I woke up alone in the hospital.

The doctor frowned. "Mrs. Hall, you're pregnant, but it's unstable. We couldn't reach your husband. Someone needs to sign the papers now."

I placed my hand on my abdomen. Tears of pain rolled down my cheeks.

The child had come at the wrong time.

I started, "Doctor, the baby..."

Just then, Jeff entered with Gina.

Jeff's stern expression suggested his bad mood, but he softened slightly at my pallor.

"This is your fault, Ingrid," he sighed. "Apologize to Veronica, and I'll convince her not to sue."

The doctor sensed the tension and quietly left.

I remained silent, distraught over the baby's fate. When I didn't respond, Jeff's voice rose. "Ingrid! Even kids know to own their mistakes. Why don't you?"

He adjusted his glasses, his gaze cold as he pinched the corner of his eyes. "Coming from a small mountain village, you really are petty."

"What did you say?" I was stunned. "You jerk!"

I was so angry that my abdomen ached, and cold sweat dripped down my temples.

It was true that I came from a small mountain village. But if it weren't for me, Jeff would have died there.

Back then, a gliding accident and the strong wind dropped him in the deep mountains. One of his legs was broken, and the situation was dire.

It was I who found him, carried him home, and trekked miles for medicine.

"Do you remember your promise?" I demanded. "You said you'd always trust me and stand by me."

"Enough!" he snapped, running out of patience.

He shook off Gina, walked to the bedside, and gripped my chin. The force made me grunt in pain.

Then his hand pulled away abruptly, causing me to fall back onto the bed. The pain in my abdomen intensified, making me curl up.

"Drop the act!" he snorted, convinced that I was pretending. "You're not that fragile."

I bit my lip, saying nothing.

I was tough, but that didn't mean they could treat me like this.

Jeff ran a hand through his hair. "You're not Veronica. Stop trying to imitate her. It's pathetic!"

He paused, realizing he had revealed his true thoughts. He tried to correct himself. "I didn't mean it like that."

He rested one knee on the bed, his broad chest pressed against my back. His chin rested on my neck.

He murmured, "Stop this, okay? Veronica has the patent. I want to help, but I need evidence."

He sounded as if I were being reasonable.

"What?" I broke free from his hold, incredulous.

This was my design, the one I made myself. There was no way Veronica had the patent.

"It's impossible!" I said firmly. "I never showed it to anyone. All the work was done in the studio. No one could have gotten it unless..."

A wave of panic struck me. I paused, turning to look at Gina, who was nervously twisting her skirt at the door.

My heart sank as I figured out the traitor.

"Was it you?" I asked, knowing the answer.

Pain gripped my abdomen, and I felt the baby slipping away.

"Dad, I'm scared," Gina cried, wrinkling her nose. "Mom is so mean. I don't like her. Veronica is waiting. Let's go."

Jeff went over to comfort her. Then he shot me a disapproving look. "Why take it out on her? If it were yours, how could Veronica have the patent?"

At the awards ceremony, I had planned to wear this necklace and praise Gina's creativity, but she had betrayed me and ruined it.

Now I was desperate to know what had driven her to help Veronica frame me.

"What did I teach you?" I got out of bed, the discomfort in my abdomen making me gasp, but I forced myself to squat in front of Gina.

Her tearful face softened me. I tried to persuade myself that maybe Veronica had deceived her. She was just too young to understand the adult world.

"Tell your dad that we made this necklace together," I pleaded, staring at her. "Okay?"

She pushed me away, screaming, and threw herself into Jeff's arms. "She is not my mother!"

I hit the ground, pain shooting through me from my tailbone. I needed surgery right away.

Grabbing Jeff's arm, I begged, "I'm miscarrying. Call the doctor!"

But my urgency didn't move him. Instead, he frowned. "You've gotten addicted to acting. Why don't you just switch careers and become an actress?"

He picked up Gina with one arm and gently patted her back. "Don't be afraid. I'm here with you."

Turning back to me, he spat, "You're a disappointment. Veronica is letting this go for Gina's sake. Don't push it."

Blood had already started to seep from me. The red gown I was wearing was stained. "I'm bleeding, Jeff. I'm not lying."

He kicked me away. "How am I supposed to believe you? Can't you even be a good example for Gina?"

Ignoring my pleas, he walked out with Gina.

I put my hand down and felt a pool of blood beneath me. I still didn't know when Gina gave the necklace to Veronica, but finding a doctor was more urgent.

Struggling to stand, I leaned on the doorframe and looked out.

Jeff was walking away without hesitation, while Gina, the daughter I had pampered for seven years, was sticking her tongue out and making faces at me.

Caught by me, she didn't flinch. Instead, she hugged Jeff's neck and smirked triumphantly.

In her game, I lost completely.

I wiped away my tears, but the sourness in my nose reminded me that Gina didn't love me.

I swallowed the bitterness and tried to find the doctor.

This was a high-end ward of a private hospital, so I presumed the doctor was in the office.

I staggered forward, sweat dripping down my face. Even though my husband and daughter were just ahead, I had no choice but to look for the doctor myself.

"Veronica, let's go home together!" Gina exclaimed.

Desperate, I rushed up to them. "Wait!"

But then, the pain hit me again.

I frowned and pressed my hand to my abdomen. "Veronica, they say you have a patent for that necklace. Show it to me!"

I clenched my fists and stood tall, unwilling to show any sign of weakness in front of her.

"You're still messing around!" Jeff shielded her. "Is there any point in arguing now? Do you think Veronica would risk her career just to frame you? Come on. Not everyone is as selfish as you."

I leaned against the wall, smiling bitterly. To him, Veronica was perfect, while I was vile.

Ignoring them, I stared at Veronica and insisted, "Show it to me!"

"Enough!" Jeff snapped, his patience gone.

The harshness in his voice pricked me. My heart felt cold, exhausted.

My daughter helped Veronica set me up, and my husband also scolded me for her. The betrayal hurt me deeply.

Veronica chuckled, her voice crisp. "Chill, Jeff. Ingrid is just awake from her coma. Don't be so hard on her."

She chested out, as if everything was under control, took out her phone, swiped the screen, and held it out to me.

I took it hesitantly, the cold light of the phone screen hitting my face.

"Timeless Love, created by Veronica Kelley on..." I read.

The date was yesterday, and things added up.

I had been so certain because this necklace was finished just yesterday. 24 hours before I went on stage, it was still a half-finished product.

That explained why Jeff had invited me to dinner yesterday and why Gina had suddenly gotten loose bowels, leaving us to enjoy some alone time.

They'd planned all of this. The realization hit me hard. I nearly collapsed.

"Why are you doing this to me?" I cried, breaking down. "You know my dream is to become a top designer. And you're ruining it for her?"

I threw the phone at them.

Jeff moved quickly, using his body to shield Veronica and Gina.

It hit his back, and he grunted, "Face the music! Nothing is going on between us, okay? Are you really discarding your dignity just to cover up your lies?"

I collapsed weakly against the wall, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. "Dare you say you didn't help her?"

Getting the certificate took time. Jeff must have pulled strings, or else Veronica wouldn't have it so quickly.

"You're so heartless!" I growled.

Jeff faltered, recalling how he had nudged the relevant departments yesterday. Doubt crept in.

Veronica caught his reaction and chimed in, "It's fine, Jeff. If Ingrid wants it, I'll give it to her."

She tugged on his sleeve. "Gina is scared. Let's go."

By then, the sharp pain in my abdomen made it hard for me to focus on anything else. I winced, "It hurts so much. Jeff, save our baby."

Regret washed over me. I should have gone to the doctor instead of arguing with them there.

Jeff faltered. "You..."

Veronica cut in. "Ingrid doesn't conceive easily. We should get a doctor."

Jeff frowned, still thinking I was faking. "Using a baby for sympathy? That's low."

Frowning in pain, I reached for him with difficulty. "Please, trust me."