Forced to Marry an Infertile Billionaire, Yet I Got Pregnant

Carys Marlowe sat in an extravagantly luxurious villa, dressed in a faded floral dress that had been washed so many times its colors had nearly disappeared.

Across from her, her biological mother, whom she had not seen in twenty years, was dressed in expensive clothing and holding her hand as she cried.

"Carys, you've suffered enough living in the countryside. If you marry into the Arledge Family, you'll be able to enjoy wealth and luxury."

A sharp pain stabbed through Carys's heart, and whatever longing she still had for a mother's love vanished completely.

Looking at Diana expressionlessly, she said, "I'm your biological daughter. Are you really asking me to marry in place of your stepdaughter Odessa? To bring good fortune to a man who's already become a comatose vegetable after a car accident?"

The Norwood Family wanted the wealth and status that came with the Arledge Family's marriage proposal, but they did not want Odessa to suffer.

So she was the scapegoat.

The one chosen to be sacrificed from the very beginning.

That was why Diana had finally brought her back from the countryside.

And here she had thought Diana had grown a conscience and wanted to be a good mother.

Diana cried pitifully and suddenly dropped to her knees.

"I don't have any other choice. I'm a second wife. A stepmother! I may look like a rich lady, but I have my own difficulties. I gave birth to you. Please help your mother this once. Marry in your stepsister's place!"

Carys took a deep breath, her eyes turning slightly red.

Back then, Diana had abandoned her while she was still an infant and married into the Norwood Family as a second wife. She had treasured her stepdaughter Odessa like the apple of her eye while completely ignoring her own biological daughter in the countryside for twenty years.

Carys had believed Diana brought her home because she finally remembered the daughter she had abandoned.

Instead, Diana only wanted to squeeze out the last bit of value she had left.

"Fine. I'll marry him."

She would consider it repayment for the gift of life.

Diana instantly smiled through her tears and hurriedly wiped them away.

"The Arledge Family has already prepared a wedding dress. Hurry and change into it."

Now that she had achieved her goal, she bustled around happily.

Carys shook off her hand. Her beautiful face was icy cold.

"This is the last time. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

Diana froze for a moment before quickly acting as if nothing had happened and instructing the maids to help Carys change.

Standing there like a puppet while they dressed her, Carys's already attractive features became even more stunning.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced toward the staircase.

A graceful figure stood there.

Odessa.

Her stepsister was smiling smugly and silently mouthed:

"Poor little motherless orphan."

Carys lowered her hands to her sides and tightly gripped the suitcase she had brought from the countryside.

A maid reminded them, "Madam, the Arledge Family's car has arrived."

Diana immediately said, "Carys, don't keep them waiting. Leave that junk behind. Don't embarrass yourself by taking it to the Arledge Family."

She pushed Carys toward the door while trying to snatch away the suitcase.

Carys dodged her.

Losing her balance, Diana stumbled and nearly fell.

"These are my personal belongings. You have no right to touch them."

Carys's voice was cold and distant.

That suitcase was her livelihood.

She used it to heal and save lives.

Behind her, Odessa helped Diana up and said mockingly, "Looks like Carys isn't very willing. Making your own daughter marry in someone else's place... don't you think that's a little unfair to her?"

Diana quickly replied, "This is her blessing. Even if the second young master of the Arledge Family is a vegetable now, he's still far beyond her reach. How could she ever live such a good life in the countryside?"

At that moment, Carys gave up completely.

Bang!

She slammed the car door shut, cutting off their disgusting voices.

The car drove all the way to the Arledge estate as evening settled over the city.

The Arledge Family was one of New York's top elite families. The Norwood Family had been incredibly fortunate to secure this marriage alliance. The Arledge Family's direct bloodline was divided into the First Branch and the Second Branch.

The second young master, Evren Arledge, was exceptionally capable and considered the strongest candidate to become the next family head.

But one month ago, he had been involved in a car accident.

He fell into a coma and became a vegetable, practically receiving a death sentence from the hospital.

The most sought after young elite in New York had instantly become someone every socialite avoided.

Rumor had it that he had even lost his ability to have children.

How tragic.

Having exhausted every other option, the Second Branch of the Arledge Family had no choice but to place their hopes in the superstition of a marriage bringing good fortune.

Carys's vision was blocked by a red bridal veil.

A servant named India guided her into the villa, but the heavy veil made it difficult for her to even lift her head.

She was led into a spacious bedroom and seated at the edge of the bed.

India wrapped a half meter long red cord around Carys's right wrist several times. The other end was tied to the left wrist of the man lying on the bed.

"You must not remove it. It's tradition," India instructed. "If something goes wrong, you won't be able to bear the consequences."

Carys nodded slightly.

Her neck was already aching from the weight.

Seeing how obedient she was, India added, "You'll have to stay with the young master tonight. Call me if you need anything."

Then she left and closed the door behind her.

The enormous room became eerily quiet.

The only sounds were the steady beeping of medical equipment and the faint breathing of the unfamiliar man.

Carys carefully placed her suitcase beside her feet.

The faint medicinal fragrance drifting from it gave her some comfort.

As long as she had her suitcase, her acupuncture skills would always be her confidence.

Her body felt stiff and sore. She instinctively raised her slender hand and rubbed her neck, forgetting about the red cord tied to her wrist.

Suddenly, she was yanked forward.

She fell onto the bed.

Her veil flew off.

Her entire body landed on top of a warm male body, and her lips brushed against the man's cheek.

The man beneath her had pale skin and tightly closed eyes. His long curled eyelashes cast shadows across his face.

He was unbelievably handsome.

The bright red lipstick mark now stamped on his cheek, however, ruined his cold and distant image.

Her face flushed crimson.

She quickly sat up and frantically tried to wipe away the lipstick mark, but her hair had become hopelessly tangled around one of the buttons on his pajama shirt.

No matter what she did, she couldn't free herself.

"Ah!"

Carys cried out.

Her scalp burned painfully, tears gathering in her eyes.

The more she struggled, the tighter it became.

Her lips kept brushing against the man's thin lips again and again.

If anyone from the Arledge Family saw this, they would definitely think she was outrageously bold enough to seduce even a vegetable.

"Sorry. I had no other choice."

Looking at the unconscious man, she spoke softly.

Spreading her legs, she painfully straddled him and grabbed the collar of his pajama shirt with both hands.

Rip!

The cotton fabric tore open, and a button popped off.

Finally.

She was free.

Carys lowered her head.

The man lying in the hospital bed slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was deep and cold, endless frost filling them as he looked directly at her.

The torn pajama shirt exposed his sexy Adam's apple and broad chest.

He looked thoroughly ravaged.

Carys froze in shock.

Still sitting on top of him, she instinctively squeezed her legs together.

"Mmm..."

A muffled groan escaped the man's lips.