로그인Beth's expression froze.Her voice caught. "I don't understand what you're talking about.""Answer me!" Colton shouted, even louder."Why did you do it? Was it deliberate? You knew how many people died in that shootout. Even Monica..."Beth realized she couldn't hide it anymore. "Yes, I kept it from you. How could we have come back from Southeast Asia when it was so dangerous? I was thinking of you. Monica was hurt, and I didn't want you going to see her."After we came back, I kept burying the reports. If you'd gone to see her and regretted leaving her, what would have happened to me?"I did it because I care about you. What did I do wrong?!"Beth began to sob, heavy tears rolling down her face."Injured? You call that injured? It was all because of you that she died!"Colton ground his teeth, barely stopping himself from strangling Beth on the spot.Beth stared at him, disbelief filling her eyes. "Dead?""Don't pretend you didn't know."I want a divorce," Colton said, his voice final
Colton said nothing. He hung up.He returned to the hospital first and went to see Mia.Mia had finished her meal and was playing with Grace on the bed. A smile curved her lips, and she looked so much like me.For a moment, Colton saw the woman I had been when we first met.At that banquet, I'd been radiant, surrounded by prominent guests and politicians. He had stood at a distance, too nervous even to raise a glass to me.The moment he saw me, he was smitten.He found an opening only when he noticed my empty glass. He approached and handed me a glass of wine.I smiled and thanked him.He lowered his head, blushing.From that moment, he could never forget my smile.He vowed then that one day I would be his wife.When that wish finally came true, he'd laughed with such joy and relief.At the church, he'd vowed to love me for the rest of his life.How had he forgotten every word?As he watched Mia, his eyes stung with tears once again.Mia turned and saw him. Her smile vanished, and with
Grace continued, "A lot of people died in the shootout at the docks that day. Our hospital took in every victim. If you don't believe me, check the records yourself."I don't have time to waste arguing with you."Grace wiped her tears and walked toward Mia's room. Colton remained rooted in place.Her certainty fed his growing doubts.That year in Southeast Asia, Beth had kept his phone. The only call he'd taken was the one about the divorce.If there truly had been an attack at the docks, how had he heard nothing?His eyes narrowed as he turned it over.After a moment, he ordered his assistant, "Find out whether there was a shootout at the docks ten years ago."He still didn't believe it, but he needed proof.Mia was out of danger, lying in a hospital bed with an IV in her arm.Grace sat beside her.Colton watched through the doorway for a while, then went downstairs and got into his car.This time, he left the driver behind.Less than half an hour later, he reached a remote cemetery o
The moment they reached the hospital, Colton rushed Mia inside.I ran behind them. A nurse ordered tests, then frowned at the form in her hand."Her name is Mia?" the nurse asked, startled."Yes." Colton's eyes were still fixed on Mia.I looked up. It was Grace, the nurse who had once wanted to take Mia in. I hadn't expected her to still work there.I was grateful to her for raising Mia until she was three."What happened to her? How did she get hurt?" Grace clutched his sleeve."Who are you?""I'm her father! Why are you asking?"Colton pulled his hand back.Grace gave a bitter laugh. "So you're the scum who cheated while his wife was pregnant. Monica fought to keep Mia alive until the very end and died bringing her into the world. You never came back even once!"You don't deserve to be Mia's father. Get out!"As far as I'm concerned, you're the one who did this to her!"Colton frowned. "What are you talking about?"Monica is dead? Is this some kind of joke? How could she be dead? Don
During the operation, pain made my whole body tremble.To save my baby, the doctor operated without anesthesia. I clenched my teeth until my face went deathly pale, sweat pouring from me.At last I heard my child cry.Only then did my clenched hand relax. The doctor brought my baby close, and the sight of her made me weep.I knew I didn't have much time.With the last of my strength, I summoned a lawyer and asked him to start divorce proceedings.Throughout the process, I lay in the hospital bed, barely alive.Even my fingertips trembled around the pen.The lawyer drew up a settlement agreement. I asked for nothing and was willing to leave with no share of our assets.My sole demand was custody of Mia.I knew I didn't have much time.That was why I couldn't trust Colton to keep Mia safe.When the divorce settlement reached Colton's phone, he called and unleashed a stream of abuse."You think threatening me with divorce will make me come back?"It only makes me despise you more."If you
I asked Colton several times.He always brushed me off, saying he only wanted to test the waters.He had even taken over some of Beth's work himself. A quiet unease settled over me.Then I saw an email from a drug lord detailing the first shipment.Holding back my anger, I asked him, "Why are you doing what Beth says?"I already told you we can't touch drugs. They're too dangerous. The Rinaldi Family needs to go legitimate. We cannot touch them."Colton watched me, swirling his drink. "So what? I have a lot of men to feed."Everything you and I have came from dirty work. Who are you to act so righteous now?"A crushing weight settled on my chest.I snatched the glass from his hand and smashed it. We had a screaming match. When I grabbed the laptop to smash it too, a message from Beth lit up the screen.Email sent! Book our flights to Southeast Asia. Once we're there, leave the itinerary to me—we'll eat well and have some fun!I turned the screen toward him."So now you're doing your as







