My fists clenched, the tightness in my chest growing unbearable. Just as I turned to leave, a waiter approached and, with a kind smile, opened the door for me.

"Miss, are you going in?"

The door swung wide, and the voices inside the private room fell into an abrupt silence.

Brynn, Elijah, and Alphonso all looked unsettled.

Brynn moved first, standing hastily and rushing toward me with a look of concern. His hands worked quickly, draping his suit jacket over my shoulders.

"Allison, when did you get here? It’s freezing outside, don’t catch a cold," he murmured. "By the way, did you overhear anything at the door?"

He looked at me with such intensity, his hands lingering on my shoulders as if the touch might ease his growing unease.

Once, I would have believed his concern was genuine, that he truly cared for me; after all, he had shielded me from acid, risking his safety, and attended to me with a tenderness I thought was love.

I was once willing to give him everything, to devote my life to a future filled with warmth and love.

But now...

I looked quietly at the three men before me, each wearing a different expression. The realization struck me: I had been nothing but a cruel joke.

Brynn, his tension visible, parted his lips as if about to ask whether I had overheard their conversation.

Lowering my gaze, I quickly concealed the tears welling in my eyes. My fingers tightened around the medicine in my hand as I forced a smile and lifted my head.

With practiced ease, I feigned calmness. "I just got here. I heard you’d be busy with business negotiations for a while, so I asked the housekeeper where you were and brought you some medicine."

"Oh, by the way, what were you discussing just now?"

"And Brynn, if this is a business meeting… why are my younger brother and Elijah here with you?"

The moment my words fell, the three men visibly relaxed, relief flashing across their faces.

Elijah was the first to react, springing to his feet with an exaggerated display of composure, slipping seamlessly into his usual performance.

His teeth clenched as he stormed toward Brynn, seething with rage. Grabbing him by the collar, his bloodshot eyes burned with menace.

"Brynn! Don’t let me hear about you and that wretched woman, Allison, living happily together!"

"You two adulterers, just wait. One day, you’ll rot in hell!"

Elijah’s fury seemed all too real, his fists tightening as if he were seconds away from striking.

Brynn, however, didn’t flinch. Instead, he met Elijah’s glare head-on and snapped, "Allison is my true love! You never deserved her; stay out of her life for good!"

Before the tension could explode, Alphonso conveniently stepped in, shoving himself between them and shielding Brynn. "Brother-in-law, Elijah, that’s enough! Stop fighting!"

"If the deal is off, then let’s end it here. It’s late, go home and get some rest."

Just then, Elijah’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen before scoffing, putting on a show of leaving in anger.

With the performance complete, Brynn turned back to me with a carefully crafted look of regret.

"Allison, I didn’t know Elijah was today’s business partner. If I had known, I wouldn’t have come at all…"

"It must’ve been exhausting for you to come all this way so late. Let’s go home."

He smiled gently, reaching out to pinch my cheek as he always did, his arms already moving to pull me into his embrace.

A sharp, unbearable sting pierced my chest.

It was terrifying how deeply a person could love another, only to be shattered beyond repair.

The three of them, who once despised each other, had so effortlessly joined forces… all for one reason.

To deceive me.

To make sure I wouldn’t be a nuisance to Kennedy.

Disgust coiled in my stomach. When Brynn reached out, I dodged his touch, the movement instinctive.

For a split second, shock flickered in his eyes.

But I clenched my fists, steadying myself, forcing the moment to pass before suspicion could take root.

"No, you should go home first."

"I went shopping today and left something at the store. The owner just called; I need to go pick it up."

"I’ll see you later tonight."

I mustered a smile, waved, and turned away, each step measured and controlled.

The moment I stepped outside, the dam broke.

I threw myself into the first taxi I saw, and as the door shut behind me, the tears finally spilled, silent and unrelenting.

I slowly placed a trembling hand over my stomach, my fingers brushing against the fragile life I had no choice but to let go of.

Reaching into my bag, I pulled out the crumpled pregnancy report, the secret I had kept from Brynn until the very end.

But it didn’t matter anymore. This child… I couldn’t keep it.

"Driver, take me to the hospital."

I closed my eyes, letting the silent tears slip past my lips.

When I signed the consent form, my fingers quivered, hesitating only for a breath. But in the end, my decision didn’t change.

By the time I returned home, the living room lights were still on.

Brynn stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed, his gaze flicking between his watch and the glowing screen of his phone. He was dialing my number again when he finally noticed me.

The moment he saw my pale face, he rushed over, worry clouding his features.

He pulled me into his arms, his hands cradling my face, the warmth that no longer reached me.

"Allison, weren’t you just picking something up? What took you so long?" His voice was thick with concern. "I kept calling, but you wouldn’t answer. I was worried sick."

"Why do you look so pale? What happened?"

I stared at him, the weight of irony pressing down on me.

Worried? Overthinking? If only he knew.

Back when he and Elijah schemed to frame me for "cheating," Brynn had looked at me with this exact same expression.

Like I was something rare, something precious, cherished as if I were the most irreplaceable thing in his world.

But reality?

If I hadn’t walked in on that scene, I never would have known the truth.

My childhood sweetheart. My husband. A man so skilled at deception, I almost believed him myself.

I took a step back, putting deliberate distance between us. The dull ache from the procedure still clung to my body, every movement a quiet struggle.

Faking indifference, I waved him off.

"The store owner invited me to dinner. I didn’t realize I ate something I was allergic to and had to go to the hospital. That’s why I was delayed."

"I’m exhausted. I just want to sleep."

Brynn gave me a sympathetic look, already moving to fetch me some water. Then his phone rang.

Kennedy’s syrupy voice spilled through the speaker, every word laced with feigned innocence.

"Brynn, my shower is broken."

"Elijah had to rush to the office for an emergency, so can you come help me? Wait, no, you’re married to Allison now."

"Even if I just need help fixing the shower, Allison will definitely accuse me of seducing you."

"Forget it, I’ll find someone else."

But before she could even finish, Brynn cut in, his voice quick, reassuring.

"It’s fine. I won’t let her know; I’ll come right over."

The motion of him pouring my water halted. His fingers tightened around the glass for the briefest second before he set it down. Then, without missing a beat, he threw on his suit jacket and lied to me.

"Allison, there’s an urgent matter at the office. I need to go now; rest well."

Before I could say a word, the door clicked shut behind him.

A bitter laugh curled in my throat. How fitting.

I leaned against the wall, dragging myself toward the bedroom, my legs barely supporting me.

But just as I reached the wardrobe, a misstep sent me stumbling. My shoulder knocked against the safe, Brynn’s safe, the one he always kept locked away.

He used to say it held the evidence of his love for me.

Photos taken in secret. Love letters he was too embarrassed to show me. Proof, he claimed, of how much he had cherished me.

But reality?

I hesitated for only a second before entering Kennedy’s birthday as the passcode.

The safe unlocked instantly.

Inside, meticulously arranged, were stacks of records, each one dedicated to Kennedy.

The sight of it sent a cold blade straight through my chest.

With trembling hands, I flipped through Brynn’s notes.

My gaze landed on a newspaper article, its headline praising Kennedy’s award-winning work.

A dull ringing filled my ears. My breath hitched.

Tears fell, unrestrained and bitter.

The designs I had poured my soul into for an entire year, works I had only ever shown to Brynn, were right there, credited to her.

He had taken my creations and placed a crown on another woman’s head.

And yet, once upon a time, he had looked into my eyes, his voice dripping with affection.

"Allison, your teacher says you have a gift for design, but if you really pursue it, you’ll be too busy to spend time with me."

"I want you by my side, always."

"Give up design and come work as a receptionist at my subsidiary, okay? It’s easy work, and we’ll get to see each other every day."

I had loved him too deeply, surrendering without a second thought. But looking back, the truth was painfully clear: he had never feared losing me. He had feared that my talent would outshine Kennedy, so he clipped my wings before I ever had the chance to soar.

How ridiculous.

A bitter laugh caught in my throat as grief swelled in my chest, rising and falling with each ragged breath. Tears streamed down my face, hot and relentless.

Slowly, I pushed the safe back into place and then reached for my phone.

"Professor Cowell, about your invitation to return to the design world, I’ve made up my mind."

"Give me two days. I’ll be there soon."

Determination burned away the last remnants of hesitation. I pulled myself together, packed my luggage with swift efficiency, and set fire to everything tied to Brynn, every trace of him reduced to ash.

Just as I was about to leave, the sound of movement at the door made me freeze. Instinct kicked in. I restored the house to its previous state and walked toward the entrance, my expression composed.

I expected Brynn. Instead, it was Alphonso, the so-called "little brother" I had picked up a year ago.

Back then, he had rear-ended my car, throwing himself onto the pavement with all the dramatics of a street performer.

Despite barely having a scratch, he had clutched his arm, feigning agony, insisting I take responsibility.

Like a pitiful, love-starved child, he had clung to me ever since.

Helpless, I had taken him to the hospital, bought him food, and watched as he devoured it, only for him to grin and declare that he wanted me to be his sister.

Back then, I had believed in fate, convinced we shared some kind of inexplicable bond. But looking back now, knowing how long he had been acquainted with Elijah and Brynn.

Lol. They had likely been scheming against me from the very beginning.

Quietly, I pressed the button on the recording device hidden in my pocket. I had taken precautions long ago, ever since overhearing that conversation outside the private room.

Sure enough, the moment Alphonso saw me, he pouted, his voice sickly sweet. "Sis, are you home alone?"

I gave a cold nod; already certain Brynn had sent him.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Alphonso strolled inside as if he owned the place. His expression turned pitiful as he clutched his stomach, his flushed face adding to the act. Like a stray dog seeking warmth, he tugged at my sleeve, his voice laced with childish longing.

"Sis, my stomach hurts... I miss the meal you made for me when we first met."

"I knew my brother-in-law wasn’t home, so I came rushing over just for you."

Catching the implication in his words, I took a step back, keeping my tone firm. "Alphonso, if you're sick, go to the hospital. And mind your boundaries."

Alphonso shook his head and his eyes, those soft peach blossoms brimming with unshed tears.

"No, sis… Don’t you see? I’ve loved you all this time. That’s why I’ve stayed close, silently watching over you. I…"

His voice wavered as he took a step closer, his gaze locking with mine, and leaned in to kiss me. But I stopped him with a firm shake of my head.

"I’m married. I won’t fall for you, and I won’t betray him. You should know that by now."

I turned on my heel, heading toward the door, when, like some twisted timing, Brynn walked in. His eyes immediately found us, and his gaze hardened at the sight of Alphonso almost pulling me into his embrace.

Feigning shock, Brynn’s voice rose. "You! Allison, behind my back…"

Alphonso didn’t miss a beat, his smug grin spreading as he grabbed my hand and claimed with a self-satisfied air, "Brother-in-law, no more games."

"The truth is, my sister and I…"

I let out a soft, exasperated sigh, keeping my face expressionless as I casually pulled the recording device from my pocket, offering an innocent excuse.

"I was just helping a friend record some music. And look at this, seems I accidentally recorded everything that just happened."

"Cheating or not, shall we listen to the truth? Let’s see what it has to say."

Alphonso’s face turned pale, and Brynn’s expression tightened in disbelief, the weight of their embarrassment sinking in.

With that, Alphonso’s elaborate scheme to trap me crumbled entirely.

Brynn stormed over, his anger palpable as he raked into Alphonso before kicking him out without hesitation.

But in the blink of an eye, his demeanor shifted. He turned back to me, a soft, almost tender smile curving his lips as he pulled me into his arms.

"Allison, it’s not that I don’t trust you. I just acted impulsively because I care about you more than I can say. I’m sorry."

"By the way, my father’s birthday is in two days. You’ll come and send him your regards, won’t you?"

Two days... the very day I had planned to leave.

Inside the safe, nestled among forgotten trinkets, lay a note, one that spoke of the very day Brynn planned his little trip to the museum with Kennedy.

I glanced at Brynn, his gaze warm with affection, and gave a simple nod. “Alright, I’ll go and pay my respects. What about you? Will you join me?”

But Brynn, already wrapped up in plans for Kennedy, hesitated. His tongue darted out nervously as he quickly spun an excuse.

"I have work to take care of. I’ll be back late. We’ll figure it out later. Let’s just rest for now."

He stretched, his movements sluggish, and made his way toward the bed. But I saw through him, saw through everything, and my smile only deepened, a silent promise lingering in my eyes.

The day of my departure arrived faster than expected. That morning, I approached Brynn’s safe with purpose, opening it and placing the note in the most visible spot I could find.

I left my message: [That night in the private room, I heard everything.]

Dragging my suitcase toward the door, I hesitated for just a moment, my hand hovering over the handle. Then, with a quiet resolve, I turned back. I picked up the pregnancy report and the miscarriage certificate, carefully laying them on top.

This time, there was no second-guessing. I left without a backward glance.

Meanwhile, Brynn was at the museum with Kennedy when his phone rang. It was his father asking where I was. His chest tightened.

Of course, I ignored every call that came in. And when he couldn’t reach me, he sent his men after me.

One of them found my home. After a long hesitation, they finally gathered the courage to speak up.

“President, Madam… seems to have left you completely…”