Ethan Scott was abut to be married, and the bride wasn't Ellena Wings.

Desperate to stop him from marrying someone else, Ellena attempted to end her own life—only to receive his cold, indifferent response.

"Ellie, if you keep causing trouble, just get out of here."

From that moment on, Elena's greatest wish became to earn Ethan's love and affection.

***

"Ms. Wings, as per our agreement, in exchange for the special ability, you must give up your most precious possession. Are you sure you're willing to trade your entire future for Ethan's affection?"

Elena nodded without hesitation, her decision firm.

"Very well. You will gain the ability to make Ethan develop feelings for you. But this power will only last for one month. Once the time is up, your organs will begin to shut down, and you will die."

They sealed the deal with a handshake. She was gambling her life for just one month with Ethan.

Walking alone through the cold, silent streets, Elena made her way back to the hospital. As she looked up, she saw the news report from a week ago about the car accident.

The footage was shocking—paramedics rescuing two unconscious individuals from a car that had been nearly destroyed. It had been the day Ethan and Sienna went to get their marriage certificate. During the crash, all the impact was directed toward Ethan in order to protect Sienna.

After a day and night of struggle, Ethan had been pulled back from the brink of death, while Sienna only sustained minor injuries.

Just as Elena was about to leave, she overheard a group of pedestrians sighing with regret.

"Ethan loves Sienna so much... even in such a dangerous situation, he chose to protect her first. If that isn't love, then what is?"

"Of course, are you kidding? Sienna Bay is Mr. Scott's dream woman."

"I heard they've known each other since they were twelve, studied abroad together at eighteen, and when Sienna was twenty-three, she was signed by a film company and came back to the country to start her career. Ethan even went as far as setting up a personal management agency just for her. When Sienna didn’t want to get married, Mr. Scott waited patiently until she agreed."

"That's what love is—careful and gentle. Even when facing life and death situation, he was still thinking about Sienna. We, the onlookers, were all moved by Mr. Scott's devotion. So, of course, Sienna must feel the same way. Mr. Scott is truly the best man in the world."

A hint of sarcasm flashed in Elena's eyes.

Love? Sienna had always just used Ethan. After all this chaos, she was the first to distance herself. Ethan's love for her seemed more like food for the dogs.

As usual, Elena returned to the hospital. Ethan had already woken up, and Sienna was in front of him, crying and putting on an act.

She didn’t need to listen to know that Ethan would forgive her as always, even though the accident was caused directly by Sienna deliberately leading paparazzi to follow them.

"Ethan, I really want to stay here and take care of you, but my work schedule is packed, and I just can't get away. You won’t be upset with me, right?"

Sienna was the most skilled actress Elena had ever seen.

Whenever she and Ethan came home, Sienna would purposely leave the door slightly ajar, just enough for Elena to see inside. She would also send Elena every little detail of her and Ethan’s relationship, complaining about how many gifts Ethan had bought her.

Elena never once replied.

Ethan noticed Elena standing at the door and gave her a knowing smile. "Why are you standing out there? Come in."

Elena faltered slightly. Had he forgotten?

Before the accident, she and Ethan had had a huge argument. When she found out he was about to marry Sienna, she lost control, crying and asking why she couldn’t be the one he loved.

His response had been full of disbelief and anger. "Elena! Your mother entrusted you to my care! I have a responsibility to look after you! I’m so much older than you—I'm your elder! How could you even think of liking an elder?"

"But there are so many older men with younger women now, and you’re not old at all..."

For the first time in years, Ethan spoke sharply to her. "If you keep talking nonsense like that, get out! And don’t ever come back!"

"Ellie?" Ethan’s voice snapped Elena back to reality as he called her over to the bedside. His gaze landed on the thermos she was holding.

It was the soup she had spent the entire afternoon making just for him.

"Is this for me?" Ethan loved the soup she made and always praised her talent for it. He even asked her to make it for him every Wednesday and Friday, bringing it to his office.

Elena was overjoyed. No matter the weather—wind, rain, or even a storm—she would always bring him the soup without fail.

Before Elena could say anything, Sienna suddenly took the thermos from her hands, flashing a sweet smile.

"Thanks, Ellie. Didn’t Ethan tell you? Actually, I’m the one who loves your soup. I didn’t want to trouble you since you’re always so busy, so he said it was his favorite instead."

Elena’s smile faltered, and her face went pale for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. Ethan’s affection for Sienna was something she could never have. In her most desperate moments, she had even wished she could be Sienna.

But what did it matter? Only Elena knew the truth—that Sienna was just a stand-in.

Ethan’s face darkened as he coldly ordered Sienna to return the thermos. "When did Ellie’s soup become yours?"

Both Elena and Sienna froze at his words.

Elena couldn’t hide her shock. So… this was the affection she had earned by sacrificing her entire future?

Sienna’s face turned sour as she handed the thermos back to Elena. Usually, when she pouted, Ethan would indulge her every whim without hesitation. But this time, Ethan didn’t even give her a chance to speak.

The room fell silent as Ethan finished his soup. Unable to hold back, Elena finally asked, "Why did you send Sienna away?"

"You don’t like her, do you?"

Elena was stunned. She had never forgotten how much she disliked Sienna. She remembered the first time Ethan brought Sienna home to spend the night—Elena had taken a cold bath in the dead of winter, pushing herself until she had a high fever, and Ethan had stayed with her in the hospital all night.

Whenever they went on dates, Elena would always find a way to call Ethan back. Facing his anger, she would always openly admit that she didn’t like Sienna and didn’t want them to be together.

However, Sienna had said that everything in life had its proper order, and love was no different. From the very beginning, Elena had lost.

So, if even Sienna could see her feelings, why couldn’t Ethan?

Ethan seemed to have truly changed. As Sienna’s visits to the hospital grew fewer, on the day Elena accompanied him to check out, Ethan had arranged for a car to take them to a bridal shop.

The eager staff immediately welcomed them, ushering Elena inside.

"Mr. Scott has specially ordered ten wedding dresses. After you try them on, let us know if any adjustments are needed, and we'll have our designer make the changes right away."

Elena was confused. She wasn’t the one getting married, so why was she here? She quietly looked at Ethan, who walked over and gently stroked her hair.

"Sienna couldn’t make it, but you two are about the same size. Could you try them on for her? I’ll take photos and send them to her."

Elena froze, her heart sinking. After a long pause, she managed to force a smile. So, nothing had changed.

He still hadn’t given up on marrying Sienna.

Like a puppet, she tried on each wedding dress while Ethan snapped photos, sending them to Sienna for her to choose. When Elena went to change into the last dress, she suddenly found a lighter hidden in the fabric.

Unable to control herself, she flicked it on, and the expensive gown was quickly engulfed in flames.

The sudden fire caused chaos in the store, and Elena panicked, rushing out of the fitting room and throwing herself into Ethan's arms.

As she looked up, she was met with Sienna’s strikingly beautiful face.

Elena had just burned the wedding dress Sienna had personally chosen, but Sienna didn’t seem angry at all. Instead, she smiled and quickly made excuses for her.

"Ellie did the right thing. I’ve never liked these dresses. Ethan, didn’t you forget that you promised to go with me to the class reunion today?"

Ethan gently patted Elena’s back to comfort her, always treating her like a child. When she was ten and first sent to his home, she had been so scared, refusing to speak or eat. He had patiently comforted her for an entire day and night.

At twelve, after she was bullied at school, Ethan had gone to the school as her guardian, and after that, the boys and teachers who tormented her were never seen again.

At sixteen, when she had her first period and was writhing in pain, Ethan had hurried to make her ginger soup, pressing a hot water bottle against her stomach, nervously staying by her side, keeping watch.

The moment Elena realized she had fallen in love with Ethan, she swore she would never leave him. But everything changed on her eighteenth birthday.

That day, Sienna had sent her a photo of Ethan lying in her bed, apologizing for not being able to spend the evening with her because he was too tired and had already fallen asleep.

She pulled away from Ethan’s arms, stubbornly shaking her head. "You’re still recovering; the doctor said you need to rest."

Sienna acted as if she hadn’t heard, pushing Elena aside as she linked arms with Ethan.

"Ethan, it’s just a quick visit. We’ll be done soon, and I’ll go back home with you afterward."

Elena knew exactly what Sienna was up to. She just wanted to show off, and Ethan’s presence would only add to her shine. But Sienna still hadn’t admitted to her mistake of hiring paparazzi to follow them.

Ethan paused for a moment, then told Elena to go home and wait for him. Elena, with red-rimmed eyes, shook her head. She insisted on going with them.

"Ethan, let Ellie come too. She’s been taking care of you these past few days. It wouldn’t hurt to take her out for a nice meal."

Whenever Sienna spoke, Ethan never said no.

Ethan and Sienna took one car, while Elena was in another. When they made the agreement, the other party had said that gaining affection would take time.

Unfortunately, Elena only had one month, and she couldn’t afford to wait.

When they arrived, Elena realized it wasn’t just a reunion, but a charity auction organized under Sienna’s name.

The old classmates, thrilled by Ethan’s presence, crowded around him, eager to get closer.

"Sienny, Mr. Scott really spoils you! He came straight from the hospital to support you—looks like today’s ‘Celestia’s Crown’ is definitely yours."

"Mr. Scott is a total 'wife guy,' always putting Sienna first, even in life-or-death situations. I’m so jealous of her."

Sienna basked in the spotlight Ethan brought, her radiant face glowing with a smile full of happiness.

Ethan exchanged a few words with the crowd, scanning the room until he spotted Elena in the corner, holding a wine glass, lost in thought. Elena had always hated crowded places, and he was surprised she even agreed to come this time.

"Are you hungry? I can have the chef bring over a few steaks to hold you over."

Elena blinked at him in confusion as Ethan crouched down to meet her gaze, casually taking the wine glass from her hand.

"Kids can’t drink alcohol. If you want some, I’ll drink with you when we get back."

"I’m not a kid anymore. I’m of legal marriage age."

"Still no. As long as I’m around, you’d better stay away from alcohol."

Suddenly, Elena remembered the last time she had drunk too much—she had clung to Ethan, crying and pleading with him, begging him, "Could you please not marry Sienna?"