Prologue

It was a nostalgic scent, reminiscent of a rainy forest.

In a house in disarray after being ransacked by debt collectors, Jane, who was sitting on the floor, looked up to see a man standing by the door, which had come off its hinges and was wide open.

For a moment, Jane thought she’d seen it wrong. There was no way he’d show up at her tiny, shabby abode.

But it’s really that man.

There is only one person in the kingdom with bright blonde hair, eyes like the sea, thick eyebrows and a towering nose, and a combination of grace and rawness.

Cain Hastings. Jane’s ex-fiancé, and the sole Duke of the Great Kingdom of Embelon.

The arrogant man’s gaze swept over the messy house.

“You abandoned me, and look at you now, terrible.”

Their reunion after seven years had come when she least expected it, when she was at the lowest point of her life.

He stomped into the house.

“Dingy.”

Each word pierced Jane’s heart like a dagger.

“Tacky.”

Jane closed her eyes tightly and opened them slowly.

“How did you… get here?”

Jane’s voice trembled badly.

He who is clean, noble, and dignified, does not deserve to be here.

“Wrong question. You should have asked why I’m here.”

“Please leave…”

Cain’s expression turned fierce, but then he wiped it off and said, “I have a deal to offer you.”

Jane caught her breath at the unexpected words.

His familiar face is making an unfamiliar expression. Her eyes fluttered as she looked at the face of the man who had once been her fiancé.

She barely tore her gaze away from him, feeling as if she were being sucked back into the days when she had loved him unconditionally.

Cain’s lips, which had whispered to her that he loved her, spat out a cold voice.

“I need a woman to mother my child.”

His cold eyes felt heartless.

This man needs me.

A rude proposal from the man who was once my fiancé and now a stranger.

A familiar realization flashed through my mind as I saw the look in my ex-fiancé’s eyes that hadn’t changed.

“Get ready.”

The realization that I have no choice.