Chapter 1

The rising starlet, Madison Scott, showed up with her family at my engagement party with Edward Herring.

Everyone's attention shifted to them in an instant. Edward let go of my hand and went over to greet her together with his mother.

Mrs. Herring, who had been wearing a cold expression just moments ago, immediately broke into a smile as she took Madison's hand. "You're finally here, Maddie."

Madison chatted with them with practiced ease.

People around us who were unaware began to grow curious about my relationship with them.

Edward's friends pointed at me and let out a chuckle. "Oh, her? She slept her way into this."

This wasn't something new.

Every time someone was curious, they would make sure to retell what happened back then.

Edward and I joined the same club back in college. I pursued him for two years, but he ended up getting together with his childhood friend, Madison.

I gave up once I knew he was taken.

But somehow, I ended up sleeping with Edward during one of our club gatherings.

That night, Madison enthusiastically offered drinks to both of us.

Unable to hold my liquor, I got drunk quickly. I clearly remember checking the room number and returning to my own room.

But the next day, she pushed open the door and barged in, catching us red-handed.

I was lying naked in Edward's bed, my body covered in hickeys.

Madison burst into tears on the spot, while he threw on his clothes, furiously demanding an explanation from me.

Everyone had known Edward as the perfect gentleman, and I was just an underclassman hopelessly obsessed with him.

No one believed my explanation. They called me a shameless, scheming bitch who was willing to do anything to get what she wanted.

The incident spread through the college's group chats when I returned to campus.

Later, Madison broke up with Edward and went abroad. I then became the target of everyone's anger.

Everyone took her side and called me a shameless homewrecker. They even reported me, and I lost both my scholarship and my graduate school admission offer.

Edward originally had no intention of getting involved with me. But when he found out I got pregnant unexpectedly, he had no choice but to take responsibility and be with me.

And just like what others said, having him didn't mean I had his heart. Being branded as the scheming woman who slept her way into Edward's life was a stain that never came off.

The guests started murmuring disdainfully after hearing the story.

"I knew it. How could someone from the Herring family marry a low-class woman like this?"

"Just look at how poor and pathetic she and her mother look. Without using dirty tricks like this, someone like her would never have had the chance to get close to the people from the elite circle."

Mom stood with me in the corner, looking at me helplessly. She whispered, "I'm sorry, Claire. If only I were more capable."

My nose stung as tears filled my eyes instantly.

Mom was a waitress and had spent her whole life serving others. That was why she always told me to study hard so that I would never have to bow my head and let people bully me the way she had in the future.

And yet here I was, dragging her into being laughed at with me at my own engagement party.

I almost wished Mom would scold me, but she never blamed me. She only held my hand with pity and let out one quiet sigh after another.

I was basically invisible the entire engagement party. They were busy networking and lining up opportunities for Madison.

It wasn't until everything was over that Edward and I went back to the Herring residence.

Once we got back, I waited until he was asleep so that I could step out onto the balcony. The night wind was cold enough to make me shiver.

I took out my phone and asked, "So what now? Do you still want me to stay?"

On the other end of the line was the younger me from seven years ago. One of us was still hopeful for the future, while the other had already gone numb.

Younger Me said, "After all, with that kind of misunderstanding that happened, maybe Ed just hasn't fully let go yet. You finally got engaged, aren't you really going to keep trying?"

I had kept the call going all day.

Even after hearing everything that had happened, Younger Me was still gently trying to persuade me.

Then again, hearing a story could never compare to living through it.

The Ed that younger me from seven years ago knew was still the upperclassman who had patiently helped me with my homework and chased off thugs who harassed me.

After a long silence, I let out a soft sigh.

Younger Me then asked, "By the way, you said Ed and I had a child together, right? Can I hear his voice?"

Her voice was filled with anticipation, but my reply came icy. "He's long dead."

By then, Madison had already debuted as an actress and had several fans at college.

They deliberately waited until I was about to give birth before pushing me down the stairs. The baby ended up dying right before he was about to be born.

Edward had originally planned to hold them responsible. But Madison called from overseas and pleaded with him on behalf of her fans.

He ended up dropping the case, even forbidding me from calling the police. He told me it was my karma that had killed the baby.

In the end, the entire thing was swept under the rug.

I stayed alone in the hospital, watching as days and nights passed, yet my eyes were fixed on nothing.

The doctor told me I had depression and encouraged me to relax and talk more with my family. I nodded in agreement and kept it to myself.

And no one had even noticed for the past few years.