Chapter 1

I grew up with Asher from a young age.

He once saved my life by taking a hit meant for me from an enemy, and I was kidnapped and brutally mistreated because of him.

Everyone in the circle knew that I, the daughter of the Dixon family, was the center of Asher's world.

But when he returned from building a branch in the Golden Triangle after two years, he brought back a young woman dressed in immaculate white.

She looked pure, but she was provocative in her gaze. "Nicola, it was just an accident between Asher and me, but he insists on taking responsibility for me. Please stop him."

I looked at her hand resting on her belly with Asher's ring around her finger. My fingers trembled slightly.

The next moment, the bodyguard behind me pressed a cold gun barrel against that young woman's temple.

I turned to Asher, who was clenching his fists tightly. I said coldly, "If you insist on marrying her, then leave the Dixon family for good."

Chapter 1

Asher's eyes were bloodshot. He stood straight. "Nicola, Gretchen stayed with me in the Golden Triangle for two years. Without her, I might not have made it back. I was drugged, and she had sex with me because she wanted to save me. She's always seen me as her elder brother. It's my fault, and I must take responsibility for her."

I loved Asher dearly, who had been unwaveringly standing up for me.

Yet, he stood against me for Gretchen at that moment.

I tried to stay calm. "If she weren't pregnant, would you choose to marry her?"

He was silent for a moment and then said in a hoarse voice, "The doctor said my last injury was so severe that I might not father any other children. Gretchen's pregnancy is a blessing from heaven. I truly want a baby, Nicola. Please let me have this."

Seeing his tightly knit brows, I suddenly remembered when he held me and said, "Nicola, even if we never have children, I'll always stay with you."

Those words become a blade piercing my heart at that moment.

I slowly stood up and walked to him. "So, do you want her to stay with you? Do you want me to accept her carrying your baby without any resentment?"

Asher's brows furrowed even more tightly. "Nicola, you're the Dixon family's daughter. She's just an orphan like me."

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "Asher, when my father took you in, I protected you and helped you rise. If I weren't the Dixon family's daughter, would you be standing here talking to me?"

Asher looked a little guilty, but he remained stubborn. "I want to keep this baby because I am grateful to you. Gretchen even agrees to give you her baby. She just sees me as her elder brother."

Gretchen Sanderson looked up with tearful eyes. "Asher, don't make things difficult for Nicola. I don't care about these things. Nicola, what happened between Asher and me was an accident. I have no interest in marrying Asher. I just want to stay around him."

I raised my eyebrows slightly, and the black-clad bodyguard behind me stepped forward and slapped Gretchen hard. "This is not your place to speak."

Gretchen's cheek was swollen, and Asher immediately shielded her behind him. "Nicola, Gretchen nearly died when she saved me in the Golden Triangle. How dare you treat her like this? She has a pure heart and no malice."

Gretchen glanced at me smugly, but what she said sounded broad-minded. "I'm fine. I'm not delicate. It doesn't hurt at all. As long as Nicola feels better."

Watching her and Asher perform their little act in front of me, I felt utterly disgusted. "Fine. Have it your way."

Asher looked up abruptly. Disbelief and joy flashed in his eyes. "But there's no room for you and her in my place. If you want to keep your baby, take her back to your place."

Without looking back, I turned and left. "Asher, don't dirty my home."