Chapter 1

"Miss Angelina, are you saying the wedding process remains the same, but the bride will be replaced with someone else? Is that correct?"

Facing the staff member's bewildered gaze, Angelina nodded without hesitation.

"Yes, the wedding will go on as planned in half a month. I'll provide the updated materials needed for the wedding in the coming days."

"Understood. Should I inform Mr. Fabian about this—"

"No need!"

Before the person could finish, Angelina cut them off emotionally. Seeing the surprised look on their face, she worked to calm herself and explained.

"He's quite busy. From now on, you can discuss all wedding matters directly with me."

This wedding was meant to be her final gift to Fabian.

And as a gift, it had to be kept a surprise until the very last moment to truly amaze him.

After leaving the wedding planning company, Angelina booked a ticket out of Boston on her phone.

Just as the confirmation message popped up, Fabian's call came through.

When she answered, Fabian's gentle, coaxing voice sounded on the line.

"Angelina, Mom says she misses you. She asked me to bring you home for dinner tonight."

He added with a playful tone, "She also said she has something for you. Can you guess what it is?"

Everyone in Boston knew Fabian as a cold and distant man. His words and actions were always carefully measured, keeping others at arm's length.

Despite the countless women who pursued him, he had reserved all his tenderness for Angelina alone.

At least, that’s what Angelina had always believed—until today.

Angelina and Fabian’s mothers had been the closest of friends. Naturally, Angelina and Fabian had grown up together as childhood sweethearts.

But things changed when Angelina’s mother passed away. Less than a month after her death, her father remarried.

Her stepmother schemed to have Angelina sent to a remote countryside. When she woke from unconsciousness, she found a drunken man trying to assault her.

In her panic, she grabbed an empty bottle on the floor and smashed it against the man’s head.

He convulsed a few times before collapsing. Just as fear gripped her, Fabian kicked down the creaking door and swept her into his arms.

In that moment, he seemed like a savior descending from the heavens.

Though rescued, the trauma of that event left a deep psychological scar.

Fabian stayed by her side every day, tirelessly finding renowned psychologists and doing everything he could to make her smile, slowly helping her recover from the ordeal.

Day by day, his unwavering care warmed even her most guarded heart.

Yet, having witnessed her father’s betrayal of her mother, Angelina remained cautious about love.

Before agreeing to be with Fabian, she had solemnly told him:

"Fabian, I can only accept unconditional love. If you stop loving me, we’ll part ways peacefully. But if you betray me, I’ll disappear from your life forever."

Fabian had eagerly, almost nervously, sworn:

"Angelina, you’re the only one I’ll ever want in this lifetime. I promise to love you and treat you well forever. Time will prove my love for you!"

That promise of his, made with such conviction, still echoed in her ears.

But now, time had delivered its verdict.

Fabian couldn’t offer her the undivided love she had demanded. He had betrayed their relationship while wanting to keep it all.

Just last night, she had discovered their marriage certificate—his and Natalie’s—hidden in the pocket of his discarded clothes.

The Carnegie family had sponsored many underprivileged students over the years, and Natalie was one of them.

Angelina remembered Natalie vividly, not because she was exceptional, but because she was calculating.

Angelina had seen Natalie openly confess her feelings to Fabian. At the time, Fabian had coldly rejected her.

"Sorry, I have a girlfriend."

Fabian had shut Natalie down so harshly that she stopped pursuing him altogether.

Or so Angelina had thought.

Over a month ago, Fabian had brought up Natalie again, saying her mother was gravely ill and wished to see her daughter married before passing away.

To Angelina’s surprise, Fabian—who had always treated Natalie with indifference—asked for her permission to help fulfill this wish.

Angelina had refused without hesitation, reminding him of the promise he had made to her.

"I only accept undivided love. If you can’t give that, we’re over."

Fabian’s face had turned pale as he hurriedly vowed never to betray her.

She thought that ridiculous idea had been buried then and there.

But Fabian had secretly married Natalie anyway, hiding her away and spending nights with her—all while their wedding was only two weeks away.

Angelina let out a bitter laugh, grateful she had discovered the truth before the wedding day.

Hearing no response on the line, Fabian sounded puzzled. "Angelina, are you listening?"

Angelina answered softly, "I’m not at home. Just head to the estate on your own. No need to pick me up."

"Why didn’t you tell me you were going out? I could’ve joined you," Fabian said, his tone full of concern.

Through the phone, Angelina heard faint sounds of rustling fabric and a woman’s soft breathing. Her expression grew colder.

"I was handling some things with the wedding planner. I’ve prepared a surprise for you and wanted to make sure it’s perfect," she replied.

"A surprise?" Fabian’s voice brimmed with excitement. "What kind of surprise?"

Angelina curved her lips into a faint smile. "If I told you now, it wouldn’t be a surprise. You’ll find out on our wedding day."

"Alright," Fabian said, his voice gentle. "I’ll look forward to it. See you tonight."

Before the call ended, Fabian exaggeratedly made kissing noises.

But Angelina knew those sounds weren’t his own. He was actually kissing another woman.

Pretending not to notice, she calmly looked at the disconnected call screen. Inside, though, her emotions churned like a storm.

Fabian, I hope you truly feel surprised when you see everything on our wedding day.

Chapter 2

After hanging up, Angelina didn’t head straight to the estate. Instead, she returned home.

The over-300-square-meter apartment, decorated with care by her and Fabian over the years, didn’t feel empty. On the contrary, it was warm and inviting.

She had once believed this place would always be her and Fabian’s home.

But since discovering Fabian’s betrayal last night, it no longer was.

The diamond rings they were supposed to exchange on their wedding day in two weeks had already been handed to Angelina.

The matching couple’s rings were designed by Fabian himself, every detail personally drawn out by him.

At the time, Fabian had held her in his arms, explaining with anticipation in his voice:

“These two rings have hidden grooves. When placed together, they form the shape of a heart, symbolizing that we’ll never be apart.”

Pulling herself out of the memory, Angelina retrieved the rings without hesitation and called the local delivery service.

“Hello, I’d like to arrange for a package to be sent…”

Since the bride on their wedding day would now be Natalie, these deeply symbolic rings naturally belonged to her.

Angelina arranged for the rings to be delivered at 9 a.m. on the wedding day. Watching the courier take them away, she felt a sense of relief.

The “home” she stood in, with its over 300 square meters, was filled with memories of her love with Fabian.

Before leaving, she would erase every trace of her presence here.

…

When Angelina arrived at the estate, her eyes were still red.

Mrs. Carnegie noticed her tearful appearance as she walked in and glanced behind her, puzzled by Fabian’s absence.

“Why are you crying?” she asked. “Did Fabian bully you?”

Angelina didn’t know who to confide her grievances to. No matter how kind Mrs. Carnegie was to her, she would always side with her son.

Forcing a smile, Angelina adjusted her expression. “No, it’s just that the wind outside was strong, and something got in my eye.”

She raised a hand to rub her eyes, discreetly wiping away the tears as she did so. She quickly returned to her usual self.

Mrs. Carnegie sighed in relief and said with a smile, “If Fabian ever bullies you, make sure to tell me. I’ll teach him a lesson.”

Shortly after Angelina arrived, Fabian’s car pulled into the underground garage.

When Fabian didn’t come up immediately, Mrs. Carnegie asked Angelina to call him.

In the garage, Angelina immediately spotted the one car with its interior lights still on.

Fabian sat inside, smoking, his attention fixed on his phone. He didn’t even notice her approach.

“You’re dressing like this to tempt me? You won’t be able to get out of bed tomorrow,” Fabian said into the phone.

On the other end, Natalie’s coy voice responded, “This is a treat for you. Don’t miss out. Remember to come tonight.”

Fabian cursed softly and said darkly, “Just wait and see what I do to you tonight.”

After hanging up, Fabian seemed unable to contain himself, lighting one cigarette after another to suppress his urges.

The Fabian Angelina saw today shattered the image she had held of him in her heart.

The man who had once seemed to love her so deeply was capable of giving his tenderness to two women at once—and with such passion for someone else.

A bitter smile tugged at Angelina’s lips as her stomach churned.

Hearing the car engine turn off, Fabian stubbed out his cigarette.

Just a second before he opened the door, Angelina quickly left the garage.

They returned upstairs almost simultaneously. The servants were setting the dishes on the dining table.

Mrs. Carnegie shot Fabian an annoyed look. “Why were you dawdling so long? Angelina had to go down to fetch you.”

Fabian froze, his face turning tense as he looked at Angelina.

“You came to find me?” he asked.

Angelina met his gaze calmly. “Yes, but I saw you on a call, so I came back up. Is something wrong?”

Fabian stared at her for a long moment, his nervous expression unchanged. “Did you hear who I was talking to?”

Angelina felt a surge of bitterness but didn’t let any of it show. “No, wasn’t it a client? Who else could it be?”

Her steady gaze seemed to ease Fabian’s tension. He softened, returning to his usual tender demeanor, and lightly ruffled her hair.

“No, it wasn’t a client. It was someone from the team handling next week’s charity gala. I’ve had new jewelry made just for you. No matter the occasion, you’ll always be the most dazzling one by my side.”

When Angelina had been rescued years ago, Fabian had organized periodic charity galas under the Carnegie Group’s name.

The funds raised were donated through a foundation named after Angelina, all to pray for her health and well-being.

Fabian, who didn’t believe in gods or spirits, had done all of this for her. At the time, Angelina had been deeply touched.

Now, her response was devoid of emotion. “Do as you see fit.”

After dinner, Mrs. Carnegie brought out a red sandalwood box and took out a jade bracelet, sliding it onto Angelina’s wrist.

“This is a Carnegie family heirloom, passed down to our daughters-in-law. After so many years, it’s finally yours.”

Mrs. Carnegie beamed with affection, her gaze flitting between Angelina and Fabian.

Angelina looked at the translucent jade bracelet that made her wrist appear even more slender and delicate, but she couldn’t appreciate its beauty.

Smiling faintly, she removed the bracelet and placed it back in the box.

“I understand what you mean, but such a significant gift should wait until the wedding day.”

Her tone was firm, leaving Mrs. Carnegie no choice but to agree to present it to her personally on the wedding day.

Noticing Fabian frequently checking the time, Angelina used it as an excuse to leave early.

On the way out, a sudden wave of abdominal pain reminded her that her period had come early.

Back at home, Fabian heated some water and personally helped Angelina remove her shoes and socks to soak her feet.

As she looked at the crown of his head, pain tore through her heart.

If he had already fallen out of love, why was he still treating her so kindly?

This display of affection—it turned out it could all be an act.

Lying in bed, Fabian placed a large hand on her abdomen, gently massaging it.

Sleepiness crept over her, but knowing Fabian’s true intentions, she couldn’t fully relax.

When her phone buzzed softly twice, Angelina felt Fabian take it. His breathing grew heavier, and the pressure from his hand increased.

As Fabian hoped, Angelina’s breathing gradually evened out, feigning the rhythm of sleep.

He quietly got out of bed, changed clothes, and hurried out the door.

Standing by the window, Angelina watched his car speed away. Her fingernails dug into her palms, yet she felt no pain.

Chapter 3

The next morning, when Angelina woke up, Fabian was already back and busy in the kitchen.

As soon as he saw Angelina step out of the bedroom, Fabian’s eyes curved into a warm smile.

"Come and try this dish I just learned to make. I heard it's good for your health during your period," he said cheerfully.

Angelina paused for a moment before sitting down at the dining table, watching Fabian with a searching gaze.

"Where did you go last night?" she asked.

Fabian’s smile froze for an instant, and he instinctively avoided her eyes before quickly regaining his composure.

He sat down beside her, his expression filled with concern as he gently held her hand.

"There was an urgent matter at work last night, so I stepped out for a while. I saw you were asleep and didn’t want to wake you. Did you have a nightmare?"

His eyes brimmed with genuine worry, not a trace of insincerity.

Angelina couldn’t understand how someone could separate love and intimacy, sharing them with two different people.

She didn’t respond, and Fabian pulled her into his arms, whispering comforting words. Then he called his assistant to schedule a medical check-up and have some medicine delivered.

Ever since being rescued, Angelina had relied on medication to fall asleep.

Even so, she often found herself reliving that night in her dreams—the smell of alcohol, hands covered in blood...

Out of concern for her, Fabian had spent a long period sleeping on the floor in her room, ready to comfort her the moment she woke from a nightmare.

Yet, despite all his care, Fabian had still betrayed her.

Angelina raised her head and noticed a faint kiss mark on Fabian's jawline.

At home, Fabian typically dressed casually, often leaving the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing his enticing Adam's apple.

But today, he had buttoned his shirt all the way to the top.

As he moved about, his rolled-up sleeves accidentally revealed a suggestive scratch on his arm.

Fabian seemed unaware that these small clues had already been exposed to Angelina.

The origin of these marks was self-evident.

Fabian scooped up a spoonful of food and brought it to Angelina.

The cloying sweetness of the dish, combined with what she had just noticed, made Angelina feel a wave of nausea. She hurriedly pushed him away and rushed to the bathroom.

Fabian followed her, his face full of concern. When he tried to wipe her mouth, Angelina suddenly lost control and shoved him away.

"Don’t touch me!"

Fabian’s hand froze mid-air, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Angelina, did I do something wrong?" he asked, his voice heavy with sadness.

Angelina took a deep breath to steady herself before speaking. "No, I was reading a novel and accidentally imagined you as one of the characters."

Fabian let out a relieved sigh and moved closer to wipe her face.

He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "What kind of novel were you reading to get so absorbed?"

Angelina looked up at him, meeting his gaze.

"It was about a couple that everyone envied. But the man couldn’t resist temptation and betrayed the woman. He wanted both but ended up with nothing."

"Fabian, would you ever be like that?"

Fabian’s hand trembled slightly before he quickly steadied it. He pulled her tightly into his arms.

"Novels aren’t real. No one can tear us apart. I’ll never stop loving you."

"Angelina, you have to trust in my love for you," Fabian said firmly, though it was unclear if he was trying to convince her or himself.

Later, Fabian took Angelina to the hospital for another check-up. Noticing her low spirits, he stayed by her side constantly over the following days.

Soon, it was the day of the charity gala. Fabian took Angelina to pick out a dress.

Angelina glanced disinterestedly around the store until her gaze lingered on a dark-colored gown.

Fabian noticed her interest and asked softly, "Do you like this one? If it fits, I’ll have it sent to our home."

Before Angelina could respond, a sales assistant approached with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, Miss Angelina, but this dress has already been reserved. Would you like me to recommend another style?"

Fabian’s expression darkened, and his tone brooked no argument. "Ask the customer if they’d be willing to let it go. If so, I’ll provide them with a new gown free of charge."

The sales assistant hesitated before leaning close to Fabian and whispering softly, "This dress was reserved by Miss Natalie."

Although her voice was low, Angelina heard her clearly.

She turned to Fabian, noting the fleeting changes in his expression. The sight was almost laughable.

"It’s just a dress," Fabian said gently. "I’ll ask her to let you have it, okay?"

Angelina shook her head indifferently. "I just thought it was a nice design. Whether it’s people or things, I have no interest in taking what belongs to someone else."

Fabian frowned slightly at the pointed remark, a flicker of unease flashing through him.

In the end, Angelina chose a blue dress on Fabian’s suggestion.

While she was in the fitting room, her phone screen lit up briefly, displaying a notification: "7 days remaining."