At the wedding, the adopted sister of basketball star fiancé Arthur’s sends a picture of a pregnancy test.

Without hesitation, he abandoned me on the spot, leaving me stunned and humiliated before all our guests.

Soon after, for the 84th time—their intimate video was sent to my phone

The first time was during our fifth anniversary date. Arthur left midway, claiming he had to work overtime. Half an hour later, I received a video of him entangled in a pool with Jennica.

The second time was on my birthday. I waited until the candles melted into wax puddles, only to receive a video of them sharing a romantic kiss beneath a meteor shower.

...

This time, Jennica wore a pure white wedding gown, as she straddled Arthur’s strong waist atop a bed made of 9,999 roses. Her body swaying with every movement, her misty eyes brimming with bold provocation

Immediately after, Arthur sent me a message.

[Jennica’s lung cancer is flaring up. I can’t leave her now.]

I laughed through red-rimmed eyes at his another lie.

Yanking off the suffocating ring, I kicked off the heels that had bloodied my feet, and through my tears—apologized to the guests for his disgraceful behavior.

I swallowed every ounce of hurt, just to wait for his 88th betrayal—the same number of times he had proposed to me. That 88th would mark the moment I truly walked away.

But when I went on to marry the infertile heir of the Jordan family in a flash wedding, why did Arthur suddenly drop to his knees, crying and begging me to come back?

###Chapter 1

After cleaning up the mess Arthur left behind, I dialed a number.

"Do you still want to marry me? Let’s register the marriage—now."

Two hours later, I held our marriage certificate close to my chest, watching Hendrix’s plane take off for his meeting.

Turning away, I got into the car he had arranged for me and silently began saying goodbye to Arthur.

When I opened the door to the apartment, I was shocked to find Arthur in the kitchen, busy cooking.

Seeing me, he gently pulled me into his arms and kissed the tears from my eyes, apologizing over and over.

"I'm sorry, Faith. I promise—I’ll give you the grandest wedding to make up for everything."

But how could I still dream of that kind of wedding when the one I had already broke me completely?

My eyes drifted to the pot of pumpkin porridge on the counter, and my empty stomach growled loudly.

Arthur quickly stepped in to block my view and cleared his throat awkwardly.

"That’s for Jennica... to help her recover. How about I order you some takeout?"

My chest tightened. Instinctively, I pressed the marriage certificate harder against me, trying not to let the humiliation show.

"No need. I'm not hungry."

He used to say, “These hands are for dominating the NBA—I have to protect them at all costs.”

In all our years together, he never even toasted a slice of bread for me.

But now, he had cooked for Jennica.

"Let me make you breakfast tomorrow. For today... just make do with me."

Tears welled in my eyes as his warm body pinned me against the counter. His kisses and touches reignited long-lost passion, and though I tried to resist, my fingers curled into his shirt, melting into his embrace.

Just as our bodies were tangled in desire, his ringtone rang—the one he set exclusively for Jennica.

"Arthur, my chest hurts so much... am I dying?"

Without hesitation, he pushed me away and hurriedly straightened his clothes.

"Jennica is having another episode—I need to be with her. Faith, wait for me at home."

He didn’t even look back as he grabbed the porridge and rushed out—just like he always did.

Ever since Jennica became the Sullivan family’s foster daughter, she’d frequently "stay over" at our place.

Countless nights, when Arthur and I were in the middle of something intimate, she’d barge in with red eyes, claiming she’d had a nightmare.

At first, he would get annoyed and tell her to be more considerate. But at some point, things changed.

He started rushing to her side every time she whimpered in fear, barely sparing me a glance before disappearing into her room for the entire night.

Whenever she called claiming to feel unwell, he’d leave—no matter what we were doing.

Since Jennica showed up, I could count on both hands the number of times Arthur and I had been intimate.

Because she had become more important to him than I ever was.

Just like today.

He left me again—even though I was three months pregnant—to be with his "delicate" foster sister.

But not long after he left, I saw posts from various basketball stars flooding social media, celebrating Arthur’s wedding party.

There he was, my fiancé, dressed in a groom’s suit. His supposedly “ill” bride— smiling radiantly, wearing the wedding dress from their steamy photo shoot—stood beside him under a sky full of fireworks.

The internet exploded with blessings for the NBA’s newest superstar couple.

I fought to stop my body from trembling and closed the blinding screen full of joyous celebrations that had nothing to do with me.

'This was the 85th time, Arthur.

I will only wait for you until the 88th. That’s how many times you proposed in our six years together. That’s also my final limit for tolerating your betrayal.'

Suddenly, a sharp pain twisted in my lower abdomen.

Cold sweat drenched my forehead as I clutched the sofa, my fingers fumbling to dial his number.

"Arthur... it hurts... please, take me to the hospital."

"Faith?! What’s wrong?"

Before I could answer, I heard her again—Jennica’s frail voice in the distance.

"Arthur... I can’t breathe..."

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke apologetically.

"Faith, I really can’t get away right now. Call a car and go to the hospital yourself."

Before I could respond, the line went dead.

It’s okay. I’m used to this.

I called for an ambulance myself.

As soon as I arrived at the hospital, another video notification popped up.

A man stood in a pool, his arms wrapped around a girl sitting at the edge.

Even from the back, I recognized that powerful, masculine figure—it was Arthur.

He bent down and kissed the girl’s stomach gently.

"I’ll take care of you and our baby for the rest of my life."

Once, our nanny betrayed the Henderson family and destroyed my home.

Arthur once swore to me, “There will never be lies or betrayal between us. I’ll protect you for life. If I break that promise, let lightning strike me down.”

He knelt in the rain before my parents’ grave for an entire day and night.

When I finally said yes to his 88th proposal, I was in tears.

After the proposal, burning with fever, he still pulled me into his arms.

"Don’t be scared. I’m here. I’ll hold up the sky if it ever falls."

He kept that promise—he treated me like a treasure.

But on the day we were supposed to take the next step into marriage, I received provocative photos from his foster sister.

The man who said he would shield me from all storms... became the one who hurt me the most.

I turned off my phone. The doctor’s voice sounded by my ear.

"You’re just overworked. A little rest and you’ll be fine. But why are you, a pregnant woman, coming to the hospital alone at midnight? Where is your husband?"

I smiled. "My fiancé is dead. And the baby? I don’t want it anymore.”

###Chapter 2

After scheduling the abortion, I went straight to Arthur’s parents’ house.

I didn’t beat around the bush, and spat, “I’m leaving Arthur.”

In the living room, the television was plastered with endless trending news about his new marriage.

#NBA Supernova Arthur’s Pregnant Bride

#Arthur Got Married Early, Million Girls Heartbroken

Someone had even bought an opening ad spot. As soon as the TV turned on, it was all about Arthur and Jennica kissing at the poolside.

He looked tall and powerful, while the bride clinging to his waist was delicate and sweet—together, they were the picture of a perfect match.

Mrs. Sullivan hurriedly turned off the TV and pulled me down onto the sofa with a forced smile.

“These two kids are just being silly. Don’t worry, they’re like siblings—they’re just messing around. It won’t affect your relationship with Arthur.”

I stared at her coldly and said nothing.

Whether they were true siblings or secret lovers, didn’t they know better than anyone?

Seeing how indifferent I was, her face fell. She crossed her arms and said stiffly, “Faith, when your family fell apart at fourteen, we took you in. Haven’t we treated you well all these years? Now you want to break off the engagement—what will people think of us? The Sullivan family still has a reputation to uphold in this city.”

I let out a faint smile, more mockery than warmth. “I remember everything you’ve done for me, and I’ll repay it—every bit of it.”

“But your son already has a bride. What exactly am I supposed to be?”

Mrs. Sullivan’s face twisted with displeasure. “You’ve misunderstood. Jennica has cancer. She only wanted a sweet wedding before the end. Arthur was just trying to fulfill her final wish.”

So getting her pregnant was part of fulfilling her dying wish too?

And as for why they wouldn’t let me leave Arthur—I already knew. I just didn’t feel like exposing them.

I stood up to leave, but Mrs. Sullivan grabbed my hand tightly. With just a glance from her, Mr. Sullivan made a call.

“Stop your training and get home now. Faith is at our place. How could you leave her unattended, knowing full well she’s pregnant?”

Mrs. Sullivan shoved me back onto the sofa, while Mr. Sullivan stood blocking the door.

Soon, Arthur came rushing in.

He dropped to his knees before me, opened an elegant Chanel box, and took out a necklace.

“I’m sorry, Faith. I was called away for urgent training last night—that’s why I couldn’t go to the hospital with you. I promise I’ll go with you for your next check-up. Please, forgive me this once, okay?”

The necklace sparkled in front of my eyes, but I didn’t feel touched.

Only bitter amusement.

Because that necklace was just a freebie—an accessory that came with the million-dollar jewelry he bought for Jennica.

Moreover, she had tossed it in the trash last night.

Mrs. Sullivan snatched it and forced it into my hands.

“See how much Arthur loves you? He got you such an expensive necklace! Now, make up already.”

Then she pushed me into Arthur’s arms.

“Sweetheart, let’s go home.”

Without giving me a chance to resist, Arthur scooped me up and carefully placed me in the passenger seat of his car.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

It was an email from Hendrix, packed with wedding themes and dress designs.

[Pick your favorite. Take your time.]

I stared, wide-eyed in disbelief.

He had researched all my favorite brands and even reached out to the most elite wedding dress designers.

I've been dating Arthur for six years, yet he still doesn't know what I like

The ring that nearly crushed my finger, the heels that hurt so badly I cried—only in the past two days did I realize they were all Jennica’s exact size.

My eyes stung with tears, my heart churning with a storm of bittersweet emotions.

Then Hendrix ended his message, firm and unapologetic.

[I told you when we got our marriage license—I'm not the kind of man who returns or exchanges. Be ready to be my bride for life.]

I instinctively pushed down the sour ache in my chest and smiled faintly.

“What are you smiling at?”

Arthur turned his head slightly, confused—and perhaps a little uneasy.

“Nothing. I just saw something funny in the news,” I said, turning my head away.

But as I looked down, something under the seat caught my eye.

A pair of pink lace panties.

Stained with fresh... white residue.

My stomach churned.

Had they just been here—right in this car?

Disgust flooded me. I rolled down the window and started gagging uncontrollably.

“Faith! Are you having morning sickness?”

Panicked, Arthur pulled over and wrapped his arms around me, his large hand gently rubbing my back.

“Baby, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you suffer...”

He lowered his head and kissed the tears at the corner of my eyes.

Once, I found comfort in his tenderness.

Now, all I could smell was the sickly sweet perfume left by Jennica on his neck—and it made me want to retch again.

I turned my head, dodging the kiss that was about to land on my lips.

His body froze.

After a long silence, he simply kissed my hair and said softly, “Let’s go home and rest.”

'This was the 86th time, Arthur. And I swear—I’ll give you exactly what you want. Once and for all.'

###Chapter 3

I woke up from a nap, and Arthur said he wanted to make it up to me by taking me to a movie.

Conveniently, the movie would end just in time for my scheduled hospital appointment.

When we arrived at the cinema, I was stunned to see Jennica there as well.

She jabbed me aside with her elbow and clung to Arthur’s arm flirtatiously.

“Oops, there’s one ticket for a solo seat, but I’m scared of the dark. Big brother, will you sit with me?”

Before Arthur could say anything, I took the solo ticket from her hand.

“Faith, if you get scared, just call me,” he said softly.

Arthur pulled me into an apologetic hug, his warm breath brushing against my neck.

“Mm, you stay with her then,” I replied, gently pushing him away.

He paused, clearly stunned. But I ignored it and sat behind them.

The screen began to flicker. Out of the corner of my eye, I suddenly widened my gaze—Jennica’s hand was sliding toward Arthur’s lap.

A muffled, husky grunt escaped him, as if trying hard to suppress something.

He glanced nervously back at me.

I kept my eyes fixed on the screen.

Jennica then yanked open his collar, revealing his well-defined chest. Arthur, like he was disciplining her, slid his large hand under her miniskirt.

My presence only seemed to turn them on more. Arthur’s movements quickened, and in the dim light, Jennica let out a barely suppressed moan.

“Jennica, what’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable again?” he suddenly asked in a fake concerned voice.

I had known about their betrayal for a long time, but witnessing it with my own eyes still felt like a knife to the heart.

Tears silently streamed down my cheeks in the dark.

Jennica turned around and gave me a triumphant, provocative smirk.

Suddenly, a deafening explosion shook the theater. A foul smell spread through the air.

Panicked screams erupted all around.

I covered my nose and mouth, trying to find an exit. Just as I took a step, someone shoved me violently from behind.

I fell hard amid the stampede. My abdomen slammed against the edge of the stairs, and a sharp, gut-wrenching pain burst through me.

A sickening crack sounded from my ankle.

The pain shot through my entire body. In terror, I screamed out, “Arthur...!”

“It hurts so much... Arthur, where are you?!”

Then I heard Jennica’s voice behind me, faking distress.

“Ahh, my ankle... it hurts!”

I turned back through the pain—she was lying there perfectly fine, casting me a smug glance while pretending to clutch her uninjured ankle.

She was the one who pushed me!

Arthur, who had just arrived nearby, immediately looked toward her, pulling his hand back.

Jennica burst into fake tears.

“I tried to help sister-in-law, but she pushed me down instead! Someone stepped on my foot... it hurts so bad!”

“I didn’t... Arthur, please... help me...”

I felt something wet soaking through my dress—blood. My whole body was trembling as I reached toward him.

But Arthur didn’t see anything—he only believed his girl had been wronged.

He shot me a glare, took off his shirt, wrapped it around Jennica, and carried her in his arms.

As she stood up, she kicked my stomach hard.

I watched their backs as they ran toward the emergency exit.

Silent, I swallowed the searing pain in my body.

I didn’t cry out again.

'This was the 87th time, Arthur. And it will be the last time I ever forgive you.'