Chapter 1: Give You One Billion Dollars, Child Aborted

"I'll give you a billion dollars. Get rid of the child."

Ava Davis was caught completely off guard. She clutched the pregnancy test results tightly in her hand, trying hard to stay calm.

She pressed her hand against her chest, where it felt like a huge stone was weighing down on her, making it impossible to breathe.

"What did you say? Get rid of the child?"

Her mind went blank, as if everything was just her imagination.

Ava looked up, staring at him in disbelief.

Today was supposed to be their third wedding anniversary. She had been so nervous and excited to tell him about the pregnancy.

And he was telling her to get rid of the child!

After a moment of silence, the man's cold voice came again, "Mia Wilson is back. Our marriage should end."

"This child is an accident. He shouldn't exist. I won't keep him. Take this billion dollars as my compensation to you for these years. Or if you have other requests, tell me. As long as they're not excessive, I can agree to them."

Ava's body trembled. It took her a while to find her voice again. "You... you mean you also want to... divorce me?"

"Yes." The man's voice was thin and cold, without a trace of emotion.

Ava clenched her hands, feeling like someone had stabbed her heart with a knife. The pain made her afraid to breathe.

Just because Mia was back.

Even though she was pregnant, he still wanted to divorce her and get rid of the child.

He said this child shouldn't exist.

Joshua Thomas pulled out a cigarette from the pack. Just as he was about to put it in his mouth, he paused and put it back.

He took out a document from the drawer. His slender fingers slowly handed it to Ava. "Take a look. If you have no objections, sign it."

Ava didn't take it, so Joshua placed the divorce agreement on the desk.

"I'll book the hospital appointment for you. Sign it when you're ready. I still have things to do. I'm going back to the company."

Joshua stood up.

"Joshua." Ava called out to him with a choked voice.

Joshua turned back coldly.

"What?"

Ava's eyes filled with tears. She looked up at him pleadingly. "I don't want the money, and I agree to the divorce, but can I... keep the child?"

This was her most humble request as a mother. Keep the child, and she would give up everything else.

Joshua's deep eyes also rested on her face. He never liked people going against his wishes. What Joshua ordered was final. She knew Joshua, but she still couldn't help asking.

"No."

Joshua's answer was firm, forceful, and not open to debate.

After saying this, he didn't pause at all. He turned and left. The empty villa was once again left with only Ava.

She and Joshua had been married for three years. Although they were husband and wife, Ava knew he didn't marry her out of love.

He didn't love her, but she had naively held onto hope, thinking that one day she could warm Joshua's heart.

In their three years of marriage, she thought every day about how to be a good wife.

Every day she got up earlier than the servants and was busier than them, just so she could cook for him herself, so he could come home to her cooking and see a perfect home.

Every night, no matter how late, she would leave the lights on for him and wait for him to come home before she could sleep peacefully.

She lived in this cold cage, living the life of a rich person that every woman envied, day after day, year after year.

But she didn't care. Ava told herself every day that as long as she could be by his side, it was enough.

She thought they would continue living peacefully like this forever.

But reality slapped her hard in the face, catching her completely off guard.

Tears finally burst out uncontrollably. Ava took a breath. Her hand twisted the clothes at her chest, and her bitten lower lip let out a deep sob.

Today she finally understood—not loving is just not loving!

She didn't know how much time had passed. Ava picked up the "Divorce Agreement" on the table and signed her name.

It should end!

From now on, Ava would only be herself!

...

Joshua came home earlier than usual today.

Ava, who would normally come forward to greet him when he returned, didn't appear today.

He ignored this hint of expectation.

The servant took his suit jacket.

Joshua frowned slightly and asked with displeasure, "Where's Ava?"

"Mr. Joshua Thomas, Mrs. Ava Thomas went out a few hours ago."

Joshua walked to the living room. On the cold coffee table lay a signed divorce agreement and an untouched check.

Joshua's gaze darkened. His chest felt stuffy and irritated. He loosened his tie and returned to the bedroom. In the room that was as neat as always, Ava's figure was nowhere to be seen, and even her belongings had disappeared without a trace.