Chapter 1

"Congratulations, Ms. Lovelace. Your blood test results show that you're seven weeks pregnant. Make sure to get plenty of rest and eat nutritious meals. Also, do remember to take your folic acid, and come in for regular checkups."

Sara Lovelace took in the doctor's words, her hands instinctively moving to her abdomen. It was hard to believe that a tiny life was growing inside her.

She'd been feeling queasy lately, with no appetite and waves of nausea coming and going. She had thought it was just a stomach bug and had come to the hospital expecting a prescription. Pregnancy hadn't even crossed her mind.

As Sara clutched the test results, she stepped out of the hospital, uncertain of whether or not to tell Spencer Tiernan the news.

She pulled out her phone and opened his profile—the one etched into her heart—then closed it, only to open it again.

Back and forth she went, unable to make up her mind. Finally, she sat on a bench by a flowerbed near the hospital entrance.

Three years ago, Sara's grandfather, Neil Lovelace—the only family she had left—fell seriously ill. She'd brought him to the city for treatment, where they'd met another elderly man at the hospital.

It turned out that Neil and the elderly man, Oswin Tiernan, had been comrades-in-arms, and Neil had once saved Oswin's life. Oswin was also Spencer's grandfather.

Neil and Oswin's reunion was deeply emotional after decades of lost contact. However, by then, Neil's condition had worsened, and with Sara's future on his mind, he'd entrusted her to Oswin's care.

The moment Oswin saw Sara, he decided that she would be his granddaughter-in-law. So, he quickly pressured Spencer into marrying her, and Neil passed away not long after their rushed marriage.

Oswin had asked Sara if she would marry Spencer at the time. She'd softly nodded, her cheeks flushed.

Sara did like Spencer, though she wasn't sure when it had started. Maybe it was during their first meeting at the hospital when he'd pushed open the ward door.

Sunlight had streamed through the window behind him, illuminating his sculpted features. His striking eyes were sharp yet mesmerizing. Needless to say, he was absolutely breathtaking.

Sara assumed that Spencer had married her of his own accord. But only later did she learn he had only agreed under Oswin's pressure.

In reality, Sara and Spencer's marriage was nothing more than a contractual arrangement. Three years ago, the night before their marriage registration, he handed her an agreement to sign.

"Grandpa made quite a scene just to force me to marry you. Since you seem desperate for it, I'll give you the title of Mrs. Tiernan, but that's it. Nothing more. We'll divorce in three years."

The agreement spelled out the terms—they would split after three years, and having kids was off the table. Sara would also receive the shared villa along with a generous divorce settlement.

Sara realized that she was the only one who had truly wanted the marriage when she saw the agreement.

She didn't read the terms. She couldn't bear to let Spencer see how she really felt or humiliate herself further. Quickly, she signed her name and handed it back to him.

The next day, they got their marriage certificates without a wedding.

"Sara, I'm sorry you have to go through this. We'll have to postpone the wedding ceremony for now," Oswin told her.

Spencer had agreed to the marriage but refused to consider a wedding. It left Sara feeling wounded. "It's alright, Grandpa. I understand," she'd said softly.

After marrying, they moved into Spencer's private villa.

Since Spencer didn't like having outsiders around, they decided not to hire a maid.

Left without a job, Sara spent her days cooking at home and waiting for Spencer to return, though he rarely did. More often than not, she ate alone.

The first year passed without any real problems. They slept in separate rooms and only saw each other on weekends when visiting the Tiernan residence for dinner.

Spencer's parents had died in a plane crash when he was young. It left Oswin with a grief so overwhelming that it'd nearly broke him.

At the time, Spencer had just started middle school and was old enough to understand the loss. Soon, his once cheerful nature faded into silence from then on.

Even so, it was Spencer who gave Oswin the strength to keep going.

Oswin had raised the boy alone, and Spencer proved himself worthy and eventually built a successful company after graduation. It was an achievement that made Oswin incredibly proud.

As the company's CEO, Spencer was constantly busy. So, Sara often visited Oswin to keep him company. She couldn't help but feel the same warmth around him that she'd once felt with Neil.

The change between them likely began about a year into their marriage.

One night, Spencer had come home very late, completely drunk. Sara had rushed to steady him when the driver helped him inside.

Together, they brought Spencer to the master bedroom—the room Sara had been sleeping alone in. She couldn't risk revealing the truth about their arrangement with the driver still around.

After settling Spencer on the bed, the driver left.

Sara then carefully unbuttoned his clothes. However, a sudden warmth rose to her cheeks as Spencer's chest was gradually exposed.

Sara was about to leave when his hand caught hers as she stood up. Having lost her balance, she fell onto him.

"Don't leave me," Spencer murmured while holding her tightly.

Sara froze, unsure of how to respond. Suddenly, Spencer rolled over and pinned her beneath him. His glassy eyes lingered on her face for several seconds.

His usually sharp features appeared almost boyish, as if softened by the alcohol. Then, he kissed her without warning.

Sara's mind went blank as she surrendered to his touch.

…

The next morning, Sara woke up early, dreading the awkwardness of facing Spencer. She pushed aside the discomfort, showered, and made breakfast before he emerged from the bedroom.

"Last night—" he started.

"Breakfast is ready," Sara quickly interrupted, unwilling to hear whatever painful words might follow. She already knew it had been nothing more than a mistake.

With that, they ate together in silence.

"You should get emergency contraception later," Spencer finally said.

Sara looked up.

"We can't risk a pregnancy," he added, unusually direct.

"I know. I'll handle it." Sara's heart ached, but she managed a faint smile.

From that day on, something changed between them.

They went from strangers sharing a roof to something resembling a real married couple, though love remained absent.

They began sharing a bedroom, sleeping in the same bed to maintain the appearance of a normal marriage. However, their intimacy was limited to those nights when Spencer came home late. He would slip into bed and pull Sara into his arms from behind.

Later on, Spencer began sending WhatsApp messages to let Sara know whether he'd be home for dinner. Their visits to the Tiernan residence increased in frequency too.

Oswin was growing older, and he naturally longed for a great-grandchild. He asked increasingly persistent questions about when they would have children, especially as their third wedding anniversary approached.

Just then, the ping of a WhatsApp notification snapped Sara from her thoughts.

"I won't be home for dinner." The message came from Spencer.

"Alright," Sara replied by text. Then, upon remembering his sensitive stomach, she added, "Try not to drink too much."

No reply followed.

Sara still couldn't bring herself to tell Spencer about the pregnancy. Their relationship had grown closer over the past two years, but she knew the truth—he'd never once said he loved her, because he didn't.

This left Sara with countless uncertainties, but one certainty remained—she would keep the child.

With Spencer away for the night, she decided to visit the Tiernan residence to see Oswin. She hadn't been able to visit ever since she'd started feeling unwell.

Chapter 2

Sara arrived at the Tiernan residence, where the butler, Bruce Conroy, greeted her. "Mrs. Tiernan, you're here. Mr. Tiernan Senior is in the garden," he said.

"Thank you. I'll go see him myself," Sara replied with a faint smile.

The household staff in the Tiernan family all liked Sara for her down-to-earth and approachable manner.

Sara made her way to the garden, where Oswin sat in a chair with a cup of tea beside him.

His face brightened when he saw her coming. He exclaimed, "Sara, you're here! Come, sit with me. Spencer didn't come along?"

"No, Grandpa. He's tied up at the office today, so I came on my own," Sara replied.

"That rascal is always buried in work."

"The company keeps him busy. He has more on his plate than most as CEO."

"You're always quick to defend him. Stay and have dinner with me tonight."

"Of course, Grandpa," Sara replied, the corner of her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Dinner passed, and shortly after, Sara received a call from Spencer's childhood friend, Luke Yaeger.

"Sara, we're at Nightdive. Spencer had a bit too much to drink. Can you come pick him up?"

"Alright, I'll head over now."

After saying goodbye to Oswin, Sara left immediately.

…

Five men sat together in the exclusive VIP booth at Nightdive. Each of them was strikingly handsome, but the one lounging in the center was easily the most breathtaking of them all.

They'd all grown up together in the same privileged neighborhood—Spencer Tiernan was the oldest, followed by Zayn Moore, Hans Quinton, Finn Jordaine, and the youngest, Luke Yaeger.

Spencer had definitely drunk too much that night. He felt unwell and just wanted to lie down for a while.

Soon, his hands rose to rub his temples.

"What's up with Spencer tonight? He never drinks like this."

Even Luke, usually the least observant of the group, could tell that something was wrong with Spencer.

"Clementine's coming back tomorrow."

The person who spoke, Zayn Moore, had a face so flawless that even women envied it.

"Shit, why the hell is she coming back?" Luke blurted out before he could stop himself.

"Who knows?"

"Zayn, how'd you find out?"

"Spencer told me."

"Hmph. Spencer tells you everything. Guess I'm not his Lukey anymore."

"You never were," said a man in the black shirt.

"Hans Quinton!"

The group burst out laughing.

"You don't think Spencer still has feelings for her and wants to rekindle things, do you? What about Sara?"

"Let's not get involved. Spencer can handle it himself. I'm heading out," Finn said. He had an early business trip the next day, and Spencer had assigned him some tasks too.

"We're leaving too. Luke, you've got Spencer—make sure he gets home safe," Zayn and Hans simultaneously said.

After that, the three men walked away without hesitation.

"Hey! Wait! You can't just leave Spencer like this!"

"You're the one with nothing better to do. Of course you're the one responsible for him."

Without a second thought for Luke's feelings, the three of them left.

After that, Luke stared at Spencer sprawled out on the couch and thought about Sara. He thought about how kind, beautiful, and understanding she was.

He then pulled out his phone and called her to come pick Spencer up.

…

When Sara arrived at Nightdive, she found Luke alone keeping an eye on Spencer. "Sorry, I'm late. Are you the only one here?" she asked.

"Sara, you made it. No, you're right on time. The guys had things to do, and I've got a tournament tonight, so I called you," Luke said, putting down his phone. He'd been caught up in an intense mobile game just moments before.

It was an oddly charming sight—one handsome man absorbed in his game while babysitting an even handsomer drunk at the bar. Luke felt completely at home since Hans owned the place.

"Why did he drink so much? His stomach's been bothering him for the past few days. He'd just started feeling better."

"Um... Maybe he just got carried away hanging out with us. I'll keep a better eye on him next time." Luke quickly made up an excuse and brushed it off.

Sara knew Spencer's childhood friends well. Together, they'd founded Jetstream Kriton Group, which had grown to dominate half of Jeritho's market before expanding overseas. Sometimes, Sara would run into them at the Tiernan residence, or they'd come over for meals.

"Sara, you didn't drive here, right? Here's Spencer's car key. Take his car back," Luke said, holding out the key to her.

"I came by cab. I'll drive it back."

"Good. Let's get Spencer into the car then."

"Okay."

Spencer was too big for Sara to get into the car on her own, so she needed Luke's help. Together, the two of them got him into the back seat before Sara slid into the driver's seat.

"Are you sure you can handle this, Sara? Do you want me to call a driver for you?" Spencer's car was big, and Luke wasn't sure if Sara was used to driving something that size.

"I'll be fine. I'll take it slow," Sara replied.

"Alright. Drive safely. I'll see you later."

"Got it. I'll head out now."

Sara cautiously merged into traffic, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. She drove well below the speed limit, drawing a few frustrated honks from the cars behind her.

She didn't realize Spencer had opened his eyes in the back seat. He had been sound asleep just moments before.

In truth, he had started to stir when Sara was talking to Luke at the bar, but he'd stayed quiet and pretended to be asleep. He felt an unexpected sense of calm as he watched Sara's small frame in the driver's seat, her hands gripping the wheel tightly while she carefully drove.

Earlier that night, Spencer had received a sudden call from Clementine Wendell. She told him she was back in town and asked if he could pick her up from the airport, but he turned her down.

"Spence, I'm back. Can you pick me up at the airport tomorrow?" she'd asked.

"Sorry, that's not going to work. I'm married now."

With that, Spencer hung up. He then pulled his ring out of his office drawer only to toss it back in afterward.

The call had shaken him and left him unsettled. So, he'd rounded up Luke and the others and headed to Hans' bar, where he'd drank more than usual.

Three years ago, Spencer had planned an elaborate proposal, but Clementine never showed up. Instead, she told him she was leaving for Pavrielle to follow her dream of becoming a ballerina.

He had stood in the middle of an endless sea of flowers—ring in hand—and ended up becoming the laughingstock of Jeritho.

Sara took nearly an hour to get home, though the drive was supposed to take only half an hour. Just then, she noticed Spencer stirring just as she was about to alight the car. "You're up. Can you walk?" she asked.

Spencer didn't respond.

Sara bent down to help him, and he leaned against her while they made their way inside. After Sara led him to the couch, he collapsed onto the cushions. Then, she went to the kitchen to prepare a hangover remedy.

Spencer was awake and had propped himself up to sit. Sara found him staring off with a furrowed brow when she returned with the remedy. "You're up? Have some of this," she said.

Spencer gave a low hum in response. "Just leave it. It's late. You should get some sleep. I'll clean up later."

Nevertheless, Sara lingered in the living room.

"What? Do you need something?" Spencer asked upon noticing that she wasn't heading to her room.

"Uh, I visited Grandpa today. He said you should come by for a meal whenever you have time and not to overwork yourself."

"Got it. I'll go with you tomorrow."

"Okay."

Sara still didn't mention the pregnancy, and the three-year agreement had only three months left.

Chapter 3

The next morning, Sara got up and made breakfast. She made oatmeal to settle Spencer's stomach, worried that he might have a hangover.

Spencer came downstairs in a white tracksuit, looking almost like a college student. He walked into the dining room with a slight frown on his face.

"You're awake. Have some breakfast," Sara said.

With that, Spencer sat down.

Sara knew he was usually grumpy in the mornings—always serious and scowling when he first woke up. She didn't say anything else as he ate his oatmeal. Instead, she took her seat across from him and started eating on her own.

The oatmeal Sara made was soft and thick, and Spencer felt much better after finishing a bowl of it. The discomfort from last night's drinking had been bothering his stomach, but it was finally starting to fade now.

Just then, soft ding sounded, signaling an incoming text.

"Spence, I don't believe you're actually married. You're just trying to mess with me, aren't you? I'll be waiting for you at the airport."

Spencer glanced at the message and set his phone aside without replying. He'd seen a WhatsApp notification from Clementine earlier and ignored it too. Now, she'd followed up with another text.

He'd erased all her contact information three years ago after she left the country in an effort to move on.

Then, another ding sounded—it was another message.

"Spence, I had no choice back then. I haven't forgotten you.

"Spence, I'll wait for you at the airport. I won't leave until you come."

Spencer's grip on the phone tightened as frustration built inside him.

"I'm not going to Grandpa's today. I'll go another day. I'll call him and explain. Something came up, and I need to head out," he told Sara.

"Alright. Take care of what you need to," Sara softly said.

Spencer looked up at his wife of nearly three years. Much of her youthful shyness had faded. She was no longer the timid, fragile girl who had come from the countryside. She had grown into a poised woman—her skin fairer, her presence more graceful.

There was no denying that Sara was a good wife. She was attentive, never intrusive, and always calm. It was as though she had no temper at all. Not to mention, she got along effortlessly with his family and carried herself confidently around his childhood friends, leaving no room for criticism.

In the bedroom, Spencer found himself completely drawn to her too. He'd lose control like a reckless teenager every time he touched her.

He wasn't sure what it was that he felt for Sara—maybe it was just a force of habit, or the comfort of having someone waiting for him at home.

Clementine had been his first love. They'd dated in college, where she was the star of the dance department, and he was the golden boy of finance.

Spencer had never been one to chase women. Even when admirers slipped him love letters, his aloof demeanor often made them pull back, with some even getting reduced to tears.

Back then, Clementine had relentlessly pursued him, chipping away at his icy resistance until he finally gave in. Once together, they'd shared a chemistry that neither had anticipated.

After getting together, Spencer remained as reserved as ever, rarely speaking or smiling. But Clementine would pull him out of his shell, dancing around him or chatting nonstop about her day. Meanwhile, he'd listen in quiet companionship.

Spencer had planned to marry her after graduation. On the night before their ceremony, he'd gathered his childhood friends to set up an elaborate surprise proposal.

But Clementine never showed up.

Instead, he received a message from her.

"Spence, I'm sorry. I've been accepted into an advanced program in Pavrielle, the capital of Fremoria. My flight leaves tomorrow. I can't step straight from graduation into the confines of marriage. Not yet. I need to follow my dreams. Will you wait for me—just three years?"

Spencer never replied, but he did wait. Letting her go was something he couldn't bring himself to do.

But after three years had passed, Clementine still hadn't returned.

Her dance company offered her a lead role, and once again, she chose her career over him. There was no official breakup, but neither reached out again after that.

That night, Spencer didn't come home.

Sara had noticed his abrupt departure that morning. Her concern deepened when he stopped answering his phone. So, she called his assistant, James Lerner.

"James, is Spencer with you?" she asked.

"Mrs. Tiernan, Mr. Tiernan hasn't been with me today. There wasn't any overtime scheduled. Is everything alright?" James asked in return.

"Yes, everything's fine. Thank you. Goodbye."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Tiernan. Goodbye."

Sara felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she hung up. She poured herself a glass of water and drank it quickly, hoping it would settle her stomach.

That night, she slept restlessly and awoke earlier than usual. However, even then, Spencer still hadn't come home.

Eventually, Sara got out of bed and made breakfast—oatmeal with a sunny-side-up egg.

Without thinking, she turned on the TV. The entertainment segment was playing, and the anchor's smooth voice filled the room.

"Celebrated dancer, Clementine Wendell, has returned to the country. Jetstream Kriton Group's CEO was seen meeting her at the airport, fueling rumors of a rekindled romance…"

Sara's spoon slipped from her hand and clattered onto the table.

A chill spread through her body.

So, it was her—the woman who had always held Spencer's heart. No wonder he'd suddenly canceled their dinner at the Tiernan residence and hadn't come home the night before. He must've gone to pick her up, and they'd probably spent the night together.

Sara couldn't bring herself to finish the thought. She finished her oatmeal on autopilot, took the bowl to the kitchen without even rinsing it, and collapsed onto the couch in a daze.

Maybe it was time to leave.

But why did the thought of walking away from Spencer feel so unbearable?

Sara's hands drifted to her abdomen. "Little one, we might have to leave your dad soon. I can't tell him about you. But I'll love you enough for both of us and give you all the love he should have given you."

After that, Sara didn't eat for the whole day. She was too anxious as she waited for Spencer to come home.

For the first time in years, she found herself hoping that he would return early. Yet, she dreaded the possibility that his first words might be asking for a divorce.

But another worry gnawed at her at the same time—what if he didn't come home because he was with Clementine?

Of course, he was. He'd gone to the airport to pick her up. They were probably together.

…

Spencer returned in the evening and was immediately struck by how unusually quiet the house was. Sara wasn't waiting by the door like usual, and the dining table was bare. The silence felt off, as if something was wrong.

Spencer then thought that Sara was upstairs and started to head up. But then, he caught sight of a figure by the couch. Upon moving closer, he realized that it was Sara, fast asleep.

The sound of his movements stirred her awake. Sara looked up, and there he was—Spencer—standing beside her.

Sara froze for a moment then scrambled to sit up. She had no idea how long he'd been standing there. "Why did you come back?" she asked. She hadn't expected him to return tonight, especially after seeing the news.

"Where else would I go?" Spencer snapped, his face darkening. Her question clearly irritated him.

"That's not what I meant. I thought you were busy with other things." Sara lowered her head, her voice softening. She wanted to tell him that she knew he went to see his first love. After all, the news even said that they were back together. How was she supposed to know he'd just show up again that night?

But, of course, she never didn't.

"Have you eaten? I fell asleep and forgot to make dinner." Sara only realized she'd forgotten to cook when she remembered Spencer's sensitive stomach.

"No," Spencer curtly answered and sat down at the dining table.

The stormy expression on his face reminded Sara of a child sulking over something she couldn't quite grasp. With a resigned tone, she asked, "Should I make some pasta then?"

"Fine."

Chapter 4

Soon, Sara made two delicious-looking bowls of primavera chicken pasta and set them on the table.

She and Spencer then ate in silence.

Perhaps because he was starving, Spencer finished his meal in just a few minutes. He turned to Sara and said, "You should head to bed early tonight. I need to get some work done in the study. We're having dinner at Grandpa's tomorrow, so I'll stop by to pick you up in the evening."

"Don't worry about coming back. I can just grab a cab to Grandpa's place. What time will you be there? I'll plan accordingly," Sara responded.

"My schedule's clear tomorrow. I'd rather pick you up so we can go together. Cabs aren't always reliable."

"Alright." Sara kept her head down, quietly finishing her pasta.

With that, Spencer turned and headed upstairs.

…

Sara woke up the next morning to find that Spencer had already left for work.

By midday, she made herself a small meal. Even though she wasn't hungry, she forced down a bowl of soup and a breadstick, reminding herself that she needed to eat for the baby.

The doorbell rang just as she finished cleaning up. She opened the door to find the woman from yesterday's news standing on her doorstep.

Sara could tell that Clementine was indeed stunning and graceful.

"Ms. Lovelace, hello. I'm Clementine Wendell, a friend of Spencer's," Clementine introduced herself.

"I know," Sara quietly replied, suddenly all too aware of how plain she felt standing before someone so effortlessly beautiful.

She stepped aside to let Clementine in, then brought her a glass of water and placed it on the coffee table.

"Sorry to show up unannounced, Ms. Lovelace. Spencer accidentally left his watch at my place yesterday. I couldn't get in touch with him today, and since I was nearby, I thought I'd stop by and drop it off." Clementine's voice was pleasant, and her smile radiant, but the sharp edge in her words didn't go unnoticed.

"I'll make sure he gets it. Thanks for going out of your way to come here, Ms. Wendell." Sara's voice tensed slightly as she tried to manage the discomfort. "I'm not feeling well, so I won't keep you for a meal. I should get some rest, unless there's anything else."

"Alright, I won't keep you any longer either. Get some rest. I'll be on my way," Clementine said with a polite smile.

However, her smile disappeared as soon as she stepped out of the villa's front gates.

She should have been the lady of this house!

The day before, Spencer had picked her up from the airport and driven her to the hotel. However, when he was getting ready to leave, she'd deliberately spilled water on his hand, prompting him to remove his watch and go to the restroom.

When he returned, he left almost immediately and left his watch behind.

Clementine refused to believe the news of Spencer's marriage. After all, he had waited for her all these years, and she was sure he'd go on waiting.

He was the sentimental type, and she'd been his first love. Even while she was abroad, she'd kept close tabs on his life, and not once had there been rumors of another woman. And yet, he was married—and of all people—to someone Oswin had picked for him.

Sara looked so young, and Clementine doubted she was even old enough to marry.

Whoever Spencer's wife was, Clementine wasn't about to back down without a fight. Her dancing career had ended because of her leg injury, but Spencer remained the one thing she wouldn't let go of.

After Clementine left, Sara stayed on the couch and stared blankly at the watch. There was no mistaking it—it belonged to Spencer. He'd worn it for as long as she could remember.

Oswin had given it to him for his college graduation. She remembered picking it up from his nightstand, examining it, and spotting the engraved initials "SC" on the back.

Suddenly, her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She answered when she saw it was Spencer.

"I'll be there in ten. Be ready to leave," he said.

"Alright."

Sara shook off the fog in her head, shoved her feelings aside, and headed to her room. She changed quickly, then waited by the door.

Spencer's car arrived in less than two minutes.

Sara got in without a word. Spencer could tell that something was off, but didn't know what to say—especially not after how often he'd ignored the way she felt.

The pregnancy had left Sara more emotionally unpredictable than usual. Now, she was stuck trying to figure out how to handle Clementine's unexpected visit and the watch she'd brought back.

Should she quietly slip it back onto Spencer's nightstand, or should she tell him about it?

Neither of them spoke during the drive. By the time they pulled into the Tiernan residence, Winnifred Wright—a maid—was already making dinner.

Sara was about to head into the kitchen when Spencer took her hand. "Winnifred's almost done. Why don't you take it easy today and skip helping?" He'd sensed something was off during the drive, though he had no idea what was bothering her. All he could offer was the chance for her to rest.

"Alright. Maybe I'll check on Grandpa's flowers in the garden." Sara didn't push back. Besides, the garden might help clear her head.

"Okay, I'll go see Grandpa in the study," Spencer replied.

"Sure."

And with that, they drifted off in different directions.

Spencer walked into the study, and Oswin immediately hurled a pen holder at him. Spencer took the hit square on the forehead without dodging, and a visible gash began opening up.

Oswin slammed the newspaper down on the desk. "You damn fool! Look at what you've done! Did you even think about Sara? You're out there messing around with other women, and now it's all over the news!"

"I've already made arrangements to have it taken down," Spencer simply said.

"You think Sara doesn't know? You don't appreciate the good wife you've got, and regret's going to catch up with you one day. Don't come crying to me when it does."

"You're the one who pushed for this marriage. You should've known something like this would happen when I agreed to it."

"Y-you! I ought to beat some sense into you!" Oswin sputtered, gripping his cane as he lunged at Spencer.

Just then, Sara rushed in and stopped him. "Grandpa, please, calm down. Don't work yourself up." After helping Oswin back into his seat, she turned to Spencer and saw the blood running down his forehead. He looked like a complete mess.

Sara had just reached the doorway when she heard Spencer say, "You're the one who pushed for this marriage. You should've known something like this would happen when I agreed to it."

She hadn't meant to eavesdrop. Winnifred had just finished making dinner, and she had only come up to call them to go downstairs.

She'd rushed in as soon as she heard Oswin losing it. Part of her worried that he might overexert himself—which could be dangerous for his health—while another part of her was concerned about Spencer.

Oswin had been a soldier, and he still had enough strength to hurt Spencer. Unfortunately, Spencer had already gotten injured by the time she'd entered.

Typical Spencer. Even with Oswin in a fury, he couldn't be bothered to back down or move out of the way.

Bruce Conroy, the Tiernan residence's butler, came upstairs when he heard the commotion too. Sara quickly told him to take Oswin downstairs. Then, she grabbed some iodine and turned to Spencer, ready to treat his wound.

"It's fine. It's just a small cut. Don't worry about it," Spencer said.

"Even small cuts need treatment. Infections aren't something to mess with." Sara carefully applied the iodine with a cotton swab.

Spencer felt frustrated. He'd gone to pick up Clementine at the airport yesterday, but he'd only taken her to the hotel before heading back to work. What's more, he'd ended up crashing in the office lounge after overtime dragged on.

Reporters lurking around the airport arrivals were the last thing he'd expected. He had the news pulled as soon as it broke, but he wasn't sure if Sara had seen it.

Did she really not care? Or was she acting differently today because she'd already seen it? Why hadn't she just asked him about it?

Chapter 5

Sara gently applied the ointment to Spencer's skin, unaware of the storm of thoughts racing through his mind.

"There. We should head down for dinner now. Grandpa will be waiting," she finally said.

Spencer hummed in response.

Together, they left the study and headed to the dining room, where Oswin was already seated.

Oswin's face lit up with a smile when he saw them. He gestured for Sara to come over—a complete change from how he'd acted earlier when he'd scolded Spencer. "Sara, hurry and come eat. Let Winnifred serve you some soup first. It'll be good for your health."

"Sure, Grandpa," Sara softly replied, taking her seat beside Spencer at Oswin's side.

Oswin truly cared about Sara—not just out of loyalty to his old comrade Neil, but because he understood Spencer was a man ruled by emotion, easily deceived, and vulnerable to heartbreak.

Though gentle and kind, Sara possessed a quiet strength beneath her soft demeanor. She was the type of woman who'd stand by her man through thick and thin.

Oswin wished Spencer would stop being a fool and realize how good she was for him. He'd finally rest easy if they settled down and maybe even had a child soon.

"Why don't you two move back here? Sara's alone at home all day. It'd be nice for her to keep me company," he said.

"I don't mind," Spencer replied.

Oswin wasn't wrong. Sara might avoid boredom if they moved back to the Tiernan residence. Up until now, Spencer hadn't even realized that he'd started considering her feelings.

Sara had heard Oswin's suggestion. Indeed, staying home alone didn't exactly appeal to her. But with her pregnancy, Oswin would find out if they moved back in. So, it wasn't really an option.

"Grandpa, it's fine. I'm used to it. Your rest might be interrupted when Spencer comes home late sometimes. Plus, living on our own makes it easier for me to look after him," she said.

Spencer hadn't expected Sara to turn down Oswin's offer. After all, Oswin would definitely side with her if they stayed at the Tiernan residence. Wouldn't it be better to have him as an ally?

He wasn't sure why she'd rejected the offer, but he respected her decision.

Meanwhile, Oswin was worried about their relationship. He could keep an eye on things if Spencer and Sara lived under his roof, especially if Clementine tried to do anything. Given Sara's temperament, she'd probably end up at a disadvantage otherwise.

But she'd turned him down, so there wasn't much to say now.

"I respect your decision. But let me know if Spencer ever crosses the line or upsets you. I'll set him straight." As Oswin spoke, he shot Spencer a pointed look.

However, Spencer ate on, unbothered. It was as if Oswin's comment hadn't reached him at all.

"No, Grandpa. Spencer treats me wonderfully," Sara replied.

Spencer raised an eyebrow and glanced up at her, clearly confused by his wife of nearly three years.

Sara didn't need to defend him in front of Oswin. She could've complained, and Oswin would've undoubtedly sided with her.

Upon noticing Spencer's reaction, Sara lowered her head, focusing on her meal as her confidence wavered.

"Since you're not moving in, stay here tonight. It's too late to leave now. You can head home tomorrow," Oswin said.

Spencer didn't object, so Sara simply replied, "Alright, Grandpa."

Dinner ended, and for once, Spencer wasn't caught up in work. He sat in the living room, watching TV with Sara and Oswin.

Oswin, being elderly, soon asked Bruce to help him get ready for bed. With only Spencer and her remaining, Sara assumed he'd leave now. She said, "You can go take care of your work. I'll watch a little longer before heading to our room."

But Spencer replied, "I'm not busy today."

Sara wondered if he was actually taking a rare opportunity to relax. After all, his phone had preoccupied him the whole time they were watching TV. In fact, he was hardly paying attention to it.

Nevertheless, Sara decided not to disturb him.

With Oswin gone, she curled up on the couch and hugged a throw pillow to her chest, becoming completely absorbed in the TV drama. She planned to watch it until the end that night before going to bed. It was the series finale, after all.

In the end, the drama ended sadly, with its two leads parted forever. Lost in the story, Sara couldn't help shed a few tears as the final episode came to a close.

Meanwhile, Spencer lounged on the couch, scrolling aimlessly through news articles. A pile of work waited for him, but he couldn't explain why he'd just sat there, wasting time on his phone.

The old him would've rolled his eyes at wasting minutes on something as dull as a drama. But upon seeing Sara sitting quietly on the couch, he realized how grounding and comforting something as simple as shared TV time could be.

He had just looked back at his phone when a muffled sob broke the silence. When he turned, he found Sara's tear-stricken and puffy-eyed face.

Uncertain about what had happened, he quickly sat up and offered her a tissue. "What's wrong?"

"I-It's nothing. The drama… It's just so sad. The female lead died," Sara choked out, her voice catching between quiet sobs as she struggled for breath. She felt embarrassed when Spencer approached her. Crying over a drama seemed ridiculous, but the sadness had taken her by surprise.

Lately, her emotions flared up over the smallest things, as if she were walking on a hair trigger. Even the smallest heartache could swell into a tidal wave when pregnancy was involved.

When Spencer realized that it was just the drama that had made Sara cry, he exhaled in relief. "Alright, stop crying. Grandpa will think I upset you if he hears," he quietly said. There was a tenderness in his voice that he hadn't realized was there.

However, Sara couldn't hold back her tears and continued to sob.

Spencer gently patted her back, murmuring soft reassurances until her sobs began to quiet down.

Sara felt a brief wave of embarrassment when she realized how close they were leaning toward each other.

"That's enough crying. The drama's over. Let's get some rest. Don't stay up watching," Spencer said.

Sara gave a faint hum in response. She knew Spencer's kindness would only make the ache in her chest worse. He comforted her as if she were precious to him, but she couldn't shake the thought that it was Clementine who truly held his heart.

This tenderness was probably more about avoiding Oswin's anger than anything else.

Still dazed, Sara allowed Spencer to pull her upstairs. However, his phone rang as soon as they stepped into the room. When he pulled it out, all she saw was a string of digits on the screen.

"Go shower first. I'll take this call," Spencer said.

"Okay."

Sara turned to the wardrobe, picked out her pajamas, then walked into the bathroom. After closing the door, she leaned against it and let her thoughts drift.

The brief gentleness Spencer had shown downstairs had tricked her into imagining things. It had even stirred up a hope she knew she shouldn't let herself cling to.

Maybe he wouldn't let her leave if she told him about her pregnancy. After all, he'd make a good father.

Oswin had once told her, "Sara, Spencer has struggled ever since his parents passed away. He refused to let himself cry, but I know how deeply it hurt him. That's why he kept waiting for Clementine, even after she left him.

"She was never the right one for him. All these years, he's longed for the warmth of a family. He'll stay if you marry him, start a life together, and have children. He's a responsible man, and you won't have to be apart."

Oswin's plan for Sara was clear—secure Spencer's commitment by getting pregnant as soon as possible.

But even if she kept him by her side, she'd never truly win his heart. All Sara wanted was for Spencer to be happy, even if it meant stepping aside.

Her instincts told her the call had been from Clementine. She didn't know what Clementine would say, nor if Spencer would leave tonight to see her and never return.

Sara knew she had no right to stop him even if he chose to leave. After all, their marriage was built on an agreement, with the three-year term almost at its end.

Would Spencer and Clementine have reunited by now if she hadn't shown up and Oswin hadn't forced their marriage?