From childhood to adulthood, her dream had always been to become Mitchel's bride, so she arrogantly drove away every girl around him.
She only waited for her 23rd birthday to marry him. But no matter how much she tried to guard against it, she couldn’t prevent Malva.
Malva was a poor student sponsored by the West Family. She resembled Mitchel’s late younger sister, which earned her his special affection. Livia, loving everything related to Mitchel, tried to be kind to Malva as well.
When Malva wanted the birthday gift Mitchel was supposed to give her, Livia gave it to her.
When thunder struck and Malva wanted to sleep in Mitchel's arms, Livia endured.
Until one day, after getting drunk, she lay on top of Mitchel, her clothes disheveled, twisting and turning, Livia could no longer hold herself back.
In the midst of their heated argument, she was hysterical and Mitchel slapped her.
"If you can't stand it, then break off the engagement!"
As her thoughts returned to reality, she trembled.
During her near-death struggle, her mind was filled with a vast emptiness, when suddenly, a woman who looked exactly like her appeared.
The woman took her hand and said she would save her, as long as she agreed to marry someone else in her place.
In that life-and-death moment, she agreed.
Seeing her dazed and silent, Mitchel rubbed his forehead, his tone impatient. "Are you even listening to me?"
"Yes," Livia bit her lip and nodded. "Okay, I agree."
Mitchel was confused. "Agree to what?"
Malva also glanced at Mitchel nervously. "Livia, do you want to go rest for a bit?"
With a subtle shake of her hand, Livia looked up at Mitchel, speaking each word with utmost seriousness. "I agree to break off the engagement."
As soon as she opened her mouth, a metallic taste of blood flowed out. She wiped it with the back of her hand, revealing a hint of seductive red at the corner of her mouth.
Mitchel was momentarily stunned, seemingly not hearing clearly what she had said.
It was only that day, because of Malva’s injury, that he had been so angry and said he would break off the engagement with her.
But now, hearing her agree to it, an inexplicable bitterness rose in his heart.
He furrowed his brows, his face stern as he asked her, "Are you really willing to?"
Livia tugged at the corner of her mouth, but didn’t reply.
Mitchel frowned. "Actually, everything I said that day was out of anger. You don't have to take it seriously..."
"You don't need to comfort me," Livia interrupted him. "I'm not saying this out of anger. I'm serious. I'll break off the engagement and I'll bear all the consequences alone."
What Mitchel didn’t know was that she could no longer marry him. According to the agreement, she had to marry another man.
From now on, Livia and Mitchel would have no more connections. He could be with whoever he wanted and it had nothing to do with her anymore.
"You’re just throwing another tantrum!” Without giving her a chance to protest, Mitchel picked her up and carried her to the infirmary.
By the time the ship's doctor arrived hurriedly from the banquet, she had already developed a high fever.
Before administering the fever-reducing injection, the doctor asked if she was allergic to penicillin. She opened her mouth, but instead of speaking, a gush of blood poured out.
It turned out that, while immersed in the freezing cold water, she had bitten her tongue to stay conscious.
When she was standing, she could still swallow. But now, lying on the bed, the blood in her mouth was nearly suffocating her.
"You... you're so badly hurt, why didn't you say something earlier?" Mitchel seemed frantic with worry.
Livia suddenly let out a mocking laugh, but as she tugged at her mouth, blood spilled over her.
She had wanted to speak, but had anyone ever given her the chance?
Previously, he had always been annoyed by her chatter when she was by his side, yet now, when she said she wanted to break off the engagement, he was suddenly so concerned for her.
Mitchel furrowed his brows, feeling a twinge of regret. He lowered his head and sat by her bed. He took her hand, trying to reassure her.
