Rowen froze for a moment.

“Divorce? You begged me to marry you in the first place! If anyone is going to bring up divorce, it should be me!”

“And if you hadn’t drugged me, do you really think your parents could’ve forced me into this marriage?”

“Drugged you? What are you talking about?” I asked with furrowed brows.

His accusation left me utterly confused.

Just then, the doctor came in to change my bandages.

Rowen's anger flared. “Still pretending? At the banquet—you gave me that drink and then...”

Before he could finish, Rosalie began to whimper softly from the side. “My head... it really hurts.”

Rowen panicked and quickly called the doctor over.

“Are you blind? Can’t you see her head is bleeding? Treat her first!”

But Rosalie’s forehead wound was already starting to heal, while the cut on my own forehead had reopened from the earlier scuffle, blood streaming down.

Under Rowen’s repeated urgings, the doctor reluctantly turned away from me to tend to her.

Watching Rowen fuss over Rosalie, a drop of blood from my forehead mixed with a tear and splashed onto the white hospital sheet.

I numbly touched my cheek, unsure why my heart ached so much.

I shook my head, trying to rid myself of these senseless emotions.

After all, the only man I’ve ever truly loved was Jalen.

“Rowen, it’s almost time. We should go,” Rosalie said after sticking a bandage on her forehead. She shot me a smug glance.

Rowen immediately reached toward me.

“Hurry up and hand over the heir’s ring. Let Rosalie represent the Webber family at the press conference.”

The heir’s ring—something every Webber family successor possesses. Rosalie had always wanted it.

But my father viewed her as an illegitimate child, believing she wasn’t capable of leading the Webber family.

She’s hated me ever since.

Even so, I refused to give up the ring. I had to see for myself what this so-called press conference was about.

Rowen stormed over and forcefully grabbed my wrist, yanking the ring off with no regard for the pain.

I collapsed to the ground from the sheer force.

“Her wrist was already injured in the accident! You could seriously hurt her!” The doctor shouted, trying to stop him.

Rowen shoved him aside.

I instinctively tried to brace myself on the floor, but sharp pain shot through my arm. My wrist trembled uncontrollably from the strain.

Then, Rowen carefully placed the heir’s ring on Rosalie’s finger. She gave me a triumphant smile.

Cold sweats trickled down my pale face.

He hesitated for a moment before finally coming to help me up.

“Alicia... you know Rosalie’s had a hard life in the Webber family. You were given everything growing up, while she practically worked as your maid. She has struggled for so long. Can’t you let her have this one thing?”

He softened his tone, trying to reason with me.

I pushed him away and forced myself to stand, reaching for my phone in the corner.

“Rowen, you know how important that ring is to me. You’re my husband, yet you take her side over mine? I’m going to that press conference myself!”

He looked like I had publicly humiliated him. With a swift kick, he sent my phone flying farther away.

“So this is why you’re acting so strange today—you’ve found that man again, haven’t you?”

“Since you’re well enough to leave the hospital, then don’t bother lying in here any longer!”

He tapped his phone a few times, and soon, several men entered the room.

They dragged me out of the hospital and dumped me at the entrance.

Charmaine had just finished paying my bills. Seeing me thrown out, she rushed to shield me.

“Rowen, what the hell are you doing? Alicia is still recovering!”

But Rowen ignored her and walked off with Rosalie without looking back.

Charmaine took me to several hospitals afterward, but the moment they heard my name, none of them would admit me.

I couldn’t believe it—me, the rightful heir of the Webber Corporation—reduced to such disgrace.

“Alicia, have you forgotten? You gave Rowen the power to hurt you. You’ve always tolerated him. Your mother tried to warn you, but you cut her off instead.”

Charmaine shook her head, disappointment heavy in her voice.

Did I really love Rowen that much?

I touched my heart, and without hesitation, I whispered, “No. I don’t love him. The one I love... is Jalen.”

Charmaine froze.

“Alicia! Don’t you remember? You drove Jalen away—your own bodyguard—just to be with Rowen. After he left, he joined one of the most dangerous criminal organizations out there. No one even knows if he’s still alive!”

My pupils contracted—I couldn’t understand why I had no memory of this.

“The doctor said it’s just temporary amnesia. There’s still hope that you’ll remember,” Charmaine said as she quickly bought some medicine, dressed my wounds, and sent me home.

When I turned on my newly bought phone, a familiar number sent me a text.

[Miss, I’ll come find you soon.]

I hurriedly called back, but no one answered.

Just then, a news notification popped up on my phone—an article about the launch of a new company. In the photo, Rosalie was smiling sweetly at the camera, with Rowen’s arm wrapped around her waist.

Then, right there in front of the cameras, Rowen kissed Rosalie.

Disgusted, I shut off my phone and went back home. I called a moving company and ordered them to throw out everything that didn’t belong to me.

Since my memory loss, I could only rely on Charmaine to fill me in about Rowen.

“Rosalie always said she loved your master bedroom, your clothes, and your jewelry. And you gave it all up for her—just to keep Rowen happy.”

“Rowen said he loved your cooking, but that was actually Rosalie wanting to eat the food you made. She wasn’t a maid in your house—you were hers.”

Just then, Rowen barged in with Rosalie. He pointed at my face and roared, “Alicia! I was gone for one second, and you had to turn the whole house upside down!”

“Sis, these were all my favorite clothes...” Rosalie pouted, distressed by the pile of discarded belongings on the floor.

I ignored them both and continued directing the movers.

Suddenly, Rosalie clutched her stomach and let out a cry of pain.

Rowen rushed to support her. “Rosalie said she wasn’t feeling well earlier. We went to the hospital—she’s one month pregnant. And now you want to throw her out?”

“Didn’t your father say he wanted us to have a child? That if we had one, the Webber family would be completely handed over to you?”

“You can’t have children anymore. Once Rosalie gives birth, just treat the child as your own.”

I stood frozen in disbelief. Had I really heard that right?

“Bullshit! Rowen, I dare you to say that again—are you saying Alicia can’t have children?”

Charmaine screamed, furious.

That’s when the truth hit me.

I had been pregnant with Rowen’s child—five months along. Until Rosalie gave me a bowl of soup she made herself. Just one bowl and I lost everything.

I had been so devastated I wanted to kill her—but Rowen had stopped me.

“You didn’t protect the baby properly yourself! How can you blame Rosalie? She was just being kind, making food for you. How was she supposed to know what you couldn’t eat?”

He blamed me for the miscarriage. Worse, while I was hospitalized and at my weakest, he took Rosalie on vacation.

Now, Rowen’s face turned red, embarrassed at being exposed. He shouted angrily, “Can’t you just be more understanding of your sister?”

“You want to pretend you’ve lost your memory? Fine—I’ll play along. But don’t forget, you begged me to be with you. So now, you have to accept everything.”

“Rosalie is hungry. Go cook something for her.”

He waved his hand dismissively and sat proudly on the sofa with Rosalie in his arms—like I was nothing but their servant.

Charmaine looked like she was about to charge at them, but I stopped her.

She stared at me in shock, clearly thinking I’d still be as weak as I used to be.

I smiled gently at her, then turned and walked toward Rowen.

Smack!

I hit him across the face with all my strength. His right cheek immediately swelled and reddened.

Rowen clutched his face, stunned.

“I begged you? Then let me be clear—I take it all back,” I intoned coldly.

“This is my house. Now get out—both of you!”

Distressed, Rosalie hurried over with an ice pack to soothe Rowen’s cheek.

Rowen glared at me, his face burning with pain and rage.

“Alicia, do you still think you’re the only rightful heir of the Webber family? So high and mighty?” he spat.

“Let me tell you—your father officially acknowledged Rosalie today.”

What?!

I couldn’t believe it.

When Rosalie was brought home, my father had said she was an illegitimate child who could never be acknowledged. He even made her my personal maid and told her to behave herself.

He said I was the only daughter of the Webber family.

Rowen, reading my shock, gave a cold smile.

“Your mother saw the press conference today and was so enraged, she collapsed. She’s in the hospital right now—we don’t even know if she’ll make it.”

“Do you really think there’s still anyone left who will protect you?”

“Which hospital is she in?” I hissed.

“You won’t find it. Your father made sure the news is locked down.” Rowen sneered.

I immediately rushed out to search for the hospital, but Rowen stopped me.

“There are too many hospitals in this city. How long do you think it’ll take you to find her? By the time you do, your mother might already be dead.”

His indifferent tone made my hands clench in anger, but I had no choice—I had to listen to him.

I forced myself to stay calm and asked through gritted teeth, “Which hospital is my mother in?”

“If you really want to know...” He gave me a cold look. “Then get on your knees and beg me.”

Charmaine tried to stop me.

“Alice, don’t listen to him! He might be lying!”

I shook my head, my heart filled with cold despair.

Before leaving, I had already messaged some trusted contacts from the Webber family. The information was verified—it was all true.

“Please. Tell me where my mother is.”

I unclenched my fists and slowly knelt, swallowing my pride. My knees slammed into the floor, sending pain up my legs, but it couldn’t compare to the ache in my heart.

Rowen and Rosalie smiled in satisfaction. In exchange for that humiliation, I finally got the hospital's location.

I ran all the way there. Seeing my mother lying weakly in bed, barely breathing, tears streamed down my face.

Rosalie had actually followed me to the hospital.

She walked around my mother’s bed and casually said, “You must’ve heard from the doctors—your mother's health has deteriorated badly. It’s because your father’s been secretly drugging her water every night. After all these years, she’s finally about to die.”

I was stunned. Why would my father do such a thing? I didn’t understand.

My mother reacted violently, grabbing my hand with all her remaining strength, yet she couldn’t speak.

“Shut up! Get out!”

I rushed to force Rosalie out of the room.

Seeing my mother weeping silently shattered my heart.

“I’ll save you, Mom. I swear I’ll get the doctors to save you!”

I wiped away my tears and walked out of the ward—only to be blocked by a furious Rowen.

“What did you do to Rosalie?! Why is she missing?”

“How would I know?” I replied in confusion. “She came here like a lunatic to provoke my mother. I just told her to leave.”

“She messaged me saying you cursed at her. She was so upset she ran off! She's pregnant with my child! If anything happens to her, I swear I'll kill you!”

He glared at me with such menace that I could barely breathe.

“I told you—I don’t know.” I said each word slowly and firmly, turning to leave.

But Rowen didn’t believe me. He stormed into my mother’s room and placed his hand on her ventilator.

“If you don’t talk, I’ll turn off the machine right now.”

Terror widened my eyes. I fought with everything I had to stop him, but he held me back.

“No! Please don’t hurt my mom! I’ll go! I’ll find Rosalie! Just don’t touch her!”

Tears blurred my vision. I sobbed uncontrollably, choking on my cries.

Rowen finally withdrew his hand.

I had no idea what Rosalie had done, but I had no choice—I had to find her.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a message from her. It was an address.

[Sis, I’m waiting here. Don’t tell Rowen, or else... your mom...]

My heart clenched, and I rushed to the location.

It was a remote, deserted area—open land all around.

There, Rosalie was surrounded by a dozen masked men. The scene felt eerily familiar.

As soon as I arrived, they tied me up.

“What are you doing?!” I yelled, glaring at Rosalie.

To my shock, she also allowed herself to be tied up.

“I told Rowen to divorce you, but he’s still hesitating. So I had to come up with another way to force him to choose.”

“Tell me—if we were both in danger, who do you think he’d save?”

I laughed bitterly. “Isn’t he obsessed with you? I’m about to divorce him anyway. You didn’t need to go this far.”

Her face twisted with anger. She slapped me hard, sending my head to the side.

“Don’t think I forgot how much you loved him. You were willing to die for him. He only started loving you because you took a knife for him. How can I believe you’d really let go?”

“I already sent him the message. Just wait and see.”

Soon, Rowen arrived—visibly panicked by our situation.

“Only one of them can live,” the masked man announced. “Choose. The other one dies.”

He raised a stick, pointing it between us.

I lowered my gaze.

And then, I heard Rowen choose without hesitation—Rosalie.

She looked at him in joy, her eyes brimming with happy tears.

“I knew it. I’m the one you love most. You’d never really leave me, even if I was pregnant.”

The ropes binding her were loosened, and she immediately threw herself into Rowen’s arms.

He looked her over carefully, relieved she was unharmed.

My chest ached with indescribable pain.

Why did it hurt so much?

Could it be... I actually loved Rowen?

Suddenly, a heavy blow struck the back of my head.

I let out a muffled cry, vision going dark as I collapsed.

The last thing I saw was Rowen gently holding Rosalie, walking away.

Then, memories buried deep in my mind started flooding back.

Every moment I had shared with Rowen, everything I had forgotten—came rushing in.

I remembered everything.

But it was too late.

Because I was still tied up...

And the dozen men around me began removing their clothes, moving closer.

I shut my eyes in hopeless despair.