Chapter 1

Yelena's eyes were red-rimmed with unshed tears, her voice trembling.

"Bryce, I love you too, but the Daltons follow strict rules. Even though I'm adopted, our parents would never allow us to be together," she said. "You're married to Yara now, so can't you try to love her?"

"I'll never love anyone but you. Lena, marrying Yara was the biggest compromise I could make. I don't like her, and I will never touch her."

Bryce's low, strained voice left Yara utterly stunned.

So this was why he never touched her after they were married. The one he loved had always been Yelena, and marrying Yara had just been a front to satisfy his family.

That night, Yara was so heartbroken she could barely hold herself together. She cried until she had no tears left.

She remembered the first time she met Bryce.

She had been struck by how perfect he was. From that moment on, she fell for Bryce at first sight and spent the next seven years chasing after him.

She had given him her whole heart and loved him with everything she had.

But it only took that one moment for her to give up on him completely.

Yara spent the whole night alone outside in the cold wind. When morning came, she called her lawyer to draft a divorce agreement.

She had just signed her name when the front door of the villa opened.

Bryce had come back.

Just as she was about to hand him the divorce papers, Bryce grabbed her hand first. The calm expression he used to wear was replaced by a panic and worry she had never seen before.

"Yara, Lena suddenly vomited blood and lost consciousness last night. She was taken to the hospital, and the doctor said she has multiple myeloma," Bryce said. "She needs a bone marrow transplant right away.

"You're a match in the system. Please, can you save her by donating your marrow?"

Yara hadn't slept all night and couldn't process what he was saying.

But Bryce thought she was refusing. The usually calm and guarded look in his eyes now showed a hint of pleading.

"If I had been a match, I would have never asked you. I know you won't let her die when you've been best friends with her for years. She's your sister-in-law now too," Bryce pleaded. "If you agree to donate, I'll say yes to whatever you ask for."

Yara looked down, her eyes dull and lifeless. Her voice turned bitter.

"Anything? Even… sleeping together?"

"Yes!"

When he agreed without any hesitation, Yara couldn't help but think about the last three years. Every time she asked to be intimate, he would push back and avoid her.

He really only ever loved Yelena more than anything.

He didn't love Yara, and he was clearly reluctant. But to save Yelena, he was willing to agree to that condition.

Before Yara could respond, the hospital called again. Yelena's condition had worsened.

Instantly, he looked at Yara with bloodshot eyes. His voice trembled as he pleaded again, "Yara, I'm begging you."

Yara felt a sharp, stabbing pain in her chest. But in the end, she got into his car.

…

After the surgery, she stayed in the hospital for three days. Bryce never came by to visit her the entire time.

Every time she went for a checkup and passed the room next door, she would see him by Yelena's side. He would hold Yelena's hand while she slept, unwilling to let go.

He would coax her with sweets when she complained about the taste of her medicine and slowly feed her.

Worried about Yelena's health, he insisted on carrying her in his arms wherever they went, refusing to let go.

Everything he said and did couldn't hide how deeply he loved her.

Yara saw it all, and she never disturbed them. She just focused on recovering quietly. She even handled her hospital discharge alone.

As she passed by Yelena's room one last time before leaving the hospital, she heard Yelena's voice.

"Bryce, you should check on Yara. You haven't shown up in days, and she must be upset. She might just give you a hard time about it," Yelena said.

Bryce didn't budge. He tucked her in and said flatly, "She won't. She loves me too much to make a fuss."

Yara smiled silently, her eyes full of exhaustion. She wouldn't make a fuss anymore.

It wouldn't be because she loved him, but rather because she no longer did.

Yara collected herself and went home alone. Then, she saw the divorce papers that had been left sitting in the entryway.

She picked them up and read through the papers. Just then, she heard the door open behind her.

Bryce had just come back, and he looked surprised to see her. "You've been discharged? Why didn't you tell me? I could have picked you up."

He hadn't even visited while she was in the hospital. So what use was it to tell him she was being discharged?

She replied calmly, "I knew you were busy. I didn't want to bother you with such a small matter."

For a moment, the room fell silent.

Bryce didn't say a word. His eyes darkened as he reached up and loosened his tie.

He wrapped his arm around her waist. As he leaned in to kiss her, Yara stepped back.

When she pulled away in shock, he frowned and looked at her again.

"You asked for this. Did you forget?" he asked.

Yara clenched her hands without realizing it. She fought back tears and gave a strained smile.

"I was just joking. You don't need to take it seriously. Can I change my request?"

Bryce visibly relaxed and replied, "Of course."

Yara noticed that subtle shift in his expression but said nothing. She pulled out the divorce papers and flipped to the last page.

"Sign here, then. It's the one thing I've wanted the most lately."

It was the first time Bryce had ever seen her express what she wanted so eagerly. There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"The thing you want the most? Which house did you fall in love with?"

As he spoke, he reached for the papers to take a look. But just then, the phone in his pocket rang.

"Bryce, how's the soup coming? When are you bringing it over? I'm hungry."

Hearing that sweet voice, Yara realized he had only come home to make some soup for Yelena.

"I'll be right there," he replied.

Bryce didn't waste another second. Without even looking, he quickly signed the divorce agreement, and then walked into the kitchen with his phone.

He spent an hour there. Then he left with a thermal container in hand, walking out in a rush.

He didn't say another word to Yara the whole time.

As she watched him walk away, Yara finally replied softly, "I didn't want a house. I wanted freedom. Bryce, happy divorce."

Chapter 2

For the next few days, Bryce didn't return.

Yara didn't ask where he went. She stayed home and packed her things.

Among everything were the jewelry and handbags he gave her after they got married. There were also the suits and shoes she bought for him and the photos they took together. The rest were makeup and other things she no longer used.

She kept none of those things and threw them all away.

As she watched the little home she had built and decorated piece by piece slowly empty out, there was some regret in her heart.

But more than anything, she felt free.

After tossing the last box of things, she turned and saw Bryce walk in.

He stared at the trash can for a moment with shock on his face.

"Why did you throw all these out?"

"I don't need them anymore, so I cleared it out. Why are you back?"

Yara brushed it off with a lazy excuse and changed the subject.

Bryce didn't press her. He raised his wrist and checked the time.

"I came to pick you up. It's the family dinner tonight," he said.

Yara paused, then remembered the Dalton family's biannual family dinner was today. It was usually held at the Dalton Estate.

She had never missed it in the past few years. But this time, she said no.

"I haven't been feeling well lately, so I won't be attending tonight."

"What's wrong? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Bryce's voice grew gentler, and Yara wasn't used to it.

She shook her head lightly and said, "It's nothing much. I just want to rest and avoid crowds."

"Then stay home—"

He was about to agree when Yelena opened the car door and ran over.

"Yara, please come to the family dinner with me. I'll be so bored alone. Isn't that right, Bryce?" Yelena said.

Seeing her blink with that adorable, wide-eyed look, Bryce's expression immediately softened.

He forgot about what he was about to say and nodded. Then, he opened the door to the backseat for them.

"Since it's a family dinner, you can just stay seated and rest if you're unwell. You don't need to follow all the rules," he said. "Lena's bored out of her mind being stuck in the hospital these days. She could use someone to talk to."

Watching how quickly he changed his tone, Yara felt a sharp pain in her chest. She knew that Bryce would always say yes to any of Yelena's requests. It didn't matter what it was.

So she stayed quiet. Bending down, she got into the car.

Once the car started, Yelena sat beside her and chattered non-stop.

"Yara, you should have recovered from donating your bone marrow to me, right? You have no idea how painful it was for me with the transplant rejection," she said. "I was dizzy all the time, and I kept having nightmares.

"Thankfully Bryce stayed with me, or I wouldn't have made it. Please don't be upset that he didn't take care of you because of me, okay?"

Yara looked up—she could sense that Yelena was testing her. She replied calmly, "Of course not. The both of you are siblings, so why would I be upset?"

Only then did Yelena relax. She reached out and held Yara's hand, chatting like she used to.

"I knew you wouldn't mind!" Yelena exclaimed. "Look, Bryce gave me this necklace today. Isn't it pretty? I mentioned it once in passing, and he remembered. He even spent a lot to win the auction!

"And he won these soft toys for me yesterday. His car felt so plain and boring, so I put them here as decorations. Aren't they cute?"

Yara looked at the sparkling diamond necklace around Yelena's neck and the toys piled across the seats. Her chest tightened with a dull ache.

Bryce had always preferred black, white, and gray colors. He liked things clean and simple. But since these were Yelena's favorites, he never complained and let her decorate his car however she liked.

Yara recalled she once placed an adorable figure in his car. He tossed it out the next day.

He had said, "Yara, I don't like these things. Do not act on your own again."

Now, she saw how different love and indifference were.

Yara stayed silent. Yelena thought she was tired and didn't bother her further. Instead, she held onto Bryce and wouldn't stop talking.

She went on about the weather, an old friend, and silly things from childhood. She even talked about the family dinner.

No matter what she said, Bryce responded. He was smiling the whole time.

Yara listened quietly. She remembered when she tried to share her daily life. His usual replies would just be a "yeah", "okay", or "sure".

His responses to her had always been half-hearted, and he said as little as possible.

But with Yelena, he was always the one to start the conversation and would respond to everything she said.

Even when they were in the same space, his eyes would drift to the rearview mirror, looking at Yelena.

His love for Yelena was so strong and obvious, so why had Yara failed to see it all these years?

Yara couldn't figure it out. Her chest tightened and hurt like she had been stabbed.

She stared at the nail marks on her palm, then looked out the window. Yara repeated the same thing to herself over and over.

She told herself that it was fine and that she just had to hold on a little longer.

Once the divorce went through, it would all be over.

Chapter 3

At 6:00 pm, the family dinner officially began.

Bryce sat between Yara and Yelena, raising his glass to toast the elders.

Yara stood up with him, lifting her glass to greet everyone. But when Yelena reached for her drink, Bryce stopped her.

"You just got discharged, so you don't need to toast."

Yelena glanced at the seated relatives around her, all proper and stoic. Nervousness flashed in her eyes, and she said softly, "But Yara's not feeling well too and is still giving a toast. Wouldn't it be rude if I didn't?"

Bryce frowned and took her glass. He respectfully explained to their relatives, "Lena hasn't fully recovered, and the doctor said she shouldn't be drinking. But rules are rules, so I'll drink on her behalf as her brother."

With that, he downed the glass in one go.

Yara stared at her own half-full glass. Then she glanced at Bryce, who was already helping Yelena sit down. There was a bitter taste in her mouth.

She took a deep breath and fought the painful, burning sensation in her stomach. Yara tilted her head back to finish the wine.

Under the effect of the alcohol, her stomach twisted in pain like it was churning inside out. Yara bit down so hard her lips turned pale.

Cold sweat from the discomfort soaked her clothes, but she didn't make a sound.

Because it was a strict family tradition, no one from the younger generation could leave the table before the elders. Yara could only grip the table and force herself to endure the waves of pain.

Everyone continued to drink and chat, and no one noticed her.

While he entertained the elders, Bryce kept piling Yelena's plate with food until it was nearly overflowing.

Martha Bond, Bryce's grandmother, noticed and glanced at Yara's untouched, nearly empty plate.

"Bryce, don't just focus on your sister. Serve Yara some food too. She has barely eaten anything. Are the dishes not to her taste?"

Bryce turned to look at Yara. When he noticed how pale she looked, he placed a piece of lobster tail onto her plate.

With everyone at the table watching her in concern, Yara stayed silent for a moment. Then she picked the lobster tail up and ate it.

Yelena was watching intently. Her eyes widened, and she looked as if she wanted to speak. But when she met their relatives' eyes, she didn't dare to say a thing.

Martha nodded in approval, then turned to Yelena and said seriously, "Lena, your birthday is next month. I'll host a party and invite some eligible young men from respectable families.

"You can take your pick and see if you like anyone. It's best to settle your marriage early. If you wait too long, it'll get harder once you're older."

The color drained from Yelena's face, and she looked at Bryce in a panic.

His expression had darkened too. But Bryce held onto some reason and turned Martha down carefully.

"Lena's still young, and waiting a couple more years is fine. I'll decide on her future husband myself."

The elders around the table froze for a second, then started trying to persuade him.

"Bryce, we know you've spoiled Yelena since she was little, but she can't stay single forever. With how picky you are, who knows how many more years you'll drag this out!"

"After you got married, we've tried to find someone for Lena. We've gone through dozens of options, and you've rejected every single one of them. Aren't you just holding her back?"

"Exactly. Yelena and Yara are the same age. They're both 25 years old now, and that's not young anymore! You're already married, and I'm sure Yelena wants to get married soon to start a family of her own."

The more she listened, the more anxious Yelena got. For the first time, she worked up the courage to speak her mind.

"I… I'm not in a rush to get married. It's fine if I wait a few more years," she said.

Amid all the chatter, Richard Dalton, Bryce's father, stepped in and made the final decision.

"Yelena, you may be adopted, but your mother and I have always treated you like our own. Of course we want you to find a good match," Richard said. "Now that Bryce has settled down, it's time we plan for your future."

"The dinner to look for potential suitors is settled. You should get ready for it when you get home," he added.

Hearing that, Yelena froze. Her eyes instantly filled with tears.

Bryce's face darkened, and he clenched his hands so tightly that veins bulged out. He couldn't hold back anymore and shot to his feet.

His voice was sharp with barely restrained anger as he declared, "I said I'll handle Lena's marriage. I don't need anyone else interfering!"

Bryce, the always-composed Dalton heir, had finally snapped in front of the whole family. His outburst in front of the elders caused a stir.

Everyone's expression turned sour.

"What do you mean, 'Don't interfere?' She's the right age now. If we wait any longer, she'll soon be 30 years old! How can we stay out of this?"

"That's right. You've always doted on Lena, but you're married now. You and Yara will eventually have children. No matter how much you care for Lena, you'll have to put your own family first."

Fueled by rage, Bryce fired back without thinking.

"I'll never have children! If Lena doesn't want to marry, I'll never force her. As long as I'm here, she can marry whenever she wants. Even if she never marries, I'll take care of her for the rest of her life!"

Chapter 4

Everyone in the family argued until their faces turned red, but Yara stayed silent the whole time.

She sat upright in her seat, watching Bryce lose control while fighting with his parents. She felt like something was pressing on her chest, making it feel tight and heavy.

Just as she got up to leave, Richard, shaking with rage, suddenly flipped the table.

"What nonsense are you talking about? The Daltons have had nine generations. What do you mean you'll never have children?"

The dishes and plates on the table flew across the room. Bryce reacted quickly and shielded Yelena from it all.

Yara couldn't react in time and stood frozen in place. Everything—knives, forks, plates, and hot soup—hit her straight on.

She yelped loudly as the soup burned her arm. Her skin turned red, and blisters quickly rose.

Porcelain hit her shoulder, neck, and forehead. Blood spilled and quickly soaked through her clothes.

Yara let out a muffled groan and collapsed heavily onto the floor. Her whole body felt like she had been battered. Her limbs stung and itched sharply, and the pain tore through her nerves.

She forced her eyes open and saw Bryce walking away with Yelena in his arms. They left without even looking back.

Her vision blurred. She felt something heavy pull on her consciousness, and she blacked out.

…

Yara didn't know how much time had passed. When she woke up, she found herself in the hospital.

Yelena sat by the bed, dozing off. Behind her stood Bryce, his expression icy.

He took off his jacket and draped it over Yelena's shoulders. Just as he reached out to touch her face, he met Yara's gaze.

He froze, then pulled back his hand. Without saying a word, he turned to get the doctor.

After she watched him leave, Yara tried to pull her arm out from under Yelena's head, numb from being used as a pillow. She accidentally jostled Yelena awake.

Yelena opened her eyes in a daze, her voice still heavy with sleep.

"Yara, are you okay? How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine."

Yara looked at the bandages on her body and shook her head.

Yelena finally relaxed and poured a glass of water, then handed it to Yara.

"I'm so glad you're okay. I was so scared yesterday. You got burned and had a bad allergic reaction," Yelena said. "I really regret not stopping you from eating that lobster tail. You knew you were allergic, so why didn't you tell Bryce?"

While she complained softly, Bryce came back with the doctor.

When he heard about the allergy, he froze. There was a complicated mix of emotions on his face as he looked at Yara.

Yara shook her head.

"I wasn't trying to prove anything. There were too many rules at the family dinner, and everyone was watching. I didn't want to ruin anyone's mood, so I ate the lobster tail."

Yelena sighed and held Yara's hand. "I know you don't like those dinners. I have some good news for you. Bryce promised me that we wouldn't have to go to any family dinner again, except for Christmas.

"You won't have to be so careful anymore, and I won't get pressured to marry either!"

Thinking back to the chaos before she passed out, Yara wasn't surprised at all when she heard the news.

Bryce had even gone against his family just to stop Yelena from getting married. It was evident that his love for Yelena had reached the point where he no longer cared about consequences.

Yara knew that with how he was doing everything he could to protect Yelena, it was only a matter of time before he made his feelings public.

When that happened, it would definitely stir up chaos again.

She didn't want to get dragged into it. Yara just wanted to walk away and never come back.

Yelena was about to say something when she saw how quiet Yara was, but her phone suddenly rang.

When she saw Richard's name on the screen, her expression faltered. Yelena looked at Bryce, almost like she was asking for help.

He frowned deeply and took the phone from her before quickly leaving the room.

Just from his expression, Yelena knew something would go wrong and rushed after him.

The room fell silent again, with only the doctor still checking Yara's condition.

"Everything seems fine. But just to be safe, you should go upstairs for a full checkup," the doctor said.

Yara took the form from the doctor and went for the tests alone.

The elevators were all on the top floor. She didn't want to wait, so she headed for the stairs.

But just as she reached the stairwell, she heard a familiar voice.

"Yelena, listen to me. I don't care how they feel once they find out our feelings are mutual. I just want to keep you by my side and never let you go. If being with you means giving up the Daltons' inheritance, I'm fine with that!" Bryce said.

"Have you thought about Yara at all? She's your wife and my best friend. I can't put her through that!" Tears streamed down Yelena's face as she looked at him.

Bryce grabbed her hand. His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was tight with despair.

"If you didn't want to hurt her, then you never should have pushed me to marry her! You knew I never liked her. You're the only one I love."

His voice broke as he poured out the pain he had held back for so long. Without holding back anymore, he leaned in to kiss Yelena.

Yelena closed her eyes and didn't push him away, melting into the kiss. Just as she began to lose her breath, she choked out a soft, "Bryce."

Then, she rested her head against his chest, breathing hard.

As she began to catch her breath, she looked up and saw someone standing at the doorway.

She froze.

"Yara?"