Chapter 1 As Ariana hobbled back to the villa and walked past the second - floor room , she overheard the intense sex between Eric and Mandy Moore inside . Eric's suppressed growls and gasps echoed as he pushed forcefully . Mandy's excited whispers and shivers accompanied her grip on the bed sheets . Every sound pointed to the fervor of their encounter . Ariana stopped abruptly , as if a knife were dragging across her heart . Everyone knew Eric was deeply in love with Ariana . He had taken a knife for her , wept for her , and knelt before her . He would have willingly sacrificed his life for Ariana . However , Ariana had caught Eric with other women on three occasions . Each time , there was an unavoidable reason . Each time , he knelt to apologize and make promises to her . Yet each time , he also fought passionately and intensely , satisfying his own desires . This was now the third time . She finally decided she couldn't hold on any longer . With her body shaking , she slowly walked to her room and shut the door . As soon as she was inside , she couldn't hold back her tears . It was unmistakably her third wedding anniversary with Eric today . However , a single phone call from Mandy was enough to make Eric abandon her and hurry away . All because it was Mandy's ovulation day . For three generations , the Gibson family had only one heir , and both . Eric's grandmother and mother had passed away during childbirth . This left Eric profoundly traumatized . On their wedding day , Eric embraced Ariana tightly , his face nestled . against her chest , his voice laden with worry and fear . " Sweetheart , we won't have children in this lifetime . I can't bear the thought of losing you . " True to his promise after they married , Eric remained vigilant . He was terrified that Ariana might suffer the same fate as the previous two generations of women in the Gibson family . Whenever they were close , regardless of the intensity of their passion , he always ensured they took every precaution . Three months ago , Howard Gibson unexpectedly became seriously ill , with just a few months left to live . On his deathbed , Howard's sole wish was to have a grandson . Eric was deeply in love with Ariana and terrified of the thought of losing her . His love was so profound that he sought someone to bear the risks of Chapter childbirth on Ariana's behalf . Consequently , the Gibson family chose Mandy , an unassuming and naive girl , much like a blank slate , from the financially disadvantaged students . they supported , to have a child for Ariana . Over the course of three months , Eric had shared a room with Mandy on three separate occasions . The first instance occurred when Mandy had just returned . Mandy stood there with wide , innocent eyes , looking fragile and unsure . When Eric curtly told her to " Get out , " tears welled up in Mandy's eyes , making her resemble a frightened fawn . That evening , Eric was administered a strong aphrodisiac and confined in a room alone with Mandy . Meanwhile , Ariana was locked in the adjacent room . Every sound from Eric and Mandy's room reached Ariana's ears without missing a beat . Ariana's eyes blazed with fury . She pounded on the door in desperation , covered her ears , and even banged her head against the wall in agony . But nothing could drown out the persistent noises of fervent passion emanating from the adjacent room . Eric's deep growls and thrusts , Mandy's cries and shivers . Each sound sliced through her ears , hitting her heart directly . Mandy left the following morning , her legs shaky . Once Eric regained his composure , he hurried to Ariana . He knelt down , repeatedly slapped himself , and vowed there would be no repeat of his mistake . They embraced tightly , and Ariana decided to trust him . However , a month later , Eric and Mandy ended up sharing a room again . During that time , Ariana suddenly suffered from appendicitis and needed . emergency surgery . Before she was taken into the operating room , Eric held Ariana's hand , his eyes full of concern . " Don't worry , sweetheart . I'll be right outside waiting for you ! "