Joanna was placed under house arrest in the villa.

It was the home Theo had prepared for their future together. Everything in it—from the renovations down to the smallest decorations—had been picked out by her.

She once thought this would be her safe place. She never imagined it would turn into a cage.

After returning to the room, she pulled out her phone and started typing a message to her mother, briefly explaining what had happened to her.

At the end, she added, [Please help me fake my death.]

Since she'd mentioned she couldn't talk on the phone, a reply came quickly. [Okay, sweetheart. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

[Give it two weeks, tops. I'll take care of everything and come get you.]

As Joanna read that, her eyes welled up with tears.

In her previous life, when she was locked away in a villa near the monastery, she had tried to reach out to her parents, but Theo had taken her phone away.

This time, she was going to ask for help before he had the chance to react.

She replied with a simple "Okay" before deleting the entire conversation.

Over the next few days, the staff at the villa kept a close eye on her. She wasn't allowed to leave, and her phone had been taken the night of the wedding.

Still, she had faith in her parents. She wasn't worried.

Then one day, she heard yelling downstairs. When she went to look, she saw Sharon had shown up.

Sharon was lounging on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other. When she saw Joanna, she gave a nasty smile and asked, "So, how's life in your pretty little cage, playing the side chick?"

Joanna's face turned cold. "Don't forget—you're the one who broke up someone else's marriage."

Sharon laughed and raised her hand, showing off the huge diamond ring on her finger. "But guess what? I'm officially Mrs. Brook now."

As soon as she said that, she tossed her phone at Joanna.

Joanna picked it up, and the second she looked at the trending news, she froze. In the past few days, the Brooks and Coopers had publicly announced their marriage.

There was even footage of Theo holding Sharon close in front of everyone, smiling and promising to love her for the rest of his life.

Their wedding had been broadcast, and right along with it was footage of Joanna being slapped.

Some so-called "insiders" claimed Joanna was Theo's clingy ex who tried to crash the wedding and got beaten up by the bride.

Others said Joanna had always known she was the third wheel. They said that even though she knew Theo would never marry her, she still shamelessly threw herself at him.

The comment section was filled with insults against Joanna. The words were so disgusting that they made her whole body tremble.

Sharon sat there proudly, watching Joanna's spirit fall apart. Then she added with a smug tone, "You know what? Your classmates actually wanted to speak up for you, since they knew the truth.

"But Theo was worried that if they cleared your name, people might come after me. So he paid everyone off and wiped the internet clean of anything showing the two of you together.

"He said you're just an orphan, so it doesn't matter if people talk trash about you. But I'm different—I'm the Coopers' daughter. My reputation has to stay spotless.

"And most importantly, he didn't want me to be upset. He said when he saw me standing on the rooftop that day, his heart almost stopped.

"He told me he used to be confused about what he really wanted, that he'd chosen the wrong person before, but from now on, he'd love me with everything he's got."

She paused, then looked Joanna up and down like she was inspecting a cheap knockoff.

Crossing her arms, she scoffed. "You've been with him this long. If you behave, he might just keep you in this pretty cage like a pampered pet. And honestly? I bet you'd be fine with that."

Low, mocking laughter came from the maids around Sharon.

Joanna's hands were shaking with anger. She knew Sharon wasn't telling the full truth, but at least most of it was.

If Theo really cared about Joanna, there was no way those scandalous posts would've stayed at the top for so long.

Her chest felt tight. She'd loved this man for years, treating him like he was the most important thing in her life. And now, she felt like she'd been blind all along.

Suddenly, the sound of an engine roared from outside.

Sharon stood up out of nowhere. She walked right over and grabbed Joanna by the wrist. "Theo really loves you," she said softly.

"I don't want him to be unhappy because of me. So please, just stay by his side. As long as he's happy, I'm willing to share him with you…"

Theo walked in just in time to hear Sharon's so-called heartfelt confession.

He hadn't expected this. Sharon, who always acted above it all, was now making such a huge sacrifice for him.

He turned to Joanna, eyes full of hope, waiting for her to show that she was as understanding as Sharon.

But what he got instead was her cold and sharp rejection.

"In your dreams," Joanna snapped. "Theo and you both act like you're better than everyone else, but I find you disgusting!"

With that, she yanked her arm out of Sharon's grasp.

Sharon suddenly stumbled back with a dramatic scream and pretended to trip over the coffee table, falling right onto the couch.

It was a terrible act, but of course, Theo bought it instantly.

He rushed over, shoving Joanna aside, then wrapped Sharon in his arms. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

Joanna was already weak, and that push made her fall hard onto the cold marble floor.

A sharp, unbearable pain shot through her lower abdomen.

She instinctively held her stomach. It was her first child. Even though the baby's father had made her feel miserable, she'd still clung to the small hope that if she gave birth, maybe she'd finally have someone of her own, someone who was family.

So, she had held off making any decisions.

But with the pain and the ridiculous love drama unfolding in front of her, everything just collided inside her mind.

She shut her eyes and decided to give up. Tears silently slid down her cheeks.

Sharon glanced at her, a smug flicker in her eyes. Then she turned to Theo and said sweetly, "I'm okay. Joanna's just upset. She saw the news and got emotional. So, it's understandable that she pushed me."

Theo paused for a moment before looking over at Joanna. Her face was pale, and her eyes were empty, staring at nothing.

Tears were still falling from her wet lashes, but her once bright eyes had gone hollow.

Theo started to feel uneasy, but he still kept a straight face and said, "The marriage announcement was something both our families agreed on. What's done is done. For the sake of both companies, I had no choice but to go along with it.

"You're a top college student. Don't you get how this works? It's just a show. After three years—"

"Ah!" Sharon cried suddenly.

Theo's attention snapped back. "What happened?"

Sharon pouted. "It's nothing. I probably just twisted my ankle earlier."

Theo immediately said, "I'll take you to the doctor."

As he spoke, he scooped Sharon up into his arms.

Joanna was still sitting on the cold floor. She felt a warm, wet patch spreading beneath her.

Gently, she placed a hand on her belly, quietly saying goodbye to the baby growing inside her.

Theo, annoyed now, said, "It was just a little shove. When did you get so delicate?"

Sharon let out a snort of laughter and teased, "I get it now—she's trying to copy me. She's acting weak so you'll feel sorry for her."

Theo fondly ruffled Sharon's hair. "Nah, you're different. You've earned your right to do that."

Then he turned serious again and looked at Joanna. "Get up. You messed up. Do you really think I'd still pity you?

"And I've told you before, I hate it when you play these manipulative games. So stop trying to be like Sharon just to get to me."

Joanna stared at Theo's moving mouth, and suddenly, a memory from her past life came back.

That time, she had lost her baby, too. Lying in a pool of her own blood, she'd looked up and seen the same disgust on his face.

So, even in this second chance at life, Theo still wouldn't give her the tiniest bit of real affection.

But at least now, she didn't love him anymore.

That thought made her smile.

Theo flinched a little at Sharon's smile. He was clearly annoyed, but he still tried to keep his cool.

He said to Joanna, "You're not like Sharon. She has her parents' love, and she comes from a wealthy family. She can afford to throw tantrums.

"But you're an orphan. You only have me to rely on. So be a good girl and stay by my side, okay?"

A flicker of jealousy flashed in Sharon's eyes, but it vanished just as quickly. She took on a soft, persuasive tone as she spoke to Joanna.

"I know I used to be spoiled and selfish, and that's probably why you hate me. But I really want to mend our relationship. Ever since I found out you told Theo to come save me from the rooftop, I decided to change things between us.

"I don't want much. Just a little of Theo's love—that's all. You can have the rest. So please, stop being mad at him and don't leave him, okay?"

Theo looked deeply moved. He couldn't believe someone like Sharon, who never tolerated even the smallest slight, would humble herself like this for his sake.

Compared to her, Joanna was just... disappointing.

His expression turned cold. "I've clearly spoiled you too much," he snapped at Joanna. "Someone take her back to her room! She needs time to think things through. She's not allowed to leave unless I say so!"

Then, without a second glance at Joanna, he picked Sharon up and started to walk out.

Sharon wrapped her arms around his neck. "Are you sure this is okay?" she whispered.

Joanna's face had turned completely pale. Her body started to sway, and more blood pooled beneath her.

A few maids came over and roughly yanked her to her feet. But as soon as they noticed the blood on the floor, they let out gasps and instinctively let go.

Joanna collapsed with a dull thud, too weak to stay upright.

Theo snapped in irritation. "What's with all the noise?"

He turned to look, but Sharon grabbed his face and kissed him lightly.

"The maids just tripped over themselves. Don't mind them," she said sweetly. "My foot really hurts. Let's go to the hospital."

She gave the maids a quick look, and they instantly moved to block Joanna from view.

Theo didn't say another word. Holding Sharon in his arms, he hurried out the door.

Once the car drove off, the maids dragged Joanna upstairs. Before Joanna came down, Sharon had already bribed them, so they knew exactly what to do to please her.

One of them yanked on Joanna's hair as the other two grabbed her arms and dragged her up the stairs. When her stomach hit the edge of a step, she trembled in pain.

"Let go of me… or I'll call the police!" she gasped.

A slap landed hard across her face.

"You're gonna call the cops? With what phone?" one of them mocked.

"You're just some cheap side chick Mr. Brook got bored with. You think you deserve our respect? Ha!"

Joanna pushed one of them away as best she could, but the maid kicked her in the face. She tasted blood instantly. It filled her mouth and poured from her nose and lips.

The other two maids, now worried, pulled the attacker back.

But the moment they let go, Joanna lost her balance and tumbled down the stairs.

Outside, Theo had just finished setting Sharon in the car when a sharp pain shot through his chest.

He clutched at his heart, uneasy, and glanced back toward the villa. That was when he heard a loud crash from inside.

Without thinking, he ran back toward the house. This time, Sharon wasn't fast enough to stop him.

He burst into the living room and froze.

Joanna was lying at the bottom of the stairs, her whole body covered in blood. The trail of red ran from the steps to the floor, vivid and jarring.

For a second, it felt like déjà vu, as if he'd seen this nightmare before.

Panic shot through him as he rushed over and cradled her in his arms. Looking at her bloody face, he sensed a fear he'd never felt before taking hold of him.

"Joanna!" he yelled, his voice sharp with desperation.

Joanna stirred, her eyes blinking through the haze. She looked up at him—at the way his jaw trembled with fear—and gave a bitter smile.

"You killed our baby… twice…"