Chapter 1-The Sunshower
It was June. On the sun-dappled streets of City A, lush green leaves filtered the daylight into scattered flecks of gold. Along the curb, stately beige stone buildings rose like quiet witnesses, and a red STOP sign stood sentinel at the intersection.
Rosalind walked on, a sigh escaping her lips. Her expression was heavy, helpless — a thin film of tears glistened in the corner of her eyes.
She lifted the overdue notice in her hand. The repayment amount glared back at her in bold print, stamped with the unmistakable seal of an online loan company.
“I can’t catch a break. I just lost my job, and I’m still stuck paying $10,000 a month!”
A single raindrop landed on the overdue notice.
Rosalind looked up. The sun still hung high in the sky, yet a dark cloud had unleashed a sudden shower. Pedestrians quickened their pace.
“A sun shower? Sigh... I’d better take cover.”
She clutched the paper tighter and hurried across the street toward a café with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Halthir sat in a window booth, watching the rainbow outside. A sun shower—the passersby were moving fast, rushing to get out of the rain.
He wore an impeccably tailored suit, the phone pressed to his ear. His grandfather’s voice drifted through the receiver.
“Once there’s an heir, I’ll step down as the one in charge. Understand?”
“I know, Grandpa,” Halthir replied.
“How’s it coming along?”
“It’s underway.”
Rosalind pushed open the café door and shook the rain from the ends of her hair.
“That idiot Rosalind... she’s obsessed with me. She has no clue what’s really going on,” Alex bragged loudly.
“Alex?” Rosalind thought she recognized her boyfriend’s voice.
Her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes swept the room, and she froze. Alex sat in a nearby booth, his back to her, not bothering to lower his voice.
“The house is in my name. She’s the one stupid enough to pay off the loans, thinking we’re heading for some romantic wedding. Please.” Alex kept going, completely shameless.
“Then why did you give her such a big diamond ring?” Beside him sat a girl in a revealing, stylish outfit. Rosalind recognized her — Lucy.
“It’s just a glass rock. She’s from the countryside — she wouldn’t know real diamonds anyway.”
“So when do I get to move in?”
“Soon.”
Rage ignited across Rosalind’s face. Her arms trembled uncontrollably.
Furious, she ripped the ring off her right hand！And marched straight up to their table, flinging it at Alex.
“Take your stupid glass rock back. We’re through!” Rosalind’s eyes burned red with fury.
Alex and Lucy both jumped to their feet, stunned.
“What the—? I’ve been wanting to break up with you anyway. Now I don’t even need an excuse.” Alex’s surprise melted into a sneer.
“Today I finally see you for who you really are.” Rosalind’s heart ached as if it were breaking.
“Ugh, I’m so done with your whole piggy body. Everyone wants a bombshell figure these days — way more fun, hehe. A girl like you? Good luck finding anyone else.” Alex sneered.
“Looking like that? You’ll never land another man. Enjoy being alone for the rest of your life,” Lucy spat viciously.
Before Lucy could say another word, Rosalind stepped forward and slapped her across the face — a crisp, ringing crack.
“Crack!” Lucy pressed her hand to her cheek, disbelief etched across her face.
“You bitch. Today I’m gonna blow your mind.” For once, Rosalind stood her ground.
The other patrons turned to stare.
Rosalind turned around and found herself face to face with Halthir. He was casually slipping his phone into his pocket, walking over with unhurried composure.
Tears welled in Rosalind’s eyes. She stepped forward and looped both arms through his.
“Please help me. I’m begging you.” Rosalind mouthed the words silently.
Halthir rolled his eyes, arrogantly trying to pull his arm away. But Rosalind only held on tighter.
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with pleading.
To his own surprise, he felt something shift. He paused, momentarily thrown off balance.
Seizing the moment, Rosalind turned and dragged him over to where Alex sat.
“This is...” Rosalind began.
“Splash!” Coffee went flying. The entire cup landed right on the hem of Halthir’s expensive light-gray suit.
The room fell dead silent.
Within seconds, a crowd had gathered, murmuring among themselves.
“Miss, you’re going to have to pay for this bespoke suit. What’s your name?” Halthir’s tone was polite, but his resolve was unmistakable.
“Who the hell do you think you are?” Alex roared, throwing a wild punch at Halthir’s head.
Halthir sidestepped. His right arm came swinging up, fist cutting through the air, and caught Alex square on the jaw. Alex went down hard.
Lucy shrieked and rushed to help him. The crowd erupted in chaos.
The café owner peered out from behind the crowd.
“Get out of here! You threw the first punch. I’m calling the police!” The owner warned.
“Yeah, he started it,” the crowd chimed in.
“You’ll pay for this!” Alex snarled.
Alex clutched his jaw and stumbled out with Lucy. The crowd dispersed.
Rosalind watched them go, a faint trace of relief crossing her face. Then she turned back to the coffee-stained hem of his suit.
“I’m so sorry you got dragged into this. Let me pay for your suit.”
“You can’t afford it.” Halthir’s expression carried a trace of disdain.
“Oh.” Rosalind murmured, her fingers nervously picking at the hem of her own sleeve.
“But... you can pay me back another way.” Halthir looked down at her, a flicker of something in his eyes.
***
In the Saint Laurent Group’s executive lounge, the city skyline of City A stretched out beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. Cool white light spilled across the warm, curved wood-grain conference table. Halthir sat at the head. Rosalind was to his right. Jason stood by the door, printing documents at the printer.
“So you asked me here to... discuss compensation?” Rosalind looked around, bewildered.
“Yeah. I’ve got an important meeting soon and need to change. Just talk to my assistant.”
“Okay, go ahead please.” Rosalind said deferentially.
Halthir stood up, gave her a polite nod, and walked out.
Jason walked over just then, holding the freshly printed documents.
He set the papers down in front of Rosalind and took a seat across from her.
“Miss, the boss says if you sign this agreement, you don’t have to pay anything. Please take a look.” Jason was polite and courteous.
Rosalind read through the document carefully, growing more and more shocked.
“A contract for... having a baby?!”
