Breanna’s eyes landed on the two people standing not far away. The way Todd looked at Darlean—like she was something precious—felt like a burn straight to her eyes.
Her mother had died of illness; her father had died in the line of duty.
In this world, Todd was the only “family” she had left.
She had been trying with everything she had to carry a child that belonged to her and the man she loved—a little life carrying both of their blood.
But at that moment, she finally understood. Todd’s love had already rotted away. The boy she once loved, pure and sincere, was long gone.
The eighteen-year-old Todd from her memories… had died a long time ago.
She opened her mouth, fingers clutching the corner of her clothes. “I’m sure.”
She didn’t love Todd anymore.
And she didn’t want their child anymore either.
Before she could recover, Todd suddenly pulled a safety charm out of his pocket and handed it to Darlean.
“If anything happens from now on, don’t hesitate to call me. This charm will protect the baby. It’s for you. Make sure you give birth safely to our child.”
Darlean’s eyes turned red. “This is the last lucky charm George left before he passed away. When you were begging for one for Breanna, I was so jealous. If you give it to me… what about her?”
Todd’s voice was flat. “She can’t get pregnant anyway. Keeping it would just be a waste.”
It felt like Breanna fell into a bottomless black pit. Her vision went dark; even breathing slipped her mind.
Because of the Lannisters’s rules, she couldn’t marry into the family unless she got pregnant. She had been depressed ever since.
Todd had knelt outside George’s secluded mountain home in the pouring rain for a full day and night just to beg for this charm.
He’d had a raging fever that day, but he still held onto the charm like it was life itself.
“Baby, your wish will come true.
“Even if we never have a child, I’ll love you for the rest of my life. I just don’t want you to be this sad…
“Will you smile for me?”
Since then, she had kept that charm under her pillow every single day.
But now, he had personally handed it to Darlean.
Fine.
Her wish was never going to come true anyway.
By the time Breanna got home, she was shaking from the cold.
When she finally recovered enough to move, she dialed a private investigator.
“Hello. As long as you can get evidence of Todd and Darlean cheating, money is not an issue.”
Even if she walked away, she wanted those who wronged her to pay the price.
At one in the morning, Todd sent her a message.
[Got an emergency meeting for an overseas project. I can’t come home tonight. Don’t wait up.]
She didn’t reply. She knew exactly where he was—sitting beside Darlean.
She lit a small charcoal brazier, then tossed in the ring Todd had handcrafted for her.
Next went their photos, their exchanged gifts, every proof that they had ever loved each other…
One by one, they burned to ash, just like their relationship.
Last, she placed her prenatal test report into a delicate little box.
“Todd, this is the last gift I’ll ever give you.”
At dawn, Todd pushed the door open. “Babe, I bought your favorite ravioli.”
He set the bag down and walked over to her, coaxing softly, “Why are your eyes swollen? Didn’t sleep well last night?”
Breanna turned her head away from his hand, her face blank. “I watched a show. The male lead cheated. It ruined my mood…”
Something flickered in Todd’s calm eyes—panic—but it disappeared quickly. A smile tugged at his lips.
“You really are adorable, babe,” he said. “Oh right, there’s a company party later. I need you to come with me. It’ll be good for you to get out if you’re in a bad mood.”
Before she could refuse, a group of stylists came flooding in to get her ready.
By noon, she and Todd arrived at the party.
Halfway through, he suddenly took out a sapphire and diamond necklace in front of everyone and gently fastened it around her neck.
“Babe, I accidentally broke the emerald bracelet I promised you last time. I bought this for a hundred million from the British princess. It suits you.”
Around them, guests murmured with envy.
“The CEO really dotes on his wife. Buying a necklace from a British princess just to make her smile?”
“Oh, everyone in the capital knows—annoying President Lannister isn’t that big of a deal but annoying his wife? That’s a death wish!”
Breanna’s chest tightened. She slipped through the crowd and went to the garden for air.
Her fingers brushed the necklace. A coldness spread through her heart.
The next second, she ripped it off and tossed it into the pond beside her.
She didn’t want love mixed with lies and hypocrisy.
When she turned around, she ran straight into Darlean.
Darlean’s lips curled into a nasty smile.
“Wow, Breanna, you really can pretend. You know Todd has been in my bed, and you know I’m carrying his baby, yet you still won’t break up?”
“A mistress barking at me?” Breanna said flatly. “You must feel insecure. Can’t blame you. You’ll always be a cheap nobody who can’t be seen in public.”
She remembered the past—Darlean at barely fifteen, wearing torn clothes, her face bruised by her gambling addict father.
The girl had cried that her father wanted to sell her to a red-light district for men to use. She had begged Breanna to save her.
Breanna had asked her father for help, paid seven thousand to settle the man’s debt, and saved her.
Darlean had cried while apologizing and knocking her head against the floor, swearing she’d repay the kindness.
So this was her “gratitude”—stealing Breanna’s lover and stabbing her heart clean through.
Darlean deliberately showed off the emerald bracelet on her wrist, pride written all over her face. She sneered and stepped closer.
“Once I give birth, he’ll dump you sooner or later.
“I really pity you. When he was broke and pathetic like a stray dog, you stayed by his side. You went through so much with him.
“But too bad… now, he’s fallen for me. He can’t bear to leave me. You know what he told me when I asked why?”
A soft laugh escaped her. Her eyes glowed with satisfaction.
“He said he’s not a loser anymore. He doesn’t need anyone protecting him. He even said that dark time was humiliating. Seeing you reminds him of it.
“Now, he only wants to protect me. As for you, you’re just a ‘lifesaver’ from the past—someone he feels too guilty to ditch.”
Breanna’s fingertips trembled. Her fists clenched so tight her nails pierced her palms. She wanted nothing more than to strangle this treacherous woman.
Darlean’s smile widened. “Don’t believe me? How about we make a bet? Let’s see who Todd chooses.”
Breanna’s patience snapped. “Why would I waste my time betting with you?”
“What’s wrong, Breanna? You scared?” Darlean taunted.
A wave of calm washed over Breanna. She suddenly loosened her hand and slapped Darlean hard across the face.
“My biggest regret was saving you. Trash like you should’ve rotted where you were.”
A flash passed through Darlean’s eyes. Then she purposely stumbled back, falling into the pond behind her with a splash.
“Todd! Help me!”
Hearing the commotion, Todd rushed over. He shoved Breanna aside and scooped Darlean into his arms.
Seeing the red handprint on Darlean’s cheek, anger flared in his eyes.
“Breanna! What the hell is wrong with you?!”
