The year Elena Carter graduated from college, the Carter family went bankrupt overnight.

Her father was sent to prison, her mother suffered a stroke, and her fiancé Lucas Bennett couldn’t wait to cast her aside like a burden, rushing instead to marry her lifelong rival, Vivian Cole, in a grand, public spectacle.

The giant digital billboards of New York lit up with headlines celebrating their glamorous wedding, while Elena was cornered in a filthy alley by debt collectors, pressured to sell her body to pay off what her family owed.

Just as she was about to fight to the death, Adrian Shaw appeared out of nowhere. He paid off all her debts and summoned top specialists from around the world to perform surgery on her mother.

But her mother didn’t survive. Shortly afterward, Adrian proposed.

“Elena, from now on, I’ll be your family.”

And he kept his word. In Los Angeles high society, everyone knew that Elena Carter was the treasured jewel of Adrian Shaw.

Until three years later, when Elena was diagnosed with stomach cancer—and by accident, overheard her husband’s conversation with a friend:

“Adrian, when are you going to divorce Elena? She’s ruined goods. She doesn’t deserve you.”

“Even if you gave Vivian Cole her mother’s heart, it doesn’t mean you had to marry Elena.”

Adrian’s voice was bitter. “I know she was used up by those men. The thought alone disgusts me. But at the time Vivian hadn’t married Lucas Bennett yet. If I didn’t marry Elena, she would have gone crawling back to Lucas. For Vivian, I’d do anything.”

…

The cold words stabbed into Elena’s heart like a blade.

She stumbled forward a step.

Through the corner of the hallway, she saw her husband of three years standing by the window, his elegant features twisted with disgust—sharp and unfamiliar.

No wonder. No wonder he never mentioned a wedding ceremony, never touched her. All along, he thought she was dirty.

Even though she had told him herself she’d never lost her innocence.

Three years together—nothing but a cruel joke.

Elena didn’t remember how she got home. She sat on the sofa, numb, crying and laughing in turns until all her strength was gone, sitting like a lifeless log.

She didn’t know how much time had passed before she heard the door open.

Adrian stepped in from the night. He noticed her figure in the dim living room and asked in surprise, “Elena? Why didn’t you turn on the light?”

Elena said nothing. She simply watched as he walked closer. “Sorry, something came up at work. I came home late.”

Adrian reached to flip on the switch.

With a soft click, the room flooded with light.

Elena blinked against the glare. When her eyes opened again, he was standing before her with a necklace in hand: a fine silver chain with a delicate pink diamond pendant.

“Your anniversary gift. Do you like it?” Adrian smiled down at her.

It was only then that he finally noticed her tears. “Elena, why are you crying? Is it because I didn’t spend our anniversary with you today?”

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, okay? Don’t cry—you’re breaking my heart.”

His voice was soft, his manner tender.

On any other day, Elena would have melted into his gentleness. But tonight she studied him carefully for the first time, and it was painfully easy to spot the distraction in his eyes.

How foolish she had been.

“I’m fine,” she rasped. “Just a little stomach pain.”

And it was true. Earlier that day, her test results had come back: late-stage stomach cancer, not much time left.

“What? Stomach pain?” Adrian panicked, moving to scoop her into his arms. “Why didn’t you say something sooner? I’ll take you to Memorial Hospital. You’re a doctor—you should know better!”

Before Elena could refuse, he was already dragging her out the door.

At the hospital, Adrian demanded the most comprehensive tests. While waiting, he tried to soothe her. “Don’t worry, Elena. It’ll be quick.”

As he spoke, he pulled out a small paper bag. He shook it playfully. “Here—fresh roasted chestnuts. After you finish the tests, if you cooperate nicely, I’ll reward you with these. They’re still warm. Hold them, they’ll keep your hands cozy. And no sneaking one early.”

The warmth seeped through the bag into her palms, but Elena still felt unbearably cold.

Throughout their marriage, Adrian had always remembered her love for roasted chestnuts. He often brought them home after work. While she cooked dinner, he peeled them one by one, popping them into her mouth with a smile. By the time dinner was ready, she was already half full. But he always made her finish a proper meal, coaxing her into eating until her cheeks regained color, until she looked healthier and even more radiant than before.

But those memories—laced with his calculations—were now twisted and hideous. Even the chestnuts in her hands had lost their flavor.

Elena cooperated with the exams in silence, but her mind spun with worry. She couldn’t let Adrian know about her cancer. How could she hide it?

Just as she was troubled by the thought, Adrian’s phone rang. After a few quick words, he turned to her. “Elena, something urgent came up at Shaw Corporation. I need to head over. Once you get the report, send me a photo immediately.”

He rushed off.

Elena froze where she stood, her mind replaying the voice she’d overheard through his phone.

“Adrian, my stomach hurts…”

It was Vivian Cole. Her sworn enemy.

Elena blinked away her tears, suppressing the bitter ache, and headed toward the Medical Records Office. With her position at Memorial Hospital, it was easy to pull her mother’s old case file. She barely had to search before spotting the organ donation agreement tucked inside.

Her lashes trembled as she scanned down to the signature at the bottom.

The bold, slanted strokes spelled out a name.

Adrian Shaw.

He had severed her last shred of hope.

She drifted out of the records office like a ghost.

Around her, staff bustled through the halls. Two nurses chatting nearby caught her ear:

“Did you see? Mr. Shaw dotes on Miss Cole like she’s made of glass.”

“Unbelievable. She just had a stomachache and he dragged the hospital director himself to her bedside, threatening to replace him if she wasn’t treated properly.”

“And last time, when she twisted her ankle? He carried her in his arms the whole time, wouldn’t even let her walk.”

“That’s nothing. Word is, he handed her a billion-dollar project just to win her smile. And those tens of millions in jewels—he gave them away like candy.”

Their envy-laced chatter pierced Elena’s chest, tearing her apart inside, until she suddenly heard Adrian’s voice.

“How’s this? Does that feel better?”

She froze, turning stiffly toward the sound.

Through the glass, she saw Adrian by Vivian’s bedside, fussing over her—adjusting pillows, rubbing her stomach gently.

Vivian wore a hospital gown, her face bare, brows lowered in a picture of delicate innocence. “Much better,” she murmured softly. “Sorry to trouble you again.”

Adrian frowned. “If you don’t trouble me, then who else would you trouble?” His voice hardened. “Where’s Lucas? Why isn’t he here when you’re sick? Is he treating you badly?”

Vivian smiled faintly. “Lucas takes good care of me. No matter where he is, he calls morning and night when he’s away on business. When I said I wasn’t ready for children, he blamed himself.”

Her smile was sweet, but as she spoke, her gaze flicked casually toward the doorway. “Adrian, don’t give me any more projects or gifts. I’m afraid Elena will be upset.”

“Whether she’s upset or not doesn’t matter.”

Adrian’s tone was sharp, his back rigid with anger as he stood. “I’ll grab breakfast for you. Rest.”

Instinctively, Elena stepped aside, hiding as he strode past.

Her mind throbbed, swelling as if it would burst. The truth hit her like a blow she hadn’t braced for.

“Well? Satisfied with what you saw today?”

The mocking voice came from behind her. Elena turned—and found Vivian standing at the doorway, having slipped out of her room. She looked triumphant.

“Lucas Bennett or Adrian Shaw—doesn’t matter. They both love me. Elena, after all our years of rivalry, you still lost.”

Before the Carter family’s downfall, Elena and Vivian had been bitter enemies for over a decade. From childhood fights over dresses and handbags, to adult battles over contracts and jewels—Elena always had her parents’ support, and she often won.

But once the Carters collapsed, Vivian had stolen Lucas. And now, Adrian.

Elena said nothing, only stared at Vivian’s chest. Was the heart beating inside there her mother’s?

Her vision burned. She swallowed the urge to scream and sneered coldly instead. “You’re jealous of me, aren’t you?”

Vivian laughed. “In broad daylight, you’re dreaming? Jealous of you? Of what—your dead parents, your husband who’s my lapdog?”

“Really?” Elena’s tone was icy. “Then why, all your life, have you been trying to take what’s mine? First the dresses and jewelry I didn’t want. Now, the men I don’t want. You scavenge my scraps and still dare to flaunt it.”

“You say Lucas loves you? Loves you so much he lets you sell your body to advance him? Isn’t that pathetic?”

“Elena Carter!” Vivian trembled with fury. No matter how many years passed, she could never beat Elena’s sharp tongue.

But then, a sinister smile curved her lips. “Fine. Then let’s see who the real pathetic one is.”

With that, Vivian suddenly threw herself backward.

Her head struck the edge of the nightstand, blood immediately spilling down her forehead.

Before Elena could react, Adrian’s desperate shout rang out behind her.

“Vivian!”

In the next instant, a tremendous force shoved her aside.

Elena Carter slammed into the wall, her head spinning from the impact.

But Adrian Shaw didn’t even glance at her—his face was full of tension as he checked Vivian Cole’s condition. “Are you okay? Don’t worry, I’ll get a doctor right away.”

Vivian’s forehead wound looked fierce, but in reality it was just a shallow cut. Once the blood was wiped away, it was hardly serious at all.

“Adrian…”

Vivian clung to his chest, panic written across her face. “I didn’t mean anything else. I only wanted to explain to Elena about the misunderstanding back then, but I never thought she would suddenly lash out.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving her looking pitiful and wronged.

Adrian turned back and glared at Elena. “You’re a doctor. Instead of doing your job, you came here to bully a patient? Elena Carter, when did you become so vicious?”

He didn’t hesitate, didn’t question—he simply assumed Elena was in the wrong.

In that moment, self-mockery welled up in her chest. How blind had she been, not to see that Adrian never had her in his heart?

“Apologize to Vivian,” Adrian ordered.

Apologize?

To her?

Elena forced back the tears that burned in her eyes, staring directly at Vivian. “A misunderstanding? Which one? Was it the time you deliberately climbed into Lucas Bennett’s bed? Or was it when you stole my mother’s—”

The word heart had barely left her lips when Adrian’s hand cracked across her face.

The blow was merciless, making Elena’s head buzz as if struck by lightning.

She clutched her cheek and slowly turned her gaze on Adrian, her expression falling into utter silence.

“Elena…”

Adrian’s expression shifted. He glanced at his hand, suddenly unsure, and stepped toward her. “Did I… did I hurt you? I’m sorry, I lost my temper.”

He reached out to touch her face, but she slapped his hand away.

Vivian, feigning panic, spoke up quickly: “Adrian, how could you hit Elena? I’ve already troubled you enough—if I end up ruining your marriage too, I might as well be dead.”

Tears spilled from her eyes.

“Don’t say things like that.” Adrian pulled her close, soothing her, then looked at Elena with stern authority. “Apologize. I’m doing this for your own good. Otherwise people will say you abuse your position, and then how will you continue as a doctor?”

Elena let out a cold laugh. “For my good? Twisting truth into lies is for my good? Striking me across the face while I’m sick is for my good? Protecting another woman right in front of me is for my good? That kind of good, I can’t afford.”

She threw the words down and walked straight out.

Behind her, Vivian’s gaze darkened.

What did Elena mean by those words? Could it be—she knew about the heart back then?

Vivian bit her lip, her fists tightening in the shadows.

Outside Memorial Hospital, Elena tried to hail a cab, but suddenly a shadow fell across her. A sharp pain struck her neck, and everything went black.

When she woke again, the world was pitch dark and the space unbearably cramped. Curled up, with pain pounding at the back of her skull, she realized she was in real danger.

Her instincts screamed. Groping in her pocket, she managed to dial her emergency contact. The ringing in her ear was deafening in the silence. Her heart pounded, terrified her captors would notice.

Finally, the line connected. Adrian’s voice came through: “Hello?”

Despite all the hatred she felt toward him, hearing his voice brought a fleeting sense of safety. Her own came out broken, tinged with sobs: “Adrian, I’ve been kidnapped. Please, help me.”

“What?” His voice tightened instantly. “Where are you?”

“I don’t know… I think I’m in the trunk of a car, I—”

“Elena, this isn’t funny,” Adrian cut her off.

Before she could respond, Vivian’s voice chimed in from his side: “If you really were kidnapped, how would you even have the chance to make a call? You’re just upset about earlier—there’s no need to scare us like this.”

“No, that’s not—” Elena’s voice trembled with desperation.

But Adrian silenced her sharply. “Enough. If you’ve got the strength to call me, then you’ve got the strength to get yourself out.”

The line went dead.

At that very moment, the trunk popped open. A man yanked her out roughly and reached for her bag. “Where’s the organ donation contract?”

Her heart sank. So her suspicions were true. Rolling onto her stomach, she pressed her bag beneath her.

This was her last piece of evidence—she couldn’t lose it.

“Bitch!” The man snarled and kicked her savagely in the back.

Pain exploded, blood filled her mouth. She curled up in agony, but the bag was still torn easily from her grasp.

“G-give it back…”

She reached for it instinctively. In the struggle, her blouse tore open at the chest, revealing pale skin. The man’s gaze shifted, turning lecherous.