Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Tears kept falling as I walked down the hospital hallway. All I could see in my mind were flashes from the past. My mother had died from birth complications after giving birth to me. Since then, my brother, Denton Grant, and my father had never liked me. They adored Kelsey Grant, my sister who was seven years older than me. For her sweet sixteen party, they threw a massive celebration, invited everyone from school, and even had a ten-layer cake. When Kelsey got sick, Denton and my father took turns staying at her bedside. But when I was hospitalized for pneumonia, no one came to see me. I used to think a girl like me who caused her mother's death didn't deserve love. Then, at Kelsey's sweet sixteen, she shoved me into the pool and laughed as she called me the unloved child who killed our mother. I struggled in the water, trying to get to the edge, but her friends pushed me back in again and again. Just when I was about to drown, Edwin Carlson pulled me out. He wrapped me in a warm towel and looked coldly at the people who mocked me. "Stephanie is the one I love. Anyone who dares to mess with her again will have to deal with me." To me, Edwin was like a savior from heaven. Right then and there, I fell for him. It all felt like a dream. How could a mafia boss like Edwin fall for someone like me, a girl everyone blamed for her mother's death? Even after we got married, it still felt too unreal. I really thought he loved me. But now I knew—he married me for Kelsey. Three years ago, Kelsey was diagnosed with chronic leukemia. She needed a bone marrow transplant, but no one in the family was a match. The doctors said that if I had a child, the baby would have a better chance of being compatible. So that was why Edwin married me. His love, his care, everything he did... it was all for Kelsey. My heart ached. As I neared the hospital room, I suddenly heard voices inside. "I'm not even sick; I faked the leukemia," Kelsey said smugly. "I just wanted Stephanie to lose all hope. I wanted her to finally understand that Dad and Denton only love me. "And Edwin? He thought I saved him when he was kidnapped as a kid. He fell for me when he heard a piano tune he thought I played." She laughed. "But it was actually Stephanie both times. "The one he truly loves is Stephanie. But too bad—he'll never know the truth." I froze. So... Edwin had the wrong person all along. He hurt me for Kelsey, not knowing I was the one he really loved. My hands trembled as I realized my phone had somehow started recording. The entire conversation had been captured. I took a deep breath, calmed myself, and tucked the phone away. Then I found the doctor. "I want to terminate the pregnancy." The doctor looked stunned. He knew how hard it had been for me to carry this baby, how many supplements I had taken and how long I had been on bed rest just to keep it. He tried to talk me out of it. But when he saw I wouldn't change my mind, he finally said the procedure could only move forward if Edwin signed the consent form. I took the form and left the office. As I stepped into the hospital room, I ran into Edwin. He looked worried. "There you are. I didn't see you just now. I was afraid something had happened." He breathed a sigh of relief and gently took my hand, his voice full of concern. There was a time when just holding his hand made me feel safe. Now, all I felt was heartbreak. "You're worried about me?" Tears welled up in my eyes. "You're my wife. Of course, I'm worried. Who else would I worry about?" he said softly. "Everyone knows you're my whole world. And you're carrying our baby." My nose stung. Was Edwin really worried about me... or just afraid something might go wrong and mess up the bone marrow transplant for Kelsey? I took a deep breath and handed him the form. "There's a test. I need your signature.""What kind of test—" He started to open it, but his phone rang before he could read it. "Edwin, get over here. Kelsey's not feeling well..." Denton's voice wasn't loud, but I heard every word. Edwin's face tensed. He hung up and quickly signed the paper. "There's something going on at the company. I'll be back soon. I'll go with you to do the checkup later." I opened the folder. Tears blurred my eyes as they landed on the words: Termination of Pregnancy Consent Form. I walked toward the doctor's office. But just as I reached the door, the baby kicked. That tiny movement made me stop in my tracks. It was like the baby could sense my fear and was telling me not to give up. I hesitated for a long time... and then turned and walked away. I couldn't do it. I wanted to keep this child. I would take him far away from this world of lies, away from the Grants, away from Edwin. From now on, it would be just my baby and me.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

I stayed in the hospital all day, but Edwin never showed up. The next day, after I checked out by myself, I passed the VIP ward and saw something that cut deep. Denton and my father were right there with Kelsey. One was feeding her fruit, the other flipping through channels to find her favorite comedy movie. Meanwhile, Edwin was talking seriously with her doctor about her treatment plan. Kelsey tugged on Edwin's sleeve and pointed at a box of chocolates. Edwin unwrapped it and gently fed her one. Watching that warm, perfect scene felt like a knife to the heart. They looked like a real family, while I was just someone who didn't belong. I remembered the time Kelsey and I were both hospitalized with pneumonia when we were little. Denton and my father stayed by her bedside the entire time, taking care of her like she was the only one who mattered. I was alone in a cold hospital room. No one checked on me. I was so thirsty that my lips cracked and bled. It wasn't until a nurse walked by that I finally got a glass of water. Moments like that when I was ignored happened more times than I could count. It wasn't until I married Edwin that I finally felt what it was like to be loved. He had always been so thoughtful, giving me the best of everything. I really thought I was the only one in his heart. But seeing how gentle he was with Kelsey, feeding her chocolate like that, it broke me all over again. I wiped away my tears and headed home. Then I called my college advisor and told him I'd accept the closed research project at Northendria. I agreed to the ten-year contract, with no returning home. He booked my flight for three days later. He told me I should say a proper goodbye to my family. After all, I wouldn't be coming back for a decade. As soon as I hung up, Edwin came through the door. He wrapped his arm around my waist, smiling sweetly. "What were you booking on the phone?" he asked. "The opera tickets I bought earlier. I couldn't make it because of the hospital stay, so I canceled them," I said casually. "I see. But why didn't you tell me you were discharged? I would've picked you up." Before I could answer, Kelsey walked in without knocking. She said with a pout, "Stephanie, why didn't tell Edwin you were discharged? When we saw your room empty, he panicked! He thought something terrible had happened. "He's a mafia boss, you know. Tons of enemies are watching him. He really thought you'd been kidnapped by one of them." I looked at Kelsey. She always knew how to twist things around and make me look bad. She'd been doing it since we were kids. And now, she was slapping me with the same old label—selfish and inconsiderate. I glanced at Edwin, who quickly explained, "Kelsey's health isn't great. The doctor said she should rest at home. Our castle has clean air and a forest nearby—it's perfect for recovery. That's why I invited her to stay for a while." Kelsey gave me a smug smile. "Sorry, I'll be interrupting your alone-time." She was clearly waiting for me to lose my temper, just so she could play the victim and call me spoiled and unreasonable. That was always her tactic. But I just kept a calm face. "You can stay as long as you want." Kelsey froze for a second. She didn't expect me to be so chill. - The next day, Edwin was busy giving the maids instructions about Kelsey's room. He made sure they understood every little detail, especially her diet. So, it turned out Edwin knew Kelsey's preferences just as well as he knew mine. I closed my eyes, suddenly feeling ridiculous. Why had it taken me this long to realize how much he cared about her? That night, I went to my room early to start packing for the trip. I was just about to lie down when Edwin came in with a glass of water. He handed it to me and gently opened the bottle of calcium tablets. "Take this before bed," he said. "You don't want to wake up with leg cramps again from low calcium."

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

As I watched how gentle he was, a bitter feeling rose in my chest. He must've only learned to be this thoughtful because of taking care of Kelsey. I glanced at him and swallowed the calcium tablet. "Are you guys asleep?" Kelsey called from outside. Before either of us could answer, she pushed the door open. She was holding a bottle of massage oil and smiling sweetly. "Stephanie, you're pregnant, and pregnancy can cause swelling. I just learned a therapy technique. Let me give you a massage." I frowned and shook my head. I didn't feel close enough to Kelsey to be okay with her giving me a massage. "Is it because you don't trust my technique?" Kelsey looked hurt and turned to Edwin with a pitiful expression. "Edwin, I know Stephanie doesn't like me much, but I really mean no harm..." Edwin gave me a warm smile and pinched my cheek lightly. "Kelsey was worried she was intruding on us by staying here, so she wanted to do something helpful. Just let her give you a massage, okay?" My nose stung. Between me and Kelsey, he chose her. Even knowing our relationship was strained, he didn't take my side. That was the moment I gave up. I stopped fighting. "Okay. Thanks, Kelsey." I agreed. I didn't care what she had planned anymore. Tomorrow at this time, I'd already be on a plane out of here. I wouldn't expect anyone's love ever again. And no one would be able to find me. "Edwin, her arms and legs need to be secured during the massage to prevent sudden movements. This is a stretch band. It's soft and doesn't cut circulation, so it won't hurt her," Kelsey explained as she pulled out two elastic bands and stretched them to show how gentle they were. I looked at Edwin, silently begging him with my eyes. Who needed to be tied up for a massage? That was clearly suspicious. But the same Edwin who was sharp and ruthless in the business world actually believed her. He let her tie my arms and legs down. "I'll start the massage now. Edwin, can you step out for a bit?" He nodded and gently squeezed my hand. "I'll be back as soon as you're done." The moment he left, the door clicked shut, and Kelsey's sweet expression vanished. I yanked at the bands, trying to free myself, but I couldn't move at all. These weren't elastic. "Don't bother struggling," she said smugly, waving the real stretch bands in her hand. "Those ones on you don't stretch at all. "You figured it out, didn't you? That Edwin only married you because of me." I said nothing, my expression cold. Her fingers brushed across my belly. "Even if you know, so what? You can't change anything… You've been under my thumb since we were kids. Once you give birth, your child will be next." Silent tears rolled down my cheeks. I knew I couldn't change the way Edwin, Denton, and my father all favored Kelsey. That was why I had decided to leave. But hearing her say it out loud still broke my heart. "You know what? Mom's death wasn't your fault," she said as she poured some liquid from a glass bottle onto my arm. My stomach dropped. What did she mean by that? "When you were first brought out of the delivery room, Dad and Denton adored you. They said you looked just like Mom, so pretty, and they wanted to raise you like a little princess. They were going to give you the best of everything. "I hated it! Before you came along, I was the little princess of the family! So I pulled out the oxygen tube while Mom was still unconscious after surgery. "I wanted to see if they would still love you if Mom died because of you!" My body trembled. So... it wasn't me. I didn't cause my mother's death. Kelsey—only seven years old back then—had done something that cruel. "As I expected, they blamed everything on you. They stopped loving you and gave all their attention to me!" She grinned wickedly. "Aren't you afraid I'll tell Denton and Dad the truth?" My voice was shaking. I used to think she was just manipulative. Now I realized she was dangerous. "You can try. No one would believe you." She gave a chilling laugh. Then she pulled out a lighter and flicked it on, lighting the liquid she'd just poured over me. Flames shot up and scorched my arms instantly. I screamed, struggled wildly, and finally broke free from the straps. I fell hard to the floor. Kneeling on the ground, I braced myself with my burning arms and curled over to protect my stomach, shielding my baby from harm. "Agh... it hurts..." Before I could even cry out again, Kelsey screamed and collapsed dramatically onto the floor. Edwin burst into the room. "Don't blame Stephanie." Kelsey sobbed. "I must've hurt her by accident, so she kicked me because of the pain..." Edwin frowned at me. "How could you hurt Kelsey?" I opened my mouth to explain, but pain from my belly robbed me of my voice. Without a second thought, Edwin picked Kelsey up in his arms. "I'm taking her to the hospital first." He didn't even glance at my pale, pain-stricken face. It took a long while before I could stand up again. I applied ointment to my burned arms, and then I gathered all my documents and ID. By the time the sun rose, I'd be gone for good.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

It was still dark out when the door suddenly burst open. Smack! Denton and my father stormed in, and without warning, I got slapped across the face. "Stephanie! Kelsey was trying to help by giving you a massage, and you kicked her? Don't you know she's still recovering from being sick?" Tears streamed down my face. Watching my own family rush in and scold me without bothering about the truth hurt worse than the slap itself. One day, if they found out that it was Kelsey who caused my mother's death, would they regret what they did to me today? "You killed your mother the day you were born, and now you want to kill Kelsey too? How can you be so cruel?" My father's words hit me like a storm. He raised his hand to slap me again, but maybe it was the way I looked, crying in silence, that made Denton hesitate. Denton caught his arm and said softly, "Dad, she's still pregnant. Let it go." My father frowned but didn't stop. He kept going. "Even if Kelsey accidentally hurt you during the massage, you shouldn't have kicked her! She's not well! You're coming to the hospital with me to apologize to Kelsey!" I gave them a bitter smile. "Kelsey caused these burns on me. I didn't kick her—she fell on purpose." Denton and my father exchanged a glance. Surprise flickered across their faces, but then they both went silent for a long while. Just when I thought, maybe, just maybe, they believed me, my father exploded. "You've always been selfish and hard to deal with, but at least you used to be honest. Now you're just lying to escape responsibility! "Kelsey is kind. Why would she ever hurt you? Anyone can see you burned yourself just to gain sympathy!" Hearing my father blindly take Kelsey's side broke something inside me. I cried harder, then suddenly found myself laughing. I already knew. I'd always known they favored Kelsey over me. So why did I keep trying to explain myself? Why was I still hoping they'd stand by me? "Get up. You're coming with us to the hospital to apologize." My father kicked me hard. The room spun, and everything went black. Just before I passed out, I heard someone yelling, panicked, "Stephanie? Stephanie, are you okay?" It sounded like Edwin had come back. When I opened my eyes again, my arm was re-bandaged, and Edwin was holding my hand, his face full of worry. "I'm sorry I got back so late. Don't worry. I'm here now. Everything's going to be okay." His hands were big and warm. His voice was calm and comforting. But the feeling I used to get from him, the sense of safety, was gone. Because every time Denton and my father punished me, it was always Edwin who came to my rescue. I used to think Edwin was the light in my life. But now, all I saw was someone pretending to care. "It's still early," Edwin said gently, brushing my cheek. "Get some more rest." It was 5:00 AM. He was right; it was still early. I should get some sleep. I needed the energy to leave. I drifted off again, and when I woke up, it was already 9:00 AM. The room was empty. I gave a bitter smile. Of course, Edwin wasn't here. He was probably at the hospital with Kelsey. That was fine. It meant I could leave without anyone noticing. I checked my luggage and got ready to go when suddenly, a message popped up from Kelsey. It was a short video. In the video, Edwin was slicing fruit for her. My father was asking if he'd divorce me after I gave birth. Edwin frowned and said, "I'm not divorcing Stephanie. I was wrong before, and I'll take care of her for the rest of my life." He told them to stop bringing up divorce. He wanted to make things right and make up for what he'd done. Then Kelsey sent a message mocking me. [Your husband's not staying with you because he loves you—it's because he feels guilty. Stephanie, you'll never be loved, not by your family, not by your man. You don't deserve it.] Tears fell again. Did Edwin ever really love me? If that love was built on lies, then I didn't want it. I picked up my bags and got into a cab. Then, I sent the video from the hospital—the one where Kelsey admitted Edwin mistook her identity and she was faking her illness—anonymously to Edwin's email. And the surveillance footage from our bedroom, where Kelsey confessed she was the one who caused our mother's death, I sent that anonymously to my father and Denton. After I hit send, I tossed my phone out the window. From now on, I was starting a new life.