The boldest thing Solenne Frankenthaler had ever done was fall in love with a man she shouldn’t—her fiancé’s younger brother—fully knowing she was set to marry the eldest of the Stettheimers children.

Worse, she was plotting to fake her death and run away with her lover.

Inside the villa, Rockwell Stettheimer pinned her beneath him on the bed.

“Be a good girl for me, babe. Stay still. Let me show you what happens when you trust me.”

His teasing tone in her ear made her cheeks flush.

When it was finally over, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Babe,” she whispered, “when will you take me away? I just want to be with you, openly and officially. I love you so much. I really want to be yours.”

They were each other’s first love.

But her family forced her to get engaged to someone else. She refused and begged Rockwell to elope with her.

He agreed. But on the day they were supposed to run away together, he didn’t show up.

She was left with no choice but to get engaged to Luther, the eldest son of the family she would be marrying into.

Only then did she realize—Rockwell was actually her fiancé’s younger brother.

Seeing her tear up, Rockwell put on his clothes as he casually promised, “Soon. Just two more weeks. On your wedding day, we’ll run away.”

The word “wedding” made Solenne falter. She looked at him in doubt.

“This time… you’ll really take me away, right?”

Rockwell stroked her brows gently, his eyes filled with affection.

“I got into a car accident last time. I was unconscious in the hospital—I didn’t mean to leave you hanging.

“But I swear, nothing will go wrong this time.

“You know how much I love you, babe. Do you really think I’d let you marry someone else?”

Solenne finally relaxed. Her eyes curved into a soft smile.

“I believe everything you say.”

Rockwell tapped her nose fondly.

“You love painting, don’t you? After we run away, I’ll open a gallery for you. We’ll hang all your art in it.”

She giggled, giving him a playful pout. “You always know how to sweet-talk me.”

He chuckled. “Nah. Anyway, I have to go, babe. I’ve got a meeting. The maid will clean this room later. If you’re tired, rest in the guest room.”

She nodded and watched him leave, obediently and full of trust.

Just a few minutes after she began tidying up, she spotted Rockwell’s wrist watch lying on the bed.

Without thinking, she grabbed it and rushed downstairs to return it.

But when she overheard a conversation, she froze before she could even take another step.

Outside the villa, Rockwell leaned against a sleek black Maybach.

The man in the car rolled the window down. It was Norman Pollock, Rockwell’s close friend and Luther’s sworn brother.

Norman laughed and cursed. “Damn, dude! Your sister-in-law tastes that good? Took you so long—had me waiting forever!”

Rockwell let out a low, ambiguous laugh. “Of course. Having sex with Luther’s woman? How could it not feel good?”

Norman laughed with him, and then he added, “You’re a damn genius! Dropping the sex tape right in the middle of their wedding? Dude, the entire Brooklyn will have fun!

“The bride getting off under another man while her groom’s right there? Damn, Luther’s going to be the biggest loser in Brooklyn! I bet your dad will be so humiliated he’ll start stripping your brother’s power in your family’s company!”

Rockwell scoffed. “Serves him right. He’s getting exactly what he deserves.

“He ruined Chesca’s life—married her off to that abusive bastard. I begged Luther on my knees, and he still wouldn’t let her be with me.”

Just behind the front door, Solenne stood hidden completely from their sight.

Slowly, she blinked, as if trying to make sense of what she just overheard.

She wanted to step forward and say something… but her legs wouldn’t let her.

The conversation in the Maybach was still going.

Norman chuckled and said, “Yeah, yeah, we all know you’re the devoted type who never got over his first love. She’s divorced now, huh? You’ve waited all this time, pulled all those strings—finally, dude, your moment came! Bittersweet victory…”

He let out a sigh, patting Rockwell on the shoulder.

“But don’t you think this is a little too cruel for Solenne?” he added. “You knew from the beginning she’d be forced into an engagement with Luther, and you still approached her on purpose. You played with her feelings. That’s cruel, man. Poor Solenne, she really believed you loved her.”

Rockwell glanced lazily at Norman, lifting his eyelids just enough.

“There’s nothing wrong with it. She happened to fall into my path.”

He didn’t elaborate; he just lit a cigar.

Norman frowned, eyeing him carefully.

“And what about afterwards? After what happened at the wedding—Solenne’s not going to blow up at you?”

Rockwell let out a small laugh, the cigar between his teeth.

“She loves me too much. Even if she finds out, she won’t make a scene.

“I’ll take her away before she learns the truth. She’ll never know I was the one behind what happened at the wedding.”

In that instant, Solenne felt the blood drain from her body.

Her mind went blank as her eyes watched Rockwell climb into his car.

Soon, the Maybach slowly pulled away.

She couldn’t even remember how she got back to her bedroom.

All she felt was a heavy fog of confusion.

‘Why? Why me?’

She had poured all her love into Rockwell—knowing full well the scandal it would cause to fall for her future brother-in-law.

Even with the risk of being ridiculed and shamed, she had thrown herself in without hesitation.

‘I sincerely love him… How… How come he betrayed me after everything I gave him?!’

Just then, her phone rang.

An international number flashed across the screen.

It was Luther—her fiancé.

When she answered, his calm and deep voice came through the line.

“I won’t be able to come back to New York in time to help with the wedding preparations or dress fittings. I’ll only make it back the day before the ceremony.

“But if you’d like, you can come here instead. We can hold the wedding in Santorini. That way, I can help you plan everything.

“If you’d rather not, we’ll stick to the original plan and hold it in New York. It’s completely up to you.”

His tone was gentle and respectful—more like he was asking her opinion than issuing a decision.

Even though this engagement had been forced by their families, Luther had never once disrespected her.

He couldn’t be there to plan the wedding, but he was still considerate of her feelings.

“Let’s hold it there,” she said. “I’ll fly out in seven days.”

Luther exhaled, clearly relieved. A smile crept into his voice.

“Alright. I’ll be waiting.”

‘With the change in wedding plans,’ she thought, ‘all of Rockwell’s plans will probably fall apart. He’s right—I’ve been foolish.

‘But even a fool knows when she’s been betrayed.’

After hanging up, she stared at the watch on her wrist, lost in thought.

‘Seven days. That should be enough time to pack up and leave.’

Then, her phone lit up again. This time, it was a message from Rockwell.

[Babe, I think I left my watch. Can you drop it off for me? By the way, Luther’s still in Greece. He won’t be back until the wedding.]

When she didn’t reply, he assumed she hadn’t seen it.

A few minutes later, he sent another message.

[Never mind, I’ll just come get it myself. You should rest.]

He wasn’t far; soon, he was back.

When he entered the bedroom and saw the mess still untouched, he found Solenne sitting in a daze with the watch in her hand.

She didn’t even notice anything strange.

He walked in casually and took the watch from her hand.

Then, without saying a word, he began tidying the room.

She watched him strip the dirty sheets off the bed, toss them in the laundry, and lay down a fresh set.

In no time, the room looked spotless again.

Every move he made and every expression on his face—it all told her he cared about her.

Nobody wouldn’t guess for a second that he had another woman in his heart, or that everything he’d done was just a charade.

Once he was done, he walked back toward her side.

“Why the pouty face?” he teased gently, pinching her cheek. “Who upset my baby this time?”

His voice was playful, almost doting. In contrast, Solenne looked him straight in the eye, asking, “Rockwell, do you… do you really love me?”

He thought she was just being clingy, so he stroked her soft hair with a chuckle.

“Of course, babe, I love you. You can ask me as many times as you want. You’re so lovely—how could I not love you?”

Just then, his phone rang.

Just one look at the caller ID, he let go of her hand and gestured that he needed to take the call outside.

Rockwell stepped outside to take the call.

Seeing this, Solenne quietly followed him, keeping her distance to eavesdrop from behind.

Norman’s irritated voice came through the receiver. “Hurry up, dude! Chesca’s coming back to New York today. If you don’t get to the airport soon, you’re going to miss her!”

“I know, dude. How could I forget a day like this?” Rockwell replied lazily.

Solenne felt like her heart had been sliced open.

‘That name—Chesca. It sounds so familiar. Where have I heard it before?’

Then it hit her. Almost instantly.

Back when Rockwell used to cheer her up, he’d take her to art exhibitions. Every time, without fail, he would pause in front of the same artist’s work.

She’d been curious back then. ‘What kind of painting could capture his attention like that?’

She even checked the artist’s name—Chesca Sherald.

Rockwell had never been into art. Solenne used to think he was just trying to share an interest with her, trying to understand the things she loved.

That used to move her deeply.

But now she realized, ‘He… He’s never doing it for me. It’s just because the artist… is the woman he can’t have.’

“I just came back to grab my wristwatch,” she heard him say, snapping her back to the present. “It’s a gift from Chesca—her first one to me. I can’t possibly lose it. I want to wear it when I see her.”

“Fine. Just hurry up. I’m hanging up.”

Hearing that, Solenne quietly turned and headed back to the bedroom.

Not long after, Rockwell walked in. He picked up the wristwatch, grabbed a new outfit, and went into the bathroom.

He was quick—clearly rushing to get to the airport.

Before heading out, he even styled his hair with wax and sprayed on cologne—the kind meant to attract women.

Watching him carefully groom himself like a teenage boy going on his first date, Solenne’s chest tightened with jealousy.

‘So this is what he looks like when he’s in love… Like an innocent, hopeful boy. He probably doesn’t even realize he’s like that.’

Once he was ready, he turned to her with a grin. “Babe, come take a look. Do I look good?”

Standing in front of the mirror, spinning slightly as he asked, he looked… happy.

Solenne forced a smile. “Very handsome.”

“But usually,” she added, “when you go to work, you don’t go all out like this. Something special going on today?”

She asked casually, though she already knew.

He paused for a beat, then smirked. “Aside from the usual meetings, I’ve got to discuss a contract with a female client today. Figured I’d dress up a bit—who knows, maybe if she thinks I’m charming enough, she’ll sign.”

He said it like a joke.

“Makes sense,” Solenne replied in a flat voice. “Go ahead then.”

Noticing something off in her tone, he furrowed his brows, about to say something—when a message notification popped up on his phone.

From the corner of her eye, Solenne saw the contact name: [Chesca]

[Rockwell, I just landed. Brooklyn’s changed a lot—I barely recognize the roads. Can you come pick me up?]

The moment he saw the message, Rockwell completely forgot whatever was going on with Solenne. He ruffled her hair gently and said, “I’ve got to go. Be good, okay? I’ll bring you your favorite cake when I get back.”

Before the words even fully left his mouth, he was already out the door.

When he left, Solenne’s smile vanished.

She quietly went to the bathroom, cleaned herself up—and then remembered something that made her freeze.

‘The condoms. The ones I secretly pricked with a needle!’

She couldn’t sit still anymore. She booked a cab and rushed to the hospital.

On the ride there, her mind was a mess.

All this time, she never doubted that Rockwell loved her and that he’d marry her someday.

He once told her he was willing to run away with her and build a life together. She’d even pictured herself carrying his child, imagining the three of them as a family.

She loved him. She wanted his children. So for the past two weeks, she’d secretly poked holes in the condoms—hoping that when the pregnancy test came back positive, it would be a surprise he’d be happy about.

At the hospital, the test results came back.

Solenne stared at the words on her pregnancy test report.

[Result: Positive]

Her face went pale. She didn’t know how long she stood there in silence.

But eventually, she made up her mind.

“Doctor,” she said quietly, “I’d like to schedule an abortion.”

Solenne stepped out of the hospital, still clutching the report in her hand, dazed and hollow.

The abortion was scheduled for eight in the morning tomorrow.

She had wanted this child so badly. Now, she didn’t want it at all.

What was once a long-awaited surprise had become a suffocating burden.

She drifted home like a ghost. Hungry, but with no appetite, she decided to cook something anyway—just to keep busy.

Halfway through, she accidentally knocked over a pan left on the burner.

With a loud clang, hot oil splattered everywhere, catching her hand.

“Ah!” she cried out in pain, unable to hold it in.

“Babe! What happened?”

Right then, Rockwell walked in. He’d just gotten home and immediately heard her scream.

Panic shot through him as he rushed into the kitchen.

There she was—on the floor, surrounded by the mess. His face changed instantly.

“You burned yourself? Come with me. I’m taking you to the hospital.” His voice was rushed and full of concern.

Without waiting for a response, he scooped her up and carried her out.

At the hospital, he stayed by her side the entire time, not leaving for even a second while the doctor checked and treated her injury.

“Next time, wait for me to come back and cook. These hands of yours are made for painting, not for kitchen accidents. What if the injury had been worse?”

His eyes were full of worry as he looked at her red, scalded hand.

Something about his expression tugged at her heart.

‘The concern on his face—it doesn’t look fake. So maybe… maybe some part of this whole act isn’t a lie. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a little truth in how he treats me.’

“You haven’t eaten yet, right? I’ll go grab something for you.”

Just as he turned to leave, he froze.

Following his line of sight, Solenne looked up—just in time to see Chesca walking toward them.

She instantly noticed the way his body tensed as Chesca’s eyes lit up in surprise.

“Rockwell? What are you doing here? Are you sick?”

The moment he saw her, Rockwell stiffened, his expression faltering with guilt.

“No… it’s nothing. My sister-in-law burned herself cooking. My brother’s not around, so I had to bring her in.”

“Oh, I see,” Chesca nodded in understanding.

Solenne watched the unease on his face—the way he scrambled to explain himself, desperate not to be misunderstood.

She gave a bitter smile and looked away.

That little flicker of warmth she felt earlier—gone.

‘How could I forget?’ Even if Rockwell had a sliver of real affection for her, the one he truly loved… was never her.

And any truth buried in his lies wasn’t worth sacrificing herself for.

“So, what about you? Why are you suddenly in the hospital?” he asked.

“I’ve been dealing with a cold. Came to get some meds. Actually, I’m headed to a welcome-back dinner a friend threw for me. Want to come?”

The way they talked—casual, familiar—it made her want to decline immediately. She didn’t belong there.

But before she could say anything, Rockwell spoke first.

“Sure, let’s go. We haven’t had dinner anyway. Might as well tag along.”

Chesca smiled, looking over at her. “Perfect.”

Rockwell drove them to the venue—a private room on the second floor of an upscale restaurant.

As soon as they sat down, he pushed away the iced drinks and asked the server to bring over some warm honey water.

When it arrived, he placed it in front of Chesca and said naturally, “Don’t drink anything cold, especially if you’re catching a cold. And aren’t you about to start your period?”

His gesture drew lighthearted teasing from the people around the table.

“All these years and Rockwell is still this attentive with Chesca, huh? He even remembers her cycle—now that’s commitment!”

“Well, of course he remembers,” someone laughed. “Chesca’s his first love, after all. When she moved overseas and married that French guy, didn’t Rockwell mope around for a whole month?”

Inside the room, Norman joined in with exaggerated winks and teasing.

“Miss Sherald here is gorgeous, talented, and already a well-known artist at such a young age. Who wouldn’t fall for her? It’s only natural that Rockwell liked her once.

“I wasn’t sure if he really did before, but now…”

He trailed off deliberately, but everyone chuckled knowingly, casting ambiguous looks at the old flames.

Chesca blushed from their teasing and shyly said, “Come on, don’t joke around. You’re making something out of nothing. Besides, I’ve already been married and divorced. I’m not good enough for Rockwell.”

“You’re good enough for anyone. The one who’s not good enough… is me,” Rockwell quickly jumped in, afraid she actually meant what she said—that she wasn’t worthy of him.

Up until this point, Solenne had been silently sitting there, barely noticed.

All eyes were on Rockwell and Chesca, laughing and joking, caught up in their own world. Solenne didn’t even have the right to question him.

To everyone else, she was just his future sister-in-law—his eldest brother’s fiancée. To everyone else, she had nothing to do with Rockwell.

“I’m going to the restroom,” Solenne said quietly.

But Rockwell didn’t even glance her way. All his attention was still on Chesca.

Seeing this, Solenne forced a faint smile, got up on her own, and walked away.

Chesca had noticed. The corners of her lips curved upward ever so slightly. She excused herself, saying she also needed the restroom, and followed behind Solenne.

When Solenne came out, she found Chesca standing by the sink, clearly waiting for her.

“Do you need something?” Solenne asked, her expression calm and unreadable.

Chesca smiled.

It was a smile laced with superiority, with mockery, and a hint of victory.

She spoke slowly, almost lazily, “You saw it yourself tonight, didn’t you? The one Rockwell really loves… is me. If you had even a shred of self-awareness, you’d stay away from him. Don’t let him run off with you.”

The words hit Solenne like a jolt.

At that moment, she realized, ‘So she’s not some innocent little rabbit. She knows everything.’

But how? Rockwell would never tell her. He wouldn’t risk Chesca misunderstanding his concern.

Seeing Solenne’s calm reaction, Chesca let out a quiet chuckle.

“Do you know what Rockwell was really doing the first time he promised to run away with you?”

Solenne’s throat tightened, her voice hoarse. “Didn’t… didn’t he get into a car accident?”

She remembered it so clearly—the day they planned to run away together was the day she was supposed to get engaged to Luther.

But Rockwell didn’t show up.

The next day, she was told he’d been in a car crash. She saw him unconscious in the hospital with her own eyes.

“He wasn’t in a car crash,” Chesca revealed flatly. “He flew to Paris to celebrate my birthday.

“As for the hospital? With his resources, do you really think bribing a doctor to lie to you was hard?”

She scoffed, almost like she was laughing at how pathetic Solenne had been.

The truth hit Solenne so hard, she could barely stand. Her mind went completely blank.

She had knowj Rockwell didn’t love her. But hearing it spoken out loud—so cruel, so direct—felt like a knife plunging straight into her chest.

Outside the restroom, Rockwell’s voice called out, “Chesca? What’s taking so long? Is everything okay?”

And then, without a moment’s hesitation, Chesca slapped herself across the face. Hard.

A red handprint bloomed across her pale cheek as she staggered backward and fell to the floor with a sharp, deliberate scream.

“Ahh! I didn’t do anything to you! Why would you hit me?!”

Her voice trembled with tears and fear—loud enough to reach Rockwell’s ears.

Without thinking, he rushed into the women’s restroom.

There she was—Chesca on the floor, a red mark across her cheek.

And beside her—Solenne.

Without even pausing to ask, Rockwell raised his hand and slapped Solenne hard.

“Are you out of your mind?! She didn’t even do anything to you! If you have a problem, take it out on me! Why would you hit her?!”

For the first time, he spoke to her with such fury, such sharpness in both tone and eyes.

The force of the slap sent Solenne to the floor. Her cheek swelled instantly, her mouth filling with the taste of blood.

She was stunned.

Her ears rang, her vision blurred, and her mind went blank.