I nodded calmly. "Don't worry, ma'am. Nanette and I have already talked it over—there won't be any conflict between us."

Only then did Wallis look satisfied.

"Good. Spencer's grandfather is gravely ill and can't wait much longer. The wedding will be in three days."

After leaving the Gilbert estate, Nanette and I had just found a place to catch up when Spencer showed up with Abigail in tow.

But he wasn't there for me.

He stood in front of Nanette, holding Abigail's hand, looking as if what he was about to say was the most natural thing in the world.

"Nanette, since our marriage is settled, there's something I need to tell you."

"You know the one I love is Abigail. So don't expect me to give her up just because I'm marrying you."

"Unless something major comes up at home, I'll be staying at her place."

In my past life, Spencer had said the exact same thing to me.

It was the first time he'd ever asked me for anything. I didn't want to disappoint him, so I agreed.

Back then, I thought his feelings for Abigail were just infatuation—that once the novelty wore off, he'd come around.

I was wrong. Spencer loved her far more deeply than I'd imagined.

And Abigail wasn't the obedient, unassuming woman she'd promised to be.

She was viciously jealous. Every few days, she'd find some excuse to make trouble for me.

Snide comments and passive-aggressive jabs were the least of it. Sometimes she'd even hurt herself and frame me for it, poisoning Spencer against me.

The reason Spencer never had children with me? Abigail had deliberately caused herself to miscarry their first child—and pinned the blame on me.

Spencer believed every word. He made me spend the rest of my life childless as penance.

A wave of bitterness rose in my chest, but Nanette's voice cut through my thoughts.

She let out a mocking laugh.

"Spencer, what century do you think this is? You really think you can pull that 'one man, multiple wives' nonsense?"

"Let me make this clear: if you dare move in with Abigail, I'll make sure she never sets foot in Harbor City again."

Spencer flinched.

Nanette was known for being fierce, but in the past, she'd reserved all her gentleness for Spencer alone.

He had no idea we'd both been reborn. Naturally, he couldn't understand why she'd changed so drastically.

He assumed Abigail's presence had simply provoked her, so he softened his tone to explain.

"Nanette, don't be unreasonable. Abigail is pregnant."

"She needs me to take care of her."

Nanette didn't buy it for a second. She looked at Abigail with a cold smile. "A grown woman who can't even take care of herself while pregnant—what's the point of having the baby at all?"

"Just get rid of it."

The color drained from Abigail's face.

Spencer's heart ached for her.

He dropped the pretense entirely, his expression darkening with fury. "Nanette, shut your mouth."

"This baby is something Abigail and I have wanted for a long time. There's no way in hell we're getting rid of it."

Nanette shrugged, utterly indifferent.

"Suit yourself. Just remember—if you move in with her after we're married, I have plenty of ways to make you regret it."

Apparently deciding their company was bad luck, Nanette grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the café.

But Abigail followed us out alone.

She tugged at Nanette's sleeve, her face the picture of wounded innocence.

"Miss James, I know you don't like me. But the baby is innocent—he can't be born without a father."

"Please, don't push us to the breaking point. I'm begging you."

I instinctively glanced back at the café. Sure enough, Spencer was standing there, watching us without blinking.

It hit me then—this was exactly how it had happened before.

Seven days after I married Spencer, he announced he was moving out.

I'd tried desperately to stop him. And right on cue, Abigail had volunteered to approach me alone, all apologies and pleas.

Back then, she had grabbed my sleeve just like this, making it look like I'd pushed her down the stairs and caused her miscarriage.

My heart lurched. I was about to warn Nanette, but Abigail was already pulling the same trick—tilting her head back and letting herself fall.

My heart shot into my throat.

This time Abigail wasn't framing me, but in my past life, Nanette had stayed by my side until the very end. I already considered her a friend.

Thankfully, at the last second, Nanette reached out and grabbed Abigail by the collar.

She turned to me. "Is this how she framed you back then? Used this baby to ruin you, made sure you'd never have children?"

I gave a heavy nod.

Nanette looked at Abigail with contempt. "Stooping to something this filthy—seems like you really don't want this baby after all."

"Fine then. I'll take care of it for you myself. Save you the trouble of pinning it on me."

With that, Nanette let go, and Abigail tumbled toward the road.

A car was coming. It couldn't swerve in time. The front bumper slammed into Abigail's stomach.

Spencer came sprinting from somewhere in the distance, his eyes red and wild.

He clutched Abigail's blood-soaked body, glaring at Nanette with pure murder in his eyes. "Nanette James, you're vicious!"

"Someone like you doesn't deserve to be a Gilbert bride!"

"Even if you got on your knees and begged, I wouldn't marry you now."

Then Spencer turned to me, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Grace, go home and get ready. You're marrying me in three days."

Before I could refuse, the ambulance arrived.

Spencer climbed in after Nanette, didn't even spare me a glance.

I watched the ambulance disappear down the street. "Nanette, this is exactly what my life used to be like."

"You saw it all. Do you still want to marry him?"

Nanette's expression went distant. It was a long moment before she answered. "There's one last thing I need to do. If he still disappoints me after that, I'll give you my answer."

She pulled out her phone.

"Dad, come with me to the hospital..."

I understood Nanette, I really did.

Because I'd been the same way once—unable to let go.

Spencer always believed Abigail over me. He'd misunderstood me more times than I could count.

My friends told me to divorce him.

But I'd loved him since we were kids. I just couldn't bring myself to leave.

So I kept telling myself he was just temporarily blinded. Kept convincing myself to forgive him, over and over.

I knew better than anyone—matters of the heart, you have to figure out on your own. No one else can help you.

So I didn't push. I just said calmly, "Alright. Whatever you need to do, I'll go with you."

By the time we reached the hospital, Abigail was out of danger and awake.

When Spencer saw Nanette and me walk into the room, he immediately pulled Abigail behind him, on guard.

"Nanette, Abigail lost the baby because of you. I haven't even settled that score yet, and here you are waltzing in!"

Pain flickered in Nanette's eyes. "Spencer, I wasn't trying to hurt her."

"She was trying to frame me. That's the only reason I acted."

Abigail's voice came out in a wounded whimper. "Spencer, I didn't..."

"I only wanted to apologize to Miss James in private. To beg her forgiveness, to ask her to stop pressuring you."

"But she wouldn't accept it. She called our baby a bastard, said it didn't deserve to be born."

"Spencer, maybe I'm just not good enough for you. Maybe we should end this..."

Spencer panicked. He pulled Abigail into his arms and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

"Don't say stupid things. You're the only woman in this world who deserves me."

Spencer turned around, his face dark with anger.

"Nanette, I told you—our engagement is off."

"In three days, I'll be marrying into the Fox family."

Nanette let out a cold laugh. "Spencer, you really think just because you're not marrying me, Grace will agree to marry you instead—"

"I will."

My voice wasn't loud, but it left Nanette staring at me in stunned silence.

I didn't rush to explain. Instead, I continued addressing Spencer. "The Fox family is willing to form an alliance with the Gilberts through marriage."

"But since Miss Dickerson is unwell, I imagine you're in no mood to plan a wedding. So let me handle it."

"Three days from now, just come to the Fox residence for the ceremony. We can file the marriage certificate afterward."

Spencer looked pleasantly surprised, an instinctive smile crossing his face. "Grace, you've always been so sweet and understanding."

I raised a hand to stop him.

"But I have one condition."

"I witnessed everything that happened today. The facts are exactly as Nanette described."

"So have your Miss Dickerson apologize to her."

Abigail protested, unwilling to concede. "Spencer, she's slandering me—"

Spencer's brow furrowed, his voice turning cold.

"Grace, and here I thought you were reasonable. Turns out you're just as bad as Nanette!"

I gave a bitter, self-mocking smile.

"Spencer, the three of us grew up together. We know each other better than anyone."

"Why won't you ever believe me and Nanette?"

Spencer scoffed dismissively.

"Because I know what kind of person Abigail is!"

"Every time we go cycling, she makes a point of visiting the elderly and the children left behind in those areas, buying them food and clothes."

"Someone that kind-hearted would never frame Nanette!"

"The way I see it, you two are just jealous and ganging up on her!"

"If my family wasn't forcing my hand, I'd never even consider either of you!"

The disappointment I felt mirrored Nanette's.

I shook my head helplessly. "So you don't actually want to marry either of us, is that it?"

Spencer answered without hesitation. "That's right. You should count yourself lucky I'm willing to marry you at all."

"Don't expect anything more."

"Behave yourself, and you'll always be Mrs. Gilbert."

"Step out of line, and don't blame me for what happens."

Nanette was seething, but I stopped her before she could say anything.

I kept my voice calm. "Fine. I understand."

"I'll have the wedding ready. Don't be late."

As we turned to leave the hospital room, Nanette grabbed my arm. "Have you lost your mind?"

"I came here to kill my feelings for him—what are you doing jumping in?!"

"Wasn't one lifetime of suffering enough? You're actually going to marry him?!"

I closed the door behind us before answering.

"Relax. I said the families could form an alliance."

"I never said I'd be the one walking down the aisle..."

Before Nanette could press further, two men appeared at the end of the hallway—our fathers—and each grabbed one of us, practically dragging us out of the hospital.

Nanette spotted the man beside me and blinked in surprise. "Uncle Chad Fox? What are you doing here?"

I smiled. "You're allowed to call your dad for backup, but I'm not?"

But neither of our fathers was in any mood for jokes.

Their faces were equally thunderous.

Uncle Maurice James was shaking with rage. "Nanette, you called me here just to watch you get humiliated and dumped?"

Nanette scratched her head awkwardly.

"No, I was worried Spencer might try to settle the score with me. I knew I couldn't take him in a fight, so I called you for backup."

I quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Uncle Maurice, it's actually a good thing you came."

"At least now you know what kind of person Spencer really is. You'll know to watch out for him in business."