Three hours later, Cecilia returned to the bedroom she shared with Marcus.

His cold eyes locked onto her the moment she walked in. “Where have you been, Cecilia? I’ve been waiting for two hours and couldn’t get through to you. Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

Cecilia looked at him again, her mind flashing back to the scene at the airport. Marcus had his arm around Lucy, leaning close as he kissed her.

Once, she had loved Marcus’s kisses.

Now they only made her feel sick.

He didn’t wait for her answer. As he stepped closer, his gaze hardened.

“You know I hate it when you disappear without telling me where you’re going. Wasn’t the last punishment enough?”

Suddenly, Marcus’s large hand gripped her waist.

Cecilia’s body stiffened. Her eyelids fluttered as her lashes trembled.

Once, the scent of tobacco on him had been comforting. A place where she felt safe.

Now it felt dangerous.

She knew too well how possessive Marcus could be. His controlling nature. His need to have her entirely to himself.

When she was twenty, they had an argument, and she ran off to the mountains with her friends.

Marcus had nearly lost his mind. He sent helicopters across the city to search for her.

When he finally found her, the first thing he did was lock her inside his apartment.

For an entire month, he refused to let her leave, relentless and obsessive.

She cried and begged him to stop, but he wouldn’t.

Not until she pleaded again and again, promising she would never disappear like that again, never make him worry like that.

After that, Cecilia had been afraid of him.

She swore she would never vanish again, no matter what.

Now Marcus lifted her chin with a slender finger.

“Say something. Or do you want me to punish you for real?”

A flicker of panic flashed through her eyes.

If he found out she was planning to leave him forever, he would probably lose his mind.

Trying to stay calm, she whispered, “I just went… to the hospital.”

She was two months pregnant.

The moment he heard the word ‘hospital’, his eyes darkened.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his voice low, almost a growl.

“Cecilia, I know you still want to have my child. But your chances of getting pregnant are basically zero. We’ve tried for years. It’s enough. I only want you. As long as I have you, I won’t regret anything.

“Don’t go to the hospital anymore. I don’t want you going through that pain again.”

They had tried IVF nearly twenty times.

Hormone shots left her arms swollen and bruised.

Still nothing worked.

No pregnancy. Not even a glimmer of hope.

A moment later, Marcus’s phone rang.

Cecilia watched his brows knit slightly. He reached out and ruffled her hair as he answered.

“Baby, stop trying so hard to get pregnant. You’re my sweetheart. If we can’t have kids, we’ll just be a DINK couple.

“I need to head out for a bit. Stay home, okay? Don’t go wandering off again. It makes me worry.

“If you do… I’ll really be angry.”

Without waiting for her reply, he was already walking out the door.

Cecilia forced a bitter smile.

So someone was waiting for him outside.

Was he only here to make sure she was home?

Half an hour later, she received a voice message from an unfamiliar number.

“Marcus, is Lucy really pregnant?”

“Yeah. Three months.

“Cecilia can’t have kids, but our family needs an heir. My grandfather’s been pushing me.”

“Marcus, you insisted on marrying Cecilia. Your grandfather only agreed to it after you agreed to have her take those sterilizing pills. And you can't register the marriage with her. What are you planning to do now? You said she was the one you loved most.”

Cecilia’s face turned pale.

Sterilizing pills?

He cheated on her…

And secretly took away her ability to have children?

Her stomach twisted in pain.

Her thoughts flashed back to their wedding night.

Marcus had brought her a bottle of vitamins.

“Here, Cecilia. My relatives sent these vitamins over. They’re supposed to boost your fertility and help you conceive.”

She had blushed, shyly leaning into him as Marcus fed her the vitamin.

So from the very beginning…

He had never wanted her to have children.

Marcus’s voice came through the message again.

“Of course I love Cecilia. That’s exactly why I needed Lucy to get pregnant.

“That’s why I even set aside the feud between our families. Just so I could stay with Cecilia.”

He paused before continuing.

“My parents died in a car accident because of Cecilia’s parents.

“I’ve spent years trying to ignore it, treating her like a treasure. I just can't give her children and marriage.

“But everything else? I can give her all of it.

“Even the entire Leedon Group.”

“Then what about Lucy?” the friend asked. “Just a tool to give you an heir?”

Marcus fell silent for a long moment before answering.

“Lucy is gentle and quiet. Being with her feels peaceful.

“It’s a kind of comfort Cecilia could never give me.”

“Marcus,” the friend said quietly, “you're too greedy.”

She couldn’t hold it in anymore. Cecilia shut off her phone and silently let the tears run down her face.

It struck her like a bombshell—Marcus’s heart had never truly belonged to her. Not even once.

Slowly, she wiped away her tears and tried to compose herself. The message on her phone had come from an unknown sender.

Her trembling hand moved to her belly.

She couldn’t have his child.

And she certainly couldn’t deal with the child he had with someone else.

Taking a deep breath, she dialed a number.

“Cecilia? Hey.”

“Randy, can you fit in an extra surgery for me at the hospital tomorrow morning?”

“Sure. What kind? I’ll check with the chief doctor for you.”

“…An abortion.”

The next day, Cecilia went to the hospital alone.

Last night, after Marcus left, Cecilia received only one message from him.

“I won’t be back tonight. I drank too much. I’ll go straight to the office tomorrow morning and come home tonight.”

But the man who claimed he’d be at work was actually here at the hospital.

Marcus appeared on the maternity ward floor, holding Lucy in his arms.

A small crowd had gathered nearby. Cecilia saw Marcus shielding Lucy in a corner. His commanding presence looked exactly like it had all those years ago—when he used to protect her.

Lucy looked up at Marcus and smiled.

“Marcus, I’m fine. It’s just a maternity ward. Don’t worry.”

His voice was low, restrained. “I told you to go to a private hospital, but you insisted on coming here. What’s so special about this place?”

Lucy lowered her gaze, her expression dimming.

“Marcus, I’m just a housekeeper’s daughter. I’m plain and ordinary. I can’t compare to someone like Ms. Summer. Besides, public hospitals cost less. I don’t want to waste your money.”

Marcus’s sharp profile softened with a mixture of tenderness and pain.

“Cecilia only cares about owning the most expensive, one-of-a-kind things. One of her handbags alone could cover ten years of your salary. She’s never understood what truly matters.”

As he spoke, Marcus wrapped his arms around Lucy and kissed her hair.

Meanwhile, Cecilia stood rigid nearby, wearing a coat, hat, and mask. Her entire body felt cold.

How ironic that word was—‘understood.’

She remembered how Marcus had transferred all his company shares to her right before their wedding.

He had told her then, “Cecilia, I’ll only buy you the best and newest things. You’re my princess. You deserve to be spoiled.”

She also remembered something he had said casually that day.

“Woodsville Estate was my parents’ home. You’ll stay there when you give birth. I’ve already had a ring made from the green diamond at the Manelie auction—your wedding ring.”

Her eyelashes trembled as tears instantly blurred her vision.

That green diamond had come from Manelie.

And she had been the one pestering Marcus to buy it.

Because it was one of a kind.

She had wanted it so badly back then.

Marcus and Lucy's conversation brought me back to reality.

“Does Ms. Summer like the bag I picked out?” Lucy asked.

“Of course she does. My dear Lucy spent three hours choosing it. You did well.”

Lucy gently caressed her belly, her face shadowed with pain.

“Marcus, Ms. Summer will be the adopted mother of my child. Of course I’ll try to make her happy. Don’t worry.”

Hearing that, Marcus’s expression darkened with emotion.

“Lucy, I’m grateful you’re giving me this child. Only with this baby can I secure my position in the company. Everything I have will belong to my child.”

Cecilia found the entire conversation absurd.

So he arranged for Lucy to get pregnant…

Just because she had always wanted a child?

Was that the reason he cheated?

Slowly, she walked toward the operating room.

As she changed into her surgical gown, her phone buzzed.

Marcus was calling.

She answered.

“Cecilia, are you awake? Are you still mad?

“I’ve just sent you roses. They’ll be delivered to the villa soon. And breakfast from St. Antony’s—your favorite.

“You really want a child that much? I’ll find one at an orphanage. If there’s a suitable baby, maybe we can adopt. In a year or so, I’ll make you a mother.”

“No,” she said quietly. “I don’t want a child anymore.”

Not her own.

And she would never accept a child he had with another woman.

His voice softened slightly.

“Cecilia, be good. You’re my treasure. Our seventh anniversary is in three days. I’ve prepared a surprise for you.”

Cecilia ended the call.

She had a surprise prepared for Marcus as well.

Lying on the cold operating table, she closed her eyes and waited for what would come next.

Cecilia’s senior, Randy Henderson, suddenly appeared.

“Cecilia, if you lose this baby, you probably won’t be able to have children in the future. Have you thought about that?” he asked gently.

She blinked away her tears and nodded. “I’ve made my decision, Randy.”

This baby had been the most precious gift she had prepared for Marcus for their seventh wedding anniversary.

But he didn’t want it. From the very beginning, he had been trying to stop it.

She wasn’t going to give him what he didn't want.

Cold medical instruments pierced her body, sending sharp pain shooting through her abdomen.

And just like that, the last connection between her and Marcus was cut.

She never expected that when she woke up after the surgery, the first message she would see would be from an unfamiliar number—forwarding the location of a bridal boutique.

Still weak and aching, she forced herself into a car and headed there.

As soon as she arrived, she saw Marcus and Lucy standing outside.

Marcus was holding Lucy in his arms, looking helpless.

“Lucy, you’re my wife. I can’t give you a proper wedding, but at least I want you to wear a wedding dress once.”

“Marcus, I’m worried I’ll just be a burden. This must cost a lot too.”

Marcus gently tapped Lucy’s nose, smiling at her with obvious affection.

“You silly girl. I may not be able to give you an official title, but I’ll do my best to make sure you’re happy.”

Sitting in the car, Cecilia listened to Marcus sweet-talk Lucy, her chest tightening with pain.

Wife?

Lucy was his wife.

Then what was she?

He wanted Lucy to be happy.

But what about her?

Watching him whisper tender words to Lucy felt like reliving her own past with him over and over again.

At that moment, Cecilia finally realized something.

She didn’t regret losing the baby.

Because Marcus didn’t deserve to be the father of her child.

When they got married, they had chosen their wedding dress right here at this shop.

Luxury cars had lined both sides of the street.

Their friends stepped out of the cars.

She overheard their conversation.

“Marcus is planning a surprise for his wife tonight. There’s going to be a small ceremony at the shop.”

“Isn’t he worried Cecilia might find out?”

“They say she’s infertile. Marcus even told everyone their marriage license isn’t real.”

“Keep your voice down. Cecilia is still precious to him. This whole thing is just to make Lucy feel special. Besides, she’s the one carrying his child.”

Cecilia’s blood ran cold.

So everyone she had grown up with already knew Marcus had betrayed her.

She had opened this bridal boutique herself back in college, simply out of boredom. Every gown in the store had been designed by her.

Only the shop manager knew she was the owner.

After everyone went inside, she quietly slipped in through the back door.

She hid in a dark corner on the third floor and watched Marcus, dressed in a white suit, and Lucy, wearing a pure white wedding gown.

That gown had been inspired by their very first fight.

Back then, Marcus had been furious when Lucas Paterson brought her a birthday gift.

In the university classroom, he had pinned her against the blackboard and kissed her fiercely.

That had been their first kiss.

Later that night, with the bittersweet memory of that first kiss still lingering, she designed a wedding dress.

She named it ‘First Love’.

Now Marcus and Lucy stood together on the stage.

All the friends she had grown up with were gathered below, clapping, cheering, and offering their congratulations.

“Marcus, your bride looks beautiful.”

“Congratulations, Marcus. Time to exchange rings.”

She watched as Marcus took out a ring box.

He opened it.

From where she stood, Cecilia could see clearly.

The rings inside were identical to the wedding bands she and Marcus wore.

Marcus’s ring was still the same classic men’s band.

And Lucy’s matched Cecilia’s exactly.

Even the rings had become a set of three.

Suddenly, the lights snapped on with a loud click.

Every stage light went dark—

Except for a single spotlight shining directly down on her from above.