Chapter 3

When I came to, I saw my mother's anxious face hovering above me. My hand instinctively went to my lower abdomen. It was flat, as if that tiny life had never existed inside me.

In my previous life, my daughter was born frail. She had spent weeks in an incubator. At one point, the doctors even issued a critical notice.

I used every connection I had to bring in specialists from abroad, staying outside the hospital room without a wink of sleep. Jasper only showed up at the hospital once, frowning as he suggested, "Maybe you should just let her go. That way, neither you nor our daughter will have to suffer."

The ridiculous thing was, I'd actually thought he cared back then. But now, I knew better. Since I wasn't loved, our child shouldn't be brought into the world to suffer.

"Wynne, I… the doctor said…" My mother hesitated, worried she might upset me.

"Mom, I'm fine now." I gently squeezed her hand. "Let's just forget about the engagement with the Swanson family."

I stayed in the hospital for a few more days. Jasper never showed up, not even once. My mother saw everything for what it was.

"How dare they treat you like this? It looks like the Swansons don't want to stay in Amveris anymore!" She pulled out her phone and made a call. "Re-tender all the projects we gave to the Swanson family!"

…

Jasper showed up at the hospital entrance on the day of my discharge.

Leaning against his car, his handsome face was a storm cloud. "I have to say, you've got some nerve, Wynne! You messed up, yet you still had the audacity to put your family's projects back on the market. Do you really think I can't live without you and your family?"

An elegantly made-up middle-aged woman stepped out of his car and swatted Jasper on the shoulder as soon as she saw me. "Don't listen to this troublemaker, Wynne. He's just sulking. I'm here to apologize on his behalf."

Valerie walked up to me and warmly took my hand. "We're going to be family soon. Don't be so distant. In the future, whether it's the Jennings or the Swanson family, they both belong to you and Jasper!"

My mother stood protectively in front of me. "I don't think that'll be necessary, Mrs. Swanson. My daughter isn't worthy of your son. The poor thing—"

"Mom, don't waste your breath on them!" I cut her off before she could mention my miscarriage.

Jasper's expression darkened even further. Disregarding my mom's presence, he sneered, "Fine, Wynne. I gave you a chance, and you wasted it. Don't come crawling back to me later!"

Valerie panicked, but Jasper dragged her back into the car without another word. My mother's chest heaved with anger, and I hurriedly calmed her down.

Jasper had always believed he was too good for us. In his mind, we were so eager to give him projects because of his abilities.

…

When I arrived home and turned on the television, Jasper's face was on the screen. The cameras were flashing as a reporter asked, "Mr. Swanson, is Ms. Young your new spokesperson?"

Ever since he stormed out of the hospital, he had been taking Coco to every high-profile event he could.

He smiled at the camera and said, "Coco might be inexperienced, but I hope everyone can see how much effort she's putting in and her potential. She's worked her way up on her own, unlike someone who was born with a silver spoon." Then, a sarcastic gleam crossed his eyes.

I knew exactly who he was talking about.

Right after the television segment ended, Jasper's childhood friend posted on their social media. "Jasper and Coco look so good together! Looks like he finally got rid of that simp!"

After we got engaged, my parents poured all of their resources into supporting Jasper. As the Swansons rose in status, his childhood friends sang his praises and boosted his ego sky-high.