Adalee's lips twisted into a wry line. "…Dad, it's me."

Hearing his daughter's voice only made Palmer Morgan's blood boil. "You—you stubborn child! Do you have any idea how ridiculous you made us look today at that wedding? Not only did you turn your sister Miranda into a laughingstock across the whole city, but you embarrassed the Nichols family too. They're furious, and they're demanding answers from us. You caused this disaster, so you can explain it to them. Your mother and I are staying out of it."

Adalee frowned. "Dad, Miranda was the one who tried to take my place and marry Cruz Nichols. Why aren't you calling her out on that?"

Palmer snapped back, "Miranda told me everything. It was just a misunderstanding with Cruz—she had nothing to do with it. Besides, if you'd told us from the start that the baby you're carrying is Cruz's, none of this would've happened. This mess is yours to fix, and you will fix it. Once that's settled, come back and apologize to your sister. Miranda has a good heart—she'll forgive you, I'm sure."

Adalee felt the words land like a slap. The injustice of being told to apologize to Miranda settled deep in her chest, heavy and bitter. She wanted to confront her sister right then and there. But she knew her parents were completely under Miranda's spell—and it would take time to peel back the mask and show them who their precious daughter really was.

She touched her belly gently, her voice calm but firm. "Dad, I'll give you a satisfactory explanation."

She couldn't tell them yet that the child was Cruz's—she'd only learned that truth at the end of her previous life. But when the time was right, she'd expose Miranda's lies.

Palmer thought she was finally listening, and his tone softened a notch. "Tonight's your wedding night, and I don't want to argue with you. Try to get along with Cruz, and stop acting so reckless. Remember you're a married woman now. Understand?"

Despite everything, warmth flickered inside her. "I understand, Dad."

He hung up, and Adalee took a deep breath, the sting of unshed tears burning behind her eyes. Even though her father was wrapped around Miranda's finger, deep down she believed he truly did care.

In her previous life, her parents had left everything to her in their will before their tragic deaths—Miranda got nothing but an empty shell of a company. Maybe, in the end, they'd finally seen her sister's true colors. Or maybe they'd suspected their deaths weren't just accidents…

Adalee lowered her lashes, her gaze cooling into something sharp and determined. No matter what, she'd already changed the course of her past life. She would protect her parents with everything she had—and make sure they never walked that path again.

Meanwhile, back at the Nichols estate, Cruz Nichols had barely stepped through the door when his mother, Madeleine Nichols, summoned him into the study for a lecture.

"What were you thinking, marrying like that on a whim? How could you choose to bind yourself to such an unworthy woman?" Madeleine, still elegant in her Victorian-style wedding dress, looked barely a day over forty at fifty—outshining women half her age.

She tossed a file onto the desk in front of him. Cruz picked it up and flipped through it—rumors about Adalee, scandals, claims that she was uneducated, quick to fight, tied to the wrong crowd.

Cruz set the file down, unshaken. "Mom, these are just rumors. There's no real evidence tying her to any of it. They could easily be false."

Madeleine let out a cold laugh. "Rumors don't just appear out of thin air. Who knows what she's actually been up to? I'm telling you now—make sure you get a paternity test. If that girl has deceived us, I'll deal with her myself."

Cruz's brow tightened. His voice dropped. "I understand. I'll handle it."

Madeleine pressed on. "Even if the child is ours, given all her baggage, we can't keep her in this family. Wait until she gives birth, then find a way to divorce her. Offer her compensation for the child, if we must."

Cruz said nothing, turning to walk out.

"Did you hear me, Cruz?" she called after him.

But her son's cool, commanding silhouette had already disappeared through the study door.

She let out a frustrated sigh.

Elsewhere, Adalee had barely woken up when her stomach let out a low growl.

A warm smile curved her lips. Her baby was hungry, demanding to be fed. Memories from her past life crept back—locked away by Miranda, starving and desperate, yet she'd held on for her child's sake. She'd survived on pure willpower, managed to give birth… only for Miranda to snatch her baby away.

Adalee's fists clenched. She swallowed the ache of that memory. This time, she would feed her child well, raise it strong and healthy, and protect its birth with everything she had.

She turned to Avery and Gia. "Is the meal ready?"

Avery answered cheerfully, "Yes, ma'am. We had dinner prepared for you."

Adalee nodded and got out of bed.

A pair of pink cotton slippers sat waiting for her—shaped like bunnies, complete with fluffy little tails and ears. Cute. Girlish. So soft they almost made her heart melt.

The sight cracked through the armor Adalee had built around her heart, and her eyes lit up with a rare, genuine sparkle.

Noticing her pleasure, Gia smiled and explained, "Mr. Nichols arranged everything for you—the clothes, the food, the maternity gear. He even had the housekeeper put together a whole shopping list."

"Oh." Adalee nodded coolly, sliding her bare feet into the cozy slippers.

They were plush and warm. She couldn't help but like them.

Maybe she'd been too harsh on Cruz.

Adalee followed the maids down to the dining room on the ground floor. The moment she stepped inside, dozens of eyes landed on her.

Freshly rested, her flawless skin had a healthy glow—like a flower blooming, impossibly sweet. There was no denying it: she was stunning.

More than a few servants couldn't help but wonder about her beauty.

But even with that face, the rumors about her past—running with different men, causing trouble—cast a long shadow. They said she'd sullied Cruz Nichols' name. And now, for the sake of her child, this powerful man had to put up with it all, sheltering her, providing for her, while whispers followed him everywhere.

Avery broke the silence. "What are you standing around for? Serve the lady her meal!"

Suddenly, a cold voice cut through the room. "And she's supposed to be our lady of the house?"

Adalee Morgan heard a voice and glanced over, spotting a young woman in her twenties with delicate features—but her eyes burned with raw jealousy. Adalee raised an eyebrow, instantly suspecting this woman had a thing for Cruz Nichols.

"Who are you gawking at?" Jade Hill snapped, shooting Adalee a look of pure disdain. "If it weren't for the baby you're carrying, do you honestly think Mr. Nichols would lower himself to marry someone like you?"

Jade had seen the online gossip painting Adalee as some country bumpkin dragged out of obscurity, always hanging around shady places. She couldn't wrap her head around how a woman like that ended up pregnant with Mr. Nichols' child. Determined to make Adalee's life miserable, she wasn't about to let up.

Avery Larson, one of the household staff, couldn't help but chime in. "Jade, Mr. Nichols brought Mrs. Nichols here himself. We all saw it. He even had everything set up for her—that means he acknowledges her."

Jade turned her icy stare on Avery. "Be quiet!"

Avery flinched and clamped her mouth shut. She knew better than to cross Jade, the housekeeper's daughter, who had way too much influence around here.

Unfazed by Jade's hostility, Adalee simply asked, "And who might you be?"

Jade let out a haughty laugh. "I'm the head maid here. Everyone answers to me!"

Adalee chuckled, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Ah, so just a servant? Then you should be following the orders of the lady of the house, shouldn't you?"

"You—" Jade stammered, her face reddening with fury. "You're just a passing fling. Once you pop out that baby, Mr. Nichols will kick you to the curb, and you'll be worse off than a servant!"

"We'll see about that," Adalee said coolly, taking a seat at the dining table as if Jade didn't exist.

Jade fumed, feeling like she'd just punched a pillow—no satisfaction at all. Just as she opened her mouth to fire back, someone announced, "Mr. Nichols is back!"

Jade's demeanor did a complete 180, her face instantly sweet and servile, while she subtly signaled the staff to keep quiet about the earlier spat.

Adalee caught Jade's two-faced act and rolled her eyes discreetly.

Cruz Nichols strode into the dining room, his steps deliberate, commanding, carrying an aura that felt almost suffocating. The room's lively chatter died in an instant, and even Adalee tensed up.

He shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over a chair, his gaze locking onto his petite wife. Seeing her slightly nervous expression, his eyes darkened. "Have you eaten?"

Adalee shook her head honestly, a hint of pout in her voice. "Not yet. The baby's already complaining."

Cruz's chiseled features tightened as he shot a cold glare at the staff, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. "Didn't I tell you all to have dinner ready?"

Jade went pale, caught off guard by his sudden fury. "It's ready! It's ready! We'll serve it right away!"

She frantically signaled the kitchen staff, and within moments the table was loaded with dishes that looked incredible, the smell making anyone's mouth water.

Cruz settled into the seat next to Adalee and rolled up his sleeves, revealing a muscular forearm and an expensive watch. "I didn't know what you'd like, so I had them make a bit of everything. Eat up—don't let the baby starve."

Adalee blinked, surprised by the effort. "Thanks, but you didn't have to go all out. I'm not picky."

His unexpected thoughtfulness nudged her opinion of him up a notch.

But then he opened his mouth again, and whatever goodwill had started to bloom shriveled up.

Cruz fixed her with a penetrating look. "Don't get the wrong idea. This is all for the child."

Adalee forced a laugh that came out awkward. She dropped her gaze back to her plate, toes curling from the embarrassment of thinking he could ever care for her.

Jade, having overheard Cruz's cold words, smirked with quiet satisfaction. She knew it—the Cruz Nichols she worshipped would never lower himself to love a simpleton like Adalee. The thought was absurd.

Dinner flew by, and to everyone's shock, Adalee devoured her food like she hadn't eaten in days. Completely unbothered by the stares, she even asked to have the leftovers wrapped up for a midnight snack.

Jade scoffed at Adalee's clear lack of class. Cruz had been about to offer her some pulled pork, but at her request, he paused, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly, and put it back on his own plate.

When Adalee finally set down her fork, Cruz let out a mildly exasperated sigh. "I'm not short on food. Not now, not ever."

Adalee blinked at him, confused. Was he implying they had a future together? She quickly shook off that crazy thought and explained, "I just don't like wasting food."

Cruz's expression softened a fraction, the ice in his voice thawing a little. "Leftovers aren't good for a pregnant woman. They'll go to the local strays."

"Oh." Adalee nodded, relieved. She stole a glance at Cruz's perfect profile, a faint smile tugging at her lips. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't help but find his soft spot for animals endearing.

Meanwhile, across town, Miranda Jenkins burned with jealousy, dead set on dragging Cruz back into her life—by any means necessary.

Back at the villa after lunch, Cruz drove Adalee home. Madeleine Nichols was there, sitting in front of the TV with a distinctly sour look on her face.

Adalee felt a pang of guilt, avoiding her mother-in-law's gaze. She knew she shouldn't have left her earlier. But Cruz seemed unfazed, greeting her with a cool, "Still here, Mom?"

Madeleine let out a small huff. "I have something to discuss with Adalee. Why are you in such a rush?"

Cruz shrugged. "Then say whatever you need to say."

Madeleine shot him a sharp look. How dare her son talk to her like that? She turned a warmer expression toward Adalee and beckoned her over. "Come here, darling. I have something important to tell you."

Adalee hesitated, but Madeleine's sudden change in demeanor left her no room to refuse. Earlier, she'd been standoffish, and it had put Adalee on edge.

But now Madeleine's tone was inviting. "Come on, it's good news!"

Adalee shuffled forward, looking at her mother-in-law with curious eyes, ready to listen.

Madeleine gently patted Adalee's head. "Your piano skills are outstanding. I've had a room set up with a brand-new piano, so you can practice whenever you want."

Surprised and touched, Adalee nodded. "Thank you, Mom."

Madeleine beamed. "You have real talent, and you should cultivate it. Who knows—maybe you'll become a national treasure one day, even surpassing Beethoven himself!"

Adalee's cheeks flushed at the high praise. She felt a little shy.

"Oh, and I've taken care of your education. You'll be attending the top university in the country. Since you're pregnant, there's no rush—you can start once the baby's born."

Adalee was blown away. That university was elite, nearly impossible to get into without exceptional grades. She'd always assumed it was out of her reach. But with Cruz's backing and the school's support, it suddenly seemed possible.

And wouldn't you know it—Miranda Jenkins went to that same university. The thought of running into Miranda there, exposing all her lies, was way more appealing than staying cooped up at home.

Adalee made up her mind in a heartbeat. "Mom, I don't need to wait until after the baby. I can enroll when the new term starts!"

Adalee Morgan watched Cruz Nichols finish his dinner. She opened her mouth, ready to ask about the estate, but hesitated—then let out an awkward laugh. "Never mind."

Cruz gave her a cool glance. "Something on your mind?"

Adalee hadn't figured out how to even bring it up, so she just shook her head. He gave a casual nod and rose. "I'll be in the study," he said, walking out without a backward glance.

Watching him go, Adalee frowned, sighed, and headed to her room.

Once there, she planned to shower. Opening the wardrobe, she found it stocked not only with men's clothes but also an unexpected selection of women's clothing—including lingerie.

Curious, she picked up a piece and held it against herself, surprised to find it fit perfectly. How bizarre! She brushed the thought aside and chose a modest silk nightgown before disappearing into the bathroom.

After her shower, she climbed into bed, intending to talk with Cruz about their relationship when he returned. But the moment her head hit the pillow, sleep won.

Sometime later, she felt the bed dip beside her, and the fresh scent of coffee wrapped around her. A large, warm presence seemed to pull her in, and instinctively, she scooted closer.

Something pressed against her belly—warm and ticklish. With a soft groan, she reached down and touched it. A deep, even breathing sounded right by her ear.

Startled, Adalee's eyes flew open, coming face to face with Cruz's handsome visage—magnified. To her shock, she was curled up in his arms, his hand resting on her belly.

Terrified, she scrambled away from him. "W-why are you here?"

Unperturbed, Cruz remained perfectly composed, as if stating the most ordinary fact. "This is my room."

He lay less than two feet away, dressed in perfectly fitted pajamas that subtly hinted at the strong, muscular frame beneath the fine fabric.

Adalee's gaze lingered on his hands, remembering the warmth they had left on her belly. Her cheeks flushed without warning. "Then... where's my room?"

Cruz looked at her impassively. "We're married. My room is your room."

Adalee gripped the blanket, speaking earnestly. "I know, but we don't have any feelings for each other. Wouldn't sharing a bed be... awkward?"

Cruz raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you hug me and call me ‘darling' at the hotel this afternoon? Seemed pretty comfortable to me."

Adalee's eyes widened. "How—how is that possible?"

How could she have hugged him and called him ‘darling'? Just the thought made her cringe internally!

Cruz squinted at her, catching her sudden denial. It reminded him of the night she'd ambushed him and then vanished—right before Miranda barged in.

His tone darkened. "Are you accusing me of lying?"

Seeing the shift in Cruz's expression, Adalee quickly backtracked. "No, no, it's just... hard to wrap my head around."

Cruz stared at her, his lips curving slightly. "Earlier, you snuggled into my arms all on your own."

"..."

Adalee dropped her gaze, too embarrassed to respond.

"Go to sleep," Cruz said calmly. "An expert said parents sharing a bed helps the baby bond with both. And trust me—I'm more reliable than you think. I won't cross any lines."

With that, he tugged the blanket from her grasp, turned away, and fell silent. He looked distant, unreachable.

Blinking, Adalee noted that Cruz didn't speak again. She felt reassured—Cruz was a proper gentleman who wouldn't take advantage of her. And since he said it was for the baby, there was no reason to overthink it.

She relaxed and soon drifted into a peaceful sleep.

In her dream, she was swimming, almost drowning, when someone pulled her to safety. She couldn't see their face, but she knew it was a man.

The next morning, Avery Larson woke her with soft knocks.

"Ma'am, time for breakfast."

Adalee peeked out from the covers, hair messy, eyes puffy, as if she'd survived some ordeal.

"Oh my gosh!" Avery exclaimed, pointing at Adalee's swollen lips. "Ma'am, your lips are really swollen!"

"Are they?"

Fully awake now, Adalee touched them instinctively.

"Ouch—"

They tingled with a numbing sting.

Adalee furrowed her brow thoughtfully. "Probably mosquito bites."

She remembered a persistent buzzing near her ear as she was falling asleep last night.

Avery scratched her head. "That's weird—the villa is always spotless. There shouldn't be any mosquitoes."

Adalee said seriously, "Just like there are always a few students who don't study, maybe a mosquito snuck in. Don't be surprised."

Avery nodded, unable to argue.

After washing up, Adalee looked in the mirror and noticed her red, puffy lips, and slightly reddened eyes—like she'd been crying.

She remembered the dream about nearly drowning and maybe crying, figured it must have leaked into reality, affecting her appearance.

Suddenly, Avery's anxious voice rang out from outside.

"Miss, miss, please wait!"

"Get out of my way! I want to see the shameless woman who stole my brother's inheritance and forced him into marriage at the wedding!"

Adalee stepped out of the bathroom just as a fiery young woman in a black blazer and trousers burst into the room.

Scanning the room, the girl's gaze landed on Adalee, and her eyes widened at the fresh, unadorned beauty before her.

Adalee was taken aback by her striking entrance, but the girl quickly remembered why she was angry. "You're the shameless woman who dared to steal my brother's legacy?!"

The girl—probably around Adalee's age—sported a spirited high ponytail. Her small, proud face screamed pampered rich girl. This had to be Lacey Nichols, Cruz's younger sister.

Seeing Adalee stay silent, Lacey huffed. "Hey, I'm talking to you. Why aren't you answering?"

Adalee smiled calmly. "I'm the woman your brother married, yes."

Lacey blinked, thrown off. Adalee's serene demeanor, gentle smile, and steady gaze were the last thing she expected. Her anger deflated a little. "Just know that if you try anything, I'll make sure my brother sends you packing!"

Adalee chuckled, meeting her gaze without flinching. "Guess we'll see."

For a long moment, their eyes locked. Then Lacey spun on her heel, vowing not to be shaken by Adalee's composed aura.

Meanwhile, across town, Miranda Jenkins simmered with fresh resolve—determined to reclaim her status and win Cruz back at any cost.