Chapter 1 The day Claudine Hogan learned of her husband's betrayal , she underwent an abortion all by herself . She had zero visitors during her hospital stay . Even on the day of her discharge , she was still alone . Though the doc- tor said she was recovering well , the excruciating agony of losing her flesh and blood still tore through her . With sunglasses masking the fatigue in her eyes , she left the hospital . Back at home , she headed straight to the second - floor bedroom . Everything in the room looked the same , which meant Damian Barrette hadn't returned in her absence . But she no longer gave a damn about whose bed he was in . She was exhausted . After taking some sleeping pills , she finally drifted into sleep . But a nightmare soon seized her , dragging her back to that day a week ago . The spreading pool of blood beneath her , and the call that never went through … " My baby ! " Jolted awake from the nightmare , Claudine opened her eyes , only to see the familiar bedroom . She stared blankly at the ceiling for what felt like ages . A heart - wrenching pain shot from her lower abdomen to her heart , then spread through her entire body . There came a knock on the door . Before she could respond , the door was pushed open . " Mrs. Barrette , Mr. Barrette called . He's coming back tonight and expects dinner to be ready before that , " said the maid , Angie Hammond . Claudine blinked back her tears . " I'm not feeling well . Tell the kitchen staff to handle it , " she replied , her voice hoarse . Then she turned over and faced the other way . But Angie wouldn't leave her alone . Approaching the bed , she persuaded , " Come on . Miss Barrette loves your cooking , and Mr. Barrette seldom comes back . You should seize the opportunity to win them over ! " She extended her hand , wanting to pull Claudine up . 0.0 % 03:49 Chapter 1 Claudine frowned and shoved her away . " I'm not a maid . Haven't I made myself clear ? I don't want to cook today ! " She pointed at the room door and snapped , " Get out ! " Angie widened her eyes in disbelief , clearly taken aback by her outburst . 备 288 ¡ Vouchers Taking a step back , she withdrew her hand , muttering with disdain , " Yeah , yeah . Keep making a scene and taking it out on me . " The moment Mr. Barrette comes back , you'll be crawling back to him like always . " She didn't intend to keep her voice down , and Claudine heard every word she said loud and clear . Even Angie - the maid - knew she always attended to Damian's every need when he returned , just so he could pay a little bit more attention to her . But he had always despised her . Their marriage was never about love - only an alliance between two socially matched families . Damian required a tro- phy wife to complete his facade , and his daughter , Darlene Barrette , needed a woman to play the part of mother . That was all … Claudine curled up into a ball , clutching her flat lower abdomen . Today , she just wanted to be a grieving woman who had just lost her baby … The sleeping pills kicked in , and she drifted to sleep again . When she woke , she heard the sound of rustling . Damian soon got on top of her , kissing her overbearingly while stripping her robe away . Classic him - never once considering her feelings . " Don't touch me … " She pressed her hands against his chest , trying to push him away . But lust had fogged his reasoning , and he mistook her resistance for invitation . He clutched her slender wrists , pinned them above her head , and silenced her with another kiss . Ashamed by the position , she turned her face away , dodging it . A hint of displeasure flickered in Damian's eyes . Realizing Claudine wasn't faking it , he was no longer in the mood . He wouldn't stoop so low as to force himself on her . He rolled off her body , got out of bed , grabbed the robe , and loosely tied it around his waist . Then he sat on the chaise lounge by the window and lit a cigarette . 47.0 %