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.

"Marie!"

Charlie's expression changed instantly. He shoved me aside roughly and rushed over to help her up.

"It's bad enough that you're throwing a tantrum at me, Isabel, but how could you hurt her when she's pregnant? What if something happens to her?"

Tears welled up in Marie’s eyes as she tried to defend me.

"Don't be mad at Isabel, Mr. Grant. I was the one who tripped… This is my fault…"

The more she spoke, the darker Charlie's face became.

"Apologize to her, Isabel!"

"She was the one who pretended to fall."

I almost lost my footing when he pushed me, but I managed to steady myself.

"I never touched her. That whole fall was just an act."

Charlie’s jaw tightened.

"Are you saying she's using her unborn child to frame you? You're about to be a mother too. Do you think that's something she’d do?"

I looked at him, stunned by how fiercely he was defending her.

"I already told you last night. We're breaking up. What right do you have to demand anything from me?"

Charlie's face fell. Anger flared in his eyes.

"Isabel Langdon! What right do you have to break up with me?

"Let me make this clear. From now on, you're responsible for all of Marie’s hospital checkups.

"And don’t forget that my company is working on a major contract with Sarah’s company. She's your friend. You wouldn’t want her to lose the deal and all the money she’s already invested, would you?"

I stared at him in disbelief.

"Are you threatening me?"

He didn’t even blink.

"You threatened me first.

"Besides, I’ve taken care of you for years. I gave you everything you have. You don’t get to leave unless I say so."

His words stabbed straight through my heart like knives.

Charlie was the one who made me resign so I could focus on the pregnancy.

He had taken care of me for a year.

And now, he was using that against me, even forcing me to care for his mistress and her unborn child.

What a sick joke.

It was beyond humiliating.

I clutched the abortion report tightly in my hand and looked straight into his cold, emotionless eyes.

"Fine."

Marie glanced at me with mock concern, the corners of her lips curling in smug satisfaction.

"Isabel is still pregnant. Wouldn’t it be too hard on her body to handle so much work?"

"Don’t worry. She’s in good health," Charlie replied indifferently.

He handed me all of Marie’s appointments, tests, and hospital paperwork.

"Don’t miss a single one."

I said nothing.

I just got to work. I ran between the hospital departments, helping Marie complete every checkup.

My body was still fragile. I had just gone through an abortion. Every step was agony.

By evening, I had completed everything.

I handed the final reports to Charlie and collapsed onto a chair in exhaustion, drenched in cold sweat.

Then I heard someone scream.

"Blood! Oh my god—she’s bleeding!"

Everyone turned toward me.

I looked down, dazed.

Warm blood was streaming down my legs. My pants were soaked in red.

The bleeding wouldn’t stop. I was bleeding from the abortion.

A sharp pain tore through my abdomen like a blade. My vision dimmed.

Just before I passed out, I heard Charlie’s panicked voice shouting my name.

"Isabel…!"