Chapter 1 The Ruiz family raised Hannah Kaur, along with two other girls, to be Spencer Ruiz's future wife. Spencer's grandmother, Hollie Ruiz, once declared that whoever gave birth to her first grandson would marry Spencer and become the new matriarch. Hannah was the first to get pregnant. But when her contractions started, Spencer locked her in the basement and in- jected her with drugs to delay labor. Her water broke, yet the baby still wouldn't come. She trembled violently in excruciating pain. But Spencer watched with indifference. "Bethany's due date is in a few days. Her baby must come first. She's the only woman I will ever marry." *** The Ruiz family raised Hannah Kaur, along with two other girls, to be Spencer Ruiz's future wife. Spencer's grandmother, Hollie Ruiz, once declared that whoever gave birth to her first grandson would marry Spencer and become the new matriarch. Hannah was the first to get pregnant. But when her contractions started, Spencer had her locked in the basement and injected with drugs to delay labor. Her water broke, yet the baby still wouldn't come. She trembled violently in excruciating pain. But Spencer watched with indifference. "Bethany's due date is in a few days. Her baby must come first. She's the only woman I will ever marry." Tied down on the bed, Hannah begged through sobs. "Spency, please.... This is your child, too. Don't let him die." Disgust flickered across Spencer's face as he spat, "A child conceived through underhanded tricks doesn't deserve my name. "If it weren't for all our years together, I'd have had this child taken care of long ago. A few days' delay, that's all this is. Don't act like you're suffering some great injustice." Hearing those words, Hannah nearly fell into despair. She couldn't understand how things between her and Spencer had come to this. Back then, Hollie feared that random women might negatively influence Spencer and the family. So she took a few pretty girls from an orphanage, Hannah among them, and raised them, intending for one to become Spencer's future wife. Because she excelled in her studies, Hannah quickly became Hollie's favorite and got to spend more time with 0.0 % 09:16 Spencer. She and Spencer went to school together and attended tutoring together. She always covered for him in front of Hol- lie, and he would secretly bring her the cakes she loved. The two of them would hang out beneath the banyan tree, laughing and chatting. Teenagers at the cusp of first love-Spencer's affection for her was evident to anyone. He would openly call Hannah his wife in front of others. When other men tried to strike up a conversation with her, he would pull her possessively into his arms, staking his claim. When she once suffered from sudden cramps, he even went to learn how to make hot cocoa for her, injuring his hands in the process. Everyone believed that one day, Spencer would choose Hannah as his bride. But at 22, he hesitated when Hollie told him it was time to make his choice. Because Hollie had made it clear- anyone not chosen would have to leave the Ruiz family immediately. Clutching Hannah's hand, Spencer said, "Bethany grew up with us, too. I see her as my sister. She isn't as strong as you. If she leaves, she won't survive. In two years, I'll marry you." e eyes, Hannah agreed. ed into four. His promises faded, his warmth disappeared, and he spent more time with Bethany ng increasingly cold toward Hannah. ach came that night-the night Hannah brought him documents as requested, only for a drunken Spencer to pin her down in a haze of confusion. By morning, he lashed out at her, convinced she had drugged him. No explanation she gave could reach him after that. From then on, his attitude toward her worse Now, he despised her so much Blood soaked the "Spe his loathing grew deeper with each passing day. ow her to give birth to the child. ched desperately at the hem of his coat. t want to marry you anymore. You can be Bethany. Please... please save ped in anguish. voluntary jolt, his brows instinctively knitting together. is phone rang, and Bethany's soft, pitiful voice came through. "Spency, it hurts. The baby's restless. 09:15 I need you." His entire demeanor shifted, and panic flashed across his face. "Don't worry. I'll be right there." The call ended, and Spencer's gaze turned icy once more. He looked at the doctor with impatient disdain. "Do what you must. Just don't let her die." With that, he left without looking back. Hannah watched as he walked away. Her vision started to tunnel, and she slowly closed her eyes in utter despair. When she came to, she was lying in her room inside the Ruiz's residence. Hollie told her, "Your baby's gone, but Bethany has a son." Hannah understood what that meant. Weak and trembling, she sat up. "Madam Ruiz, you took me from the orphanage and gave me a life I could have only dreamed of, and for that, I am forever grateful. But since your family now has an heir, and Mr. Ruiz has found someone he truly loves, I am no longer of any use. Please let me leave." Hollie sighed. "There's no rush. You need to rest. I've asked someone to transfer 50 million dollars into your account to make up for what Spencer did. Leave once you've recovered." Hannah nodded, eyes wet. A heavy weight seemed to lift from her heart. It dawned on her that she could let go of a love so deep-but only after it had torn her heart to pieces. The price for this painful truth was far too great. "Spencer, I no longer want to love you anymore," she thought. 76.5 % 09:16