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.

Two months later, I married Logan.

Now, I was barely out of postpartum recovery for my second child.

Coming back to the country, I really did not want anything more to do with my old ‘friends’.

I frowned slightly, hoping Rowan would not stir up any more trouble. Otherwise my husband, who was the jealous type, would definitely not let it slide.

…

The next day, I went to the hospital alone for a check-up because of the injury on my face.

Rowan’s eyes lit up the moment he saw me.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t coming? What, still can’t let me go?”

He rushed over in a few quick steps, glancing at my bare face as satisfaction rose in his eyes.

“No makeup for the pregnancy prep? Looks like you actually listened to me.”

I did not respond and walked straight to the department where I had booked an appointment.

Rowan frowned and grabbed my arm.

“IVF is this way. Where are you going?”

I shook him off and waved at the hospital director who was walking toward me.

“The person picking me up has arrived. Where I go has nothing to do with you.”

Rowan followed my gaze and saw the director. His expression changed.

Tara sensed the shift in his mood. She shot me a venomous look and suddenly screamed, pointing at my wristwatch.

“Isn’t that Mr. Logan’s wife’s watch? Linette, when did you steal that?”

Her sharp voice instantly drew everyone’s attention.

“Am I seeing this right? Isn’t that the one-of-a-kind full-diamond watch?”

“It looks like it, but she doesn’t look rich at all.”

“Didn’t you hear? It was stolen. Call security!”

“That watch was specially custom-made by Mr. Logan for his wife. If it’s really stolen, she’s done for. Call the police!”

Even the director slowed his steps and approached Rowan.

“Mr. Rowan, do you know her?”

Rowan froze for a moment. He looked like he was about to speak for me, then he turned his head toward me, as though he was expecting something.

I knew he was waiting for me to ask him for help.

I remained expressionless. I did not want anything to do with him.

Rowan shook his head.

“I don’t know her.”

Tara let out a snort of laughter, like a rooster that had just won a fight.

“Hand over the watch right now, and get out!”

I remained silent.

Tara was frustrated. She lunged at me and grabbed my wrist.

I lost my balance and fell hard backward.

She stepped on my hand and yanked the watch off my wrist.

The watch strap cut deep into my wrist, leaving blood streaming down my arm.

Rowan panicked and moved forward to help me.

However, security had already pushed through the crowd and pinned me down.

I had no choice but to shout, “Let go of me! I’m Logan’s…”

Slap!

Another slap cut me off.

Rowan crouched down in front of me. He lashed out at me in frustration.

“Linette, stop acting crazy! At this rate, I can’t protect you anymore!”

Then, he yanked off his tie, balled it up, and shoved it into my mouth.

“Take her away. Don’t let her embarrass herself here!”

At his command, the guards lifted me up and dragged me away.

Suddenly, the crowd fell silent. Rowan tensed and stepped in front of me, lowering his voice.

“My uncle’s here. Stay quiet.”

Then, it was like he had been possessed. He leaned closer to my ear again.

“Tara went too far today, but don’t worry. I’ll divorce her as long as you behave.

“After the IVF, we can still have our own child…”

He did not get to finish.

Logan had walked up to him.

Rowan pulled me gently into his arms in front of Logan.