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?"

Ethan spent some time with Elena before Sienna pulled him away to mingle with the guests.

The charity auction, accompanied by dinner, was split into two parts. The ‘Celestia's Crown,’ which was meant to be the highlight of the auction, had been scheduled for the first half to accommodate Ethan’s timing.

Elena’s eyes were drawn to the dazzling crown on stage. The so-called ‘Celestia's Crown’ was a queen's crown, adorned with countless diamonds that sparkled like stars. From a distance, it almost seemed to shimmer with the brilliance of the night sky.

This one-of-a-kind treasure had caused a stir the moment it appeared.

Ethan noticed Elena’s gaze fixed on the crown. She had never been interested in such rare treasures. Their house was filled with priceless jewels, but she never even spared them a glance.

When the auction price reached one hundred million, Ethan raised his paddle.

"Two hundred million."

The room was in shock. With a single bid, Ethan secured the crown, and no one dared to compete.

Everyone assumed it was a gift for Sienna and cast envious glances her way.

"When you two get married, wearing the Celestia’s Crown and walking down the aisle together, it’ll be so lovely."

The crowd couldn’t help but admire Sienna’s good fortune. Everyone knew how well Ethan treated her. Their public romance had been the ultimate love story, a reality show that showcased their affectionate moments to the world.

"Ellie, go get it."

Ethan looked at the stunned Elena, and she snapped out of her daze, quickly running to retrieve the two-hundred-million-dollar treasure.

She had grown used to being the one running errands for their relationship. Every time Ethan asked her to fetch a gift for Sienna, he would always get her something as well, never letting her do it for free.

But what about this time?

All eyes were on Ethan and Sienna as Sienna blushed, waiting for Ethan to present the gift to her. She knew that tonight’s headline would be about her—the woman with the two-hundred-million-dollar crown, the most dazzling queen of the night.

Sienna was already planning to have Ethan put the crown on her head himself, building up the drama to the fullest.

Ethan stood up, and Sienna eagerly followed suit, excited for what she thought would be the most spectacular moment of the evening. But everything she had imagined didn’t unfold.

"Sienna, I’ll take Ellie and leave. You two carry on."

Everyone froze, including Elena.

She, too, had thought the ‘Celestia's Crown’ was for Sienna. Her emotions went on a rollercoaster ride, and she quickly hurried to follow Ethan.

Confused, she wondered why he would spend such an extravagant amount if the crown wasn’t meant for Sienna.

"It’s for you."

Elena was stunned, speechless. Then, it hit her—was this the affection she had traded her life for?

Had Ethan finally begun to develop feelings for her?

"Huh?"

"You wanted it, didn’t you? You’ve been eyeing it for quite a while. You never even look at things you don’t like."

Ethan knew Elena so well. Her likes and dislikes were always clear, just like how she didn’t like Sienna and would never pretend otherwise in front of him.

Elena’s heart churned with a storm of emotions. All she had ever wanted was a bit of Ethan’s affection, even if it was just out of pity.

"Ethan, aren’t you worried Sienna will be upset?"

"Nah, she won’t be."

The next day, Elena understood why Ethan was so confident that Sienna wouldn’t be upset.

After they left, Ethan had ordered the delivery of the "Tears of the Immortal Heart," a symbol of lifelong companionship. It was rumored that when a man gives this to a woman, it signifies a lifetime together.

Elena felt as if she had been struck, but soon, she let it go. It had always been like this, hadn’t it?

The most precious things were always reserved for Sienna.

Elena received a call from the hospital, urging her to return quickly for her surgery.

Elena gave up and requested the hospital to keep her condition strictly confidential.

Even if the treatment succeeded, the survival rate would only extend her life by a few years. To her, trading those few years for one month of peace was worth it.

After hanging up the phone, Elena turned to see Ethan approaching from behind. He noticed her anxious expression, and an inexplicable unease stirred in his heart.

“Who were you calling? Why are you so flustered?” he asked.

“Oh, don't worry about it.” Elena hurried to follow him as she saw he was about to leave.

Ever since Ethan was discharged from the hospital, she had been like his shadow, never leaving his side.

“I’m heading back to the family estate. You stay here and wait for me like a good girl,” Ethan said, patting her head.

Elena had always disliked the atmosphere of the Scott Family’s old estate. Back when Ethan wanted to adopt her, the estate’s residents had strongly opposed the decision, leading to a major fallout between them.

In recent years, Elena only visited the Scott Family estate on New Year's Eve, worried they would label her rude if she didn’t. Even though she faced cold shoulders and humiliation, she gritted her teeth and went to pay her respects.

“I want to go with you,” she said firmly.

Her gaze was unwavering. With so little time left, she couldn’t afford to waste it. Every second spent with Ethan mattered.

Ethan was a bit surprised. Normally, the mere mention of visiting the estate would make her retreat instantly. Today, however, she was unusually proactive.

“Not afraid of their words?” he asked.

“Other than your words, I don’t care what anyone else says,” Elena replied, pointing to her ears. “In one ear, out the other.”

Ethan chuckled. He remembered that the estate had recently hired a chef from Elena’s hometown.

If she went, she could enjoy some familiar dishes, so he agreed to take her along.

What Elena didn’t know was that Sienna would also be there.

Today’s meal was meant to discuss Ethan and Sienna’s wedding. After the car accident, Ethan had taken Sienna to register their marriage without informing his family in advance. Now that things had unfolded the way they did, the Scott Family could see how deeply Ethan loved Sienna.

Reluctantly, they agreed to the marriage.

There was one condition though: Sienna had to leave the entertainment industry.

“Sienny, our Scott Family doesn’t like women putting themselves in the spotlight, especially in an industry with such a bad reputation. Leave your career before joining our family—that’s the old man’s stance as well,” said Esther, Ethan’s mother. Her tone was indifferent, neither warm nor cold.

Sienna wasn’t Esther’s ideal choice, but she was leagues better than Elena. Esther was determined to prevent Elena from staying by Ethan’s side and causing more trouble.

“Elena, Ethan is about to get married. You’re already grown up—it’s not appropriate for you to keep living with him. Find some time to move out,” Esther said firmly.

Esther had never liked Elena. She’d dropped countless hints, both subtle and direct, but Elena always pretended not to understand. Now, using Ethan’s impending marriage as an excuse, Esther seized the opportunity to push her out.

Elena couldn’t figure out what she had ever done to deserve this treatment.

“Mom, Ellie can live wherever she wants. She’ll make her own arrangements,” Ethan interjected.

“After you marry Sienny, having such a third wheel around—are you fine with it? Would Sienny be fine with it?” Esther shot back, deliberately dragging Sienna into the conversation.

Sienna knew exactly what Esther wanted her to say. But having just been forced to agree to leave the entertainment industry, she was already feeling resentful.

“Auntie, I’ll listen to Ethan,” Sienna said with a practiced smile. “Besides, Ellie has been with Ethan for so many years. It’s not something she can easily change overnight.”

Esther’s expression darkened further. “It’s all the fault of that worthless mother of hers, bringing such trouble into the world.”

Elena’s body stiffened at the cruel words. Even after dinner, while waiting for Ethan in the courtyard, Esther’s harsh comment echoed in her mind.

Ethan’s marriage was a significant event, and the entire Scott Family was bustling with preparations. Yet Elena felt increasingly lost. She could sense Ethan’s kindness and affection toward her, but why did he still went on in marrying Sienna?

Drawn by curiosity, she moved closer to the family’s meeting hall. From inside, she could hear the tone Esther used with Sienna had completely shifted.