It all started because I moved slightly while posing as a model for my boyfriend’s painting.

Without hesitation, he used tape to bind and restrain me.

After seven years together, my boyfriend had been devoted to creating a sense of ceremony for me, carefully working to complete a thousand little things with me as a couple.

On our seventh anniversary, we only had one final thing left to do. But instead of focusing on that, my boyfriend asked me to help his first love instead.

Because of this, the two-month-old child in my womb lost its life.

“Laura, we’ll have more children. Jessica’s competition success or failure hinges on this one time. You need to be more magnanimous.”

I said nothing as I tore up the last unfinished item on our list.

We had promised that once we completed those thousand little things, we would get married.

That promise would never be fulfilled now.

I picked up my phone and canceled the wedding dress that was still being custom-made.

——

“Laura, you need to understand the bigger picture. I know it wasn’t easy for you to conceive this child, but if you take care of yourself, we still have a chance to have a child, right? But think about it—Jessica has been waiting for this competition for so long. It hasn’t been easy for her either.”

Ethan Hawke stood beside the hospital bed, trying to persuade me with soft words.

I placed my hands over my stomach, my heart as bleak as death.

I had suffered complications from donating bone marrow to Ethan, which made it hard for me to conceive.

Now, after this miscarriage, it might be nearly impossible to have a child again.

Seeing that I remained silent, Ethan’s brows furrowed.

“Laura, what do you mean by not speaking? Are you still blaming Jessica? Why are you so stubborn? I helped her because she saved my life. You should understand my good intentions. Can’t you be reasonable?”

In my other hand, I clutched a few pieces of paper tightly.

They were the promises Ethan had made to me before we started dating: once we completed a thousand tasks together, we would get married.

And the final task... was the proposal.

It was meant to happen on our seventh anniversary.

But instead, he killed our child and destroyed my love.

“Ethan, what if I can’t get pregnant anymore?”

He clearly paused.

“It won’t happen. After seven years, you still got pregnant. Who knows when it might happen again? And if it doesn’t, we can try IVF, medication, or surgery.”

I smiled.

He didn’t care at all about my pain.

He wanted Jessica Pierce to succeed. And he wanted me to bear his children.

“What about me?”

Ethan let out a deep sigh, his expression filled with frustration.

“Can’t you stop being so selfish? What’s wrong with making some sacrifices for me and the children? Even if it’s for Jessica’s sake, it’s only right. Without her, I wouldn’t be here today. You should be grateful to her. Besides, she’s not even competing with you. She’s doing it for the greater good. What else are you dissatisfied with?”

I slowly closed my eyes.

I couldn’t believe these words were coming from this man.

When had he become so despicable?

Seeing that I didn’t respond, Ethan nodded in satisfaction.

“As long as you understand, Laura. Don’t worry, I’ll make up for the seventh anniversary and that last thing. Just trust me.”

He reached out and ruffled my hair. But I felt no trace of affection in his touch.

As silence fell between us, a message notification chimed from Ethan’s phone. He stared at me for a long moment.

Then, with a hint of guilt in his voice, he said, “Laura, I have some work to attend to at the company. I won’t be able to stay with you tonight. You need someone by your side. If anything happens, make sure to call the nurse.”

I nodded silently.

Ethan gave a faint smile before striding out of the ward.

That night, I received a message from Jessica.

It was a photo of Ethan, leaning over a table—his face very close to the camera.

The lights were dim and he slept peacefully.

[Laura, he seems... more relaxed with me than with you.]

He was lying.

I couldn’t even count how many times he had lied just to go see Jessica.

All I could remember were the photos Jessica kept sending me on my phone.

He thought he was a good actor, but the truth was—I simply didn’t want to expose him.

I just wanted to preserve the beautiful dream of our love.

Now I realize I was wrong.

I tapped into another chat window.

[The custom wedding dress—stop the progress. I’ll pay the money, but don’t make it.]

For three consecutive days, Ethan didn’t show up at the hospital.

Only the bouquets he sent arrived.

They were red roses.

I covered my nose and asked the medical staff to take them away. I’m allergic to pollen. I told him that long before we were ever together. But he never took it seriously.

Over the past seven years, I’ve had allergic reactions dozens of times—just to accept his flowers.

Today, I looked at the photo Jessica posted on her updates instastory. It was a bouquet of red roses.

The caption read: [Someone will always remember your favorite flowers.]

On the day I was discharged from the hospital, Ethan brought Jessica along to pick me up.

When he saw me, the first thing he did was glance at my hands, as if looking for something.

“I… where are the flowers I gave you? Didn’t you used to keep them for a month before throwing them away?”

I turned my face away, expressionless.

“They’ve withered.”

Our love had withered.

Ethan stepped forward and patted my shoulder, trying to comfort me.

“It’s okay, Laura. Don’t blame yourself or feel sad. I’ll buy you more flowers later.”

Jessica also stepped forward and held my hands.

“That’s right, Laura. Ethan is very thoughtful. Plus, he specially came to pick you up so we could go to the art exhibition together. My painting won an award—and it’s all thanks to Laura.”

She deliberately emphasized the words thanks to.

“I’m not feeling well. I don’t want to go.”

Ethan let out a heavy sigh, his voice tinged with impatience.

“Laura, you’re always like this, ruining the mood. It’s so hard for Jessica to win an award. What’s wrong with you just enduring it?”

Jessica’s eyes turned red and she spoke softly, “It’s okay, Ethan. If Laura doesn’t want to go, she doesn’t have to. I know she’s been dwelling on the fact that her hand is injured and can’t paint anymore. It must be really tough for her.”

Ethan scoffed. “It’s just jealousy.”

I bit my lip and forced a bitter smile.

“I’ll go.”

When I arrived at the venue, I realized—Jessica and Ethan were wearing matching evening gowns and suits. To the outside world, they looked like a perfect couple.

Ethan’s eyes never once fell on me. Instead, his gaze followed Jessica the entire time.

Footsteps approached from behind and several journalists rushed forward, trying to get an interview with Jessica.

I was pushed to the ground.

Ethan took a half-step forward, as if he was going to help me up. He paused for a moment... then stepped back.

He gave me a look, signaling me not to make a scene.

“Miss Pierce, we often see Mr. Hawke accompanying you to various events. May I ask what your relationship is…”

Jessica’s face turned slightly red as she gave a shy smile.

“Our relationship… has always been very good.”

That ambiguous answer led everyone to assume they were a couple.

Ethan didn’t deny it. He just kept casting glances at me, clearly afraid I would ruin Jessica’s interview.

“The two of you seem like a perfect match.”

Everyone praised them.

I stood in the corner, clutching my stomach in pain, cold sweat pouring down my face.

Ethan noticed that I was uncomfortable.

His gaze lingered for only a second before shifting away.

After the event ended, he quickly walked over to me.

“Laura, are you feeling unwell? Can you hold on a little longer? There’s a celebration banquet for Jessica later and all our friends will be there.”

If I refused to go, he would probably accuse me of not considering the bigger picture.

Before I could say anything, Ethan continued, “Laura, I knew you’d be the most understanding. Don’t worry, after this, I’ll ask Auntie to make you some extra food to help you recover.”

When we entered the private room, their friends were already inside, waiting.

As soon as they saw Jessica, they all started clapping.

“Congratulations to our great artist for winning the award!”

When they noticed me following behind, the atmosphere shifted. Their voices softened.

“Oh, Laura is here too.”

I remembered—seven years ago, when I won my last award, Ethan had also asked his friends to clap for me.

Soon after that, I was mysteriously kidnapped and my wrists were permanently damaged.

I smiled, treating their words as a polite greeting.

“Jessica, what’s with your outfit? Is this intentional?” one friend teased excitedly.

Ethan motioned for him to stop talking.

He looked at me with a cautious expression.

“Laura, he’s just joking. It’s just a coincidence.”

I pretended not to understand.

“What?”

Ethan paused, then shook his head.

But how could I not know? That dress was part of the most popular couple’s series at the time. It was called Red Rose.

Everyone started chatting again and began urging me to drink.

They all knew I had just lost a child and yet they still encouraged me to drink.

“Laura, have a drink. It won’t hurt you. Today’s such a happy day!”

I waved my hand.

Ethan turned his head, his brows slightly furrowed.

“Laura, it’s rare for everyone to gather like this and it’s also Jessica’s award ceremony. Don’t be such a killjoy, okay? Do I need to remind you about the bigger picture?”

The doctor had clearly told him—I wasn’t supposed to have alcohol or spicy food right now.

I looked down at the bowl of spicy food in front of me. Then I picked up my glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Seeing me drink, Ethan’s expression softened slightly.

Almost immediately, pain flared in my lower abdomen.

I staggered to the bathroom.

No one followed me.

I threw up in heavy gulps until only bitter fluid remained. I vomited until tears streamed down uncontrollably.

I had always believed that if I just kept quiet, we would be happy. But today, I was finally defeated by the weight of all the little details that had built up over time.

Ten minutes later, I wiped my tears and the remnants around my mouth, preparing to return to the private room.

Before I could push the door open, I heard the truth that had been buried for seven years.

“Ethan, are you still planning to admit to her that you ruined her ability to paint? You really went all out for Jessica back then. If you’re not planning to marry her, you might as well just tell the truth now. It won’t cost you anything anyway.”

My heart stopped cold.

“I will marry her. After Jessica receives her award abroad, I’ll propose to her. That’s my promise. It’s also… my compensation. That way, I’ll feel better.”

I leaned against the wall to keep myself upright.

“I knew there was a reason you suddenly started pursuing her back then. It was all part of a plan.”

I couldn’t bear to listen any longer. I didn’t even know how I managed to walk out the door, into the pouring rain.

All I remember is that in that moment—my heart ached more than my body.

It turned out I had been living in a fairy tale of my own making.

His pursuit of me, his kindness toward me… it was all just a means to pave the way for Jessica.

So she could rise to the top—by stepping on my flesh and blood.