Deep in the city, the midsummer sun was scorching the earth.

Despite the hot weather, Olivia Young felt as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on her head.

Her mother-in-law, Brenda Chen, was standing at the door of the crowded gynecology department, jabbing her finger at Olivia as she scolded, "What did I say? It's your problem that you can't have children! Now that the test results are out, let's see what else you have to say!"

Olivia's hand, holding the report, trembled slightly.

Reading the diagnosis, "Fallopian tube blockage," she felt cold from head to toe.

In her four years of marriage to Freddie Chen, she had never been able to conceive a child.

That's why her mother-in-law was dissatisfied with her and considered everything Olivia was doing wrong.

People gathered around them and stared as if they were watching a joke. Some were pointing at Olivia, while others gloated at her misfortune. The room was very noisy.

Freddie was the only son of the Chen family. Olivia knew that the culture of her in-laws considered having a grandchild of great importance, but little did she know it would result in such an extreme reaction. 

"Mom," said Olivia, trying her best to be patient, "why are you reacting like this? We’re trying hard, and you know it. Let's go home and talk there."

"That's my home,” answered Brenda, “not yours. Get that straight! I never recognized you as our Chen family's daughter-in-law! You are unworthy!"

Olivia closed her eyes and argued weakly, "Freddie and I are a legitimate couple who have received a marriage certificate…"

“That may be,” answered Brenda, “but the only true certificate of marriage is a child, Olivia! No child, no marriage! You’re not my daughter-in-law. Hurry up and divorce Freddie! And don't even think about taking anything from the Chen family fortune!"

More and more people gathered to watch. The scorching heat and all their curious gazes made Olivia even more miserable.

She let out a long breath, feeling desperate and helpless.

Freddie's grandfather had arranged this marriage on his deathbed as a condition before handing over his business to Freddie. As Freddie could not risk losing the business, he had no choice but to marry Olivia. At that point in time, Freddie and his mother had not realized things would come down to this.

In their four years of marriage, Freddie's attitude toward Olivia had been lukewarm; they knew each other only a little better than strangers. She’d never expected Freddie to rebel against his mother for her, but she also had never thought that this marriage would end in such a deadlock.