Chapter 6

Outside the Harrington Medical Center, I was just about to leave when Jenny stepped into my path.

Taking one look at my simple clothes and exhausted face, she smugly brandished her new luxury trophy, a limited-edition designer bag from Edward.

"See this?" she exclaimed, practically glowing. "Edward bought it for me. He might say this whole thing is just for fun, but when it comes to spending money on me? He doesn't hold back.

"Honestly, I should thank you for crashing the wedding. Afterward, Edward felt so bad about how I was treated that he gave me two luxury condos, a jewelry collection worth millions, company shares, and a closet full of limited-edition designer pieces."

She looked me up and down, dripping with smugness. "You never got this kind of treatment when you were with him, did you?"

I just ignored her, reaching for the car door.

Back in college, Edward had showered me with jewelry and designer clothes too.

But after graduation, he was determined to break away from his family and start his own business. It was a total disaster. He ended up losing everything and sinking deep into debt.

So I sold every last one of those gifts, threw in the money I had saved from my side hustles, and helped him dig his way out.

It was then that his parents finally started to notice me.

Later, when Edward crawled back to the family business, I joined Harrington Enterprises as his assistant. I was hoping I could finally earn his parents' approval, and I had been stuck in that role ever since.

Work was a whirlwind with a constant blur of deadlines. And somewhere in that chaos, I started noticing things, like smudges of lipstick on his collars and a stray bit of glitter on his shoulder.

My mind would drift back to our sweetest moments and how much I loved his kind parents. Looking at his handsome face, I couldn't help but let my guard down and believe the lies one more time.

It always ended the same way. Edward would spew a string of apologies and sweet nothings, and I would talk myself into staying. Sometimes, I would even cover for him, just so his parents wouldn't get too upset.

Every time one of his flings was exposed, he would throw a few gifts my way as if that could fix everything.

But they didn't feel sweet anymore. They just left a bitter, confusing taste in my mouth, a hollow echo of the happiness we once had.

I had been lying to myself for far too long. It was time to move on.

If Jenny thought she could tame Edward, then bless her heart.

From now on, whatever happened between them had nothing to do with me.

She grabbed my arm, her smile turning into a triumphant sneer.

"Just admit it, Olivia. You're jealous that I stepped in and secured in a few days the exact position you couldn't even solidify after nine years of trying.

"You might be a queen in the boardroom, but in the game of love, I'm the one who won!

"How about a little bet? Let's see if Edward actually divorces me in three months."

I snorted, yanking my arm free.

"Jenny, if you hunted me down just to gloat, I'm sorry, but I don't have time for this.

"And you can save the bet. If you like digging through trash, he's all yours."

Jenny lunged, grabbing my sleeve. "You think acting like you don't care makes you any less of a loser?" she yelled.

Looking at her furiously twisted face, I realized that she and Edward were a perfect match. Both of them could turn the most meaningless things into epic victories or crushing defeats.

I brushed her hand away, ready to leave.

"If you measure success by which man you can snag, then by all means, keep trying," I said.

Just as I turned, her voice, laced with pure venom, hissed behind me.

"Olivia, just go to hell!"

I had no time to react. She shoved me hard, sending me stumbling into the middle of the road.

A speeding car slammed into me, throwing me to the pavement. In an instant, blood was streaming down my forehead, and a sharp pain tore through my stomach.

A warm, wet feeling spread through my pants, trickling down my leg.

Edward came running, looking panicked when he saw me lying in a pool of my own blood. He reached for me, desperate.

I stretched out a trembling hand. "Help me," I cried. "Save our baby!"

The pain in my abdomen intensified, and a cold wave of terror washed over me. I fought so hard for this child. Was I going to lose him already?

Paramedics rushed out with a stretcher. Edward was right behind them, shouting, "Olivia, don't be scared! I'm here!"

For a fleeting second, I thought I was saved. But then Jenny collapsed beside me, clutching her stomach, her face paling.

"Edward," she choked out, "my stomach... it hurts so much... Please, help me save our baby..."

Time seemed to stop.

I stared at Edward, my mind reeling in disbelief.

He didn't even hesitate when he turned and ran straight to Jenny.