###Chapter 2

Early the next morning, as the nurse changed my bandages, she spoke gently. “Miss Solmere… your father’s body was found by a fishing boat. He’s at the morgue now.”

The last piece of hope inside me shattered. Still, I forced myself to sit up despite the sharp pain.

“You can’t get out of bed yet…”

I pushed her hand away and slid off the bed. Step by step, holding onto the wall, I made my way toward the door.

In the hallway, I saw Darren. He was holding Riley in his arms, kissing her.

His hand rested on her slim waist. She looked radiant, healthy, glowing with life. Her voice was soft and sweet.

“After the placental tissue you got for me, I feel so much better today. Thank you, Darren.”

He kissed her forehead gently. “Ten years ago, you gave me your kidney. You saved my life. I’ll spend the rest of my life taking care of you.”

“That’s because I love you.”

Ten years ago? Was it really her who gave him a kidney?

The thought was so absurd I almost laughed. I turned away unsteadily.

The clean glass in the hallway showed my reflection. My face was pale and tired. My hair was tangled. My face was twisted in pain. I looked like a walking corpse.

I stumbled into the morgue. But the moment I lifted the white sheet and saw my father’s face, I collapsed to the floor.

My sobs echoed as I called my mother, who was overseas on a business trip.

“Mom… Dad… Dad is gone…”

Suddenly, I heard the sharp sound of high heels behind me.

Riley walked in.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Vexia. I’ll help arrange a beautiful funeral for your father,” she said with a mocking smile. “But of course, it will have to wait until after my baby shower.”

As she spoke, she raised her phone in front of me. On the screen was an ultrasound photo. She was already two months pregnant.

A strong wave of nausea instantly rose in my stomach. So, that day on that deserted island wasn’t their first time.

In front of me, they acted like they hated each other. But behind my back, they had been sleeping together again and again, using betrayal as a way to “thank” me.

I couldn’t stop myself from shouting, “Don’t you feel even a little guilty?”

Three months ago, Riley was thrown out by her wealthy husband after she cheated on him. Thus, she had nowhere to go. I was the one who took her in.

Darren strongly disagreed at first, but I persuaded him. “But she has no family. She has nowhere else to stay.”

In the end, he agreed, though he looked unhappy.

I didn’t realize I was inviting a wolf into my home.

When we were teenagers, Riley used to come to school with bruises on her face. Her single mother drank too much and hit her.

She had nowhere safe to go. So, I brought her home.

My parents treated her like their own daughter.

They cooked her favorite meals. They redecorated the guest room the way she liked. They even celebrated her birthdays.

When her mother didn’t show up for her graduation ceremony, my father went in her place so she wouldn’t feel ashamed standing there alone.

You could say my family protected her entire youth.

And now, like a venomous snake, she spoke cruel things with such a soft tone.

“Your father didn’t drown trying to save me, so why should I feel guilty? And your placental tissue becoming my treatment is your honor.”

“You ungrateful snake! Evil woman!”

Rage took over. I raised my hand to slap her. But before I could touch her, a cold hand seized my wrist.

When Riley let out a sharp cry, Darren threw me to the ground and quickly held her in his arms.

“She’s pregnant! What are you trying to do to her?”

The stitches in my abdomen tore open and pain exploded through me. I looked up at him, trembling with grief and fury.

“You killed my father. You took my child!”

Blood slowly spread through my hospital gown. Darren stared at the red stain and froze for a moment.

Then, Riley began to cry in his arms.

“Darren, my stomach hurts. She hurt me…. But her father’s and her baby’s death really weren’t my fault…”

Darren immediately carried her in his arms. His eyes were red with worry.

“I’m taking you to the doctor.”

When he looked back at me, his gaze turned cold.

“Your father drowned on his own. What does that have to do with Riley? And the baby? Look at yourself, Vexia. Jealous. Bitter. Ugly. What right do you have to be a mother?”

Ten years of love turned to ash at that moment.

I watched his back as he hurried away while I lay there on the floor in a mess. With the last of my strength, I dialed a number.

My voice was hoarse, but steady.

“Marry me. Is the family arrangement still valid?”

###Chapter 3

When I was born, my parents arranged an engagement between me and Luciel Calderon.

But when I grew up, I chose Darren instead. We couldn’t stand each other at first. Somehow, I believed that tension turned into love.

How ridiculous.

On the phone, Luciel’s voice was low, with a hint of teasing. “An arranged marriage? The Solmere family has already fallen, Vexia. What exactly do I gain from marrying you?”

“Then forget it.”

I was about to hang up when he muttered a curse. “You’re still as stubborn as ever. If you just softened your tone and said ‘Please, Luciel,’ would that really hurt you?”

He paused, then his teasing tone was gone. “I can marry you. But what about Darren? Is he going to let you walk away?”

Darren? He probably couldn’t wait for me to disappear, so he could give Riley the legal status as his wife.

My nose felt sore, but I held back my tears and told him about my father and my child.

“He’s got some nerve.” Luciel’s voice suddenly turned cold, then softened again a moment later. “Vexia, I’m coming to get you right now.”

“Give me six days,” I said quietly. “There are things I need to finish.”

“…Alright. In six days, I’ll come marry you.”

After the call ended, the weight on my chest eased slightly.

I took a taxi back to my parents’ house to pack my father’s belongings. When I opened the drawer he used most often, my vision blurred with tears.

Inside were two diamond necklaces. My father had prepared them as wedding gifts.

One for me.

And one for Riley.

But what right did she have to receive his love?

I picked up the necklace meant for her, ready to throw it away. But suddenly, a hand grabbed it from behind.

“Ah!”

Riley cried out. The necklace fell to the floor and the diamonds scattered everywhere.

I froze.

Darren rushed in. The moment he saw the thin line of blood on Riley’s finger, his expression changed.

“Riley!”

She held her own hand and trembled as she cried. “Vexia… since we were little, you’ve always wanted to take everything from me. Even the last thing your father left for me… you won’t let me have it? You even scratched me with the necklace…”

Looking at the broken diamonds on the floor, Darren frowned. He grabbed my necklace and put it into Riley’s hand.

But the one who always took everything… was her.

Even Darren.

I liked him first. The day after I told her about my feelings, I saw them kissing beside the basketball court.

Well, I could let Darren go. But that necklace was the last gift my father ever prepared for me.

“Give it back!”

I rushed toward Riley. That was when Darren noticed the blood soaking through my clothes. It had spread more than before.

“Vexia, you…”

“Because you lost your baby, you want to take mine too?” Riley suddenly cried, clutching her stomach. “How can you be this cruel?”

The small flicker of doubt in Darren’s eyes disappeared instantly.

“That’s enough. Losing the baby is punishment enough for you. You don’t deserve this necklace either.”

“Please… that was the last thing my dad left me…”

I begged him while crying. But he put the necklace around Riley’s neck.

“Take care of yourself.”

After saying that, he left with Riley, who was secretly smiling. He didn’t even look back.

I watched his back as he walked away. I felt so numb that I couldn’t even feel pain anymore.

After getting my wound treated again at a small clinic, I went home and started packing all the gifts Darren had given me over the past four years.

My hand paused at a locked drawer.

I tried Riley’s birthday as the password. And it opened.

Inside were dozens of pink lace nightgowns, more than ten pairs of custom Balenciaga high heels and a row of Chanel perfumes. They were exactly the same as the ones he had given me.

Only then did I understand. Every gift he chose for me was based on her taste. And every gift had a copy for her too.

For the past four years, he had never forgotten her.

I closed my eyes and forced my tears back. Then I reached under the bed and pulled out a document I had hidden for ten years. The kidney donation agreement.

Back then, the boy I loved collapsed during a basketball game. His kidney was severely damaged and his life was at risk.

It was me who secretly lay on the operating table and gave him my kidney.

The scar still ached on rainy days.

So, why did he believe Riley was the one who saved him?

I placed the agreement inside his safe.

Darren, this is the second gift I’m giving you. When you see it, what kind of face will you make?

I packed up all the gifts and arranged for them to be donated.

When the truck drove away at the end of the street, it felt like the last thread between us disappeared too.

Darren stepped into the house. He looked at the now empty rooms and frowned slightly.

“What did you just throw away?”

###Chapter 4

“Just some things I don’t need anymore,” I replied evenly. “The house was too full. I just cleared it out.”

He nodded, then said, “Oh, right. Riley said the guest room isn’t very comfortable. You can move out for now. The master bedroom gets better sunlight. It’s good for her pregnancy.”

I looked at him calmly. “Since you’ve already decided, I’ll move.”

Then I turned around and started packing my clothes.

My quiet acceptance seemed to unsettle him. He watched as I carried my suitcase downstairs and moved into the unused maid’s room on the first floor. His brows slowly drew together.

He leaned against the doorframe and looked at me. “Vexia, there are other empty rooms upstairs. They have better light.”

I didn’t respond.

Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around me from behind. His voice lowered.

“I know a lot has happened lately. I might have neglected you.”

His lips moved close to my cheek. “But don’t be jealous. Riley is only staying for a short time. After the baby is born, her husband will take her back.”

I turned my face to avoid his touch and gave a faint, mocking smile. “I’m not jealous. She can stay as long as she likes.”

His expression darkened. “Then stop targeting her. Riley has always given in to you since we were kids. And now you’re even trying to hurt her child.”

The anger I had been holding back suddenly exploded. I remembered the message I received not long ago and my voice rose.

“I didn’t do anything! It was her! She knew my dad couldn’t swim, but she still called him and asked him to rescue me. She even gave him a boat that had been tampered with. When he finally found me, the boat sank. There was only one floating plank left… Riley killed him!”

Darren’s expression turned serious. “Where did you hear that?”

For a second, I thought he might actually listen. My eyes instantly got wet. “One of your friends sent me a message.”

“My friend?” His eyes darkened and a cold smile appeared. “Vexia, you’re really something. You even tried to seduce my friend behind my back?”

Before I could explain, his phone rang.

Riley’s soft voice came through the speaker. “Darren, the baby is kicking. It hurts so much. Can you come stay with me?”

“I’m coming right now.”

He hung up and looked at me sharply. “Stay away from other men. If you betray me, you won’t like the consequences.”

Betray?

How ridiculous.

He had the nerve to say that word to me.

It was already late at night when I finally fell into a heavy sleep.

Suddenly, the sound of a door being kicked open broke the silence.

Darren rushed in, grabbed my hair and dragged me off the bed.

“Vexia, how dare you? Where did you hide her? Give Riley back to me!”

In the moonlight, his face looked twisted and frightening, like a wild animal that had lost something precious.

I had never seen him so frantic and furious.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about! Let go of me!”

My explanation and struggle were useless. He dragged me across the gravel road. Pain shot through my stomach again and again. Then he shoved me into the car.

“Tell me! Where is Riley?”

“I don’t know!”

He slapped me hard. My ears rang and I almost fainted.

At that moment, his phone rang again. After listening for a few seconds, his fingers shook as he started the car. His voice was hoarse.

“If anything happens to Riley or the baby, I will show you what real hell is.”

The car ran through several red lights before stopping in front of an old warehouse.

He dragged me inside.

Riley, with messy clothes, immediately ran into his arms. Her elbow “accidentally” hit the wound on my stomach.

“Vexia hired someone to kidnap me! Why won’t she leave me alone? I’m so scared, Darren!”

Another show carefully planned by her.

I curled up in pain and looked at Darren with all my strength. “It wasn’t me. Please believe me just once…”

One of the bodyguards stepped forward. “The kidnappers already confessed. Vexia Solmere ordered them to do it. She told them to make Ms. Trelmont lose her baby because she is jealous that after Ms. Trelmont came back, she got all of your love.”

Darren stared at me like I was his enemy. “Vexia, you crossed my bottom line.”

Fear tightened around my chest. My whole body trembled. “I didn’t. I swear I didn’t!”

“You forced me.” His eyes were cold as ice. He turned to the bodyguard. “Put her in the trunk.”

“What? No, Darren. Please don’t!”

“This is your punishment.”

He knew. He knew very well that I was scared of closed space.

The bodyguards roughly stuffed me into the dark, narrow trunk.

The lid slammed shut.

Panic flooded my body. Cold sweat covered my skin. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would break through my ribs.

The car began to shake.

At first, I thought the engine had started. Then I realized the movement had a rhythm.

A sticky, slow rhythm. Mixed with a man’s heavy breathing and a woman’s soft moans. Tears streamed down my face as I gagged uncontrollably.

This, too, was part of his punishment.