Chapter 1: The Sinner Wife

Madeline Crawford walked out of the hospital with trembling hands.

The test results were folded tightly between her fingers.

Tears blurred her vision.

She didn't know whether she should laugh or cry.

"Miss Crawford, you're pregnant."

The doctor's words continued echoing in her mind.

Pregnant.

She was carrying Jeremy Whitman's child.

Three months ago, Madeline had believed she was the luckiest woman in Glendale.

She had finally married the man she had loved since childhood.

For twelve years, Jeremy Whitman had occupied a special place in her heart.

Ever since she was ten years old, she had admired him from afar.

He came from the prestigious Whitman family.

She came from an ordinary background.

They seemed to belong to two completely different worlds.

So Madeline worked desperately to become worthy of standing beside him.

She studied harder.

She improved herself.

She carefully built a life she could be proud of.

All for the possibility that one day, Jeremy might look at her differently.

That day finally came three months ago.

Or at least, she had thought it had.

She had attended a friend's birthday party.

The following morning, she woke up in an unfamiliar room.

Jeremy was lying beside her.

The red stain on the white sheets had told her everything she needed to know.

Before she could understand what had happened, reporters flooded the hallway.

Photographers surrounded the room.

Questions exploded from every direction.

"Mr. Whitman, who is the woman beside you?"

"Did you spend the night together?"

"Is this your secret lover?"

The scandal spread across Glendale before noon.

Old Master Whitman was furious.

But instead of allowing the family's reputation to suffer, he made a decision.

Jeremy and Madeline would marry immediately.

To Madeline, it felt like a dream.

A terrible dream.

Jeremy never loved her.

He blamed her for ruining his relationship with the woman he truly loved.

Meredith Crawford.

Madeline's own sister.

That fact hurt more than anything.

Meredith had always been beautiful, gentle, and adored by everyone.

Madeline had spent her entire life feeling like the lesser sister.

And now, even after marrying Jeremy, she was still the woman standing in the way of their love.

Their wedding had been beautiful for the public.

Inside their home, it was anything but beautiful.

Three months had passed.

Jeremy had never once spent a night beside her.

He never called her unless necessary.

He never asked whether she had eaten.

He never looked at her with affection.

Every night, Madeline slept alone.

And she knew exactly where Jeremy spent those nights.

With Meredith.

That afternoon, Madeline stood outside the hospital entrance and looked down at the test results again.

She pressed one hand gently against her stomach.

"You're really there..."

Her voice trembled.

A tiny life had begun inside her.

A child who knew nothing about its father's hatred.

A child who had never done anything wrong.

Madeline didn't know what to do.

Should she tell Jeremy?

Should she keep the child a secret?

Would he even care?

She wiped away her tears and returned home.

The mansion was silent.

Madeline placed the test results inside her handbag.

Then she took out her phone.

She called Jeremy.

Once.

The call was rejected.

She tried again.

Rejected.

Again.

Rejected.

Her heart slowly sank.

Finally, she sent a message.

"Jeremy, I need to talk to you about something important. Please come home tonight."

She waited.

No response.

The hours passed.

Dinner became cold.

The house remained silent.

Madeline finally gave up and went upstairs.

She showered and changed into comfortable clothes.

Just as she climbed into bed...

Bang!

The bedroom door slammed open.

Madeline sat upright.

Jeremy stood in the doorway.

His black shirt was slightly wrinkled.

His eyes were cold.

There was the faint smell of alcohol around him.

Madeline's heart immediately started beating faster.

"Jeremy," she said softly.

"You're home."

A small, nervous smile appeared on her face.

She stepped toward him.

Instead, Jeremy grabbed her arm.

His fingers tightened painfully around her wrist.

"Madeline."

His voice was low and dangerous.

"Do you like me that much?"

She froze.

"What?"

He roughly pushed her onto the bed.

"Did you really think you could force me into this marriage and then pretend to be innocent?"

Madeline's face turned pale.

"Jeremy, you've misunderstood me."

"Misunderstood you?"

He laughed coldly.

"Madeline, why are you still pretending?"

She stared at him with tears gathering in her eyes.

"I never planned any of this."

"I didn't drug you."

"I didn't call the reporters."

"I never wanted to trap you."

Jeremy's expression remained merciless.

"Then why did you marry me?"

"Because your grandfather forced you?"

Madeline swallowed hard.

"Because I thought..."

She stopped.

She almost told him about the pregnancy.

"What did you think?" Jeremy asked.

She lowered her eyes.

"Nothing."

She couldn't say it yet.

Not while he was looking at her with so much hatred.

Jeremy released her wrist.

"You make me sick."

He turned toward the door.

Madeline suddenly found the courage to speak.

"Jeremy."

He stopped.

"I'm pregnant."

Silence.

Jeremy slowly turned his head.

His expression changed for only a moment.

Then his eyes became colder than before.

"What did you say?"

Madeline placed one hand over her stomach.

"I'm pregnant."

"The doctor confirmed it today."

Jeremy stared at her.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then he gave a bitter laugh.

"Is this another trick?"

Madeline's heart shattered.

"No."

"I would never use a child to manipulate you."

Jeremy stepped closer.

"Listen carefully."

"I don't want this child."

Madeline's eyes filled with tears.

"It's your child too."

"I don't care."

"Jeremy..."

"Don't use the baby to keep me tied to you."

"If you give birth, don't expect me to suddenly become a loving husband or father."

Madeline stared at him.

She had imagined many possible reactions.

Anger.

Shock.

Silence.

She had never imagined this.

"Understood," she whispered.

Jeremy walked toward the door.

Before leaving, he looked back one final time.

"Stay away from Meredith."

"She's innocent in all of this."

Then he left.

The door closed behind him.

Madeline slowly sat on the edge of the bed.

She placed both hands over her stomach.

Tears finally spilled down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"You have a mother who will always love you."

"Even if your father doesn't."

Outside the window, the city lights glittered beneath the night sky.

Inside the lonely bedroom...

Madeline made a decision.

If Jeremy didn't want their child, she wouldn't beg him.

She would raise the baby herself.

She would survive without him.

And one day...

Jeremy Whitman would realize exactly what he had lost.