Chapter 1
When I found out I was pregnant, I rushed to my husband, overjoyed–only to be strapped to an operating table.
When I woke up, my body was a broken mess.
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In my despair, I heard my husband, Ryan Winters’s mocking voice:
“Claire, this volunteer you found is quite something–everything about her is fake. Hilarious.”
Claire Bennett giggled in response: “She went bargain–hunting for plastic surgery and botched it. Now she’s begging for your help. Pathetic.
With my grotesquely disfigured face, I thrashed against the restraints, making the table rattle.
Ryan kicked the operating table, his voice icy: “No one can fix you except me. Stay still–my wife is waiting.”
I stared at him, tears mixing with blood as they streamed down.
Your wife… is right IN FRONT OF you.]
…]
I found myself strapped to the operating table once
again.
By now, my face had been transformed beyond recognition.
The crude facelift pulled my skin tight to the point of constant pain. My jawline had been aggressively shaved, my cheekbones pushed inward, completely altering my facial structure.
My body was a patchwork of bruises and uneven scars from botched liposuction.
Ryan stood before me, studying my body with clinical fascination. “Where should we start today?” he murmured.
The cold scalpel pressed against my chest, sending terror flooding through me.]
“The infection isn’t too severe here, Let’s remove these implants first.”
The blade sliced through my skin without anesthesia, unleashing an explosion of pain. My body convulsed but I could only produce hoarse, gasping sounds instead of the screams trapped in my Claire stood watching, her fake sympathy dripping like poison: “You wanted to be beautiful on the cheap, and now look at you. Better learn your lesson through suffering.”
throat.
at.0
www.
Ryan frowned, his tone detached and clinical “You volunteered as a test subject. The agreement was crystal clear. If you succeed, you benefit. If anything goes wrong because you can’t follow instructions… that’s not my problem
Claire hovered nearby, a smirk playing at her lips. “Having Dr. Winters himself perform your surgery is something most women would kill for.”
I stared desperately at Ryan, willing him to recognize the woman who grew up with hin, who had shared his bed for twelve years. The man who once promised, “I could recognize you with my eyes closed.” Now he watched impassively as I trembled in excruciating pain.
Ryai. yanked out the implant roughly, black spots dancing across my vision as blood seeped from the wound.
Claire shithered behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Baby, my legs are killing me. Can’t we take a little break?” she purred.
His voice softened instantly. “Lina mentioned she has a surprise waiting for me. I don’t want to keep her waiting much longer.”
Tear: sprang to my eyes. That surprise was our twelfth anniversary gift–the ultrasound picture now hidden in the pocket of my loose hospital gown.
Claire’s eyes flashed with jealousy when she glanced at me, but when she turned back to Ryan, they melted into pools of desire.
I know Lina is your everything,” she cooed, her hands wandering down his torso. “I’m not trying to compete with her. I just want some time with you.” Her fingers traced dangerous patterns. “I bought that black lace set you love so much…]
..0
Ryan’s smile turned predatory, his voice rough with want. “Well, when you put it that way…”
He pushed Claire against the equipment table, filling the room with the sounds of their passion.[]
I remembered Ryan’s proposal How he knelt among flickering candles, hands trembling as he presented me with property deeds.]
Tina, these ten properties, my savings, my stocks… they’re all yours now,” he’d promised. “So you’ll know that I, Ryan Winters, will only ever love you for the rest of my life.
I’d laughed through happy tears, tossing the documents aside to throw myself into his arms. I never wanted his wealth–only his heart.
After their intimate encounter, Claire pent Ryan away with some excuse and approached my table, completely naked and triumphant []
