That time, when Declan Harrison hit rock bottom, I helped him out of the freezing river. From that moment on, I became his bottom line. Everyone said I was the woman he cherished most. So, in the world of fame and power, no one dared disrespect me.

Until one day … when a pair of identical high heels appeared before me. “Are you my stand-in?”

That was when I finally learned that Declan had been in love with another woman for eight years, his first love.

“Stand in?” I curled my lips into a cold smile. “You were the one who dumped him. How dare you show your face again?”

Sadie Rockwood set her phone down in front of me. “Take a good look. Your dear husband has been messaging me night after night.”

On the screen, Declan sent messages to Sadie every few days.

Seeing my stunned expression, she smirked confidently. “Do you want to make a bet? I’ll text him that I’m back. You call him and say you were in a car accident and lost the baby. Let’s see who Declan chooses.”

“If he picks me, I’ll happily take your spot as the bride in seven days. If he picks you, I’ll leave the country immediately and never come back.”

My hand instinctively moved to my belly. Declan had always put me first. I was sure I wouldn’t lose.

The phone rang for a long time, but no one picked it up.

However, on the screen that she handed to me, the words [Where are you?] were glaringly obvious.

"You lost," said Sadie.

As I looked at her triumphant expression, my tightly clenched fists slowly loosened. "I accept the bet result."

——

On the drive home, scenes from earlier kept flashing in my mind.

Just when I was about to confront Declan for answers, a van plowed straight into me.

Sharp pain exploded in my stomach and blood soaked my white dress.

A passerby helped me call an ambulance. I tried calling Declan for so many times but he did not answer.

[I’ve been in a car accident and lost a lot of blood.]

[The baby might be in danger. Please answer my call.]

I had never sent him messages in such a desperate tone and until I was rescued, the call never went through.

When I emerged from the operating room and saw the sympathetic glances from the medical staff, I felt my heart turn to ashes.

The doctor comforted me, “You can still have children.”

I did not say anything.

Seven years ago, I had saved Declan from trying to end his life in that icy river. I was submerged in the freezing river water for four hours.

The doctor said it was a miracle I could conceive this child. I once thought this child was a gift, but now I was not sure whether it was a blessing or a curse.

I dragged my weary body home, but the high heels at the door made me freeze in place.

Sadie was lying on the sofa, with a plate of neatly arranged fruits by her side. So, that’s what he’d been doing in those three hours he didn’t pick up my calls.

Declan had gone to the airport to pick up Sadie and bring her home.

No wonder he didn't have time to answer my call. As ex-lovers, of course, they had endless topics to discuss.

When he heard me open the door, Declan walked to the entrance and said, "Sadie has just returned to the country. So, she'll be staying with us for a while."

Then he noticed the blood on my clothes. His brows furrowed and his tone turned harsh. “Why is there so much blood?”

I put the heels back in the cabinet and said calmly, “I texted you, didn’t I? I was in a car accident and lost my baby."

Just as I was about to go wash up and change my clothes, Declan grabbed my wrist. His grip was so hard that it felt like my bones might snap.

He growled, "Alice Sanders! Haven't you had enough of the joke? Sadie told me everything. You should know when to stop!"

I turned and met Sadie’s mocking gaze. "Whether you believe it or not is up to you."

I yanked my arm free and went into the bedroom.

As I was closing the door, I heard Sadie’s sweet voice asking, “Did you forget to tell your little sister I was coming? Is that why she’s upset?”

“Don’t worry about her!” Declan punched the wall hard. “I’ve spoiled her too much!”

Even though the hot water washed away the exhaustion from my body, Declan's words echoed in my mind.

Am I really spoiled?

When I first got together with Declan, we had to live in a basement with no sunlight and the stench of mold filled the air. That was all we had.

As my career began to take off and I graduated, I accompanied Declan to every social gathering and business dinner as his financial manager. Through this, I gradually became his backbone and confidant.

I remembered every single step we took and never once complained about the hardship we endured.

However, in Declan's eyes now, none of my contributions and companionship mattered, like a canary in a cage.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, he had placed a bowl of oatmeal on the table and said, "All the food today is spicy, which isn’t suitable for pregnant women. I asked Lorrie to make it for you."

The way he said a bowl of oatmeal as if he was fishing for applause.

Seeing that he hovered awkwardly by the bedroom door, I let out a sigh and said, "If you have something to say, just say it.”

"Alice, our university classmates heard that Sadie has returned to the country and insisted on organizing a class reunion …. Will you come with us?"

“No!” I replied without hesitation. Ever since I knew Declan and Sadie were lovers back in college and everyone knew about it, I made a rule never to go to his class reunion.

Declan always knew about it, but this time, he insisted. "Alice, they’ve been asking to meet you. We’re getting married soon. You can’t possibly meet my friends for the first time on our wedding day, right?”

Suddenly, without me noticing it, Sadie was already at the door. "Alice, join us."

I did not say anything for a long time. However, seeing impatience growing on Declan's face, I nodded.

His classmates’ intentions were obvious. They just wanted to compare me to Sadie.

Sure enough, as soon as we arrived, everyone's eyes kept darting between me and Sadie. Seeing us, they laughed. "I think Sadie is more beautiful."

Declan was a bit angry. "This is my fiancée, Alice. Alice Sanders."

He pulled me into his arms. “If you can’t respect her, you’re not respecting me.”

Everyone laughed and tried to smooth things over, “We wouldn’t dare.”

The repeated “Hello, sister-in-law” made Sadie's expression grow sour.

After three rounds of drinks, I felt Declan's arm around my waist, his breath, tinged with alcohol, brushing against my ear, "I'm happy you agreed to come to the class reunion with me.”

I smiled faintly. “Well, it’s the last time.”

He chuckled. “Right. I won’t make you come again.”

He did not catch the real meaning behind my words and I did not have any intention to tell him.

Suddenly, the loud clink of a glass hitting the table made everyone jump.

“Sorry, I think I'm a bit drunk.” Sadie looked at me and asked, “Can you accompany me to the restroom?”

She pressed me against the wall. “How long will you be gone? Don't tell me hearing you were called ‘sister-in-law’ a few times and you refuse to leave.”

“Don't worry.” I met her gaze. "I keep my words."

When I went out, Declan was smoking with his back to me.

His classmate joked, “So you’re really going through with this marriage? I thought you’d wait for Sadie forever."

Declan exhaled deeply. His tone was filled with bitterness. “I won't lie to you, Sadie has always been in my heart. However, getting married and being in love aren’t the same thing.”

He continued, "Alice is smart. She supports my career and takes care of the family. It’d be hard to find someone better.”

His eyes slowly filled with disgust.

To him, I was nothing more than a suitable marriage partner from start to finish.

It's okay, Declan … the bride has changed.

After the gathering ended, Sadie leaned against Declan's shoulder, intoxicated. Their posture was intimate. When he heard Sadie's uncomfortable moans, Declan gently caressed her face and whispered, "We're almost home."

As I sat in the passenger seat, I sorted through my mind about which things I needed to throw away and which things I took from Declan's house.

The designated driver interrupted my thoughts. Through the rearview mirror, he stared straight at the two people who were cuddling in the backseat and said, "You two must be newlyweds, huh? You're so much in love."

Declan gave an awkward smile. “No, the one in the passenger seat is my fiancée.”

When we arrived at the destination and paid, the designated driver apologized to me, "Sorry. I misunderstood."

I just smiled and said, "It's okay."

When I looked back, Declan and Sadie were already almost out of sight, as they disappeared at the end of the road.

As the streetlight went out and I walked in the darkness, I felt as if I was suddenly transported back to summer six years ago.

Back then, the old alley often lost power and every time, Declan would arrive early at the alley entrance to pick me up. No matter how many times I told him it wasn’t necessary, he showed up anyway.

His love made me forget that I was never afraid of the dark, to begin with.

When I arrived home, Declan poked his head out of the bathroom. His face and neck were covered in Sadie's lipstick marks.

“Alice, you go to sleep first. I'll come later," he said.

I stared at the hickey on his neck, a hint of sarcasm flashed in my eyes and I said lightly, “It's okay. Even if you don't come to bed at all … sharing a room with Sadie is fine."

“What? Are you jealous now?” Declan's tone grew harsher. "Sadie and I are just friends."

In the dark, damp basement, we watched a tacky soap opera. Back then, Declan had rested his chin on top of my head and said in disgust, "The male lead knows his behavior is inappropriate, yet still makes excuses."

Then he promised, "Don't worry. I’ll never be like that.”

He kept his promise, always maintaining proper boundaries before doing anything or staying alone with a woman … until Sadie came back.

"Declan." Sadie's voice floated from the bathroom. "My head’s spinning. Can you come in immediately?”

Her tone was practically suggestive. Declan immediately said, "You can think whatever you want." Then he turned around and entered the bathroom.

Since I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, I got up and began packing my belongings. Everything Declan had ever given me, I tossed into the trash.

Perhaps the sound of me opening and closing the suitcase was too loud because Declan pushed open the door and said in a deep voice, "Don't you know we're sleeping? What are you doing so early in the morning? A big cleanup?”

I replied casually, “Something like that.” However, my eyes fell on the pajamas he was wearing. Those were the couple’s pajamas we bought in Paris on our anniversary.

Declan cleared his throat twice. “Sadie didn’t have anything to wear, so I just grabbed a pair of pajamas for her. If you mind, we can buy another pair next time we go to Paris.”

“No need.” I hid the suitcase and said, “It’s just a pair of pajamas. It's no use to be upset over it."

Declan embraced me. "Alice, you’ve matured. You’re so understanding now. There’s a meeting this afternoon, so come early."

That man still did not get it. I stayed calm because my love for him had gone. That was the reason.

As soon as I arrived at the company, I received a message on my phone about a meeting in the conference room.

As I pushed open the door, Declan and all the board members turned to look at me. Unlike before, today their eyes were filled with anger and resentment.