Landon carried his Julie to the shore.

He attempted to jump back in to save me but was pulled back by Betty: "Landon, I can't breathe."

"I feel so suffocated, help me..." With that, she closed her eyes and fainted.

"Betty!"

Landon cried out and immediately turned to tend to Betty.

He didn't even bother to look back at me.

I watched helplessly as he performed CPR on her, as if she was his one true love.

I wanted to tell him about the pregnancy, but the cold river water filled my nose, silencing me.

Gradually, I lost all strength to struggle.

My heart and body sank to the riverbed together.

...

When I woke up, I stared at the white ceiling for a long while.

Then it slowly dawned on me that I was in a hospital, not heaven.

I didn't die.

But I lost my baby.

A sharp pain stabbed at my heart, and I pleaded with the doctor: "Could you keep my pregnancy a secret? I don't want anyone to know."

After the doctor left, I wept alone in the empty ward.

I had been looking forward to this child's birth, cherishing it more than my own life.

Yet, it died because of Landon's favoritism.

"Honey, you're awake."

The familiar voice sounded, and Landon appeared at the door without my notice.

I turned my head, unwilling to see him: "Leave, I don't want to talk to you right now."

Landon frowned slightly: "Are you angry with me? You're being unreasonable. Leo is gone, and I promised him I'd take care of Betty. Can't you understand?"

How ironic.

I looked at him with red eyes: "But have you ever considered what would have happened if I hadn't made it and died in the river?"

Landon's gaze wavered: "...You wouldn't have, don't make such pointless assumptions."

He couldn't answer directly.

It was just guilt.

The last bit of expectation I had for him was completely crushed.

"Admit it, you care about her more than me. Landon, let's call off the engagement."

His expression turned serious, a hint of impatience in his voice: "Is this a joke? I only see Betty as a sister. Are you even jealous of her?"

Before I could respond, Betty from the next room called out.

"Landon, where are you? I'm so scared."

Landon ignored me and left.

But I wasn't joking.

I truly don't love you anymore.

Betty was in the ward next to mine.

But for three days, Landon didn't visit me again.

My peaceful and beautiful life was shattered from the moment his brother passed away.

We were in love for seven years, about to get married.

On our anniversary, I prepared a sumptuous candlelight dinner, waiting for his annual surprise gift.

I waited from dusk till late at night, only to receive a call from Landon.

"The storm is coming, Betty says she's scared alone, I have to go keep her company. Don't wait for me."

The candles went out, and the food got cold.

When I asked about the gift, all I got was: "Betty liked it, so I gave it to her first."

"But this is our anniversary gift! It has special meaning; how can you just give it to someone else?"

"She is my brother's wife, she's family!"

Landon looked at me earnestly.

"I want you to care for her alongside me, not see her as an enemy, okay?"

I never saw her as an enemy. Instead, she was the one who provoked me.

Our camping trip, meant for Landon and me, was tainted by her presence.

In front of Landon, she batted her big eyes: "Julie, I've never been camping before. I came out of curiosity. Please don't blame Landon."

Innocent and pitiable, as if she were the victim.

But as soon as he left, Betty showed her true colors.

"Your face, your figure, they're not Landon's ideal type. He doesn't like women who are gentle to the point of being dull. If you don't want to lose too badly, back out now."

We argued, and before we knew it, we both fell into the river.

Landon could abandon me for her; in that moment, all words were powerless.

I was discharged from the hospital before Betty and returned home alone with my belongings.

I informed all our relatives and friends that the engagement banquet was canceled, and I retrieved all the invitations.

Then I quickly submitted my resignation to the company; it would take about a week to hand over my work.

Actually, I never liked this city, but Landon did, so I followed him here.

But that day, Betty told me: "Do you know why Landon has a special fondness for this place? It's because it's my home, where I grew up."

She occupied too significant a part in his life.

Unfortunately, I discovered this too late.

When I was very young, my parents divorced.

My mother raised me alone, and life was tough. Although she was strict with me, I could clearly feel her love.

But she passed away when I was in high school.

Perhaps because I lacked care, I quickly fell for Landon, who is gentle and handsome.

He said: "From now on, I will be with you. No matter what happens, you can rely on me. You are no longer alone, Honey."

To reciprocate his love, I started striving to be an excellent girlfriend.

He liked long hair, so I haven't cut mine for years. He liked delicate skin, so I made time for beauty treatments every month. He liked a slim figure, so I could eat just one meal a day...

Later, I was surprised to find that these traits were all possessed by Betty.

I couldn't help but ask him what was going on, and Landon said indifferently: "Aren't these traits common in every pretty girl? You can't just because Betty is good-looking, you start having wild thoughts."

He was too calm, always with this nonchalant expression, regardless of the situation.

It only highlighted my embarrassment and awkwardness.

The only time he would be anxious and tremble was when Betty was in danger.

Today, Landon also returned.

He looked at me: "Why didn't you tell me you were discharged? I could have given you a ride."

It was ridiculous.

He was right next door, and he didn't even notice that I had been discharged.

"No need." I said.

"Are you still angry because I saved Betty?"

His handsome eyebrows furrowed.

"She is my Julie; I could never have any other thoughts about her. Do you think I'm that despicable?"

I shook my head: "What's the point of telling you?"

He clearly didn't expect me to be so calm.

Every time Betty was mentioned before, I would get very excited, either crying or making a scene.

Now, I suddenly seem to have let go, and he was a bit uncomfortable with it.

Perhaps out of guilt, he cooked lunch himself, making a big table of delicious dishes for me.

Landon scooped a bowl of soup for me and said softly: "Let's postpone our engagement banquet for now. Betty has been discharged, but she's still not feeling well and can't attend the banquet. Once she recovers, we'll hold the ceremony."

The originally tasty meal suddenly became very bitter.

I said, how come he suddenly changed his tune and started taking care of me again.

It turned out that everything was for Betty again.

It was supposed to be our engagement ceremony, but it depended on whether she could attend. People who didn't know might think she was his fiancée.

But it didn't matter; it suited my intentions perfectly.

Seeing me agree so readily, Landon leaned over and kissed my forehead.

"Honey, I knew you are the best.

When a woman stops arguing and making demands, it's not that she's become generous.

She's just given up completely.

That night, a sudden heavy rainstorm struck outside, accompanied by thunder and lightning. Lying in the same bed with Landon, he suddenly reached out and held me. The warm and broad embrace made me pause, but it no longer stirred the fluttering heartbeat I once felt. He placed his chin on my shoulder and softly called me, "Honey..."

His hot breath on my skin signaled what was coming next. Indeed, the next moment, his hand gently caressed my abdomen, about to lift my clothes.

I stopped his hand and flatly refused, "I'm tired and not in the mood for this." He was clearly surprised by my response, hesitating for a moment. "But your body has fully recovered, I just missed you," he said. I pushed him away. In the darkness, by the moonlight, I stared into his eyes, "Do I need to be that clear? Your actions with Betty make me feel sick, so please don't touch me."

Landon's expression changed abruptly, "Are you still fixated on that? If you're trying to get my attention, this is too childish."

"What do you want me to do then?" I looked at him earnestly, "You've never chosen me over Betty, not even once."

Landon rubbed his temple, "Those were all coincidences... Next time, I will definitely choose you." No sooner had he finished speaking than the telephone rang urgently. He glanced at the caller ID, his expression a little unnatural. It was Betty calling.

Her voice on the other end was pitiful, as if she were about to cry, "Landon, where are you? It's thundering, and I'm so scared alone. I hate to trouble other friends, but could you come and keep me company? If Julie minds, just forget what I said."

Landon looked at me, guiltily touching his nose. In the end, he still said, "Don't be afraid, I'm coming right now."

The expected answer. I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

Landon held my hand, apologetically, "Honey, Betty is really afraid of thunder. She just got out of the hospital and is still weak; I need to go and keep her company."

I retorted, firmly pulling my hand back.

"You can go, I won't stop you. Anyway, you've always been like this, making promises you can't keep." Landon sighed, "I'll explain when I get back." Then he quickly put on his clothes and left. Watching his receding figure, my heart sank bit by bit. This was for the best. When I took my revenge on them, I wouldn't feel a shred of guilt.

I returned home from work to find Betty there as well. She was wearing the wedding dress I had specially ordered, a diamond tiara on her head, her makeup delicate and sweet, like a real bride, twirling around to show Landon. Seeing me, she quickly waved her hands in explanation, "Julie, don't misunderstand, I just wanted to try on your wedding dress because it's beautiful, no other meaning."

Landon said, "She won't mind, you look great in it."

I didn't react as he expected, "This was custom-made for me by a friend, and you better take it off now." My voice was cold, and Landon's expression changed.

"Honey, there's no need to be so stingy. Girls like wedding dresses, right?"

"If she likes it, she can buy her own or have one made. Touching my things without permission is no different from theft," I was blunt. "It's simply lacking in manners!"

He was a bit angry, "Your words are too harsh!"

Seeing this, Betty immediately put on a pitiful expression, "Julie, I'll change right now. Please don't argue, it's all my fault." She went to the bedroom, changed into her own clothes, and came out while he looked at me with disappointment. In the past, I was afraid of seeing him unhappy and always tried to make him happy. Now, I think it was foolish to do so. Sacrificing my own feelings to please others is not worth it at all.

After changing, Betty suggested we have a meal together as an apology to me.

I didn't want to go, but they both coaxed and persuaded me into joining them.

At the restaurant, Landon looked guilty. He knew I was allergic to seafood, yet he let Betty choose a place that specialized in it. I didn't touch any of the sumptuous dishes, only eating some noodles.

The two in front of me chatted and laughed, with she taking a photo with Landon and posting it on social media with the caption: "Another day of being pampered by Landon."

They completely ignored my existence, as if they were the real couple.

Halfway through, Landon went to the restroom. The smile on Betty's face gradually faded. Her tone turned hostile: "You've seen it all, haven't you?"

I paused, then slipped my hand into my pocket: "Seen what?"

"Don't play dumb. Even a blind person could see how much Landon was taking care of me just now."

I sneered, "No matter what, he still loves me now. Your husband has been dead for less than a year, and you're already seducing his brother. Aren't you afraid that Leo, who treated you so well when he was alive, will come to talk to you at night if he knew?"

Betty paused, a hint of panic in her eyes: "...You're just trying to scare me! To be honest, I never loved Leo. I got close to him just to get to Landon. And I can feel that he likes me. It's just because of his sense of duty that he can't get rid of you, this old and ugly woman."

I put down my cutlery and calmly looked at her: "Then tell these words to Landon and see if he listens to you?"

"You! Don't be smug..." Just as she was speaking, he returned. Betty immediately put on a sweet and lovely expression as if nothing had happened: "Landon, you're back! Julie and I were just talking about you."

"What were you talking about?"

"I said you have a good character and a sense of responsibility. I've been so grateful for your care during this time. I was thinking about what gift to buy for you."

When no one was paying attention, I quietly pressed the pause button on my phone's recording. I didn't want to argue pointlessly, but that doesn't mean I can be bullied at will. Betty's birthday was coming up, and I planned to give her a "big gift" on that day.