Chapter 3Widower Asked Me to Take Her Place

After the scratch-off incident, I moved out of my cramped apartment and into the estate.

Vivian pretended to be happy for me, but she bombarded my phone with toxic texts daily.

"Val, do you really know Tristan? Families that rich have crazy rules. Can you actually survive in that world?"

"They only care about pedigree. You think you can secure your place just with a baby? Watch out, they might just take the kid and kick you to the curb!"

"Men born with silver spoons don't stick to one woman. High-society guys are all players."

Every time she tried to plant seeds of doubt, my little guardian angel chimed in.

"She's just trying to make you paranoid, Mom. My dad is completely devoted to you, and the Mercer family has strict moral codes."

"In the last life, my dad only ended up with her to make you jealous. He loved you to death. In fact, after you died, he took his own life."

"Don't play into some tragic romance trope. Tell Vivian that even if the Mercers only want the baby, you'll still be set for life on child support alone!"

Grinning, I picked up my phone, switched on the video call, and slowly panned around my massive, thousand-square-foot master bedroom.

"Vivian, look at this place. Just for being pregnant, they gave me this estate and an unlimited allowance."

"Even if they kick me out after the birth, they'll have to pay me millions in child support. I'm set for life either way."

"And if I have a boy, he'll inherit the entire Mercer empire. Who cares if I marry into the family? As long as I have the money, I'm happy."

"You shouldn't worry about me. Worry about yourself. I heard your deadbeat, gambling father is looking for you again?"

Vivian's face flushed with a mixture of rage and humiliation. She slammed the phone down, hanging up on me.

Why didn't I block her? Because my sweet baby told me that villains like Vivian are like roaches. If you don't face them head-on, they just skulk in the dark. It was much more satisfying to keep her close and drive her insane with my success.

A few weeks later, Tristan took me to a high-society charity gala. It was my official debut as his wife.

Since Tristan didn't want a rushed wedding and wanted to spare me the stress while pregnant, we had quietly registered our marriage and planned a grand ceremony for the following year.

Before we left, my little guy gave me a stern warning.

"Be careful tonight, Mom. In our last life, Vivian set you up at this very gala, causing a massive public scandal that ruined your reputation."

What did she do? I asked mentally.

"In the past life, you snuck in as a waitress to see my dad after finding out you were pregnant. Vivian spilled red wine all over your dress and led you to a private changing room."

"She had hired a man to wait for you there. When my dad walked in, you were disheveled and caught in a compromising position. He was blinded by rage. With Vivian whispering poison in his ear, he didn't even believe the baby was his."

"You were thrown out into a torrential downpour, got hit by a car, lost me, and ended up with a crippled leg. Vivian is definitely going to sneak in tonight to pull something similar."

I shuddered, a cold sweat breaking out on my neck.

At the gala, sure enough, I spotted Vivian. She was dressed in a server's uniform, holding a tray. When she saw me, she marched straight over.

"Oh, Valerie, that dress is stunning. Your new man must be incredibly generous. How much did you have to do to get it?"

"I wish I could find a sugar daddy like that. Some of us actually have to work for a living."

She spoke just loudly enough for the surrounding socialites to hear. Several wealthy women exchanged mocking glances, instantly branding me as a gold-digging interloper.

I remained perfectly calm. "Oh, this dress? It was a gift from my mother-in-law, Beatrice Mercer. She actually designed it herself when she was pregnant with Tristan."

My response delivered a double blow: it confirmed my marriage to the heir and showed I had the mother's full backing. The socialites' snickers instantly vanished, replaced by polite, flattering smiles.