Chapter 4

“Yeah, seriously. Good thing Rowan never actually married her. She would’ve ruined him sooner or later.”

Tara’s face twisted with resentment.

“Why can’t you just be a little more reasonable, Linette?

“Rowan and I have already decided to make it up to you. We’re even giving you the chance to have our baby. What more do you want? Do you really have to destroy his reputation before you’re satisfied?”

Her tone sounded so disappointed, as if I had failed her. It dragged me right back to five years ago.

Five years ago, Tara used that same tone, smearing my name bit by bit.

At first, Rowan would call her out.

Little by little, he lost the patience to hear me explain.

Just like now. I had not said a single word, yet his anger had already completely exploded.

He grabbed Tara’s hand, then suddenly pulled out a ring and hurled it at my face.

“Out of respect for what we had, I’ll give you one more chance.

“Put the ring on. Tara will be my wife, and you’ll be the side piece.”

The diamond scraped the corner of my eye, drawing a thin line of blood. I lifted my head and stared at him. Hatred surged within me.

He froze for a second as panic flashed across his face.

Tara quickly grabbed him before he could react.

I said nothing. I bent down and picked up the ring in front of them.

It was the engagement ring Rowan and I once shared. Before I left the country, I had thrown it away at the hospital.

As Rowan watched me, the panic in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by smug confidence. “That’s more like it. Don’t worry. Once my uncle’s back, I’ll make a name for myself in front of him.

“When I take over the company, I’ll treat you well…”

He cut himself off.

Right before everyone’s stunned eyes, I tossed the ring Rowan had kept for five years straight into the trash.

“Sorry. I don’t accept secondhand goods.”

…

I tossed the ring and turned to leave.

After only two steps, Rowan grabbed me. His eyes were red.

“Linette, what’s that supposed to mean? You really want to cut things off with me for good?”

I smiled.

“What else could it mean?”

Did he really expect me to wag my tail like a dog again?

I could not help but press my lips together at the thought of it.

Rowan glanced back at the pitiful-looking Tara and seemed to come to a realization.

“Oh, I get it. You want to be the wife, right?

“How about this? Come to the hospital with me tomorrow. If you can give me a healthy child, I might consider marrying you.”

“No need.”

I was unable to listen any longer and interrupted him.

“I’m not interested in IVF.”

He paused for a moment, then a flicker of excitement crossed his eyes. The corners of his lips lifted, and his tone softened slightly.

“Fine, no IVF. We’ll do it naturally.

“But you still need a check-up first. Tara’s right. Life overseas is messy. We can’t take any risks.”

The smile on Tara’s face stiffened.

I rolled my eyes and walked off.

Five years ago, on my wedding day with Rowan, he and Tara disappeared at the same time when he was on his way to pick me up.

All that was left was their marriage certificate posted in the family group chat.

I refused to believe it. I ran out crying to find him, and I got into a car accident on the way.

The doctor told me I had miscarried.

Rowan never showed up once. He only sent a few messages.

[Tara is sick. She needs a placenta as medicine. I’m sorry.]

[But don’t worry. Once she’s better, I’ll divorce her. You’ll still be my bride.]

I stared all night blankly at the nine-photo announcement post Tara had shared on social media.

After that, I left the country without telling anyone and went to stay with my uncle’s family abroad.

A month later, I met Logan Shaw.