In the jewelry design competition, I was falsely accused of plagiarism and subsequently blacklisted from the industry. The very next day, my fiancé registered his marriage with my stepsister, Clara Summer.

Just as the rumors and slander threatened to drive me insane, renowned jewelry company CEO Shane Larson publicly defended me and invited me to be his company’s chief designer.

I immediately accepted. Under his passionate pursuit, I fell deeply in love with him. For a time, I had both love and a thriving career.

On the third anniversary of our relationship, I was overjoyed. I was also eager to share the news of my pregnancy with him. However, before I could, I received a call from Clara.

I could hear from her end, that she was gasping for breath. Obviously, she was engaging in something intense.

Thinking it was some sick joke, I was about to end the call when I heard it ….

"Simon, how is my performance?

Shane’s husky and breathless voice came through the receiver. "Hah hmm … You’re amazing."

"I heard you're planning to marry Samantha Jenkins! No! You're not allowed to marry her. The only woman who should bear your child is me! Bo … hoo!"

I heard the sound of whimpering cry and kissing from the other end.

"Clara, don’t worry! If I could frame her for plagiarism back then for you, I can do anything for you now …"

"I know she’s made us a lot of money, but you can’t marry her, okay?"

——

The call abruptly ended.

I reached for a glass of water to steady my emotions, only to feel a sharp sting on my lips.

Crash!

The couple’s mug we had bought on our first trip together slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor.

When Shane returned, he saw my red-rimmed eyes and the broken pieces on the ground. He rushed over, pulled me into his arms, inspected me anxiously from top to bottom and asked, "Baby, did you burn yourself? Is the cup broken? It's okay, we’ll just buy another one!"

As I looked at his concern eyes, I could not help but shed my tears. He gently pulled me into his embrace and soothed me gently, "It’s my fault. I forgot to adjust the temperature setting and you got burned because of me."

However, my sensitive nose caught a familiar sweet smell on him. The only one who had the smell was Clara. Clara said the perfume was made exclusively for her, no one had the same aroma.

I used to think she intentionally showed off her and Gerry Donaldson's love. However, Gerry had never cared about perfume, on the other hand, Shane ran a perfume lab.

"Baby, today’s our anniversary. I prepared a special surprise for you!"

Like a magician, he pulled out a small velvet box. His eyes were brimming with anticipation.

Earlier that afternoon, when I failed to find him, I ran into his secretary instead. She smirked knowingly. She said with a teasing tone, "Future Mrs. President! Everyone knows today is your anniversary! The boss even picked out a ring early on. It’s the couple’s ring he had you to design!"

I thought that when I received the ring, I would be full of happiness and let Shane put it on me, but at the moment, my heart was a little apprehensive.

"Go on, open it, Baby!" he urged excitedly.

With trembling fingers, I slowly lifted the lit. Inside the box lay a pair of heart-shaped diamond earrings.

My heart plummeted and bitterness spread in my mouth.

"Do you like them? I spent a long time choosing them. They suit you perfectly!"

Just minutes before he returned, Clara had posted something on her Instagram Reels. She even told me to see it.

I clicked on the image. On the photo the ring that I had been expecting to receive, had circled on her finger.

Clara even put a caption. [A happy ring that had been given to me by the one who loves me. I know I’ll always be happy!

I pressed both my cracked lips tightly then I said with a slightly croaked voice, "I thought the ring I designed wasn’t supposed to be available for sale? How did it end up on Clara’s finger?"

His eyelashes fluttered slightly, a flicker of panic flashing in his eyes. His palm, holding mine, was damp with sweat.

"We recently signed her as our brand ambassador. It's normal for her to try on the ring," he said.

"Samantha." He then rebuked me, "Clara is still your sister. After all, you both are family. Don't be so petty."

Initially, Clara's father was my family's driver. One day, he got into an accident while driving our car under the influence and passed away. My mother, feeling sorry for Clara's mother, allowed her to work as a housekeeper in our home.

I never expected that less than three months after my mother’s death, my father would marry Clara’s mother. He knew how much this upset me. To make matters worse, Clara betrayed me. She stole my fiancé, Gerry Donaldson, at my lowest point. No, he called me petty?"

When he saw me lower my gaze in silence, Shane sighed and pulled me into his arms as he coaxed me, "Samantha, I know you feel like she took your father away and that you long for a real home. Yet, your career is still on the rise so I don’t want you to waste your talent by getting married now."

Back then, Clara had also said she didn’t want me to waste my talent. She even took the initiative to send me my design submission. However, on the last day, she tearfully claimed she had lost my draft.

I did not ask her to be responsible for her negligence. Instead, I put the blame on myself for not sending it personally.

That day, I went without food or water, desperately redrawing my design. I submitted it at the very last second. Yet, instead of getting the award that I had been waiting for, I was branded as a plagiarist who imitated a newcomer's idea. I had never imagined that it was all Shane's handiwork.

What's more, I never imagined that he would dare to have the cheek to ask me to join their company and help them make money!

"Shane, you once said we’d get married if I got pregnant. Did you mean it?"

My fingers clenched around the pregnancy test report in my pocket. I lifted my gaze and watched him carefully because I did not want to miss any reaction on his face.

He stiffened slightly and lowered his eyes to the floor with a hoarse voice he said, "I … I also want to have a child with you, but the doctor said that your body is not suitable for pregnancy. It's not that I don't want to be responsible, it's just for your own good!”

The paper in my hand crumpled as my grip tightened. A sharp ache spread through my chest, my eyes stinging. I lowered my head because I did not want him to see my tears.

"Alright," I said.

For my sake? What a joke.

For years, everyone said Shane adored me. That he cherished me so much like I was his treasure. Every single day, he held my hand and whispered his love for me even in his drunken stupors.

I had naïvely believed he was given to me as the way heaven compensated me. I was sent the perfect man when I was at my lowest. However, it was all a lie. He had only been pretending to love me for Clara's sake.

I felt a large void open in my heart as the cold wind was rushing into it.

"Samantha, your father’s birthday banquet is in two days. I’ll go with you, alright? Be good."

I didn’t say anything, yet an ominous feeling grew stronger deep in my heart.

On the day of the banquet, I arrived early to help with the arrangements. Yet, I couldn't reach Shane the entire day.

It wasn't until Clara walked into the venue with him on her arm. They were like a pair of couples. They were then surrounded by the crowd.

When Clara saw my father's face a bit gloomy, she unhurriedly went up to hold my father's hand and acted cute in front of him.

"Daddy, I’m the ambassador for Shane’s company now! Of course, I should be walking in with him."

Shane chimed in, "Uncle Gregory Jenkins, Gerry has been busy with a new project lately. Since Clara is pregnant, I’ve been looking after her instead."

Clare turned to me then, her eyes wide with faux surprise. "Oh! Sister, why are you wearing white? While white is pretty, don’t they say it’s best worn at funerals…? Ah! No, I mean, today is Daddy’s birthday so you should’ve worn something more festive."

I had been about to retort that this was the outfit that Shane had picked for me as a couple. However, when I turned around, I saw that he was wearing a blue suit and I froze.

Allam averted his eyes somewhat uncomfortably.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside. A bad feeling surged in my chest. Before I even got close, I could hear staff members arguing with the delivery workers.

"Let us in! These are the funeral wreaths ordered by Miss Samantha! Move aside!"

"No, I didn’t order them. This is my dad’s birthday banquet. You must have the wrong place," I denied.

"I recognize you, Miss Samantha!" the delivery man said. "It was you! You came to our shop yesterday, picked them out yourself and even insisted on getting the biggest ones! Look at you, you dressed in all white, are you really going to deny it?"

I furiously cut him off and ordered the staff to drive them away. However, when I turned back, I saw my father’s angry expression.

"Samantha, so you really still resent your mother’s death? I’m so disappointed in you ...."

With that, he turned and left without hesitation, just like he had for so many years. He always listened to Clara and never stopped to hear my side of the story.

I looked at Shane in panic. He gave me a reassuring nod and stepped forward to talk to my father.

"Big sister, do you like my gift?" Clara smirked

"Clara! You know Dad has a heart condition! He’s spoiled you for years—why would you do this to him?"

She didn’t answer. Instead, she raised an eyebrow smugly and admired the delicate ring on her slender finger. Then she asked, "Does this ring look nice? Shane specially made it for me. Samantha, you are really shameless, you actually pestered Shane again after you had been dumped, didn't you hear all the recordings on that day?”

Smack!

A sharp pain burned across my face. She shook her hand out and looked down at me condescendingly.

"Samantha, everything you have belongs to me!" Before I could do anything, she suddenly grabbed my hand and slapped herself with it. Then, she dramatically fell backward onto the table. Crash!

The wine on the table splattered all over the place. She winced and her eyes filled with tears that streamed down her face as she sobbed, "Samantha, I’m sorry! I just wanted you to be nicer to Dad!

My father and Shane rushed over at the sound. He pushed me aside and anxiously examined Clara.

"I didn’t do anything! She was the one …."

"Samantha, shut up! Clara has always been a kindhearted child and you, my own daughter, how could I not know how vicious you are?"

My father cradled Clara in his arms. His eyes that were directed at me were full of impatience.

"Samantha, how could you push Clara? Hurry up, apologize to her!" Shane who had just comforted me a moment ago now glared at me with anger.

I took a deep breath and turned around. All I wanted was to leave, but Shane grabbed my wrist and said, "Samantha, apologize to Clara. I have been indulging in your wish too much and making you this wicked woman.

It felt like a claw was gripping my heart, making it impossible for me to breathe.

"Why should I apologize? I did nothing wrong! Why can’t you trust me, just this once?" I asked.

"If you apologize to Clara, I’ll forget your disgraceful behavior tonight. Otherwise, don’t even dream about winning this year’s design competition!"

I stared at him in shock. He knew I had spent more than six months to prepare for this competition. I had sketched, revised even scrapped and started over to create the perfect submission.

All my friends said I was practically guaranteed to win this year.

"Shane, it’s okay! Don’t blame, Clara. Just take it as me being clumsy ... Ah!"