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…"

Theo froze the moment he heard the word "baby". His whole body stiffened as he stared at Joanna in disbelief.

"When did you get pregnant?" he asked, voice shaking. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Joanna didn't answer. She just shut her eyes in pain and coughed up another mouthful of blood.

Theo scooped her into his arms, panic in his voice. "Hang in there. I'm taking you to the hospital right now!"

Just then, Sharon walked in and stepped right in front of them, blocking their path.

"Move!" Theo snapped, growing impatient.

Sharon's eyes welled up as she bit her lip. "No, I'm not being jealous. I'm actually doing this for you.

"There are enough rumors about us. If the media catches you carrying Joanna out of the house now…"

She didn't finish the sentence, but Joanna could clearly see the hesitation in Theo's eyes.

Even when she was hanging by a thread, he still paused for the sake of his reputation.

Sure enough, the next second, Theo said, "Call the family doctor. Have him come here."

Then he carried Joanna upstairs.

Joanna clenched her teeth, fury burning in her chest. "My life… matters too…"

Theo glanced down, meeting her angry eyes. He looked guilty. "I'm sorry. I have my reasons. But don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you."

Sometime later, Joanna slowly opened her eyes and locked gazes with Theo. He lit up instantly. "Hey. How are you feeling?"

She thought of the baby and couldn't stop the tears from filling her eyes.

Theo spoke gently, "The doctor already treated you. You're going to be okay, I promise. Here, take these meds."

He gave her a few pills, clearly worried she might refuse.

But to his surprise, Joanna quietly swallowed them without a word.

Theo's face lit up. "I've already had those maids arrested. I gave strict orders—they won't get off easy.

"The doctor said you'll recover as long as you rest, and… we can still have a baby someday."

A baby? As if he deserved one.

Joanna pushed down her bitterness and smiled softly. "I'll take care of myself. You should get some rest. You look exhausted."

Theo was caught off guard. "You're not mad at me anymore?"

Joanna shook her head. "When I was pushed down those stairs, I suddenly realized that you were right. You're all I've got to rely on now…"

Theo looked at her sincere expression and smiled with satisfaction. "I'm glad you understand now."

She smiled sweetly until he left the room. Only then did her expression turn cold.

Right on cue, Sharon came in with a smirk on her face. "Never thought you were spineless."

Joanna replied calmly, "Didn't you say you were willing to share Theo with me? Why the change of heart now?"

Sharon's face twisted in anger. "In my past life, I was unlucky. I accidentally fell and died, and you stole Theo from me. But this time, he's mine—only mine!"

Joanna's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected that Sharon had been reborn too.

No wonder her whole personality had changed.

Joanna almost laughed. If Sharon ever found out that in their past life, Theo had tormented Joanna to death because of her, she'd probably be thrilled.

Joanna decided to give up and let them be together. Maybe that could count as a good deed on her part.

She put on a confused look and said, "What are you talking about? Are you losing your mind?"

Right then, Theo walked back in and frowned when he saw Sharon. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to apologize to Joanna," Sharon said sweetly, her eyes filling with tears. "It's my fault she lost the baby."

Theo sighed and gently patted her head. "It wasn't your fault. I just overreacted. And… maybe that baby just wasn't meant to live."

Joanna went pale as her heart clenched with pain. But she said nothing and just nodded silently.

That child really was unlucky. It never got to be born in two lifetimes.

Over the next few days, Joanna acted sweet and obedient.

Maybe because he felt guilty, Theo came by every evening to have dinner with her. He tried to make conversation, hoping to patch things up. Joanna played along, smiling and chatting with him.

They even reminisced about their early days together. It almost felt like a different life.

Two weeks flew by, and tomorrow was their anniversary.

As usual, Theo stayed for dinner. Before he left, he held Joanna's hand and said, "I've got a surprise planned for you tomorrow."

She smiled gently. "Me too."

Theo's eyes lit up. "What is it?"

She just smiled and whispered, "It's a secret."

Theo looked at her, clearly pleased with her behavior.

Still, a part of him missed the old Joanna, the one who wouldn't tolerate a single lie or betrayal.

He gently stroked the top of her head. "I'm sorry for all the things you've been through. But I promise, three years from now, I'll make you the real Mrs. Brooks."

Joanna smiled softly. "Alright."

Theo hugged her tightly, then reluctantly left.

As soon as he was gone, Joanna changed out of her pajamas and into her favorite outfit.

The maid who cared for her came in and spoke quietly, "Everything is ready."

Theo would never guess that the woman he had hired to spy on Joanna was actually working for her parents.

Joanna followed the maid out the back door.

The moment the black car drove away from the villa, flames exploded behind them in a fiery blaze.