Chapter 1

Five years into their marriage, Naomi Whitaker was finally pregnant. She eagerly registered for her child's birth as a gift to Cassian Hartwell for their fifth anniversary.

But when the staff tried to search for their marriage certificate in the system, an error kept popping up stating that the document was invalid.

"Ms. Whitaker, are you sure this certificate is real?" After more than a dozen failed attempts, the staff member's expression turned uneasy.

Naomi was displeased. "We've been married for five years. How could it be fake?"

The staff member tried once more and then slid the paperwork back to her. "I'd recommend checking with the courthouse first. Submitting false documents is illegal. Anyway, unmarried applicants can still apply."

Naomi understood exactly what the staff meant and turned to head straight to the courthouse next door. When she came out, all the color had drained from her face. The joy she wore just moments ago was completely gone.

The words from the courthouse staff replayed in her mind, striking her like blows to the chest. "You and Mr. Hartwell are both listed as unmarried. The marriage certificate you're holding is fake."

Five years of marriage, and it wasn't real? She and Cassian had been childhood sweethearts. Everyone knew how much he adored her, how he acted like he wanted to give her the best the world had to offer.

So why… why would he give her a fake marriage certificate?

Naomi immediately bought a plane ticket and flew to Avenmoor to find Cassian, who was there on a business trip. She needed to get to the bottom of the truth.

When Naomi arrived at the hotel where Cassian was staying, she happened upon a wedding. Avenmoor was a unique country where people could only marry once in their lifetime. There was no divorce, only widowhood.

She had no interest in the ceremony. As she navigated through the crowd towards the elevator, she caught sight of the groom surrounded by guests. At that moment, she was utterly shocked.

He wore a leather jacket, tight pants, knee-high boots, a beret, and a wide red belt. It was a typical outfit for the locals. His face beamed with joy.

The man was none other than Cassian, her husband of five years. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she never would have believed Cassian would dress like that.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Cassian!"

"I've got to say, Cassian's amazing. Both the weddings at home and abroad are so grand!"

"But Cassian, are you seriously getting involved with that poor woman, Rayna Sawyer?"

Someone else chimed in curiously, "Wait, doesn't this count as bigamy? Didn't Cassian marry Naomi years ago back home?"

"You don't know the full story. Cassian never actually registered the marriage with Naomi legally. He was waiting for Rayna to grow up. Legally speaking, he's been single this whole time."

"For real? Man, Cassian really knows how to play the game."

In the crowd, Naomi froze, her body stiff as if her blood had turned to ice. She thought she must've misheard, but Cassian's next words sent her plummeting into a freezing abyss.

"Of course, I'm serious about Ray. She once risked her life to donate her blood to Naomi, and she's lived in Naomi's shadow ever since. All she ever wanted was a lasting marriage, and that's something I can give her," Cassian said thoughtfully.

So that was the truth. Naomi's eyes welled up before she even realized. So the fake marriage certificate had been Cassian's doing all along.

Five years ago, Naomi had a car accident. Rayna, who was then a freshman in high school, took her to the hospital and donated blood to save her.

Rayna came from a poor family with only a gravely ill mother to rely on. To thank her for saving Naomi, Cassian and Naomi covered all her school expenses and even arranged for her to study and travel abroad.

Cassian once said that saving Naomi meant saving him, too. He was willing to give Rayna everything he could to show his gratitude, but Naomi never expected that his way of showing gratitude would include raising Rayna to adulthood and marrying her.

What made it all the more ridiculous was that in these past five years, Naomi had never noticed a thing. She was completely unaware of when it all began between them.

One of Cassian's friends couldn't help but ask, "And what about Naomi? Aren't you afraid she'll find out?"

Cassian lowered his gaze, tapping quickly on his phone screen. His voice was calm, with a trace of quiet certainty.

"I'll continue to love Naomi, just as I always did. But she'll never find out. Not in this lifetime. And the rest of you, keep your mouths shut. Don't let any of this get back to Naomi."

The next second, Naomi's phone buzzed. As she gazed at Cassian's message, an unsettling chill coursed through her body, causing her heart to tighten with anxiety.

"I miss you, honey. I hate being away on this business trip. Every second without you feels unbearable. I'll do my best to make it home in time for our anniversary. Love you always."

Naomi gripped her phone tightly and looked up at Cassian as he walked farther and farther away. A dense, aching pain bloomed in her chest.

Her vision began to blur, hot tears welling in her eyes. This wasn't the man she loved.

The man she loved was the boy who grew up with her, the one who broke his leg climbing through a window to retrieve her fallen hairpin. Then, he would comfort her, telling her not to cry.

He was the teenager who climbed to the top of a snow-covered mountain at 18 just to confess his love, swearing he'd love her forever and never lie to her. He was the young man who, at 20, wrote her 9,999 love letters by hand and baked a hundred different cakes to propose to her.

He was the man who planned a once-in-a-lifetime wedding just for her at 22. He was the husband who clung to her day and night, unwilling to be apart even for a moment.

He was not this man—this liar who claimed to love her while marrying someone else.

Naomi felt as if her heart were being sliced open, her teeth sinking into her lip to keep herself from breaking down. Her phone buzzed again. Cassian was calling.

She hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Honey, where are you? Have you eaten yet? Why's it so noisy over there?" Cassian's voice was as gentle as ever, each word laced with the familiar tenderness that once made her feel so loved.

"Cassian, what are you doing?" Naomi asked, instinctively tightening her grip on the phone.

A part of her still hoped that if Cassian would just come clean if he told her the truth, maybe they could talk. Maybe there was still a chance for them.

But Cassian didn't even pause. "Still in the meeting. I just missed you so much that I had to step out and call. Are you out shopping, honey? Go ahead and buy whatever you like."

Naomi's lips curled faintly, but there was no warmth in her smile. She went quiet for a couple of seconds, then softly replied, "Okay."

Cassian instantly picked up on her shift in tone; his voice was tinged with worry. "Honey? Are you upset? If something's bothering you, just tell me, okay?"

"I'm busy trying on clothes. I'm hanging up."

Naomi hung up the phone and saw Rayna in traditional Avenmoor bridal attire, embracing Cassian. "Do I look pretty, darling?"

"You look beautiful. My wife looks good in anything."

He leaned in and gently kissed her forehead, his expression tender and full of affection. That smile was so familiar that it stabbed at Naomi's heart like a blade. His gentleness and affection weren't exclusive to her, and his love and devotion could be divided.

Cassian, how could you love two women at once?

Naomi dashed out of the hotel in a daze, stumbling into a narrow alley before collapsing. She curled up, drawing her knees close to her chest, and started crying.

She cried until she almost passed out. Then, with a hint of cold determination in her eyes, she stood up.

This five-year fake marriage was over. She no longer wanted it, nor did she want Cassian. Since they were legally married now, she would simply let them have each other.

In half a month, it would be her parents' death anniversary. Once she paid her respects, she would leave for good. She would disappear from Cassian's world without a trace.

Naomi hailed a taxi to the airport and bought the earliest flight ticket home. Upon landing, the very first action she took was to schedule an appointment at the hospital to terminate her pregnancy.

Chapter 2

"Ms. Whitaker, the abdominal injury you suffered in the car accident was quite severe. The fact that you're even able to conceive is a miracle.

"If you choose not to keep this baby, it may be very difficult for you to get pregnant again in the future. You should think it over, maybe talk it through with your husband." The doctor looked at Naomi with a troubled expression.

Naomi's fingers curled slightly as a pang of sadness shot through her heart. Cassian had never shared any of this with her.

Every time the Hartwell and Whitaker families urged them to have children, he always took the blame upon himself. He said he wasn't ready to give up their time together as a couple, and he didn't want a child to disrupt their life.

Naomi's eyes grew misty. He had always been thinking of her, afraid she'd be upset. But no matter how good he had been to her, it didn't change the fact that he had betrayed her.

"Thank you, doctor. I'll think about it."

Naomi walked out of the consultation room in a daze, only to unexpectedly run into Cassian and Rayna in the hallway. They had already returned.

Cassian was carefully helping Rayna out of the ultrasound room, a look of nervousness written all over his face. His gentle, doting gaze was fixed on her, unwilling to stray for even a second.

"Cassian, you don't have to be so tense. I'm pregnant, not sick," Rayna said with a bright smile. She had known him since she was young, and the way she spoke to him had never changed.

Cassian smiled, unable to hide his joy. "Of course, I'm nervous. This is our first child. I want to take good care of you both."

Naomi clutched the appointment slip tightly in her hand as the warmth slowly drained from her body. It felt as if she could hear the sound of her heart breaking.

Her eyes ached, yet no tears would fall. This was what it truly meant to experience pain so profound that even crying seemed impossible.

Cassian guided Rayna into the elevator. Behind them, Naomi slowly unfolded the slip in her hand and walked back into the consultation room to schedule the surgery for the day after tomorrow.

She wouldn't allow her child to be born into a world built on lies. She also couldn't bear for him to come into this world without a father.

It was as if the universe were playing a cruel joke on her. Naomi ran into Cassian and Rayna again in the underground parking lot. On impulse, she got into her car and followed them.

Cassian took Rayna to the revolving restaurant. Upon seeing this, Naomi's heart sank.

He personally designed and built the restaurant for her as a birthday gift last year. He once told her that she was the only one deserving to dine there. Yet now, he was the one taking another woman inside with him.

Inside the revolving restaurant, Rayna was seated in Naomi's favorite spot. A plate of desserts sat on the table in front of her. Not far away, Cassian appeared, wheeling in a serving cart.

With practiced grace, he removed the flower from his lapel and handed it to Rayna. Hanging beneath it was a diamond-studded necklace.

"Congratulations to my princess on becoming a mom-to-be."

"Cassian… thank you. I'm so happy. You even cooked for me yourself." Rayna sobbed.

"Come on. Let me feed you a bite. Once you eat, I'll leave. I've kept you to myself for days. You should go back to Naomi," she said, blinking hard and forcing out a couple of tears.

Cassian pulled her into his arms, his expression full of tenderness. "Silly girl, I'm not going anywhere today. I'm staying right here with you."

"But… what about Naomi? Tomorrow's your wedding anniversary. If you don't go back, she'll be sad."

"I've already taken care of everything. You don't need to worry about her. You're my wife now. From now on, I'll make more time for you and the baby," Cassian said, gently brushing her hair before fastening the necklace around her neck.

Around the corner, Naomi took two steps back, her body pressing against the cold wall behind her. The chill seeped into her bones, and she began to tremble.

He was right. Rayna was his lawful wife. And she… she was just a fool, with nothing to her name.

She still remembered the first time Cassian brought her to the revolving restaurant. He had prepared a diamond necklace for her then, too. To cook for her himself, he had secretly spent a month learning from a renowned chef.

"Honey, try my cooking. From now on, I'll take care of all your meals every single day. I'll love you for the rest of my life. Only you," he whispered as he fastened the necklace around her neck, his vow brushing against her ear.

Now, Cassian had taken all the love and tenderness he once gave her and handed a copy of it to Rayna. A dull, aching pain settled in Naomi's chest. His everlasting love was tragically brief.

She turned and fled in a panic, tears streaming down her face by the time she left the restaurant. Afterward, she immediately visited a law firm and asked a lawyer to evaluate her assets, wanting to return everything related to Cassian.

The inheritance from her parents—Desmond Whitaker and Elena Brown—was more than enough to last her several lifetimes. Money was never the issue. She just wanted to cut ties with Cassian as quickly and completely as possible.

By the time she finished everything and drove home, dusk had already fallen.

The villa was quiet and empty, with only a single light left on by the maid. Naomi wearily sat on the couch, gazing at the numerous photos of her and Cassian scattered around the house. A weighty stone seemed to cave her chest in, with every heartbeat unleashing a new surge of agony.

She rubbed her temples and then stood up, beginning to take down the photo frames that covered an entire wall. In their first childhood photo together, she donned a lovely pink dress, and he referred to her as the most beautiful princess.

There was a photo from their first dance that showed him gently holding her waist as he told her she could only dance with him.

A photo from their first date showed him spinning her around in his arms, laughing and saying he was the happiest man in the world.

...

She pulled the photos from their frames, one after another, feeding them into the shredder. Every memory between them was torn to pieces, ground down into nothing.

All night long, she repeated the motion again and again, methodically erasing every trace of the sweetness they once shared.

By the time morning light spilled into the room, her arms were numb with exhaustion. Yet, Cassian still hadn't come home.

Today was their wedding anniversary.

Chapter 3

On the day of their anniversary, Cassian posted a heartfelt message on social media at midnight, expressing his deep love and gratitude for Naomi.

Within just a few hours, the post had garnered over ten million likes and shares. Across the city, massive digital billboards played the romantic video he had personally created, letting the world witness just how much he loved her.

At some point, a crowd had gathered outside their villa. They had covered the road with 1,825 roses, one for every day of their five years together.

At the center stood a massive, hollow crystal ring filled with a collection of the latest designer clothes and handbags from top brands. A small music box rested on top, playing Cassian's warm voice on a loop.

"Honey, happy anniversary. I love you forever."

Naomi's face remained expressionless. She closed the door and buried herself under the covers as if everything happening outside had nothing to do with her.

A moment later, Cassian called. He apologized guiltily, "Honey, something came up with the deal. I won't be able to come home for our anniversary tonight. But I promise I'll make it up to you when I get back."

Hearing his poor excuse, Naomi suddenly let out a trembling laugh. "It's fine. You go handle your work."

"Honey, are you upset? I planned a lot of surprises for you. I hope you like them. I'll make it up to you in a few days," Cassian explained after picking up on the change in her tone.

"No, I'm fine. Work comes first. I'm not feeling well. I'm going to sleep." Naomi hung up coldly. Then, she curled up, trying to suppress the pain coursing through her.

The commotion outside the villa continued. Drones arranged by Cassian lit up the night sky, forming intricate shapes and messages of love meant for Naomi.

Reporters had arrived, eager to capture her reaction, to feed the narrative of their perfect romance. Naomi ignored it all. Her phone buzzed again and again.

Cassian's name flashed on the screen, and her eyes blurred once again. She wanted to answer. She wanted to ask him why he'd broken his promise and why he had fallen in love with someone else.

But in the end, she simply turned off her phone and buried her head under the covers.

Naomi lost track of time until the blanket was suddenly lifted, and a harsh light flooded in, stinging her eyes.

Blinking against the glare, she saw Cassian standing there. He was disheveled and pale, his face sunken with exhaustion. His eyes were filled with worry and panic.

The moment he sensed Naomi was unhappy, he rushed back without hesitation. He had called her nonstop on the way, and when she didn't answer, he was terrified.

The second he saw her, he pulled her tightly into his arms, his voice hoarse and choked. "Thank God you're home… Honey, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

His eyes turned red, and his body trembled uncontrollably. "I'll never leave you alone at home again. When you didn't pick up, it felt like my whole world was falling apart. Nothing matters more than you. I came back to celebrate our anniversary with you."

Nami remained silent. Cassian assumed she was still angry. He dropped to one knee, coaxing her softly. "Honey, promise me... Don't ignore my calls again, and don't shut me out. It would kill me."

His fear and anxiety didn't seem fake. He did love her, but not only her.

"You got back pretty fast." Naomi sneered.

Cassian's expression shifted, a flicker of guilt passing through his eyes.

"You haven't eaten all day, have you? Let me take you to the revolving restaurant," he said quickly, trying to change the subject as he gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

"No." Naomi shook her head.

Panic flickered in Cassian's eyes. "Then rest for a bit. I'll cook something downstairs for you."

"Okay," Naomi replied indifferently, turning away from him to face the other side.

He assumed she was still furious, took a deep breath, and left the room. About ten minutes later, the sound of commotion drifted up from downstairs.

Naomi came down to find the living room filled with Cassian's friends. They were helping to put up freshly reprinted photos on the walls.

When they saw her, they all started speaking up for Cassian. "Naomi, you scared the hell out of him. I've never seen him this on edge."

"If you're ever mad again, just tell us. We'll back you up. But don't throw the photos away, and definitely don't turn off your phone. Cassian nearly lost it."

"If we hadn't found you, I think he would've gone crazy."

"Seriously. He saw those bare walls and nearly passed out. He even started digging through the trash looking for the photos."

...

"All of you, shut up! It's my fault. I made her upset. If she wants to punish me, she has every right to," Cassian exclaimed, exiting the kitchen in an apron, clearly annoyed.

"Cassian really is the ultimate wife guy. He'd throw his pride out the window just to make Naomi smile. Naomi is so lucky." Rayna stepped out from the crowd, her expression full of envy.

Cassian's face remained calm as he gave a gentle smile. "Of course, I'll spoil her. She's my wife."

A chill ran down Naomi's spine. She found him utterly fake. However, she had no intention of exposing him.

With a calm expression, she remarked lightly, "No need to put the photos back. I'm thinking of repainting the wall."

Cassian walked over to Naomi and slipped an arm around her waist. "Alright, don't hang anything. We do whatever she wants."

"Whipped," someone teased, but Cassian didn't seem to mind at all. He gently helped Naomi to the couch before heading back into the kitchen.

Everything he cooked was what Naomi used to love. But now, every bite felt tasteless.

He gently served food onto Naomi's plate with one hand while holding Rayna's hand under the table with the other.

Naomi suddenly felt that everything was meaningless. She wanted to leave, not just the table but everything related to Cassian.

After dinner, Cassian didn't give her a chance to say no. He knelt to help her put on her shoes and socks, then scooped her into his arms and carried her out the door, all while his friends cheered and whistled behind him.

Rayna joined in the teasing with a bright smile, but Naomi noticed a hint of hatred and jealousy deep in her eyes.

Cassian had arranged a private fireworks show at sea just for Naomi and even hired her favorite band to perform live. Halfway through the performance, he excused himself, saying he needed to use the restroom. And without quite knowing why, Naomi found herself quietly following after him.

Chapter 4

In the private lounge, Rayna threw herself into Cassian's arms, lifting her alluring face to kiss him. "Cassian, I missed you so much. Just let me kiss you for a while."

He pulled her closer by the waist, cradling the back of her head as they kissed intensely. The air thickened, and the room quickly warmed up.

After a long moment, Rayna blushed and pushed him away, her breath unsteady. "That's enough… You should go back to Naomi."

"Can you let me go that easily?" His eyes were clouded with desire as he brushed his thumb across her flushed lips.

Rayna lowered her gaze. "No… but I don't want Naomi to be hurt. She wouldn't even take your calls because of me. I can wait... wait for you to finish keeping her company, then come back to me."

"You're so considerate that it makes my heart ache. I can't bear to let you go, either. Be good; listen to me.

"Don't think about anyone else right now. Just enjoy the pleasure I'm giving you." Cassian kissed her lips, trailing down to her neck and chest.

Soft moans of pleasure escaped Rayna's lips. Her nails dug into Cassian's back. "Cassian, don't kiss me there... I can't take it."

"You little vixen… Isn't this exactly how you like it?"

The room was filled with passion and heat. Yet, to Naomi, it felt like an icy abyss. She bit down hard on her hand to keep herself from crying out. She thought her heart had already gone numb, but seeing it with her own eyes tore her apart all over again.

Cassian had fully betrayed her, both in body and soul.

She felt a burning in her stomach and an onset of nausea. Covering her mouth, she dashed to the bathroom and retched violently, the room whirling around her. A persistent pain throbbed in her lower abdomen.

She gently held her belly, tears blurring her vision. "My baby… I'm sorry. You had to see your father like this… so cruel, so unworthy. Please forgive me for not being able to bring you into this world."

Naomi walked out of the bathroom, her face pale and her steps unsteady.

The deck was lively, full of laughter and music, but there was still no sign of Cassian or Rayna. It wasn't until the fireworks show ended that Cassian and Rayna returned, one after the other.

Rayna's face glowed with satisfaction, her expression radiating smug delight. She deliberately sat down beside Naomi and opened a velvet gift box, smiling. "Naomi, this is a gift for you. I made it myself.

"It's a thank-you gift for you and Cassian for taking care of me. Five years ago, it was you who saved me, not the other way around. I wish you both a long and happy marriage."

Inside the box rested a vibrant green bracelet, its hue so vivid it appeared nearly dazzling. Naomi gazed at her in a daze, smirking. "Keep it for yourself. I don't like it."

Rayna's hand trembled, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears. She instinctively looked to Cassian for help.

But Cassian didn't seem to notice her gaze. His eyes remained soft as they settled on Naomi as if there was no one else in the world. "If she doesn't like it, then take it back."

Rayna put the gift away aggrievedly. "Then… may I at least offer a toast? I hope you'll always be happy."

Naomi didn't refuse this time. She took the drink Rayna handed her and took a sip.

Rayna's smile returned as she turned to leave. But in that brief moment, a flash of malice flickered in her eyes.

Suddenly, her foot caught on a chair. She cried out and fell hard, clutching her lower abdomen in agony. "It hurts…"

Everyone was startled, and those nearby rushed to help Rayna up. When they saw specks of bright red staining the hem of her dress, their expressions changed in alarm.

Instinctively, they all turned to look at Cassian, including Naomi. But Cassian remained calm.

When he noticed Naomi looking at him, he gave her a gentle smile and took her hand. Then, as if nothing had happened, he said casually to the others, "Take her to the hospital. I'm staying to watch the rest of the show with Naomi."

Everyone crowded around Rayna as they helped her off the yacht while Cassian continued holding Naomi's hand, listening to the band's performance as if nothing had happened.

If Naomi didn't know the truth about them beforehand, she might have actually been fooled by his performance.

Her heart grew colder by the second, and the dull ache in her lower abdomen was becoming harder to ignore. She was just about to suggest going home when Cassian's phone rang.

"Mr. Hartwell, you rushed home earlier, so that contract issue still hasn't been resolved. Could you come by the office when you have a moment?" The assistant's voice on the other end was urgent.

Cassian frowned, pausing for a moment in silence before finally disconnecting the call. When he looked up at Naomi, there was a hint of guilt in his eyes.

"Honey, I need to stop by the office for a bit. Can you wait here? I'll have the driver come pick you up, alright?"

Naomi scoffed inwardly. "Sure. Go ahead."

Cassian stood up, leaning in to kiss her forehead, but she turned her head away with a light cough, dodging the gesture. He didn't have time to think too much and left in a hurry.

Naomi knew he was going to the hospital. But somehow, the pain inside her no longer felt quite so sharp. Naomi waited for half an hour, but the driver still hadn't come.

A sharp cramp twisted through her abdomen, doubling her over in pain. Her gaze fell on the shattered wine glass on the ground, and suddenly, an absurd yet terrifying thought struck her.

Rayna had poisoned the drink.

Naomi clenched her jaw and forced herself to sit up. She retrieved a shard of glass, still glistening with liquid, and carefully tucked it away.

The pain grew worse, spreading from her stomach to her lower abdomen. The pain intensified, radiating from her stomach down to her lower abdomen. It felt as though something within her was being ripped apart, accompanied by relentless waves of heat flooding out of her body.

Instinctively, she called Cassian, but he didn't answer. Then, she attempted to reach the driver, but there was no answer.

With the last bit of strength she had left, Naomi dialed the emergency number.

Chapter 5

When Naomi woke up again, she was already in the hospital. For a moment, everything felt surreal.

Her hand instinctively moved to her now-flat belly, and a sharp pain pierced through her chest. The baby was gone.

"Bed 23, where are your family members? We still need payment for your treatment. You've been diagnosed with heavy metal poisoning, and you'll need to cooperate with the police investigation.

I'm sorry… we couldn't save your baby," the nurse said, noticing she was awake.

Naomi's fingers trembled as she picked up her phone and tried calling Cassian. His phone was turned off.

A bitter smile tugged at her lips. Since leaving last night, he hadn't responded to any of her calls, nor had he attempted to contact her even once.

He had once promised that he'd be there the moment she needed him. But now, he had ignored her calls just to stay with Rayna.

"I have no family. I'll pay myself," Naomi replied weakly.

"You can't get out of bed. I'll handle it for you. Just rest." The nurse gently stopped her.

After making her notes, the nurse walked out of the ward. She couldn't help but sigh. "Women really do live such different lives…

"There's one woman who just had signs of a threatened miscarriage, and her husband panicked. He booked out an entire VIP floor and flew in a top medical team from across the world overnight to protect the baby."

She glanced back at Naomi. "And then there's this poor woman. She suffered a miscarriage from poisoning, and not a single family member was by her side."

Naomi heard every word. She knew the nurse was talking about Cassian and Rayna, but her heart no longer stirred.

Afterward, Naomi asked to be transferred to a VIP ward. During her hospital stay, she hired someone to test the liquid residue on the glass shard. She was determined to find out who had poisoned her.

Cassian had never contacted her during her entire hospital stay. She returned to the Whitaker residence, retrieved the ring Elena had left her, and stored all valuable keepsakes in a permanent safety deposit box.

She planned to sell the villa and never return again. Afterward, she filed to legally change her name. She was going to make sure Cassian would never be able to find her.

When Naomi returned home, she found Rayna curled up on the couch in her blanket, snacking and watching a drama.

Her brows furrowed slightly, but before she could say a word, Rayna jumped up from the couch.

"Naomi, you're back! Have you eaten yet? Cassian went out to buy a cake. Do you want him to bring you a slice of chocolate cake?" Rayna beamed, her eyes unable to hide the smugness behind her smile.

"Why are you touching my things?" Naomi's expression turned cold as her gaze swept over the messy coffee table, and she felt uneasy.

She never liked anyone touching her belongings, and she hated it even more when someone messed around in her home.

Cassian knew her habits well. Hence, he rarely brought people over, and even when he did, he always ensured everything was clean and in order. Now, he was permitting Rayna to relax in her spot, enjoy her blanket, and indulge in her snacks...

"Naomi, are you mad? Here, I'll give it back to you. Go ahead, pick them up." With a slight smirk, she dumped the chips onto Naomi's body.

Naomi was momentarily stunned. Just as she was about to say something, Rayna dropped to her knees and started tidying up the scattered mess.

"I'm sorry, Naomi. I was so hungry I thought I might faint. That's why I ate your snacks. Please don't be angry. I'll clean everything up right now," she said, her eyes turning red with unshed tears.

"Honey, what are you two doing?"

The unexpected turn took Naomi by surprise. It was only when she heard Cassian's voice behind her that all the pieces finally fell into place.

Naomi turned around just in time to see him looking at Rayna on the floor, and she clearly caught the flicker of pain in his eyes.

"I shouldn't have touched Naomi's things without her permission," Rayna choked out, head lowered.

"Yeah, she hates it when others touch her stuff. And why is the living room such a mess? Take your cake and go. Don't come to my house again." Cassian frowned.

Rayna froze for a moment. Then, she slowly stood and took the cake Cassian handed her.

Suddenly, whether by accident or on purpose, she stumbled and lunged toward Naomi, who lost her balance and fell backward along with Rayna.

In a flash, Cassian stepped forward, catching Rayna tightly in his arms.

Naomi fell to the ground with a big crash just inches away. The back of her head slammed into the edge of the shoe cabinet. Blood poured instantly from the wound as dizziness swept over her.

The last thing she saw before blacking out was Cassian holding Rayna tightly in his embrace.