Chapter 1

Suzanna Sinclair stood at the villa's entrance, holding a cake that was slowly starting to melt. Her hair was a tangled mess, and her clothes were rumpled. Even the hem of her skirt was stained with dirt.

Today marked her fifth wedding anniversary with Brandon White. She hadn't meant to show up looking this disheveled.

Just an hour ago, she had narrowly escaped an abduction. Luckily, a tall, handsome stranger had come to her rescue. After saving her, he'd brought her home.

Suzanna had called Brandon over a dozen times, but every single call had gone unanswered. Normally, he would never ignore her calls like this.

"He must be planning a big surprise for our anniversary," she thought." He's probably keeping me in suspense."

With that hopeful thought in mind, Suzanna pushed open the heavy iron gate. As she did, a soft, melodic tune drifted out. The soothing sound eased the tightness in her chest.

Suzanna quickened her pace and hurried into the courtyard. The space was filled with fresh flowers, colorful balloons, and a large banner that hung overhead.

From inside, the sound of guests cheering echoed. It seemed like a sizable crowd had gathered.

Suzanna paused, glancing at her disheveled outfit. She wondered if she should go upstairs to change before stepping into the celebration.

All of a sudden, she heard Brandon's familiar, affectionate voice. "Sweetheart, you're finally back! What took you so long? Everyone's been waiting for your cake."

As Suzanna lifted her gaze, a spark of excitement lit up her eyes.

Brandon's long legs were clad in crisp white slacks, while a gray plaid vest accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

He looked every inch the elegant gentleman he once was. Since their marriage, he hadn't dressed so formally.

Suzanna's lips curved into a faint smile. The horror of what had happened earlier quickly melted away, giving way to the breathtaking sight before her.

She stepped forward with the cake. "Honey, I was just—"

But before Suzanna could finish, a sweet, high-pitched voice came from behind Brandon. "Is the cake here? I can't believe you prepared a birthday surprise for me the moment I got back! You're the best, Bran!"

It was none other than Iris Larson, Brandon's cousin.

The moment Suzanna heard the words "birthday surprise", her whole body froze. The cake slipped from her hands, crashing to the ground.

Two weeks earlier, she'd suspected that Brandon was secretly planning a surprise for their anniversary.

A week earlier, someone had told her that Brandon had even air-shipped roses from Provencia for the occasion.

Three days earlier, word had spread that he'd paid the highest bid at a prestigious charity auction for a top-grade emerald rough.

Suzanna had been filled with anticipation and joy, convinced that Brandon was preparing an unforgettable romantic celebration for their fifth anniversary.

Even today, when he hadn't answered her calls during her abduction, she hadn't blamed him for a second.

But now, reality hit her hard. With Iris' sudden appearance and her so-called birthday surprise, all the fantasies Suzanna had built up came crashing down.

"The party was all set and ready to begin. All we needed was the cake! Suzanna, how could you throw it on the ground?" A sharp voice jolted Suzanna back to reality.

She glanced up to see Brandon's mother, Lily Rutherford, approaching with her usual disdain. Lily had disliked her from the moment she married Brandon, and over the years, that dislike had grown into open hostility.

"What's going on?" Suzanna's hands trembled, her voice faltering slightly. "How did our anniversary turn into—"

Brandon's eyes flashed with a hint of panic. He quickly grabbed Suzanna's hand and pulled her aside.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart," he whispered. "I was planning a surprise, but Iris returned from overseas out of the blue. She asked for the whole family to celebrate her birthday, so…"

Tears welled up in Suzanna's eyes. She shook off Brandon's hand and stepped back.

It felt as though the ground had been ripped out from under her. The pain in her waist surged again, a reminder of the assault she had suffered earlier. She crouched down, struggling to steady herself.

Just as Brandon was about to embrace her, Lily's sharp voice echoed from the other side. "Brandon! What's going on now? The guests are waiting! Can't you see the cake is completely ruined? We need a plan B."

"Alright, I'm coming," he said.

As he stole one last glance at Suzanna, a pang of guilt struck his heart. But with everything going on, he had no choice but to leave her behind.

Suzanna sat alone in the corner of the courtyard. After what felt like an eternity, she finally gathered enough strength to push herself to her feet.

No one noticed her disheveled state, nor did anyone care about what had just happened to her.

Across the miniature garden, the guests were already singing "Happy Birthday" to Iris.

As Suzanna listened to the endless stream of well-wishes being showered on Iris, a harsh realization hit her. Since marrying into the White family, she hadn't celebrated a single birthday of her own.

No one seemed to care that her birthday was only days away from Iris'. She wiped away the tears, a bitter smile twisting her lips.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Suzanna dragged herself upstairs and quietly closed the door to her bedroom. In front of the bathroom mirror, she peeled off her dirty, stained clothes and tossed them into the trash.

The air was thick with steam. As Suzanna replayed everything that had happened two hours ago, she couldn't help but bury her face in her knees. It took her a full hour to scrub herself clean.

She slipped into loose pajamas and sank into a corner of the bedroom. Staring up at the ceiling, she heard the cheers from outside gradually die down.

It wasn't until 11:00 pm that the door finally creaked open.

Though she knew Brandon had returned, Suzanna didn't move. Unlike before, she didn't rush to greet him or help him out of his coat.

Brandon hung his suit jacket on the hanger and stepped toward her warily. Reeking of alcohol, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, his voice thick with affection. "Happy anniversary, sweetheart. Guess what gift I've got for you?"

Suzanna yanked his hands away. "It doesn't matter. I'm not interested."

Brandon knelt in front of her, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Don't be mad, okay? Look, I had this emerald heart pendant custom-made just for you. Let me put it on."

With that, he took the pendant from an elegant dark red box and clasped it around her neck.

After kissing her cheek, he whispered, "It looks gorgeous on you. Sweetheart, I've been considering something… What do you think about us having a baby?"

"I'm afraid that's not possible," Suzanna replied.

Brandon smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "It's fine. Why don't you just relax and let me handle it for you?"

Suzanna's gaze hardened as she looked up at him. "Brandon, I want a divorce."

The smile on Brandon's lips faltered.

Chapter 2

While waiting for Iris' birthday celebration to end, Suzanna had already thought it all through.

In the past, her decisions had been impulsive, fueled by hurt or spite. But now, she was resolute. She had made up her mind to leave.

Memories of her five years with Brandon flashed through her mind. She couldn't even begin to count the number of times he had dismissed her feelings because of Iris.

She had put up with such mistreatment for long enough. In Brandon's eyes, Iris would always be his top priority, while she would come last.

The truth was, Brandon had only continued to treat her this way because Suzanna had allowed it. She had forgiven him again and again, but this time, he had crossed the line.

Since he had no problem prioritizing Iris' birthday over their supposedly special anniversary, Suzanna knew it was time to end their marriage.

Brandon stood frozen, staring at her. The serious look on her face wiped the smile right off his own.

Without thinking, he pulled her onto his lap. His voice softened as he tried to plead with her. "Why are you bringing up divorce again? Don't throw that word around every time you're upset.

"Sweetheart, I know I screwed up by not celebrating our anniversary today. I'll make it up to you tomorrow, okay?"

Suzanna remained stoic. "It's fine. Not every occasion can be 'made up for.'"

Brandon pushed her back onto the couch and kissed her face slowly. "It's fine. There's always next year," he whispered.

Suzanna stared at the ceiling. For some reason, tears began to slip down her cheeks. She felt like a puppet. Despite Brandon's coaxing, she remained unmoved.

In the past, things had been different. It didn't matter how angry Suzanna was; as soon as Brandon pinned her down and smothered her with affection, everything would be fine.

But this time, there was a noticeable shift. She neither leaned in nor pulled away as she once would have.

The more Brandon kissed her, the more it felt like he was pressing his lips against a block of wood. Taken aback, he lifted his gaze. A single tear glistened at the corner of Suzanna's eye, on the verge of falling.

"Shit," Brandon thought. A frown immediately formed on his face. Panicking, he bent down and kissed the tear away. His voice shook as he murmured, "I'm sorry… Why are you crying, baby?"

A sudden thought struck him, and he quickly switched on the lights. "I almost forgot! When you got home earlier, you didn't seem like yourself. Did something happen on the way?"

It was as if the memory had just returned to him. Suzanna's heart clenched painfully. Before she could stop it, her tears spilled over all at once.

With the lights on, Brandon studied her carefully—her face, hands, body, and even her legs.

It was then that he noticed her slightly swollen face. Her arms, torso, and legs were marked with countless fine scratches.

On her right leg, a deep gash stood out, dried blood marring the wound. The cut was clearly caused by a sharp blade.

Brandon's eyes flickered with unease. "What on earth happened?"

Just as Suzanna tried to speak, Brandon's phone rang. The name "Iris Boo" lit up the screen. The sight hit her like a punch.

Brandon answered the call right in front of her. "Yes, Iris. What's the matter?"

"Bran, I think I ate something bad. My stomach really hurts. Can you take me to the hospital?" Iris' sweet, coquettish voice floated from the speaker.

Brandon was about to agree, but his gaze landed on Suzanna. Her red, swollen eyes pulled at his heart, and he quickly fumbled for an excuse. "It's pretty late. Suzanna and I are already in bed. Maybe you can check with my mom to see if there's any medicine at home."

Without warning, Lily's sharp voice tore through the speaker. "Brandon, get over here now! Iris isn't just having normal stomach pain. It could be appendicitis! Her face is completely pale!"

Brandon frowned. "Alright. I'm coming over."

Suzanna's heart sank like a boulder slipping into the dark, endless depths of a lake. She turned her face away, refusing to meet Brandon's eyes even for a fleeting second.

Brandon hurriedly changed his clothes. Just as he was about to step outside, he paused.

He gazed at Suzanna intently, his eyes betraying a flicker of hesitation. After a long pause, he stepped forward and took her hand. "You're in pain too. Let me take you to the hospital."

The word "too" cut through her. Though her tears had long since dried, a bitter laugh slipped from her lips. "It's fine. You should go. I won't be your second choice."

Brandon's breath caught. Though he knew it wasn't right to leave Suzanna like this, his phone kept ringing insistently. In the end, he let out a heavy sigh and decided to walk away.

Just before stepping out the door, he pulled a supplementary card from his wallet and handed it to Suzanna. "Here, honey. Spend it however you like. Think of it as my way of making it up to you."

The door slammed shut behind him. Weighing the card in her hand, Suzanna couldn't help but scoff.

Brandon had only two solutions—sex or money. To be honest, they had worked on her in the past. But today, neither would be enough.

Without hesitation, Suzanna stood up and opened the suitcase she had brought with her on their wedding day. From it, she pulled out a prenuptial agreement.

At her insistence, Brandon had signed it the night before they were legally married.

Back then, the entire White family had been against their marriage, but Brandon hadn't cared in the slightest.

Fearing the instability of married life, Suzanna had made one non-negotiable demand: if she ever wanted a divorce, Brandon had to agree without hesitation.

She hadn't expected the contract to ever hold any significance. Maybe Brandon had forgotten about it. But even if he had, it was seared into Suzanna's memory.

During a past argument, she had secretly consulted a lawyer. The lawyer had assured her that the agreement was legally binding.

Suzanna could take it to court and start the divorce process on her own. Once the one-month cooling-off period had passed, the marriage could be legally dissolved without Brandon's consent.

It seemed like the perfect time to take action.

Chapter 3

Instead of sleeping, Suzanna spent the entire night cutting up every photo of her and Brandon.

The next morning, she went straight to the courthouse and filed for divorce. Once everything was settled, she donated all the clothes Brandon had bought her to charity.

Later that morning, she sold every piece of jewelry he had given her at a pawnshop. In the afternoon, she instructed the gardener to chop down the magnolia tree in the courtyard. Every branch and leaf was burned in a single fire.

All that had once symbolized their love was gone, save for the emerald heart pendant Brandon had given her. Suzanna chose to keep it, knowing it had been made from the emerald rough he had paid a fortune for at a charity auction. It stood as evidence that he had once loved her.

With nothing left to tie her down, she stepped out of the house, ready to begin her month-long departure.

When Suzanna was just seven, her father fell off a cliff and disappeared without a trace. After her mother remarried into the Langford family, she was kicked out for accumulating massive gambling debts.

Without any family to support her, Suzanna knew she would be completely alone after the divorce. The only person she could legitimately call family was her stepbrother, Colin Langford.

But Colin was notorious for his cruelty, arrogance, and domineering nature. He had never treated her well, and she had always avoided him. Contacting him was out of the question.

For the time being, she planned to use Brandon's card to buy a property of her own. She had just withdrawn a million dollars when she received a call from her best friend, Olivia Kirby.

Since marrying Brandon, Suzanna had gradually drifted away from her old social circle. Even she and Olivia barely stayed in touch. If Olivia was reaching out now, it had to be important.

Suzanna quickly picked up the phone. "Hey, Liv. What's the matter?"

"The International Equestrian Championship kicks off in a month. It's a shame I got injured during training," Olivia said, sounding frustrated. "I couldn't stop thinking about you, Suzie. You were once Zanna Blaze, the most celebrated equestrian prodigy. Could you take my place?"

Olivia's words brought back memories Suzanna had buried long ago.

If she hadn't married Brandon, she would have been a renowned equestrian by now, competing on the national and international stage. Olivia had managed to live that life.

Unfortunately, Brandon had always disapproved of her riding, insisting it wasn't appropriate for a woman.

One day, he secretly took away her beloved white horse, Phantom, claiming he was finding it a "proper owner". Phantom had been the horse Suzanna had raised since she was a child. From that moment on, she had never seen it again.

After Suzanna's long silence, Olivia couldn't hide her disappointment. "I forgot that Brandon doesn't let you ride anymore. Never mind, I'll just—"

"Who said I'm done with it?" Suzanna quickly cut her off. "Don't worry. I promise I'll compete for you next month."

Olivia's excitement burst through the phone. "Really? That's amazing! Suzanna, all our friends always thought you should never have thrown away your talent for marriage. Looks like you've finally realized it too!"

"That's right…" Suzanna admitted inwardly. Her hand trembled slightly as she held the phone.

Before marrying Brandon, she had dazzled with her extraordinary talent. She had been the prodigy of her university, excelling effortlessly in every academic field.

She had stood out in painting and equestrian sports. She had won first place in both runway and public speaking competitions. Even in the culinary arts, she had been nothing short of exceptional.

But after five years of marriage, everything had changed. Not only had she abandoned horseback riding, but she had completely forgotten where she kept her paintbrushes.

She had even lost the grace to walk the runway. And with her eloquence faded, she could no longer defend herself in any argument.

Of all her talents, the only one that hadn't faded was cooking. After all, she had spent the last five years preparing every meal for Brandon.

At that moment, Suzanna realized just how much she had sacrificed for this marriage.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late. She still had a chance to start over.

Chapter 4

Suzanna rode her fiery horse across the racetrack, galloping straight into the morning sun.

In the distance, she saw Brandon and Iris slowly approaching on a white horse. Iris was dressed in white riding clothes, a stark contrast to Brandon's black outfit. She leaned against him as he whispered in her ear.

Suzanna had waited for Brandon all day and night, yet he had never come home.

Moments before she was about to burn their photos, she had paused and called him. Brandon had told her that Iris needed an appendectomy and that he wouldn't be able to return for the time being.

"How could Iris possibly be riding a horse when she was supposed to be recovering from surgery?" Suzanna wondered.

Before she could process the thought, Iris spotted her and let out a startled gasp. "Hey Bran, that woman looks just like Suzanna!"

Brandon immediately looked up. Just ahead, Suzanna sat tall on her horse, her figure perfectly outlined by her riding suit. A cold, piercing chill burned in her gaze.

He dismounted and strode toward her. From his angle, all he could see was the sharp line of her fair jaw. "Hi, honey. What are you doing out here? Why didn't you tell me?"

Suzanna shot him a frosty glance. The sight of him and Iris on the same horse just moments ago made her stomach twist.

Instinctively, she covered her mouth. After a moment, she found her voice again. "I called you, but you didn't answer. Am I supposed to report my whereabouts to an empty void?"

Suzanna rarely spoke with such biting sarcasm. It only surfaced when her anger was at its peak.

Brandon panicked for a second. After steadying himself, he forced a smile. "It's my fault. I left my phone in the car. Iris is fine. At the hospital, we found out it was nothing more than a regular stomachache. A false alarm.

He glanced back at Iris. "Since she's preparing for the International Equestrian Championship next month, I came to help her with some practice."

Suzanna stayed on her horse, refusing to dismount. Brandon had to look up at her as he spoke, his posture tinged with humility.

Iris' eyes flickered with annoyance. She tightened her grip on the reins and edged closer. With a pout, she said, "Bran, we don't need to explain everything to Suzanna. Get back on quickly. I still don't quite understand what you just showed me."

Just as Brandon instinctively moved to mount the horse, Suzanna's cutting voice stopped him in his tracks. "The championship is approaching fast. Do you really trust an amateur like Brandon to teach you? If you need proper guidance, I can help."

Brandon immediately followed her lead. "Suzanna's right. She was a former champion of the International Equestrian Championship. She's definitely more qualified to teach than I am."

A flicker of bitterness stirred in Suzanna's chest. She couldn't believe he actually remembered that part of her past.

Iris hesitated, biting her lip. "But…"

After years of being her cousin-in-law, Suzanna could read Iris' hidden thoughts like no one else.

Suzanna raised an eyebrow. "No 'buts.' Let's go. I'll take you for a few laps."

Before Iris could respond, Suzanna flicked her whip against the horse's flank. The animal let out a sharp neigh and shot forward with all its strength.

Iris screamed in terror, helplessly swept along for the ride. Startled, Brandon grabbed his chest. "Sweetheart, what are you doing? She's not even warmed up yet—"

Suzanna's dark brown eyes slid toward him. "A good coach always keeps things unpredictable. If I spoon-feed Iris the way you do, she'll never make real progress."

With that, she spurred her horse forward and sped into the distance.

The dust from the horse's hooves rained down on Brandon's face. As he stood there, a sudden wave of heat washed over him, as though someone had struck him sharply in the spine.

On the racetrack, the two women were locked in an intense rivalry. Though Suzanna had started a bit later, her black horse quickly surged ahead, overtaking Iris' white one.

Iris gripped the reins tightly. Her eyes blazed with frustration as she watched Suzanna's poised figure in the saddle.

For five years at the White residence, Suzanna had always appeared meek and obedient. But now, Iris could sense an unspoken power radiating from her.

There was nothing more jarring than watching someone she'd spent years suppressing suddenly shine.

The further Suzanna pulled ahead, the deeper Iris' resentment grew. She was riding the finest horse on the racetrack, and her skills were close to professional. Yet no matter how hard she pushed, she could only trail Suzanna's shadow.

As Suzanna passed her once again, a sudden, malicious thought surged in Iris' mind. Without warning, she yanked a hairpin from her pocket and threw it at the horse's rear.

A friend had given her that hairpin for her birthday. She had loved it so much that it had become a permanent part of her daily attire. Worried it might slip off during the ride, she had hastily tucked it into her pocket.

In a split second, the sharp end of the silver hairpin embedded itself in Suzanna's horse. The animal panicked in an instant. No matter how tightly Suzanna pulled the reins, the horse thrashed wildly.

Moments later, she was thrown from the saddle. The horse neighed frantically before bolting into the distance.

Suzanna fell backward onto the grass, a sharp, searing pain shooting through the base of her skull. It felt as though she had struck a rock.

Her head throbbed, and shadows began to close in on her vision. Just as she struggled to sit up, a foot slammed down onto the back of her hand. Pain shot up her arm, and a sharp hiss escaped her lips.

Chapter 5

"Suzanna, you looked so confident on that horse. How did you manage to fall off so quickly?" Iris taunted, her voice dripping with mockery.

Crouching low, she looked up at Suzanna with wide, seemingly innocent eyes. In a flash, she pressed her foot harder onto Suzanna's hand. The pain bit sharply, and Suzanna couldn't help but gasp.

"Shoot! I'm so sorry, Suzanna," Iris said, pretending she had only just noticed. She pulled her foot back quickly and murmured, "I didn't see your hand there. My sincere apologies."

Suzanna finally managed to yank her hand away. Iris offered hers, feigning concern, but Suzanna jerked back and struggled to push herself upright.

"Damn, Suzanna, that fall must've hurt! With your so-called 'expert' riding skills, how do you even have the nerve to brag about teaching me in front of Bran?" Iris teased.

Suzanna glared at her. "Are you seriously going to deny pulling any dirty tricks earlier?"

Iris covered her mouth and let out a scornful laugh. "Oh, come on, Suzanna. If you're bad at something, just admit it. There's no need to drag my name through the mud. It's easy to see why Bran doesn't care much for you."

Suzanna finally grasped the truth. Whenever no one else was around, Iris would take every opportunity to make her life miserable.

A year ago, Iris had pretended to be drunk and had slipped into Suzanna and Brandon's bedroom on purpose. In his confusion, Brandon mistook her for Suzanna and nearly slept with her. Thankfully, Suzanna had come home early and stopped everything just in time.

Suzanna had been livid and caused a massive scene. Aware of his mistake, Brandon ignored his family's protest and sent Iris overseas to study for a year.

With Iris out of the picture, Suzanna and Brandon's marriage began to mend over time.

Suzanna had been excited about the idea of trying for a baby with Brandon on their anniversary.

But with Iris' sudden return, everything fell apart. Given how relentlessly Iris had taunted her, her hatred for Suzanna was unmistakable.

Suzanna's voice betrayed not the slightest hint of emotion. "I know exactly how you feel about Brandon. It's fine. I'll step aside soon enough. You two can do whatever you want."

Having said her piece, she turned on her heel and blew a sharp whistle. She waited patiently, hoping her horse would hear the call and return to her.

Suddenly, Iris grabbed her arm, her face reddening with embarrassment. "Suzanna, w-what are you talking about? Bran and I are like siblings! How could I possibly have romantic feelings for him?"

Suzanna glanced back, her piercing gaze locking onto Iris. In that moment, it felt as if she could see the dark secrets Iris had buried deep within her.

A cold smile played across her lips. "You know exactly how you feel about Brandon. But just so you're aware, cousin marriages are considered incestuous by law, and children born from such unions have an increased risk of congenital defects. You might want to rethink your actions."

Iris' face turned crimson, her secrets seemingly exposed in that instant. "Suzanna, h-how dare you slander me and Bran like that!"

Just then, the sound of galloping hooves echoed through the air. It appeared that Suzanna's horse was coming back to find her.

Suzanna instinctively turned toward the noise. Behind her, Iris' embarrassment quickly gave way to seething rage. Without a word, she discreetly pulled out the same hairpin.

Her eyes sparkled with malice as she aimed it straight at Suzanna's neck. In the sunlight, the silver tip of the hairpin gleamed menacingly.

A chill ran down Suzanna's spine. As she slowly turned, the horse's neighing grew louder.

An instant later, the pounding of hooves filled her ears. Before Suzanna could grasp what was happening, Iris let out a scream that tore through the air.

Suzanna's heart lurched. Spinning around, she found Iris pinned beneath the trampling hooves of a white horse. Its body was mottled with bald patches and caked with filth.

Iris screamed repeatedly, her face warped with fear. A vintage hairpin lay abandoned on the ground just a short distance away.

Suzanna stared at the horse. Something about it felt familiar. Her eyes were drawn to the distinctive tuft of light brown forelock on its head. In that instant, her blood ran cold, and her breath caught in her throat.

Her hand flew to her mouth in shock. "Phantom?" she called, her voice trembling.

The horse froze mid-stomp the instant it heard its name. It turned its head toward Suzanna and walked steadily in her direction.

"Phantom!" Suzanna cried, her emotions finally breaking free. Ignoring her trembling hands, she reached out and clutched its reins. "Phantom, it really is you!"

Earlier, Suzanna had blown her whistle to summon the horse she was riding. But to her shock, Phantom appeared instead—the cherished racehorse she had once loved.

Phantom had always been gentle and obedient. The moment it sensed Suzanna was in danger, it went straight for Iris.

With tears in her eyes, Suzanna gently caressed its mane. She could hardly believe the sight of its battered body. Its coat was riddled with sores, tangles, and countless whip marks.

This was Phantom—the very same horse the Langford family had once purchased for her at an exorbitant price from an auction.

Phantom's coat had once gleamed like fresh snow, each strand smooth and glossy like satin. It had been her companion through countless competitions and victories.

But to Suzanna, Phantom had never been just a racehorse or a symbol of glory. It was family.

When Brandon had sent Phantom away all those years ago, the horse had been healthy and strong. But just five years later, its condition had deteriorated beyond recognition.

Suzanna's entire body trembled, mirroring the anguish in her heart. She staggered, barely able to stay upright.

All of a sudden, the sound of approaching hooves filled the air, followed by Brandon's loud voice. "Suzanna! Iris!"

Chapter 6

As Suzanna's knees began to give way, a firm hand steadied her.

Brandon's gentle voice sounded beside her ear. "You two have been here a long time. Is everything okay?"

Tears blurred her vision. She had been ready to confront him about Phantom's terrible condition as soon as she saw him.

But before she could say a word, Iris spoke up, her voice faltering into a trembling whisper. "Bran… it hurts so much…"

Brandon stiffened. He let go of Suzanna without a second thought. His gaze locked on Iris, lying helplessly on the floor.

"Iris!" Seeing her bruised and battered, his eyes reddened. He gently pulled her from the ground. "What happened? How did you end up like this? What… what exactly went on out here?"

Iris' tears fell in an instant, each drop scattering like broken pearls.

"Bran, you won't believe what just happened! S-Suzanna accused me of playing dirty and even ordered that damn horse to trample me! She's jealous because my riding skills are better than hers!"

Iris' fury flared, her words coming out in quick, sharp bursts. But in a heartbeat, her breath faltered, and her strength seemed to slip away.

"B-Bran… it hurts… I feel so terrible… am I… am I ever going to walk again?"

Brandon's heart broke as he listened to Iris' account. Right before Suzanna's eyes, he lifted Iris into his arms.

His eyes flashed with conflicting emotions as he turned to face Suzanna. His expression tightened, and the tenderness that had once filled his gaze vanished.

His words were colder than the dead of winter. "Suzanna, is that what really happened?"

Just as Suzanna opened her mouth to speak, a sudden weight crushed her chest. At the same time, a sharp, stabbing pain tore through her lower abdomen.

Unable to utter a single word, she grabbed her chest, her body folding into a crouch.

Meanwhile, Brandon appeared oblivious to her suffering. His face grew darker with every passing second. "I'm taking Iris to the hospital. If what she said is true, then you've truly disappointed me!"

A sharp, salty taste burned its way up Suzanna's throat. Pressing hard against her chest, she fought for every breath.

When she lifted her head, her eyes fell on the cold, indifferent man before her. Though tears threatened to spill, she forced herself to hold them back.

"Bran… I…" Iris whispered weakly. Without warning, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed backward.

"Iris! Iris!" Brandon shouted, panic cracking his voice.

Holding Iris close, he raced toward the racetrack's exit, never pausing to catch his breath.

A loud crash sounded behind him. But even then, Brandon's focus remained entirely on Iris. There was no time for him to worry about anything else.

Still, he couldn't shake the suspicion that Suzanna had collapsed. His steps faltered for a heartbeat, but he didn't look back.

With Iris in such a critical state, nothing was more urgent than getting her to safety.

…

When Suzanna opened her eyes again, she realized she was in a hospital. More specifically, she was lying on an operating table.

A massive surgical light hung above her. The piercing glare made it almost impossible to keep her eyes open.

As Suzanna's legs were positioned apart, the sound of clinking medical instruments echoed around her.

She wanted to speak, but her mind was shrouded in a foggy haze. She couldn't summon even the tiniest bit of strength.

The chatter of doctors and nurses seemed distant and muffled.

"What a shame. The fetus was already two months along. How could she be so careless? I'm shocked she went horseback riding while pregnant."

"Exactly. I heard she fell off the horse. By the time she was brought in, the embryo had already detached. She must have taken quite a fall."

"The internal medicine physician found mild internal bleeding. It was fortunate she came when she did. Any delay could have resulted in fatal blood loss."

"Yeah. I wonder if the man who brought her in was her husband. Despite his height and good looks, there's a cold, indifferent vibe about him. He barely spoke a word and left as soon as he paid."

"Cut the small talk and focus on the procedure. Once the dilation and curettage is over, transfer her to the ward so she can rest."

…

Pregnancy. Embryo. Fatal blood loss. Dilation and curettage…

Each word struck Suzanna like a bolt of lightning. Realizing the gravity of the situation, she tried to push herself up, but her body betrayed her.

It was as if invisible chains were wrapped around her, holding her in place. Even trying to lift her eyelids felt like an impossible task.

Though Suzanna could feel something scraping and twisting deep inside, the anesthesia dulled the sensations, leaving her unaffected by the pain.

Still, the news of the miscarriage crashed over her like a tidal wave, suffocating her in an ocean of grief. It felt as though the very air had been ripped from her chest. Soon, everything faded to black, and she succumbed to unconsciousness once more.

"Suzanna… Suzanna…"

After what felt like an eternity, Suzanna faintly heard someone calling her name. At the same time, she felt her arm being gently shaken.

She gradually opened her eyes. As the haze lifted, she realized she was lying in a hospital room.

Chapter 7

The person desperately calling Suzanna's name and shaking her arm was none other than Olivia.

As Suzanna slowly opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Olivia's tear-streaked face.

"Suzanna, you're finally awake!" Olivia cried, her voice filled with relief. But in the next instant, she was sobbing again. "But your baby… it's gone. Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant? I never should have asked you to take my place in the competition!"

Suzanna tried to shake off the thick fog clouding her thoughts. Her hand drifted to her stomach, only to meet the empty void where life had once blossomed.

It felt as though her heart was being torn apart. In that instant, her tears began to fall.

"How do you feel? Does your body still hurt? Do you want something to eat?" Olivia asked, hurriedly wiping Suzanna's tears with a tissue.

"The doctor said you need to rest for the next week and avoid moving around too much. Even though the baby is gone, it's going to be okay. You're still young. Don't be sad. The most important thing now is focusing on your recovery."

Suzanna nodded absentmindedly, her gaze drifting around the empty hospital room. It seemed Brandon hadn't come to visit her.

Could the tall, aloof figure the nurse had described really have been Brandon? Suzanna hesitated, her mind clouded with doubt. But if it wasn't him, then who else could it possibly be?

"Where is he?" she asked softly, her voice breaking the silence.

Olivia blinked, taking a moment to understand who she meant. A flicker of hesitation crossed her face, and she sheepishly replied, "You're asking about Brandon, right?

"I called him earlier to let him know you were in the hospital. He said he was caught up with something and would come as soon as he could. After that, he just hung up."

As expected, it wasn't Brandon who had brought her here.

A wave of sorrow crashed through Suzanna's chest, tightening into a suffocating pressure that refused to ease. She pressed her hand to her heart, unable to utter even a single word.

In that instant, a nurse rolled in a wheelchair. "Patient No. 12, it's time for your chest X-ray."

Olivia assisted the nurse in getting Suzanna into the wheelchair and promptly wheeled her to the CT scan room.

After returning from the X-ray, they passed by a hospital room. A sudden cough sounded from within, sending a jolt through Suzanna's nerves.

Since she was young, Iris had always been frail. Her chronic pharyngitis left her with a cough that never quite disappeared.

Having heard it countless times before, Suzanna recognized the sound immediately. She motioned for Olivia to stop and waited quietly outside.

With the door slightly ajar, she could make out muffled voices.

"Bran, didn't you say Suzanna's hospitalized too? Why are you here with me? You should check on her."

"What kind of critical state could she possibly be in? Anyway, I have already asked about her condition. She suffered only a minor scrape. Nothing serious. You're the one who's seriously hurt. I'm not leaving. I'll stay with you."

"Bran, you're honestly the best cousin anyone could ask for. I hope my future husband is as caring as you."

"Indeed, a man as kind and gentle as Brandon is a rare find. I really don't understand what that woman has to complain about. She's always sulking and stirring up trouble every few days. If you ask me, you should've called off the wedding before it even happened."

"Mom, let's not discuss this. Divorce is off the table. But Suzanna definitely went too far this time. I'll stay away and do whatever it takes to keep Iris safe from her."

"That's what I like to hear. Even if she said she was pregnant and then miscarried, who would believe her? Her cycle has always been irregular anyway. How could she possibly get pregnant? That's ridiculous."

"You've got to be kidding, Aunt Lily! Did Suzanna really claim she was pregnant? Haha… That's hilarious! Her stomach's completely flat. There's simply no way."

…

Inside the ward, Iris, Brandon, and Lily spoke freely, their every word carrying straight to Suzanna's ears.

Suzanna's face went pale. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her skin.

Olivia felt a surge of fury as she listened. She instinctively wanted to storm in and confront them.

But before she could move, Suzanna grabbed her sleeve. "Forget it," she whispered, shaking her head.

Had the baby survived, it might have given her a reason to hold on to her marriage. But now, it was gone, leaving a void in its place. It almost felt as if the baby had sensed the growing distance between her and Brandon.

Knowing all this, why would Suzanna care enough to argue with them?

Five years had given her more than enough time to see Brandon and his family for who they truly were. Ironically, those years seemed to fade away as quickly as a fleeting moment.

Fortunately, Suzanna was only 27. She still had plenty of time ahead of her. Now that she knew the truth, she could walk away and cut her losses. There was no need to stay caught up in toxic relationships or complicated situations.

Olivia wheeled Suzanna back to her ward. After helping her into bed, she took out her phone and began scrolling.

Just as Suzanna was beginning to doze off, she suddenly heard Olivia clicking her tongue. "People today are unbelievably cruel! How could anyone treat an old horse like that? Whipping it wasn't enough; they even dripped burning candle wax onto its back. It's utterly horrifying!"

The moment she heard the words "old horse", Suzanna's eyes flew open. Without thinking, she yanked Olivia's phone from her hand.

Olivia flinched. "What's wrong, Suzie?"

Suzanna remained silent, her gaze fixed firmly on the screen. Watching the horse endure such torment, her chest tightened, and her breath quickened with each passing moment.

She observed the video closely, the seconds dragging on. When she finally spotted the small patch of light brown forelock on the horse's head, a chill ran down her spine, and every hair on her body stood on end.

Ignoring Olivia, Suzanna scrambled out of bed and staggered toward the door. But having just experienced a miscarriage and a fall, her body lacked the strength to move far. After only a few steps, her vision went black, and she collapsed.

Olivia gasped, quickly rushing to help Suzanna to her feet. Seeing the panic in her eyes, Olivia was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"Suzie! What's going on?" she asked. "Why are you freaking out? The doctor said you need to rest! Where do you think you're going?"

Suzanna didn't have time to explain. The moment she got to her feet, she staggered forward again. "I have to find Brandon! That horse… is… Phantom!"

Olivia's eyes widened in shock.

Having trained alongside Suzanna from a young age, Olivia understood better than anyone how much that horse meant to her.

"What?" Olivia blurted, her mouth falling open. "How could they treat Phantom like that? I'm coming with you. We're not letting them get away with this!"