I used to be the world’s top mercenary. But three days before my wedding, I walked straight into an ambush on a secret mission, and just like that, I lost the use of my legs.

The second my fiancé found out, he dumped me. No hesitation, no second thoughts. And then he turned around and got with his best friend, Jacqueline Beckett.

I hit rock bottom. But while I was drowning in despair, Scott Foster, our leader, was the one who got me to the hospital. He pulled every string, called in every expert, did everything he could.

And when the doctors finally said I might never stand again, Scott didn’t flinch. Instead, he got down on one knee and proposed.

He told me he had loved me for years. That nothing else mattered. That I was the only woman who could ever stand beside him.

I was overwhelmed. Moved. In front of everyone, I said yes.

Four years later, I was eight months pregnant when I overheard a conversation that turned my world upside down.

"Sir, we owe it all to you. If you hadn’t traded Abigail’s legs to the Snake Troops, we never would’ve won that battle so easily. Soon, you’ll have full control of all the organizations."

Scott chuckled, sounding pleased. "That was nothing. The real victory is Jacqueline marrying Jared. I may not get to be with her in this life, but I’ll make sure nothing stands in her way."

Then he added, "As for Abigail’s baby, I’ll send it to Jacqueline once it’s born. That way, she can secure her place in Jared’s family for good."

I felt my stomach drop. So that was it. The love, the marriage, everything, I had been nothing but a tool. And the baby I had fought so hard to protect was just another pawn in his game.

I wiped my tears, picked up my phone, and sent a single message. [I’ll be your hostage in three days. Interested?]

——

The moment it was sent, the voices in the room carried on. "By the way, sir, how’s that other plan coming along? Jared has azoospermia, so the kid can’t look nothing like him."

"But don’t worry," the tactician assured him. "Dr. Ainsley is the best from Leninia. As long as we inject Jared and Jacqueline’s cell fluid into Abigail’s amniotic fluid every day, the baby will grow up looking like them. The process might hurt a little, though."

The moment I spotted Scott on the other side of the wall, I saw his tense expression relax. Then, he let out a sneer. "Pain? Don’t forget, Abigail was the top mercenary. What’s a little pain to someone like her? Inject it hard. And don’t even think about using anesthetics, the baby’s safety comes first."

His words slammed into me like a punch to the gut. My whole chest tightened, and I had to slap a hand over my mouth to stop myself from making a sound.

I turned my wheelchair around and rushed back to the bedroom before Scott could notice me. But I couldn’t stop the memories from rushing in.

Four years ago, during my last mission, my location was leaked. I didn’t even have a chance to react before I was completely surrounded.

The moment they caught me, their excitement was sickening.

They stomped on my head over and over. Then came the hammers. I could still hear the sound, my bones shattering, the sharp, unbearable pain before everything went black.

When I woke up, I was lying on the street like trash. That was when I saw him. My fiancé. He took one look at me, bloodied and broken, and walked away. Not a word. Not a glance back.

And just like that, I lost everything.

Then Scott showed up. He was the one who took me to the hospital, the one who stayed by my side, the one who made me believe I had finally found real love.

But it was all a lie. He was the one who betrayed me.

If someone close to me hadn’t sold me out, there’s no way my location would have been exposed. And now, I finally knew why. Everything he did, all of it, was for Jacqueline.

My life, my body, my baby… nothing but tools for his plan.

My hands clenched into fists. I pounded my legs over and over, but there was nothing. No pain. No feeling. Just cold, dead weight.

I lost my strength and slid off the wheelchair, collapsing onto the floor like a lifeless doll.

Just as I was about to struggle to get up, I heard Scott’s anxious voice. "Abigail, what happened? How did you fall out of your wheelchair?"

He rushed over and scooped me up effortlessly, holding me close before kneeling to check my legs for injuries. His touch was as careful and gentle as ever, but it no longer felt warm. No longer felt real.

"I'm fine," I said quietly. "I just wanted to see if I could stand."

Scott's expression softened instantly. He pulled me into his arms, his voice filled with pity.

He said, "Abigail, don't worry. I'll always take care of you. Even if you can’t stand for the rest of your life, it doesn’t matter to me. And our baby is already eight months along, I swear, once our child is born, I’ll devote myself completely to you both."

If I hadn’t overheard that conversation outside the study, I might have been touched. I might have believed him, let his words ease the ache in my chest.

But now, all I felt was cold.

"Oh, right," Scott said suddenly, his tone casual, like he hadn’t just shattered my world. "An expert from abroad arrived today. I met with him earlier, he says he can help with your delivery, but the process will be painful. You’ll have to endure a little more discomfort each day."

Then, as if it were nothing, he added, "You know how hard it was for us to conceive this child. We have to make sure the birth goes smoothly, no matter what."

At his signal, a doctor in a white coat stepped into the room, carrying a syringe as thick as my finger. My breath caught. I shook my head and looked at Scott. "I don’t need the injection. The baby will be fine."

For a split second, his face hardened. A flicker of irritation crossed his features, gone almost as soon as it appeared.

Then, in a voice that left no room for argument, he said, "No. This is for your own good."

Before I could protest, he shoved my shoulders down. The needle plunged into my spine.

Pain exploded through me; cold, sharp, unbearable. The sensation twisted deep, spreading like fire and ice all at once. My body trembled violently, and as darkness crept in, I realized something.

Whatever love I had left for Scott, it was gone. When I woke again, it was late. The room was dim, silent except for the faint sound of Scott’s breathing.

He was still there, sitting by my side. Scott’s face was full of worry when I opened my eyes. "Abigail, you're awake! Are you feeling okay? The doctor said the baby is doing great. He even called you the bravest mother in the world!"

He looked at me like he actually cared, like I was supposed to be touched by his words. But all I could manage was a bitter smile.

I reached up and brushed my fingers against his tired, red-rimmed eyes. "I'm fine. You should get some rest."

It didn’t take long for his breathing to slow beside me.

That was when I noticed the spare phone on the nightstand, the one he always kept close but never let me touch. I had never tried to unlock it in the four years we had been married.

Tonight, I did.

It took only one guess, sure enough, it was Jacqueline’s birthday. The first thing I saw was his pinned chat: [Lovely Jacqueline.]

I clicked on it.

The messages were endless. Sweet, thoughtful. Full of warmth and care, more than I had ever received from him.

She sent him pictures, and he responded with the kind of affection I used to wish for. Every single one of her photos was saved.

An entire album. A thousand pictures labeled as: [LOML.]

Love of My Life, huh? I already knew, deep down. But seeing it spelled out so clearly still hit me like a punch to the chest. Tears burned in my eyes, slipping down my cheeks before I could stop them.

Then I checked his private drive. Thirteen years’ worth of memories, all about Jacqueline. Even her menstrual cycle was marked in red. A "special reminder."

And yet, when we were newly married, when I curled up in pain from years of untreated injuries, Scott had just glanced at me, stone-faced, and muttered, "Why are you being so dramatic?"

Then he’d walked away.

It took me until today to finally get it. It wasn’t that Scott couldn’t love someone. He just couldn’t love me.

Then I saw a message that made my stomach drop. The date was our wedding day. [If marrying her makes you happy, then I’m willing to sacrifice.]

His words were simple, but the meaning hit like a punch.

The perfect love story, except I was the sacrifice. And all the love belonged to Jacqueline. Fine. If that was how it was, I would play my part.

The next morning, I woke up to a sharp pain in my back as a cold needle pierced my skin. Tears slipped down my cheeks before I could stop them.

I barely had the strength to lift my head, but when I did, I met Scott’s worried gaze. "Abigail, I know this is hard on you, but it’s all for our child. You don’t blame me, right? Once the baby is born, I’ll make sure they know how incredible their mother was."

His voice was so soft, so sincere. As if every word he said was the truth. But I knew better.

I didn’t bother arguing. I just nodded. Scott smiled, clearly relieved. He called for the nanny to bring over the special soup she had prepared, then carefully blew on each spoonful before feeding me, as if he was afraid it might burn me.

For a second, I almost believed in this version of him. Almost. But the lingering ache in my spine reminded me, this was all real. And none of it was love.

After dinner, Scott left to take care of some work. That was when my phone rang.

"Ms. Langley," an old yet familiar voice said. "Just reminding you, two days from now, everything is set. Don’t forget our agreement."

It was Yosef Lambert from the Dragon Squad. We had trained together years ago.

I glanced down at my swollen belly. "I won’t forget. Just make sure you do what you promised. He has to believe I’m dead, I have to die in front of Scott."

The line went dead. Right then, the door swung open.

Scott leaned against the frame, arms crossed, eyes sharp. "I heard my name, what exactly are you planning to do in front of me, honey?"

I quickly locked my phone and kept my voice even. "Nothing, just asking the psychologist if giving birth in front of you might traumatize you for life."

Scott didn’t even hesitate, just pulled me into a hug, his voice thick with emotion. "How could it? You went through hell for our child. The least I can do is be there. Besides, I’m the team leader, I’ve seen worse."

I just smiled at him, saying nothing.

"By the way, Abigail," he continued, "we’re having a celebration tonight. It’s for the successful recovery of the Dragon Squad and to prep for the mission the day after tomorrow. You’ve been through enough lately, so get some rest, I won’t be home."

I shook my head. "Take me with you."

Scott's expression tightened. "No. You're still recovering, and I won’t allow it."

And just like that, he turned and walked out, leaving me in the bedroom. But how could I sit this one out? A party to celebrate what cost me my legs, I had every right to be there.

At 7 p.m., I rolled myself into the venue. Glasses clinked, laughter filled the air, but as soon as I entered, the whispers started.

"Isn’t that Mr. Foster’s wife? She never shows up to these things."

"I mean… she was impressive once, but now? Just dead weight."

"Poor Chief. He’s stuck with her. If he’d married Commander Beckett instead, he’d actually be happy."