Chapter 1
Chapter 1
In five years of marriage, my husband Nathan Stewart cheated fifty two times.
I endured it all in silence.
Until that night in my ninth month of pregnancy, when his secretary accidentally offended an important client. To salvage the business deal, he forced me to attend a dinner and apologize on her behalf.
I stared at him in disbelief. “I’m nine months pregnant. If something happens-”
He cut me off impatiently. “It’s just dinner and drinks. Stop being so dramatic.”
When I hesitated, he had his business associates pressure me into drinking.
The strong alcohol triggered early labor.
That night, as I fought for my life in the hospital, Nathan was busy spending the night with his secretary at his villa in the suburbs.
When I woke up after giving birth, I turned to my mother–in–law Margaret Stewart. “You promised that once I had the baby, you’d agree to our
divorce. Can I leave now?”
Her eyes filled with conflict and pain.
“Ashley, are you sure you won’t give him one more chance? He-”
Before she could finish, the TV in the hospital room broadcast yet another scandal involving Nathan.
The photos showed him helping a woman out of his car. She was wearing his jacket, leaning against his chest with a dazed expression and flushed
cheeks.
Though she was covered up, the cameras had caught glimpses of telltale marks on her pale thighs.
It was obvious what had transpired in the car moments before.
“Stewart Group CEO caught in intimate moment with mystery woman. Could wedding bells be in the future?”
Watching this news, Margaret’s chest heaved with fury, her breathing growing rapid as anger filled her entire being.
But when she looked at me, her eyes were full of sympathy and guilt.
Her eyes welling up with tears, the words of protest died in her throat.
After a long moment, she choked out: “Alright, I’ll help you with the divorce proceedings.”
Seeing her tears made my heart ache, but I couldn’t back down now. “Thank you, Mom.”
After the birth, I never looked at my baby.
I only knew he was a boy, four and a half pounds, fair–skinned like me.
The nurses tried to convince me to see him, saying he’d passed his observation period.
After the examinations, they confirmed he was healthy.
They urged me to look at the precious life I’d nearly died bringing into this world.
But I shook my head. “No need. I’m glad he’s healthy.”
If I never saw him, I wouldn’t miss him.
I knew that if I looked at him even once, I’d never be able to leave.
But I couldn’t stay with the Stewart family any longer.
09:47
As Hearts Grow Cold
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Chapter 1
Compared to an unstable life with me, staying with the Stewart family was the best choice for him.
Lying in the hospital bed, I gazed out the window, wondering where I could go.
I’d been abandoned at birth and grew up in an orphanage.
I had no blood relatives, no friends I could rely on.
I was like a small white sail adrift at sea, unable to find harbor.
Margaret felt sorry for me and was furious at Nathan’s negligence. She kept trying to call him, wanting him to come see us.
But after several attempts, all she got was a cold automated voice.
Finally, on her last try, someone answered.
Except it was a woman’s voice.
“Mrs. Stewart, Mr. Stewart is in a meeting. Could you call back later…”
Before she could finish, a muffled moan came through the phone.
Margaret, being a woman of the world, immediately knew what was happening on the other end. Her face turned ashen as she shouted: “Tell Nathan if he still considers me his mother, he better get to the hospital right now. Otherwise, I’ll forget I ever had a son!”
After hanging up, tears welled in Margaret’s eyes as she held my hand tightly. “I’m so sorry,” she said repeatedly, her voice thick with emotion. “This is all my fault. I should never have forced you to stay with him. I made you suffer so much…”
