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.