Ethan Carter was shot three times while trying to save me, each wound fatal. He staked his life begging my father to let him marry me.

Moved by his sincerity, my father finally agreed and offered the syndicate seal—the symbol of authority over the entire family—as my dowry.

But the day before the wedding, a turf war broke out, and Ethan led his crew on a mission.

Before leaving, he pressed a hard kiss on my lips. “Be good and wait for me. When I return, I promise you won’t be able to get out of bed!”

Three years later, he finally came back.

I brought my two-year-old son to meet him in the heart of the desert.

But he stepped out of the car carrying a frail, beautiful woman in a white dress.

His men asked what he planned to do with me. He bit his cigarette and gave a faint smile. “Her father is dead. Who else can she rely on but me?”

“Now that the syndicate seal is in my hands, I can marry anyone I want.”

“Besides, she already gave birth to a big, strong boy. She’ll cling to me, demanding a legitimate title, right?”

Hearing this, they all burst into laughter.

He must have forgotten that the seal is nothing more than a symbol.

I am the sole heir of the Lawson family.

And my son can live without a father.

——

The laughter continued until it was cut short by the woman’s cough. Ethan’s voice grew slightly nervous. “Anna, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell again? Don’t worry, I’ll arrange for a doctor…”

Anna Quinn shook her head. “I’m fine. I just arrived and I’m not used to the place.”

Hearing this, Ethan said, “Sorry, Anna, I was careless.”

“Your room is too dry. It’s not good for your recovery.”

“It’s fine. Claire’s room is the best in the estate, and it faces the sun. I’ll ask her to give it to you later.”

Anna gently declined. “Wouldn’t that upset my sister-in-law?”

Ethan looked pained. “I told you not to call her sister-in-law in private. You’ve been mine for a long time.”

At that, everyone around laughed playfully.

Anna blushed and buried herself in Ethan’s arms. When Ethan carefully carried Anna out of the car, he told me she was a sister he had adopted along the way.

“Claire, her family was wiped out by a rival crew.”

“If she hadn’t risked her life to deliver the message, you’d probably be waiting for my corpse.”

“She’s been frail since childhood. She endured three years of hardship at my side. Now that her family is gone, I’ve taken her in as my adopted sister. You don’t mind, do you?”

If she were truly an adopted sister, of course I’d agree.

But they weren’t siblings. They were lovers. Suddenly, someone asked Ethan with concern, “The heiress has always been hot-tempered. Boss, she loves you so much. If she knew, she’d be furious.”

Another added, “Yes, she waited three years for you. What will you do if she demands a proper marriage?”

Anna said worriedly, “Yes, Ethan, don’t upset the heiress because of me. I’d feel guilty if that happened.”

Ethan smiled casually. “Anna, don’t worry. I’ve thought of everything.”

“She’s spoiled as the family heiress. If she finds out, she’ll definitely be furious. I’m only worried she’ll vent her anger on you.”

“I’ve made up my mind. I’m determined to marry Anna. On our wedding day, I’ll announce it’s for our child’s birthday.”

“She won’t refuse.”

“Once Anna and I are married and registered, her protests will mean nothing.”

“The child is already two years old. She’ll just have to swallow her pride and follow me around for the rest of her life, nameless and without status.”

After hearing his words, everyone sighed in admiration, “Brilliant! Ethan, you’re a genius!”

“No wonder the heiress fell for you so early. She willingly bore you a son, and even stayed pure, waiting for you three long years!”

Laughter erupted.

Then came Anna Quinn’s sweet voice. “Ethan, you’re so cruel! You made me worry for so long!”

Ethan Carter gently stroked her hair. “Then I’ll make it up to you now.”

With that, he seized her neck and kissed her hard.

I turned away in silence. In the past, I would have stormed in, smashed everything in sight, shoved a gun in Anna’s face, and ordered her to kneel, apologize, and disappear.

But after giving birth to Leo, I had changed.

Let the sand you can’t hold slip away; the ones still beside you matter most.

As the heiress of the Lawson family, danger follows me everywhere.

Ethan had taken bullets for me—in the waist, the chest, even the back of his head.

But each time, he held me close, bleeding, and whispered, “Claire, don’t be afraid. I’m here. They’ll have to kill me before they touch you.”

He loved me fiercely, and I believed him.

But love doesn’t always endure.

I turned to leave when the door suddenly opened behind me.

Ethan’s voice, faintly panicked: “Claire?”

“When did you get here?”

I didn’t look back. My voice was impossibly calm. “Just now.”

Ethan exhaled in relief. He came forward, pulled me into his arms, and murmured against my ear, “Claire, I’ll come to you tonight. I’ve thought of you every night these three years.”

I didn’t move. I didn’t reply.

Sensing my indifference, his tone grew careful. “Claire, what’s wrong? Aren’t you happy I’m back?”

I tried to push him away, but a soft female voice cut in from behind.

Anna coughed lightly, covering her mouth. “Sister-in-law, you’re here? I wasn’t feeling well, so I came out to see you. Don’t misunderstand.”

At her voice, Ethan quickly released me. The worry in his eyes was plain. “It’s windy outside. What are you doing here?”

Anna stepped forward on her own. “I heard your voice and thought I’d say hello. Don’t mind, sister-in-law. Ethan fusses over me because he’s cared for me personally these three years. It’s unconscious.”

She sounded sincere. I looked at her pale face and said coldly, “I don’t mind if the Lawson family feeds more mouths.”

“But the Lawson family doesn’t keep strays.”

Her smile faltered. Ethan’s brow furrowed. “Claire! She’s my sister—and that makes her yours too. Don’t be so cruel.”

I glanced at him indifferently. “I’ve always been ruthless, haven’t I?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed, as if he wanted to argue, but then Anna leaned weakly against the doorframe, her voice dripping with grievance. “Sister-in-law, I know you hate me, but I never wanted to take anything away… I’m just too weak, and I need my brother’s care…”

“My brother looks after me day and night. I understand your anger.”

“Since you don’t like me, I’ll just leave.”

She turned and stumbled off. Ethan shot me a sharp glare, then rushed after her. “Anna, don’t run! You’re not well—you can’t take it!”

“I’ve been handling Lawson family affairs long enough. You don’t need to listen to her!”

“Anna!”

The two of them hurried on until they reached the courtyard’s corner.

Just as Anna turned, little Leo toddled out and collided with her legs.

Anna screamed, then slipped and collapsed to the ground.

Ethan Carter bent down and gathered her in his arms. “Anna, are you alright?”

Anna lifted the hem of her dress, blood running down her calf. Ethan’s face darkened with rage as he glared at Leo. “Who told you to run around like that?”

“Get out of here!”

Leo burst into frightened sobs. “Mom… I want Mom…”

I rushed over, pulling him into my arms, crouching to soothe him. “Don’t be afraid, Leo, Mommy’s here. Don’t cry, it wasn’t your fault. Don’t be afraid, Mommy’s here.”

The nanny hurried up behind me, out of breath.

“Miss, the young master kept calling for you—I couldn’t hold him back…”

I lowered my voice. “It’s alright, this isn’t your fault. The staff here is always careful.”

Ethan snapped coldly, “Is this how you raise a child?”

“No wonder he’s grown up so unruly!”

Anna leaned weakly against him, her voice soft. “Ethan, Leo’s still young. Don’t scare him…”

“I just fell and bled a little. I’ve been hurt before.”

She lifted her gaze toward me, sadness flickering in her eyes.

“Claire, it’s my fault.”

“You’re right. I was careless and bumped into the boy. I apologize.”

She tried to wriggle from Ethan’s arms but cried out in pain. Ethan’s expression twisted in anguish as he quickly tightened his hold. “What are you apologizing for?”

“This is my failure, as a father, for not raising my son right.”

He turned his cold stare on Leo and me. “Leo, I wasn’t there to raise you. That’s on me.”

“But Claire, as his mother, the greater blame falls on you.”

“I can’t leave Leo under your care forever. You’ll only poison him with your arrogance.”

“Now that Anna is here, she’ll help raise him. She’s educated, gentle, kind—she’ll raise Leo properly.”

My voice cut like ice. “What do you mean by that?”

Ethan’s brow hardened. “I mean Anna will raise Leo. You’ll remain the Lawson heiress.”

I spat the words. “In your dreams.”

His tone was final, unyielding. “I’m the head of the Lawson syndicate. Of course, I have that right.”

“And Leo is my son. As his father, I have every right.”

He steadied Anna and yanked her closer. His gaze locked on Leo.

“A real man accepts punishment for his mistakes.”

“Now kneel and apologize to Aunt Anna!”

He reached for Leo’s small shoulders, ready to force him down.

Leo screamed through his tears, thrashing. “No! I want Mommy! I want Mommy!”

I clenched my fists until they ached, my patience snapping. I called for the butler, tore the gun from his hand, and pressed the barrel to Ethan’s forehead, my grip steady, unflinching. “Ethan Carter, if you dare touch my son, I’ll blow your head off.”

He sneered. “I taught you to shoot, and now you point a gun at me?”

He clamped his hand around mine, forcing the muzzle harder against his temple.

“Do it here. Don’t hold back.”

“I’ve taken enough bullets for you!”

I stared into the fire blazing in his eyes, my finger tightening on the trigger.

“Fine. I’ll grant your wish…”

Before I could finish, Anna suddenly threw herself at me, shoving me aside. She crashed hard to the floor.