Chapter 3

I walked straight toward them.

Kenny spotted me first. The smile on his face froze.

"Luke... what are you doing here?"

Sylvia turned around. Her body went rigid.

Instinctively, she handed the baby to Kenny and stepped in front of them.

"Were you following me?"

I ignored her and walked closer, my eyes locked on the lucky-charm necklace around the baby's neck.

I held out my hand.

"Take it off." My voice shook.

"Luke, it's just a necklace." Kenny tightened his hold on the baby. "You already have everything. Why are you fighting a baby over one necklace?"

A surge of anger hit me.

I stepped forward.

Sylvia immediately shoved me back.

"Enough. Whatever this is, we'll talk at home."

"Don't you remember why we bought that necklace?" I demanded.

Her expression faltered.

Like she'd finally remembered.

For a moment, conflict flashed across her face.

Kenny lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Luke. I asked Sylvia for it. After your injury, you still can't give her a child. It would've gone unused anyway. If it bothers you, I'll give it back."

He reached for the necklace.

Sylvia stopped him at once. "That's enough. It's just a necklace. We can buy another one. Why are you making such a big deal out of this? I'm taking them home first. We'll talk later."

She grabbed Kenny's arm and started to leave.

Then a car suddenly shot toward us from the roadside.

"Watch out!"

Sylvia screamed.

In that split second, she made her choice.

She threw herself forward and shoved me aside with all her strength.

Protecting them.

The impact sent me stumbling backward.

My lower back slammed into the stone railing.

I hit the ground hard.

Pain exploded through my body.

I curled up on the pavement as cold sweat broke across my skin.

Sylvia rushed straight to Kenny and the baby. "Are you hurt? Are you okay?"

Kenny's face was pale. He shook his head. "Good thing you were here. Otherwise, the baby and I..."

The sight cut through me like a knife.

She never even looked my way.

A dull ache spread through my chest.

I couldn't say a word.

Back when I was struggling to build my company, I'd crossed the wrong people.

When debt collectors came after me, Sylvia refused to leave.

She insisted on staying by my side.

In the chaos, a knife came at me.

She took the hit instead.

The scar on her wrist never faded.

Afterward, she'd held me so tightly I could barely breathe. Her heart raced against my chest. Her voice shook.

"Thank God you're okay. Thank God."

Now that same scarred hand was gently patting Kenny's back.

Comforting him.

And she'd shoved me away without a second thought.

"Sylvia..."

My voice came out weak.

I just wanted her to look at me.

She finally turned around.

Only to frown.

"Luke Langdon, who are you trying to fool? Kenny was holding the baby. What if the baby had gotten hurt?"

I forced myself through the pain and let out a bitter laugh.

Using the railing for support, I slowly got to my feet.

The last bit of hope inside me died.

"Sylvia, if you don't want this wedding, then fine. Because..."

I was about to tell her I wasn't marrying her anymore.

But she misunderstood.

Relief flashed across her face as she cut me off.

"I'm glad you've finally figured it out. A wedding's just a formality. We can do it anytime."

Then she noticed how pale I looked.

Her voice softened slightly.

"Just go home."

I watched her leave with Kenny.

She never looked back.

I laughed at myself.

This time, we're even.

The wedding will still happen.

It just won't have anything to do with you anymore.