Chapter 6

Low, mocking laughter came from the maids around Sharon.

Joanna's hands were shaking with anger. She knew Sharon wasn't telling the full truth, but at least most of it was.

If Theo really cared about Joanna, there was no way those scandalous posts would've stayed at the top for so long.

Her chest felt tight. She'd loved this man for years, treating him like he was the most important thing in her life. And now, she felt like she'd been blind all along.

Suddenly, the sound of an engine roared from outside.

Sharon stood up out of nowhere. She walked right over and grabbed Joanna by the wrist. "Theo really loves you," she said softly.

"I don't want him to be unhappy because of me. So please, just stay by his side. As long as he's happy, I'm willing to share him with you…"

Theo walked in just in time to hear Sharon's so-called heartfelt confession.

He hadn't expected this. Sharon, who always acted above it all, was now making such a huge sacrifice for him.

He turned to Joanna, eyes full of hope, waiting for her to show that she was as understanding as Sharon.

But what he got instead was her cold and sharp rejection.

"In your dreams," Joanna snapped. "Theo and you both act like you're better than everyone else, but I find you disgusting!"

With that, she yanked her arm out of Sharon's grasp.

Sharon suddenly stumbled back with a dramatic scream and pretended to trip over the coffee table, falling right onto the couch.

It was a terrible act, but of course, Theo bought it instantly.

He rushed over, shoving Joanna aside, then wrapped Sharon in his arms. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

Joanna was already weak, and that push made her fall hard onto the cold marble floor.

A sharp, unbearable pain shot through her lower abdomen.

She instinctively held her stomach. It was her first child. Even though the baby's father had made her feel miserable, she'd still clung to the small hope that if she gave birth, maybe she'd finally have someone of her own, someone who was family.

So, she had held off making any decisions.

But with the pain and the ridiculous love drama unfolding in front of her, everything just collided inside her mind.

She shut her eyes and decided to give up. Tears silently slid down her cheeks.

Sharon glanced at her, a smug flicker in her eyes. Then she turned to Theo and said sweetly, "I'm okay. Joanna's just upset. She saw the news and got emotional. So, it's understandable that she pushed me."

Theo paused for a moment before looking over at Joanna. Her face was pale, and her eyes were empty, staring at nothing.

Tears were still falling from her wet lashes, but her once bright eyes had gone hollow.

Theo started to feel uneasy, but he still kept a straight face and said, "The marriage announcement was something both our families agreed on. What's done is done. For the sake of both companies, I had no choice but to go along with it.

"You're a top college student. Don't you get how this works? It's just a show. After three years—"

"Ah!" Sharon cried suddenly.

Theo's attention snapped back. "What happened?"

Sharon pouted. "It's nothing. I probably just twisted my ankle earlier."

Theo immediately said, "I'll take you to the doctor."

As he spoke, he scooped Sharon up into his arms.

Joanna was still sitting on the cold floor. She felt a warm, wet patch spreading beneath her.

Gently, she placed a hand on her belly, quietly saying goodbye to the baby growing inside her.

Theo, annoyed now, said, "It was just a little shove. When did you get so delicate?"

Sharon let out a snort of laughter and teased, "I get it now—she's trying to copy me. She's acting weak so you'll feel sorry for her."

Theo fondly ruffled Sharon's hair. "Nah, you're different. You've earned your right to do that."

Then he turned serious again and looked at Joanna. "Get up. You messed up. Do you really think I'd still pity you?

"And I've told you before, I hate it when you play these manipulative games. So stop trying to be like Sharon just to get to me."

Joanna stared at Theo's moving mouth, and suddenly, a memory from her past life came back.

That time, she had lost her baby, too. Lying in a pool of her own blood, she'd looked up and seen the same disgust on his face.

So, even in this second chance at life, Theo still wouldn't give her the tiniest bit of real affection.

But at least now, she didn't love him anymore.

That thought made her smile.