On the wedding day, I mistakenly wore my husband's ex-wife's necklace. Nolan, the man I'd loved for five years, spoke with disdain, saying, "You're utterly disgraceful."

The ceremony came to a halt. Maci, the stepdaughter I’d treated as my own, glared at me with pure hatred. "How dare you try to take my mom's place, you delusional woman!" she screamed. She tore apart the stuffed toy I had carefully made for her and flung her tiara at me in anger, the sharp edges of the diamonds cutting more than just my skin.

I looked at her calmly and said, "It was never my intention to replace anyone or become your mother."

The spotlight glared down on me, magnifying the ridicule from the crowd below. Nolan had already taken back the necklace. As I stood on the stage, bewildered, it felt like everyone was mocking my stupidity—wearing his ex-wife’s necklace to assert my place.

I just wanted to leave, but Maci held on to me persistently. "You say you don't want to replace my mom, so why didn't you refuse the necklace when I gave it to you?"

"You talk sweetly about not wanting to replace anyone, yet you looked thrilled when Dad proposed to you."

"You swore you’d focus on me and Dad, but now you're pregnant!"

Maci's eyes were red, clearly feeling wronged. But unlike before, I didn't comfort her with warm hugs; instead, I gazed at her coldly, filled with disappointment. Maci stepped back, unnerved.

Feigning composure, she muttered, "Why are you staring at me like that? I'm not to blame. Even if you're upset, don't pin it on me."

I spoke evenly, "Maci, if this is what you want, I’ll make it happen."

Two days ago, my favorite jewelry brand sent wedding pieces made just for me. But after Maci tried them on, the central stone disappeared. I thought about ordering another set, but Maci suddenly changed her stance, offering to make amends with a gift.

She presented an extraordinary necklace featuring a rare pink diamond, slightly worn but unique. I researched and learned it belonged to Nolan’s ex-wife and immediately wanted to return it. Yet Maci cried, begging me to wear it, hoping that by doing so, her mother would accept me. She accused me of despising the necklace’s condition.

With tears in her eyes, she caught Nolan’s attention. He waved it off, suggesting I indulge her whims in these minor matters. I was overwhelmed, thinking he finally acknowledged my efforts and love.

But the cold disdain from Nolan and Maci erased my hopes. I should have known—you can't warm a frozen heart when you're with the wrong person.

Gently releasing Maci's grip, I said, "Now that you've ruined the wedding and made me a laughingstock, you've achieved your goal. What more do you want?"

Maci was incensed by my indifference, tearing at me angrily. "Until you break up with Dad and promise never to contact him again, you’re just pretending! You still want to marry into the Evans family!"

Her gaze was filled with anger and disdain.

I lifted my head to Nolan, his eyes cold as they had been for five years, like a stranger’s.

Seeing my silence, Maci shouted, "You're just playing hard to get! Dad’s seen through tricks like yours too often. You’re nothing but a deceitful liar!"

"Maci," Nolan’s voice instantly soothed her. She clung to his arm, daring me with her eyes.

Even though I was carrying his child, he still wouldn’t give me a glance. He only agreed to marry me so I’d focus on taking care of Maci, trading the title of wife for my loyalty. I had been working tirelessly for him and his daughter, the price for keeping my family’s business afloat.

But I was worn out.

I placed the bouquet down and looked directly at him. "Nolan Evans, let's get a divorce."

Nolan finally turned his gaze to me, his eyes filled with impatience.

"Are you having a fit?"

"Today’s mess is on you; you shouldn’t have worn that necklace."

I looked down. "It's my fault, but now I want a divorce."

When Nolan found out I was pregnant, we signed the marriage certificate.

He frowned. "Maci just said some childish things. Why let a kid's words get to you?"

"She's young and needs your guidance. If you apologize properly, I'll act like you didn’t say any of that."

The father and daughter stood there, seemingly waiting for me to bow my head and apologize, as I had done before. But I stood my ground.

Maci, frustrated by my attitude, picked up the bouquet I had set down and hurled it at me.

"You just want to replace my mom! Why won't you say sorry?"

"You promised I'd be your only child, but now you're pregnant! You lied to me! You betrayed me!"

Last month, I burned my arm trying to protect Maci from knocking over a pot of boiling coffee. Now, the bouquet hit my wounds several times, and I gasped in pain.

Noticing my reaction, Nolan became even more displeased.

"What are you pretending for? She's just a nine-year-old girl; how much strength could she have?"

Red bloodstains began to seep through the white gloves I wore.

Nolan finally reached out, pulling Maci aside.

Maci noticed my wound opening. Though she seemed startled, she still lifted her chin defiantly.

"Your injury happened before. Don't think you can blame it on me!"

I looked at her. "I never intended to blame you."

I really didn’t want to argue with them anymore; I just wanted to leave.

I had promised them I wouldn't have my own children, which is why I had been using contraceptives for a long time.

But three months ago, after Nolan returned from a long business trip to the Alps and had a bit too much to drink, despite taking the pills three days later, I still found out I was pregnant.

It was a remarkably healthy child.

Nolan, although displeased, knew it was accidental.

With pressure from his parents, hiding the pregnancy was impossible.

Warren and Chelsea were eagerly waiting for my baby’s arrival, especially hoping for a boy.

Maybe that’s when father and daughter started seeing me as scheming.

But I couldn't bring myself to harm the healthy little life inside me.

I was selfish; I wanted my child to live.

Facing Nolan’s stony gaze, I pleaded sincerely.

"I want nothing now but to divorce you. You can draft a contract stating my child will never be connected to the Evans family or its fortune."

Nolan was slightly angered. "I’ve been more than lenient, allowing you to have your child. What more do you want?"

"Even if Maci said some harsh things today, you’ve been there for her for five years. If she doesn’t trust you, that's on you. What right do you have to make a scene here?"

I remained unmoved.

"I'm not making a scene. Let's get divorced now."

Nolan let out a cold laugh and pulled the groom's boutonniere from his chest.

"Fine, let’s do it now."

Getting divorced in a wedding dress—it’s not an everyday occurrence, even for seasoned clerks.

I picked up the divorce papers, carefully reviewing the custody terms for my child.

Nolan spoke from the side, "If you regret it now, I can pretend none of this happened. My parents aren’t aware yet..."

Without hesitation, I signed my name.

"Valeria!"

Nolan gritted his teeth, calling out my name, but I had already handed over the signed papers.

He stared at me, his anger almost palpable.

"You'll regret this."