Chapter 1

"I'm not going to eat the food you made."

Estelle Sawford watched as the herbal medicine she spent five hours carefully preparing spilled all over the floor. She had no words for the pain in her heart.

Reading between the lines, Estelle welled up. She explained urgently, "No, this herbal medicine is meant to be good for your stomach. There's nothing else to it!"

Alison Harrington, the woman her family fostered since she was young, was meant to be married to Dillon Waverly. However, all Estelle's suffering happened because Dillon was drugged three years ago, which led to their one-night stand.

The Waverly family, for the sake of their family's and company's image, forced Dillon to marry her. Since then, her reputation had plummeted. Everyone assumed that she stole Alison's fiancé and broke up the couple who was originally in love with one another.

No matter how hard she tried to explain herself, no one believed her.

Despite their friendship of 20 years that began in their childhood, what Estelle got out of it was these cruel words from Dillon on the night of their wedding—"Estelle, you disgust me."

All these years, she had been trying her best to diffuse the tension between them.

Dillon had gastritis, so she did her best to learn cooking and pharmacology so she could cook for him herself. She gave up on her own career voluntarily to be a housewife and put all of her focus on Dillon.

This was because she always remembered Dillon to be the only one who stood firmly in support of her when she was mistreated by her family when she was young. He trusted her and sided with her, making her feel that she was still loved by someone in this world.

Subsequently, Alison was fostered by her family.

But because Alison framed her, her reputation was ruined. She was criticized by everyone else. Even the man who once said he would protect her forever now stood against her, along with everyone else.

It was Estelle's fault if Alison got injured. It was also her fault if Alison cried.

Estelle couldn't comprehend it. Was a friendship since childhood truly not a match for someone who showed up out of nowhere?

Even after all these years, she still could not get Dillon to warm up to her.

"Quit putting on an act. Alison fought hard to save me from the fire back then. What else are you capable of other than scheming? You can never be compared to her!"

Frightened by Dillon, Estelle staggered backward and fell onto the floor with a dull thud. The hideous burn scar on her back became exposed.

Compared to the pain in her knees from being cut by glass shards, the piercing pain in her heart from Dillon's words felt even worse.

She was obviously the one who saved Dillon's life back then. Because of that, she was even left with a hideous scar.

However, no matter how she tried to explain herself, no one believed her. They even rebuked her for uttering lies and said she faked her injury just to appear pitiful.

"Even though Alison was fostered and lived a difficult life since she was young, she's kindhearted. Now that she's finally become a ballerina, don't cause trouble for her again," Dillon warned in a low and deep voice.

Yesterday, Alison smashed her new trophy right in front of her. She then put the blame on Estelle, accusing her of breaking her trophy out of jealousy.

Estelle clarified, saying she wasn't the one who did it. Moreover, there was a surveillance camera in the room.

Yet, all she got in return was Dillon's admonishment and distrust. Without even checking the surveillance footage, he said she was cunning and jealous.

But she hadn't even done anything.

To Estelle, it felt like she had a lump at the back of her throat. She was about to explain herself when all of a sudden, a sharp pain shot through her stomach, and her face went as white as a sheet.

Trembling, she reached into her bag and searched frantically for painkillers.

"What do you have up your sleeve now?"

The noble Dillon bent forward and grabbed onto her wrist, squeezing her so hard that it felt like he was going to crush her bones.

"Are you planning to recreate what happened back then?"

Estelle broke out in a cold sweat from the pain. Suddenly, she felt a metallic taste spread on the back of her tongue, and she threw up fresh blood onto the expensive carpet at her feet.

It was a horrific sight.

Dillon was taken aback. The warmth from the blood that splattered on his hands sent a shudder down his spine. Right after that, a thought seemed to flash across his mind, and the look in his eyes dimmed gradually.

"Stop pretending. If you're going to die, go do it elsewhere. Don't kick the bucket before me. You're filthy!"

Upon saying that, he spun around and left without turning back.

Meanwhile, Estelle slumped on the floor like a wilted plant that had been cut off. She started tearing up uncontrollably.

After loving this man for over 20 years, this was what she heard from him in the end.

Aggrieved and dissatisfied, she broke down in tears of sorrow. Her warm tears trickled into a teary puddle on the floor.

Shakily, she picked the medicine up from the floor and swallowed it while trying to hold back her tears. The pain in her stomach eased up, but not the pain in her heart.

Right at this moment, her phone rang out of the blue. With much difficulty, she answered the call. A childhood friend, Seth Lancaster, called.

"Estelle, have you thought it through? What you really need right now is to get treated at the hospital!"

Estelle slumped on the floor in pain. She choked and could not bring herself to utter a word.

Suppressing her emotions again and again, she finally answered in a strenuous voice, "I-I'll think about it."

Seth growled fiercely, "Estelle, are you giving up your life because of Dillon? Don't you know that you only have three months left to live if you continue to refuse treatment?"

After saying that, he hung up angrily.

Estelle lowered her hand helplessly and let out an exasperated laugh.

Yesterday, she found out that she had late-stage stomach cancer. After finding out about this, her world collapsed.

She wanted to share this news with Dillon, but she did not see him come home even after she sat in the living room the entire night, waiting for him. It wasn't until later that she found out that he had gone to spend time with Alison.

Right now, her only wish was to clear up the misunderstandings with Dillon so that he would care for her tenderly just like he did when they were young. Then, she would be able to leave this world without any regrets.

Nevertheless, that seemed to just be wishful thinking.

Dillon despised her to the core, so much so that he wished she'd go to hell so that he could be together with Alison.

A gust of wind blew through the windows, and a drawing of an intricately designed wedding dress fell gently before her.

Her gaze seemed to be fixed on the paper. She could not direct her gaze elsewhere no matter how she tried. She managed to get a clear view of the wedding date written on the bottom right corner of the drawing paper.

It was no wonder Dillon forced her to get a divorce again a few months ago. As it turned out, it was because of this.

He was finally getting his wish of getting back together with the woman he loved.

But their wedding date was actually the same day as the day of her expected death.

Probably no one would know about her death. After all, he wanted to give Alison a grand wedding celebration.

Her tears dripped onto the drawing paper, wetting the dreamy drawing.

Right at this moment, the door was pushed open. Alison strutted into the office in that elegant and classy white dress of hers. Her appearance was a stark difference from Estelle, who had collapsed awkwardly on the floor.

Glee flickered across her eyes. Pretending to be surprised, she exclaimed, "Oh, dear! What are you doing sitting on the floor, Estelle? How could Dillon treat you like this?"

"It's none of your business."

Estelle wanted to get to her feet.

The woman before her eyes was a poor student whom her parents had previously sponsored. She was like a younger sister to her, but more than that, she was the woman whom Dillon loved.

Alison scoffed. She lifted her foot, stomped the tip end of her high heel onto the back of Estelle's hand, and ground down hard.

Estelle screamed. The sharp pain caused her to gasp sharply.

As much as she wanted to pull her hand back, her hand was pinned down firmly under Alison's foot.

Alison sneered slyly. Slowly, she bent forward and extended her arm to pick up the design drawing that had fallen onto the floor.

"This is the wedding dress that Dillon designed for me. What do you think? It's beautiful, isn't it?

"Dillon said he would organize the grandest wedding ceremony for me and make me the happiest woman in the world.

"It's just such a pity for you, though, Estelle. But I'm sure you'll give us your blessings, won't you?"

Estelle's fingers had gone numb under Alison's shoe, and beads of cold sweat rolled down her forehead.

"Oh, no, I'm really sorry, Estelle! I didn't notice your hand there."

Then, Alison moved her foot away. She crouched down and whispered to Estelle in an evil and cunning voice, "Why did you throw up blood, though?

"Oh, right. I heard your mother passed on because of stomach cancer, too. How pitiful."

Chapter 2

Estelle held her breath. Tears swirled in her eyes as she stared fixedly at Alison, who was towering over her.

Estelle was once doted on by her family like a princess. Her brothers always gave her the best, while her mother, Aurora Green, showered her with unconditional love.

At that time, she felt like she was the happiest person on earth. But later on, everything changed.

Aurora's family had a history of hereditary cancer. After finding out that she had cancer, Aurora insisted on bringing her baby—Estelle—to term. That caused her condition to worsen, and she passed away when Estelle was five years old.

After that, Estelle's brothers resented and hated her for causing Aurora's death. After Alison came into the Sawford family, they became biased toward her. Even her father, Bobby Sawford, disliked her and prioritized Alison in everything.

She had to give up clothes, jewelry, and even her man just because Alison liked them.

But those were her family members.

At that time, Dillon was the only one who looked after her like an older brother ever since she was young. Because of him, Estelle experienced what it was like to be loved and cared for. Even after Dillon gradually sided with Alison and became her boyfriend, he still treated her very well.

She loved him, which was why she was willing to marry him despite the criticisms that were directed at her. However, the affection between them was mercilessly destroyed on that night three years ago.

Even so, a cunning woman like Alison had no right to insult her family, let alone mock her.

Estelle forced herself to climb to her feet and stand up straight. Looking at Alison with a sarcastic smirk on her face, she said, "Before this, I was Dillon's wife while you were just a secret lover. Why are you being so smug?

"You are just a pitiful woman who relied on my family's financial support. Did you really think you were one of us Sawfords?

"Did you think that you could take my place by playing some tricks? Whether your calculated plot involves my family or Dillon, all you deserve is to live under my shadow.

"Do you understand me?"

After saying that, Estelle turned around and walked off, oblivious to the resentful gaze coming from Alison behind her.

…

As Estelle sat in the cab, everything that happened between her and Dillon the past three years flashed through her mind.

Yet, not a single thing was worth remembering. In this marriage, all she received was endless hurt and neglect.

Dillon should not be at the endpoint of her life.

As she dragged her feet into Dillon's place, an intense fragrance of roses wafted up her nose. She covered her nose and mouth instinctively, and her nose started to itch.

Before her eyes was a massive bed of blooming and bright-colored roses, swaying gently in the wind.

How beautiful.

Nonetheless, to Estelle, this was life-threatening poison. Though, it probably didn't really matter anymore since she was about to die anyway.

She bent forward to touch the beautiful roses but found her finger being cut by a sharp thorn instead. A drop of bright red blood dripped onto the ground.

Sorrow welled up in her heart. As expected, she'd have to pay the price even for getting close to something that did not belong to her.

Dillon had planted this bed of roses for Alison just because she liked it.

Estelle once protested and requested him not to plant the flowers by explaining to him that she could die from her allergy to pollen. But Dillon's reply was, "You could just get the hell out of here, then."

The alluring flowers before her eyes reminded her of her inferiority and her wounded pride in this marriage.

It became more and more difficult for her to breathe. She shut her eyes momentarily before finally turning around and stepping away.

She turned the dial on the safe in the room. In the safe was a divorce agreement.

Three years ago, with a heart full of delight, nervousness, and anticipation, she waited to spend her wedding night with Dillon. Yet, what she received was not love and tenderness from him. Instead, it was a divorce agreement.

With her trembling hands, Estelle retrieved the agreement from the safe. There was a slight tremor in the paper as she held onto it.

Dissatisfaction, grievance, and pain… All sorts of conflicted emotions interweaved with one another. But more than that, she felt a sense of relief and liberation.

She decided to let go and end this marriage that had happened by mistake.

Right at this moment, she heard a click, and the door flung open. Dillon staggered into the room, smelling very much like alcohol.

"You drank—"

Estelle stood up. Just as she was about to speak, he strode to her all of a sudden, pulled her into his arms, and started smooching her with great passion and dominance.

"Why, you—" Estelle widened her eyes. After coming back to her senses, she tried her very best to push him away.

However, his strength was shocking. Holding her by her waist, he pinned her down onto the bed. As he planted kisses around her neck, the heat made Estelle quiver all over.

"We can't. Dillon, open your eyes. You're drunk!"

Urgently, Estelle cried out, "Calm down!"

Dillon heaved as he touched every inch of her supple skin. The temperature in the room continued to rise.

He titillated Estelle till she was panting, and an uncomfortable moan escaped her lips. An amorous air filled the room as the atmosphere around them tensed up.

"Al…"

Just as they were about to lose control, Estelle heard the word that Dillon mumbled through his lips. Her entire body went cold.

As expected, he thought she was someone else. Even at a time like this, it was Alison's name he called out.

Estelle's lips quivered as the flush on her cheeks drained from her face, leaving her looking pale and hopeless.

"Dillon." She pushed hard against Dillon's chest. "Take a good look at me. I'm not Alison!"

He grabbed onto her resisting hands and pinned them down onto the bed. Then, he slipped his fingers slowly between hers.

"Stay still. Be good."

"No."

Estelle failed to resist him. He ended up overpowering her, and she found herself absorbed into yet another heartbreaking night.

Chapter 3

Early in the morning, sun rays shone through the curtains.

Estelle lay in bed, looking as white as a sheet. Suddenly, she heard a husky voice asking, "Are you awake now?"

With a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, Dillon emerged from the bathroom. The water that was still dripping off his hair trickled down onto his well-defined abdomen, giving him an inexplicably sensual appearance.

A glint flickered through Estelle's otherwise-dull eyes.

As she got up in bed, the covers slipped off her body. The reddish-purple spots on her fair skin that could be seen on the parts of her body that were uncovered reminded them of what a wild night it was last night.

Yet, all that unrestrained fervor was only because of Alison.

Dillon knitted his brows together when he noticed how Estelle was keeping to herself and staying silent. He pursed his lips tightly, especially after he saw the marks on Estelle's body. For some reason, his chest felt stuffy.

But once he thought of the things that happened with Estelle in the past, his heartache died down instantly.

"Isn't this what you've always been yearning for?"

Dillon strode to the couch and sat down. Then, he retrieved a cigarette from the drawer and lit it like he always did. Clouds of smoke obscured the frigidity on his face.

He continued, "To use your body to secure your position as Mrs. Waverly. So, you don't have to act so miserable."

Estelle's numb heart wrenched again. Smiling bitterly, she bore with the soreness in her body as she picked up the divorce agreement.

"Let's get a divorce, Dillon," she said in a soft yet clear voice.

The look in Dillon's eyes turned dark.

After a long time, he took a puff of his cigarette slowly. Forcing a sarcastic smile, he asked, "Do you know what you're saying?"

"I do."

The cold and sharp gaze in Dillon's eyes seemed to gaze right through Estelle's soul.

"Is it because you feel like it was of no use for you to fight relentlessly, so you're now planning to play hard-to-get?"

Estelle took a deep breath and replied in a firm tone, "No. I'm serious about it. If you have nothing to say about the divorce agreement, you can sign it right now."

Once he signed it, everything that kept them entangled with one another would come to an end.

The smile disappeared from Dillon's face gradually as he put his cigarette out in the ashtray. Then, he strode to Estelle and leaned into her from above, invading her space.

"You put in so much effort in the first place, only to say that you want to get a divorce now that you've got everything you wanted? Did you think that I'd believe you, Estelle?"

Like a sharp blade, his frosty gaze pierced through her heart. Even so, she was not going to be sad or hurt by his words like she used to be in the past.

Looking straight into his eyes, she replied, "Whether you believe me or not, I had no hand in what happened back then. All you need to do is to sign this, and I will never pester you again in the future.

"Isn't this what you have been hoping for, too?"

Dillon studied the look in Estelle's eyes deeply, as if he was trying to find even the slightest hint that she was pulling his leg.

But there was none. She was serious about this.

Logically speaking, he should be happy. However, for some reason, he felt extremely frustrated.

Estelle put in so much effort to marry him in the first place. How could she be the one asking for a divorce now?

She had to be having some trick up her sleeve.

"You have no right to decide this!"

Estelle opened her mouth to speak, but Dillon's phone rang. He looked at the caller ID, then answered the call immediately. He softened his tone and asked, "What's up, Al?"

Alison's soft voice sounded in the empty room, and the expression on Dillon's face became tense instantly.

"Okay. Wait for me. I'll be right there."

Upon saying that, he strode off hurriedly.

Looking at the agreement in her hands, Estelle let out a mocking scoff. He wasn't even giving her the chance to free herself, was he?

…

That same afternoon, Estelle put on a simple-looking strap dress along with light makeup that covered the complexion of her face. Then, she flagged a cab to go to a charity auction.

Everyone assumed she was a weak woman who had to rely on Dillon in order to survive.

Nevertheless, what they didn't know was the fact that she was not only a famous collector in the country but also a top appraiser who had unique taste and was capable of identifying the genuineness of an item with just one look.

Everything she was capable of doing and everything she had was far more than what people perceived of her.

The chandeliers at the charity auction gave off a brilliance that shone down on everything beneath them.

Distinguished individuals of various fields sat in their seats as they chatted with one another in low voices.

"I heard the world-famous, first-rate collector will be coming, too."

"Are you referring to the mysterious Alex?"

"Damn! If she's here, it means there'll be some mysterious treasure today!"

None of them were aware that the person they referred to as "Alex" had just walked past them in a baggy T-shirt.

Estelle curled her lips upward slightly while she listened to the chatter between them.

She was the so-called "Alex".

Aurora was the daughter of a museum's head curator. Everyone assumed she had cut ties with her family because she insisted on being together with Bobby.

However, that was not the case.

The reason why Estelle was able to have such achievements was thanks to the support of her maternal grandfather, Carlson Green, who created a platform for her.

At the same time, she was a natural talent who had great memory and high appraisal standards toward the materials, workmanship, and history of every work of art.

For five years, using her identity as "Alex", Estelle would create waves in the market each time she took action.

With just one word from her, she would be able to cause the price of an artwork to fluctuate. Whenever auctions had items of significance to be auctioned, they would send her an invitation months in advance.

A description of her had been spreading throughout the world of collectors.

The moment Alex nodded her head, she would be able to make even the most inconspicuous of art pieces shoot to fame overnight.

Everyone here had heard of Alex.

But she wasn't here because of some treasure. Instead, it was for those useless shards.

She sat in a corner, waiting quietly. The auction went on in an organized manner, with the auction items being bid for one by one.

When that piece of art that was carefully made out of shards of crystals was presented, Estelle's eyes lit up immediately.

The crystals reflected a mystical gleam under the light. The moment it was introduced, it caught the attention of many.

However, the amazement was brief. The excitement died down soon enough.

"Why is some glass being auctioned?"

"You're not aware, are you? This piece used to be extremely valuable. If I'm not mistaken, it became flawed because of a fire."

"An imperfect piece of art is worthless."

The auctioneer and a staff member backstage were rendered speechless as they shot one another a look. The latter shook his head helplessly, so the former could only speed up the auction progress.

"If this item doesn't appeal to all of you, we will continue—"

Right at this moment, someone called out through the noise in a bright and crisp voice, "Five million dollars."

Chapter 4

The crowd was astonished. When they looked toward the voice, they saw a woman in a simple outfit in the corner, lifting the signage in her hand.

"Who's that?"

"I've never seen her before."

People started whispering. They had mocking, condescending, and disdainful looks on their faces. But more than that, they were simply enjoying the bustle.

They felt that Estelle was just an idiot with too much money to spend and no knowledge on how to differentiate between something that was good or bad.

Nonetheless, Estelle didn't care at all.

Collectors didn't just look at the value of an item. They had to consider the meaning behind an item, too. To her, this broken crystal carried significant meaning.

Dillon had made this decorative crystal item personally for her birthday back then. However, it was ruined in the same fire that destroyed their relationship.

Right at this moment, a gut-wrenching pain pierced through her stomach. Alarmed, she rushed to the washroom. The moment she leaned over a sink, she couldn't hold herself back anymore and threw up a mouthful of fresh blood.

Her breathing quickened, and the pain from her stomach drained all the color from her face.

Estelle grabbed her medication from her bag and swallowed a dosage that was more than her usual. It was only after a long while that the pain subsided.

With her shaky hands, she turned the tap on to wash away the blood in the sink. Then, she plodded weakly out of the washroom.

All of a sudden, a voice remarked in a mocking tone from behind her, "Why, this is such a coincidence! I didn't think I'd bump into you again here, Estelle."

She turned around, only to see Alison standing behind her in a white evening gown, sizing her up as if she were a clown.

When Alison noticed the fresh blood on Estelle's calf, she scoffed. "You didn't have a miscarriage, did you, Estelle?"

Estelle furrowed her brows and looked toward her calf. Then, she let out a laugh. "That's a speculation I'd expect from someone with cunning thoughts."

Alison's face fell.

Just as she was about to argue, a familiar, tall figure walked in their direction. She forced herself to contain the fury within her and to look toward Dillon with tears in her eyes.

The tall and handsome Dillon was wearing a presentable, customized suit today. When he stood next to Alison, the contrast between their black and white outfits made them look like an exceptionally matching couple.

He removed his jacket and put it gently over her shoulders.

"Are you alright?"

Alison nodded slightly, then leaned limply on him intentionally.

But when Dillon looked toward Estelle, the tenderness in his eyes turned cold. He questioned, "What are you trying to do now, Estelle? Didn't I warn you previously to be more respectful toward Alison?"

Estelle sneered. "How did I disrespect her?"

As if he hadn't expected her to argue, Dillon was stunned. Thereafter, his expression darkened even further.

"Don't deny it. Let me warn you—if I find out that you pushed Alison around again, I will not consider the friendship we shared since we were kids."

Upon saying that, he picked Alison up in a princess carry and walked off without looking back.

A smug grin came across Alison's face as she stared at Estelle.

After they left, Estelle straightened her outfit to leave, but she noticed a piece of paper that had fallen onto the floor.

She paused momentarily before walking over and picking the piece of paper up. After reading the contents on the paper, she widened her eyes.

It was a pregnancy report.

Alison was actually… pregnant?

Despite knowing that the relationship between Dillon and Alison was no longer pure, Estelle's heart still wrenched in pain when she saw proof of that with her own eyes.

There was so much pain in her heart that it became difficult for her to breathe. With much difficulty, she placed her hand on the wall next to her for support.

No wonder. It was no wonder that Dillon was in such a rush to have his wedding ceremony with Alison. As it turned out, it was because of this… This was so insulting and ridiculous.

As Estelle laughed, she was brought to tears. The tears in her eyes blurred her vision, and the pain in her stomach intensified so much that it became unbearable.

"Estelle."

When Seth came to look for her, what he saw was her crying all on her own.

"What happened?" He ran over to the crumbling Estelle and held onto her to support her.

Instinctively, she tightened her grasp over the report in her hand and shook her head gently. "I'm fine."

Seth had the impression that she was crying over the fact that she had cancer. Concern filled his eyes as he urged, "Estelle, stop forcing yourself to hold everything together.

"Come with me to receive treatment. As long as you continue complying with the treatments and take your medications on time, you'll be able to find relief from your symptoms."

Suddenly, they heard a husky and frigid voice ask, "Medications? What medications?

"Are they medications to prevent you from being promiscuous? Estelle, how long are you going to put on this act of trying to gain sympathy by pretending to be weak?"

"Pretending to be weak?" Seth lifted his eyes and shot Dillon a sharp glare. He let out a condescending scoff when he noticed the way he looked at Estelle. "Mr. Waverly, be nicer with your words, won't you? Estelle is—"

"Seth." Estelle shook her head slightly, signaling to Seth not to tell Dillon the truth.

Upon seeing that, Seth frowned and glanced at Dillon resentfully. Then, he gazed at Estelle with a helpless look in his eyes. "He doesn't even care about you. Why do you have to hide the truth from him?"

This pair shared a secret? A bout of frustration rose in Dillon's heart when he saw how close the two were. He wanted to step forward to pull them apart.

Alison clenched her hands into fists. The envy concealed in her eyes was so close to brimming over.

She gave Estelle another fierce glare and took a deep breath. In the blink of an eye, tears pooled in her eyes as she looked toward Dillon pitifully. "Dillon, my stomach feels off."

Dillon became flustered immediately after he heard what Alison said. He grabbed her wrist tightly and asked out of concern, "Are you okay? Let's go to the hospital right now."

Estelle couldn't help but smile.

There—as long as Alison was involved, Dillon would protect her as if he had lost his mind.

She no longer wished to watch them. She looked toward Seth and urged, "It's getting late. Let's go."

While she said that, she pressed her hand onto her stomach subconsciously. The pain in her stomach caused her to break out in a cold sweat. Even walking became difficult for her.

Noticing her distress, Seth took her by her wrist. He prompted, "Let's go."

Estelle froze for a moment. But since she didn't want Dillon and Alison to notice anything amiss about her, she leaned closer to Seth so that she could advance with him as her support.

Suddenly, she let out a cry.

Chapter 5

Someone with strong arms had grabbed onto Estelle's arms and pulled her out of Seth's hold.

She moaned out of discomfort. A ringing started in her head, and she felt like her insides had been shaken up.

Dillon was taken aback when he saw the pained expression on her face. Shortly after, a mocking gleam came across his eyes.

"Did you think that acting like you're in pain can make me sympathize with you?"

With much effort, Estelle gathered her emotions before lifting her head and glancing nonchalantly at Dillon.

With her hand over her throbbing stomach, she jeered at herself. "Mr. Waverly, you're right. I'm just acting like I'm in pain so you can sympathize with me. Did I scare you with my acting skills?"

When Dillon heard that, the frigidity in his eyes intensified.

Alison took a glance at Dillon, who was infuriated because of Estelle. She blurted, "Estelle, Dillon was just worried about you. Don't be so stubborn. Go home."

Upon hearing Alison's voice, Estelle directed her gaze toward her. Then, she looked down on the floor.

"Neither of you has to worry about me. Didn't you say your stomach was feeling off? Get Dillon to send you to the hospital."

"Let's go. Don't make me repeat myself," Dillon prompted in an impatient voice while he furrowed his brows.

"Estelle." Seth looked at her with a concerned gaze.

Estelle glanced toward Seth and forced a helpless smile onto her face.

"Estelle," Dillon called out her name once again.

Expressionlessly, she directed her attention toward him. "What else do you want?"

As he saw how cold her attitude was toward him and how her dull eyes were devoid of any emotion, that same, frustrated feeling surged in his heart again.

The look in his eyes turned colder as he fixed his eyes on her. It was as if he was wanting to kill her with his gaze.

Estelle simply smiled and didn't look at him again.

"Let's go," she said to Seth.

Then, she straightened her back and forced herself to bear with the heart-wrenching pain while she walked forward.

Nevertheless, she had just taken one step forward when Dillon pulled her back again.

She lost control and fell into a warm embrace. At that instant, that familiar, frosty fragrance surrounded her.

Dillon put his arms around her waist domineeringly. Once again, a frigid and terrifyingly vicious gleam came across his eyes.

As they looked into one another's eyes, Estelle welled up with sorrow. She pushed her hands against Dillon's chest, her eyes turning misty before she even realized it. "Let go of me!"

Upon hearing that, Dillon tightened his hold around her waist.

She squirmed to free herself, but seeing as she couldn't free herself from him, she sneered. "Dillon, don't tell me you're jealous."

"Jealous?"

Dillon released her immediately as a look of disgust came across his eyes. "You are still married to me. I do not subscribe to the practice of being cheated on. Watch your mouth and behavior."

After saying that, he shot Seth a scornful glare. "Do you find it fun playing with a slut like her who can't live without a man?"

"Dillon Waverly!"

Estelle's eyes reddened. How could he humiliate her like this?

"Estelle." Seth gazed at her caringly. Then, he gave her a warm smile and continued, "I'm not bothered by what Mr. Waverly said."

Seeing the smile on his face, Estelle lowered her head in embarrassment. Maybe she shouldn't have come here.

Dillon's rage escalated. He put his arms around Estelle's waist again without even realizing it. He tilted his chin upward and stared condescendingly at Seth. "Or, are you interested in coveting someone else's wife?"

"Why, you—" Seth's face flushed red in anger.

Then, Dillon scoffed. In a cold voice, he warned, "Estelle is still my wife. Please watch your behavior."

The mention of the word "wife" made the look of sympathy in Seth's eyes become even more obvious.

Gazing at Estelle with compassion, he said, "Mr. Waverly, you shouldn't force someone to do something they're not willing to.

"Can't you see that Estelle doesn't want to leave with you?"

"Oh?" Dillon grabbed Estelle's chin and forced her to look up at him. Seeing the glistening tears in her eyes, he tightened his grasp on her chin, as if he wanted to crush her.

He bent forward slightly and lifted the corners of his lips into a nasty smirk. "She doesn't want to leave with me? She will heed even if I make her strip and do it with me right here. She's someone who can't live without a man and can get in the mood at any time.

"Do you feel she can be trusted?"

"Dillon…" More tears were swirling in Alison's eyes now.

She wasn't blind. She could clearly see the anger in Dillon's eyes. He should be despising Estelle, not looking at her with other emotions in his eyes.

Nonetheless, he continued staring at Estelle as if he hadn't heard Alison.

Estelle started chuckling bitterly. Compared to the pain in her stomach, the pain in her heart was way worse.

As it turned out, this was how horrid a person she had become to Dillon.

"Dillon," she called out his name in a gentle voice.

Lifting her head again, the look in her eyes was now calm. With a slight hoarseness in her voice, she said, "Alison is very important to you, while Seth is also very important to me. If you're not liking what you see, let's get a divorce right now."

"Shut up!"

Hearing Estelle mention divorce again infuriated Dillon. He released his hold on her in disdain, then gave Seth another cold stare.

Without saying another word, he grabbed Estelle and pulled her out, completely disregarding the cold sweat on her forehead. He hadn't even noticed that she couldn't really walk and that he was basically dragging her out.

He shoved her into the car, then sat in the car after her.

"Drive."

When Estelle heard Dillon's icy command, she couldn't hold back the bloodiness that gushed up her throat. Out of reflex, she put her hands over her mouth and hunched forward.

Dillon let out an exasperated laugh when he saw that. "Is this how much you hate it when I touch you?"