The other side continued to speak carefully:

"Brother and parents miss you very much. It was brother's fault that you got lost. Now you are willing to recognize us. No matter what you ask, we will agree to it, okay? "

"Amaris, I am your mother. If you blame your brother for making you lost and suffering for so many years, I will kick him out of the house, okay? Mom just wants you to come back..."

"Yes, if your brother dares to bully you after you come back, we will support you. "

Amaris listened to the voices of her biological parents and brother on the other side, and her nose was sour.

"Mom, Dad, Brother, you are so kind. "

The moment she agreed, sobs broke out on the other end of the line; Zariah Castellan, her real mother, was crying.

But Soren Castellan, her brother, sensed something amiss. His voice sharpened with concern. “Amaris, are they mistreating you over there?”

“I think I just heard you crying.”

Her father, Lysander Castellan,’s voice followed, cold with fury. “That shameless Dravenson family? How dare they bully my daughter?”

Amaris's eyes welled up. Her voice trembled, barely a whisper.

“No, they didn’t hurt me. I just… I want to be with my real parents and my real brother, too.”

The Castellans had found her just a week ago, claiming her as their long-lost daughter. But at that time, after everything Alaric Dravenson and Amanda Dravenson had done, and with how gentle Zevian had always been, she couldn’t bring herself to leave.

Back then, she had even thought about telling Zevian, maybe letting him help her decide.

But now, there was no need for that anymore.

Her thoughts drifted back to that day two years ago, when she'd been kidnapped. For three long days and nights, she was trapped in a nightmare, forced and humiliated by the kidnapper. Then came the drugs and when she woke up, one of her kidneys was gone.

They dumped her like trash right outside the Dravenson estate.

She had learned the truth; it had all been a carefully orchestrated plan, with Zevian as the mastermind.

For two years, she had been deceived, both physically and emotionally, and lost a kidney in the process.

Everything she owed the Dravenson family had been paid in full.

Once the call ended, Soren and their parents shared their final warnings before reluctantly hanging up.

Amaris’s gaze shifted to the calendar on the wall, and she walked over, her fingers brushing lightly against the date she had marked so long ago.

It was the day she had been eagerly awaiting, the day she planned the wedding ceremony with Zevian. Only ten days away.

She took a deep breath and thought about what she overheard from Wen Chenyan earlier: they were planning to kidnap her on the way to the wedding, so she had to leave before the wedding day.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Zevian entered, his eyes catching her staring at the calendar. With a playful chuckle, he teased, “Still thinking about it? Do you really want to the wedding that badly?”

He approached and wrapped his arms around her waist, his breath warm against her ear.

“No rush, baby. We’ve got a lifetime ahead of us.”

Amaris stiffened in his hold, the weight of everything crashing down on her.

Instead of the horrors of her kidnapping, her mind replayed their tender moments from the past two years.

Her fingertips quivered ever so slightly, and a bitter ache spread through her chest.

If he didn’t love her, how could Zevian pretend so convincingly? How could he make her believe it was real?

Amaris gently pulled away from his arms, her voice flat as she spoke, “Brother, I’m a bit tired. I’ll go to sleep first.”

Sensing the sudden chill in her tone, Zevian thought perhaps he had been too rough earlier, that his actions had upset her.

He patted her head gently, his smile soft and reassuring, “Alright, go rest. I’ll take a shower. That fire you lit earlier is still smoldering, but I won’t bother you tonight. I’ll handle it myself.”

With that, Zevian turned and headed to the bathroom. Amaris lay in bed, restlessness twisting her insides.

In the quiet of the night, sleep took her, but it was not peaceful.

The nightmare came in waves. She was back in the kidnapper’s grip again, her body aching with a fire she could not escape.

But then the dream shifted. Zevian appeared as her savior, his lips on hers, soothing her wounds.

But in a blink, the dream twisted again. The kidnapper’s face, now clearly Zevian’s, sent her heart racing with dread.

Amaris jolted awake, her body drenched in a cold sweat.

Her movement startled Zevian. He frowned and reached for her forehead, his touch cool against her fevered skin.

“You’re burning up…”

His deep, intense gaze was immediately filled with unmistakable worry and concern.

“You’ve got a fever? Come on, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Without hesitation, he jumped out of bed, quickly dressed, then gently helped her get dressed and carried her to the car.

At the hospital, he told her to sit and rest while he went to stand in line to register her.

After the examination, the doctor said she needed an IV to recover immediately.

As the drip was hooked up, Zevian stayed by her side, his hand constantly brushing against her forehead, his gaze anxious as he waited for her fever to break.

The entire night, he remained with her, attending to her every need. Only when the fever finally subsided did he exhale a relieved breath.

The next morning, Amaris applied for a visa to go abroad.

Her biological parents and older brother lived overseas, and they had already agreed that she would join them as soon as her visa was approved.

They had arranged a special channel for her, ensuring the visa would be ready in seven days.

That would give her more than enough time to leave before the registration date.

After finishing everything, Zevian’s phone, lying quietly on the table, lit up several times.

Amaris picked it up, her eyes scanning the messages from Aveline.

"Brother, I’m home alone and so bored. Mom and Dad are on business trips. Will you come to hang out with me?"

"If you don’t come, I’ll go out by myself. If anything happens, I can’t make any promises, you know."

"Let’s meet at Belmont Amusement Park, don’t forget!"

Amaris put the phone back down, a sharp sting in her eyes.

Zevian had once told her he’d severed ties with Aveline and Alaric, and Amanda for her.

But why was Aveline still messaging him so casually, so familiarly, like nothing had changed?

The rustle of her movement must have been too loud, for Zevian, still asleep beside her, stirred.

He had stayed up all night, watching over her. Now, with dark circles under his eyes, he blinked awake.

As soon as his eyes opened, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

"Amaris, you’re so sweet."

His voice was thick with the early morning rasp, tinged with an unmistakable desire.

"I’m not feeling well, and you’re exhausted from last night too. Sleep a little more."

Amaris gently pushed away his wandering hands, her voice soft.

Seeing her mood, Zevian didn’t insist. Instead, he smiled.

"Okay. Whatever my dear wife says, I’ll listen."

"By the way, there is a procedure for our wedding that needs your signature." Amaris took out the divorce agreement, mixed it in the wedding procedure book, and handed it to Zevian.

"My wife is great. You planned our wedding very well. You are the cleanest and smartest baby." Zevian was about to look through the procedure, and Amaris' heart was in her throat.

Suddenly, the phone lit up.

Zevian picked up the phone and looked at it. The corners of his lips that were originally smiling froze immediately.

He put away the smile on his face, signed hurriedly without even looking at it, and got up to change his clothes, "Amaris, there’s an emergency at the office. I need to check on it. Stay home and rest, alright? Call me if anything happens; I’ll come back right away."

As she watched him leave in a hurry, her mind replayed the messages she had just seen.

What office emergency? He was clearly rushing to be with Aveline.

As soon as Zevian was gone, she got up, changed quickly, and took a cab to follow him.

At Belmont Amusement Park, she bought a ticket and entered. It didn’t take long before she spotted Zevian and Aveline standing together.

She couldn’t hear their conversation, but Aveline looked incredibly happy.

With a gleam in her eyes, Aveline tiptoed up to kiss Zevian on the cheek.

Amaris’s hands and feet were cold, her body wrapped in silence as she stood at a distance, neither too far nor too close, just close enough to hear their conversation.

“Aveline, I knew you’d come to see me because you were worried.”

Aveline’s voice was filled with a playful joy, unmistakably delighted.

“Aveline, I’m your brother. You can’t kiss me like that again, understand?”

Zevian’s voice was firm, but his tone betrayed an underlying helplessness; he had clearly indulged her before.

“Don’t think I don’t know. You were adopted by Mom and Dad, too. We’re not real siblings. I like you, so what?”

Aveline’s voice was bold, unapologetic.

“You like me too. To cure me, you even kidnapped Amaris and had her kidney taken.”

“Zevian, once I’m well, please divorce her. Marry me.”

Zevian didn’t look shocked by her words. It was clear Aveline had said things like this many times before.

Amaris stood hidden in the crowd at the amusement park, unnoticed by them.

“No. Mom and Dad wouldn’t approve. Aveline, you need to give up. I’m married to Amaris now. I’m not sure anymore; I’m not good enough for you. You deserve better.”

His voice was thick with bitterness, his eyes clouded with sorrow.

Aveline’s heart broke at the weight of his words. She cupped his face gently and said with a serious tone, “You’re not dirty at all. When I’m better, I’ll tell Mom and Dad we’ve already been together. They won’t mind.”

With that, she stood on tiptoe, lifted her face, and kissed him fiercely, wrapping her arms around him to keep him close, not giving him the chance to pull away.

Zevian seemed powerless against her. Eventually, he gave in, placing his hand on the back of her head, kissing her back with an intensity that spoke of tenderness, as if handling something precious.

Amaris watched them, her body numb as the blood drained from her face. Her mind went completely blank.

They had no shame, no concern for anyone else.

After their breathless kiss, Zevian gazed at Aveline with soft eyes, affection impossible to disguise.

Their bodies betrayed them, and in the end, Zevian gritted his teeth, lifting her and heading toward the underground parking lot of the amusement park.

Amaris’s heart continued to sink as she followed them, unable to tear her eyes away. She saw Zevian carry Aveline inside and roll up the windows.

Soon, the car began to rock. Faint panting and soft moans pierced the silence.

There was no need to imagine what was happening inside.

Amaris’s face turned as white as a ghost, her body feeling like a hollow shell. The pain in her chest was sharp, almost suffocating.

She couldn’t help but recall how to please Zevian and match his desires; she had once made love with him in a car, too.

She had even kept several boxes of condoms tucked away; now, they were being used by him and Aveline.

Amaris didn't remember how she got home. She only remembered that after leaving Blue Sky Amusement Park, she went to the divorce office and handed the divorce agreement she had signed in the morning to the lawyer.

Despite her resolve to leave, witnessing that scene still tore at her heart; it felt as if a part of her soul had been carved out.

It was late, around 8 or 9 p.m., when Zevian finally came home.

As soon as he entered, he pulled Amaris into his arms, nuzzling her neck, breathing in her scent as though savoring it.

His hands, familiar and steady, roamed along her back.

Amaris fought against the wave of nausea, pushing him away. The situation struck her as laughable, though her face remained composed, revealing nothing. She spoke with the faintest hint of dissatisfaction, “You just got home, eat first. I’ve kept your dinner warm.”

“My wife is the best. Coming home to a hot meal made by her, there’s no man luckier than me.”

Zevian released her, oblivious to the tension in the air, and sat down with a grin to eat.

He had changed into fresh clothes, and no trace of the day’s events was left behind.

Aveline always wore perfume, but there wasn’t a hint of it on him.

He had covered his tracks perfectly, every detail accounted for.

Had she not overheard his conversation with his adoptive parents, she might have remained in the dark forever, never knowing the truth.

That night, Amaris went to bed early, wanting to avoid Zevian’s advances. Every time he touched her, images of him with Aveline overwhelmed her, leaving her nauseous.

But in the middle of the night, Amaris woke with her stomach churning.

Amaris couldn’t hold back, leaping out of bed and rushing to the bathroom.

She dry-heaved over the sink, her body trembling with the effort.

The noise she made was enough to stir Zevian from his sleep. As soon as she bolted out of bed, he followed, concern etching his features.

Finding her there, struggling but unable to vomit, he rushed to her side.

“Amaris, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”

The bedroom light flickered on.

Amaris’s face was pale, her body stiff. She shook her head and replied, “I just suddenly felt nauseous, but it’s passing now.”

At her words, something seemed to click in Zevian’s mind. His eyes gleamed with an almost hopeful excitement.

“Amaris, could we have a baby?”

Her breath caught in her throat. His words struck her with a sudden realization.

The symptoms did seem to point in that direction.

Without wasting a second, Zevian rushed to fetch a pregnancy test.

When the test revealed two lines, Zevian couldn’t hide his joy. He wrapped her in a tight embrace, his voice thick with emotion.

“This is incredible, Amaris, we’re having a baby!”

Amaris hesitated, her heart tangled in a web of doubt. She forced a smile, but it felt like a fragile mask.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy? Or do you not want this baby?”

His question was careful, filled with concern.

Amaris met his gaze, and there was a slight tremble in her voice.

“No, it’s just I’ve heard pregnancy tests aren’t always accurate. Let’s go to the hospital tomorrow to be sure.”

If she hadn’t known about Zevian’s plan with his adoptive family, if she hadn’t witnessed the man, she thought she loved to betray her with another woman.

Maybe she would have been overjoyed by the news.

But now, this child felt like a weight, a responsibility she wasn’t sure she could carry.

Or worse still, after another kidney surgery, could the baby even survive?

“Zevian, I heard from the doctor that if we want the baby to be safe, the mother must be well taken care of.”

“Before the baby is born, you’ll protect me, won’t you? You won’t let anything happen to me?”

Amaris looked up and asked tentatively in a soft voice.

At the word "unexpected", Zevian lowered his eyes, avoiding her gaze, yet his tone remained perfectly natural.

“Of course. I’ll protect you and the baby.”

Amaris' heart sank when she saw Zevian didn't dare to look at her.

Seeing Zevian avoid her gaze, Amaris’s heart dropped, sinking deep into a pit of despair.

The next morning, Zevian accompanied her to the hospital, his expression unreadable as they waited for the results.

When the test came back, Amaris was truly pregnant.

Zevian’s face lit up with joy, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He kissed her again and again, like a young boy who had just fallen in love.

“My love, I’ll take care of you and our baby; I’m going to be a dad!”

Amaris stood there, holding the pregnancy report in one hand, feeling a strange daze wash over her. Her other hand instinctively drifted to her abdomen, a flutter of warmth and wonder rising within her.

It was as if she could hear the gentle heartbeat of the life growing inside her.

“My love, let me take you home. The first three months are so important, you mustn’t be startled.”

“I’ll go buy groceries, cook for you, and take good care of you and our baby.”

A blissful smile spread across Zevian’s face as he spoke, his excitement palpable.

“Should we start thinking about what to name the baby…?”

They left the hospital shortly after, and not long later, they were home.

No matter what Amaris said, Zevian wouldn’t let her lift a finger. He treated her as if she were made of glass, handling her with the utmost care and always watching over her.

While he was busy, the phone in the living room suddenly rang.

He rushed out of the kitchen, grabbed the phone, and answered it. His face shifted instantly, his expression tight with urgency.

“I’ll be right there!”

Without another word, he yanked the apron off and tossed it carelessly on the table, dashing out the door without even sparing a glance at her.

Amaris stood at the corner of the staircase, watching him go, the sound of his hurried footsteps echoing through the house. He had completely forgotten his promise to make her dinner, even leaving the stove on.

Her phone buzzed with a new message.

[Come to Oregon Hospital in the city center. I’m waiting for you, Aveline.]

Amaris arrived outside the hospital room, just as familiar voices reached her ears.

Amanda was crying.

“Zevian, Aveline’s condition is worsening again. What are we going to do?”

“Can’t we move the plan forward and have Amaris donate a kidney to Aveline sooner?”

Zevian stood silently at the side, his gaze lingering on Aveline’s pale face on the hospital bed. Pain and helplessness flickered in his eyes, but he remained quiet.

Upon seeing his lack of response, Amanda's tears stopped abruptly. Realization seemed to strike her, and her tone became sharp, demanding.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t want to move the plan forward for Aveline? Or is it you’ve really fallen for that woman?”

Alaric’s eyes darkened at her words, his gaze turning cold as he fixed Zevian with a cold stare.

“Zevian, we raised you to care for Aveline. Are you going to turn your back on her now?”

At that, Zevian finally spoke, his voice cold and unwavering.

“How could I fall for Amaris? I was just thinking about how to adjust the schedule.”

“Dad, Mom, my feelings for Aveline are real. Besides, she once saved my life. How could I abandon her for Amaris?”

Lying in bed, Aveline stiffened slightly at the mention of her saving him but quickly masked it with a calm expression.

“Zevian, I always knew you were the best to me.”

Outside the room, Amaris stood frozen, her face pale, her body on the verge of collapse.

She couldn’t help but remember the day Aveline had returned. Zevian had been in a car accident, and by some twist of fate, Aveline had been at the scene.

When the car came barreling toward him, she rushed from behind and shoved him out of the way.

But it had been too late.

Both Zevian and she had been struck. Thankfully, her timely push had spared Zevian from serious injury while she had taken the brunt of it, slipping into a coma.

When she had awoken, everyone was praising Aveline for saving Zevian’s life. And she, the woman Zevian had once held dear, was cast as the heartless one, never even visiting him after his accident.

No matter how much she tried to explain, no one believed her. They accused her of stealing Aveline’s credit, shamelessly.

Zevian’s once tender affection for her had turned cold, and all his warmth was now directed toward Aveline.

It wasn’t until she had been kidnapped and violated that Zevian started treating her kindly again.

Looking back now, she couldn’t help but think he might have been the one behind that incident, only treating her better out of guilt.

She had once been blind, convinced that Zevian truly loved her.

"Miss, are you a family member of the patient? Why haven’t you gone in?"

A nurse on her rounds spotted Amaris standing outside and asked with curiosity.

As she spoke, the nurse reached out, pushing the door open.

The moment Amaris stepped into view, everyone inside turned toward the entrance.

Zevian froze. Panic flickered in his eyes at the sight of her.

Realizing she had been spotted, Amaris didn’t hesitate. With tears welling up in her eyes, she turned and fled.

Zevian rushed to follow, but Alaric caught his arm.

"Where do you think you're going? Don’t forget, Aveline still needs you!"

The words snapped Zevian back to reality. He pushed down the unease bubbling in his chest and spoke softly, "I’m worried she overheard everything. It could ruin the plan. If something happens to her, there’ll be no one left to donate a kidney to Aveline."

After the nurse finished her rounds and left, Alaric’s face softened, a confident smile tugging at his lips.

"You don’t need to worry about that."

"Even if she knows, there’s no escape for her."

"Why do you think she showed up here? We lured her in, of course."

"Aveline’s condition is worsening; look, she had to be admitted again today. You’re moving too slowly, and we can’t afford to wait any longer."

"The moment she leaves this hospital, someone will take her, and her kidney will be gone."

Zevian’s heart skipped a beat. He looked sharply at Alaric, a cold dread rising in him.

"Dad, Amaris is pregnant with my child. If you're going to act, at least give me some warning."

Seeing the agitation in Zevian’s eyes, Amanda quickly intervened, her voice steady but firm.

"Zevian, your father’s just under pressure. He can’t stand seeing Aveline suffer."

"Besides, Amaris can always have another child. Right now, the most important thing is Aveline’s health! Without a kidney, she’ll die. Can’t you see what matters more?"

Aveline, who had remained silent up until now, spoke at just the right moment, her voice trembling, eyes brimming with unshed tears.

"Zevian, don’t blame Mom and Dad. It’s all my fault; I shouldn’t have gotten sick. If I wasn’t sick, none of this would be happening."

"You wouldn’t have to hurt Amaris either. I feel so guilty."

Without warning, she grabbed the fruit knife from the bedside and raised it to her own chest.

"If I die, Amaris won’t have to give me her kidney, and you can have your baby in peace, Zevian. Please, Mom, Dad, spare Amaris."

Zevian moved in an instant, leaping forward to grab the knife from her hands.

He acted quickly, but the sharp blade cut into his palm, blood oozing from the wound and staining the sheets.

"Zevian..."

Aveline stared, her face frozen in shock, her gaze shifting from the blood-soaked bed to Zevian’s darkened expression.