Oliver picked up the phone. Three seconds later, his eyes lit up with joy.
"You're pregnant?!"
Veins bulged on his hand as he gripped the phone, radiating unrestrained, genuine happiness.
After hanging up, he finally asked me, "What did you just say about my mother?"
I shook my head. "Let's wait for Attorney Palmer to come next time."
Once the agreement was finalized, Oliver and Czarina would finally be able to be together in the open.
Ever since his mother passed away, the person Oliver hated seeing most was her estate lawyer.
As expected, his brows knitted tightly.
"I don't care what you're plotting with my mother's will. This pregnancy of Czarina's cannot have any accidents. She was the most important person to my brother."
He didn't wait for my response. He strode to the foyer, changed his shoes, and with a loud bang, slammed the door behind him.
The housekeeper came over holding the shattered photo frame.
"Madam... you never had the heart to put this photo away before. Are you really throwing it out?"
I gave a soft laugh. My heart tightened, then loosened all at once.
"It was thrown away long ago."
Five years ago, on a stormy night, Ryan—his older brother—was in a multi-car collision with Czarina.
That same night, Oliver had a high fever but insisted on rushing to the hospital.
I cried and tried to stop him.
"Oliver, you're burning up. There are plenty of doctors there—you won't be able to help..."
For the first time, he glared at me coldly.
"How would I not help? That's my brother and sister-in-law. Not everyone is as heartless as you."
"When your mother was dying, you could pretend you didn't see it. You knelt at my mother's feet instead. Lydia, I'm not like you."
He walked out.
And I followed after him in the rain, ending up at the old Romulo residence.
His mother handed me a bank card again.
"Lydia, let's make a deal. This thirty million will be your payment for marrying Oliver for five years. Your mother's illness needs this money too. During these five years, I need you to watch over Oliver... and keep an eye on Czarina for me."
"After five years, no matter what happens, you'll be free."
Back then, I didn't understand. I'd secretly loved Oliver for five years—how could I ever walk away?
But three days later, when he returned from the hospital and announced the news of his brother's death... everything changed.
He said, he wanted Czarina to bear his child.