Serena walked inside like she was the lady of the house, and the housekeepers around her couldn't help but lower their heads in her presence.

Evan led her to me and introduced us. "This is an old friend of mine, Serena Harroway. She'll be staying with us for a few days."

"An old friend of yours?" I chuckled. "Why have you never mentioned her?"

He froze for a second. Before he could respond, Serena's expression darkened. Lifting her chin arrogantly, she said, "It looks like I'm not welcome here, Mrs. Blackwell. In that case, I won't impose. There are plenty of places in Amarille that would be happy to take me in."

Right after saying that, she turned to leave. Instinctively, he grasped her arm.

Then, he looked at me with a frown. "Why are you asking so many questions today, Selena? I was just introducing her. I don't need your approval."

My heart, which had been calm a moment ago, suddenly felt as though someone had driven a blade straight through it. I had only asked a simple, ordinary question. Yet, he turned around and reprimanded me just because Serena was displeased.

Evan had never raised his voice at me in the three years we had been married. I tried my best to compose myself, but my voice was still shaky. "Don't get the wrong idea, Ms. Harroway. My husband is the owner of this estate, so you can stay as long as you like."

Serena's lips curled into a triumphant smile before she brushed past me and strutted toward the dining room. Evan watched her with a helpless smile before following right after her.

The housekeepers' eyes were all on me, filled with mockery and disbelief.

The couple chatted animatedly at the dining table. Evan asked about her years studying abroad. Their conversation didn't cross any lines, but the glint in his eyes was impossible for me to miss.

"Why aren't you eating, Mrs. Blackwell? Is my presence ruining your appetite?" Serena picked up a piece of crab and placed it on my plate.

Before I could respond, Evan took it and placed it on his plate. "She's allergic to crab."

"Oh? Is that so?" Serena stiffened before letting out a soft chuckle. "You're still as attentive as ever, Evan. Don't tell me you've made another little notebook listing all her likes and habits. I still have the one you wrote for me back then.

"You're so lucky, Mrs. Blackwell. I'm sure that, after three years of marriage, that notebook must be filled by now."

Without saying a word, I lowered my head because Evan had kept a notebook about me.

The atmosphere became painfully awkward. I couldn't take it anymore, so I set my cutlery down and said coldly, "Please carry on without me. I don't feel so well."

Evan nodded. "I'll have our family physician check on you later."

Serena sneered, "She'll probably spring back to life once I'm gone. I can't believe she's so petty. I'm only staying a few days."

"That's enough, Serena," Evan cut her off. "After all this time, you still talk without a filter."

He then turned to me. "Don't mind her, Selena. She's always been this blunt."

I wanted to answer him, but a wave of dizziness washed over me. I merely nodded and turned to leave, steadying myself against the wall.

However, I didn't get far. After taking a couple of steps, I collapsed, clutching my neck and gasping for air, my face turning a frightening shade of purple.

"Selena!" Evan immediately rushed over.

The family physician surrounded me with his staff. "Mrs. Blackwell is having a severe allergic reaction, Mr. Blackwell. She needs to be rushed to the hospital right away, or she may suffocate."

"But she didn't eat any crab!" Evan bellowed.

The chef hurried over and explained, "I'm so sorry, Mr. Blackwell! You specifically mentioned that the guest liked crab, so I used crab oil to season some of the other dishes…"

Evan was furious, yet he didn't have time to punish the chef. He scooped me into his arms and bolted out.

Serena sighed. "It looks like I'll be spending my first night back in the country on my own. I wonder who promised he'd stay with me tonight and listen to everything I've been through in the car earlier."

After hearing that, Evan stopped dead in his tracks.

"Don't worry about me. Go ahead. She's your wife, after all. I have plenty of friends in Amarille anyway." With that, she picked up her bag and turned to leave. However, as she walked past Evan, he grasped her tightly.

He placed me into Gale's arms. "Get her to the hospital. I'll come over later."

Through my hazy consciousness, I saw Evan snatch Serena's bag and walk upstairs with her. My body burned with an unbearable itchiness, yet it was nothing compared to the pain in my chest.

Gale couldn't help but sigh on the way to the hospital. "Poor Mrs. Blackwell… Mr. Blackwell loves Ms. Harroway even more than I imagined."

…

When we arrived at the hospital, I was rushed to the emergency room.

The doctor said I would've been in grave danger if I had been brought in any later. "How could you have been so careless? I can't believe you'd let a pregnant woman near something she's allergic to. You almost caused her to lose her baby!"

Gale and I shot up in disbelief.

"I'm pregnant?"

"She's pregnant?"

"Yep, you're about a month along. Didn't you know?"

I had no idea.

At that moment, my emotions were all over the place. It felt as though the universe was toying with me. Why did this have to happen now, right when I'd made up my mind to leave Evan?

"This is wonderful news. Mr. Blackwell will be thrilled!" Gale immediately pulled out his phone.

I snatched it from him. "Don't tell him."

He seemed puzzled. "Why not? Mr. Blackwell will be overjoyed. After all, he was previously injured, and the doctors said it would be difficult for him to have children.

"The baby you're carrying is a miracle. If you tell him, he will give you anything you want! Even if you want him to leave Ms. Harroway—" His voice stopped cold as he realized what he'd just said.

I merely lowered my head and smiled. "I'll tell him. If any of you tell him before I do, I won't let you off the hook!"

After he left, I rested my hand on my stomach and got lost in thought.

All of a sudden, I remembered the day I'd first met Evan. I had been in a foul mood because my father had forced me into an arranged marriage, and I had assumed that anyone with such a fortune would be a graying businessman twice my age.

However, the moment I had looked up, I had frozen in place. He had been young and handsome, sitting on a black leather couch with a cigarette between his fingers, looking at me coldly.

"Come here." He had curled his fingers at me. At that moment, for some reason unbeknownst to me, I had walked up to him as if I'd been tugged by a chain.

He had pulled me onto his lap, his fingers brushing through my hair as he murmured against my ear, "Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful?"

Before I could answer, he had cupped my face and kissed me. It had been my first kiss with a man I had just met. Yet, that kiss had somehow been the most breathtaking moment of my life.

I felt a pang in my chest as I thought about all that. I couldn't help but lift my hand to touch my dry, chapped lips.

Those three sweet years were gone in the blink of an eye. I wasn't beautiful; I just happened to look like her.

After what felt like forever, I let out a shaky breath and called the doctor. "I'd like to book an abortion."

After scheduling the abortion, I submitted my application to Wyrmvale University.

Ever since my mother passed, my father had stopped treating me like his daughter. He never supported anything I wanted to do and only cared about marrying me off for money.

After leaving Evan, I had no home to return to. Fortunately, he had given me enough over the years to live comfortably for the rest of my life.

After doing all that, I received a photo from Serena. It was a photo of Evan, who was sound asleep. His chest was bare, and her hand rested on the spot where he had tattooed SH.

"Judging from how you reacted today, you probably already know what happened between Evan and me. So, I'll drop the act. Do yourself a favor and leave him.

"He's mine. If you refuse, I'll have him throw you out. Don't believe me? Just wait and see."

How could I not believe her? We had just met, and I had already lost everything. I had even come close to losing my child.

I replied, "Oh? What exactly are you going to do?"

Serena responded almost immediately, "First, I'll kick you out of his house. After all, Evan and I can't do anything while you're around. Trust me, if I tell him I don't want to see you, he won't let you through the door; you'll rot in that hospital for the rest of your life!"

I ignored her. To be honest, the feeling was mutual. I didn't want to see them either.

However, I thought it was ridiculous for me to be thrown out.

…

Early the next morning, Evan came to visit me with several bags of things. He gently caressed the red marks on my neck. "Don't worry. I've already fired those chefs. I won't let anyone or anything hurt you again."

I merely hummed in response. Instinctively, I dodged his touch.

Realizing I wasn't happy, he comforted me softly. "Serena is a friend of mine. She just returned to the country, so I need to look after her a little. Don't be mad at me, okay, honey?"

Any other woman would have melted the moment the CEO of Blackwell Group swallowed his pride and apologized to them. Yet, I merely turned my head away and hummed in response.

Evan sighed. "I'm going to be busy for the next few days. I don't trust the housekeepers to look after you, so stay in the hospital and get some rest. I'll assign the best doctors to you."

I turned around and smiled at him. "You merely don't want me home, do you?"

His brows drew together, and his patience thinned. "What are you on about? I'm worried about your health. You've been way too sensitive lately, Selena. You were never this unreasonable."

Right after saying that, he took a look at his wristwatch. "That's settled, then. I have something to attend to, so I'll be taking my leave."

I watched him hurry out the door with a bitter smile. It didn't take long before my smile crumbled into tears.

…

In the days that followed, Serena kept sending me messages. Evan didn't leave home. Instead, he spent his nights tangled up with her in his room, climbing into my bed and leaving their marks all over it.

Serena held up my nightgown in one video. "Isn't this the brand I used to love? I can't believe he missed me so much."

Then, she sent me a lot of photos. Clothes, jewelry, perfume—everything was from the brands she used to adore. In the end, she laughed. "Selena, you're like a doll made just for me."

I closed my phone and exhaled long and slow to calm myself.

Most of the things I owned had been bought by Evan. I had always believed he bought them for me out of love, but as it turned out, he was just remaking me into Serena.

No wonder he lost interest when I wore my own clothes. No wonder he pushed me away when I tried a new perfume. It was because I didn't resemble her anymore.

I opened my palm, took off my wedding ring, earrings, and necklace, and threw them all into the trash. All of a sudden, everything he had ever given me felt unbearably disgusting.

Ignoring the doctor's protests, I rushed back home. Evan's brows knitted together when he saw me. "Why are you back? I told you to stay in the hospital."

I looked him straight in the eye. "What about you? Weren't you supposed to be busy with work?"

Serena scoffed as she stepped out from behind him. "Mrs. Blackwell, he's the CEO of Blackwell Group. Even if you are his wife, you don't have the right to question him like that."

"You're right. I don't." Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at Serena. "But what right do you have to force your way into our marriage?"

"That's enough!" Evan bellowed.

The living room went dead silent. No one dared say a word.

He massaged his temples. "Serena is just a good friend of mine, Selena. Don't get the wrong idea. If you want to come home, you can do so."

"Evan!" Serena immediately called out, displeased.

"This is my home, and she's the lady of the household; what she says goes."

Serena stared at him in disbelief before storming out.

Evan immediately chased after her, but he ultimately came to an abrupt halt. Then, he turned around and ruffled my hair. "Don't be upset. I'll ask Talia to make you something good."

He kept putting food on my plate at the dining table. Then, he noticed my bare neck. "Why aren't you wearing any jewelry? Do you not like them anymore? I can order a couple more sets for you."

I shook my head and told him that wasn't necessary. Just then, a wave of nausea hit me, and I sprinted to the bathroom, puking my guts out.

"What's going on? Did you guys put something she's allergic to in the food again?"

The housekeepers looked at each other, insisting they had no idea.

Evan immediately crouched down beside me, patting my back. His voice was incredibly gentle as he said, "It's okay… You're going to be okay… Just let it all out. Don't just stand there; go get the doctor!"

"It's alright. I'm fine." Clutching my stomach, I slowly pushed myself to my feet.

"That won't do. You threw up; you need a doctor!" Evan immediately started toward the door.

I gripped his hand. "I told you I'm fine. I just returned from the hospital, remember? The doctor said this is a side effect of the allergy. I'll be fine."

Evan finally relaxed. Right then, his phone rang. He took a look at it before turning to the housekeepers and ordering, "Take good care of her. If I come home and she's still unwell, all of you are done!"

The housekeepers nodded frantically. After he left, they couldn't help but whisper among themselves. "It looks like Mr. Blackwell still cares a lot about Mrs. Blackwell. We'd better be careful."

"It looks like we're losing this bet. Mr. Blackwell kicked Ms. Harroway out and is so attentive to Mrs. Blackwell, after all."

The corners of my lips curled into a derisive smile as I listened. I, too, thought I had won when Serena left. However, the caller ID "Serena" flashing on his phone was far too obvious, and the way he turned around was far too decisive.

In the end, I was still the one who lost.

Evan disappeared for seven whole days. During that time, he didn't contact me once.

Serena's smug voice rang through my phone again. "How does it feel to guard an empty bedroom, Selena? So what if you're the lady of the Blackwell family? The real lady of the house is the one sharing the man's bed!

"Van bought me a huge villa. We've been going at it in the bedroom, the kitchen, and even the balcony. He told me that once I become pregnant with his child, he'll divorce you and replace you with me.

"So, you'd better pray that doesn't happen. After all, we do it every single day. It won't be long before I become pregnant!"

I chuckled. "In that case, let me congratulate you in advance, Mrs. Blackwell."

Serena was caught off guard. Staring at me in disbelief, she snarled, "What game are you playing, Selena? Why aren't you angry? Do you think I'm lying? Here, I'll send you a few videos so you can see it for yourself!"

In a flash, several videos appeared in our chat box. Evan had her pinned against the headboard, murmuring over and over, "Darling, does it hurt? I'll go easy on you."

I thought my heart had gone completely numb, but it still tightened for a second.

Serena seemed pleased by my silence. "I thought you didn't care anymore. Turns out, you were just pretending," she scoffed.

I hung up on her and immediately blocked her. Silence settled over the room.

Just then, a housekeeper knocked on the door. She walked in with a cup of coffee and left.

Then, I immediately heard whispers and giggles outside the door. "Look at her; she looks utterly miserable. We were worried for nothing. Mr. Blackwell obviously doesn't love her anymore."

"Exactly. So what if she lives here? Home is wherever Mr. Blackwell is. I bet we'll be moving into Ms. Harroway's place in no time."

I kicked the door open and slapped one of them across the face. "Get down on your knees!"

Both of them dropped to their knees, shaking uncontrollably.

"I was wrong, Mrs. Blackwell. We shouldn't have talked about you behind your back. Please forgive me. I'm begging you…"

The other housekeeper clung to my leg. "We're only following Ms. Harroway's orders, Mrs. Blackwell. She said if we could upset you, she would reward us handsomely once she became the lady of the house…"

I froze for a second. Then, it hit me. No wonder these usually cautious housekeepers had been talking about me right in front of my face, provoking me.

I kicked the housekeeper aside. "Spit it out. What else has she ordered you to do? Tell me everything!"

The housekeeper was about to come clean when the front door flew open. Evan appeared at the doorway with a hardened expression. "What are you doing, Selena?"

I scoffed. "Perfect timing. Why don't you listen to how your housekeepers have been mistreating me? Go on! Tell him exactly what you just told me!"

The housekeepers immediately turned to him, trembling all over. Tears cascaded down their faces as they choked out, "Please save us, Mr. Blackwell. Mrs. Blackwell has been in a terrible mood since you left; she's been breaking things, yelling, and hitting us. We genuinely can't take it anymore!"

"Mrs. Blackwell insisted on going into Ms. Harroway's room, but you told us no one could enter without your permission. Yet, she forced us to break the door… When we refused, she kicked and punched us. If you'd shown up a little later, we'd probably be dead…"

The smile on my face froze, and I stared at them in disbelief.

Evan's forehead creased as he looked at me coldly. "You've seriously let me down, Selena."

For a moment, I was at a loss for words. Rather than being hurt, I wanted to laugh; I wanted to laugh at myself for having loved him for three long years.

Lowering my gaze, I suppressed my emotions. "Evan, we've been married for so many years. Do you still not know what kind of person I am? I don't care if you believe me or not, but I didn't yell or hit them. Is it wrong for me, as the lady of the house, to discipline housekeepers who cross the line?"

Perhaps I was too calm, because doubt flickered in his eyes. Still, when he looked at the housekeepers, who were on their knees, they immediately burst into tears, acting as if I had done something unforgivable.

"I was only gone for a few days, and the house is already a circus." All of a sudden, Serena walked in.

After hearing the housekeeper's cries, she chuckled. "You wanted to go to my bedroom? That's hardly worth fighting over. If you wanted a tour, I could have taken you myself. Why'd you beat up the housekeepers?"

Her words cemented their lie.

Evan immediately said, "Serena, you don't have to indulge her. That's your room. She has no right to enter."

Serena, however, ignored him. "It's just a room. I don't want these innocent people to get hurt because of me."

Then, she walked up to me, linked her arm with mine, and led me to her bedroom. I couldn't take it anymore and shook her off. I hadn't used much force, but she still ended up tumbling down the stairs.