Before the family gathering kicked off on the weekend, Anthony's grandma, Melinda Clarke, called Isobel into the room to talk privately.

She carefully pulled out a pair of bracelets from the closet and warmly took Isobel's wrist. With a smile, she began, "Isobel, here. These are for you."

Isobel stared at the bracelets and spotted a tiny line of engraved words on the inner side. It read "eternal love".

"These bracelets were passed down from generation to generation. They are reserved for our future daughters-in-law! Belle, let me know if Anthony ever bullies you. I'll put him in his place!"

Isobel teared up in silence. She pursed her lips. Finally, she took the bracelets. "Thank you, Melinda."

During the dinner, Frank announced that he would give Isobel a group of double-story villas in the newly developed district in Halthorne City.

"Belle, those villas are ocean-facing. If you ever feel down, you can stay there for a few days."

Anthony's mom, Sheila White, did not want to be overshadowed. "Belle, look at these latest limited edition bags I've got! Take anything that you like. Let's go shopping at Everest Mall again when the renovations are done! We'll shop for new bags."

Isobel was caught off guard by the family's affection. She gradually believed that no one knew about Anthony and Sasha's illicit affairs.

Still, she had decided to leave. She could not forgive Anthony just because his family was lovely to her.

Burdened with emotions, she felt suffocated and excused herself, saying that she was tired and wanted to rest early.

After sleeping for a while, she felt thirsty and went downstairs to get some water. From the staircase, she spotted Sasha openly sitting beside Anthony.

"How far along is your pregnancy?" Melinda asked.

"About four months now," Sasha purred.

"Has the family doctor performed a paternity test? Is the baby Anthony's child?"

Isobel held her breath.

Sasha's pregnancy was never a secret, but she had claimed that she was pregnant with her late husband's baby.

Anthony affirmed, "Yes, we did the test. She's carrying my baby."

There was a downpour in Halthorne City that night. Lightning struck, and Isobel felt like she had been split into two.

"Give birth to that baby, then," said Frank. "We can still afford to pay for you and your baby. Our manor in the west of the city is the perfect place for you to stay until you're in labor. You can stay there from now on."

Sasha demurely accepted the keys. "Thank you, Frank!"

Sheila, who had been sipping tea calmly, remarked, "I like that you're obedient and never make trouble. It's no wonder that Anthony is into you."

"Sheila, I really love Anthony. I want to stay by his side. I won't ask for more."

Anthony pulled Sasha into a hug when he heard that. He looked confident and proud as he watched the beaming woman in his arms.

He kissed Sasha on her temple and said, "Now, be a good girl and go to bed. I'll join you soon."

Sasha obediently rose from the seat and went up to her bedroom from a different staircase.

"Grandma, Dad, Mom, do you approve of Sasha?"

Melinda tapped her walking stick on the ground. "I'm too old to be poking my nose into your business. All I want is a great-grandchild.

"You see, Belle struggles to conceive. Her health hasn't improved after all those years of treatment. If she can't conceive, let's not pressure her."

Nodding, Sheila chimed in, "You're right."

"It's normal for a man to keep a few women around. Anthony, I don't care who you sleep with, but you'll only marry Isobel Sutton. Got it?" Frank patted his son on the shoulder.

"Yes. You must marry Belle so that we can answer to the Sutton family. Besides, that will help with the company's reputation. Sasha's background is truly…"

"Don't worry. I won't marry anyone else," promised Anthony. "At the end of the day, I love her the most. I know my limits. I'll keep it a secret from her."

Isobel realized that she had gone from being his one true love to his "most favorite woman". She scoffed, feeling offended. His love was worth nothing to her! She couldn't believe his audacity.

She nearly lost her balance on the stairs.

Her heavy heart, her guilt, and her deliberation about dumping Anthony turned out to be a joke. The whole family knew the truth and worked together to fool her!

She covered her mouth tightly to muffle her sobs.

Isobel rushed back into her bedroom and squatted on the bathroom floor. Trembling, she rested her back against the icy cold wall.

Holding the toilet, she vomited. The bile juices burned her throat.

Memories of that night when Anthony accidentally impregnated her flooded her.

Anthony was heavily drunk that night and had forced himself on her. She could not break free from his aggressive advances.

Although he had been calling her name while going at it, she knew something was wrong. She figured that he must have been fantasizing about another woman to treat her that harshly.

The man whom she loved—and loved her back—would never assault her like this.

That was the first time she suspected him of cheating.

To avoid an unwanted pregnancy, she took a morning-after pill. She never thought that the pill would lead to an ectopic pregnancy instead.

After the surgery, the doctor informed her, "Ms. Sutton, I fear you might never conceive, given the state of your health."

At the same time, Sasha had gotten pregnant with Anthony's baby and received blessings from the family.

Isobel nearly fainted from the physical and psychological pain. Before she lost consciousness, she saw Anthony running toward her with a worried look.

"Belle!"

…

Anthony and his family were at her side when she woke up. Even their family doctor was there.

Anthony looked a little tired and disheveled. His bloodshot eyes suggested that he had experienced a sleepless night.

Their concern felt insincere to her, and she refused to respond to anyone. However, Sasha's scream immediately sliced through the awkward silence.

"Ouch! That hurts—"

The people around Isobel immediately left for the next room. She stared at the ceiling. She had no tears left to cry.

Later, Anthony was the only one who returned to Isobel's room. He explained that his family was extremely worried about his late cousin's baby, which was why they overreacted.

Isobel listened expressionlessly. She asked no questions.

The family she had wished for was no more. It was all an illusion.

She had been too naive but would not make that mistake again.

A week before Isobel's planned departure, Sasha suddenly visited her as Anthony's secretary.

Crossing her arms, she haughtily marched up to Isobel. "Stop faking it, Isobel. You know that Anthony has been cheating on you.

"Did you really think that he loved you? He would never marry you—a girl from a family in decline—if it weren't for your high-profile relationship.

"Stop dreaming of marrying into wealth and leave the city, Isobel. It's less humiliating than getting dumped.

"I'm carrying Anthony's baby. As for you, you probably cannot conceive. Am I right?

"You shouldn't blame Anthony for two-timing, though. He's a beast in bed with me, but he's probably not that interested in your body."

Isobel kept her emotions under control. She set her cup of tea on the table and went up to slap Sasha across the face.

Sasha held her cheek and gasped, "How dare you!"

Ignoring Sasha, Isobel was about to call security when Anthony barged in.

Sasha immediately behaved when she heard his voice. Head hung low, she said tearfully, "Ms. Sutton, what exactly is it that you hate about me? I'm just here to pick up some documents for Mr. Johnson. Why would you hit me?"

Anthony went through many emotions when he heard that. He stared at Isobel with panic.

"Belle, what's—"

"Yeah. I slapped her. Anything wrong with that?" She stared back at Anthony.

"N-Nothing. I'm sure you had your reasons." He walked over to Isobel before yelling at Sasha, "Did anyone ask you to enter her office? How dare you cry when you're the one who upset Belle!"

"Antho—Mr. Johnson, I…"

"Get lost right now! You're barred from coming into Belle's office again!"

After the security escorted Sasha out, Anthony hesitated to speak to Isobel. He wanted to ask why she slapped Sasha.

Isobel made up an excuse. "Well, she said my office decor was in poor taste."

Yet, he believed in that amateur lie. Hugging Isobel, he said, "Oh, she deserved it, then. Belle, you always have great taste."

She snickered silently. After all, she wouldn't have fallen in love with Anthony if she had good taste.

After Anthony made sure that Sasha wouldn't say anything out of line, he left quickly, claiming that he was needed at work.

Isobel followed him closely. As she expected, she saw Sasha waiting for Anthony not far away.

He kissed the spot where Sasha had been slapped. It took him a while to soothe her before they entered the car lovingly.

Isobel felt numb to it all. As she rubbed her tired eyes, she quietly went home.

…

Two days later, Anthony called a press conference to announce the launch of the candy flagship store by the river in Halthorne City.

On that day, he would show up with his lover, Isobel, to officiate the launch.

When Isobel saw the news, she looked at the birthday gift she handed to Anthony, thinking, "Anthony, I won't be going to the launch as your plus-one. I hope my birthday gift comes as a surprise to you."