As a wealthy heiress, the most rebellious thing I'd ever done in my life was to be Bruce Kennan's mistress for ten years.

I fell for him at first sight, casting aside my dignity, and he promised me he would marry me.

But on the wedding day, his first love returned from overseas.

That very day, their intimate photos flooded the entertainment headlines.

His first love even posted on Instagram: [In the end, it's always you.]

The accompanying picture was a photo of Bruce kissing her.

People laughed at me, saying I had finally been discarded. I steeled myself. "Let this pair of scoundrels lock themselves away."

I steadied my emotions and thought to myself, "Let this pair of scoundrels be together forever."

*****

Today was supposed to be my wedding night with Bruce.

Instead, I saw pictures of him kissing another woman plastered across every entertainment news outlet.

Listening to the sounds of pleasure on my phone, my fingers clenched tightly, trembling uncontrollably.

I wanted to call him, to hear him say it was all a lie, so I could believe him.

But reality slapped me in the face.

I hung up, instinctively placing a hand on my stomach.

"I'm sorry, baby. Mommy failed you."

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

It wasn't until the early hours that Bruce finally returned.

"Why are you still awake?"

I forced a smile. "She's back, isn't she?"

Bruce's face showed impatience. "This has nothing to do with you."

Tears welled in my eyes. "Bruce, do you love me?"

"Cheryl, what's the point of asking me this? If it weren't for you using the baby to pressure both of our families, I wouldn't have married you," he said, his eyes narrowing with annoyance.

I cried harder. "What about the ten years we've been together?"

Bruce grabbed my chin. "Cheryl, as long as you behave and don't interfere with Selena, I promise the position of Mrs. Kennan is still yours."

He shoved me away, and I fell to the ground.

I looked up at him, eyes bloodshot. "Bruce, don't you have any love for me at all?"

Bruce fell silent.

I gazed at the man I had loved for a decade, forcing a smile as tears continued to fall.

I had thought that after ten years, I could warm his icy heart. I thought he would be happy about the baby.

But in his eyes, the child was merely a bargaining chip.

I closed my eyes. "Bruce, whether you believe it or not, I've never intended to use the baby as leverage."

He scoffed. "Cheryl, you live so hypocritically every day. Aren't you tired?"

With that, Bruce stormed off.

I sank to the cold floor, my heart feeling like it had been crushed repeatedly, struggling for breath.

I had known all along that he had an unforgettable first love, yet I still dove into this relationship headfirst.

I thought I could make him love me, but in the end, I became the joke.

Before Selena Malan even filed for divorce, Bruce had secretly kept an eye on her, fearing even the slightest harm would come to her.

Now that she was single, he could stand by her openly, while I remained in the shadows, forever unseen.

In this relationship, I had lost everything.

Slap!

"Cheryl, you really are useless. You can't even keep a man. I thought having you would end Bruce's infatuation with that little vixen."

My face swelled up immediately.

"Lisa, Bruce's heart was never truly with me." I bitterly pressed my lips together.

Bruce's mother despised Selena, thinking her celebrity status was unworthy of Bruce.

If it weren't for my parents giving me half their company shares as a wedding gift, she probably wouldn't have even allowed me into the Kennan family.

She pointed a finger at my forehead. "You useless thing! I'll make sure Bruce comes back today. You better seize this opportunity and get pregnant."

Tears trickled down my face.

Bruce thought I was using the baby as leverage to marry him, but the truth was, aside from him, I hadn't told anyone.

The happiness I believed I had meant nothing to him.

I lay exhausted on the bed.

Bruce pulled me up angrily. "Cheryl Wallis, what do you want?"

Not wanting to argue, I turned my gaze elsewhere.

He gritted his teeth. "Cheryl, don't be so greedy. You think using my mother against me will make me powerless?"

He grasped my chin, forcing me to look him in the eye. "You've worked hard for this, haven't you? You want me in your bed, right? I'll grant your wish."

Bruce leaned in closer.

I pushed him away quickly. "Bruce, I didn't."

He pinned my shoulders, his eyes filled with rage. "Cheryl, isn't this what you wanted?"

He pressed me onto the bed, leaving me no chance to resist.

"Bruce, please, I'm pregnant. I'm begging you."

My voice trembled, tears filling my eyes.

Bruce braced himself, his tone threatening. "Cheryl, you better behave."

I curled up, burying my head under the covers, my heart feeling as if it was bleeding.

In Bruce's eyes, I was just a manipulative woman willing to do anything to get what I wanted.

Photos of Bruce and Selena on vacation abroad were leaked, instantly trending online.

In the pictures, they strolled and kissed, looking blissfully in love, making me feel like the third wheel among us.

The number of fans who supported them was huge.

It felt like countless dull knives were slicing through me, leaving me bloodied.

I never expected to run into them on my way to a checkup.

Bruce had his arm around Selena, both laughing and chatting.

As soon as Bruce saw me, his face darkened.

I intended to walk away, but Selena blocked my path. "Aren't you going to greet your sister?"

Selena was my half-sister. I had always known my mother had another daughter, but I only recently discovered it was her.

What a small world.

"I have nothing to say to you," I replied coldly.

"Cheryl, where's your manners?" Bruce seemed displeased with my attitude.

I scoffed. "I haven't slapped a woman who stole my husband, so that's my manners."

I bit the soft meat in my mouth tightly, and the salty and fishy taste filled my entire mouth.

Selena grabbed my arm, feigning innocence. "Cheryl, I didn't mean it that way."

I looked at her practically clinging to Bruce and laughed mockingly. "Selena, stop acting. You can't fool me."

Selena's expression faltered. "No, it's not like that. My ex-husband won't leave me alone. I was scared, so I called Bruce."

"Really? Miss Malan can't call the police and has to call a married man instead?

"You have nothing to hide. Your intimate photos are all over the internet.

"Do you want me to witness you two in bed before you admit it?"

Bruce suddenly grabbed my neck. "Cheryl, apologize to Selena."

My face flushed red, tears forced out as I managed to choke out. "No way."

As I struggled to breathe, Bruce finally let go.

I gasped for air, coughing heavily.

Selena suddenly pushed me forward. "Cheryl, why are you pushing me?"

As she spoke, she shoved me toward the road.

I pushed against her, but from Bruce's perspective, it seemed like I was the aggressor.

He tried to separate us.

Suddenly, Selena used her strength to shove me to the ground, and a car sped toward us.

I felt my body lift off the ground, the impact throwing me off balance.

Pain surged through me, especially in my lower abdomen.

I heard Bruce shout. "Selena!"

Struggling, I reached out for him.

But he scooped the unconscious Selena into his arms, not sparing me a glance.

Blood flowed from my abdomen, and I wanted to scream for help, but no one came.

When I woke up again, I grabbed the nurse's arm. "My... baby..."

"Your baby is gone."

My heart sank. Selena had killed my child.

I ignored my pain and rushed to Selena's room, where Bruce was feeding her fruit, his concern evident.

I lunged at her, gripping her throat. "Selena, you deserve to die for what you did to my baby!"

Bruce yanked me back, slapping my face.

"Bruce, you hit me?"

I stared at him in disbelief.

A flicker of guilt crossed his face.

"Cheryl, stop it. Selena is hurt too. Don't make a scene."

"A scene? Bruce, I spoke to the doctor. She only has a minor scrape!

"What about me? My baby is gone!"

Tears streamed down my face, each one like a needle piercing my heart.

"What compensation do you want, Cheryl? I'll give it to you."

I shouted, "I want her dead! Will you give it to me?"

I was nearly hysterical.

"Sorry, Cheryl, I didn't mean to," Selena cried, looking pitiful.

"Stop playing innocent?"

Bruce spoke softly to me, "Cheryl, let's rest for a bit. I'll handle this."

He led me back to the room, where he showered me with attention over the next few days, just like before.

But I knew it was all an act.

Bruce's true intention was to harvest my bone marrow.

Selena had leukemia and couldn't find a match even with her own mother.

But I was a perfect match. Bruce was deliberately neglecting Selena while fawning over me, all for the transplant.

If I hadn't overheard their conversation, I would have remained blissfully unaware.

I laughed at myself for being so naive, deceived by love.

When Bruce realized I knew, he dropped the facade. "Cheryl, you have no choice in this matter."

My mother came to the hospital, pleading on her knees for me to save Selena.

"Mom, she's your daughter! But what about me?"

"She is still your sister," my mother pleaded.

"And my baby? What about my child?" My heart felt like it was being squeezed, making it hard to breathe.

My mother's gaze faltered. "You'll have more children."

I smiled, a hollow laugh, feeling the pressure from everyone.

Bruce kept coming to me, insisting. "Cheryl, if you save Selena, I'll give you a child.

"He will be the sole heir to the Kennan family."

Looking at Bruce's earnest expression, I suddenly felt a pang of envy for Selena.

On the day of the surgery, I grabbed Bruce's arm.

"After this surgery, we're getting a divorce."