Chapter 1

The breaking news flashed across the television screen. "Flight 387 bound for Pamore has crashed upon landing at 12:47 am Eklora time."

"The death toll has risen to 142 passengers, with only four survivors confirmed so far."

The live coverage of the plane crash jolted Evelyn Carter back to reality.

She was one of those four survivors.

Lying in the hospital bed, her body ached with injuries, both legs wrapped tightly in bandages.

"Your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please try again later," the automated voice repeated through her phone.

Not a single call had been returned by Nathan Sterling, her husband in name only, since the crash.

The disaster had made national headlines. There was no way he hadn't heard.

The crash site had been littered with bodies. The terror of nearly dying still clung to her, making every breath feel like a struggle.

Yet when she needed comfort most, the man she'd been married to for three years remained silent.

Disappointment settled heavily in her chest.

After what felt like eternity, her phone finally rang. Evelyn's heart leapt as she grabbed it.

Then her hope shattered when she saw the caller ID.

"Hello?" Her voice came out rough.

"Evelyn, darling! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Margaret Winslow's worried voice filled the line. "Are you alright? Is Nathan with you?"

Nathan's grandmother was the only person in the Sterling family who truly cared about her.

"He—"

Margaret immediately understood from Evelyn's hesitation.

"You're both his executive assistant and his wife! You went to Darai on his behalf for business, and now when tragedy strikes, he disappears?"

"Just wait until I get my hands on him! Which hospital are you at? I'm sending Walter to fetch you immediately!"

The call ended after Evelyn shared her location.

Without hesitation, Evelyn removed her IV needle, wincing at the pain as she forced herself upright.

"Miss Carter! You can't get up yet!" The nurse rushed over. "Your leg injuries require bed rest."

"Bring me crutches. I'm checking out." Evelyn's voice held steel.

The Sterling Estate would be far better for recovery than this hospital.

Not to mention she had work to handle. As VP of Operations at Sterling Enterprises, she'd been representing the company in Darai.

She needed to compile her report immediately.

More importantly, she needed to find out where the hell Nathan was.

After much arguing, the nurse reluctantly brought crutches.

Evelyn hobbled toward the billing department, then froze.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, she spotted a familiar black Bentley followed by a fleet of luxury cars—all bearing the Sterling Enterprises logo.

A crowd of executives surrounded the tall man in the tailored black suit.

He carried a woman in his arms, cradling her protectively, his coat draped over her legs.

Nathan rushed past the lobby without noticing Evelyn standing there.

She watched numbly as he carried the woman into the private VIP wing.

Three years of marriage, and she'd never seen him show such tenderness.

Who was she?

Nearby nurses whispered as they passed.

"Oh my God! Isn't that Nathan Sterling? The billionaire CEO always featured in Forbes?"

"Did you hear? She's twelve weeks pregnant!"

Twelve weeks.

That was three months ago. Right when Nathan had started working late every night.