Unloving Him: Marrying the Rival Tycoon novel Chapter 1

After her tenth failed IVF cycle, the doctor advised Summer Hayes to focus on her recovery and stop putting her body through hell.

She walked out of the hospital, clutching her test results with a look of utter defeat, just as a sleek Maybach pulled up to the main entrance.

The door opened, and a tall, impeccably dressed man stepped out. With long, pale fingers, he gripped a large black umbrella, carefully shielding the pregnant woman emerging from the passenger seat.

He tilted the umbrella almost entirely over her, completely ignoring the fact that the freezing rain was soaking the shoulder of his expensive suit. His posture was protective, gentle, and utterly devoted.

As the woman stepped onto the pavement, the umbrella shifted, revealing the man's striking jawline and aloof profile. Summer's breath hitched, and it felt as though a sledgehammer had slammed into her chest.

It was Kelvin Lawson, her husband.

As for the woman in his arms, Summer recognized her from a hidden photo she had accidentally discovered on his phone. It was his first love, the prominent Shorehaven socialite, Adeline Ashcroft.

That very morning, Grandpa Lawson had asked Kelvin to accompany Summer to the hospital. Kelvin had flatly refused, claiming he had an important business meeting. After three years of marriage, Summer was so accustomed to his coldness that she hadn't pushed the issue.

She never expected to run into him escorting his old flame to a prenatal appointment. As tears pricked her eyes, Kelvin seemed to sense her gaze. His cool, indifferent eyes cut through the freezing rain and landed right on her.

But it was only a fleeting glance. He looked away instantly, acting as if she were a total stranger. Cold. Heartless.

"Kelvin, that older woman over there is staring at you. Do you know her?"

Adeline smiled and nodded. But as they walked past Summer, a brief flash of pity crossed her eyes.

The icy winter rain lashed against Summer's face, but she couldn't feel the chill. Her heart had already turned entirely to ice the moment Kelvin brushed past her without a second glance.

Five years ago, Summer had fallen for Kelvin at first sight during a university debate. He was a natural star, drawing the adoration of every girl on campus. She later learned he was the Campus Queen's dream guy and the heir to the Lawson family of Shorehaven.

As an orphan, Summer never dared to dream of a future with him, burying her feelings deep inside. But everything changed when she accidentally saved Grandpa Lawson's life. Upon discovering her crush, the old man eagerly played matchmaker, tying their lives together.

The three years she spent married to Kelvin felt like a fragile, surreal dream. She poured her heart into caring for him. She gave up a fully funded overseas master's program. Knowing how little time he spent at home and facing immense pressure from the Lawson family for an heir, she willingly endured the agonizing IVF injections and all the brutal side effects just to give him a child.