She seals a covert marriage pact with him to settle an old score—one year, nothing more. Their first meeting becomes a rescue. The second, salvation from trouble. By the third, they're signing marriage certificates in haste. He whisks her away to become his wife, "Mrs. Lucas," the envy of the city. Whispers swirl about the austere Master Lucas—how he showers her with affection, holds her close, treasures her above all else. Yet his suffocating devotion eventually overwhelms her. Divorce papers in hand, she scales the compound wall for freedom. But fate intervenes. As she straddles the top, he catches her by the ankles, yanking her back down. She tumbles into his embrace. His palm settles on her stomach, voice rough with emotion: "Woman, where do you think you're taking my son?"