The heir of the wealthy Chandler family, renowned in New York's social circle, gave his life to protect his younger brother, Caesar.

He was thrown off a cliff by their enemies, his body shattered beyond recognition, leaving behind only his pregnant wife.

At the funeral, Caesar knelt before his widowed sister-in-law and vowed, “From now on, I will take care of you and the child for the rest of my life in place of my brother.”

And he kept his word—climbing ten thousand stone steps to pray for her safety, giving her the nursery I had so carefully prepared for my own baby, and even handing over the top-tier maternity nanny my mother had specially hired for me.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. "Have you forgotten," I asked through gritted teeth, "that I'm pregnant too?"

But with tears streaming down his face, he said he could never erase the image of his brother dying right in front of him.

Seeing his guilt-ridden expression, I softened, and compromised.

Until one day, after my prenatal check-up, I came home only to find my widowed sister-in-law lying in Caesar's arms, her face flushed with pleasure.

"Caesar, it feels so good when you help relieve my milk pain," she murmured.

"Your brother is gone, but luckily I still have you."

At that moment, I felt Caesar had become filthy.

I wiped away my tears and called Dexter—the crown prince of London's business world, my childhood sweetheart who had just returned to the country.

"You once said you wanted to take care of me," I asked, voice trembling. "Did you mean it?"

His steady voice came through the line. "Of course I meant it. Why? Has that brat Caesar wronged you again?"

A sharp bitterness rose in my chest.

I drew a deep breath and replied, "Three days from now... can you come and take me home?"

He agreed without hesitation, comforting me for a while before hanging up.

Meanwhile, in our bedroom, Caesar was still kneading Arlene's body with deep concentration.

"Sister-in-law, I promised I'd take care of you. I'll never go back on my word. If you feel unwell anywhere else, just tell me."

Pain stabbed through my heart.

He was supposed to accompany me to the hospital today for my check-up.

Instead, he canceled last minute, leaving me to waddle in alone with my swollen belly.

So this was the ‘urgent matter' he spoke of—massaging Arlene's breasts.

And as if that weren't enough, she grabbed his hand and placed it on her thigh.

Her skirt was hiked indecently high, revealing smooth, pale skin.

"Here too," she pouted. "It aches so much. Can I trouble you, little brother?"

His face turned crimson.

After a few seconds of hesitation, he clenched his jaw and agreed.

I couldn't watch anymore.

I stormed in, hurling my handbag straight at Caesar.

"Do you have no shame? On my bed, of all places—you're disgusting!"

He jumped up in a panic, rushing to explain. "Larissa, don't be angry. I didn't do anything—I was just massaging her. You're pregnant too, you know how painful engorgement is. How could I just ignore her?"

Bitter laughter bubbled up in my throat.

I was the one who had taught him those massages to ease my pregnancy pain.

And now he was using the same techniques on Arlene—throwing my own words back at me.

Before I could speak, Arlene scrambled off the bed, straightening her clothes with teary eyes.

"Larissa, if you're upset, take it out on me. Just don't blame Caesar. He only did this to help me. I'll apologize to you, alright? Please don't let this affect your relationship..."

After saying that, she struck her own face hard, red welts blooming instantly.

Caesar's eyes flashed with pity. He grabbed her wrists to stop her.

"Enough! You've done nothing wrong. You don't need to apologize."

Then he turned to me, his voice sharp and accusatory. "So what if you had to go for one check-up alone? Is that really worth causing a scene the moment you get home?"

"You're not half as gentle or virtuous as your sister-in-law. Can't you fix that terrible temper of yours?"

I stood frozen, staring at him. For the first time, he felt like a stranger.

Was this really the same man who once swore I was his world, who vowed to cherish me forever?

It was Arlene who had struck herself.

Yet somehow, the one at fault was me.

"If you think she's so perfect," I said coldly, sliding the wedding ring off my finger, "then why don't you just marry her?"

I dropped the ring into Arlene's smug palm and curved my lips into a mocking smile.

"But sister-in-law, don't get ahead of yourself."

"It's been less than a month since your husband died, and you're already crawling into his younger brother's bed. Aren't you afraid of breaking his heart even in the grave?"

Caesar's brows furrowed deeply—then, in the next second, his hand cracked across my face.

"Larissa," he snarled, "seems I've spoiled you too much. How dare you slander me and my sister-in-law like this? Apologize to her—now!"

I turned my head, the sting on my cheek searing straight into my heart.

It was the first time Caesar had ever raised his hand against me.

And it was for her. For Arlene!

Hot tears spilled uncontrollably down my face.

I stared at them both and forced each word out between trembling lips.

"You dared to do it, but you're afraid of me saying it aloud? Dream on if you think I'll apologize!"

Caesar rubbed his temples irritably, but when he saw my tears, a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes.

"Larissa, I... I lost control. I shouldn't have hit you. Let's just forget this ever happened, alright? Neither of us will bring it up again."

He reached out, trying to pull me into his arms like he always did when smoothing things over.

Once, I would have let him. I would have buried the hurt, convinced myself it was love.

But now—I stepped back coldly.

"Why is it that only you get to decide what's forgotten?" I demanded.

"Do you have any idea how much I've suffered this past month? Or do you just not care?"

"Caesar, I'm done. I want a divorce."

The air in the room froze, heavy and suffocating.

A fleeting spark of joy lit up Arlene's eyes, but she quickly masked it with a pitiful sigh.

"Larissa, please don't act on impulse. It's my fault you're upset. I'll move out today—I promise I'll never come between you two again."

"You're not going anywhere!"

Caesar's face darkened as he cut her off sharply, his tone unyielding.

"If you leave, how will I ever fulfill my promise to take care of you?"

Then his gaze swung back to me, filled with impatience.

"You've already brought up divorce twice today. My patience has limits, Larissa. Push me any further and don't blame me if I really turn against you!"

"Don't forget—you're nothing without the Chandler family. Just a divorced woman carrying a child. Aside from me, who else would want you?"

A hollow laugh slipped from my lips.

So that was why he dared to flaunt his intimacy with Arlene right in front of me.

He was certain I wouldn't leave—because of the baby.

I said nothing more.

I just looked at him one last time, then turned and walked out, heading straight to the hospital to book an abortion.

The doctor stared at me in shock.

"You just had a prenatal check-up this morning—the baby is perfectly healthy. Why the sudden decision? Don't act rashly!"

She sighed heavily, her voice soft with pity.

"You spent half a year on injections and endless medication to conceive this child. Are you really ready to throw it all away?"

My fists clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms. My heart ached with unbearable reluctance.

With trembling hands, I dialed Caesar's number.

"If you make Arlene move out now, and swear never to have anything to do with her again, I'll forgive you. One last time."

There was a long silence. Then his voice came through, cold and impatient.

"Larissa, my life belongs to my brother. He's gone. How can it be wrong for me to care for his wife? I will never drive her out. If you can't accept it, then leave yourself."

And with that, he hung up.

By then, my tears had blurred the world into nothing but gray.

I turned to the doctor and whispered hoarsely, "I love this child... but I can't bring him into a world where his father's heart will never belong to us."

The doctor sighed again, but said no more.

As I lay on the cold, sterile operating table, my hand instinctively caressed my swollen belly.

Five months of struggle and sacrifice.

No one cherished this child more than I did.

But I had no choice.

"I'm sorry, baby," I whispered silently.

"In our next life, let's never cross paths with Caesar again."

The anesthesia seeped into my veins.

My world grew heavy, blurred, and dark.

Within moments, I sank into unconsciousness...

When I opened my eyes again, a searing pain tore through my lower body.

I asked the doctor for the blood of my lost child. I had it made into a necklace—so that he could stay with me forever.

Just then, a message came from Caesar.

[Where did you go? Don't tell me you really moved out?]

[Your sister-in-law was so upset by you today that she had contractions. I've decided to take her out to relax—we'll be back in two days.]

Before, I would have thrown a fit, fought to keep them from going anywhere together.

But now... I didn't even reply. My heart was numb.

I lay weakly on the hospital bed, finally ready to rest, when my phone buzzed again.

It was a video from Arlene.

On the screen, Caesar knelt on the floor, gently helping her put on a pair of brand-new designer heels.

The tenderness in his eyes—I hadn't seen that look in a long time.

"Caesar said these were originally a surprise gift for you," she said sweetly through voice message.

"But I only mentioned they looked nice, and he immediately gave them to me. Tell me, Larissa—who do you think matters more in his heart?"

Even though I had resolved to let go of Caesar, her words cut deep, a sharp ache spreading in my chest.

I replied back coldly, [Stop provoking me. Or don't blame me when I expose your filth and make sure the whole world knows. It won't be pretty.]

[We're adults, Arlene. Drop the fake act.]

I thought that would silence her.

But instead, she took a screenshot of my message and ran crying to Caesar.

Soon, his assistant appeared at my hospital ward, expression grim.

"Madam, this is Mr. Chandler's order. Please record a video, kneel down, and apologize to Madam Walton."

When I refused to move, his tone hardened.

"Don't make this difficult for us. Just do as you're told."

I still didn't budge.

So two bodyguards stormed in, dragging me out of the ward.

My hospital gown was yanked apart in the scuffle, leaving me disheveled and humiliated.

"This is illegal!" I shouted, clutching at my clothes. "I'll call Caesar right now!"

The assistant sneered.

"No need, Madam. Mr. Chandler already instructed me. Once the video is done, I'll take you to him. Your sister-in-law has been admitted to the hospital thanks to your cruelty—she needs a blood transfusion immediately."

A chill crept through my veins.

Before I could react, a bodyguard kicked me hard.

I collapsed to the ground, clutching my abdomen as waves of stabbing pain radiated through me.

They forced me onto my knees, holding me down until the assistant recorded my "confession."

The shame was unbearable. My whole body trembled as I fought to break free.

But the next moment, a blow to the head sent me into darkness.

When I came to, I was in another hospital.

Caesar loomed over me, brows tightly furrowed.

"Was kneeling and apologizing really that hard? You've been pretending to faint for so long while your sister-in-law is waiting for a transfusion. If we're too late, it'll be your fault!"

A bitter laugh escaped me.

"Look at me—do you really think I was pretending? Caesar, I won't donate blood. Give up already!"

From the start, he knew I suffered from a severe clotting disorder.

Even a small wound could put my life at risk.

And I had just undergone an abortion. Blood donation could kill me.

I thought that would make him stop.

But instead, his eyes hardened.

He dragged me into the blood-draw room and coldly ordered, "Take as much as you can. Her blood type is rare—store it for future use."

I stared at him in disbelief. "You know my condition. Why are you forcing this?"

His eyes flickered with something unreadable, then settled into blame. "If you hadn't cursed her, she'd never be in the hospital. This is your fault, Larissa. Pain is the only way you'll learn."

The next instant, the largest needle was plunged into my arm.

A scream tore from my throat as my blood drained away, leaving me faint and shaking.

At last, Caesar told them to stop.

He glanced at my deathly pale face, a flicker of guilt passing through his eyes, and reached out as if to help me.

But at that moment, the door burst open.

"Good news—Madam Walton has woken up!" the doctor announced.

Caesar's hand dropped instantly.

He rushed past me into the ward, gathering Arlene into his arms right before my eyes.

"Thank God you're safe," he whispered hoarsely. "If anything had happened, I would never forgive myself."

From the doorway, Arlene met my gaze.

Her lips curved as she mouthed silently, "You've lost."

Then, without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Don’t worry,” she cooed, “even if something really had happened, I’d never blame you

Caesar stiffened, but he didn't push her away.

He turned toward me, flustered.

"Larissa, don't misunderstand. She's just overjoyed. Please don't make a scene."

But I didn't feel jealousy anymore—only emptiness.

"Don't worry," I said evenly. "Even if you end up in her bed, I won't cause a fuss again."

And with that, I turned and walked out.

Step by step, down the sterile corridor, out of that suffocating hospital.

One hand pressed against my still-bleeding wound, the other dialing Dexter.

My voice trembled. "Can you... come pick me up earlier than planned?"