When I woke up, I found myself lying in my own bed.

Turning my head, I saw Daniel next to me.

Noticing my gaze, he opened his eyes and pulled me into his arms, his voice soft with guilt. “Natalie, you’re awake. Do you want to sleep a little longer?”

Feeling the warmth of his chest, I felt a sharp ache and pushed him away.

“Daniel, what are you pretending for?”

He froze for a moment, then said, “I’m sorry. I thought Mom was just trying to scare you. I didn’t think those two servants would really lock you in the storage room.”

“Mom went a little too far this time, but you were the one who hurt Jennifer.”

Even now, he was still making excuses. I looked down and let out a cold laugh. “If you hadn’t said what you did, would they have dared to lock me up?”

I paused, then added, “Since your mom already treats Jennifer like her real daughter-in-law, why don’t I just leave? Then you and Jennifer can be together and your mom won’t be upset every time she sees me.”

With that, I got up and started to walk away.

Daniel quickly pulled me into a hug, his voice shaking. “Natalie, after three years together, I won’t let you go.”

“Are you still upset about Jennifer? Then I’ll ask her to move out. I won’t see her again.”

His words might fool a young girl, but I won’t fall for them again.

I shoved him away. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, Jennifer suddenly threw open the bedroom door.

She froze, eyes wide in shock. Tears filled her eyes as she looked at Daniel.

“No need to kick me out. I’ll take Rihanna and leave right now.”

With that, she turned and walked out. Daniel looked panicked and jumped out of bed to chase her, not even sparing me a glance.

Watching him run down the hallway, I couldn’t help but follow.

Jennifer stood on the second-floor balcony, looking down at the two-meter-deep swimming pool.

Her eyes were red as she looked at Daniel, her voice shaking. “Daniel, if even you don’t want me anymore, then I’ll just jump. I know you and Natalie are the real couple, but I can’t help feeling jealous.”

“Please take care of Rihanna after I’m gone. And don’t try to stop me.”

She stepped toward the railing.

Daniel rushed forward and hugged Jennifer tightly, his eyes full of pain.

“I’m sorry. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have said those things. But the one I truly love is you. We still have Rihanna. If you really jump, what will happen to her? What about me?”

He looked at Jennifer with deep affection. Watching their little love scene unfold, I stepped out from the shadows and slowly clapped.

The moment Daniel saw me, his face froze.

He opened his mouth, then finally said with difficulty, “Natalie, I’ll explain everything tonight, okay?”

I shook my head and looked at him calmly. “No need. I’ll leave on my own soon. I won’t get in the way of your love.”

I turned to leave, but Daniel reached out to stop me.

Before he could grab me, Jennifer stepped in front of me.

“Natalie, please don’t leave Daniel because of me. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have brought Rihanna here and I shouldn’t have gotten so close to Daniel. I should be the one to leave.”

Seeing Jennifer’s fake expression made me feel sick.

I said coldly, “Are you done? If you are, then move out of the way.”

But instead of stepping aside, Jennifer grabbed my arm. “Natalie, you and Daniel have to stay well. That way, I’ll feel better even if I leave…”

I gave her a mocking smile and pulled my arm free from her grip.

But the next second, Jennifer screamed, threw up her arm and fell backward.

Daniel, looking panicked, pushed me aside and rushed to catch her.

He held her tightly by the waist, his voice full of relief. “Thank goodness you’re okay. I would’ve never forgiven myself if something happened to you.”

But he didn’t see that I had fallen from the second-floor balcony into the pool.

The pool water rushed into my nose, choking me instantly.

I flailed my arms and shouted toward the second-floor balcony, "Daniel! Help me!"

I saw Daniel rush down in a panic, but he stopped at the edge of the pool.

Then, he pulled Jennifer into his arms. "You’ve suffered because of Natalie. Now it's her turn to be taught a lesson."

He looked down at me as I struggled, eyes full of despair, but he didn’t move.

I stared at him in shock, my heart sinking. Soon, everything went dark and I grew weaker from lack of air.

Right before I lost consciousness, Daniel took off his jacket, jumped in and pulled me out. His eyes were cold. "Natalie, this is just a small warning. If you hurt Jennifer again, I don’t know what I’ll do."

When I woke up, loud arguing from downstairs pulled me back.

I opened the bedroom door and saw Daniel and Jennifer fighting.

Jennifer was holding a suitcase in one hand and gripping Rihanna’s arm with the other, pretending to be on the verge of tears.

"Daniel, let go. Instead of waiting for Natalie to kick us out, I’d rather take Rihanna and leave now."

With that, she shook off Daniel’s hand and turned to leave.

Daniel’s eyes were full of pity and pain. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Jennifer’s waist. "No, as long as I’m here, no one will dare chase you away. You and Rihanna can stay here forever. What happened yesterday was Natalie’s fault. I’ve already punished her. She won’t touch you again."

I slowly walked down the stairs, glaring at Jennifer with a cold smile.

"If you really wanted to leave, you wouldn’t have waited until today. You should’ve left last night while Daniel was asleep."

Seeing Daniel hesitate, Jennifer bit her lip and suddenly dropped to her knees.

"Natalie, all of this is my fault. I shouldn’t have come between you and Daniel. If you two are okay now, I’ll leave."

She stood up, opened the villa door and was about to walk out when Daniel grabbed her arm and yelled, "Enough!"

He turned to me, eyes full of anger. "Natalie, don’t you think this house is chaotic enough? Jennifer has never done anything to hurt you, so why do you keep going after her?"

His voice was filled with disappointment. "Natalie, we’ve been married for three years. When did you become so jealous? I barely recognize you anymore."

I lowered my head and sneered, stepping closer. "You don’t recognize me because your heart was never with me. All you care about is Jennifer."

"Since you’ve chosen to let her stay, I’ll go."

Everything in the villa was covered in Daniel’s scent. I didn’t want any of it anymore, so I left everything behind.

As I stepped out the door, Daniel’s angry voice followed me. "Natalie, there’s a limit to jealousy. If you walk out today, don’t bother coming back!"

I didn’t turn around. I just said it to myself—Fine, I won’t come back.

After leaving the villa, I took out my phone and sent a message.

[When will the heart source be found?]

The reply came quickly, [We’ve got news. Just wait two more days.]

In two days, I’d be able to leave this place for good.

The next night, I arrived at the banquet in formal dress.

It was held for the Swift Family's eldest daughter's graduation, a promise made long ago, so I had to attend.

I sat quietly in a corner, sipping my drink.

As expected, it wasn’t long before Daniel and Jennifer made a grand entrance.

Jennifer held onto Daniel’s arm, smiling politely.

Everyone thought Jennifer was his wife and started praising her.

“Daniel and his wife have such a sweet relationship! We’re so jealous.”

Daniel smiled softly, taking in all the compliments like they were really a couple.

Not wanting to see them anymore, I took my glass of wine and stepped out onto the villa’s balcony for some fresh air.

My champagne was finished and just as I was about to head back in, Jennifer walked up beside me.

“Natalie, you’ve already lost. Daniel loves me now. Can you really leave Rihanna without a father?”

I gave her a cold smile. “What are you really trying to say?”

“I want you to leave right now. I want to be Mrs. Chalamet.”

I nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll go. I gave up on Daniel a long time ago.”

I turned to leave, but Jennifer grabbed my arm.

Just as I was about to ask what she meant, someone came up behind me and pressed a towel with drugs over my nose.

Just before everything went dark, I saw Jennifer smirking. “But I don’t believe you.”

When I opened my eyes, I realized I was tied to a chair, unable to move.

Next to me sat Jennifer, also bound. She looked at me with a smug smile. "Natalie, if Daniel knew we were both kidnapped and could only save one of us, who do you think he’d choose?"

I stared at her in disbelief. "This was your doing?"

She laughed loudly. "So what if it was? I just want Daniel. Is that so wrong?"

I was about to reply when someone rushed in and spoke to the man in charge. "Boss, Daniel is here."

Moments later, two men in black stood behind us, each holding a knife.

As Daniel walked in, my heart raced. The leader smirked. "Daniel, what a lucky man. Two beautiful women, but you can only pick one. Choose now, or both die."

"Three..."

"Two..."

Before he reached one, Daniel suddenly raised his hand and pointed at Jennifer. "Her. Let her go."

The man grinned. "Daniel doesn’t hesitate. Alright then, let’s deal with the other one."

He told someone to untie the ropes around me. But right after that, he suddenly pushed me to the ground.

In seconds, punches started hitting me from all sides.

I held my stomach, trying to protect my baby.

Then someone kicked me hard in the stomach. The man laughed when he saw me in pain. “Daniel, you better leave now. If I change my mind and don’t let her go, it won’t end well.”

Through the crowd, I looked at Daniel and begged, “Please… save me, save our baby…”

But Daniel acted like he didn’t hear me. He took Jennifer’s hand and walked away without looking back.

Tears rolled down my face and hit the floor. I held my stomach, feeling the tiny life inside me slip away.

Then I closed my eyes, full of pain and hopelessness.