###Chapter 2

Three years ago, Robert proposed to me in front of his company building. Suddenly, an earthquake struck.

The building shook violently. The ground cracked open. Without much thoughts, Robert pulled me under him to protect me.

A falling pillar hit him so hard that he coughed up blood. Broken stones cut into his skin and his chin was split open. But he still used his body to shield me, creating a small safe space.

“Ayla, as long as you’re safe, it's worth it. Even if I had to die....”

Who else in this world would love me like that? Not even my father. After we were rescued, I put on the engagement ring through my tears. I thought that was the beginning of happiness.

Unfortunately, the same man who seemed to love only me had shown signs of betrayal long before.

The first time he went with me to a prenatal check-up, he got a message that Silvia had severe menstrual pain. He immediately stood up to leave.

“Silvy needs someone to take care of her. You’re at the hospital. You’re safe.”

The first time I felt the baby move, I excitedly took his hand to let him feel it. He pulled his hand away almost immediately.

“Wait. Silvy just texted me. She’s afraid of the dark. I need to help her fall asleep.”

I once vomited so badly from morning sickness that I was throwing up bile. Yet, when he saw Silvia post on Instagram that she planned to stay out overnight, he slammed the door and left me alone.

Who was truly the most important person in his heart? The answer was obvious. But I covered my eyes and lied to myself.

In the end, Robert even cried. His tears fell onto my neck. My body trembled. I didn’t want to look at his fake sorrow anymore.

“Let’s just do it your way,” I said calmly. “By the way, it’s your mother’s birthday soon. I prepared a gift in your name. I just need your signature for the payment.”

I took out the divorce agreement, opened it to the signature page and slid it in front of him. My palms were sweating. I was afraid he would read it carefully.

Just then, Silvia’s special ringtone rang. Robert answered immediately.

Her voice was slightly drunk. “Brother, there’s a guy who wants to take me home. Should I go with him?”

Robert’s face changed instantly. The veins on his forehead stood out. “Don’t you dare! Send me your address. Now.”

I watched the man in front of me turn into an angry wolf, his eyes full of jealousy and possessiveness.

The last time he looked like that was on our honeymoon cruise. I had glanced at a handsome foreign man at another table. Robert’s face darkened. He carried me back to our suite and didn’t let me leave the room for seven days.

That same intensity was still there. Only now, it was for someone else.

After hanging up, Robert finally remembered I was there. “Silvy’s drunk. I need to pick her up. You can take a taxi home, okay?”

He was leaving his pregnant wife alone on a cold night, for another woman.

I pushed the agreement toward him again. “Sign first.”

Without even looking at it, Robert quickly signed his name.

***

The moment my taxi arrived, I saw Robert's car sped away. He even ran past a red light, not caring about his own safety.

I stood alone on the empty street, feeling like a discarded doll.

It was past midnight when I got home. As soon as I walked in, I saw Silvia lying on the bed in a sheer lace nightdress, eating snacks casually.

I stared at her. “Why are you in my house?”

She pouted and pretended to be shy. “I had a fight with someone and went to a bar to make him jealous. I said I might leave with another guy and he immediately came to drag me away.”

As she spoke, she pulled her neckline slightly lower, revealing obvious marks on her skin. She smiled mischievously. “I didn’t expect him to get so jealous. He couldn’t even wait until we got home.”

My nails dug into my palms as pain spread through my body. In the past, I tried to believe they had only kissed on the cheeks only, now all my illusions were finally gone.

I stepped forward angrily, ready to tell her to leave.

Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed my shoulders from behind. “Ayla, I know you’ve been upset these days. Look what I bought for you.”

I turned around. It was the newest limited-edition Chanel dress—my favorite style.

But I felt nothing. It wasn’t love. It was guilt.

“Go take a shower and try it on after,” he said gently.

Robert pushed me lightly toward the bathroom.

I turned on the shower but realized I hadn’t brought clean clothes. When I opened the door, the scene in front of me froze my blood.

My husband was holding Silvia tightly on the sofa. He wasn’t even trying to hide it. He knew I usually took a long shower.

I gripped the doorframe to keep myself standing.

“You’re so good to her,” Silvia said mockingly. “Congratulations. Everyone says you’re the perfect husband.”

Robert lowered his head and kissed her. “Jealous? Do you think I didn’t prepare something for you?”

After some rustling, he picked up a velvet box from the floor. Inside was a sapphire necklace, the stone large and dazzling.

“It was hard to get. There’s only one in the world,” he said.

I understood. What he gave me could be bought anytime. But, what he gave Silvia was unique.

“Oh my God!” Silvia wrapped her arms around his neck. “I only mentioned it once. Yet, you spent millions for me?”

“If you want the moon, I’ll bring it to you,” he whispered near her ear. “Just wear it, don't make too much fuss. I don't want Ayla to find out.”

I couldn’t watch anymore. I ran back into the bathroom and threw up over the toilet.

“Divorce her and Mary me,” Silvia said softly. “Okay?”

“I can’t. You’re my sister in name,” Robert replied. “Besides, I love Ayla. If I lose her, I’ll go crazy.”

Then why couldn't you control yourself, Robert?

My phone vibrated. A text message appeared:

[I've got special connections. Your immigration paperwork will be done in five days.]

Robert. In five days, I’d be waiting to see you go crazy!

###Chapter 3

The sound of running water filled the bathroom, mixed with faint, suppressed noises from outside.

I stayed in the shower for quite long until everything outside became completely quiet; until the tears on my face were washed away.

I lifted my head and calmly put on my clothes, my expression cold. I saw our room had been cleaned up. But Robert didn’t notice that there was still a small wet stain under the dressing table.

Disgusting.

I took out my phone and snapped a photo. I saved it together with the video I had recorded earlier.

I went downstairs to get a glass of water. As soon as I reached the hallway, I saw Robert coming out of the kitchen with a bowl of hangover soup.

Silvia leaned against him, pretending to be drunk. “It’s too hot,” she said softly.

He lowered his head and gently blew on the soup to cool it. She then complained that her hair was messy. So, Robert picked up a comb and carefully brushed it for her, like it was something he had done many times before.

My nose stung with bitterness. I remembered how, once, I drank so much at a business dinner to help him secure a deal that I ended up with stomach bleeding. He had only asked the housekeeper to cook porridge for me.

I once asked him to comb my hair. He laughed and said, “I’m a grown man. I don’t know how to do that.”

My legs felt numb, but I forced myself to stand still. I didn’t want to walk in and look like an unwanted extra in their love story. I didn't want to be the jealous wife in a bad novel.

Eventually, Robert half-carried Silvia to the guest room.

I turned to go downstairs, feeling dizzy. Suddenly, my foot slipped. I fell hard down the stairs.

“Ah!” A sharp pain shot through my stomach. I curled up on the floor. I felt something warm slowly flowing down my legs.

My face turned white.

“Madam!” Aunt Poppy, our housekeeper, ran over in panic. When she saw the blood, she froze in fear. “I-I tried to call Mr. Kleinn, but he told me not to disturb him no matter what. He said even if the sky fell, he was busy taking care of Ms. Kleinn.”

I bit my lip and asked her to call a taxi for me. I went to the hospital alone.

***

The nurse asked anxiously, “Where is the patient’s guardian? There’s a risk of miscarriage. We need a family member’s signature!”

I weakly opened my eyes and grabbed her sleeve. “I’ll sign… the baby… I don’t want to keep it.”

My voice was soft, but it wasn't exactly an easy decision. Besides, Robert already planned to persuade me into abortion. He had the heart to say that despite us having this child after so much effort...

If my child's father no longer wanted it, then I'd let my baby go.

The doctor hesitated. “But we can try to save—”

“No need.” I closed my eyes. Tears slid down silently.

On the cold operating table, the bright white lights made me dizzy. The sound of medical instruments was cruel. Each movement felt like something was being cut out of my heart.

I bit my lip until I tasted blood, refusing to make a sound.

***

When I woke up, it was already morning. Ignoring the nurse’s advice to rest, I took a taxi home.

As soon as I entered the house, a man pulled me tightly into his arms.

Robert looked worried. “Where did you go so early, sweetheart? You scared me to death!”

Wasn’t it you who said not to disturb you even if the sky fell?

I almost laughed. I almost told him he no longer had to worry about his “dear sister” being upset because of the baby. Even so, I said calmly, “I went out for some fresh air.”

“Next time, let me go with you. I worry about you,” he said with relief. He led me upstairs and quickly helped me change into the new dress.

Robert didn’t even notice that my stomach was no longer round.

Today was his mother’s birthday. It would also be the last time I attended a dinner with the Kleinns.

His parents never liked me. They blamed me for not giving them a grandchild. They also believed I had made Robert too obsessed with love… so obsessed that he almost died in the earthquake.

But, they wouldn’t need to worry about that anymore. What they should worry about was the scandal their family was about to face.

The moment I discovered Robert's betrayal, I swore that even if I went to hell, I would take him down with me.

“Where is your dear sister?” I asked sharply, looking around when I didn’t see Silvia.

“My parents sent a car to pick her up early this morning,” Robert said. He seemed to notice my tone and kissed my cheek. “Relax. Silvy is just my sister. You know how much my parents spoil her. If I don’t take good care of her, they won’t forgive me.”

Yes. You take very good care of her. Even in bed. I was so sure his proud, reputation-loving parents would be very satisfied with his achievements.

When we arrived at the Kleinn's estate, Robert went to park the car.

I walked inside, then stopped.

The living room was lively. Theodore and Mary, Robert's parents, were sitting on the sofa. Silvia sat between them, leaning sweetly against Mary’s shoulder.

Mary took a jewelry box from a servant and carefully put a jade necklace and earrings on Silvia.

“Our Silvy is turning twenty soon. This is an early birthday gift from Mom. It's the Kleinn Family heirloom.”

Mary's face was full of love, pride and warmth. It was an expression I had never seen directed at me.

Theodore frowned with disgust. “It was supposed to go to my daughter-in-law… But when I think about that useless woman. Sure, she’s finally pregnant after so long, but her baby turns out abnormal. Ugh, it makes me sick!”

He added, “And she even dares to harass our daughter? I’ll teach her a lesson!”

###Chapter 4

I stood frozen at the doorway, feeling like I couldn’t breathe.

What did I even do wrong? The one that caused us difficulty in having a child was Robert.

Then, Silvia? Five years ago, when she was first adopted, Robert didn’t even like her. She was thin and fragile from long-term malnutrition. I was the one who felt sorry for her.

“Her mother is dead and her father disappeared,” I used to tell Robert. “She’s already suffered enough. You’re her family now, Robby. You should treat her better.”

I cared for Silvia like my real younger sister. Whenever I bought something, I carefully prepared an extra set for her. When Robert became impatient with her, I tried to act as a bridge between them.

Without me noticing, she grew into a healthy, beautiful young woman with a striking figure.

I trusted Robert too much. I never realized that the way he looked at her had already changed.

The moment Theodore and Mary saw me, their smiles froze. “You still had the guts to show up?” Mary rolled her eyes. “Good. Tell us honestly, did you abuse Silvy?”

“What? That’s ridiculous!” I shouted. “I never even scold her!”

“Still denying it?” Theodore stood up. His tall figure was intimidating. “Silvy told us herself. Those bruises on her body are because you were pinching her.”

Silvia hid behind Mary, lowered her collar slightly and sent me a mischievous smile.

I understood everything. Those weren’t bruises from me. They were love bites. Mary and Theodore discovered them, so she pushed the blame onto me.

How shameless.

Mary glared at me. “She was only staying at your house for a few days and you harassed her? You even called her a cheap woman who seduced your husband. Is that true?”

I trembled. “Isn’t that exactly what she is?”

Suddenly, Silvia’s eyes turned red. She covered her face and started crying. “Kayla, I didn’t know you hated me so much… You would accuse me and my brother of something dirty just to chase me away?”

Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Fine, I’ll leave. I’ll leave the Kleinns. I’ll never show up in front of my brother again!”

Mary immediately pulled her into her arms and comforted her. “The one who should leave is her, not you.”

With a gesture from Theodore, their family's lawyer stepped forward.

“Take back all the shares of Kleinn Corporations under her name,” Theodore said coldly. “Transfer them to Silvy.”

Silvia’s face flashed with joy. Then she quickly shook her head, pretending to be shy. “No, Dad, that’s too valuable. I can’t accept it!”

My blood felt freezing. “You have no right! Those shares belong to me!”

For three years at Kleinn Corporations, I had secured projects that others failed to win. Didn’t they know that? All because of one lie from Silvia?

Around us, Mary’s guests looked at me strangely. Waves of criticism and contempt surrounded me.

“Even if Silvy is adopted, she’s still a rich family’s daughter. She won’t let some bad woman harass her.”

“Kayla’s useless herself, so she’s jealous of the adopted daughter being favored. Maybe she was planning to take over the Kleinns' property all along. Now she’s pregnant with a defective child. Well, serves her right!”

I wanted to scream that my baby was healthy. We could go to the hospital and check right now!

But the words stopped in my throat. Because my baby was already gone. I had lost even the evidence to defend myself.

Helplessness and panic tightened around my chest. My vision went dark.

“Mom, Dad, why are you pressuring Ayla again? I already said our baby doesn’t matter. If you keep doing this, we won’t come back anymore!”

Robert’s cold voice came from behind me.

Almost instinctively, I turned toward him, hoping for support.

But Silvia was faster. She threw herself into his arms, crying as if she had suffered terribly.

“Brother, I’m sorry! I embarrassed you. I forgot that you’re married now. You’re not just my brother anymore…”

Robert froze for a moment, then caught her steadily. He looked down at her tear-stained face, his eyes full of concern. “Silly girl, what are you saying? Don’t cry. Tell me, who harassed you?”

Silvia wrapped her arms tightly around his strong waist and buried her face in his chest. Her shoulders trembled, looking innocent and fragile.

“I shouldn’t have disturbed you and Kayla’s private time. Brother, can you hug me one last time? After today, I’ll disappear. I won’t make Kayla angry again…” She pretended to be the victim, but her eyes glanced timidly at me.

Robert held her even tighter. His voice was so gentle it almost dripped with warmth. “You are never a nuisance. And don’t ever talk about going away. I won’t allow it.”

His gaze burned with emotion, as if he was about to say what he truly felt... that he no longer wanted to be just her brother.

I stood there like an outsider in all this matter.

Finally, Robert looked at me. But his eyes were full of blame. “What did you say to Silvy? Didn’t I tell you she’s just my sister?”

His gaze dropped to the hand I was holding over my stomach. His brows tightened. “Are you taking out your pregnancy frustration on her?”

I replied, “I didn’t—”

“I’m sorry, Kayla!” Silvia suddenly screamed, cutting me off. “I don’t want my brother anymore. I don’t want the shares of Kleinn Corporations either! I just beg you, please stop making things hard for me!” She cried pitifully.

The air around Robert turned cold. After a moment of silence, he spoke without any warmth. “Silvy is part of this family. She obviously deserves a share of Kleinn Corporations. Transfer half of Ayla’s shares to her.”

The lawyer handed me the contract.

“Ayla. Sign it.” Robert looked at me with a clear warning. As if saying that if I dared to touch Silvia again, I would pay the price.

He had already decided his stance. Now he pressured me.

But I only gave a faint smile. “I’ll sign.”

Two soft words. I was filled with deep disappointment. Finally, I lowered my gaze, my eyes red.

For a brief second, something pierced Robert’s heart.

I picked up the pen and signed my name with force, almost tearing the paper. I threw the document and the birthday gift I had carefully prepared toward Robert. I wasted no time to leave the place.

Robert held the thin documents, but it felt as heavy as iron. Like he was holding the document that ended our marriage.

“Ayla!” He reached out to grab me.

Silvia suddenly cried out in his arms, “Brother, my chest hurts! I think Kayla hit me just now!”

Robert immediately withdrew his hand and lifted Silvia into his arms. “I’ll take you to the hospital right now!”