James and I had known each other for eight years and had been in love for six.

The love I once took pride in had now dealt me a devastating blow.

Eight years ago, in my first year of university, I fell for James at first sight.

We quickly got together. Though our friends were skeptical at first, we eventually became the couple everyone envied.

Back then, I often invited Claudia to join us for meals. She would always say we were a match made in heaven.

After James graduated, he became a lawyer.

One day, a client from one of his cases caused a scene at his law firm. I happened to visit him at that very moment. The client was in a frenzy, waving around a gas canister.

When the explosion happened, I rushed in and pulled James away. He was saved, but I lost my hearing forever.

Because of this, I had to give up my dream of becoming a simultaneous interpreter.

James held me in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably as he gasped between tears, "Marry me, Layla. Let me take care of you for the rest of your life. Please."

My parents strongly disapproved of James—not just because of what happened to my hearing, but also because his family background was nowhere near ours.

So, James knelt outside my house through a heavy snowfall. The night was bone-chilling, even with the heater on indoors.

Yet, he remained motionless, his back straight as a board.

I knelt before my parents, crying and begging them. "Mom, Dad, James is truly a wonderful man. One day, he'll be successful—I know he will."

My parents couldn't bear to see me heartbroken. Moved by James' sincerity, they finally relented—on one condition: a five-year probation period.

Despite the harsh terms, James agreed without hesitation. "Mr. and Mrs. Becker, please rest assured. Not just for five years, but for a lifetime—I will take care of Layla."

And for those five years, he kept his word.

When I had trouble sleeping, he would make me a warm cup of milk every night without fail.

Every morning, he personally prepared breakfast for me.

And I never once had to peel my own fruit.

No matter how busy he was at the law firm, James always checked in and came home on time.

…

I used to thank God countless times for bringing James into my life.

Yet, as I stared at the car shaking downstairs, I finally came to my senses.

It was time to wake up.

Tears streamed down my face, and pain consumed my heart.

I didn't know how much time had passed when James finally texted me:

"Honey, something came up at the firm. I'll be home late tonight. Don't wait up."

Still reeling from what I had witnessed, I changed my clothes, called a cab, and followed them.

Along the way, I wiped my tears dry, only for them to fall again.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine where James would take Claudia.

He took her to my villa; the one my parents had bought for me.

James had once told me he didn't want to rely on my family for anything, so he had bought the house we were living in now instead.

"Don't worry, Layla," he had said. "I'll prove to your parents that I can take care of you on my own."

I had been so moved by his words that I gave him the villa's access card.

"I believe in you, James. Here, take this. If you ever change your mind, we can move in together."

He had refused at first, only accepting it when I feigned anger.

Now, I watched as James got out of the car and carried Claudia in his arms, walking toward the villa.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm as I pulled out my phone and took a picture—evidence of their betrayal.

The female cab driver sighed.

"Men—they just can't stay loyal. Just turn a blind eye, lady. It's pass."

I lowered my gaze, silent.

Why should I be the one to tolerate this?

I unlocked my phone and booked an appointment for an abortion the next day.

James didn't come home all night, so I went to the hospital alone for the procedure.

Lying on the hospital bed, I called my mother.

She was shocked. "Layla? Why are you calling? Don't tell me… You can hear again?"

"Mom, I'll explain later. About the arranged marriage you mentioned—I agree to it."

There was a long silence before she let out a sigh.

"You're getting married on February 19th, aren't you? The invitations have already been sent. Why are you suddenly bringing up the arranged marriage now?"

I paused for a moment before replying, "The wedding will go on, but we'll change the groom. Could you ask them if they're willing?"

My mother hung up. Five minutes later, she called back and said, "They agreed."

After hanging up, a wave of pain hit my abdomen, forcing me to curl up. It wasn't until the IV drip finished that I felt some relief.

By the time I got home, it was already late at night.

James was sitting in the dark living room, the glow of his cigarette flickering faintly.

Seeing me enter, he jerked his head up, exhaustion written all over his face. He rushed over and pulled me into a tight embrace. "Babe, where have you been?"

Then, realizing I couldn't hear him, he let go and signed, "I've been calling and texting you all day. Why didn't you answer?"

I glanced at my phone and replied coldly, "Battery died, so it was off."

He let out a sigh of relief. "I thought I did something to upset you."

I ignored him and started heading toward the bedroom.

But he grabbed my hand and signed, "Come with me. I have a surprise for you."

Before I could react, he pulled me outside.

A white Alphard was parked nearby.

I looked at him coldly as he gestured excitedly, "Didn't you say this car looks nice? From now on, it's yours."

I was slightly surprised. After all, this car wasn't something he could easily afford.

Yet, just because I had casually complimented it, he had actually bought it.

For a brief moment, I wondered—had I misunderstood him somehow?

"Go check the trunk." He pointed to the back of the car.

I slowly approached, but just as I was about to open it, I heard the sound of two people kissing behind me.

"Are you crazy? Layla is right here!"

Then came Claudia's voice. "So what? She can't hear anything anyway. Besides, things are about to get even more exciting."

My hand froze mid-air.

Stunned for a moment, I quickly composed myself and reached for the trunk again, pretending not to notice.

James's panicked voice sounded behind me. "What do you mean? What did you do?"

The moment I opened the trunk, James rushed over and slammed it shut. Panic flashed across his face as he quickly signed, "Babe, your best friend Claudia is here. Let's check it out later, okay?"

I turned to him, forcing a smile.

The truth was, I had already seen what was inside—amid the roses in the trunk lay shredded lingerie and used contraceptives.

It was Claudia's special Valentine's outfit.

Claudia invited me out for dinner, but James immediately stopped her.

"It's late, and Layla isn't feeling well. Let's make it another day," he said.

Claudia ignored him completely. She linked arms with me and was ready to leave.

I didn't refuse. I wanted to see just how shameless these two could be.

At the restaurant, Claudia sat across from me.

I kept my head down, focusing on my food.

James whispered to Claudia, his tone laced with irritation. He deliberately lowered his voice, as if worried I might overhear.

"I told you not to mess with her. What's wrong with you?"

I intentionally glanced up at them. Claudia flashed me an innocent smile as she popped a bite of food into her mouth.

"Are you serious about marrying her? What about me, then?" she asked, her tone slightly displeased.

James tried to soothe her. "I'm just marrying her for show. You're the one I really love.

"Besides, you know that at the wedding, Mr. Becker will give me 15% of his company's shares. Once I fully take over Becker Group, we'll live a carefree life."

I tightened my grip on my fork.

I had thought James was only deceiving me emotionally, but it turned out he was also after my family's wealth.

I deliberately raised my head and looked at him.

He casually placed a piece of meat onto my plate and smiled at me—his eyes devoid of guilt or shame.

A chill ran through me.

I never realized the man I had shared a bed with was this cunning and ruthless.

Claudia poked at her plate, clearly displeased. "It had better be that way, or I might start thinking you actually have feelings for her. Don't you dare keep any secrets from me, got it?"

Swallowing my bitterness, I purposely picked up the piece of meat and put it back onto James's plate.

"Did you forget? I'm pregnant—I can't eat greasy food," I said calmly as I secretly took out my phone and started recording.

As I expected, Claudia was pissed at the news. "What? James, she's pregnant? I thought you said you always took precautions! What about me? We've been together for years—don't tell me you're planning to ditch me now that you're climbing the social ladder!"

James panicked and shot me a quick glance. I remained as indifferent as ever.

He lowered his voice and said, "Don't overthink it, Claudia. I got her pregnant on purpose. With the baby, we'll have even more leverage to take control of the Becker family."

Suppressing my disgust, I rushed to the restroom and threw up over the toilet. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

These two had no shame at all, scheming right in front of me.

I took out my phone and sent James a message, saying I wasn't feeling well, so I was heading home first.

After forcing myself up, I splashed cold water on my face at the sink.

Just then, my mother called.

"Layla, Miguel Lampe wants to meet you. I've sent you the location."

Miguel Lampe—the scion of the Lampe family—the man I was set to marry on February 19th.