Roland turned to Vivian and sighed helplessly. "You're always so kind-hearted. Mirella, Vivian is right... You didn't die, so why make such a fuss? Just give Ivy to Vivian, and don't be so dramatic about things anymore."

I stared at Roland in disbelief. I was carrying his child and was nearly poisoned to death, yet he thought that since I was still alive, I should not hold a grudge.

It was utterly ridiculous.

But back then, I still loved Roland and believed that Vivian clouded his judgment. I thought that as his legitimate wife, I should be understanding and forgiving.

That was until one time when I saw Roland talking with Vivian.

His eyes were full of indulgence as he said, "Next time you poison someone, be more discreet about it. If you get caught again, I won't help you."

Vivian clung to Roland's arm and whined playfully. "I know, I know. Thank you so much this time, darling."

Ivy stood beside them, smiling.

The three of them looked so happy together, while I felt like I had fallen into an ice abyss.

So, from the very beginning, Roland knew everything and even deliberately turned a blind eye. I was the only one kept in the dark.

My heart swelled with overwhelming hatred, and seeing Ivy again now made me tremble with emotion.

In Ivy's eyes, my reaction looked like a sign of guilt. She was somewhat restrained at first, but now she has become brazen again.

She said, "Lady Wentworth, Lord Wentworth said he's accompanying Lady Sinclair right now. As for you, as long as you're still breathing, that's good enough. If you bother him again, he'll divorce you. Not only that, he'll make the child in your belly call Lady Sinclair 'mother'!"

She continued, "Lady Wentworth, Lord Wentworth also said he doesn't even like you. He only married you because your family had power and influence to help him advance his career. Now that he's already Commander of the Royal Guard, keeping you around is just an act of charity. If you keep making trouble, you'll be dead before you know it!"

After Ivy finished speaking, the King's expression turned completely grim. He smashed the teacup in his hand onto the ground.

When the attendants heard the commotion, they all dropped to their knees.

However, Ivy remained oblivious. She swaggered up to me and mocked, "Lady Wentworth, I advise you to save yourself the trouble. Your little sympathy-seeking act won't work on Lord Wentworth at all. As for this random man? If you think you can make Lord Wentworth jealous, you're dead wrong."

She continued, "If I tell Lord Wentworth the truth... That you disregarded the baby in your belly just to have an affair with this random man... Don't you think Lord Wentworth would tear you to pieces?"

Ivy looked triumphant.

Just because the King's robe was soiled and he was now wearing ordinary linen clothes, she mistook the King for some random man I found.

The King's expression was absolutely terrifying. He laughed coldly and ordered the guards who rushed over to restrain Ivy immediately.

Ivy panicked. She finally realized what was happening. However, just as she opened her mouth to speak, a servant covered her mouth and dragged her out.

"Have her dismembered, and throw the pieces in front of Roland. I want to see what's so great about this Roland that Lady Ashford must endure such humiliation!"

I noted the King's choice of address and blinked slowly. The King now completely separated me from Roland.

My gamble did not go in vain.

The medicine the physician waited for was finally ready. After I drank it, I fell into a peaceful sleep.

When I opened my eyes again, an unfamiliar maid quickly helped me sit up.

She explained, "Lady Wentworth, the assassination attempt on His Majesty is a matter of great importance. His Majesty has already returned to the palace first, but he specifically ordered that you rest and recover here. Once His Majesty has dealt with everything, he will come to see you."

I nodded. In my previous life, the King's assassination caused a huge commotion, and Roland's reward was only granted after the investigation was complete. The King was also shaken by the incident, so the fact that he remembered me was already good enough.

I just needed to wait patiently for the King to handle everything.

I relaxed and was about to speak when hurried footsteps suddenly approached. Before I could turn my head, my chin was gripped by a pair of rough hands.

It was Roland. He stared at me with a dark expression.

"You really have some nerve, going behind my back to have Ivy killed! Do you know how heartbroken Vivian was when she saw Ivy's body? You evil woman! I must have been blind to have chosen you in the first place!"

I was slapped so hard my head turned to the side, my cheek burning with pain. "Is that so? Then let's get divorced!"

I wiped away my tears. I held these words in for too long. I originally planned to wait for the King's official order so I could leave Roland with my honor intact. But now, I truly could not take it anymore.

The hatred and resentment from my previous life, combined with the pain of this life, overwhelmed me. It was as if I were trapped in a cocoon, unable to breathe or struggle free.

Roland, who was so arrogant moments ago, suddenly froze when he heard my words. He frowned and looked me up and down.

Just as I wondered what he was planning to do, Vivian appeared.

Yesterday's turmoil seemed not to have affected her at all. She was still breathtakingly beautiful.

Whenever she appeared, Roland's eyes saw no one else. He carefully pulled Vivian into his arms, and the same hand that just struck me now gently caressed Vivian's face.

He asked, "Why did you come? Aren't you still recovering?"

Vivian shook her head. "I was worried about you, darling, so I came to check on you. But at the door, I overheard your argument with Mirella, and it was because of me. I don't want to cause trouble between you. Perhaps you should let me go instead. Then you would never be troubled because of me again."

As Vivian spoke, she began to cry. Her tears fell one by one onto Roland.

Roland was heartbroken and frantically tried to comfort her. "What nonsense are you talking about? You know you're the only one in my heart. She only gets a shred of my pity because she's carrying my child. She's unfit to raise a child. Once she gives birth, I'll give the child to you to raise and elevate you to my official wife!"

I struggled to lift my head. "Official wife? The child? Roland, do you even have a heart! The child is dead! Killed by your own hand as his father!"

I gasped for breath, my voice hoarse with accusation.

Roland frowned impatiently. "What nonsense are you spouting now? Killing Ivy wasn't enough for you; now you're cursing your own child? Mirella, you've gone mad!"

I was extremely heartbroken. I gave a bitter, twisted smile. "How dare you mention the child? What right do you have? Do you even know that it was a fully formed baby? Because of your selfishness, he never got the chance to be born. Roland, don't you fear that child will come for you in your nightmares?!"

I screamed the words at him.

Roland froze, stunned. He let go of Vivian and stepped toward me.

He mumbled, "How could that be? It was eight months along!"

I gave a cold laugh and pulled back the blanket, revealing my sunken abdomen. The child could not be saved. When the midwife took him from my body, he was blue and lifeless.

Just as Roland's trembling hand was about to reach for my stomach, Vivian cried out.

"Darling, I can't hide it any longer. The real reason I left this time was that I caught Mirella with her lover in broad daylight. She lost the child long ago during their illicit affair! If I didn't run, Mirella would have killed me!"

She continued, "Think about it, darling. Why did Ivy die? And who could make Mirella defend him with her very life? Clearly, Mirella lost the child long ago and is now framing you to make you feel guilty!"

Vivian's words exploded in Roland's ears.

He took a step back as a look of realization dawned on his face. He said, "That's right. Vivian's words make sense. You haven't let me touch you since you got pregnant, and it's all because you already had your precious lover!"

I laughed, amused by Roland's self-deception.

"Today was the King's hunting expedition. The reason I lost our child was that I shielded the King from the assassin's attack. And where were you? Where were you when you should have been protecting the King? If you didn't go chasing after Vivian, our child wouldn't have died!"

Tears streamed from my eyes as I shouted emotionally, "Do you have any idea? Our son was so close to being born safely."

However, Roland did not believe a word I said. Murderous intent filled his eyes, and he drew the sword from his belt, pressing it against my neck.

"King? That was clearly your lover! You and that man, carrying on so shamelessly in the light of day. Did you think I was dead?! If you don't tell me where your lover is right now, I'll sell you to a brothel. Let's see if your mouth stays this sharp then! As for that lover, I will kill him. I'll tear him apart piece by piece!"

The cold, sharp blade pressed into my neck. Even the hot blood that welled up could not warm my frozen heart.

Suddenly, the sound of powerful footsteps approached. "How dare you! Roland, I am the so-called 'lover' you speak of. Do you intend to tear me apart piece by piece?"