Ten Years, One Abandonment

The diamond ring, worth a fortune, fell to the floor and was kicked away by Anthony Oliver's hurried steps, skidding out of sight.

Before Mabel Samson could react, her vision darkened as the man slammed into her shoulder.

She wore ten-centimeter heels. Caught off guard, she lost her balance and fell hard. Her palm pressed into the thorns of a rose arrangement, blood spilling instantly.

Mabel had stayed by Anthony's side for ten years.

She had followed him from the days when he was a hunted, destitute illegitimate son to the man who now ruled the city's underworld as the Don of the Oliver family.

She had taken bullets for him and drunk herself into gastric bleeding for him. In the gun battle that cemented the Oliver family's standing, she had driven him out while he lay critically injured and unconscious, carving a path through gunfire to escape.

That was life-and-death loyalty etched into bone and blood.

Everyone said she was the Don's untouchable weakness.

Yet now, he crushed her dignity and abandoned her at their wedding, all to rush Cheryl Reyes to the hospital.

The guests' stunned stares and hushed whispers shattered her last illusion. Her throat felt stuffed with cold, wet cotton, suffocating her.

The pain in her palm was nothing compared to the chill spreading through her chest.

…

Late at night, Bastion Manor.

When Mabel returned to the main residence, she did not expect to see Cheryl in the master bedroom.

The girl was asleep, tear tracks still at the corners of her eyes as she nestled in Anthony's arms, clutching his shirt tightly.

Hearing movement, he looked up and made a quiet hush gesture. After tucking the blanket around her, he walked lightly toward Mabel.

On the terrace, the moonlight was cold.

"How did you get hurt?"

Her hand was wrapped in gauze. When he noticed, the familiar concern returned to his face.

Mabel pressed her lips together and looked at him with a faint smile.

"I fell at the banquet. You were busy saving someone else. You did not see it."

Anthony sighed and rubbed his brow.

"I know I wronged you tonight. But you saw the situation. Cheryl had a severe stress reaction. If she had jumped, how would I face Zachary in death?

"Tonight was only a make-up ceremony. A ring can be replaced. A wedding can be redone. But Cheryl has only one life.

"You've been with me ten years. You understand my guilt toward Zachary. Don't make things hard for her, alright?"

Mabel suddenly felt short of breath.

She stepped away from his touch. The sweet perfume on him made her frown, but she suppressed the nausea.

"I wasn't making things hard for her. It just feels too coincidental."

Anthony paused. "What do you mean?"

"Back then, even you and I did not know Zachary's safe house location. So how did the attackers find it so precisely?

"And every time things between us improve, she just happens to fall ill or run into danger."

She met his gaze calmly.

"Once is an accident. Twice is a coincidence. But again and again? What does that become?

"Have you never wondered whether her illness is truly from trauma… or if she fears that without it, you'll forget Zachary and stop caring for her?"

Anthony's expression darkened, though he held back his anger.

"You're exhausted. That's why you're thinking this way.

"Cheryl is Zachary's fiancée. He died protecting her. Doubting her is doubting Zachary's judgment.

"The psychologist said people with post-traumatic stress are sensitive. She lacks security, so she depends on the family."

His tone softened.

"I bought the island you liked. Tomorrow it goes under your name. When Cheryl stabilizes, we'll redo the wedding. I swear before God, nothing will go wrong."

As he spoke, his eyes kept drifting toward the master bedroom, worry evident.

The pain in Mabel's palm spread into her chest.

He was not listening. He only wanted to bury her grievances with money.

"No need."

She stepped back.

Anthony frowned. "You're still angry?"

"I already own three islands. I don't need yours. And a wedding without sincerity is just a performance, even if held ten times.

"So I don't want compensation."

She pointed toward the bedroom.

"For her, you left me standing alone at our wedding.

"Anthony, ask yourself. Are you truly just protecting your brother's fiancée? Or has your guilt twisted your judgment as the Don?"

Embarrassment and anger flashed across his face.

"She's Zachary's fiancée! I am his elder brother and the Don of this family. Protecting her is my responsibility! Stop thinking so filthily!"

Mabel folded her arms.

"Then let me give you one last warning."

Her smile vanished. Killing intent surfaced.

"Control your brother's fiancée. Tell her to hide those disgraceful thoughts.

"What happened today, I'll overlook for Zachary's sake. But if there's a next time…"

She looped an arm around his neck, lips near his ear, voice soft yet chilling.

"I wouldn't mind honoring her devotion… and sending her to reunite with Zachary sooner."