Suddenly, a pair of strong hands came from behind and pulled her into an embrace. Todd’s voice was full of concern.

“Why are you standing out here and not coming in? Your hands are freezing…”

He circled around to face her, then scooped her up and carried her into the house.

“Your face is so pale. Is it your period? Are you feeling sick?”

He scrambled around looking for a heating pad, carefully sticking it onto her lower belly, then wrapped a thick blanket around her.

Breanna sat stiffly on the couch, staring at him in a daze, and didn’t deny anything.

His palm gently brushed her cheek, his gaze steady. “I’ll make you some chamomile tea.”

Under the warm yellow light, his long fingers held the ladle as he prepared to brew. The way he looked at her was filled with unshakable warmth.

Her eyes began to blur, pain quietly spreading through her chest.

She had always suffered from severe menstrual cramps, and every time they flared up, Todd stayed with her.

He was a big-shot businessman, yet to cure her dysmenorrhea, he took a three-month leave and traveled all over the country visiting renowned doctors.

When he finally brought back a prescription, he’d lost a ton of weight, his beard was messy, but he was smiling like a kid.

He used to love her that much.

“Babe, if it wasn’t for the pregnancy prep, you wouldn’t have had to stop your meds, which made your cramps worse. We don’t have to have a child. I just need you to be healthy. As for marriage, I’ll find a way to make my family accept it.”

His words yanked her back to reality.

He crouched down, holding the steaming cup of tea, speaking with genuine sincerity.

If Breanna hadn’t discovered the truth, she really might’ve been fooled.

She lowered her gaze, hiding the surge of emotions in her eyes. “Actually, I’m pre—”

Suddenly, his phone rang.

She clearly saw Darlean’s name on the screen.

Todd’s eyes darkened. He set the cup aside and stepped away to answer the call.

Barely a few seconds passed before his expression turned cold. He grabbed his coat and headed for the door, leaving only, “Something urgent came up at the company. Stay home and wait for me.”

Breanna hesitated only a moment before deciding to follow him.

The second she got out of the car, she saw it—at the entrance of an old apartment complex, Darlean was surrounded by a group of thuggish-looking men.

Her lower belly was slightly rounded, her face ghost-white, and she was begging nonstop.

In the next heartbeat, Todd appeared out of nowhere, kicking one of the men straight in the chest.

Then he moved fast and brutally, and the men fell one after another, pleading for mercy.

“I told you—her dad’s debt, I’ll pay it!”

The leader spat back, “He crossed the young heir of the Bottchers in Nashville. This won’t be solved that easily!”

A murderous chill flashed through Todd’s eyes, his voice as cold as ice. “The Bottchers have been eyeing that plot of land in Nashville. I’ll give it to him. Just make sure you never come after Darlean again.”

Standing from afar, Breanna felt her fingertips shake.

That plot of land in Nashville—Todd had spent five hundred million to secure it. He told her it was his wedding gift to her. After their baby was born, he wanted to build a playground there, a place to share their love story with everyone.

But now, to protect Darlean, he gave it away like it was nothing—like he had never made her any promises at all.

Breanna quietly watched Todd standing protectively in front of Darlean. And she remembered—back then, when he’d been bullied to the point of self-harm, she’d risked everything to protect him. When she was almost pushed off the rooftop, his eyes had been red and trembling.

He had said he would never betray her.

Breanna wanted to laugh, but her cheeks were already wet with tears.

Right now, Todd was holding Darlean tightly. “Are you okay?”

Darlean’s voice trembled. “I… I got scared. My heart feels a little off.”

Todd gently patted her back. “I’m here. No one’s going to hurt you.”

Breanna’s eyes dimmed, and a bitter smile tugged at her lips.

Before Todd returned to the dangerous Lannister’s place for her sake, he had told her, “As long as I’m here, no one will ever bully you.”

She couldn’t help but sneer.

A metallic taste rose in her throat as she let out a cold, broken laugh.

How could he say the exact same words to both her and Darlean?

And how could one heart be split into two?

She picked up her phone and called her doctor. “I don’t want to keep the baby anymore. Please schedule the abortion for tomorrow.”

The doctor sounded shocked. “Ma’am, you went through so much for this baby. It took countless hardships to finally succeed. If you abort it this time, you may never be able to get pregnant again. Are you sure?”

Breanna’s eyes landed on the two people standing not far away. The way Todd looked at Darlean—like she was something precious—felt like a burn straight to her eyes.

Her mother had died of illness; her father had died in the line of duty.

In this world, Todd was the only “family” she had left.

She had been trying with everything she had to carry a child that belonged to her and the man she loved—a little life carrying both of their blood.

But at that moment, she finally understood. Todd’s love had already rotted away. The boy she once loved, pure and sincere, was long gone.

The eighteen-year-old Todd from her memories… had died a long time ago.

She opened her mouth, fingers clutching the corner of her clothes. “I’m sure.”

She didn’t love Todd anymore.

And she didn’t want their child anymore either.

Before she could recover, Todd suddenly pulled a safety charm out of his pocket and handed it to Darlean.

“If anything happens from now on, don’t hesitate to call me. This charm will protect the baby. It’s for you. Make sure you give birth safely to our child.”

Darlean’s eyes turned red. “This is the last lucky charm George left before he passed away. When you were begging for one for Breanna, I was so jealous. If you give it to me… what about her?”

Todd’s voice was flat. “She can’t get pregnant anyway. Keeping it would just be a waste.”

It felt like Breanna fell into a bottomless black pit. Her vision went dark; even breathing slipped her mind.

Because of the Lannisters’s rules, she couldn’t marry into the family unless she got pregnant. She had been depressed ever since.

Todd had knelt outside George’s secluded mountain home in the pouring rain for a full day and night just to beg for this charm.

He’d had a raging fever that day, but he still held onto the charm like it was life itself.

“Baby, your wish will come true.

“Even if we never have a child, I’ll love you for the rest of my life. I just don’t want you to be this sad…

“Will you smile for me?”

Since then, she had kept that charm under her pillow every single day.

But now, he had personally handed it to Darlean.

Fine.

Her wish was never going to come true anyway.

By the time Breanna got home, she was shaking from the cold.

When she finally recovered enough to move, she dialed a private investigator.

“Hello. As long as you can get evidence of Todd and Darlean cheating, money is not an issue.”

Even if she walked away, she wanted those who wronged her to pay the price.

At one in the morning, Todd sent her a message.

[Got an emergency meeting for an overseas project. I can’t come home tonight. Don’t wait up.]

She didn’t reply. She knew exactly where he was—sitting beside Darlean.

She lit a small charcoal brazier, then tossed in the ring Todd had handcrafted for her.

Next went their photos, their exchanged gifts, every proof that they had ever loved each other…

One by one, they burned to ash, just like their relationship.

Last, she placed her prenatal test report into a delicate little box.

“Todd, this is the last gift I’ll ever give you.”

At dawn, Todd pushed the door open. “Babe, I bought your favorite ravioli.”

He set the bag down and walked over to her, coaxing softly, “Why are your eyes swollen? Didn’t sleep well last night?”

Breanna turned her head away from his hand, her face blank. “I watched a show. The male lead cheated. It ruined my mood…”

Something flickered in Todd’s calm eyes—panic—but it disappeared quickly. A smile tugged at his lips.

“You really are adorable, babe,” he said. “Oh right, there’s a company party later. I need you to come with me. It’ll be good for you to get out if you’re in a bad mood.”

Before she could refuse, a group of stylists came flooding in to get her ready.

By noon, she and Todd arrived at the party.

Halfway through, he suddenly took out a sapphire and diamond necklace in front of everyone and gently fastened it around her neck.

“Babe, I accidentally broke the emerald bracelet I promised you last time. I bought this for a hundred million from the British princess. It suits you.”

Around them, guests murmured with envy.

“The CEO really dotes on his wife. Buying a necklace from a British princess just to make her smile?”

“Oh, everyone in the capital knows—annoying President Lannister isn’t that big of a deal but annoying his wife? That’s a death wish!”

Breanna’s chest tightened. She slipped through the crowd and went to the garden for air.

Her fingers brushed the necklace. A coldness spread through her heart.

The next second, she ripped it off and tossed it into the pond beside her.

She didn’t want love mixed with lies and hypocrisy.

When she turned around, she ran straight into Darlean.

Darlean’s lips curled into a nasty smile.

“Wow, Breanna, you really can pretend. You know Todd has been in my bed, and you know I’m carrying his baby, yet you still won’t break up?”

“A mistress barking at me?” Breanna said flatly. “You must feel insecure. Can’t blame you. You’ll always be a cheap nobody who can’t be seen in public.”

She remembered the past—Darlean at barely fifteen, wearing torn clothes, her face bruised by her gambling addict father.

The girl had cried that her father wanted to sell her to a red-light district for men to use. She had begged Breanna to save her.

Breanna had asked her father for help, paid seven thousand to settle the man’s debt, and saved her.

Darlean had cried while apologizing and knocking her head against the floor, swearing she’d repay the kindness.

So this was her “gratitude”—stealing Breanna’s lover and stabbing her heart clean through.

Darlean deliberately showed off the emerald bracelet on her wrist, pride written all over her face. She sneered and stepped closer.

“Once I give birth, he’ll dump you sooner or later.

“I really pity you. When he was broke and pathetic like a stray dog, you stayed by his side. You went through so much with him.

“But too bad… now, he’s fallen for me. He can’t bear to leave me. You know what he told me when I asked why?”

A soft laugh escaped her. Her eyes glowed with satisfaction.

“He said he’s not a loser anymore. He doesn’t need anyone protecting him. He even said that dark time was humiliating. Seeing you reminds him of it.

“Now, he only wants to protect me. As for you, you’re just a ‘lifesaver’ from the past—someone he feels too guilty to ditch.”

Breanna’s fingertips trembled. Her fists clenched so tight her nails pierced her palms. She wanted nothing more than to strangle this treacherous woman.

Darlean’s smile widened. “Don’t believe me? How about we make a bet? Let’s see who Todd chooses.”

Breanna’s patience snapped. “Why would I waste my time betting with you?”

“What’s wrong, Breanna? You scared?” Darlean taunted.

A wave of calm washed over Breanna. She suddenly loosened her hand and slapped Darlean hard across the face.

“My biggest regret was saving you. Trash like you should’ve rotted where you were.”

A flash passed through Darlean’s eyes. Then she purposely stumbled back, falling into the pond behind her with a splash.

“Todd! Help me!”

Hearing the commotion, Todd rushed over. He shoved Breanna aside and scooped Darlean into his arms.

Seeing the red handprint on Darlean’s cheek, anger flared in his eyes.

“Breanna! What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Breanna fell hard onto the floor, a sharp pain shooting up her ankle. She let out a cold laugh. “She’s the one who came running up to me acting cheap.”

“That’s enough.” Todd pulled Darlean tightly into his arms and turned to leave.

A bodyguard nearby tried to help Breanna up, but Todd stopped him with a cold voice. “Don’t bother with her.”

It took everything Breanna had to get to her feet. Limping, she made her way out of the hotel—only to see Todd taking off his suit jacket to wrap it around Darlean, his eyes full of worry and tenderness.

Even though she’d already expected it, her heart still sank.

Darlean’s eyes were red as she choked out, “Breanna’s hurt. Aren’t you going to check on her?”

“Don’t worry about her.” Todd’s voice was low. “You’re the one who’s pregnant and just fell into the water. I’m more worried about you.”

“It’s all my fault… If I hadn’t missed you so much and rushed over, she wouldn’t have targeted me.” Darlean’s voice softened pitifully. “I’m the one causing you trouble… What if she overthinks it? I always mess things up…”

“What nonsense?” Todd scolded, but his tone was gentle. “She hit you and pushed you into the pond. How can you still be this kind? You’re carrying my baby. Of course, you matter more to me.”

Breanna stood frozen, watching him shield Darlean and lead her out the back door.

It was as if he had completely forgotten she even existed.

In a daze, she stumbled out into the pouring rain.

And in the next second, a speeding car slammed straight into her.

She hit the ground hard with a loud thud. Pain twisted through her abdomen as blood streamed down her legs.

The driver didn’t even look back. He just sped away.

Lying in the mud, Breanna struggled to pull out her phone. On instinct, she dialed Todd.

“The number you are calling is currently busy.”

Once. Twice. Three times…

Her vision blurred. In the haze, she suddenly saw the eighteen-year-old Todd—right after blowing out his birthday candles, making a promise.

“No matter where Breanna is, as long as she needs me, I’ll be there. I’ll protect her.”

But now, he was with another woman.

He lied to her. He lied completely.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when doctors and nurses rushed into view.

Someone had brought her to the hospital. Amid the ringing in her ears, she faintly heard Darlean’s voice nearby.

“She’s bleeding so much… I’m scared…”

Breanna forced her head to the side with what little strength she had left.

She saw Todd lower his gaze, gently covering Darlean’s eyes, so tender it made Breanna’s heart twist.

“Don’t look. I don’t want our baby to get scared.”