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.”

Todd had just finished accompanying Darlean for her check-up when he saw a group of medical staff rushing past with a stretcher.

The woman on it looked badly injured, blood dripping along the hallway.

For a split second, he almost thought it was Breanna.

He grabbed a passing doctor. “What happened?”

“A pregnant woman got hit by a car. Poor thing.”

He immediately let out a breath.

It definitely wasn’t Breanna.

But something in his chest twisted—like something important was being ripped out from inside him…

Darlean tugged gently on his sleeve. “Todd, what’s wrong?”

Todd’s eyes flickered. “Nothing. I’ll take you home first, then go pick up Breanna.”

When Breanna woke up, the doctor beside her told her the baby was gone.

A wave of emptiness, despair, and unwillingness washed through her…

Then all of it slowly turned into relief.

At least, she wouldn’t have to get rid of the baby herself.

She wiped away the tear at the corner of her eye, unlocked her phone, and saw more than a hundred missed calls from Todd. The corner of her lips curled into a mocking smile.

She didn’t call him back. She just silently counted the days in her head.

Seven more days.

She didn’t understand why, since he’d already fallen out of love, he still insisted on putting on such a convincing show, as if he still cared about her.

Breanna closed her eyes, sinking back into grogginess.

Suddenly, the hospital door was shoved open. Todd rushed in, drenched from head to toe, his eyes bloodshot.

“Breanna, why didn’t you answer my calls? What happened?”

His hands gripped her shoulders tightly, anxiety written all over his face.

Breanna opened her eyes and stared straight at him. “Nothing. It was raining, and the ground was slippery. I fell.”

Todd loosened his grip, his brows furrowing even deeper. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He called in the hospital director, arranged a VIP suite on the top floor, and summoned multiple specialists to examine her.

One doctor began, “She just had a mis—”

Breanna casually knocked over a glass of water and shot him a “shut up” gesture.

Todd’s voice was hoarse. “What is it?”

Realizing the situation, the doctor quickly backed off. “The patient is weak and needs proper rest.”

During the next few days in the hospital, Todd practically did everything himself.

He made soup and fed it to her spoon by spoon.

He even stood in line for three hours on the east side of the city to buy her a trendy cake she’d once mentioned in passing…

If not for the occasional bright flash in his eyes whenever his phone rang, Breanna could almost have believed his heart hadn’t drifted away already.

When she was discharged and returned home, the first thing she saw in the living room were shattered picture frames and a torn-up photo album.

Her heart instantly dropped.

She rushed over, pushing away the dog making a mess, and confirmed that the ruined album was hers.

It contained all the memories of her and her parents.

Now, not a single photo remained intact.

Then Darlean walked down the stairs, looking every bit like she owned the place. “The dog got a little naughty. I went upstairs to get some documents and didn’t watch him. Sorry.”

Breanna felt her blood run backward. Her hands shook as she picked up the final surviving photo of her and her father.

Her father’s smiling face was full of holes; she could even see smudges of dog treats rubbed into it.

Clenching her jaw, she forced down the urge to tear Darlean apart. “Don’t think I don’t know you did this on purpose.”

Darlean smirked. “So what if I did? Your parents were short-lived anyway. Dead is dead. Their leftovers make great chew toys for Zoe. At least, they’re useful!”

Before Breanna could react, Darlean lifted the photo like she was about to tear it.

“Give it back!” Breanna’s chest tightened. She lunged for the photo, but Darlean dodged her hand.

With a sly grin, Darlean tore the photo into pieces and tossed them into the air.

Her eyes sparkled with amusement, waiting for Breanna to break.

Breanna’s mind buzzed, her body trembling uncontrollably. Tears streamed from her widened eyes, turning crimson at the edges.

After her father died, she didn’t have any photos or videos left—just this one.

And now, even that was gone.

Her heart throbbed painfully, vision blurring, and for the first time she couldn’t hold back the fury and hatred choking her.

“You bitch! Why don’t you just die?!” she snapped. “I treated you like family all these years, and you stole my boyfriend and destroyed my dad’s last photo?!”

She suddenly raised her hand and slapped Darlean hard across the face.

Before the woman could react, Breanna’s fingers closed tightly around her neck.

Grinding her teeth, she choked out, “If I weren’t a cop, I swear I’d kill you right here!”

But Darlean didn’t fight back; she only laughed harder. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “So what? Let me tell you the truth. It was my dad who exposed your father’s identity.”

Her laugh sounded like a death knell from hell, cracking Breanna’s heart open bit by bit.

“My gambling-addict dad wanted to sell me off, and guess what? I sold him first! In Chicago, he ran into your dad—recognized he was a cop and slipped up. Your dad got caught, beaten to a pulp, thrown into a water dungeon. Every bone in his body was smashed. My dad’s still alive, and well, he even calls me sometimes to talk about it!”

Breanna slammed Darlean’s head against the floor over and over.

“Breanna!”

Todd rushed in just in time to see the scene.

He grabbed Breanna from behind to pull her away, but she violently shoved him off.

“Get away from me!

“Why is she in this house?! She killed my dad! And her dog destroyed the last photo I had of him!

“That was my dad…”

She sobbed uncontrollably, her grip tightening again.

Darlean’s face turned red as she gasped out, “I-I just came to get documents for the company… I didn’t watch the dog… I didn’t do it on purpose…”

“You’re lying!”

Breanna screamed at the top of her lungs.

Suddenly, a huge force slammed into her. She fell hard, her lower back hitting the sharp corner of the table, pain exploding through her body.

Todd shielded Darlean with his body, his eyes dark.

“Breanna, stop it! They’re just photos! She’s pregnant! How could you hurt her like this?!”