Jayden's stare cut through Deanna like glass, as if he could see every hidden thought she tried to bury.

She blinked once, slow and measured, masking her unease with composure. "I just fetched some water, that's all."

Something in her tone unsettled him. Jayden couldn't explain why, but a faint edge of suspicion crawled beneath his calm.

He forced the thought away. Deanna wouldn't lie. She couldn't have overheard the talk between him and his mother. If she had, she wouldn't be standing there so quietly. She'd have exploded already. As for the noise earlier, he must have imagined it.

That reasoning steadied him, and his shoulders eased a little. "It's getting colder. You haven't been feeling well, so stay inside at night, alright? Don't push yourself."

He tried to sound gentle, but his words made her stomach twist. "Keep your kindness for Talia. She's the one who needs it. She's your wife, not me."

Jayden's jaw tightened. A hollow weight pressed against his ribs, but before he could respond, his gaze dropped to her dress. A dark stain spread near her side—blood.

A jolt of worry shot through him, and his brows knitted tight. "Deanna, what happened to you?"

He reached for her hand without thinking. The sight of the deep, raw gash made his stomach twist. His expression hardened, shadowed by concern he couldn't quite put into words.

Instinctively, his eyes darted to the table. But the photo frame was gone. Shards of glass glimmered across the floor, and amid them lay the broken frame—the photo she'd guarded like her own heartbeat.

A sharp breath escaped him. A cold unease stirred in his chest. She'd never let that picture fall, not once.

Deanna's jaw tightened as she yanked her hand from his. The warmth in his touch made her skin crawl.

Jayden froze, caught off guard by the rejection. He started to speak, but a sudden sharp crack split the silence before any words could form.

The crash of breaking porcelain sliced through the tension. Deanna turned toward the sound and found Talia standing frozen at the doorway. The cup she had been holding lay in pieces at her feet, water spreading across the floor like a stain. Her face was streaked with tears as she trembled, her voice cracking when she said, "Tell me you didn't stay out of our room all night because of Deanna, Brody."

Jayden's face drained of color. He stepped past Deanna in a rush, his tone soft, desperate. "You've got it wrong, Talia. She's hurt. I only came to check on her. She's been through a lot since... since her husband died."

His excuse faltered when Talia's fury surged. "Don't insult me," she scoffed, glaring at Deanna. "I know you're grieving, but Brody was your brother-in-law. How can you look at Brody and pretend he's a replacement? It's disgusting. Try having some dignity."

Deanna let out a low, humorless laugh. If Talia had any idea who she'd been sleeping beside for the past ten nights, would she still sound so righteous?

"Relax," Deanna responded coldly, her eyes narrowing. "I wouldn't touch a man you've already used."

The words landed like a slap. Jayden's movements faltered, and he stared at her, mixed feelings flickering in his eyes.

Deanna had no patience left for either of them. "Please leave. I'd like to mourn my husband in peace."

The way she lingered on the words "mourn my husband" made Jayden's throat tighten. He glanced at her once more, only to find her gaze sharp as ice. He looked away quickly.

Talia, too blinded by her humiliation to notice, turned stiffly toward the door. Deanna followed her, closing it with quiet finality. On the other side, Talia's trembling eased into a cold, hateful stillness, her eyes burning with a dangerous glint.

Talia smoothed out her expression in an instant. Acting like nothing was amiss, she slipped her arm through Jayden's and led him back into their room.

Later that night, Deanna heard the unmistakable and even bolder noises coming from next door.

Though her heart felt hollow and cold, she kept her face stoic as she set fire to the memorial photo, then glanced at her phone.

She opened her inbox and found a new message: "Ms. Evans, the Gordon family is requesting your hand for the ninth time. This time, we're offering one hundred million as a gesture of our sincerity. Would you reconsider?"

The Gordon family, one of Elesport's most illustrious families, held a status so high that many would do anything just to be part of their world.

However, misfortune struck when Connor Gordon, the family's young successor, slipped into a coma a year ago. Now, with his conniving uncle waiting for an opportunity, Connor's safety remained uncertain.

What used to be a treasure trove turned into a source of endless trouble, and most people kept their distance. To secure a wife for Connor and continue the family line, Gerard Gordon, Connor's grandfather, pulled out all the stops, but no one was willing to step into a life marked by potential widowhood and danger. With Connor's uncle still in the picture, marrying an unresponsive man offered nothing but risk.

No one wanted to marry Connor.

Out of options, Gerard fixed his sights on Deanna, who had just lost her husband. Although she lost her parents at a young age, she had always carried herself with the grace of someone born into privilege. For the Gordons, she was the ideal candidate—composed, controllable, and gifted with excellent genes, making her perfect to bear Connor's child.

A widow and a man locked away in silence—it was a strange kind of match. To others, it looked like a recipe for disaster. For Deanna, though, marrying into the Gordon family meant walking away with one hundred million in cash and a husband who would never stand in her way. Where else could she find an arrangement so advantageous?

There was no chance for Deanna to stay with the Spencers, and returning to the Evans household was out of the question.

In the past, she refused every marriage proposal, because her heart belonged to Jayden. But that was all in the past now.

With a faint, bitter smile, Deanna set her fingers on the keyboard and replied, "I'm in."

The person who had spent days reaching out to Deanna finally lost hope and stopped expecting any response from her.

Everything changed the moment Deanna's reply appeared on his phone. Relief and excitement spilled from him at once. "Ms. Evans, you've finally said yes! That's fantastic news. I'll make my way to the Spencer estate soon so we can go over the engagement details. If you have any requests at all, just let me know! Mr. Gerard Gordon has promised to do whatever he can to meet your needs!"

Deanna kept her thoughts to herself, knowing the things she truly wanted were far beyond anything the Gordon family could provide.

He didn't seem bothered by her silence, and reminded her she could ask for anything, anytime.

Once the call ended, Deanna went to change.

Since Jayden "died", she hadn't cared about appearances. Her choice of outfits had turned plain, and the color had drained from her face. Her beauty lingered, but it was dulled by exhaustion.

But today, she had a reason to try. She was about to negotiate a marriage proposal and needed to look the part—graceful and striking.

She was determined to make a place for herself in the Gordon family, especially with Richard breathing down her neck.

If she wanted any hope of fighting back, she had to make a bold impression now.

A long breath steadied her nerves as she packed up what little she owned.

About an hour later, she had finished gathering her things.

When she made her way downstairs, she nearly ran right into Talia.

Talia caught Deanna's eye. The deep mark on her neck—a glaring souvenir from last night—made it obvious just how wild things had gotten with Jayden.

Deanna's gaze flickered with a touch of irony before she shifted her eyes away.

As she started to walk off, Talia's voice cut through the air. "Deanna, don't you feel any shame at all?"

Deanna stopped in her tracks and turned, facing Talia directly.

Jealousy twisted Talia's features. She had always resented Deanna's beauty. If Deanna weren't so captivating, Brody never would have been so taken with her. Even after marrying Talia, Brody couldn't let go of his obsession. Worse yet, Deanna's name had been whispered by the man lying beside her just last night.

Looking at Deanna's delicate yet irresistible face only fueled Talia's anger.

Without warning, Talia marched forward and grabbed Deanna's wrist in a vise-like grip. "Your husband's barely cold on the floor, and you're already chasing after his brother. No wonder you turned out this way, considering you grew up without parents!"

The pain from Talia's nails biting into her skin jolted Deanna.

Instantly, Deanna's face hardened. Any mention of her parents always set her off. Unable to hold back, she raised her hand and slapped Talia with all the force she could muster.

A sharp crack rang out, leaving Talia's cheek stinging and red. For a moment, she could only stare in disbelief—she had never imagined Deanna could fight back. Her voice quivered as she said, "You actually hit me?"

"Why shouldn't I?" Deanna answered, her tone like ice. "If you can't keep your mouth in check, then I'll make sure you learn how."

Talia's face contorted with anger, her eyes flashing as she lowered her voice. "Deanna, do you really think things are the same as before? No matter what you say, Ja—Brody is my husband now!"

A flicker of confusion crossed Deanna's face. For a second, it almost sounded like Talia had meant to say Jayden instead of Brody.

That moment didn't last. Suddenly, Talia staggered, lost her balance, and toppled down the staircase.

Her scream tore through the air, sending the whole Spencer household into a frenzy.

Jayden rushed onto the scene. The moment he saw Talia sprawled on the steps, he barked at the butler to call for the family's private doctor.

He bent down to support Talia, then shot Deanna a venomous glare. Through clenched teeth, he scoffed, "If anything happens to her, I'll make you pay for it!"

A dry, humorless laugh threatened to escape Deanna. Her own husband never even bothered to find out what really happened. He just assumed she was to blame and rushed to protect someone else. The absurdity of it all left her feeling hollow.

Three years together, and for what?

Jayden refused to let her walk away unscathed. After helping Talia get settled, he seized Deanna by the wrist and dragged her back to Talia's door, insisting she apologize.

Deanna wanted to refuse, but Jayden's grip was too strong, and her tired body couldn't put up a fight. She had no choice but to follow him.

Jayden's fingers dug painfully into her wrist, dragging Deanna back to memories she wished she could forget. He had once asked her to marry him, vowing that he would always keep her safe. Was this his idea of protection now?

A hollow laugh slipped from Deanna's lips, the sound making Jayden's scowl deepen.

He demanded, "How can you be so heartless? Talia's still unconscious, and you find this funny?"

Without another word, Jayden shoved her into a chair, his grip so fierce it felt as if he meant to shatter her bones. There was no mistaking his intent—he wanted her to pay for what happened.

After what felt like forever, the doctor finally stepped out. "Mrs. Spencer is pregnant, but it's very early—around forty days," he explained. "That fall put the pregnancy at risk. I'm not a specialist, so you need Dr. Oliver Quinn here immediately. If not, the baby may not make it."

Deanna's mind reeled. Pregnant for forty days? But Brody hadn't set foot in the house at all during that time...

Deanna's thoughts spun, her eyes narrowing as realization struck. Brody had been gone for two months before his death, always away for work, never once returning. So how was Talia suddenly expecting a child?

An unsettling suspicion took root—while Brody was absent, Jayden was the only man left in the house. The truth became glaringly obvious. Talia's child must be Jayden's. Their affair must have started long before, meaning Jayden's betrayal went deeper than she ever imagined.

Deanna's chest tightened, and she doubled over in a fit of coughing, unable to contain the rage inside her. Jayden once struggled with infertility, and it was only through her knowledge that he recovered. She had helped him, and yet the first thing he did after regaining his health was get his own sister-in-law pregnant.

A wave of fury threatened to consume her.

Across the room, Jayden's anger eclipsed even hers. He was well aware of his medical history and knew how much this baby meant to him. The possibility of losing the child sent him into a frenzy.

He snatched his phone, urgently dialing Dr. Quinn, then shot Deanna a look full of venom. "I never realized just how cruel you could be. You owe Talia, and you're going to pay for this!" He turned to the butler and scoffed, "Bring the whip!"

Breathless from the coughing, Deanna looked up at Jayden. The man she once loved had become a stranger, twisted by hate. The Spencer family's punishments were brutal—a hundred lashes, something no ordinary man could endure, let alone someone as frail as her. Jayden knew full well that her body might not survive, but he was bent on making her pay, no matter the cost.

Deanna was still piecing together her scattered thoughts when Jayden forced her down, pinning her to the cold floor. Within minutes, the butler returned, holding out a whip laced with vicious barbs.

A wave of terror washed over her. Jayden didn't hesitate. Ignoring everything they'd shared over three long years, he tied her hands and ankles, shoving her to her knees. The rough cords bit into her skin, leaving angry marks, and humiliation flooded her as she knelt, her heart fracturing with every second.

A phone camera was suddenly thrust in her direction.

Jayden's voice rang out, devoid of warmth. "Start recording. Talia will want to see this for herself once she's awake."

Hearing this, Deanna felt her blood run cold. Her voice came out in a hoarse whisper. "You're really willing to risk my life just to keep Talia happy?"

Jayden shot her a look filled with contempt. "Don't be so dramatic. We're not going to let you die."

A broken, humorless smile flickered across Deanna's lips. Maybe she wouldn't die, but this pain would make her wish for it. Was this the same Jayden who once claimed she was the most precious thing in his world? She could hardly believe it.

Suddenly, the crack of the whip shattered the air. Deanna met Jayden's eyes, her gaze no longer soft or loving, but burning with betrayal and rage.

Something in her stare made Jayden falter for a heartbeat. His hand slipped, and the whip landed at an angle, scraping across her back and tearing the skin.

The strike wasn't his hardest, and her bones stayed intact, but the agony sent shudders through her body.

Still, none of that compared to the devastation she felt inside.

She met Jayden's gaze directly, her voice shaky yet unwavering. "If I could do it all over again, I'd never have chosen you."

Jayden's breath caught in his throat. A strange chill crept through him. Had she somehow learned the truth? That couldn't be—he'd covered his tracks at every turn. There was no way she could have uncovered it.

His thoughts were cut short by a furious shout. "Brody, just what do you think you're doing to the next Mrs. Gordon?"

The words made Jayden's grip tighten around the handle of the whip, disbelief clouding his face. He stared at Deanna, bewildered. "Next Mrs. Gordon? Deanna, are you seriously thinking about marrying someone else?"

Blood dripped from Deanna's mouth as she pulled herself up, barely managing to stay upright with the help of the wall.

She wiped her lips clean, her eyes flashing with cold defiance. "What business is it of yours?"

Jayden froze, taking in her striking features—pale, yet still arresting. Reality crashed down on him. He was no longer her husband, just a brother-in-law. Even if she gave her heart to someone else, he had no right to interfere. Still, he couldn't shake the memory of how much she once loved him. How could she move on so quickly?

Paralyzed by panic and dread, Jayden couldn't muster the strength to do anything.

Seizing the moment, the man from the Gordon family shoved Jayden aside, moved swiftly to Deanna, and knelt down to untie the ropes binding her hands and feet.

Within moments, her wrists were raw and bleeding, every movement sending fresh jolts of pain up her arms.

Deanna's gratitude showed in her eyes as her rescuer introduced himself in a gentle tone. "Ms. Evans, my name is Blaine Lambert. I serve as Mr. Gerard Gordon's assistant."

While helping her, Blaine couldn't help but notice that, even battered and weakened, Deanna's beauty was undeniable. She'd be a striking match for Connor.

Only then did Jayden snap out of his daze. He noticed the sleek black card in Blaine's hand—no doubt a formal token from the Gordons. Seeing Deanna accept help from Blaine so calmly, Jayden had a hunch that she had truly resolved to remarry.

He stormed over, seizing Deanna's wrist so tightly she flinched. "Deanna, Jayden's funeral was barely eleven days ago and you're already moving on? Don't you care about the Spencer family's reputation? Don't you care about him at all?"

A bitter laugh escaped Deanna as she met his gaze, every word dripping with contempt. "He broke every promise he ever made to me!"

Jayden's face went pale, his heart hammering in his chest. He couldn't meet her eyes, so he turned on Blaine instead. "Mr. Lambert, you should leave. The Spencer family won't approve this marriage."

The warmth in Blaine's face disappeared. His eyes narrowed as he replied, "You don't approve? What's next—are you going to beat her to death?"

Jayden's features twisted in anger. He squeezed Deanna's wrist until she winced, but she tore her hand free.

Without hesitating, Deanna yanked off her wedding ring and hurled it at Jayden. The ring struck his cheek and left a thin, bloody mark. Her voice rang with finality. "Brody, from now on, I have nothing to do with your family anymore!"