My mother appeared pleased with my sensible demeanor. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and her voice softened.

"Don't worry. If Xavier ever mistreats you, I'll be the first to defend you."

I returned a smile.

Deep down, I knew her words were merely for show. Beneath that facade, she was cold and distant.

If I were truly harmed, she would merely observe in silence and not lift a finger.

When Alice found out I was going to marry Xavier, she smiled and gave her blessing.

"Congrats! You've landed a good man who's both handsome and responsible."

I raised an eyebrow. "Then, why didn't you marry him?"

After a moment's hesitation, she whispered, "That's because I fell in love with someone else."

I sneered, and a shadow clouded my eyes. "Really? To be frank, I don't believe in love at first sight."

Alice's body tensed. She stared at me in shock. Her words were caught in her throat.

With a solemn look, I added, "I hope you never come to regret the choice you've made today."

A flicker of unease flashed in Alice's eyes, but she quickly recovered. She put on a confident smirk.

"I won't regret it. After all, I've found the best husband anyone could ever ask for. Just don't come crying when you're the one stuck in misery."

I shrugged and walked away.

Alice believed that John's strong vitality and romantic nature were the reasons I was able to conceive so quickly.

Unfortunately, she couldn't have been more wrong.

Deep down, John was a monster who found pleasure in a woman's suffering. In the privacy of our bedroom, his kindness vanished and was replaced by cruelty.

The truth was, my pregnancy came only after he forced me into artificial insemination. Back then, the pain I suffered was relentless.

It was only after I bore his child—and he'd risen to power—that he finally showed me a semblance of kindness.

Yet behind closed doors, he still delighted in my pain.

Just as I took a few steps, Alice's stern voice echoed behind me. "Eleanor, you'd better stay away from John. He'll be your brother-in-law."

I raised my hand, flashing her an "OK" sign.

To tell the truth, nothing would bring me greater joy than never having to be near him.

…

The next day, Xavier arrived with a wedding dress.

It was the first time I'd laid eyes on him since my rebirth. The sight of him awakened a feeling that felt both unsettling and familiar.

With a sculpted face and a defined jawline, his attractiveness was undeniable.

But beneath his wild and carefree exterior, a profound depth shimmered in his eyes.

He met my gaze with a blank, distant expression.

"This is for our wedding," he said.

I lifted the lid and found a mermaid-style gown inside. Its intricate embroidery and perfect craftsmanship stood as a testament to the meticulous effort behind it. From the very first glance, I was completely captivated.

"This is stunning," I said. A smile was spreading across my lips.

Xavier gave a slight nod. His voice was calm and indifferent. "I've already arranged everything for the wedding. If there's anything you're unhappy with, just let me know."

"It's fine. I'm okay with whatever," I replied nonchalantly.

Just then, Alice approached. Her eyes darkened with contempt as she spotted the wedding dress in my hands. "What kind of dress is that? It looks so old-fashioned."

I hugged the gown close. "It's beautiful. I'm really happy with it."

Before Alice could utter another word, Xavier's sharp glare stopped her in her tracks.

At that moment, John stepped forward and rested his arm around her shoulders.

"I've picked out an array of wedding dresses for you," he murmured. "You can choose whichever one you want."

Alice smiled, and her eyes were glowing with happiness. "You're the best," she replied.

I turned away, refusing to be a spectator to their affection.

No matter how much John seemed to love Alice now, his true colors would show once they were married.

If she failed to conceive, she would likely suffer the same abuse I endured in my past life.

At that moment, I could feel Xavier's gaze lingering on me.

"Eleanor, would you like to choose from a selection of wedding dresses as well?"

I shook my head. "It's alright. I'm happy with this gown."

Although both John and Xavier were heirs to the McKellen family, neither could access the family fortune until they received Henry's official approval.

For the time being, they were expected to rely solely on their own earnings.

John had built significant wealth over the years through his business ventures. Affording several wedding gowns was hardly an issue for him.

Xavier, on the other hand, worked as a freelancer. His income was inconsistent, and as a result, he often operated within strict financial limits.

For him to purchase even a single wedding dress spoke volumes about his sincerity.

He seemed pleased with my response. "You're wise beyond your years," he said.

The corners of my mouth lifted slightly. My eyes softened as I looked at him.

He grew uneasy under my gaze and quickly looked away. Even so, he gave me his word.

"Don't worry," he said. "Even if you're marrying me out of obligation, I promise to always treat you with respect. You will never have to endure injustice."

His words melted the icy edges of my heart.

I took a step closer and reached for his hand. "I believe you. But this marriage isn't something I was forced into. I'm choosing this," I said with a smile.

Xavier stood frozen. His eyes were wide with disbelief.

At the same time, Alice and John exchanged surprised glances. They were clearly taken aback by my words.

An awkward silence settled over the room.

After a pause, Alice finally spoke up, unexpectedly choosing to touch on a delicate subject.

"With your health challenges, having children after marriage might be a struggle. I'm sure that's not easy to come to terms with."

I frowned, and frustration colored my tone. "Who told you I'm sick? Just because you're my sister doesn't give you the right to spread such nonsense."

Alice's sweet, innocent facade had clearly vanished. She was intent on exposing my supposed flaws, trying to plant doubt in Xavier's mind.

After all, Henry's promise lingered in everyone's thoughts. Whoever gave birth first would have their child recognized as heir.

Even though Xavier didn't care much for authority, Alice's intentional efforts to stir up trouble were infuriating.

Seeing the fire in my eyes, Alice whispered, "But Mom said so."

I let out a scoff. "That's impossible."

Alice immediately pouted. Tears welled in her eyes. "I was just worried about your well-being, Eleanor. I didn't mean anything else by it."

With a shrug, I replied sharply, "Since you're living with John, I'm sure you'll be pregnant sooner or later. You don't have to worry about me being a rival. Whether I can have children is nobody's business but mine. Perhaps you should focus on your own timeline instead."

With that, I took Xavier's arm and walked away.

Alice's sobs soon rang out from behind, accompanied by John's calm, soothing voice.

Even with a new lease on life, all Alice could think about was having a child. Wasn't that just pathetic?

Five days later, Alice and I held our wedding ceremonies simultaneously.

It was a grand affair. Every notable figure in the city came to witness the McKellen family's double celebration.

At the banquet, guests eagerly flocked to offer gifts and raise toasts to John and Alice. Meanwhile, Xavier and I received only a handful of congratulations and presents.

It was clear that everyone favored John. They seemed convinced that he was the rightful heir to lead the family.

Every now and then, Alice would sneak a glance my way.

With her wine glass in hand, she strode over confidently, clearly intent on showing off. "Hey, Eleanor, I'm absolutely wiped out. So many people are congratulating me. I'm honestly struggling to keep up."

A faint smile crossed my lips. "That's a good sign. I'm sure you'll sleep soundly tonight."

Sporting a coy grin, she deliberately teased, "Well, John and I will be up late regardless. After all, we've got a baby to make."

Without skipping a beat, I replied, "Here's hoping you both welcome one soon."

I was well aware of John's low sperm count. As his partner, Alice would likely struggle to conceive naturally. There was no chance she'd be pregnant anytime soon.

In my past life, I had foolishly believed natural conception was possible for me. Unfortunately, fate had dealt me a harsh slap in the face.

Still, the hope flickering in Alice's eyes made me hesitate. I decided to keep the truth to myself.

Noticing my calm, detached demeanor, her carefully guarded composure started to falter.

She leaned in close, and her breath was warm against my ear. "I'm sorry, Eleanor, but you'll never beat me in this life."

Since she wasn't hiding the fact that she'd been reborn, I saw no reason to pretend either.

My eyes narrowed as I shot back, "And what makes you so certain of that?"

A cold gleam sparked in Alice's gaze. Her tone was saturated with arrogance. "Sadly, you've bound yourself to that good‑for‑nothing man. The day I bear a child, you will be cast to the very depths of society for the rest of your life."

After a moment's pause, she added, "When John finally kicks you out of the family, the slums will be the only place left for you."

My fury erupted. I clutched her wrist, letting each word cut like a blade. "Since you remember what happened in our past life, you owe me an apology for killing my child."

Stunned, Alice shook her head, refusing to back down.

My fingers dug into her arm, betraying the turmoil churning inside.

She winced, jerking her hand away. "Damn it, Eleanor!" she snapped. "Let go of me! You're acting crazy for no reason!"

At those words, every eye in the room turned to us, eager to witness the unfolding drama.

Sensing the tension, my mother hurried over. She tried to smooth things over.

"You're sisters, for heaven's sake. How can you argue like this in front of everyone?"

I held her gaze, and a scoff escaped my lips. "Sisters? She doesn't even treat me like family."

My mother froze. Sensing she was about to launch into another lecture, I quickly turned and walked away.

Alice shot me a vicious glare. "You're nothing but a sore loser, Eleanor!" she shouted.

I wasn't fazed. She still had a year to go before becoming a mother. By then, everything would have shifted.

At the end of it all, I couldn't care less about losing.

…

Evening soon fell.

On our wedding night, Xavier and I sat across from each other. The silence hung thick in the air.

After a few tense minutes, he grew restless and stood up.

Just as he was about to leave, I quickly grabbed his arm.

"Don't go!" I shouted.

A crease formed between his brows. "I can tell you're not comfortable with being intimate right now. Perhaps we should just call it a night."

I stood, slipping my arms around him. "I'm ready. You're the one who isn't ready."

Xavier's eyes widened in disbelief, and his body stiffened.

I inched closer, letting my warm breath caress his cheek.

Having made up my mind to spend my life with him, I knew I had to be the one to make the first move.

"I want to have your child," I whispered.

My straightforward words stunned Xavier, and a faint blush spread across his face.

Before he could say anything, I pressed my lips to his, taking the lead.

The softness of his lips sent a thrill down my spine.

Just as I was beginning to feel discouraged by his silence, he suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace. Our kiss deepened, fueled by a rush of overwhelming passion.

Holding me firmly beneath him, Xavier wasted no time undressing me. His hands glided over my curves. He was eager to explore every part of me.

That night, our bodies sparked like dry tinder, engulfed in a blazing fire of love and desire.

…

A month later, word came that Alice was pregnant.

I froze, stunned by how quickly it had happened.

It didn't seem possible.

Meanwhile, Henry accepted it without question.

A welcoming ceremony was held for the unborn child. Everyone was invited to offer their congratulations.