The Substitute Wife of a Paralyzed CEO

"Abort your pregnancy."

The voice pierced straight to Victoria's heart. The unexpected yet clear words came from the woman in front of her, Chelsea Lancaster. With trembling hands, Victoria stared at the check lying on the table. The amount written on it was enough to change anyone's life. Enough to buy a mansion, a car, even temporary freedom. But it was not the freedom she wanted. Not the freedom she was looking for.

Seeing that the young woman in front of her seemed interested in the check she gave, Chelsea said again. "Take this check, and leave my son. Live well, away from our family. It's the only way out for you." She folded her arms across her chest, her smile cold and haughty.

Victoria stared at the check with a turbulent heart. The hand that had been hesitating, now trembled more strongly. What was Chelsea thinking? Did this woman really believe she could just erase her from their lives? Not to mention her eyes that repeatedly looked at the check and the woman sitting in front of her.

"You really think I would do that?" Victoria tried to hold back her shaky voice. "Abort this innocent baby just because you don't want me to be a part of your family's life?"

Chelsea looked at her sharply, as if measuring every word that came out of Victoria's mouth. "I don't want to lower our family into the mud just because of a girl like you. You're not good enough for my son. And you're right, I don't want you in my family." Chelsea grinned sarcastically. "You don't deserve to be part of the Lancaster family."

Victoria clasped her hands on the table, trying to contain the anger that was about to explode. "I don't need your acceptance to love Damian. I don't need your money to keep this baby. I just need your trust and our love."

"Trust?" Chelsea chuckled. "What do you know about trust, Miss? You're just a scholarship student. What family do you come from? Who will support you when my son leaves you? The Lancaster family will never accept you as a daughter-in-law."

"Don't speak as if you know everything about my life," Victoria retorted in a firm voice. "Damian loves me with all his heart, Mrs. Chelsea. And we will raise this child together. What you are offering is not a solution but an embarrassment."

Chelsea looked at her with piercing eyes and then stared at the check still lying on the table. "Take that and stay away from my son." She pointed with the tip of her chin. "Or your life will be ruined. I'll make sure everything you've built will come crashing down in an instant. So... don't miss the good opportunity that comes your way today."