From First Wife to Final Victory Novel – The richest man in Asteria City, my husband, was set up and ended up sleeping with a college girl called Celia. When he sobered up, the first thing he did was call me. His voice was hoarse and panicked. “Elara, I was set up. I made a mistake. But I gave her money—she won’t come after me.” After eight years of marriage, I thought it was just a one-time accident. Half a year later, Alistair went on a business trip.
Then news of a massive earthquake flooded the media. By the time I rushed to the hospital, Alistair was standing outside a hospital room, his expression complicated. The doctor said Celia was three months gestation. Yet she clawed through the rubble bare-handed to save him, her fingers torn and bleeding. Alistair grabbed my hand, his voice low and pleading. “Three months ago, her family passed away.
She came to me for help, and I was drunk. I didn’t expect thing would get out of control like that…” “Don’t worry,” he quickly added. “She’ll never set foot in our home. She’ll never threaten your place.” Suddenly, Celia rushed out and knelt before me in tears. “Madam, please… I’m begging you. Spare the child!” Alistair looked at me, his voice full of urgency. “Elara, you’ve always been the reasonable one.
The child is innocent…” I stared at him—and suddenly, I laughed. “Alistair, either we get divorced—” “Or she leaves.” “I’m not getting a divorce!” Alistair’s eyes were red as he grabbed my arm. “But I have to take responsibility for her.” Later, Celia gave birth to twins, and the entire Hale family was overjoyed. I took off my wedding ring and called a number I’d never dialed before.
“I accept your offer.” The person on the other end let out a soft chuckle. “Mrs. Hale, I look forward to our cooperation.” … I stood at the hospital room door, my fingers unconsciously curling into a fist. Through the half-open door, I saw Alistair’s parents, each holding a child, their faces full of joy. Even Alistair, who always kept a cold and composed facade in public, was now smiling tenderly at the child in his arms, his eyes full of affection. How ironic. They looked like one big happy family. Alistair looked up and saw me.
His expression froze. “Elara… you came back…” I said nothing. Viola, Alistair’s mother, glanced over with cold disdain. “You finally decided to come back? Half a year hiding in that church. Was it peaceful enough for you?” “It’s good that you’re back,” his father said, trying to ease the tension, though his gaze never left the child in his arms. “You made it just in time for the babies’ one-month celebration. As Alistair’s wife, you should at least show some goodwill.” Viola’s tone softened. “Kids haven’t been officially named yet.
You and Alistair better start thinking. Don’t worry, as long as you are still willing to live with Alistair, the title of Mrs. Hale isn’t going anywhere.” I stared at them numbly and nodded. “Alright.” After the his parents left, Alistair’s phone rang. He glanced at me and stepped outside to take the call. Now it was just me and Celia in the room. Her complexion was glowing, and even her hair shone like it had been pampered within an inch of its life. Clearly, the Hales hadn’t skimped on spoiling her these past six months.
“Elara…” she called my name timidly. “If I’ve done anything wrong, you can yell at me or even hit me. Just… please don’t fight with Alistair anymore. You know he only loves you. All this time you’ve been gone, he’s had someone clean your room every single day.” “Celia,” I looked at her coldly, “Cut the act. That money he gave you back then was enough to last lifetimes—you could’ve vanished clean, but you came crawling back for help. That’s how you ended up with these child.” “Celia, you know exactly what you’re doing.” Her face paled, then flushed, as I exposed her.
Suddenly, she picked up one of the babies and shoved it into my arms. The soft, warm scent of milk froze me in place. But the next second, the child slipped from my arms and hit the floor with a painful thud, letting out a piercing, heart-wrenching wail. In the middle of that shrill crying, Alistair burst in and shoved me aside. I stumbled back, watching him scoop the child up with deep concern. His eyes met mine, filled with something I couldn’t quite describe.
He didn’t say a word, but the silence said enough. Celia cried beside him. “Alistair, I just wanted Elara to hold the child… How could I have known she’d…”