Chapter 1

Two months pregnant, Daniel Brown demanded I give blood to his childhood sweetheart, Chloe.

Already anemic, I refused, my eyes burning. But his friends just called me selfish.

“Chloe is on the operating table. You’re the only match. What’s the big deal about donating a little blood?”

With that, they practically dragged me inside.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Daniel’s eyes, but he hardened his gaze.

“It’s just a blood donation. Our baby will be fine.”

I stopped struggling, a single tear sliding down my cheek.

After the transfusion, a sudden, excruciating pain ripped through my abdomen.

The baby we’d hoped for for three years was gone.

I stayed in the hospital alone for three days after the miscarriage. Meanwhile, Daniel remained glued to Chloe’s side, never leaving her.

My womb felt empty, but it was my heart that truly ached.

As I was discharged, I coincidentally ran into Chloe and Daniel, surrounded by their usual group of friends.

I carried my backpack, utterly alone, while Daniel helped Chloe walk, supporting her every step.

When his gaze landed on me, Daniel paused.

“Why are you still at the hospital?”

“I’m fine.”

I hid the miscarriage, my face pale, and walked towards the exit.

“Let’s go together.”

Daniel grabbed my arm, his tone leaving no room for argument.

By the car, Chloe quickly slipped into the passenger seat.

She looked innocent.

“Zara, I just had stomach ulcer surgery. I get car sick easily.”

“Could you let me have this spot?”

I didn’t feel like arguing, so I just opened the back door.

But all his friends piled into the back, three grown men squeezing in next to me.

They stared at me, their voices unfriendly.

“Zara, Chloe is still very weak. We’re all coming to your place to look after her.”

I looked at Daniel in the driver’s seat. His face was tight, but he didn't say a word to object.

I smiled soundlessly. The cicadas on the trees chirped clearly.

How could I still have expectations for a man like this?

Daniel’s friends had never liked me. In their eyes, Chloe and Daniel were soulmates.

I was just the wicked outsider trying to break them up.

When they visited our home, everyone treated me like a servant, and Daniel never once stood up for me.

Even when I was carrying his child, I still had to give blood to Chloe.

In the end, I didn’t even get a thank you. All they’d say was:

“It’s your honor.”

This wasn’t the first time I’d been wronged, but it was the first time I chose to accept it calmly.

“Okay, I’ll go home by myself.”

I closed the car door and turned, walking away first.

It was rush hour, and I couldn't even hail a cab.

In the scorching heat of mid-summer, having just suffered a miscarriage, I walked for an hour under the blazing sun to get home.

The moment I pushed open the door, a barrage of accusations greeted me.

“Zara, why are you so slow? We’ve been home for ages.”

“We haven’t eaten all night. Let’s try Zara’s cooking again.”

I looked at Daniel and Chloe.

It was a hot summer day, but the AC wasn't on inside the house. They were worried that frail Chloe might catch a chill.

So Daniel sat beside her, fanning her.

Even though his own forehead was beaded with sweat, he ignored it, completely absorbed in fawning over Chloe.

Seeing me silent, Carter called out to Daniel.

“Daniel, everyone’s hungry! Tell Zara to make us something to eat.”