Chapter 1

Everyone said that Clifford Jones loved Tessa Turner like she was his whole world. He spent ten years chasing her and spoiling her. Just the sight of her frowning was enough to break his heart.

And yet, this same man betrayed her not once, but three times.

The first time, he was drugged by a rival at a business banquet and ended up spending the night with a college student named Tania Evans.

The day Tessa asked for a divorce, he rushed to send Tania abroad that very night. Then, he stood in the rain outside Tessa's place for three days and three nights. He said, "Tess, I was wrong. Please, forgive me just this once."

Tessa looked at his pale face and caved.

The second time, she ran into him at the hospital, where he was accompanying Tania for a prenatal checkup. With tears in his eyes, he explained, "Tess, I was overseas two weeks ago on a business trip and got into a car accident. Tania pulled me out of the wreck, risking an explosion. She saved my life.

"Later, we found out that she was pregnant. My grandma threatened to kill herself if I didn't keep the baby."

He held Tessa tightly in his arms and shakily said, "Please don't leave me. I swear that I'll send her away after she gives birth. The kid will be sent to the Jones residence, and neither of them will ever appear before you again."

Tessa believed him.

The third time, he went head-to-head with her over the keepsake of her mother, Emerlyn Greene, at an auction. That sapphire necklace was Emerlyn's favorite piece of jewelry and the only thing she'd left behind for Tessa.

However, Clifford kept raising his bid more and more aggressively. Ultimately, he even went all in, outbidding everyone just to give the necklace to Tania.

Tessa stormed into the private room to confront him, but he only rubbed his temples in exhaustion. "Tania has been struggling with prenatal depression. She saw the necklace and really wanted it. Tess, just let her have it, okay?"

At that moment, she suddenly laughed as tears streamed down her face. "What if I don't?"

He frowned before saying, "Tess, stop making a scene. Tania's about to give birth. Once the baby's born, everything will go back to the way it was."

She stared at him, her heart splitting open like it had been hacked with an axe. "Back to the way it was?"

What was it like before? When he only had eyes for her? When he'd drive three hours through a storm just to get her a slice of strawberry cake?

Did he even remember?

"Mr. Jones…" Tania's voice came from behind them. She was leaning against the wall while holding her belly, her face pale. "I sprained my ankle, and it really hurts…"

His shoulder slammed hard into Tessa, sending her stumbling backward. Her lower back hit the edge of the table with a sickening thud, and the sharp pain made her break into a cold sweat. "Clifford!" she called out in a trembling voice.

But he didn't even look back. He walked away with Tania in his arms, his retreating figure fading from view.

Tessa stood there, laughing through her tears.

She thought, "A life debt, and now a child. Clifford, you're never getting rid of her. So, how could we ever go back to the way things were?"

She then forced herself up, wiped the blood from her forehead, and got into her car.

The driver tentatively asked, "Mrs. Jones, are we going back to the villa?"

"No." She closed her eyes. "Take me to the law office."

Two hours later, Tessa walked into the hospital with signed divorce papers in hand.

Outside the VIP suite on the top floor, the bodyguards looked awkward and lowered their heads when they saw her.

She stood at the end of the hallway, watching as Clifford remained glued to Tania's side. He'd booked the entire hospital floor for her, with doctors and nurses on call around the clock. The moment she frowned, he would flinch and grow anxious, as though the sky were about to fall.

"I want that tiramisu from the dessert shop on Westside Street," Tania said sweetly.

Without hesitation, Clifford grabbed his keys. "Wait here. I'll be right back."

Tessa stood in the shadows with her heart aching like it had been ripped open. After he left, she finally pushed open the door to the ward.

Tania's eyes turned teary the moment she saw her. "Ms. Turner, are you here to call me out? I'm sorry. I didn't mean for things to turn out like this. I just really liked that necklace…"

Her voice trembled with just the right amount of emotion. "Mr. Jones may have taken it from you and given it to me, but he only did it so I could deliver the baby safely. He's been taking care of me, but I know he's still thinking about you."

"It's just the two of us here," Tessa said coldly. "So, drop the act. Back then, Clifford gave you five million dollars to leave, but you still showed up, carrying a child. I know exactly what it is you're after."

Tania immediately stopped crying.

"I'm done playing this game," Tessa said, handing her the divorce papers. "If I give this to him myself, he won't sign it. You figure out a way to get him to sign it without knowing what it is."

Tania bit her lip. "You've got it all wrong. I never wanted to come between you two—"

"You only have one chance," Tessa cut her off. "You'd better think about it carefully."

Tania stared at the document for a long time. Finally, she reached out a hand and took it. "Thank you for making room for our family of three, Ms. Turner."

Family of three.

Tessa felt like someone had driven a blunt knife straight into her chest, leaving her breathless. "I wish you... and your little family a lifetime of happiness."

Back at the villa, Tessa pulled out a storage box and began packing up everything that reminded her of Clifford. They'd grown up together and shared countless memories. The first thing she put in the box was a photo album.

The first page held a picture of them at five years old. He wore a small suit while standing stiffly next to her. But upon a closer look, one could see that he was secretly holding onto the hem of her dress. His mother, Sapphire Bowen, once said that he'd refused to take any solo photos that day and insisted on having her by his side.

That was the first time he showed his possessiveness for Tessa.

The next item she had kept was a button from his high school uniform.

On graduation day, while the girls were all scrambling to collect the boys' buttons, Tessa stayed in her seat, not joining in. But after school, she found Clifford's button quietly placed on her desk, along with a note that read, "You can only take mine."

Back then, he'd already learned to use his status to keep the other boys away from her.

After the button, she put away an engagement ring.

The day Tessa turned 18, Clifford proposed to her using the massive screen of a CBD skyscraper. As rose petals rained down from a helicopter, that diamond ring gleamed in his hand. He slid it onto her finger and looked at her with all the love in the world. He said, "Tess, from now on, I'm all yours."

…

Tessa had once thought that she and Clifford would grow old together if it weren't for Tania. She let out a bitter laugh, tossed everything into the box, and dumped it all in the trash.

The next morning, she was woken by a commotion downstairs.

When she stepped out, she saw the housekeepers moving in luxury items, one bag at a time. There were Hermès bags, Cartier jewelry, and Chanel couture…

Tania stood in the middle of the room and shook her head weakly. "Mr. Jones, this is too much. I never asked for any of this…"

Clifford looked at her tenderly. "Be good, and just take them. A happy mood means an easy delivery."

As soon as he said that, he spotted Tessa and was briefly stunned before saying quickly, "Tess, I'm sorry. I only bought gifts for Tania this time. Tell me what you want. I'll get it for you next time."

Before she could respond, Tania stepped in, her smile gentle. "Mr. Jones, I've already prepared something for her. It's what she's been wanting for a long time."

She walked over and handed Tessa a folder.

Tessa opened it and saw a divorce agreement that had already been signed.

Clifford's signature was bold and dramatic, just like the handwriting in the love letters he used to send her years ago.

Chapter 2

Tessa stared at the signed divorce papers, feeling like an invisible hand had clenched tight around her heart.

Tania had actually pulled it off.

Tessa thought it was perfect. The happy little family of three could be together now, and she would live for no one but herself from that day forward.

"Tess, what was that gift you wanted most?" Clifford suddenly leaned in, his brows furrowed. "Why don't I know?"

As he reached for the file, she quickly pulled it back. He raised an eyebrow before asking, "Are you keeping secrets from me now?"

Tessa gave a faint smile. "Didn't you keep secrets from me, too? Didn't you let someone else carry your baby for three months before I found out about it by accident?"

His expression instantly darkened. He glanced nervously at Tania and said in a low voice, "Didn't we agree not to bring that up again? I explained why I had to keep the baby..."

He paused, then his tone softened. "The only reason I kept it from you was because I was afraid you'd leave me."

Afraid she'd leave?

But unfortunately, Clifford didn't realize that what one feared the most was always the thing one would lose first.

Tania's eyes welled up with tears. "It's all my fault. I never should've helped him the night he got drugged, and I never meant for Isabelle to find out about the pregnancy. I swear that I never thought of coming between you two..."

As she spoke, her eyes brimmed with tears that were about to fall, like she was the most pitiful creature in the world.

Clifford immediately turned to comfort her in a voice so gentle that it didn't even sound like him. "How could this ever be your fault?"

Tessa couldn't watch another second of the scene before her. She turned and headed for the door.

That was when he finally realized what was happening and rushed after her. "Tess, where are you going?"

"I have something to take care of."

He frowned. "It's pouring out. I'll drive you."

Before leaving, he turned to the housekeeper and reminded, "Tania shouldn't be touching cold water. Raise the room temperature by two degrees. Her appetite's been off lately, so watch what you cook for her..."

For ten whole minutes, he listed instructions one by one, covering every possible pregnancy taboo like he was afraid to miss even a single detail.

Tessa merely stood quietly at the doorway, just watching him.

Finally, he finished speaking and got in the car.

Tessa looked at him and suddenly smiled before saying, "Clifford, you're going to be a great dad."

He froze, like he hadn't expected her to say that.

Clifford reached out and grabbed her wrist with a trace of pain in his voice. "Tess, the only child I'll ever claim is the one you carry. You know that I had no choice. Please don't say things like that..."

His palm was still warm, but the warmth no longer reached her. She didn't answer and just looked out of the window in silence.

The car fell quiet. As it rolled down the road, he tried to shift the mood. He asked, "Tess, what were you doing on Rosemere Avenue in weather like this?"

She was just about to answer when his phone rang.

"Mr. Jones, my stomach really hurts..." Tania's choked voice came through the speaker.

His expression instantly changed. "Don't be scared. I'm coming back now!"

He hung up, then turned to her. "Tess, we're not far from Rosemere Avenue. Can you grab a cab from here?"

"Yeah." She nodded calmly and stepped out. The downpour soaked her in seconds. She stood on the curb, watching his car speed off into the distance.

And suddenly, she laughed.

"You were this close to finding out what I was doing, Clifford," she thought.

The storm was so fierce that there were no cabs in sight. Tessa walked alone through the pouring rain, her umbrella flipped inside out by the wind. Rain and tears mingled in her eyes, turning the world around her into a blurry sight.

By the time she finally reached the courthouse, she looked like a complete wreck. "Hi, I'd like to file for divorce," she said, handing over the divorce papers she'd carefully protected, still perfectly dry.

The staff looked her over, then glanced at the document. "You'll have to complete a one-month cooling-off period. After that, you can come in to finalize the divorce."

When Tessa stepped back outside, the rain had stopped. She looked up at the sky, which was now bright and cloudless. The ache in her chest lightened just a bit.

Perhaps her life after divorce would be like this too, clearing up little by little, day by day.

When she returned to the villa, she found the living room empty.

She heard Clifford's gentle voice coming from upstairs. "The Little Prince met a fox..." He was reading a bedtime story to Tania's baby bump.

Tessa felt that her head was spinning, and she collapsed under the blankets without uttering another word. She didn't know how long she had slept, but she found her throat burning as soon as she woke up. "Water..." she called out several times, but the only thing she could hear was the muffled voice from the next room.

"Mr. Jones, I hope the baby will be as smart and handsome as you..." Tania's voice was sickly sweet.

"Don't sell yourself short." Clifford laughed softly. "Resembling you would be just as wonderful. You're kind, gentle, and pure..."

Even without seeing it, Tessa could picture Tania's blushing face. They sounded like a real couple discussing their unborn child.

Tessa dragged herself up and reached for her glass, but her limbs were too weak, and she knocked it over, causing the glass to shatter. She bent down to pick it up, but everything went black, and she collapsed onto the floor.

Her hand was sliced open by a shard, and blood spilled everywhere. Gritting her teeth, she cleaned the wound herself, then popped a fever pill.

The laughter from the next room never stopped.

Lying back in bed, she suddenly remembered the year in college when she had a fever. Clifford had climbed over the female dormitory wall just to be with her, sitting at her bedside for three days and nights. Back then, he held her, his eyes full of tears, and said, "Tessa, seeing you in pain hurts me a lot."

And now? It seemed that he didn't even remember saying that.

Her tears silently wet the pillow. She closed her eyes and let the darkness swallow her whole.

Chapter 3

"Tess! You're finally awake!"

The moment Tessa opened her eyes the next morning, she saw Clifford lying beside her.

He reached out to feel her forehead with concern. "Why didn't you call me when you had a fever? Do you know how panicked I was when I came back and found you unconscious?"

Tessa wondered if calling him would have made a difference. After all, wasn't he busy with Tania and his precious baby?

"I'm fine now," she croaked as she pushed his hand away.

He frowned. "Are you upset?"

"No, I'm not."

"I can tell when you are." He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Didn't you say that you've always wanted to go horseback riding? How about I take you today?"

As Clifford spoke, he gently helped her out of bed and guided her to freshen up, just like he used to.

Not wanting to raise suspicion, Tessa went along with whatever he wanted.

Just as they were dressed and about to head out, Tania timidly appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Jones, Mrs. Jones, are you going horseback riding? I'm so jealous! I've never ridden a horse before. May I join you?"

She cradled her baby bump with both hands, and her eyes were full of anticipation as she looked at Clifford.

"No," he said firmly while frowning. "You're pregnant."

Tania bit her lip. "But I really want to go… Being cooped up at home all the time isn't good for the baby either…" Her voice trailed off. She sounded soft and coquettish in a way that was hard to ignore.

Tessa turned and walked out without saying another word. She knew Clifford too well. He could never say no to a pitiful plea like that.

As she expected, just as she stepped outside, she heard his sigh of resignation behind her. "Fine. But only if you follow my lead the entire time."

After getting in the car, Tessa realized that Tania had actually tagged along.

Clifford personally helped her into the car, his hand constantly hovering behind her back like she was something fragile that might break at any second. After they got out of the car, he fussed over her every step of the way, completely forgetting who he had planned to come to the ranch with.

"Watch your step. The sun's strong. Put on your hat.

"Slow down. Don't overdo it."

Every word of concern felt like a dull blade slicing into Tessa's heart. She quietly made her way to the stables and picked a calm mare, skillfully saddling it.

Clifford had taught her all of this himself on her 20th birthday, and they'd spent the whole day riding at his private ranch. Now, that same man was fully focused on another woman, tightening her gear for her and adjusting her stirrups, not wanting her to feel even a little bit of discomfort.

He held onto Tania's reins the entire time until his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and slightly furrowed his brows.

Tania, feigning understanding, said sweetly, "Mr. Jones, go ahead and take your call. I've got the hang of it now. I'll be fine on my own."

Clifford hesitated, then double-checked that she was steady before stepping aside to answer.

Tessa pulled her horse to a stop at the edge of the arena, watching it all unfold.

The sun stretched Clifford's shadow across the ground, and she caught that familiar little habit of tapping the back of his phone with his index finger while on a call. She knew that gesture all too well.

"Mrs. Jones." Tania suddenly rode over, her smile overly sweet. "What do you think happens when two horses crash into each other? I've never seen it before."

Before Tessa could answer, Tania squeezed her legs against her horse's sides hard, prompting the two horses to slam into each other. Startled, both mares reared up on their hind legs.

Tessa clutched the reins tightly, but it was no use. Her horse went wild, screaming and bolting straight toward the fence. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tania "accidentally" let go, falling off her horse in dramatic slow motion.

"Tania!" Clifford rushed forward frantically and caught her just before she hit the ground.

At the same time, a group of panicked horses broke through the fence, thundering straight toward Tessa.

"Clifford… Help me!" Tessa screamed through the chaos, her voice swallowed by the pounding of hooves. She saw him glance her way before turning and running away without hesitation while clutching the unconscious Tania in his arms.

Dust kicked up by the stampede stung her eyes. She felt the reins slip from her grasp, and the next thing she knew, her body was flying through the air. And then she remembered that on her 20th birthday, Clifford had looked her in the eyes right here at this ranch and said, "Tessa, if you ever call out to me, I'll always come to you."

The wind howled as she hit the ground hard. Before everything went black, the last thing she saw was Clifford desperately carrying Tania to the car.

A sharp pain exploded in her ribs, but it was nothing compared to the way her heart felt like it had just been torn in two.

She curled up in the sand, listening as the stampede closed in, and slowly shut her eyes.

Chapter 4

Tessa woke up to a sharp, searing pain. When she opened her eyes, she realized that she was already in the hospital. Turning her head slightly, she saw Clifford sitting beside the bed with dark circles under his eyes.

"Tess, you're awake." He immediately leaned in, his voice filled with relief. "Are you feeling any discomfort?"

She tried to speak, but her throat was so dry that she couldn't make a sound. The last thing she remembered was Clifford running off with Tania in his arms, and the thundering hooves charging toward her.

"Tania was injured," he suddenly said urgently. "She has a blood clotting disorder, and the bleeding won't stop. The hospital's blood supply is running low…"

Tessa felt her heart sink as she listened.

"Your blood type is the only match," he said, taking her hand. "Tess, would you please donate some blood to help her?"

Tessa found him to be absolutely unbelievable.

She yanked her hand away, and the sudden movement tugged at her broken ribs. The pain stole her breath.

He'd let her get trampled by horses without so much as a word of explanation, and the first thing out of his mouth now was asking her to save Tania while injured.

"No." Her voice was hoarse, and the single word sliced through her like a blade.

Clifford's brow tightened. "Please, for the baby. Just hold on a little longer. Once the child's born, all of this will be over."

A chill ran through her entire body. She stared into his eyes, searching for even a flicker of guilt or remorse. But the man she had loved for 20 years looked back at her with nothing but anxiety and impatience.

"Mr. Jones, Ms. Evans' condition is getting worse…" a nurse whispered at the door.

Clifford immediately stood up and forced Tessa upright. "Tess, please."

She was practically dragged to the blood collection room. The moment the needle pierced her vein, pain flooded her senses like a tidal wave.

"Does it hurt?" the nurse asked, confused. "It shouldn't. I was being really gentle."

Tessa shook her head, but the tears wouldn't stop. She had always been terrified of needles. Every time she needed blood drawn in the past, Clifford would cover her eyes and gently reassure her, "Be good, Tess. It'll be over soon."

But now, while her blood was being taken for someone else, he stood outside checking his watch over and over and didn't even spare her a single glance.

By the time they’d taken 400cc of her blood, her vision was already starting to fade to black. The nurse helped her sit and rest, but she saw Clifford take off running toward Tania's room without even looking back. She staggered after him, stopping just outside the slightly open door.

Inside, Tania lay on the hospital bed. Her face was pale, and thick bandages were wrapped around her wrist.

Clifford sat by her side, holding her hand tightly while looking at her affectionately. "Don't be scared. Everything's okay now," he whispered. "The baby's fine too."

Tessa's gaze landed on Tania's wrist. Tania was wearing a familiar string of rosary beads. It was the same one she had gotten three years ago at Mount Fraizer after praying for days. Clifford had once solemnly slipped it onto his wrist, saying, "I'll never take this off as long as I live."

And now, he had given it to another woman. He'd actually handed Tania something Tessa had prayed for on her knees, as if it meant nothing. A stabbing pain gripped Tessa's chest. She couldn't bear another second of the sight before her and abruptly turned to leave.

Back in her ward, she curled up in bed and let her tears soak her pillow. It turned out that heartbreak could hurt so much that it made it hard to breathe.

The next morning, a nurse came in to check on her and handed her a form. "Mrs. Jones, could you please complete your medical file?"

She filled it out mechanically until she got to the marital status section. She paused, then firmly checked the box that labeled "Single".

"Mrs. Jones, I think there's a mistake here," the nurse said, surprised. "You selected the 'Single' option… but isn't Mr. Jones your husband?"

"He's not," Tessa said calmly. "He won't be for much longer."

"What did you just say, Tess?"

The ward door slammed open.

Clifford stood there in shock, staring at her like he couldn't believe what he'd just heard.