Connor's eyes were red. He nodded eagerly, his voice trembling with excitement. "I do! I swear, I'd marry you a hundred times over!"

The film crew erupted in cheers. "Congratulations!"

Inside a car parked nearby, Xavier watched the scene unfold, his face frozen in an expressionless mask. A chill spread through his body.

Five years ago, Elizabeth had proposed to him with the same deep affection. She had worn a beautiful white wedding dress, held a bouquet of bright red roses, and carried a meticulously prepared engagement ring.

That day, she had choked on her own words, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Xavier, I love you. You are the only man for me in this lifetime. No other man will ever enter my heart. Please, marry me. I'm begging you. I swear, if I ever betray you, I'll die."

Xavier let out a hollow laugh. It started as a chuckle, but before he knew it, tears were rolling down his face.

Everything had been a lie. The vows, the tears, even the so-called sincerity. In the end, everything changed so easily.

Beside him, Vincent watched him with quiet sympathy. "They've left. Do you want to follow?"

"Follow them."

Xavier lowered his gaze, then slowly turned to look out the window. He wanted to see where Elizabeth was going.

An hour later, the Bentley stopped in front of a restaurant. The place was in the busiest part of town, and the window seats were notoriously difficult to reserve. It wasn't peak dining hours, so only a few tables were occupied. Each seat was separated by a screen, offering ample privacy.

Clearly, Elizabeth had taken precautions.

Xavier watched as the two stepped inside. Then, he walked into a nearby store, bought a more mature-looking outfit, put on a mask and a hat, and sauntered into the restaurant.

Vincent had already made arrangements. He had thrown money at the problem and secured the table right behind Elizabeth's.

Just as they sat down, a middle-aged couple arrived, guided by a waiter to Elizabeth's table. They looked to be in their fifties, ordinary in every way. But if one looked closely, the man bore a striking resemblance to Connor.

"No way… Is she meeting his parents?" Vincent whispered in shock.

Xavier remained silent. He took out his phone, found the perfect angle, and snapped a few quick photos through the narrow gap in the screen.

The timing was perfect. He captured the exact moment Elizabeth handed a black card to Connor's mother.

"Damn, she sure is generous." Vincent cursed under his breath.

Xavier lowered his gaze, setting his phone down slowly. "Let's go."

He had no desire to stay a second longer.

Back on the street, Vincent offered to drive him home, but Xavier shook his head. "Vincent, my mind's a mess right now. I need some time alone."

Vincent didn't press him, only reminding him repeatedly to stay safe.

Once Vincent was gone, Xavier wandered aimlessly. The night was bitterly cold, the temperature already below freezing. His coat was thin, offering little protection against the chill.

But none of that mattered. The cold outside was nothing compared to the cold seeping into his heart.

He didn't know how long he had been walking when his phone suddenly vibrated. It was a message from Elizabeth.

He opened it. Three wedding photos filled the screen.

In the first, Elizabeth leaned against Connor, looking delicate and affectionate. In the second, the two of them kissed passionately. In the last, she knelt on one knee, holding up a bouquet, while Connor smiled triumphantly.

Then, a message followed.

[We took wedding photos today. She proposed to me in front of everyone. I was really moved.]

[She even insisted on meeting my parents. Other than registering our marriage, we've gone through all the steps.]

[Who says sharing a wife is a bad thing? I'm fine with it. The question is, are you? After all, it's not like I'm losing anything.]

Xavier stared at the arrogant words, his expression unreadable. He didn't reply. Instead, he forwarded the wedding photos to his secretary, along with the pictures he had taken of their dinner. Then, he screenshotted the entire conversation and sent it over.

"Make sure these are displayed at the wedding."

With that, he slid his phone back into his pocket.

He kept walking, step after step, his mind blank. He didn't notice the black car speeding toward him until it was too late.

Bang!

The impact sent him flying two meters through the air.

He didn't know how long he had been unconscious. When he finally opened his eyes, the sharp scent of disinfectant filled his nose. A white hospital room came into view.

Elizabeth stood by his bedside, her dark eyes filled with worry and fear. "You're awake! Do you feel any pain? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Xavier slowly turned his gaze toward her.

Her eyes were red. She looked anxious, distressed, as if she wished she could take his place in suffering.

Disgust churned in his stomach. The images of her in a wedding dress, clinging to Connor, flashed through his mind. He felt like throwing up.

Elizabeth, oh Elizabeth. Which version of you is real?

"Why aren't you saying anything? Do you feel unwell? I'll call the doctor."

She turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist before she could take a step.

His voice was hoarse as he asked, "Why are you here?"

Elizabeth froze for a moment. When the hospital called, she was still having dinner with Connor's parents. A wave of fear swept over her, and she left them behind, rushing straight to the hospital.

Fortunately, Xavier wasn't seriously injured.

"I was having dinner with a client, working on closing a big deal. Then the hospital called about your accident, so I came right away."

Xavier's gaze darkened. His deep eyes locked onto hers.

"You came straight from the client's place?"

"Yes. Xavier, I'm exhausted." Elizabeth pressed her fingers against her temple, frowning slightly.

Xavier slowly closed his eyes and said nothing more.

Elizabeth sat by his side, keeping him company. Before long, her phone rang. She hung up immediately, but the caller was persistent. The phone vibrated again and again.

Switching it to silent mode, she lowered her head and sent a message. A minute later, her expression shifted. She muttered an excuse and hurried out of the hospital.

Not long after she left, Vincent arrived. His face was clouded with something between irritation and amusement.

"Guess who I ran into on my way up?"

Xavier propped himself up slightly. He thought for a few seconds before answering, "Elizabeth?"

Vincent scoffed. "The third floor of this hospital? It's the andrology department. I took the elevator up, the doors opened, and there she was—with Connor."

He paused for effect, then continued. "It felt off, so I followed the crowd out of the elevator. That's when I saw Connor holding Elizabeth's prenatal check-up report, grinning like an idiot, telling her she was going to be a mother."

Xavier's expression barely changed. He lowered his eyes, lost in thought, but there wasn't a hint of anger on his face.

"She's pregnant."

Vincent stared at him, feeling something was off but unable to put his finger on it. He moved closer, pressing a hand to Xavier's forehead.

"You're not mad? No fever either. You haven't lost your mind, have you?"

Xavier gave a faint smile, lips pale. "You don't understand. Elizabeth has a medical condition. The doctors said she could never have children."

Three years ago, they had tried for a child for over a year, but nothing happened. Thinking the issue might be his, Xavier made an appointment for a check-up. Elizabeth, worried about his stress, accompanied him.

The results came back. Elizabeth was infertile.

That night, he lay awake until morning, forcing himself to accept a childless future as long as Elizabeth loved him. He even asked Dr. Peel to keep the diagnosis a secret, telling everyone the problem lay with him—that he just needed time to recover before Elizabeth could conceive.

And now, she was thrilled to become a mother. The three years he had spent carefully hiding the truth now seemed like a cruel joke.

"Holy shit! This is huge!" Vincent nearly jumped up, rubbing his hands together. His eyes gleamed with mischief. "I have an idea. Xavier, you're leaving for Neirway in five days. Let's just act like we don't know anything."

He smirked. "There's no way Connor isn't scamming her. Let's see how he explains himself when the time comes. And when the moment's right, we'll send Elizabeth her medical report. I'd love to see her face when she finds out the truth."

The next morning, Elizabeth didn't come to the hospital.

That afternoon, Xavier's secretary arrived to update him on the wedding preparations. After her report, she hesitated, stealing a glance at him.

"Just say it." Xavier frowned slightly.

The secretary hesitated before whispering, "At noon, Ms. Eaton asked me to deliver some documents to the villa. When I arrived, Connor was sitting in your living room… in his pajamas."

She took a cautious breath. "Sir, you've always treated me well. I just couldn't stay quiet about it."

A chill spread through Xavier's body. His face turned cold. He was still in the hospital, and Connor had already moved into their home?

No wonder Elizabeth had insisted last night that he let her know before he was discharged—she wanted to be the one to pick him up.

"I see. Thank you."

Xavier picked up his phone and checked the surveillance footage. The screen was pitch black.

Elizabeth had disabled the cameras in advance.

He frowned, then turned to his secretary, who was still standing there.

"Tonight, I'll make sure Elizabeth and Connor are occupied. Get someone to reinstall the cameras. Keep it discreet."

"Yes, sir."

That night, at ten o'clock, Elizabeth walked into the hospital room. She looked at Xavier lying on the bed, her eyes filled with guilt.

"Honey, you called me over. Did you miss me? I'm sorry, I was so busy today…"

Xavier interrupted her smoothly, giving her an easy way out. "I know. You've been planning my birthday party. That's why you're visiting so late."

Elizabeth froze for a second before smiling, squeezing his hand. "You know me so well."

Xavier met her gaze and spoke calmly. "Yes. I know you. I know everything you've done."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Xavier…"

She opened her mouth to say more, but at that moment, a nurse entered with a cart, changing his IV.

The next day, Xavier checked the surveillance footage.

In the villa, Connor and Elizabeth were having lunch together. Connor sat in Xavier's usual seat.

Elizabeth pouted, saying she was pregnant and didn't feel like eating. Connor patiently fed her spoonfuls of food.

"Come on. You have to stay healthy for the sake of our baby."

Elizabeth smiled, her eyes filled with happiness.

After lunch, Connor went upstairs. Elizabeth called the house staff together and spoke in a serious tone.

"Connor doesn't have an official status here. If he loses his temper sometimes, be patient with him. And listen, no one tells Xavier about him moving in. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Xavier watched the footage in silence, then looked away. He picked up his phone and instructed his secretary to start preparing the wedding invitations. By the end of the day, he would finalize the guest list.

The next day marked the third day of the countdown.

Early in the morning, Elizabeth arrived at the hospital with a steaming bowl of soup. "I had our housekeeper make this just for you," she said, placing it on the bedside table. "It's your favorite. Try it."

Xavier didn't refuse. He took small sips.

After Elizabeth left, he waited another thirty minutes before switching on the surveillance footage.

In the living room, Connor was sitting beside Elizabeth, watching prenatal education videos with her. He rested his palm gently on her belly, his face soft with tenderness. "Babe, your big eyes are beautiful. Our baby should inherit them."

Elizabeth smiled, lips curling slightly. "But your facial structure is better. I hope the baby looks like you."

That evening, Attorney Harvey arrived at the hospital.

"Sir, your divorce agreement with Ms. Eaton is now in effect."

"Thank you." Xavier glanced at the papers, then turned to his secretary. "Make a copy and put it in the 'Second Marriage Gift' box."

Seven years of entanglement—it was finally coming to an end.

…

Two days left.

Morning arrived with Elizabeth stepping into the hospital room again. This time, she carried a bouquet of sunflowers and a protection charm necklace, one she had spent a fortune to obtain.

Seeing Xavier looking noticeably better, she smiled and carefully fastened the necklace around his neck. "You'll be discharged tomorrow. Last night, I got this for you. It's a protection charm."

Xavier touched the charm, his expression unreadable.

Last night, Connor had undergone a minor appendectomy. Worried, Elizabeth had taken him to the hospital and later sought a protective charm for him. This necklace for Xavier was just an afterthought, something she had picked up along the way.

The moment Elizabeth left, Xavier's secretary entered.

"Sir, the wedding invitations are ready. Once you board the plane, we'll send out the electronic invites."

His secretary hesitated before continuing, "Ms. Eaton just purchased the villa behind yours. She paid a high price and threw in a major contract to persuade the previous owners to leave."

Xavier frowned. "Wasn't that house occupied for years?"

The secretary nodded carefully. "Yes, sir. But she offered too much to refuse. Word is, the villa is registered solely under Connor's name—a gift for him, now that Ms. Eaton is pregnant."

Xavier pressed his lips together, dark eyes cold. So this was her plan—a private retreat for her lover.

That evening, the surveillance footage showed Connor reluctantly instructing the servants to pack his belongings and move them into the newly acquired villa.

…

Today was the day. Xavier was finally leaving.

Early morning, Elizabeth arrived to take Xavier home.

In the car, she leaned over, fastening his seatbelt with gentle care. "Xavier, today's your birthday. I've prepared a banquet for you. It starts at seven. Don't forget to invite your friends."

"Alright."

The black sedan pulled into the villa neighborhood.

It had been four days since he was last here. Everything remained unchanged, as if Connor had never set foot in this house.

Xavier stepped into the master bedroom.

On the vanity, a brand-new electric shaver rested neatly in place.

He glanced at it indifferently.

It was a luxury brand, costing nearly ten thousand dollars. Left there intentionally, no doubt—a silent provocation.

He didn't linger. A servant soon called him down for dinner.

At the table, Elizabeth peeled shrimp for him, placing them carefully by his lips.

Her gestures were intimate and considerate—the same way Connor had fed her just two days ago.

Xavier chewed slowly, watching the affectionate look in Elizabeth's eyes. Then, suddenly, he asked, "If—just hypothetically—you dreamt that I left you, would you be sad?"

Elizabeth's hands paused. Her expression tensed as she clutched his hand. "Xavier, I wouldn't just be sad—I'd go crazy. Please, don't leave me."

Xavier pressed his lips together as if about to say something else, but at that moment, Elizabeth's phone vibrated against the table.

His gaze shifted to the screen.

It was a message from Connor.

[The wound from my surgery is bleeding. It hurts so much. Do you think something's wrong?]

A flicker of panic crossed Elizabeth's eyes. She stood abruptly. "Xavier, there's been a minor issue with the banquet setup. I need to handle it. I'll pick you up later."

She turned to leave, but Xavier suddenly grabbed her wrist and smiled faintly. "Elizabeth, goodbye."

She froze, body stiffening. She looked back at him, her entire being trembling.

Once, his eyes had held nothing but her.

Now, there was only emptiness, a vast and desolate coldness.

"Xavier, you…"

Her phone vibrated again.

She hesitated for a moment before rushing out the door.

Xavier walked back to the master bedroom. He gathered his documents, tossed the charm necklace into the trash, and called his secretary.

"Elizabeth has gone to Connor. I'm heading to the airport. Once I board, proceed as planned."

A pause.

"And make sure Connor gets an invitation to his own wedding."

"Understood, sir."

…

An hour later, Xavier arrived at the airport.

After clearing security, he sent a final message to his parents—his flight would depart in thirty minutes.

Then, he opened his chat with Elizabeth.

[There are two surprises for you tonight. I hope you like them.]

She replied instantly.

[Honey, I can't wait! I'm still handling the banquet setup. I need to be on-site to make sure everything's perfect. I'll pick you up soon.]

Xavier's lips curled slightly.

[No need. I'll go to Jaewyn Hotel myself.]

He had no intention of going.

The birthday banquet was on the second floor of Jaewyn Hotel. The wedding would be on the third.

Elizabeth would wait for him downstairs. And once the invitations were sent out, the wedding ceremony upstairs would proceed as planned.

Half an hour later, the boarding announcement for the flight to Neirway echoed through the terminal.

Xavier removed his SIM card and flicked it into a nearby trash bin.

'Goodbye, Elizabeth. From now on, you will never see me again.'