Chapter 1

After my younger sister died from being stabbed by a patient's family member while trying to save me during a hospital disturbance, my parents came to hate me.

They publicly cut ties with me and refused to let me attend my sister's funeral.

I developed PTSD and could no longer bring myself to pick up a surgical scalpel.

With my whole world falling apart, I stood on the rooftop, ready to end my life.

My fiancé, Freddie Magison, pulled me back.

“Olive!”

He took out a prenatal checkup report. His eyes were filled with desperate pleading as his voice trembled.

“I'm begging you. Even if it's just for our baby, please don't give up on yourself.”

After that, he stayed by my side through my treatment, helping me slowly step out of the darkness.

Little by little, I recovered from the tragedy and decided to live my life to the fullest.

But one day, while passing a hospital room during a routine prenatal checkup, I suddenly heard my mother's excited voice from inside.

“That's wonderful, Gwen. The baby was finally born safely. All that planning with Freddie to fake your deaths and escape was worth it.”

I froze in place.

But the conversation inside continued.

My father spoke with relief in his voice, “From now on, this baby will be the cutest little princess in our family.”

Then I saw Freddie through the doorway. He hugged Gwen with tears in his eyes, his face filled with a joy I'd never seen before.

The room was filled with warmth and laughter, but I felt nothing but cold.

I didn't know how long I stood there before an impatient nurse spoke from behind me. “Miss Vance, it's your turn. Please come in.”

“No need.” I replied hoarsely, “Please cancel my prenatal checkup, Nurse. I don't need it anymore.”

I wouldn't need it ever again.

The nurse froze for a moment, but she didn't ask why. She simply canceled the appointment as I requested.

I wiped away my tears and scheduled an abortion for the next day.

By the time I got home, it was already dark.

When I opened the door, I found Freddie sitting on the couch, holding a pure-gold longevity lock.

The moment he saw me, his brows furrowed ever so slightly. Then he stood and draped his warm coat over my shoulders.

A familiar scent filled my nose. It was the same perfume Gwen loved to wear.

Freddie spoke with a helpless sigh.

“It's just that something came up at work today, so I couldn't go with you to your prenatal checkup. Don't take it out on yourself. You're still pregnant, after all, okay?”

I didn't answer. I simply pushed his coat away.

Freddie froze for a moment when he saw what I did, and the room fell silent.

After a while, I looked at the golden longevity lock in his hand and asked hoarsely, “What's that?”

A flicker of unease crossed his eyes.

“My coworker's baby was born. It's a gift for the baby.”

“Your coworker's baby?”

I looked up at Freddie. His thumb was unconsciously rubbing against his other fingers.

After six years together, we knew each other far too well. That was the unconscious gesture he always made when he lied.

I suddenly remembered how, a while ago, I had excitedly told him that I wanted to buy our baby a silver longevity lock.

But all he'd done was sigh.

“Olive, can we do it later? I've been a little busy lately.”

Only now did I understand what he'd really been busy with.

“Freddie.” I met his eyes. “Was that day at the hospital really just an accident?”

Freddie's breath caught.

I said nothing more. His silence erased the last bit of hope I had been clinging to.

“Tomorrow, I'll go to the hospital with you.”

A trace of concern flashed in Freddie's eyes.

“Your condition…”

“I feel fine now.” I cut him off. “I don't need any more treatment.”

But this time, Freddie was unusually firm.

“Olive.” His tone left no room for argument. “Be good. Listen to me.”

“I won't go.”

The atmosphere grew tense.

After a while, Freddie let out a sigh. Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang. The moment he saw who was calling, his expression softened.

I noticed the caller ID.

My wife.

“Olive, something came up at work. I need to take this call,” he said, then walked straight into his study without looking back.

The moment the door closed, I almost laughed.

Freddie was wary of me.

As for what he was trying to hide, I didn't need to ask.

I wondered how long he would have kept it from me if I hadn't found out by accident.

A month? A year? Or a lifetime?

I didn't make a scene. I simply wiped away my tears, took out my phone, and made a call.

“Mr. Foster, I want a divorce. As soon as possible.”

I was done playing this absurd game.

There was a long silence on the other end.

“Are you joking, Miss Vance?”

After a long pause, Mr. Foster finally spoke, his voice filled with pity.

“Mr. Magison's legal wife is Ms. Gwen Vance. As for you, you're unmarried according to the law.”