Geoffrey Fontaine and I had five years of chemistry we called love. Marriage was supposed to be the formula for our forever, but the wedding was a failed trial—he left me at the altar.

That same day, his half-sister Elvira Carpenter took her own life and left behind her newborn.

In the chaos, I began having intense contractions that rushed me to the emergency room. My body was already weak, and I started bleeding heavily. I could barely stay conscious—my existing condition made things worse.

“The patient’s vitals are dropping! Where’s the family? We need blood now!” a doctor yelled.

“Hold on, Doctor. Hold on!” a voice interrupted.

It was my almost-husband. Geoffrey finally showed up.

“Hon,” he said, holding out a document, “this is a property transfer agreement. Sign this for me. Consider it your welcoming gift for my nephew.”

I could barely keep my eyes open, and my limbs were numb. But all he cared about was urging me to sign the damn papers and give up my assets for a child who wasn’t even mine.

Blood kept pouring from my body. The doctor was appalled and tried to shove him aside. “Where are the rest of the family? The patient’s going into shock! She needs blood now!”

“Elvira’s dead!” Geoffrey retorted. “Her poor baby is helpless! I’m his only family! It’s my responsibility to take care of him!”

It was unbelievable. I was dying. And yet he was fixated on his dead sister’s baby.

But I had no one else. No other match for blood. No time. With the last ounce of strength I had, I bit into my finger and pressed my blood-stained thumb against the document.

The birth was traumatic; I passed out after the operation.

The next thing I knew, ten hours had passed.

I woke up, overhearing a conversation between Geoffrey and his assistant.

“Sir, it might’ve been too soon to have Ma’am Alira sign that agreement. What if she finds out that the baby is your child with Ma’am Elvira? That’d be a disaster, sir.”

“Elvira’s gone. Our baby is all I have left. What if Alira finds out? I don’t care. Well, she won’t leave me. She’ll always be Elvira’s replacement.”

Suddenly, the room felt like it dropped ten degrees, freezing my heart.

Apparently, he never loved me. It had always been Elvira. If there was something about me that he wanted, it was to bleed me dry of all my property!

Five years of love… I gave it to the wrong guy.

‘If I’ve always been just a replacement for him, then he’s not worth holding on to!’

I made up my mind to leave—to go to Sydney and devote myself fully to biological research.

Chapter One

Alira’s POV

On my wedding day, I was veiled in ivory lace, standing before the crowd, waiting for Geoffrey to lift the veil and seal our vows with a kiss. The venue buzzed with excitement, all expectant eyes on the groom.

But then, a sudden ringtone shattered my fairytale.

Geoffrey looked shaken in an instant. Without an explanation, he turned and rushed out of the hall.

My groom had walked out mid-ceremony, and I stood frozen at the altar in disbelief. The guests too were confused, their gasps rippling.

“What’s happening? Is the groom running away?”

“Maybe he’s backing out… I heard this wedding was just a business deal anyway.”

As the murmurs grew louder and guests began to leave their seats, my head spun.

My vision blurred. My breathing quickened. I didn’t even realize right away—my water broke!

Soon, my knees buckled, and everything went black.

Geoffrey’s POV

Twenty minutes earlier, Cade, my assistant, had pushed past the officiant and handed me the phone.

What I heard made my vision blurry with tears, and without a second thought, I fled the wedding hall—never once looking back.

“Geoffrey… Please… take care of the baby,” the voice on the line pleaded. “I’m sorry—I won’t be around to raise him.”

It was Elvira, my half-sister.

The line went dead with her last sentence.

That scared the shit out of me. Thinking something worse might happen, I followed her phone’s GPS. It led me to a well-known maternity hospital in Denver.

But by the time I arrived, I watched in horror as a familiar body fell from above the building.

‘Elvira…?’

“Elvira!” I cried, running to her. I cradled her broken body, her blood pooling everywhere as she died in my arms.

I had never been heartbroken like this before. The pain was so excruciating that I was gasping for breath and my tears just wouldn’t stop.

Soon, the police secured the scene, and the doctors cooperated with the investigation. It was confirmed—Elvira had died on the spot from suicide by jumping from the 18th floor of the hospital.

I collapsed in anguish, weeping uncontrollably.

Just then, one of the doctors approached me. What he said next made me feel alive again even just for a little.

“She gave birth to a boy five minutes before she jumped. She also left this for you.” The doctor handed me a letter with my name on the envelope. “The baby’s in the nursery on the tenth floor. If—”

I didn’t hear the rest. I clutched the envelope and raced upstairs.

Alira’s POV

Geoffrey wasn’t there to notice me being wheeled into the ER.

My face must’ve looked so pale. The contractions were unbearable. I wasn’t supposed to be in labor yet. I was supposed to get married, but my ivory wedding gown was stained with crimson.

Inside the delivery room, a team of doctors worked frantically. But I was too shocked, too weak to push. I was bleeding out fast each second that passed.

They couldn’t stop the bleeding. The bed and the floor beneath it turned red. The monitors started beeping wildly—I was slipping under.

I’d code any second, so they frantically searched my phone. As soon as they found a contact saved under [Honey], they dialed the number repeatedly.

Geoffrey’s POV

In the nursery, I was still standing by the glass window, gazing at the infant in the incubator.

Elvira’s final letter stayed unopened in my hand. I couldn’t bear to open it yet. My mind was a mess. ‘Why did she take her own life after giving birth?’

My phone rang again after dozens of times. I just let it ring—until I received a text.

[Your wife’s in danger, sir! Come help save her!]

Snapping out of my daze, I raced upstream with the agreement Cade had prepared a month ago.

“Are you the patient’s husband? Hurry up, come with me now! She’s lost too much blood, and the baby hasn’t come out yet! If we wait any longer, she’ll go into shock!” the doctor urged, pulling me to donate blood.

“Hold on, Doctor. Hold on. Let me see her first,” I insisted, tucking the document behind me as I hurried into the delivery room.

Alira’s POV

Seeing him gave me a burst of hope. Though I couldn’t speak, I clenched my jaw and tried to push—but I had no strength.

“Honey, this is a property transfer agreement. Sign it now while you still can. Once you sign, I’ll go give blood,” he said, shoving some documents in my face like it was more ugent.

I didn’t know how to react. Even the doctors next to me were stunned. They tried to push him out, but he stood firm.

“My sister just died. Her baby is my only nephew. This document is for him.”

I blinked, and tears streamed down my face. I couldn’t believe he was this heartless. I was dying, and he cared more about a baby that wasn’t even mine.

“Come on, we’re out of time! She’s lost so much blood! Her pupils are dilating! She’s going into shock!” the doctor shouted, dragging Geoffrey away.

Still… he wouldn’t leave until I signed.

And so, for my own survival, I bit my finger and stamped my bloody print on the page reluctantly.

He smiled, nodded, and walked out with the document.

Five minutes later, the doctor returned with five bags of blood. But the delay had done its damage. After three hours of struggling, they had to perform a C-section.

The baby was delivered. But he was still born while I passed out from the blood loss.

By the time I finally woke up, ten hours had passed. When I tried to sit up, I realized I was alone in that hospital room.

But I heard voices from just outside the door. It was Geoffrey having a conversation with his assistant.

“He’s a beautiful baby—looks just like her. So fair.”

“Yeah. A spitting image of Elvira.”

“Without due respect, sir, wasn’t it a little… harsh? Making Ma’am Alira sign that agreement when she hadn’t even delivered her baby yet? I heard the child didn’t make it.”

“I lost Elvira. Whatever happens to Alira after that doesn’t matter anymore. Elvira’s the only one I ever cared about.”

I felt like I fell into a freezing lake, my whole body was cold, and I couldn’t cry.

‘So it’s not just a rumor. The guy I almost married has always loved his half-sister. And my baby—our baby—had died because he’s too obsessed with someone else’s! And he doesn’t care at all!’

“If she finds out the baby is yours and Ma’am Elvira’s, it’ll be a disaster, sir,” Cade warned. “She’s a renowned biologist. If she decides to investigate…”

My whole world collapsed.

‘The baby Elvira left… It’s his child with her?!’

It all made sense now—the late-night parties, the way he cared for her, even when she had morning sickness. Apparently, the signs had always been there.

That shattered whatever guard I built to protect my feelings. I couldn’t hold my tears back anymore. I curled into myself and sobbed until I couldn’t breathe.

I curled into myself and sobbed until I could barely breathe.

Moments later, Geoffrey burst in and wrapped his arms around me.

“Honey, I’m here. Hush now.”

He caressed my hair, his eyes red with affection.

“It’s my fault. But don’t worry. Once you’re ready again, we’ll have more kids. However many you want, I’ll be there,” he promised.

I stared at him in utter disbelief. The guy speaking now sounded nothing like the one I’d just overheard. How could the same lips speak of such sweetness and such cruelty?

Slowly, I composed myself. Just as I was about to ask about Elvira and the baby, his phone rang.

He quickly picked it up, frowning and looking worried. When he hang up, he spoke to me in a softened tone.

“I have to go check on Drystan. He finally started crying... but his skin doesn’t look good. You rest, okay? The nurse will stay with you.”

“Drystan? Who’s Drystan?” I asked.

“My nephew. Elvira’s baby. I named him.”

Before I could ask anything more, he had already left without looking back.

My heart ached so deeply I could hardly breathe. The next thing I felt, my wound reopened, and blood soaked the gauze.

The guy I loved for five years… hadn’t lost a moment for me or the baby we lost.

I understood then—his heart was never mine. It was always with Elvira… and now, with their child.

‘Fine,’ I thought to myself. ‘If that’s what he wants, I won’t get in his way. Once I’ve recovered, I’ll leave.’

Since I regained my consciousness, no one had told me anything about my child yet. But stillborn or not, he was once a life, a part of me.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I forced myself to get up to see him. But blood was still seeping from my wound.

I only made it a few steps before everything went black again.

Alira’s POV

“Hon! You’re finally awake!” Geoffrey cried out, his voice cracking with relief.

I found myself lying in the ICU. Even the doctors were wondering why the bleeding hadn’t stopped after surgery.

With bloodshot eyes and a tight voice, Geoffrey explained everything. I had a pre-existing condition—thrombocytopenia. It meant once I started bleeding, it was almost impossible to make it stop.

“You’re safe now, hon,” he whispered, gripping my hand tightly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

True to his word, he cleared his schedule and stayed by my side for days. He personally prepared every meal, three times a day. Under his care, I began to recover quickly.

The day before I was to be discharged, he was already packing my bags, sorting out the paperwork with a smile full of tenderness and hope.

Seeing how gentle he’d been, how devoted—part of me started to waver. Maybe I’d misunderstood what I thought I heard after waking up from my C-section.

I opened my mouth to ask him about it, but before I could speak, he lifted a spoon of soup to my lips.

“Come on, hon. Drink this,” he said. “I got up early to make pork rib soup for you.”

Then, as if slipping it in casually, he added, “Oh—and tomorrow, when you’re discharged, we should stop by the court. I’ve thought about it for a while… I think I’d feel more at ease if you formally adopt Drystan.”

The spoon froze in mid-air. I stared at him, stunned, then pushed the bowl away. Hard.

“Why would I adopt a child who isn’t mine?” My voice trembled. “My baby didn’t make it—and now you want to hand me someone else’s child?”

He set the bowl down and pulled me into his arms, murmuring over and over how pitiful Drystan was without a mother.

But I couldn’t do it. Not because I lacked compassion—but because I hadn’t forgotten what Elvira did to me when she was alive.

That woman had haunted every corner of my married life.

Geoffrey’s tone darkened. His patience was running out. “Elvira might’ve been a little overbearing, sure—but Drystan is innocent, Alira. Can’t you stop being so petty?”

He sighed and stood. “I’ve already made the arrangements. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow, okay? Rest up—I have to head back to the company.”

He grabbed his coat and left, the hospital room door slamming shut behind him.

Tears welled in my eyes as I reached for my arm, my fingers brushing over an old scar.

Years ago, Elvira had taken a liking to the pearl necklace Geoffrey gave me when we got engaged. It was my fiancé’s engagement gift to me—something personal—so I refused to give it to her.

But then the next day, she “accidentally” spilled scalding tea all over me. The severe burns left a permanent scar on my forearm.

In the end, it only took one nod from Geoffrey, and that necklace landed around Elvira’s neck anyway.

When I moved into that villa, she was supposed to treat me as someone who would eventually become her sister-in-law. But instead, she made my life hell.

And the worst part—my own fiancé doted on her. In that villa, it often felt like his half-sister was the real soon-to-be wife while I was just some guest.

I couldn’t stay in that villa any longer and live with Drystan—a constant reminder of her, so I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and called my older brother in Sydney.

He worked at a research institute there.

“Hey,” I said. “That research project you mentioned before… I want to apply for a transfer so I can work with you. I think I’m ready.”

“You’re sure?” he asked. “Sydney’s far. Will Geoffrey even let you go?”

I didn’t answer.

He sighed. “Alright. I’ve submitted the application already. You can fly out in seven days. I’ll come get you.”

“Thanks,” I muttered.

After the call, I stared at the blank wall, one hand resting on my belly. I didn’t realize I was crying until my shoulders started shaking and the sobs tore out of me.

The next day, Geoffrey came to take me home. On the drive, he went on and on about how well he’d raise Elvira’s child—how I didn’t need to worry, how I only had to be the boy’s mother in name.

I didn’t argue. I just pulled my hand from his grasp and turned to look out the window.

At the court, the adoption process had already been arranged.

For the first time, Geoffrey placed Drystan in my arms—it was also the first time I’d seen the baby.

The resemblance wasn’t hard to tell even at first glance; the baby looked just like Geoffrey—especially the eyes and the nose. I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh and hand him back.

Geoffrey wasn’t pleased, but he said nothing. For the sake of the procedure, he forced a smile.

I, on the other hand, kept my face blank.

Looking at that baby only reminded me of the one I’d lost.

And Geoffrey never even noticed the tears I held back until the whole thing was over.

“It’s done,” I said flatly. “Now what about our baby? He deserves a proper funeral too, don’t you think?”

Geoffrey nodded and quickly arranged it. The funeral was set for the day after tomorrow.

After dropping me off, he headed back to the company—there were piles of things waiting for him.

Geoffrey’s POV

It was already dark outside when I finally stepped out of the office. The city lights flickered to life one by one.

Elvira used to wait for me at the lobby—every night, without fail. But now… I’d never see that silhouette again.

Cade must’ve sensed my mood. He dragged me out to a bar to loosen up.

One drink became two, then five. I drowned myself in the bitter burn of alcohol, hoping it would numb everything.

That’s when I saw her.

“Geoffrey,” a woman’s voice said.

In my haze, she looked just like Elvira. It had to be a dream.

“Elvira… my love…” I broke down, stumbling into her arms. “Why’d you leave me? I miss you so damn much. If you were still here, our baby wouldn’t need another mom!”

I clung to her, crying into her shoulder.

“It’s okay. I’m here now. I missed you too,” she whispered.

Completely drunk, my vision blurred, I couldn’t see her face clearly. I only remember kissing her, pulling her close, the night melting away.

It felt like the sweetest dream.

But when I woke up the next morning, naked in bed, I saw a woman lying next to me.

“Dulcie Shelby?!”

She was Alira’s best friend of ten years.

I shot up in confusion.

“Dulcie! It was you?! W-Why?!”

Dulcie’s POV

I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I wrapped my arms around him, gently pressing his head to my shoulder.

“I know what happened to Elvira,” I whispered, stroking his hair. “She’s gone now, Geoffrey. Don’t be too sad. You still have people who care about you.”

He was vulnerable and broken—and exactly where I wanted him. Pulled into my warmth, he let his guard fall and spilled everything.

When Alira got together with him, I tried to bury my feelings. But it didn’t take long for desire to get the better of me. I wanted him. I always had.

So, I flirted with him in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

And last night, finally, I got what I wanted.

Over the next few days, we grew closer. I knew Geoffrey was starting to feel something for me, and I made sure to document every moment of our budding romance.

Alira’s POV

I was at home packing and getting ready to leave for the lab.

I had always known about my condition. With my father’s support, I had dedicated myself to finding a cure.

In the cold lab, I picked up a scalpel, ready to dissect another white mouse for samples.

My phone buzzed nonstop. Messages from Dulcie.

She sent photos—intimate hand-holding, kisses. I teased her, asking when she’d started dating someone.

But then, I saw Geoffrey’s face in one of the pictures.

The scalpel in my hand trembled. My grip loosened, and the blade plunged straight into my thigh. In an instant, blood gushed out, pain wracked my body, and cold sweat soaked my back.

I had always known my best friend liked my guy, but I never imagined she would betray me like this—now, of all times.

I was still reeling when Geoffrey called.

“Hon, everything’s settled with Sonny. I’m coming to get you now.”

Five minutes later, he arrived. The moment he saw my ivory gown stained with blood, he was beside himself with worry.

“Why did you come to the lab again? And why are you hurt? You were just getting better…”

He reached into his bag for bandages and carefully wrapped my wound.

“Hon, I promise—I’ll find a cure for your illness,” he said, his eyes glistening.

When he pulled me into his arms, I gently pushed him away. “Let’s go.”

The whole ride, my mind kept replaying Dulcie’s messages. I couldn’t understand why my best friend would stab me in the back.

I glanced over at Geoffrey.

My eyes widened.

Though he’d tried to cover it with foundation, I could still see faint love marks on his neck.

My body shook. My foot hit something on the car floor. I looked down—there it was: a piece of women’s lingerie, clearly not mine.

My disbelief turned to rage. I looked at Geoffrey, but he was lost in his own thoughts as the cemetery drew closer.

I turned away quickly, biting back tears.

At the burial site, the staff guided us to a small grave. Next to it stood another one—larger, ornate, and covered in fresh yellow roses. The headstone read: [Elvira Carpenter].

It was spotless.

In comparison, our baby’s resting place looked pitifully bare.

“This is what you prepared?” I asked coldly.

“The cemetery’s short on space, hon,” Geoffrey said meekly.

I said nothing. I just quietly placed a handmade doll’s outfit next to the small grave. Every stitch, every needle prick on my hands, was made with love.

I cradled my sore fingers and wept until I couldn’t breathe. Geoffrey’s eyes turned red, too.

But then, his phone rang. Though he answered it quickly, I still caught the caller’s name: [Dulcie].

When he hung up, he told me he had to work overtime. Just like that, he hurried to instruct Cade to drive me home.

I waved the assistant off. Before leaving, Geoffrey patted my head gently. And then, his car sped away.

I stayed at my baby’s grave for a long time, crying. I couldn’t bring myself to burn the doll clothes. In the end, I brought them back home.

Now that everything with the child was settled, all that was left was the experiment. Once that was done, I could finally leave in peace.

As I prepared to return to the lab, something in the backyard caught my eye. The roses had finally bloomed—bold, brilliant, almost defiant.

It was Geoffrey’s private garden for Elvira. He had planted every flower and tree by hand. Every time I tried to approach it, he would yell at me to stay away.

I thought he just loved flowers.

But not once—not on our anniversary, not even on my birthday—had he ever given me a single flower.

On his birthday, I’d spent hours picking out the perfect bouquet. But he threw it straight into the trash.

“Are you trying to kill me?! I’m allergic to pollen!” he sneezed and snapped.

Yet he spent three months building a flower garden for Elvira.

And now that garden was in full bloom.

I let out a cold, bitter laugh and turned to leave.

Just then, a car came speeding in through the back gate, crashing straight into the garden. The whole place was destroyed in seconds.

The car stopped just inches from me. I was so scared, I broke into sobs.

Geoffrey jumped out of the passenger seat and rushed to hold me. “I’m so sorry, hon. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Alira loves racing, remember? She wouldn’t be scared by this,” Dulcie said smugly as she stepped out of the driver’s seat.

“Geoffrey, racing is so fun. Take me with you next time, okay?” she giggled, her voice sweet.

She grabbed his arm, and he looked down at her with indulgent eyes.

“This wasn’t bad, huh?” he said. “Next time I’ll take you to a real race.”

“Really? Yay!” she replied excitedly, snuggling into his chest.

I glared at them both.

“What are you doing here?”

Dulcie clung tighter to his arm.

“I came to share some good news,” she said, pulling something from her bag and handing it to Geoffrey with a sweet, expectant smile.

It was… a pregnancy test.

“You’re pregnant?!”