Chapter 1

A fire broke out, trapping me and a pregnant woman in the studio dressing room while we were getting photos taken.

Even though I was in danger myself, I still gave the only wet towel to her.

Later, we struggled to hang on until my fiancé arrived to save us.

But he didn't even look at me; he immediately picked up the pregnant woman and headed for the exit.

He didn't care at all that I was pinned under a heavy iron rack, fighting for my life.

Facing my desperate pleas, he actually kicked my hand away.

"Bianca is the daughter of the richest man in the city. She's carrying my flesh and blood. I can't put her in danger!"

"The fire isn't that big yet. Just hold on a little longer. I'll come back for you soon."

1

What?

I looked at Kayden Sterling in total confusion.

If the woman beside him was the billionaire's daughter, then who was I?

I reached out and tore off my bridal veil, wanting him to see clearly who he was supposed to be saving.

Instead, I saw him shielding Bianca Whitmore in his arms with a face full of pity, his right hand carefully cradled over her stomach.

It was only then that I realized Bianca was his girlfriend from college, and the child in her womb was also his.

When we first smelled smoke, both Bianca and I were in the fitting rooms changing.

By the time we got dressed and came out, the hallway was already thick with billowing smoke.

Even though I was terrified, I still kept her behind me, worried she might trip.

Even the reason I was pinned under this iron rack was because I had pushed her and her baby out of the way of the falling debris.

I never imagined that the person I saved was the girlfriend Kayden had never actually broken up with.

The man who was supposed to walk down the aisle with me was now abandoning me in a death trap for another woman.

I should have noticed the signs six months ago, but his sweet words had blinded me time and time again.

I had loved him for five years, only to end up with this.

Kayden didn't give me another glance as he bent down, swept Bianca up in his arms, and disappeared.

To stay alive, I had to push against the steel frame that had fallen on me with every ounce of strength I had left.

No matter how hard I tried, the steel was like a massive boulder, impossible to move.

Breathing became a struggle, and my vision was nothing but a wall of gray smoke.

Back then, I had run away from home to see the world and escape my father's overprotective shadow.

I thought that as long as I lived a good life on my own, it would be the ultimate proof of my independence.

But now, I regretted everything.

I desperately wanted to go back to his side.

Just before I slipped into the darkness, I saw a beam of light pierce through the fog.

"Found her! She's nearly unconscious..."

In the next second, I plunged into a bottomless black void.

I don't know how much time passed before the sound of shouting woke me up. I slowly forced my eyes open.

Everything was still a blur, but I could see doctors and nurses rushing back and forth around me.

When I felt the sharp, agonizing pain in my leg, I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

At least I was still alive.

"Don't cry. Your eyes were irritated by the smoke. You'll be fine in a few days."

The nurse thought I was crying because I couldn't see, so she comforted me gently.

"It's a good thing you were brought in when you were. Don't worry, our head surgeon will operate on you personally. Everything will be okay."

Just as I was feeling lucky to be alive, I heard a doctor's grim voice from the foot of the bed.

"The patient has sudden, massive hemorrhaging! She has a rare blood type. We need emergency surgery right now. Contact the blood bank immediately!"

The doctor gave orders with practiced calm, and several nurses began prep work to wheel me into the OR.

It was only then that I realized the falling steel rack had pierced straight into my thigh.

They had been preparing for surgery since I arrived, but the hospital didn't have a stock of my rare Rh-null blood.

Now that a major vessel had burst, the only way to save me was to stop the bleeding.

Suddenly, Kayden kicked open the emergency room doors, looking frantic as he carried Bianca inside.

"Doctor! This pregnant woman is bleeding! Save her first!"

This was a suburban hospital, and because of the fire, every department was overflowing with people.

My area had been partitioned off because my situation was critical and required a sterile environment.

In comparison, Bianca only had a few minor scratches on her arms.

The doctor was visibly annoyed by Kayden's irrational behavior. "Take the pregnant woman to the corner on the second floor. This patient needs a sterile environment. Please leave."

These words only enraged Kayden. He grabbed a blood-stained cloth from the table and hurled it to the floor.

"Open your eyes and look closely! This woman is the daughter of the tycoon Arthur Montgomery! That's his precious grandbaby in her womb!"

"If anything happens to her in your hospital, you can kiss your careers goodbye."

The doctor looked at me with a flash of guilt in his eyes, but he still turned and walked toward Bianca.

My father had invested in the construction of this hospital; he was one of the largest shareholders here.

The staff was just trying to protect themselves.

I turned my head toward where Kayden was standing, seeing his blurry figure holding Bianca on his lap.

A bitter smile touched my lips. He was standing right there, and he hadn't even noticed it was me on the bed?

Five years of devotion, and I didn't even get a hint of concern from him.

Fine. From this moment on, I didn't want him anymore.

The nurse by my side didn't leave despite Kayden's threats. Instead, she leaned down to soothe me.

"The blood is on its way. By the time it gets here, they'll be done with the other woman. You're going to be okay."

"Where is your phone? I'll call your family..."

My father's face immediately flashed in my mind. Just as I was about to tell her to call him, the nurse finished dialing.

"There we go. Your boyfriend's phone is finally going through this time."

She spoke as she set the phone down and wiped the sweat from my forehead.

But a moment later, Kayden's furious roar erupted from the speaker.

"Seraphina, I don't want to hear your nonsense! Get to the hospital right now! Bianca is hurt and needs a transfusion of your rare blood!"

The nurse was startled by the voice. She picked up the phone and looked at the contact name in disbelief.

After confirming it said "My Love," a look of pure pity crossed her face.