Elias’ Crimes and Punishments of Romance
Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 She’s Pregnant, so Let’s Get a Divorce

At the Winters Residence. “Elias, when are you coming home? I have something to tell you.” A sweetsmile appeared on Amanda Bailey’s face while she looked at the two lines on the pregnancy test. Themale voice on the other end of the call replied, “I’m already home. In the living room.” “Really? I’ll beright down.” She hung up the call and rushed out of the room with the pregnancy test strip in hand,eager to tell the man the good news. She sprinted down the stairs but suddenly remembered herpregnancy and slowed down. Clutching the test strip in her hand, she wondered what Elias Winters’reaction would be once he heard the news. Yet, when Amanda was halfway down the stairs, she sawtwo figures in the living room—Elias and a sexy woman. Slowing down her steps, she held the handrailtightly and felt her heart sink. That was because she saw her husband and the woman behavingaffectionately as though they were a smitten couple. The smile on Amanda’s face froze, and herthoughts were a mess. Both her legs felt heavy as she slowly made her way down the stairs. “Elias—”As she finally made her way to the living room, she called him but was coldly interrupted. “She’spregnant, so let’s get a divorce.” Amanda stayed silent. The way he spoke was so straightforward andimpatient, as though he had been eagerly waiting to break the news. That woman affectionatelyhugged his arm and smiled. “Mrs. Winters, I’m sorry to tell you, but it’s time you make room for me.”With her eyes fixed on the woman’s hand, Amanda felt like her heart was being ripped apart. Her eyesgradually dimmed, and she began welling with tears. She clutched the pregnancy test and proffered itto him. “What about our child? How could you be so heartless?” After glancing coldly at the pregnancytest with two lines, Elias snorted. “There’s no way you’re pregnant. I’ve never slept with you, so don’tthink you can fool me with this.” In reality, he would not have agreed to marry Amanda if his grandfatherhad not been seriously ill and threatened Elias with his life. However, who knew Howard Winters wouldmiraculously recover right after Elias and Amanda married? There were times when Elias wouldsuspect Amanda and Howard had been in a ploy to force him into marriage. His words shocked hiswife, who retorted with wide eyes, “You did sleep with me! During the company’s celebratory dinner,you were drunk—” “That celebratory dinner was held abroad, and you weren’t with me. How could I

have slept with you? Let’s make things easy for us. You know I detest clingy women the most.” Theman was merciless, and his eyes flamed with a slight impatience. “I…” She wanted to explain she hadgone to the celebratory dinner and cared for him while he was drunk. One thing led to another, andthey slept together, impregnating her without knowing. However, his indifference prompted her to keepthose words to herself. Wow. I give up. Forget it. What’s there to say to a sc*mbag who abandons hiswife and child? “Mrs. Winters, just agree to the divorce. Elias doesn’t love you, so there’s no meaningin prolonging this matter.” That woman daintily leaned onto his shoulder and grinned like a winnerannouncing her victory. Drawing a deep breath, Amanda held back the pain in her heart and gazed atthe man before her. “Let’s get a divorce, then. You can pick whenever you want to go through theprocedure. I’m always free.” Once she finished, she left the villa without looking back. Tears fell thesecond she turned around, not wanting to let the man see her crying again. Meanwhile, surpriseflashed across Elias’ handsome face as he was not expecting her to agree so quickly. He wondered ifshe had always been this easily provoked. At first, he thought she would be overcome by greed andrefused to discard her position as his wife because she was broke when she married him. “Hurray!Elias, your wife agreed to the divorce! So, when will you marry me?” the woman asked withanticipation. Flinging her arm away, Elias glanced at her with disdainful eyes. “Don’t worry. I won’tmarry you even if you’re the last woman on Earth.” The woman was dumbfounded, unable to accepthis sudden change in attitude. “Elias… How could you say that? I’m pregnant with your child, and I—”“The hell you are! Don’t you know whose child you’re bearing? Get out!” he roared at the woman beforestorming up the stairs. How could he let such a woman get pregnant with his child? What a joke. …After leaving the villa, Amanda headed straight to the hospital and underwent a series of checkups toprepare for her abortion. “Miss Bailey, you’re already seven weeks in. The baby is attached to yourwomb and has a heartbeat. Are you sure you want to abort it?” While looking at her abdomen, shecaressed it and thought, Baby, I’m sorry I can’t bring you into this world. Then, she noddeddeterminedly. “Yes, please schedule the surgery for me. The faster, the better.” Coldly, the doctoradministered a surgery form. Since people were coming in every day to get an abortion, the doctor wasused to it and did not replace it strange. “Come back tomorrow for your procedure. Remember to fast.”

“Thank you.” Amanda then took the receipt and left the doctor’s office. Right after she left, she receiveda call from Howard. After a brief hesitation, she answered the call. “Grandpa.” “Amanda, come over fordinner tonight. I asked the kitchen staff to prepare your favorite food, and Elias would be joining aswell.” As Howard was aware of the couple’s distant relationship, he deliberately created a chance forthem to be together. She was about to refuse, saying, “Grandpa, I’m busy this evening—” “Don’t try tofool me. I don’t care what you have to do. Both of you must accompany me for dinner tonight, andthat’s final.” Once he finished, he immediately hung up without letting Amanda reply, leaving her in adaze while staring at her phone. The couple would not have gotten married had it not been forHoward’s insistence. Even then, she had no idea why he was so determined for them to get married. …That evening, night fell, enveloping the entire city in a bustling dark shadow. When Amanda arrived atthe Winters Manor, she took one last look at the building, afraid it would be her last chance. The butler,Rylan Keen, immediately noticed her arrival and approached her with joy. “Mrs. Winters, you’re finallyhere. Old Mr. Winters has been waiting for you.” “Mr. Keen, sorry I’m late.” She gave him a listlesssmile. “It’s fine. All that matters is you’re back. Old Mr. Winters was afraid you won’t be coming.”Amanda strode into the dining room and saw Elias had arrived but did not spare her a glance. OnlyHoward rose to his feet and welcomed her. “Amanda, take a seat. The food’s getting cold.” She wentover, intending to sit beside Howard, but he forcefully pushed her onto the seat beside Elias. “Youmarried couple should sit together. Alright, let’s eat.” At the sight of them seated together, he finallysmiled in satisfaction. On the other hand, Elias remained focused on eating, unwilling to look at her.