Brittney suffered burns, yet even in her unconscious state, she refused to release the wooden frame.
Seeing how precious it was to her, Bryce became even more convinced that Brittney had been unfaithful.
But for some reason, though he should have been furious, a strange fear crept into Bryce's heart.
Soon, this thought dissipated.
It should be Brittney who felt afraid—she had betrayed him behind his back. She was the one who should be filled with guilt and dread.
Brittney burned for two full days before waking on the third.
Her lips cracked with thirst, yet the room stood empty.
When she forced herself downstairs, she saw Bryce had chopped down the sapling they’d planted together, using it to build a doghouse for Leanna’s puppy.
When they planted that sapling, Bryce had said, “Brittney, this little tree is like our child. It will endure like our love, growing into a towering giant.”
Now that sapling was gone, the bond between them had vanished completely too.
Brittney turned away expressionless and left. She then called her uncle, “Uncle, please recall the projects I previously asked you to secretly transfer to Bryce.”
Her uncle replied frankly, “Are you certain? Those are major projects. Withdrawing them will definitely prevent Joseph Group from going public.”
“I'm certain. These things were proof of my past love for him. Now that I no longer love him, taking them back is only fair.”
Respecting her decision, he agreed, “Very well. As you wish.”
“By the way, Darrell will come to retrieve you in two days. Has Bryce been informed?”
Brittney glanced at Bryce outside and sneered, “He'll find out when Darrell arrives to take me.”
Her uncle, having been through similar experiences, didn't press further. He said he respected her choice, whatever it might be.
That afternoon after Brittney awoke, Bryce came to see her, his demeanor as aloof as ever.
“Everyone makes mistakes. I can overlook your affair behind my back this time, but there can be no repeat.”
“Brittney, our wedding is in two days. If you still wish to marry me, don't provoke me again.”
“My friends will arrive tonight. Get ready quickly, in case outsiders see and think that I'm mistreating you.”
Brittney glanced at him, exhausted and replied coldly, “I know.”
Seeing Brittney's indifferent demeanor, Bryce felt an inexplicable panic in his chest. He sensed she was slipping beyond his control, as if she were about to leave him.
Before he could say anything, Leanna emerged and pulled him away.
That evening, when Bryce's friends arrived, they each presented gifts, saying, “Bryce, here's our early gift for you. I think we can consider Britt as family now, right?”
Glancing at Brittney, Bryce noted her cool expression and snorted lightly. “It's too early to say that.”
“Whether I'm willing to marry her is still up in the air.”
Bryce was posturing, waiting for Brittney to back down, but she didn't say a word. She turned and went into the kitchen.
An hour later, the servants had prepared the meal. Brittney stood at the door, ready to call them in, when she heard Bryce's friends addressing Leanna as “Bryce’s true love.”
“I know you truly love Bryce and of course, you are Bryce’s true love.”
“I remembered back then, you secretly funded his education behind his back. Now, for love, you're willing to be with him even without a formal title.”
“Yeah, people like Lea who ask for nothing in return are rare these days.”
The chatter left Brittney stunned.
Wasn't she the one who funded Bryce back then? When did it become Leanna?
Leaning against the man's embrace in the garden, Leanna flashed a coy smile. “Oh, those are all old history. It's enough that we know; there's no need to bring it up.”
Seeing Leanna's shameless act, Brittney snorted coldly. Not only did she steal someone's man, she even stole the credit.
Brittney wondered if Bryce would regret it if he knew the person he admired turned out to be someone like this.
Brittney was already looking forward to it.
When she went in to call them for dinner, everyone's smiles froze, as if she were an outsider.
After everyone sat down, the meal was anything but harmonious.
Leanna complained the soup was too bland, the dishes too salty, the fatty meat too abundant and the juice too sweet.
In short, nothing was to her liking, because this meal had been arranged by Brittney.
Finally, Brittney grew weary of it and slammed her spoons down, “If you don't want to eat, then don't.”
She expected Leanna to resort to her usual tactics—crying and playing the victim—but this time, she suddenly coughed up blood.
The entire room was stunned.
Bryce was the first to react, glaring furiously at Brittney and accusing, “You dare to poison her?!”
Brittney was about to deny it when, in the next instant, she too violently coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Chaos erupted. Bryce summoned the family doctor, who declared it was a rare virus requiring a serum infusion.
“Mr. Joseph, but we only have one vial of serum left. It can only be administered to one person.”
The moment of decision arrived once more.
Bryce clenched his fists, hesitating for a few seconds before ultimately choosing Leanna.
“Save Leanna!”
On the sofa, the toxin rapidly spread throughout Brittney's body, yet she still clearly heard the man's choice.
A mocking smile curled her lips.
Fine by her. This way, she could exact her revenge without a shred of guilt.
Just as the doctor injected Leanna with the sole vial of serum, a warm flow trickled down Brittney's lower body.
The sofa was drenched in blood.
As she drifted into unconsciousness, Brittney heard the family doctor say she had miscarried.
When Brittney regained consciousness, the child was gone.
Bryce mobilized the entire Warrington and finally located the last vial of serum.
She survived, but the child was lost.
For the first time, Bryce bowed his head to Brittney and apologized, “I'm sorry. I didn't know you were pregnant.”
Brittney touched her empty womb, where a tiny life had once flourished. But the father had strangled it with his own hands.
She drew a sharp breath and sneered in return, “If you had known I was pregnant, would you still have chosen me?”
“Bryce, one day, you will regret this.”
At that moment, Bryce didn't understand the meaning behind her words, thinking she was merely throwing a tantrum.
Bryce's fists clenched and yelled, “Brittney, you cooked the meal. Since it was poisoned, aren't you responsible?”
“And because of this, Leanna's body has suffered irreversible damage.”
“The toxin is cold in nature. It damaged her uterus. She'll never be able to have children of her own.”
Hearing the man's accusation, Brittney sneered in response, “So? What do you want?”
“Her womb is gone—should I offer mine as compensation?”
Brittney believed that if Leanna demanded it, Bryce would absolutely do it.
But he answered with something she had never imagined, “Leanna isn't like you. She isn't as vicious. She just wants a wedding.”
“So tomorrow, the bride at the wedding will be replaced. I will give Leanna a wedding.”
“As for you—though you've done many wrongs—out of respect for our past bond, I won't abandon you. I'll marry you legally.”
“Three years. Leanna only wants the Mrs. Joseph title for three years. After that, she'll study abroad.”
Hearing the man's absurd words, Brittney finally couldn't hold back her laughter.
She said earnestly, “Bryce, I'm not unloved, nor am I desperate for you.”
Hearing this, Bryce frowned. “Brittney, at this point, what's the point of playing games?”
“In any case, tomorrow's bride will be replaced. This is my notification to you.”
With that, Bryce turned and left.
No matter what attitude her fiance displayed, it stirred not a ripple in Brittney's heart.
She took out her phone and sent a message to Darrell, [I've sent you the address. I'll wait for you.]
Darrell replied instantly, [Got it.]
That very night, Brittney was discharged from the hospital and returned to Joseph's residence.
What began there must end there.
The next day, the Joseph Family's entrance was crowded with guests—all members of high society, gathered to show their support.
Brittney, dressed in her wedding gown and having applied her own makeup, stepped out of the Joseph’s residence.
At that very moment, Leanna appeared in her own haute couture wedding gown and the two collided head-on.
To outsiders, it looked like a wedding—with two brides.
Bryce frowned and publicly reprimanded her, “Brittney, did you not understand what I told you yesterday?”
“I made it clear I'm marrying Leanna. Your desperate clinging to me is utterly disgraceful!”
“Go back immediately and I'll let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, our relationship ends here!”
Bryce spoke at length, but Brittney heard none of it. She merely lifted her head with a smile, gazing at the ninety-nine helicopters circling overhead.
“My groom has arrived,” she declared.
