“Do you still blame me, Linette? I really didn’t know the miscarriage would hurt you that much.

“But since you’re back, Rowan and I will make it up to you.

“Once you’re pregnant with me and Rowan’s child, I’ll give you a room at home. It’ll be like a nanny room. After you give birth, it’ll be easier for you to take care of our baby.

“But before IVF, you should really get a full check-up. After all, life overseas is kind of messy. We don’t even know what you’ve been doing these past five years that made you want to hide from everyone…”

It had been five years, yet she was still as disgustingly petty as ever.

When I frowned, Rowan took it as jealousy. His brows slightly lifted, and satisfaction crept into his tone.

“Tara’s right. Having a baby is a big deal.

“How about this, Linette? I’ll take you for a full physical tomorrow, maybe even a genetic screening.

“If everything checks out, I’ll book a doctor right away. Oh, and you probably don’t have money, right? I’ll give you $200 first. Think of it as a deposit.”

He pulled out his wallet and flicked out two crisp, blue bills.

“Here. Consider it a deposit.”

The people around him could not hold it in and burst out laughing.

“Linette, it’s been five years. How did you get even cheaper?”

“Rowan, why even give her $200? Toss her two dimes, and she’ll be grateful.”

“What are you standing there for? Say thank you already.”

The familiar scene dragged me back to an old memory.

It was three in the morning. I had run from the north of the city to the south just to bring them roasted chestnuts.

They were just like this too, laughing as they pulled out a couple of crumpled bills and tossed them onto the ground.

Then, they would put on fake smiles and say, “Thanks, Linette.”

Tara smoothed her hair and pretended to let out a sigh.

“Looks like life’s been really hard on you, Linette. Don’t worry. I’m not petty.

“Once you give birth to mine and Rowan’s baby, I’ll give you a big payment. I won’t mistreat you.”

Rowan’s gaze softened as though he was moved by her words.

“Tara, you’re still so kind.

“Unlike her! She had a miscarriage, but it’s not like she can’t have kids. She actually threw a tantrum and went abroad for five years. She’s just as petty as her mother.”

My heartbeat stalled for a second when I heard that.

My mother was the family’s original wife, but my father cheated while she was pregnant. Tara was the result of that affair.

After my mother died, barely a week passed before Tara’s mother moved in.

Then, my wedding was called off, and I lost my child.

When I was in the hospital, Rowan never once showed up.

That was when I realized that he was rotten.

The boy who once fought for me, teeth clenched in pain just to stop me from crying…

The boy who defied his family and walked every street with me…

The boy who knelt in front of my mother’s grave and swore he would love me forever…

Somewhere along the way, he disappeared.

I came back to my senses, shaking my head. The past suddenly felt like it belonged to someone else.

After all, I was already married.

My second child was about to turn one month old.

…

My gaze settled back into something calm. I looked straight at Rowan and got right to the point.

“I’m the person you’re all waiting for. You can leave now.”

The crowd went quiet for a moment.

Then, everyone looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Tara even laughed until she had tears in her eyes, then shoved the bouquet she had prepared to welcome ‘Aunt’ right into my face.

“Linette, it’s been five years, yet you haven’t changed at all. Where do you get that confidence from?

“We’re welcoming Rowan’s aunt-in-law, the future lady of the Shaw family.

“Not you, a piece of trash who can’t even keep a child.”

Her last sentence was spoken so softly that no one could hear them except me.

The others quickly picked up on Tara’s words, mocking me one after another.

“Tara’s right. Everyone in our circle knows Mr. Shaw didn’t marry until he was thirty-five. He was waiting for his true love.

“After finally marrying her, he held a seven-day wedding celebration in France. I heard even a princess from the royal family attended.”

“Too bad Rowan was busy then and couldn’t go abroad.”

“Linette, did five years overseas mess with your head? You’re even pretending to be Mr. Shaw’s wife now?”

They kept talking over one another, rolling their eyes so hard that it looked like they might get stuck.

I said nothing, but the memory of that grand wedding made something in my chest stir.

If it were not for that ceremony, I would not have believed Logan had actually waited seven years for me.

Tara mistook my silence for guilt and grew even more smug.

“See this watch on my wrist?

“Last Valentine’s Day, Rowan’s uncle had a custom diamond watch made in Switzerland. It’s one of a kind in the world.

“The diamonds alone were worth $40 million.

“What I’m wearing is just a replica. It’s not that expensive. It only costs about $3 million!”

Her triumphant smile had just formed when someone suddenly shoved her, pointed at my wrist, and gasped, “Tara, Linette’s watch… Isn’t it the same as yours?”

Everyone suddenly fell silent.

Rowan was the first to step forward. He grabbed my wrist and studied it closely.

Three seconds later, he scoffed in relief.

“The diamonds are too bright. They’re obviously lab-grown and worthless.”

He gave everyone a faint smirk.

“Linette, which security guard gave you this? You’re even showing off trash like this?”

I pulled my hand away and carefully wiped the watch face.

This was the gift Logan gave me the day I found out I was pregnant. I would not let them dirty it.

Rowan noticed how much I cared and suddenly snapped. He grabbed my hand and slammed it against the wall.

The watch face shattered on impact.

Tara clapped a hand over her chest and smiled brightly at the broken glass.

“See? Fake things break so easily.

“Honestly, I almost believed for a second that you were that legendary Mrs. Shaw.

“That scared me to death.”

Watching her exaggerated performance, the crowd finally could not hold it in and burst out laughing.

Even though none of them had ever seen Logan, they all knew one thing for certain.

He was the most powerful man in the Shaw family in the past thirty years—the absolute peak of privilege and power.

Even if he lost his mind, he would never get involved with his nephew’s fiancée, let alone spoil her like he was the apple of her eye.

It was impossible.

Rowan was not laughing. He stared at my ruined watch, and his expression turned cold.

“Linette, be sensible. Don’t wear that anymore. I’ll buy you a better one.

“Just throw it away.”

I found it amusing. Who was he to order me around?

“No way. My husband gave this to me. His name is Lo…”

Slap!

The sound cut through the air.

Pain burned across my face, and blood seeped from the corner of my mouth.

I froze for a moment. Rowan stared at me, trembling with rage.

“Linette, you’re insane!”

…

Rowan locked eyes with me. His emotions jumped between rage and fear.

“Do you even know who Logan is? Yes, he’s my uncle, but I’m nothing in his eyes.

“If rumors like this reach his wife, it won’t just be you. I'll be finished too!

“Linette, are you trying to kill me?”

The others finally caught on and turned to glare at me.

“I knew she had bad intentions! She left in a huff five years ago, and now, she’s back to take revenge on Rowan! Damn! And to think Rowan was out here, looking all over for you. You ungrateful snake!”

“Yeah, seriously. Good thing Rowan never actually married her. She would’ve ruined him sooner or later.”

Tara’s face twisted with resentment.

“Why can’t you just be a little more reasonable, Linette?

“Rowan and I have already decided to make it up to you. We’re even giving you the chance to have our baby. What more do you want? Do you really have to destroy his reputation before you’re satisfied?”

Her tone sounded so disappointed, as if I had failed her. It dragged me right back to five years ago.

Five years ago, Tara used that same tone, smearing my name bit by bit.

At first, Rowan would call her out.

Little by little, he lost the patience to hear me explain.

Just like now. I had not said a single word, yet his anger had already completely exploded.

He grabbed Tara’s hand, then suddenly pulled out a ring and hurled it at my face.

“Out of respect for what we had, I’ll give you one more chance.

“Put the ring on. Tara will be my wife, and you’ll be the side piece.”

The diamond scraped the corner of my eye, drawing a thin line of blood. I lifted my head and stared at him. Hatred surged within me.

He froze for a second as panic flashed across his face.

Tara quickly grabbed him before he could react.

I said nothing. I bent down and picked up the ring in front of them.

It was the engagement ring Rowan and I once shared. Before I left the country, I had thrown it away at the hospital.

As Rowan watched me, the panic in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by smug confidence. “That’s more like it. Don’t worry. Once my uncle’s back, I’ll make a name for myself in front of him.

“When I take over the company, I’ll treat you well…”

He cut himself off.

Right before everyone’s stunned eyes, I tossed the ring Rowan had kept for five years straight into the trash.

“Sorry. I don’t accept secondhand goods.”

…

I tossed the ring and turned to leave.

After only two steps, Rowan grabbed me. His eyes were red.

“Linette, what’s that supposed to mean? You really want to cut things off with me for good?”

I smiled.

“What else could it mean?”

Did he really expect me to wag my tail like a dog again?

I could not help but press my lips together at the thought of it.

Rowan glanced back at the pitiful-looking Tara and seemed to come to a realization.

“Oh, I get it. You want to be the wife, right?

“How about this? Come to the hospital with me tomorrow. If you can give me a healthy child, I might consider marrying you.”

“No need.”

I was unable to listen any longer and interrupted him.

“I’m not interested in IVF.”

He paused for a moment, then a flicker of excitement crossed his eyes. The corners of his lips lifted, and his tone softened slightly.

“Fine, no IVF. We’ll do it naturally.

“But you still need a check-up first. Tara’s right. Life overseas is messy. We can’t take any risks.”

The smile on Tara’s face stiffened.

I rolled my eyes and walked off.

Five years ago, on my wedding day with Rowan, he and Tara disappeared at the same time when he was on his way to pick me up.

All that was left was their marriage certificate posted in the family group chat.

I refused to believe it. I ran out crying to find him, and I got into a car accident on the way.

The doctor told me I had miscarried.

Rowan never showed up once. He only sent a few messages.

[Tara is sick. She needs a placenta as medicine. I’m sorry.]

[But don’t worry. Once she’s better, I’ll divorce her. You’ll still be my bride.]

I stared all night blankly at the nine-photo announcement post Tara had shared on social media.

After that, I left the country without telling anyone and went to stay with my uncle’s family abroad.

A month later, I met Logan Shaw.