava replied coldly, "I just came for the household registration booklet. I'll leave once I have it." Only then did Liam notice the baby in her arms. His eyes widened. "You were already pregnant when you left?" A year was just enough time to give birth overseas. A jumble of emotions crossed his face. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" Ava avoided his reaching hand. "This child has nothing to do with you. Where's my booklet?" Before Liam could answer, Victoria's voice drifted up from downstairs. "Luke, I'm home." Liam immediately grabbed Ava. "You can't be here when Victoria sees you. It'll set her off. Go out the back door. Now." Ignoring her resistance, he dragged her to the rear exit. He looked at the baby, and guilt flickered in his eyes. "She's still young. She won't remember any of this. When three years are up, I'll bring you back. We'll still be husband and wife. I'll be a good father." Ava almost laughed. She looked up at his retreating back. "Does he really think this child is his?" The back door slammed shut. Ava didn't want to provoke a madwoman like Victoria, so she left. Back at the hotel, she had just put the baby down when an overseas call came in. "How's everything? How's the baby?" Thinking of her husband's jealous, high-strung nature, she didn't mention what had happened. She just said she had arrived and was about to rest. The man's dejected face appeared on the screen. "Damn work. I can't even come home with my wife. But I found the best nanny in Ashford. She'll start tomorrow. She'll take wonderful care of my wife and baby." Ava laughed despite herself. They talked until late. The next day, the baby spit up several times. Worried, Ava took her to the hospital. On the third floor, she saw Liam and Victoria. Liam was carefully supporting Victoria, who wore a fitted dress with a slight bump at her midsection. A glance at the obstetrics department ahead told her everything. She was about to pretend she hadn't seen them when Liam spotted her. He pulled her into a corner. "Didn't I tell you to leave? You followed me to the hospital with the baby?" His voice dropped. "You had me followed. You knew today was Victoria's prenatal visit, so you brought the child here to trigger her." "Ava, since when did you become so calculating?" Ava shook him off. "You're imagining things. I brought my baby to see a doctor." Who would have guessed they'd end up on the same floor? Liam clearly didn't believe her. "You'd lie about your child being sick just to stay?" He summoned his bodyguards. "Take her out. Book the earliest flight. I don't want to see her again." Several guards grabbed Ava to drag her away. Their rough handling upset the baby, who had already been unwell. Her face grew pale, and she began to wail. Fiercely protective, Ava shoved the guards. "Liam Blackwood, if you hurt my child, I'll kill you." Victoria, waiting for her appointment, heard the noise and came over. The moment she saw Ava, her eyes went wide.

My husband used five entire boxes of protection while "treating" his sister-in-law in bed. I quietly packed my divorce papers, took my baby, and walked away without looking back. One year after being forcibly sent abroad by her ex-husband, Ava Sterling returned to Ashford with her baby to apply for residency registration. She went to retrieve her household registration booklet from the family home. There, she ran into a maid who had always looked down on her. "You—a discarded wife Mr. Blackwood threw out—how dare you come back?" Bertha raised her voice. "Mr. Blackwood said you weren't to return for three years. It's only been one, and you sneak back? I'm calling him right now." She pulled out her phone, expecting to see panic flash across Ava's face. But Ava simply walked past her without a word and headed straight for the master bedroom. She would grab her booklet and leave. She pushed open the door—only to find the room completely remodeled. The minimalist wood-and-natural style she had loved was gone, replaced by a girly, pastel-pink aesthetic. Her belongings had vanished. Bertha roughly shoved her aside. "The current lady of the Blackwood Family is Miss Victoria Deville. This is Miss Deville's room now. Your things were thrown out long ago by Mr. Blackwood. Please leave." Downstairs, Liam Blackwood arrived late. The moment his eyes landed on Ava, his face darkened. "Who told you to come back?" "Wasn't it agreed? You stay abroad for three years. Give me three years with Victoria. She's been unstable ever since she lost my brother. The doctors say the only way to heal her is to fulfill her wishes." "Her biggest wish is to stay with my brother. My brother and I look exactly alike. Playing his role and acting as her husband—it's all for her treatment. Can you please be reasonable?" His tone was heavy, his gaze sharp as a blade. Ava calmly glanced around the room. Under the bed was a wrapper that hadn't been cleaned up. "Playing husband all the way to the bedroom?" To her own surprise, she felt nothing. No anger. No hurt. A year ago, in this very villa, she had fought with Liam until she was breathless over his dead brother's wife. Because after Victoria's husband died, she began losing her mind. She often mistook Liam for Lucas. Whenever she had an episode, only Liam could soothe her, and he was on call around the clock. When Ava went for prenatal checkups, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava ran a fever late in her third trimester, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava hemorrhaged during childbirth and needed someone to sign the consent form, Liam was still with Victoria. Later, after Ava narrowly survived the birth, Victoria suddenly had an episode, claimed the baby was hers, and snatched the child. Ava chased her in the rain for half an hour with her C‑section wound still bleeding, then collapsed on the roadside. When she woke up, Liam told her that because she had chased Victoria, Victoria became frightened and lost her grip, and the baby fell into the river. Drowned. The baby she had seen only once—right after birth—was gone. Ava wept as if her heart were being ripped out. She smashed everything in the hospital room. She grabbed a pair of scissors to go after Victoria. But Liam shoved her hard, protecting Victoria. Afterward, Liam said, "The doctors say Victoria only stabilizes when she sees me. So we designed a treatment plan. I pretend to be my brother and live as her husband for three years. You go abroad during that time. Don't come back. After three years, I'll bring you home." Ava refused. They fought at the villa. But Liam gave her no choice—he had her escorted onto a plane. She had thought she would hate him for a long time. But now, looking back, she realized her heart had probably died the day her child died. If not for his cruelty, if not for being forced abroad, she never would have met her current husband. With that thought, Ava replied coldly, "I just came for the household registration booklet. I'll leave once I have it." Only then did Liam notice the baby in her arms. His eyes widened. "You were already pregnant when you left?" A year was just enough time to give birth overseas. A jumble of emotions crossed his face. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" Ava avoided his reaching hand. "This child has nothing to do with you. Where's my booklet?" Before Liam could answer, Victoria's voice drifted up from downstairs. "Luke, I'm home." Liam immediately grabbed Ava. "You can't be here when Victoria sees you. It'll set her off. Go out the back door. Now." Ignoring her resistance, he dragged her to the rear exit. He looked at the baby, and guilt flickered in his eyes. "She's still young. She won't remember any of this. When three years are up, I'll bring you back. We'll still be husband and wife. I'll be a good father." Ava almost laughed. She looked up at his retreating back. "Does he really think this child is his?" The back door slammed shut. Ava didn't want to provoke a madwoman like Victoria, so she left. Back at the hotel, she had just put the baby down when an overseas call came in. "How's everything? How's the baby?" Thinking of her husband's jealous, high-strung nature, she didn't mention what had happened. She just said she had arrived and was about to rest. The man's dejected face appeared on the screen. "Damn work. I can't even come home with my wife. But I found the best nanny in Ashford. She'll start tomorrow. She'll take wonderful care of my wife and baby." Ava laughed despite herself. They talked until late. The next day, the baby spit up several times. Worried, Ava took her to the hospital. On the third floor, she saw Liam and Victoria. Liam was carefully supporting Victoria, who wore a fitted dress with a slight bump at her midsection. A glance at the obstetrics department ahead told her everything. She was about to pretend she hadn't seen them when Liam spotted her. He pulled her into a corner. "Didn't I tell you to leave? You followed me to the hospital with the baby?" His voice dropped. "You had me followed. You knew today was Victoria's prenatal visit, so you brought the child here to trigger her." "Ava, since when did you become so calculating?" Ava shook him off. "You're imagining things. I brought my baby to see a doctor." Who would have guessed they'd end up on the same floor? Liam clearly didn't believe her. "You'd lie about your child being sick just to stay?" He summoned his bodyguards. "Take her out. Book the earliest flight. I don't want to see her again." Several guards grabbed Ava to drag her away. Their rough handling upset the baby, who had already been unwell. Her face grew pale, and she began to wail. Fiercely protective, Ava shoved the guards. "Liam Blackwood, if you hurt my child, I'll kill you." Victoria, waiting for her appointment, heard the noise and came over. The moment she saw Ava, her eyes went wide.

My ex-husband abandoned me overseas to fend for myself. I slept on the streets and was nearly dragged into the red-light district. Then the untouchable mafia boss saved me. Now I'm back with his child, and my ex is on his knees begging me to stay. One year after being forcibly sent abroad by her ex-husband, Ava Sterling returned to Ashford with her baby to apply for residency registration. She went to retrieve her household registration booklet from the family home. There, she ran into a maid who had always looked down on her. "You—a discarded wife Mr. Blackwood threw out—how dare you come back?" Bertha raised her voice. "Mr. Blackwood said you weren't to return for three years. It's only been one, and you sneak back? I'm calling him right now." She pulled out her phone, expecting to see panic flash across Ava's face. But Ava simply walked past her without a word and headed straight for the master bedroom. She would grab her booklet and leave. She pushed open the door—only to find the room completely remodeled. The minimalist wood-and-natural style she had loved was gone, replaced by a girly, pastel-pink aesthetic. Her belongings had vanished. Bertha roughly shoved her aside. "The current lady of the Blackwood Family is Miss Victoria Deville. This is Miss Deville's room now. Your things were thrown out long ago by Mr. Blackwood. Please leave." Downstairs, Liam Blackwood arrived late. The moment his eyes landed on Ava, his face darkened. "Who told you to come back?" "Wasn't it agreed? You stay abroad for three years. Give me three years with Victoria. She's been unstable ever since she lost my brother. The doctors say the only way to heal her is to fulfill her wishes." "Her biggest wish is to stay with my brother. My brother and I look exactly alike. Playing his role and acting as her husband—it's all for her treatment. Can you please be reasonable?" His tone was heavy, his gaze sharp as a blade. Ava calmly glanced around the room. Under the bed was a wrapper that hadn't been cleaned up. "Playing husband all the way to the bedroom?" To her own surprise, she felt nothing. No anger. No hurt. A year ago, in this very villa, she had fought with Liam until she was breathless over his dead brother's wife. Because after Victoria's husband died, she began losing her mind. She often mistook Liam for Lucas. Whenever she had an episode, only Liam could soothe her, and he was on call around the clock. When Ava went for prenatal checkups, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava ran a fever late in her third trimester, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava hemorrhaged during childbirth and needed someone to sign the consent form, Liam was still with Victoria. Later, after Ava narrowly survived the birth, Victoria suddenly had an episode, claimed the baby was hers, and snatched the child. Ava chased her in the rain for half an hour with her C‑section wound still bleeding, then collapsed on the roadside. When she woke up, Liam told her that because she had chased Victoria, Victoria became frightened and lost her grip, and the baby fell into the river. Drowned. The baby she had seen only once—right after birth—was gone. Ava wept as if her heart were being ripped out. She smashed everything in the hospital room. She grabbed a pair of scissors to go after Victoria. But Liam shoved her hard, protecting Victoria. Afterward, Liam said, "The doctors say Victoria only stabilizes when she sees me. So we designed a treatment plan. I pretend to be my brother and live as her husband for three years. You go abroad during that time. Don't come back. After three years, I'll bring you home." Ava refused. They fought at the villa. But Liam gave her no choice—he had her escorted onto a plane. She had thought she would hate him for a long time. But now, looking back, she realized her heart had probably died the day her child died. If not for his cruelty, if not for being forced abroad, she never would have met her current husband. With that thought, Ava replied coldly, "I just came for the household registration booklet. I'll leave once I have it." Only then did Liam notice the baby in her arms. His eyes widened. "You were already pregnant when you left?" A year was just enough time to give birth overseas. A jumble of emotions crossed his face. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" Ava avoided his reaching hand. "This child has nothing to do with you. Where's my booklet?" Before Liam could answer, Victoria's voice drifted up from downstairs. "Luke, I'm home." Liam immediately grabbed Ava. "You can't be here when Victoria sees you. It'll set her off. Go out the back door. Now." Ignoring her resistance, he dragged her to the rear exit. He looked at the baby, and guilt flickered in his eyes. "She's still young. She won't remember any of this. When three years are up, I'll bring you back. We'll still be husband and wife. I'll be a good father." Ava almost laughed. She looked up at his retreating back. "Does he really think this child is his?" The back door slammed shut. Ava didn't want to provoke a madwoman like Victoria, so she left. Back at the hotel, she had just put the baby down when an overseas call came in. "How's everything? How's the baby?" Thinking of her husband's jealous, high-strung nature, she didn't mention what had happened. She just said she had arrived and was about to rest. The man's dejected face appeared on the screen. "Damn work. I can't even come home with my wife. But I found the best nanny in Ashford. She'll start tomorrow. She'll take wonderful care of my wife and baby." Ava laughed despite herself. They talked until late. The next day, the baby spit up several times. Worried, Ava took her to the hospital. On the third floor, she saw Liam and Victoria. Liam was carefully supporting Victoria, who wore a fitted dress with a slight bump at her midsection. A glance at the obstetrics department ahead told her everything. She was about to pretend she hadn't seen them when Liam spotted her. He pulled her into a corner. "Didn't I tell you to leave? You followed me to the hospital with the baby?" His voice dropped. "You had me followed. You knew today was Victoria's prenatal visit, so you brought the child here to trigger her." "Ava, since when did you become so calculating?" Ava shook him off. "You're imagining things. I brought my baby to see a doctor." Who would have guessed they'd end up on the same floor? Liam clearly didn't believe her. "You'd lie about your child being sick just to stay?" He summoned his bodyguards. "Take her out. Book the earliest flight. I don't want to see her again." Several guards grabbed Ava to drag her away. Their rough handling upset the baby, who had already been unwell. Her face grew pale, and she began to wail. Fiercely protective, Ava shoved the guards. "Liam Blackwood, if you hurt my child, I'll kill you." Victoria, waiting for her appointment, heard the noise and came over. The moment she saw Ava, her eyes went wide.

My ex-husband cheated on me with his sister-in-law. He thought he could ship me abroad for three years and I'd wait obediently for him. What he didn't know was that on my second day abroad, a mafia boss set his eyes on me—and I spent 365 hours with him. One year after being forcibly sent abroad by her ex-husband, Ava Sterling returned to Ashford with her baby to apply for residency registration. She went to retrieve her household registration booklet from the family home. There, she ran into a maid who had always looked down on her. "You—a discarded wife Mr. Blackwood threw out—how dare you come back?" Bertha raised her voice. "Mr. Blackwood said you weren't to return for three years. It's only been one, and you sneak back? I'm calling him right now." She pulled out her phone, expecting to see panic flash across Ava's face. But Ava simply walked past her without a word and headed straight for the master bedroom. She would grab her booklet and leave. She pushed open the door—only to find the room completely remodeled. The minimalist wood-and-natural style she had loved was gone, replaced by a girly, pastel-pink aesthetic. Her belongings had vanished. Bertha roughly shoved her aside. "The current lady of the Blackwood Family is Miss Victoria Deville. This is Miss Deville's room now. Your things were thrown out long ago by Mr. Blackwood. Please leave." Downstairs, Liam Blackwood arrived late. The moment his eyes landed on Ava, his face darkened. "Who told you to come back?" "Wasn't it agreed? You stay abroad for three years. Give me three years with Victoria. She's been unstable ever since she lost my brother. The doctors say the only way to heal her is to fulfill her wishes." "Her biggest wish is to stay with my brother. My brother and I look exactly alike. Playing his role and acting as her husband—it's all for her treatment. Can you please be reasonable?" His tone was heavy, his gaze sharp as a blade. Ava calmly glanced around the room. Under the bed was a wrapper that hadn't been cleaned up. "Playing husband all the way to the bedroom?" To her own surprise, she felt nothing. No anger. No hurt. A year ago, in this very villa, she had fought with Liam until she was breathless over his dead brother's wife. Because after Victoria's husband died, she began losing her mind. She often mistook Liam for Lucas. Whenever she had an episode, only Liam could soothe her, and he was on call around the clock. When Ava went for prenatal checkups, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava ran a fever late in her third trimester, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava hemorrhaged during childbirth and needed someone to sign the consent form, Liam was still with Victoria. Later, after Ava narrowly survived the birth, Victoria suddenly had an episode, claimed the baby was hers, and snatched the child. Ava chased her in the rain for half an hour with her C‑section wound still bleeding, then collapsed on the roadside. When she woke up, Liam told her that because she had chased Victoria, Victoria became frightened and lost her grip, and the baby fell into the river. Drowned. The baby she had seen only once—right after birth—was gone. Ava wept as if her heart were being ripped out. She smashed everything in the hospital room. She grabbed a pair of scissors to go after Victoria. But Liam shoved her hard, protecting Victoria. Afterward, Liam said, "The doctors say Victoria only stabilizes when she sees me. So we designed a treatment plan. I pretend to be my brother and live as her husband for three years. You go abroad during that time. Don't come back. After three years, I'll bring you home." Ava refused. They fought at the villa. But Liam gave her no choice—he had her escorted onto a plane. She had thought she would hate him for a long time. But now, looking back, she realized her heart had probably died the day her child died. If not for his cruelty, if not for being forced abroad, she never would have met her current husband. With that thought, Ava replied coldly, "I just came for the household registration booklet. I'll leave once I have it." Only then did Liam notice the baby in her arms. His eyes widened. "You were already pregnant when you left?" A year was just enough time to give birth overseas. A jumble of emotions crossed his face. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" Ava avoided his reaching hand. "This child has nothing to do with you. Where's my booklet?" Before Liam could answer, Victoria's voice drifted up from downstairs. "Luke, I'm home." Liam immediately grabbed Ava. "You can't be here when Victoria sees you. It'll set her off. Go out the back door. Now." Ignoring her resistance, he dragged her to the rear exit. He looked at the baby, and guilt flickered in his eyes. "She's still young. She won't remember any of this. When three years are up, I'll bring you back. We'll still be husband and wife. I'll be a good father." Ava almost laughed. She looked up at his retreating back. "Does he really think this child is his?" The back door slammed shut. Ava didn't want to provoke a madwoman like Victoria, so she left. Back at the hotel, she had just put the baby down when an overseas call came in. "How's everything? How's the baby?" Thinking of her husband's jealous, high-strung nature, she didn't mention what had happened. She just said she had arrived and was about to rest. The man's dejected face appeared on the screen. "Damn work. I can't even come home with my wife. But I found the best nanny in Ashford. She'll start tomorrow. She'll take wonderful care of my wife and baby." Ava laughed despite herself. They talked until late. The next day, the baby spit up several times. Worried, Ava took her to the hospital. On the third floor, she saw Liam and Victoria. Liam was carefully supporting Victoria, who wore a fitted dress with a slight bump at her midsection. A glance at the obstetrics department ahead told her everything. She was about to pretend she hadn't seen them when Liam spotted her. He pulled her into a corner. "Didn't I tell you to leave? You followed me to the hospital with the baby?" His voice dropped. "You had me followed. You knew today was Victoria's prenatal visit, so you brought the child here to trigger her." "Ava, since when did you become so calculating?" Ava shook him off. "You're imagining things. I brought my baby to see a doctor." Who would have guessed they'd end up on the same floor? Liam clearly didn't believe her. "You'd lie about your child being sick just to stay?" He summoned his bodyguards. "Take her out. Book the earliest flight. I don't want to see her again." Several guards grabbed Ava to drag her away. Their rough handling upset the baby, who had already been unwell. Her face grew pale, and she began to wail. Fiercely protective, Ava shoved the guards. "Liam Blackwood, if you hurt my child, I'll kill you." Victoria, waiting for her appointment, heard the noise and came over. The moment she saw Ava, her eyes went wide.

My ex-husband sent me abroad to play nursemaid to his crazy sister-in-law. A year later, I returned with my new husband's baby to register her residency. When he saw the child, he asked, red-eyed, "Mine?" I laughed. "You think you deserve that?" One year after being forcibly sent abroad by her ex-husband, Ava Sterling returned to Ashford with her baby to apply for residency registration. She went to retrieve her household registration booklet from the family home. There, she ran into a maid who had always looked down on her. "You—a discarded wife Mr. Blackwood threw out—how dare you come back?" Bertha raised her voice. "Mr. Blackwood said you weren't to return for three years. It's only been one, and you sneak back? I'm calling him right now." She pulled out her phone, expecting to see panic flash across Ava's face. But Ava simply walked past her without a word and headed straight for the master bedroom. She would grab her booklet and leave. She pushed open the door—only to find the room completely remodeled. The minimalist wood-and-natural style she had loved was gone, replaced by a girly, pastel-pink aesthetic. Her belongings had vanished. Bertha roughly shoved her aside. "The current lady of the Blackwood Family is Miss Victoria Deville. This is Miss Deville's room now. Your things were thrown out long ago by Mr. Blackwood. Please leave." Downstairs, Liam Blackwood arrived late. The moment his eyes landed on Ava, his face darkened. "Who told you to come back?" "Wasn't it agreed? You stay abroad for three years. Give me three years with Victoria. She's been unstable ever since she lost my brother. The doctors say the only way to heal her is to fulfill her wishes." "Her biggest wish is to stay with my brother. My brother and I look exactly alike. Playing his role and acting as her husband—it's all for her treatment. Can you please be reasonable?" His tone was heavy, his gaze sharp as a blade. Ava calmly glanced around the room. Under the bed was a wrapper that hadn't been cleaned up. "Playing husband all the way to the bedroom?" To her own surprise, she felt nothing. No anger. No hurt. A year ago, in this very villa, she had fought with Liam until she was breathless over his dead brother's wife. Because after Victoria's husband died, she began losing her mind. She often mistook Liam for Lucas. Whenever she had an episode, only Liam could soothe her, and he was on call around the clock. When Ava went for prenatal checkups, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava ran a fever late in her third trimester, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava hemorrhaged during childbirth and needed someone to sign the consent form, Liam was still with Victoria. Later, after Ava narrowly survived the birth, Victoria suddenly had an episode, claimed the baby was hers, and snatched the child. Ava chased her in the rain for half an hour with her C‑section wound still bleeding, then collapsed on the roadside. When she woke up, Liam told her that because she had chased Victoria, Victoria became frightened and lost her grip, and the baby fell into the river. Drowned. The baby she had seen only once—right after birth—was gone. Ava wept as if her heart were being ripped out. She smashed everything in the hospital room. She grabbed a pair of scissors to go after Victoria. But Liam shoved her hard, protecting Victoria. Afterward, Liam said, "The doctors say Victoria only stabilizes when she sees me. So we designed a treatment plan. I pretend to be my brother and live as her husband for three years. You go abroad during that time. Don't come back. After three years, I'll bring you home." Ava refused. They fought at the villa. But Liam gave her no choice—he had her escorted onto a plane. She had thought she would hate him for a long time. But now, looking back, she realized her heart had probably died the day her child died. If not for his cruelty, if not for being forced abroad, she never would have met her current husband. With that thought, Ava replied coldly, "I just came for the household registration booklet. I'll leave once I have it." Only then did Liam notice the baby in her arms. His eyes widened. "You were already pregnant when you left?" A year was just enough time to give birth overseas. A jumble of emotions crossed his face. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" Ava avoided his reaching hand. "This child has nothing to do with you. Where's my booklet?" Before Liam could answer, Victoria's voice drifted up from downstairs. "Luke, I'm home." Liam immediately grabbed Ava. "You can't be here when Victoria sees you. It'll set her off. Go out the back door. Now." Ignoring her resistance, he dragged her to the rear exit. He looked at the baby, and guilt flickered in his eyes. "She's still young. She won't remember any of this. When three years are up, I'll bring you back. We'll still be husband and wife. I'll be a good father." Ava almost laughed. She looked up at his retreating back. "Does he really think this child is his?" The back door slammed shut. Ava didn't want to provoke a madwoman like Victoria, so she left. Back at the hotel, she had just put the baby down when an overseas call came in. "How's everything? How's the baby?" Thinking of her husband's jealous, high-strung nature, she didn't mention what had happened. She just said she had arrived and was about to rest. The man's dejected face appeared on the screen. "Damn work. I can't even come home with my wife. But I found the best nanny in Ashford. She'll start tomorrow. She'll take wonderful care of my wife and baby." Ava laughed despite herself. They talked until late. The next day, the baby spit up several times. Worried, Ava took her to the hospital. On the third floor, she saw Liam and Victoria. Liam was carefully supporting Victoria, who wore a fitted dress with a slight bump at her midsection. A glance at the obstetrics department ahead told her everything. She was about to pretend she hadn't seen them when Liam spotted her. He pulled her into a corner. "Didn't I tell you to leave? You followed me to the hospital with the baby?" His voice dropped. "You had me followed. You knew today was Victoria's prenatal visit, so you brought the child here to trigger her." "Ava, since when did you become so calculating?" Ava shook him off. "You're imagining things. I brought my baby to see a doctor." Who would have guessed they'd end up on the same floor? Liam clearly didn't believe her. "You'd lie about your child being sick just to stay?" He summoned his bodyguards. "Take her out. Book the earliest flight. I don't want to see her again." Several guards grabbed Ava to drag her away. Their rough handling upset the baby, who had already been unwell. Her face grew pale, and she began to wail. Fiercely protective, Ava shoved the guards. "Liam Blackwood, if you hurt my child, I'll kill you." Victoria, waiting for her appointment, heard the noise and came over. The moment she saw Ava, her eyes went wide.

My ex-husband abandoned me overseas to fend for myself. I slept on the streets and was nearly dragged into the red-light district. Then the untouchable mafia boss saved me. Now I'm back with his child, and my ex is on his knees begging me to stay. One year after being forcibly sent abroad by her ex-husband, Ava Sterling returned to Ashford with her baby to apply for residency registration. She went to retrieve her household registration booklet from the family home. There, she ran into a maid who had always looked down on her. "You—a discarded wife Mr. Blackwood threw out—how dare you come back?" Bertha raised her voice. "Mr. Blackwood said you weren't to return for three years. It's only been one, and you sneak back? I'm calling him right now." She pulled out her phone, expecting to see panic flash across Ava's face. But Ava simply walked past her without a word and headed straight for the master bedroom. She would grab her booklet and leave. She pushed open the door—only to find the room completely remodeled. The minimalist wood-and-natural style she had loved was gone, replaced by a girly, pastel-pink aesthetic. Her belongings had vanished. Bertha roughly shoved her aside. "The current lady of the Blackwood Family is Miss Victoria Deville. This is Miss Deville's room now. Your things were thrown out long ago by Mr. Blackwood. Please leave." Downstairs, Liam Blackwood arrived late. The moment his eyes landed on Ava, his face darkened. "Who told you to come back?" "Wasn't it agreed? You stay abroad for three years. Give me three years with Victoria. She's been unstable ever since she lost my brother. The doctors say the only way to heal her is to fulfill her wishes." "Her biggest wish is to stay with my brother. My brother and I look exactly alike. Playing his role and acting as her husband—it's all for her treatment. Can you please be reasonable?" His tone was heavy, his gaze sharp as a blade. Ava calmly glanced around the room. Under the bed was a wrapper that hadn't been cleaned up. "Playing husband all the way to the bedroom?" To her own surprise, she felt nothing. No anger. No hurt. A year ago, in this very villa, she had fought with Liam until she was breathless over his dead brother's wife. Because after Victoria's husband died, she began losing her mind. She often mistook Liam for Lucas. Whenever she had an episode, only Liam could soothe her, and he was on call around the clock. When Ava went for prenatal checkups, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava ran a fever late in her third trimester, Liam was with Victoria. When Ava hemorrhaged during childbirth and needed someone to sign the consent form, Liam was still with Victoria. Later, after Ava narrowly survived the birth, Victoria suddenly had an episode, claimed the baby was hers, and snatched the child. Ava chased her in the rain for half an hour with her C‑section wound still bleeding, then collapsed on the roadside. When she woke up, Liam told her that because she had chased Victoria, Victoria became frightened and lost her grip, and the baby fell into the river. Drowned. The baby she had seen only once—right after birth—was gone. Ava wept as if her heart were being ripped out. She smashed everything in the hospital room. She grabbed a pair of scissors to go after Victoria. But Liam shoved her hard, protecting Victoria. Afterward, Liam said, "The doctors say Victoria only stabilizes when she sees me. So we designed a treatment plan. I pretend to be my brother and live as her husband for three years. You go abroad during that time. Don't come back. After three years, I'll bring you home." Ava refused. They fought at the villa. But Liam gave her no choice—he had her escorted onto a plane. She had thought she would hate him for a long time. But now, looking back, she realized her heart had probably died the day her child died. If not for his cruelty, if not for being forced abroad, she never would have met her current husband. With that thought, Ava replied coldly, "I just came for the household registration booklet. I'll leave once I have it." Only then did Liam notice the baby in her arms. His eyes widened. "You were already pregnant when you left?" A year was just enough time to give birth overseas. A jumble of emotions crossed his face. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" Ava avoided his reaching hand. "This child has nothing to do with you. Where's my booklet?" Before Liam could answer, Victoria's voice drifted up from downstairs. "Luke, I'm home." Liam immediately grabbed Ava. "You can't be here when Victoria sees you. It'll set her off. Go out the back door. Now." Ignoring her resistance, he dragged her to the rear exit. He looked at the baby, and guilt flickered in his eyes. "She's still young. She won't remember any of this. When three years are up, I'll bring you back. We'll still be husband and wife. I'll be a good father." Ava almost laughed. She looked up at his retreating back. "Does he really think this child is his?" The back door slammed shut. Ava didn't want to provoke a madwoman like Victoria, so she left. Back at the hotel, she had just put the baby down when an overseas call came in. "How's everything? How's the baby?" Thinking of her husband's jealous, high-strung nature, she didn't mention what had happened. She just said she had arrived and was about to rest. The man's dejected face appeared on the screen. "Damn work. I can't even come home with my wife. But I found the best nanny in Ashford. She'll start tomorrow. She'll take wonderful care of my wife and baby." Ava laughed despite herself. They talked until late. The next day, the baby spit up several times. Worried, Ava took her to the hospital. On the third floor, she saw Liam and Victoria. Liam was carefully supporting Victoria, who wore a fitted dress with a slight bump at her midsection. A glance at the obstetrics department ahead told her everything. She was about to pretend she hadn't seen them when Liam spotted her. He pulled her into a corner. "Didn't I tell you to leave? You followed me to the hospital with the baby?" His voice dropped. "You had me followed. You knew today was Victoria's prenatal visit, so you brought the child here to trigger her." "Ava, since when did you become so calculating?" Ava shook him off. "You're imagining things. I brought my baby to see a doctor." Who would have guessed they'd end up on the same floor? Liam clearly didn't believe her. "You'd lie about your child being sick just to stay?" He summoned his bodyguards. "Take her out. Book the earliest flight. I don't want to see her again." Several guards grabbed Ava to drag her away. Their rough handling upset the baby, who had already been unwell. Her face grew pale, and she began to wail. Fiercely protective, Ava shoved the guards. "Liam Blackwood, if you hurt my child, I'll kill you." Victoria, waiting for her appointment, heard the noise and came over. The moment she saw Ava, her eyes went wide.