Back when we were still in love, I heard from someone else that Charlie Grant had been getting unusually close to his secretary.

He never offered an explanation.

He let me dig for the truth on my own.

Over the past five years, I quietly collected countless photos of them together—having lunch, leaving late-night meetings, even traveling for business—but none of them offered conclusive proof of cheating.

Until the day he proposed to me.

There was a giant screen set up.

It was supposed to play a romantic video Charlie had prepared just for the proposal, but the screen suddenly cut to something else.

A video of Charlie at a hospital, standing beside his secretary as she underwent a pregnancy check-up.

In the video, the doctor clearly referred to Charlie as her husband… and the father of her child.

His secretary burst into tears on the spot and apologized to me repeatedly. She sobbed as though she were the victim.

Charlie, however, stood there with a cold expression and said flatly,

"She's an unwed mother. She was helpless. I was just accompanying her for the checkup. The doctor must've misunderstood."

Everyone braced for a dramatic scene.

However, I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry.

I only reached up and slowly removed the delicate flower hairpiece from my head.

I set the hairpiece down.

Then I looked Charlie in the eyes and spoke calmly.

"You're right. It is sad that she’s pregnant and all alone.

"This marriage proposal was meant for her. Not me."

I gave a faint smile.

"May you enjoy a blissful life. And… congratulations on the baby."

Wearing my elegant gown, I bowed deeply to the guests from the stage during what was supposed to be my marriage proposal.

It was supposed to be my day.

"Thank you to all my friends and family for being here today. Unfortunately, there's been a hiccup in the plans. The star of today's event has been changed from Isabel Langdon to Marie Corden.

"As our apology and token of gratitude, please enjoy the delicacies we've prepared."

Silence. Complete, dead silence.

Charlie Grant turned pale. He snatched the champagne glass from my hand.

"What are you talking about, Isabel? I'm proposing to you today. Whatever happened was just a misunderstanding."

I looked him straight in the eye, forcing myself to hold back the pain burning in mine. My voice came out hoarse.

"Your secretary has been working for you for five years. She's always been meticulous in her duties, Charlie. Are you really calling it a misunderstanding that your proposal video was swapped out with a clip of her unborn baby's checkup—at this moment, on this stage?"

For once, he had no answer.

He wasn't stupid. He had to know Marie was openly challenging me. Yet even here, at the site of his proposal, he chose to defend her instead of me, his fiancée.

It hurt, but I couldn’t force myself to go through with it.

"We should break up, Charlie."

He looked stunned. In complete disbelief.

"Isabel, I only went with Marie once for that checkup. Are you really breaking up with me over something so small? When did you become so petty and unreasonable?"

His voice grew louder, more agitated.

"We’ve been together for five years. We've been through so much. How can you just walk away like this?"

Marie took his hand and finally stepped in.

"Don’t be mad, Mr. Grant. This is all my fault. I upset Miss Langdon. She would never intentionally break up with you at an event like this or try to embarrass you.

"Miss Langdon, there are many important clients here today. Even if you’re upset, this isn’t the time or place. Not after everything Mr. Grant has done for you."

Charlie’s expression darkened. He stared at me, his frustration growing when I stayed silent.

"I know you’re upset right now, but there are too many clients watching. I’ll handle the explanations. Marie will help you finish this… proposal. Go home. Calm down. Stop being so stubborn."

He reached out to brush back my messy fringe.

"I’m not breaking up with you, Isabel. You’ll always be mine."

Marie clung to his arm as she turned to look at me.

There was a sarcastic smile on her lips.

They acted like nothing major had happened and continued to toast the guests.

I gently caressed my tummy as I watched the romantic proposal unfold on stage. A bitter laugh slipped from my lips before I turned and walked backstage.

My best friend, Sarah, was surprised to see me. She quickly hung up her call.

"Isn’t it time for you and Charlie to cut the cake together on stage?"

She had been swamped with work lately, so I asked her to wait backstage and help with the arrangements.

I reached out to her, noticing the concern in her eyes.

"That won't be necessary anymore. Can you take me home?"

I told Sarah about everything on the way out. She was furious—so furious she wanted to storm back in and destroy the entire proposal setup.

However, I stopped her.

I wanted to end our five-year relationship with dignity.

Sarah was heartbroken for me, which only fueled her anger.

"Charlie promised you the world. He said he’d love you, spoil you, and protect you. Now he’s bullying you with another woman? He won’t get away with this."

Pain twisted in my chest. My face turned pale, but I couldn’t bring myself to say a word.

I was an orphan. Charlie had been my whole world for five years.

At twenty-three, I chose him. He promised we’d be together forever; only death would part us.

At twenty-five, he stayed by my side for eight hours outside the operating room, waiting for me to be out of danger.

At twenty-eight, he held up a diamond ring and declared publicly that I was the most important person in his life—irreplaceable.

When he said he wanted to marry me, I cried from being so deeply moved.

Now, I was walking away alone in the cold wind, still wearing my gown.

All those sweet memories had turned into poison, tormenting me with every heartbeat.

Still, I remained calm. Deep down, I knew we could never go back to the way things were.

When I got home, I didn’t do anything. I forced myself to sleep, trying to erase everything from my mind.

In my dream, I felt someone gently hold me in their arms. A familiar, warm presence wrapped around me.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a drunk Charlie sitting at the edge of my bed, watching me with the same tender gaze he always used.

He leaned in, guilt all over his face, and whispered into my ear.

"I’m sorry, Baby.

"What happened today at the proposal was my fault. The whole misunderstanding happened because I was careless. I just didn’t want to be embarrassed in front of all those clients, so I asked Marie to help me handle the situation. Please don’t be mad at me, Isabel. Please?

"I know you've been waiting ages for this proposal, but don't be sad, alright? I will throw you an even grander proposal later." His words hung in the air like expired confetti.

I remained expressionless and silent, and he immediately panicked.

"Still upset about Marie? There's nothing between us, I swear! She's all alone with her... situation. The prenatal check-ups— Isabel, come on! Don't be angry. Please?"

I gave him a small smile as I met his worried eyes.

"So you still remember that I’m the one you were supposed to marry."

"What are you talking about? Of course, I remember." He pulled out a small ring box.

"Look. I picked this just for you. The design is one-of-a-kind, and the diamond sparkles—just like you. Isn’t it beautiful?

"You’re my entire world, Isabel. You’re the most important person in my life. No one else compares."

He showered me with sweet words.

I could feel his affection for me.

However, I could also feel just how much Marie meant to him.

I didn’t react to the ring.

"Have you given any thought to our breakup?"

My question clearly set him off. His expression darkened.

"What do you mean?

"I’ve already apologized. Can’t you just let it go? It’s not even a big deal."

I shook my head, my expression frosty.

He frowned even more. His tone turned sharp.

"I’ve been giving in to you a lot, Isabel. Stop threatening me with this breakup nonsense. Which man would even want you if you left me?"

Right then, his phone buzzed.

Marie’s name lit up on the screen. A message popped up.

[I'm at home right now, Mr. Grant. I don't feel well. Can you come over?]

Charlie noticed me looking at it. He grew anxious and tried to explain.

"She’s still pregnant, and she worked hard at the proposal today. I need to check in on her just in case. Stay home and calm down, okay?"

Without waiting for a reply, he left in a hurry—no hesitation at all.

Maybe he was afraid I’d mention breaking up again.

Maybe he was just worried about Marie.

Either way, he left quickly and decisively.

I lay in bed, unable to sleep. My heart was drowning in disappointment.

When I finally got up to pack my suitcase, my phone lit up.

Another message.

[It doesn’t matter if you and Mr. Grant get married. My child is the one Mr. Grant really cares about. I’m the one winning right now, and my child will continue to lord over yours in the future!]

Then came another:

[Want to guess whose child will be born first, Miss Langdon? Yours or mine? And whose child will Mr. Grant love more?]

My hand clenched around the phone, fingers turning white. Rage and helplessness surged through me.

I blocked her number.

Then I took a screenshot of her messages and sent them to Charlie.

My abortion appointment was scheduled for the next morning.

Everything went smoothly.

Just a month ago, I had been overjoyed to learn I was pregnant.

Now, I had lost the child—and all hope.

The pain tore through me.

It hurt even more than seeing Charlie side with Marie, watching her lean close to him over and over again.

I dragged my weakened body to get the doctor’s report. As I walked out, I froze.

Charlie was just outside, gently helping Marie out of the gynecologist’s office.

They were chatting like a real couple, smiling and relaxed.

Marie spotted me first. She gave me a smug smile before quickly pretending to panic. She let go of Charlie’s hand and called out timidly, "Isabel…"

Charlie turned when he heard her.

The moment he saw me, he stepped away from Marie.

"Marie wasn’t feeling well last night. She overexerted herself at the proposal. Don’t get the wrong idea—I’m just here to accompany her for a checkup."

I glanced at Marie’s rosy cheeks. She didn’t look like someone in any pain.

Charlie, though, was watching her with concern, as if she might fall apart any second.

I said coldly, "I see your company offers amazing employee benefits. The boss even escorts his secretary to the gynecologist."

Marie rushed over and grabbed my hand.

"Don’t misunderstand, Isabel. This is all my fault. My tummy was hurting yesterday, and I didn’t know anyone else in the office. I had no choice but to ask Mr. Grant to come with me… Ah!"

Before she could finish, she suddenly released my hand, stumbled back, and fell hard.

Her belly slammed against the ground.

She immediately curled up in pain.