"What about Nadine? What is she to you?" Sydney coquettishly asked.
He hesitated for only a moment before crushing his cigarette underfoot.
"She's... not as important as you. Whatever I owe her, I'll repay in the next life."
Sydney smiled sweetly. "Then in this life, you'll be good only to me?"
"Yes. Only you."
I stood behind the door, my hand clamped over my mouth to muffle the sob building in my throat.
It wasn't just me— even my unborn child had been nothing more than a pawn in their game.
My hand drifted to my belly, remembering the way his face had lit up when I told him I was pregnant.
"Nadine, this is our first child. I'll protect it with my life."
For three years of marriage, Darwin had treated me like I was his treasure.
I used to believe that while other marriages might fall apart, ours never would.
I thought we'd raise our child and grow old together.
But tonight, every dream I'd ever had shattered in an instant.
He said he'd repay me in the next life.
But I wanted the debt settled in this lifetime.
Every sin he's committed—he will pay for it!
After a long silence, I scrolled to the very bottom of my contacts list and made a call.
"I want to discuss a deal. Interested?"
The man on the other end chuckled.
"The heiress of the Molina family of New York wants to make a deal with me?"
I gave a bitter laugh.
If my family hadn't been wealthy, Darwin would never have thought to fake his death just to swindle a fortune.
What I thought was a powerful alliance—two hearts in harmony—had been nothing but an elaborate illusion to strip me bare.
"I can help you destroy the Herrera Corporation," I said quietly.
There was a pause, then his tone sharpened.
"Don't beat around the bush. What's your condition?"
Clenching my fist, I replied, "Help me stage my own death. Two weeks from now."
"Deal."
His answer came without hesitation.
Outside the hospital, the night was still and dark. I tore the black veil from my head and tossed it into a trash bin.
Just as I turned to leave, I heard Sydney's voice behind me.
"Nadine, so you're here. Let me introduce you—this is Darwin's elder brother, Terrence."
I turned around.
Sydney was dressed in a patient gown, her arm looped possessively through Darwin's.
His gaze held only distance and unfamiliarity as he extended his hand.
"Hello, I'm Terrence. You must be my sister-in-law?"
In three years of marriage, Darwin had never once mentioned having a twin brother.