Chapter 4

"Because I'm the one Aaron can't stop thinking about," Grace said, as she looked straight at me, her tone laced with mockery. "I went through so much trouble to set that fire… What a shame you're too tough to die."

My heart sank. So that fire… it was her doing.

"You're not afraid I'll go to the police?" I asked.

Grace gave a cold laugh, perfectly at ease. "Do you have any proof?"

Then she tilted her head, almost dreamily. "From the moment I first saw Aaron, I knew—he was the one I'd been waiting for. And he knows it too. I'm the main character in his life. No one else will do. With him protecting me, I have nothing to worry about."

I knew she wasn't lying. I went silent.

Aaron had fallen so deeply for her, it was like he'd been placed under a spell. He could leave behind a partner who once fought by his side. He could travel across the world just to see her smile. He could abandon me for her—without hesitation.

Her eyes flicked to the ring on my finger, her expression twisting in disdain. "Aaron gave you that, didn't he? Too bad the diamond's gone. Looks like that ring's as broken as your relationship."

She sneered. "I'd suggest you take the hint and step aside."

Then, almost casually, she rested her hand on her flat stomach—subtle, but enough.

"And I'm pregnant. It's Aaron's. You've been married for years and never once got pregnant. I guess something wasn't working between you two. But that's no surprise. No matter how good something tastes, eat it long enough and it turns bland."

She smiled, eyes glinting with triumph.

"Aaron even told me, holding your hand feels like holding his own."

She burst out laughing, covering her mouth, as if she'd just told the world's most outrageous joke.

I sat there frozen, the pain in my chest growing sharp, needling through bone and breath.

She had slept with Aaron. And now, she was carrying his child.

I stared at her—gloating, gleaming with victory—and spoke each word with a calm, deliberate chill.

"You think being the other woman is something to be proud of? Everyone in this city knows I'm Aaron's legal wife. If I go public with the truth—that you're the one who destroyed my marriage—"

I leaned forward, eyes locked on hers. "What do you think will happen to you and your precious Aaron? You'll be swarmed like rats in the street. And no one will pity you."

Her smile froze. Her eyes narrowed with fury and panic. "You wouldn't dare! Aaron will be furious if you do!"

I smiled sweetly. "Try me."

She shot me one last hateful glare, then turned and left, fuming.

Barely a moment later, she ran into Aaron just outside the door. Her face crumpled like a fragile flower in the rain.

"Aaron," she sniffled, her voice trembling, "I'm so upset… The doctor said that herb would really help my recovery. I was just curious, wanted to see if it worked the way people say… But that woman wouldn't even let me look. Then she yelled at me and threw me out…"

Tears streamed down her face. "I mean, fine, don't give it to me, but why humiliate me like that?"

Aaron's face darkened instantly. "Who would dare treat you like that? I'll handle it."

He grabbed her hand and stormed back toward my hospital room. "That stupid herb—how much could it possibly be worth? Name your price, I'll double it. You'd better apologize to my woman."

Then the door burst open.

Aaron stepped in, arm still wrapped protectively around Grace.

And there I was, sitting on the hospital bed, quietly cooperating with the nurse as she cleaned the wounds on my body.