On my 18th round of IVF, I accidentally overheard a conversation between my husband and his secretary.

Yvonne asked, "Babe, do you really have to have a baby with her? What about us?"

Zayn explained, "Don't worry. I've already switched the eggs with yours. So, Candice will actually be carrying our child, and you won't have to suffer through pregnancy. When the child grows up, all the Summers fortune will be his!"

I pretended I did not hear a word, focusing instead on raising the son I worked so hard to bring into this world.

18 years later, my son was celebrated as a "computer genius", and he returned home after earning his doctorate. I transferred all my shares and real estate to him without hesitation.

That was when Zayn finally decided to come clean and said, "Candice, the truth is, Luca is actually mine and Yvonne's. Let's get a divorce, and it's time for Lucas to be reunited with his biological mother."

I simply smiled and replied, "I agree to the divorce."

After weaving this web for 18 years, it was finally time to reel it all in.

"Honey, try this homemade chicken soup I made for you. I've been simmering it for six hours just to make sure you and our little one get all the nutrients you need," Zayn said with pride.

He playfully held up his right index finger to show the blisters and said, "Look what I went through for you both."

No one would have guessed that the man in an apron was Zayn Yeager, the famously aloof and unapproachable CEO of a publicly traded company, who was often described as such in the media.

My stomach suddenly churned violently, forcing me to rush to the bathroom and throw up. Zayn followed close behind, gently rubbing my back.

"Our baby is already giving you such a hard time. Just wait until he comes out—I'll teach him a lesson for making his mommy suffer!"

His voice was filled with genuine concern as he continued, "Honey, you've been through so much, enduring 18 rounds of IVF just to have our baby, and now, you're dealing with morning sickness. I just..."

He showed no disgust at my sickness, lovingly wiping my face with a washcloth. We had been married for five years, and he had always put me first.

If I had even the slightest headache or fever, he would drop everything to rush to my side and take care of me with unwavering devotion. Everyone said I must have done something extraordinary in my past life to deserve such an amazing husband.

If I had not accidentally overheard his conversation with Yvonne that day, I would also have believed I had found my fairy tale prince instead of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

As my nausea subsided, I interrupted him, emphasizing certain words, "I'm willing to endure any hardship for my child."

A flash of satisfaction crossed Zayn's features before he put on an emotional facade. "You've sacrificed so much, honey. When this little guy arrives, he should take your last name."

Then, he continued earnestly, "I'll raise him to be devoted to you. When he's old enough, he'll inherit the Summers family business, and we can travel the world together—it's the least you deserve after all these IVF treatments and carrying our child."

I could practically see the wheels turning in Zayn's head as he spoke. I merely smiled without responding and reclined on the couch to ease my nausea.

Then, the doorbell rang, and Zayn immediately rose to answer it. There was some rustling at the door, and after two minutes, Yvonne Rogers's voice carried into the room.

"Candice, I'm here to check on you and the baby," Yvonne announced. "I also brought some documents for Mr. Yeager."

Yvonne was a former scholarship student I had supported through college. After that, she worked as Zayn's secretary at the Summers Group.

As she stood there, I noticed she was wearing a form-fitting dress, her lips slightly swollen, and her lipstick smeared. Meanwhile, Zayn's lips also bore suspicious traces of red.

I smiled slightly, pretending not to notice anything amiss.

Later, Yvonne made herself comfortable beside me, acting like she was in her home. It was a far cry from the timid scholarship student she had once been.

"Goodness, Candice, you look terrible!" she exclaimed dramatically, reaching for my arm, but I shifted away just in time to avoid her touch.

"Mr. Yeager, just look at how much Candice has sacrificed for you," she continued with mock concern. "Her complexion is so sickly, and her figure is completely gone—she's hardly the glamorous socialite she used to be."

Yvonne scooted away from me with obvious distaste, making eyes at Zayn when she thought I was not looking, her words dripping with contempt.

Before I could respond, Zayn frowned and snapped, "What nonsense are you talking about? Candice is still as beautiful as always!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Candice," Yvonne apologized with fake remorse. "I speak without thinking sometimes. You won't hold it against me, will you?"

Then, she added, "Though, honestly, I'll never want to carry a baby myself. Getting pregnant will make me so ugly that my husband may leave me."

I coldly picked up my phone and dialed security. "Hello? Someone has trespassed into our home. Please remove them immediately."

"Candice, I was just joking," Yvonne protested, clearly annoyed. "Why are you so sensitive?"

"Alright, alright! You've delivered the documents, and Candice has seen them. You should go now," Zayn said, pulling Yvonne toward the door while turning to me. "Honey, Yvonne's young—don't take her too seriously."

Once outside, Yvonne immediately threw herself into Zayn's arms. She whined, "Even though I don't have to suffer through pregnancy, it makes me sick thinking about my baby growing inside her, receiving all your attention. And the child will have to call her Mom!"

Zayn held her close, comforting her. "Be patient. We signed a prenup. If she discovered my infidelity, I'd lose everything.

"But our son will be different. He'll be the Summers family's sole heir from the moment he's born. Everything that belongs to the Summers family will be his!"

Then, his voice turned ice-cold. "As for Candice... Well, she'll be nothing but a discarded pawn when the time comes."

I let out a bitter laugh. Did Zayn and Yvonne really think I was that stupid?

I turned the video doorbell off, not wanting to see more of the despicable couple. After that, I returned to my bedroom and began refining my plan.

Due to my poor constitution, getting pregnant had been difficult, and my morning sickness was severe. Zayn had started working from home to demonstrate his devotion, only leaving for essential business dinners and staying on call 24/7 otherwise.

Yet, his attentiveness did not move me. In fact, I found his behavior hypocritical and nauseating. As his secretary, Yvonne frequently visited to deliver documents, and they would steal intimate moments whenever they thought I was not looking.

Believing I was oblivious, they grew bold enough to flirt right under my nose under the pretense of discussing work. Their behavior disgusted me, and I certainly did not want to witness their displays.

"I'm craving that artisanal bakery's cream puffs from downtown," I would say.

"Oh, and that famous steak from the bistro on Florue Avenue.

"Also, the juice from uptown and those sourdough donuts from the west side."

...

Whenever I mentioned my cravings, Yvonne had to grudgingly drive across town to fetch them, often getting stuck in traffic for hours. When she finally returned with the food, I would throw it straight into the trash in front of her.

"It's cold now. Are you trying to harm my baby?" I would snap. Sometimes, I would say, "I've lost my appetite."

Yvonne would tremble with anger as tears streamed down her face.

Eventually, Zayn would try to smooth things over. He explained, "It's just the pregnancy hormones. That little one must be giving her a hard time."

The mention of the baby softened Yvonne's expression, but when they were alone, she broke down. "She's torturing me on purpose! I'm just a secretary, not her personal assistant. Why should I run her errands?"

"Don't be upset," Zayn said as he comforted her, pulling her close. "Remember, she's carrying our baby. Once she delivers, you won't have to deal with her anymore."

"That wench," Yvonne seethed through gritted teeth. "Just wait until our son grows up and inherits the Summers fortune. I'll make her pay!"

I watched them on the surveillance feed with amusement, like a puppeteer pulling the strings of two marionettes.

After my parents died in a car accident, every relative crawled out of the woodwork, trying to grab a piece of the Summers fortune. Even my parents' most trusted allies turned against me, hoping for their share.

With an iron fist and ruthless determination, I drove away all those eyeing the Summers' assets—some ended up bankrupt, others in prison.

Then, I met Zayn, who seemed like a ray of sunshine—warm, bright, and gentle. For him, I had hidden my claws and masked my strong personality. After he joined the Summers Group, I had even stepped back from the company's operations, at least on the surface.

I took a deep breath, calming myself down. That feeling of complete control was exhilarating. Everything was falling into place, and I was just waiting for my prey to walk into my trap.

Nonetheless, I was not ready to spring it yet. Watching them dance in their cage, thinking they had reached paradise, only to strike when their guard was down, would be so much more satisfying.

Meanwhile, I did not make life easy for Zayn. I had given our night nurse paid leave, which meant when I got hungry at night, Zayn had to cook for me. If the food failed to satisfy me, he would have to redo it.

"Don't bother," I would say when he failed to satisfy my cravings. "The baby and I can go hungry."

My words only made him more determined to try again and again.

Just as Yvonne and Zayn reached their breaking point, little Lucas Summers was born. I had booked the most exclusive postpartum retreat center and hired the best maternity nurse, insisting on top-of-the-line everything—from formula to diapers.

When Yvonne came to visit with baby clothes, she muttered, "This bitch doesn't deserve this luxury center! It's all Zayn's money anyway."

However, her face brightened as she cooed, "Candice, your son is so lucky. He's born with a silver spoon in his mouth!"

I gazed lovingly at my newborn son. "Lucas deserves nothing but the best, and I'll make sure of that."

Her eyes flickered with triumph and resentment as she asked, "How wonderful that he's already the Summers Group's little heir. He'll take over the company when he's of age!"

I gave her a cool glance that made her shrink back. "Yes, I'll transfer all my shares to him when he comes of age."

Zayn, who had just rushed in from an online meeting, exchanged knowing looks with Yvonne, both wearing smug smiles. Lucas grinned his toothless smile, and I was so enchanted that I did not even spare the cheating pair a glance.

As I held my precious boy, I secretly looked forward to seeing their reactions when they discovered the truth.

...

As Lucas grew, his features increasingly resembled mine. Even though Zayn was puzzled, he pretended to be jealous, saying playfully, "Lucas looks just like you; there's nothing about him that resembles me!"

I remained indifferent. "And I wonder why..."