Chapter 2

Dakota looked down at Pierce with heartache clear in her gaze. However, she did not stop Pierce so that they could get my blessing.

Dakota’s friends could not bear to watch and dragged Pierce upright.

Annoyed at my indifference and Dakota’s inaction, Dakota’s friends started expressing their displeasure.

“Even if you don’t like it, Jackson, we can’t stand by the sidelines any longer. Pierce took a bullet for Dakota. It’s not too much to ask to let them keep the baby, right?

“Besides, you can’t have kids. In my opinion, Dakota should marry Pierce and keep the baby!”

At that, Dakota yelled, “Shut up!

“I said it before: Jackson is the only person who will ever be my husband. As for Pierce, I’ll think of a way to make this work!”

As she spoke, Dakota revealed a knife scar. She softened her tone and begged me. It was bizarre to watch, as she was the coldest and toughest person I knew.

“Jackson, I’ve already repaid you with my body. Pierce can’t bear to give up the baby. I’m begging you, let us keep it! You can’t have children, so I’ll have the baby acknowledge you as its father. You will be its dad.”

My heart clenched painfully. I had so much to say, but in the end, I only spat out a single word.

“Fine!”

In any case, I only had six days left before I disappeared from that universe forever. Nothing would matter any longer.

When I agreed, Dakota let out a relieved breath. She looked at Pierce in excitement.

I quietly turned and headed to my room, but Dakota stopped me.

She took a warm fleece blanket and laid it over me. She rubbed my cold-reddened ears caringly.

“Why are you wearing so few layers? What are you going to do if you get sick, huh?”

Right then, Dakota still acted like the woman who only had me in her heart.

Yet, her next words chilled me all over.

“Pierce got hurt and is weak right now, Jackson. Let’s give him the master bedroom, alright?”

I looked at Dakota in disbelief. She was actually asking me to let another man into our marriage bed?

Plus, she was the one who had so carefully decorated the room.

Dakota sheepishly avoided my gaze. She continued, “Don’t worry, I’ll get him to leave once he’s better!”

I had completely given up on Dakota at that point. I lowered my gaze and said, “Okay.”

Dakota kissed my forehead and said, “I knew you would be so understanding, Jackson.”

She walked over to Pierce and rubbed his hand as she led him into the master bedroom.

I clenched my icy fingers as my entire body shook.

…

I did not know how long I had lain in bed in a daze.

In the realm between sleep and waking, I was suddenly dragged up from bed.

Dakota’s eyes were red-rimmed as she interrogated me in a frenzy, “Where have you taken Pierce?”

I looked at her in confusion, but before I could say a thing, she wrapped a hand around my neck.

“Have I cossetted you too much these past years, Jackson Hale? Is that why you’d dare to go so far? Why can’t you just let him off?”

I could barely breathe because of the grip around my neck. She only let go just before I passed out.

I panted raggedly and looked at her helplessly. “I haven’t done anything!”

Dakota became even more incensed. “Who else could it be if not you? I only went out for a moment, and only you two were home! Why did Pierce suddenly disappear?

“You put on such an understanding front, only to be filled with so much jealousy because I’m pregnant with Pierce’s baby. When did you become so wicked, Jackson?”

When I heard that, I could no longer hold back my emotions. Tears started to stream down my face.

Dakota seemed to be moved. She had never been able to handle my tears before.

Dakota was about to reach out to comfort me when the phone suddenly rang.

After she answered the phone, the look Dakota shot me became even more vicious.

Once she hung up, Dakota dragged me outside. “How skilled you are at acting pitiful, Jackson? I nearly fell for it! You’ll pay if anything happens to Pierce!”

I did not even get the chance to put on shoes as she dragged me off. As we passed the stairs, I tripped and fell to the floor. My knees landed heavily on the edge of a stair, and I cried out in pain.

Dakota did not seem to notice anything. She still hauled me forward with a firm grip on my wrist. My knees were scraped bloody.