Chapter 1

Perhaps fate was playing a cruel joke. At the very first business party I attended after returning to Carmont, I ran into Cory Dawson and Alicia Grant—one was my ex, the other the real heiress who took my place.

I calmly watched the two of them. They were dressed in a perfectly tailored evening gown and suit, their arms linked together, looking every bit the perfect couple.

Now and then, a trace of exhaustion would flash through Alicia's eyes. It seemed like her life wasn't as happy as I had thought. Or was it just my imagination?

Alicia's best friends gathered around her, flattering her with smiles.

"The marriage between the Grants and Dawsons is truly the most perfect thing. With a union this powerful and Cory treating you so well, you're truly blessed, Alicia."

"I wonder when you two will have a baby. You should keep the good news going!"

The smile on Alicia's face stiffened. She instinctively tightened her grip around Cory's arm, then put on a sickly sweet smile. "Childbirth is too dangerous. Cory doesn't want to see me suffer, so we've decided not to have kids."

Cory looked at her with deep affection. "Her health has never been great. If something happened to her during childbirth, I wouldn't be able to handle it. The Dawson family has plenty of descendants anyway. If needed, we can just adopt one from the family later."

Alicia's friends looked at her with envy. "Gosh, Alicia. You have a man who's head over heels for you."

A cold laugh escaped me. Maybe I had been imagining things earlier.

How could Alicia possibly be unhappy when Cory loved her so much that he wouldn't even let her risk her life giving birth?

I remembered back when I was with Cory. He had clearly told me he wanted three kids—specifically boys—with me so they could continue the Dawson lineage.

Why didn't he consider then that I might die on the delivery table, too? Of course, I was nothing more than a vicious supporting character in his story, someone unworthy of his attention. Who was I kidding?

The next second, Cory's gaze shifted and somehow met mine across the room. Shock flashed across his face. He instinctively walked toward me. "Abby? You're back."

His voice drew everyone's attention toward me. One person recognized me and started a wave of whispered discussions.

"Hey, isn't that the Grant family's fake heiress? I thought she was dead."

"She caused such a huge scandal back then. I can't believe she has the nerve to come back. Don't tell me she's here to steal Mr. Dawson away."

Alicia's face dropped when she saw me. She exchanged a glance with her friend, then quickly put on a welcoming smile. "Abby, you're finally back. Mom and Dad have really missed you. When will you come home to visit?"

I looked at her pretentious expression and calmly replied, "The last time I checked, I have nothing to do with the Grant family anymore."

Fiona Walker, who had received Alicia's signal, looked at me with disdain. "Look at that cheap dress you're wearing. Life must've been pretty miserable for you these past few years.

"You went through all this trouble to sneak into this party just to win a man back, didn't you? And here you are, acting like you're above it all. How hypocritical."

I lowered my head and glanced at the simple dress I was wearing.

Five years ago, the severe injuries I suffered had left my body in ruins. Not only had my heart been damaged, but my skin had also become extremely sensitive.

The only fabric I could wear without breaking out was pure cotton. Hence, my husband had specially asked a top designer, Lou, to handcraft my clothes. Every piece carried a mark that belonged only to her.

Therefore, I was a little puzzled when Fiona said that. They were supposed to be wealthy young heirs and heiresses. How could they not recognize something designed by Lou?

Before I could say anything, Alicia's eyes reddened with pity. "Abby, I only stole Cory away from you because I loved him too much back then. I can make up for everything else—anything but him.

"I happen to know many outstanding young men in the circle. Why don't I introduce you to a handsome, rich heir?"

Fiona pointed at me, deliberately raising her voice. "Alicia, that's no different than setting those innocent young men up for disaster!"