Nathan Turner disliked children and insisted on being childless shortly after our marriage.
Until our third anniversary, when I found his sterilization report, along with the twins hed kept outside our marriage.
The children were already four years old.
Like a bolt from the blue, we had a terrible fight.
Our elders and friends urged me,
"It's rare for Nathan to want a child. Why make such a fuss? The Turner family needs an heir."
"The children were likely unexpected, and Nathan Turner probably had no choice. Just treat them as adopted kids."
I looked at Nathan with heartbreak, his noble, aloof demeanor exuding the resolute aura of a seasoned man at thirty.
As long as you dont see them, I can stay in this marriage. Thats my biggest compromise. Nathan stood, slowly removing his ring and placing it on the coffee table.
Victoria carried them for ten months. Im their father; caring for them is my duty.
She wont threaten your role as Mrs. Turner, so why be so hostile?
Hearing his crushing words, I gave up any hope of reconciliation.
In that case, lets get a divorce!

Bang! A teacup shattered at my feet. My father, bruised and livid, pointed at me in fury.
If you dare divorce him, Ill break your legs!
Isnt scandal common among the wealthy? "Its nothing unusualwhy make such a scene?" My mother-in-law stood, clasped my fathers arm, and tried to calm him, though she eyed me in displeasure.
"Catherine, you come from a good family. How can you act like those crude women who fight over men?"
"Look at the uproar you causedthis will disgrace the Turner family." Everyone fired their opinions, and my tears finally fell onto my hand as I uttered the painful question:
"Nathan, why did you get a vasectomy behind my back?" We had agreed to let nature decide about children, and if he refused, I would accept it.
I thought that if I conceived unexpectedly, it might awaken his fatherly instinct and change his views.
But for three long years, nothing happened.
Thinking it was my problem, I visited doctors for two years, taking endless herbal medicine. It turned out hed already had a vasectomy.
A flash of guilt crossed Nathans face as he sighed deeply.
"Catherine, I had no choice!"
Then he walked over and gently held my shoulder, speaking with sincerity.
"Victoria grew up poor and endured endless bullying. How could she compete with you, the Wallace familys daughter? How could her child compare to yours?"
"I dont want my child to suffer, to be judged and humiliated like her."
"Catherine, weve been childhood friends for twenty years. You should understand me."
He spoke wistfully about fate, urging me to accept his choice.
All I felt was shock, a crashing wave of emotion.
So deep love creates long-reaching plans. Nathan had done just that.
I was merely the sacrifice for his true love.
I pushed his arm away, stepped back, and looked at him in anguish.
"Nathan, youre despicable!"
"Lets divorce. I refuse to share a bed with a beast."
His face hardened, then flickered with shame and fury.
"Catherine Wallace, as heirs of noble families, we all face constraints. Why cant you be more generous and tolerant?"
"You were born into comfort and privilege that Victoria never had. I gave you the status of Margaret Turner. She only wants to live quietly. Must you force me to abandon her?"


As I spoke, I looked at my father.
"Dad, I don't want this matter affecting our families' cooperation. Take Catherine home and talk to her properly."
With that, I grabbed my car keys and walked away.
As I stepped out, I asked my mother-in-law and the others to leave the room, and thoughtfully closed the door behind me.
At once, my father's furious roar erupted.
"You unfilial girl, haven't you embarrassed us enough? Ill take you home and teach you a lesson! How could the Wallace family raise someone so crude and ill-mannered?"
I sneered.
"Blame bad blood. I'm not just crude, I'm selfish and heartless."
As a son-in-law living with his wife's family, he kept a mistress and fathered an illegitimate child, driving his wife into depression and suicide. I'm simply filing for divorce; compared to him, I'm nothing.
My father exploded instantly.
"Catherine, you're as petty and foolish as your mother! Why throw away a good life and make trouble?"
He glared at me sharply, his tone cold and cutting.
"If you don't think of yourself, think of Samuel. He's a senior now, always top of his class. Do you want him dropping out right before graduation?"
My expression dimmed, and I slowly collapsed onto the sofa.
I really couldn't gamble my younger brother's future. He had been the only one when our mother leapt to her death.
The little boy had clung to my hand, his bright eyes smiling, unaware he'd never see his mother again.
Since he turned one, he was poisoned three times, bitten by a snake, suffered broken ribs in a car accident, and nearly died from an allergy.
I protected him through endless brushes with death; how could I ruin his future?
My father stormed out. When Nathan returned, he found me sitting on the floor, tears falling endlessly.
He quietly picked me up, set me on the sofa, and handed me a towel to wipe my face.
He brought lemonade, held me close, and fed me spoon by spoon.
For a moment, it felt like eighteen years ago, when we truly cared for each other.
Back then, my mother had just died, and my father immediately married his mistress.
I was forced to kneel before her and call her "Mother," hiding in the attic, sobbing alone.
Nathan embraced me, gently wiping my tears and giving me water.
He held me, telling me he was there and asking me to believe in him.
A thirteen-year-old boy kneeling before his father, begging for my safety, using cooperation to prove my worth.
How could I not love such a boy?
The brief warmth shattered with a long sigh.
"Catherine, I won't leave you. It really was just an accident."
I clung to his neck, whispering through tears,
"Nathan, you know I cant accept this. I dont want to suffer like my mother."
"Nathan, what if we send them abroad? Can we support them forever?"
"Why didnt you make her end the pregnancy? Why didnt you tell me when you wanted children?"
After a long silence, Nathan spoke coldly,
"Charles Turners new energy project has its ribbon-cutting tomorrow. Get ready; you cant be absent, or itll raise suspicion."
Watching his tall figure rise and leave, my heart crashed into darkness.
The next day, Nathan brought the dress I'd picked and the Queens necklace Id bought in the US.
My secretary stood by, anxious.
I calmly changed and put on elegant makeup.
Nathan was right; the partnership couldnt be damaged. My brother was still young, and I needed to reclaim everything my grandfather built.


The launch event was grand and bustling, with Crestvilles elite gathered.
Entering the manor, I was stunned to see Victoria Cross present as well.
She wore a moon-white evening gown, elegant and poised, radiating gentle maternal warmth.
Nathan stood beside her, his arm at her waist, greeting guests, while Victoria smiled softly and sweetly.