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00:00That was the day my husband told me he was marrying someone else, and I was pregnant.
00:03I'm marrying Olivia Silverwood in three days.
00:05That means nothing if I don't have the right status?
00:07In our cycle, status is everything.
00:09Olivia, she might be pregnant.
00:10I blank.
00:11When did that happen?
00:12Your birthday.
00:13A sharp pain starts spreading through my lower belly.
00:15Please, please, call a doctor.
00:17He shakes his head.
00:18Isabella, the drug's already working.
00:19Just give up.
00:20After Olivia has her baby, we can try again.
00:22The very last flicker of hope inside me just died.
00:25And right when I think I'm gonna die in this place, nobody even knows.
00:28The door smashes.
00:29That was the day my husband told me he was marrying someone else, and I was pregnant.
00:32Look, Isabella, I love you, okay?
00:34You know that.
00:35But I have to marry Olivia.
00:35I don't have a choice.
00:36My wedding has to be perfect.
00:37So I have to erase every trace of us.
00:40Every. Single. One.
00:41I stare at Alexander.
00:42I'm in shock.
00:43He lifts a hand.
00:44The bodyguard behind him flicks a lighter and heads straight for the apartment.
00:47In a heartbeat, the flames swallow everything.
00:49I'm wiping down the counter when Alexander Loras walks in.
00:52I look up, rag still in my hand.
00:54I'm marrying Olivia Silverwood in three days.
00:56I'm Alexander Loras, heir to the Loras group.
00:59Her and me, we run in the same circles.
01:01It's already a done deal.
01:02I freeze.
01:02The rag hits the floor.
01:07I'll buy you a house outside the city.
01:09You and the baby will want for nothing.
01:13So, I'm just going to be your dirty little secret?
01:15Forever?
01:16She's chill.
01:18As long as you don't make a scene in front of her, I can give you and the baby everything.
01:21Everything.
01:22Except the title.
01:23Three years together.
01:24And all of it means nothing to him.
01:26What if I told you I can be your equal too?
01:33Isabella, I know I screwed up.
01:34Hiding who I am, moving on to someone else.
01:37But it is what it is.
01:38In this whole city, the Silverfields are the only family on my level.
01:41We've played house in this tiny apartment for three years.
01:43I know exactly who you are.
01:45You don't have some powerful family.
01:46I look around this tiny apartment.
01:48The walls we painted together.
01:49The furniture we picked out.
01:51The daisies he planted for me on the balcony.
01:53I can't make myself believe this.
01:54Alexander, I'm having your baby.
01:57Can't we just go back to how it was?
01:59Please don't marry her.
02:00Please.
02:01If he just says yes, I'll pretend none of this ever happened.
02:04He presses his lips together.
02:07I already hooked up with her.
02:08Okay?
02:08I have to make this right.
02:09And what about me?
02:10You don't think you owe me and your baby the same?
02:13Alexander wipes my tears.
02:14The pain in his eyes looks so real.
02:16Baby, I'm just taking a new wife.
02:19I am not leaving you.
02:21There's a three-story house on Long Island.
02:23I already bought it.
02:23You love flowers, right?
02:25I'll have roses planted all over the yard.
02:27Whatever you want, I'll do it.
02:28Trust me.
02:29You want me stuck in some house?
02:31Being your dirty little secret?
02:33No.
02:34I'm not letting me and my kid live in the shadows.
02:36Not anymore.
02:38I've never treated you like a mistress.
02:40Long as you don't make a scene in front of Olivia,
02:41you'll still be my woman there.
02:43Okay?
02:43He still hasn't said wife.
02:45Not once.
02:46To him, I'm only ever the mistress.
02:48No.
02:48I'm not going anywhere.
02:50I'm staying here.
02:51Then, a sharp pain at the back of my neck.
02:53I black out.
02:54When I wake up, I'm locked inside that Long Island villa.
03:00The Lawrences actually called the Andersons for Olivia's ring,
03:03pulled strings to get that heirloom designer.
03:06The Silver Sids are old money, too.
03:08They deserve that kind of treatment.
03:09I remember all the sweet things Alexander once said.
03:12My woman deserves nothing but the best.
03:14I mean, even those Andersons jewels.
03:16And now, that ring is on Olivia's finger.
03:19Funny thing.
03:20Nobody knows this, but that ring's designer?
03:23He's been designing for me since I was little.
03:25I'm Isabella Andersen,
03:27the only heir to one of the biggest business empires in North America.
03:30Three years ago, I had a massive fight with my father and ran away from home.
03:34I wanted to prove I could survive on my own.
03:37No family, no nothing.
03:38I ditched my bodyguards and landed a job at a convenience store in some forgotten corner of the city.
03:44That's where I met Alexander.
03:45He pushed the door open that day,
03:48suit soaked from the rain.
03:49Got any umbrellas?
03:51Aisle 3.
03:52He grabbed one, came to the register,
03:55glanced down at my name tag.
03:57Isabella?
03:58You knew?
03:59Yeah.
03:59He slid the change back towards me.
04:02Keep it.
04:03I'm Alexander.
04:04I'm a lawyer.
04:05And then he smiled,
04:07eyes crinkling at the corners,
04:08and I fell.
04:09Hard.
04:11He told me later he never even needed an umbrella.
04:13His car was parked right across the street.
04:16He just saw a girl with a ponytail through the window,
04:18and something pulled him inside.
04:20On our hundredth day together,
04:21he took me to that old church on the corner.
04:24No flowers.
04:25No guests.
04:26Just a silver-haired priest
04:28and two silver rings.
04:29I can't give you a mansion or a fancy car,
04:31but every morning,
04:33I'll make the coffee.
04:35Every week,
04:36I'll push the cart at the grocery store.
04:38Isabella,
04:39will you marry me?
04:42I held out my hand.
04:44After everything thing we've been through,
04:46I decide to give him one last chance.
04:50Alexander,
04:51can you just not marry her?
04:53Not marry her?
04:54And marry you instead?
04:56You really gonna make me say the ugly part out loud?
04:59She's Olivia Silverwood.
05:01And you?
05:02A cashier at a convenience store.
05:04How exactly would you be fit to be Mrs. Loris?
05:06All the blood drains from my face,
05:08but I can't let it go.
05:09So three years together?
05:11That means nothing if I don't have the right status?
05:13In our cycle,
05:14status is everything.
05:15He pauses.
05:16Then that guilt-stricken look slides back across his face.
05:18Olivia,
05:19she might be pregnant.
05:20I blank.
05:21When did that happen?
05:22My voice is shaking.
05:24Alexander can't even look at me.
05:25Your birthday.
05:28My birthday.
05:30Alexander just vanished.
05:31I searched for him the whole damn night,
05:33every floor of the apartment building,
05:35everywhere.
05:37He didn't show up until the next day,
05:39looking wrecked,
05:40telling me he got lost,
05:41trying to find me the perfect gift.
05:43Then,
05:43like he was unveiling some grand gesture,
05:45he pulled a Tiffany necklace from behind his back.
05:47I'd been up all night,
05:48but seeing how much effort he'd put in,
05:50I couldn't be mad.
05:52I just tucked the necklace away.
05:54And now he's telling me,
05:56that whole time,
05:57my birthday,
05:58he was with Olivia.
05:59A sick feeling twists in my stomach.
06:01The villa on Long Island.
06:03Fences everywhere.
06:04The only way I can see the outside world
06:05is from that second floor window.
06:07At dusk,
06:08Alexander comes in,
06:09carrying a whole box of my favorite tiramisu.
06:11He sits across from me.
06:12Eat something.
06:13The baby's hungry.
06:15So I pick up the spoon.
06:16Tiny bites.
06:18Just a few bites in,
06:19a sharp pain starts spreading through my lower belly.
06:21I curl up on the couch.
06:23Cold sweat soaks through my clothes.
06:25Alexander,
06:26my belly,
06:27it really hurts.
06:29He glances at me.
06:29There's pity in his eyes, sure,
06:31but mostly just resignation.
06:32Isabella,
06:33it'll just pass.
06:34Get a doctor.
06:34I'm gripping the cushion so hard,
06:35my knuckles are white.
06:36Please,
06:37please,
06:37call a doctor.
06:38He shakes his head.
06:39Isabella,
06:39the drug's already working.
06:40Just give up.
06:41After Olivia has her baby,
06:42we can try again.
06:43Alexander,
06:43listen to me.
06:45I have a name.
06:47Okay?
06:47I'm not nobody.
06:49Please,
06:49just get a doctor.
06:53You're disappointing me big time.
06:55If you're gonna lie,
06:56at least make it believable.
06:57A miscarriage won't kill you.
06:59You made your bed.
07:00I watch him walk away.
07:01The very last flicker of hope inside me
07:03just died.
07:04I collapse onto the couch,
07:05my mind going dark.
07:06And right when I think I'm gonna die
07:07in this place,
07:08nobody even knows it off.
07:09The door smashes.
07:12That was the day my husband told me
07:14he was marrying someone else
07:15and I was pregnant.
07:16I'm marrying Olivia Silverwood
07:17in three days.
07:18That means nothing
07:19if I don't have the right status?
07:20In our cycle,
07:21status is everything.
07:22Olivia,
07:22she might be pregnant.
07:23I blank.
07:24When did that happen?
07:25Your birthday.
07:26A sharp pain starts spreading
07:27through my lower belly.
07:28Please,
07:29please,
07:29call a doctor.
07:30He shakes his head.
07:31Isabella,
07:31the drug's already working.
07:32Just give up.
07:33After Olivia has her baby,
07:34we can try again.
07:35The very last flicker of hope
07:36inside me
07:37just died.
07:38And right when I think
07:38I'm gonna die in this place,
07:40nobody even knows it off.
07:41The door smashes.
07:42That was the day my husband
07:42told me he was marrying someone else
07:44and I was pregnant.
07:45Look, Isabella,
07:46I love you,
07:46okay?
07:47You know that.
07:47But I have to marry Olivia.
07:48I don't have a choice.
07:49My wedding has to be perfect.
07:50So I have to erase
07:51every trace of us.
07:53Every single one.
07:54I stare at Alexander.
07:55I'm in shock.
07:56He lifts a hand.
07:57The bodyguard behind him
07:58flicks the lighter
07:58and heads straight for the apartment.
08:00In a heartbeat,
08:00the flames swallow everything.
08:02I'm wiping down the counter
08:03when Alexander Loris walks in.
08:05I look up.
08:06Rag still in my hand.
08:07I'm marrying Olivia Silverwode
08:09in three days.
08:09I'm Alexander Loris,
08:11heir to the Loris group.
08:12Her and me,
08:12we run in the same circles.
08:13It's already a done deal.
08:14I freeze.
08:15The rag hits the floor.
08:20I'll buy you a house
08:21outside the city.
08:22You and the baby
08:22will want for nothing.
08:25So,
08:26I'm just gonna be
08:27your dirty little secret?
08:28Forever?
08:29She's...
08:30chill.
08:30As long as you don't make
08:31a scene in front of her,
08:32I can give you
08:33and the baby everything.
08:34Everything.
08:34Except the title.
08:35Three years together.
08:37And all of it
08:37means nothing to him.
08:39What if I told you
08:40I can be your equal too?
08:46Isabella,
08:46I know I screwed up.
08:47Hiding who I am,
08:48moving on to someone else.
08:49But it is what it is.
08:51In this whole city,
08:51the Silverfields
08:52are the only family on my level.
08:53We've played house
08:54in this tiny apartment
08:55for three years.
08:56I know exactly who you are.
08:57You don't have
08:58some powerful family.
08:59I look around
09:00this tiny apartment.
09:01The walls we painted together.
09:02The furniture we picked out.
09:04The daisies he planted
09:04for me on the balcony.
09:05I can't make myself
09:06believe this.
09:07Alexander,
09:08I'm having your baby.
09:10Can't we just go back
09:11to how it was?
09:12Please,
09:12don't marry her.
09:13Please.
09:14If he just says yes,
09:15I'll pretend
09:16none of this ever happened.
09:17He presses his lips together.
09:19I already hooked up with her.
09:21Okay?
09:21I have to make this right.
09:22And what about me?
09:23You don't think you owe me
09:24and your baby the same?
09:26Alexander wipes my tears.
09:27The pain in his eyes
09:28looks so real.
09:29Baby,
09:30I'm just taking a new wife.
09:31I am not leaving you.
09:34There's a three-story house
09:35on Long Island.
09:36I already bought it.
09:37You love flowers, right?
09:38I'll have roses planted
09:39all over the yard.
09:40Whatever you want,
09:40I'll do it.
09:41Trust me.
09:42You want me stuck
09:43in some house
09:44being your dirty
09:44little secret?
09:46No.
09:46I'm not letting me
09:47and my kid
09:48live in the shadows.
09:49Not anymore.
09:50I've never treated you
09:51like a mistress.
09:52Long as you don't make
09:53a scene in front of Olivia,
09:54you'll still be my woman there.
09:56Okay?
09:56He still hasn't said wife.
09:58Not once.
09:59To him,
09:59I'm only ever the mistress.
10:01No.
10:01I'm not going anywhere.
10:03I'm staying here.
10:04Then,
10:04a sharp pain
10:05at the back of my neck.
10:06I black out.
10:07When I wake up,
10:08I'm locked inside
10:09that Long Island villa.
10:13The Lawrences
10:14actually called
10:14the Andersons
10:15for Olivia's ring,
10:16pulled strings
10:17to get that heirloom designer.
10:19The Silver Sids
10:19are old money too.
10:21They deserve
10:21that kind of treatment.
10:22I remember
10:23all the sweet things
10:24Alexander once said.
10:25My woman deserves
10:26nothing but the best.
10:27I mean,
10:28even those Anderson jewels.
10:29And now,
10:30that ring is on
10:30Olivia's finger.
10:32Funny thing,
10:33nobody knows this,
10:35but that ring's designer?
10:36He's been designing for me
10:37since I was little.
10:38I'm Isabella Anderson,
10:40the only heir
10:40to one of the biggest
10:41business empires
10:42in North America.
10:43Three years ago,
10:44I had a massive fight
10:45with my father
10:46and ran away from home.
10:47I wanted to prove
10:48I could survive on my own.
10:50No family,
10:50no nothing.
10:51I ditched my bodyguards
10:53and landed a job
10:54at a convenience store
10:55in some forgotten
10:55corner of the city.
10:57That's where I met Alexander.
10:58He pushed the door
10:59open that day,
11:00suit soaked
11:01from the rain.
11:02Got any umbrellas?
11:04Aisle three.
11:05He grabbed one,
11:06came to the register,
11:08glanced down
11:08at my name tag.
11:10Isabella,
11:11you knew?
11:11Yeah.
11:12He slid the change
11:13back towards me.
11:15Keep it.
11:16I'm Alexander.
11:17I'm a lawyer.
11:18And then he smiled,
11:19eyes crinkling
11:20at the corners,
11:21and I fell.
11:22Hard.
11:24He told me later
11:25he never even needed
11:25an umbrella.
11:26His car was parked
11:27right across the street.
11:29He just saw a girl
11:30with a ponytail
11:30through the window,
11:31and something
11:32pulled him inside.
11:33On our hundredth day
11:34together,
11:34he took me to that
11:35old church on the corner.
11:37No flowers,
11:38no guests,
11:39just a silver-haired priest
11:40and two silver rings.
11:42I can't give you a mansion
11:43or a fancy car,
11:44but every morning,
11:45I'll make the coffee.
11:48Every week,
11:49I'll push the cart
11:50at the grocery store.
11:51Isabella,
11:52will you marry me?
11:54I held out my hand.
11:57After everything
11:58thing we've been through,
11:59I decide to give him
12:00one last chance.
12:03Alexander,
12:03can you just
12:04not marry her?
12:05Not marry her?
12:07And marry you instead?
12:09You really gonna make me
12:10say the ugly part out loud?
12:12She's Olivia Silverwood.
12:13And you?
12:14A cashier
12:15at a convenience store.
12:17How exactly would you
12:18be fit to be Mrs. Loris?
12:19All the blood drains
12:20from my face,
12:21but I can't let it go.
12:22So three years together?
12:24That means nothing
12:24if I don't have
12:25the right status?
12:26In our cycle,
12:27status is everything.
12:28He pauses.
12:29Then that guilt-stricken look
12:30slides back across his face.
12:31Olivia,
12:31she might be pregnant.
12:33I blank.
12:34When did that happen?
12:35My voice is shaking.
12:37Alexander can't even
12:38look at me.
12:38Your birthday.
12:41My birthday.
12:43Alexander just vanished.
12:44I searched for him
12:45the whole damn night,
12:46every floor of the
12:47apartment building,
12:48everywhere.
12:50He didn't show up
12:51until the next day,
12:52looking wrecked,
12:53telling me he got lost
12:54trying to find me
12:55the perfect gift.
12:55Then,
12:56like he was unveiling
12:57some grand gesture,
12:58he pulled a Tiffany necklace
12:59from behind his back.
13:00I'd been up all night,
13:01but seeing how much
13:02effort he'd put in,
13:03I couldn't be mad.
13:05I just tucked
13:05the necklace away.
13:07And now he's telling me
13:08that whole time,
13:09my birthday,
13:11he was with Olivia.
13:12A sick feeling
13:13twists in my stomach.
13:14The villa on Long Island.
13:15Fences everywhere.
13:16The only way I can see
13:17the outside world
13:18is from that
13:19second floor window.
13:20At dusk,
13:20Alexander comes in
13:22carrying a whole box
13:22of my favorite tiramisu.
13:24He sits across from me.
13:25Eat something.
13:25The baby's hungry.
13:28So I pick up the spoon.
13:29Tiny bites.
13:31Just a few bites in,
13:32a sharp pain starts spreading
13:33through my lower belly.
13:34I curl up on the couch.
13:36Cold sweat soaks
13:37through my clothes.
13:38Alexander,
13:39my belly,
13:40it really hurts.
13:41He glances at me.
13:42There's pity in his eyes,
13:43sure,
13:44but mostly,
13:44just resignation.
13:45Isabella,
13:46just,
13:46it'll pass.
13:47Get a doctor.
13:47I'm gripping the cushion
13:48so hard my knuckles are white.
13:49Please,
13:50please,
13:50call a doctor.
13:51He shakes his head.
13:52Isabella,
13:52the drug's already working.
13:53Just give up.
13:54After Olivia has her baby,
13:55we can try again.
13:56Alexander,
13:56listen to me.
13:58I have a name.
14:00Okay?
14:00I'm not nobody.
14:02Please,
14:02just,
14:03get a doctor.
14:06You're disappointing me big time.
14:08If you're gonna lie,
14:09at least make it believable.
14:10A miscarriage won't kill you.
14:12You made your bed.
14:13I watch him walk away.
14:14The very last flicker of hope
14:15inside me
14:15just died.
14:16I collapse onto the couch,
14:18my mind going dark.
14:19And right when I think
14:20I'm gonna die in this place,
14:21nobody even knows it off.
14:22The door smashes.
14:23Suddenly dropped to his knees
14:24before me.
14:25Sarah,
14:25Mia's heart is a perfect match
14:26with yours.
14:27She needs the transplant immediately.
14:28Arthur,
14:28I am three months away
14:29from my due date.
14:30We can always have another baby.
14:32Happy April Fool's,
14:33Professor!
14:34You weren't angry just now
14:34because she disrespected me.
14:35You were angry because
14:36she joked about being a match.
14:37When you heard the truth,
14:38you were just disappointed.
14:39She is the only one in my heart.
14:40This marriage was completely,
14:42utterly meaningless.
14:43Sarah,
14:43don't forget,
14:44we're still staying
14:45at my family's private hospital.
14:46Would use my sick mother
14:47as leverage.
14:48Let's get a divorce,
14:48Arthur.
14:49At a gathering with friends,
14:50my husband,
14:51a highly respected
14:51university professor,
14:53suddenly dropped to his knees
14:54before me.
14:54His voice trembled
14:55as he spoke the unthinkable.
14:57Sarah,
14:57Mia's heart is a perfect match
14:58with yours.
14:59She needs the transplant immediately.
15:00For a moment,
15:01I was struck completely dumb,
15:02yet somehow I wasn't surprised.
15:04But a person only has one heart.
15:06I'll contact the best surgeons
15:07in New York
15:07to fit you with a state-of-the-art
15:08artificial one.
15:09Arthur,
15:10I am three months away
15:11from my due date.
15:12We can always have another baby.
15:14Let's just give this one up
15:15for now.
15:16While I sat there,
15:17paralyzed by the sheer cruelty
15:19of his words,
15:19a girl's crisp,
15:21melodic laughter rang out
15:22from across the room.
15:23Happy April Fool's,
15:24Professor!
15:24Your heart isn't actually
15:25a match, Sarah.
15:26I was just messing around.
15:27I can't believe you actually
15:28went and begged your wife,
15:29Professor!
15:29The tense atmosphere
15:30in the room instantly
15:31evaporated into boisterous laughter.
15:33Our friends began
15:34to tease him.
15:35That was a cruel joke,
15:36Mia.
15:36You put Arthur
15:36in an impossible position.
15:37If Mia told me
15:38we were a match,
15:39I bet Arthur would have
15:39dragged me onto
15:40the operating table himself.
15:41Amidst the laughter,
15:42I was the only one
15:43sitting dead silent
15:43on the sofa.
15:44I rested a hand
15:45over my rounded belly,
15:46my heart slowly
15:47turning to ash.
15:48Arthur had never once
15:49been angry with Mia.
15:50To him,
15:51this frail,
15:51sickly student of his
15:52was a fragile porcelain doll
15:54that needed
15:54constant protection.
15:56But this time,
15:56he stood up,
15:57his face uncharacteristically dark.
15:59The crowd belatedly
15:59quieted down.
16:00After a suffocating silence,
16:02someone whispered to Mia,
16:03the joke too far.
16:04You know how protected
16:05the professor is for Sarah.
16:06Series first started
16:06at Columbia University.
16:07A colleague made
16:08an off-color joke
16:08about Sarah
16:09and Arthur put him
16:09in the hospital.
16:10Hearing this,
16:11Mia froze.
16:12Tears instantly welled up
16:13in her doe-like eyes.
16:14She reached out,
16:15gingerly tugging
16:15at the hem
16:16of Arthur's shirt.
16:17I'm so sorry,
16:18Professor.
16:18It's April Fool's.
16:19I just wanted
16:20to play a little prank.
16:21When Arthur remained silent,
16:22she turned her pitiful gaze
16:23to me,
16:24sniffing delicately.
16:25Sarah,
16:25I didn't mean any harm.
16:27If you're angry,
16:27you can yell at me.
16:28I'll take it.
16:29Oh, come on.
16:30She's just a straightforward
16:31girl.
16:31She spoke without thinking.
16:33Yeah, Arthur.
16:33She's been your star student
16:35for three years.
16:36You even dedicated
16:36your recent thesis to her.
16:38You can't let a silly
16:39April Fool's joke
16:39ruin that.
16:40Arthur's expression
16:41finally softened.
16:42Don't ever make
16:43a joke like that again.
16:44Mia nodded eagerly.
16:47Then he turned to me,
16:48a hint of guilt
16:49flashing in his eyes.
16:52I'm sorry, Sarah.
16:54I should have verified it
16:54before coming to you
16:55for a favor.
16:56A favor.
16:57He casually reduced
16:58demanding my heart
16:59and my unborn child's life
17:01to a simple favor.
17:02But this wasn't
17:03the first time.
17:03Whenever it came to Mia,
17:05the usually rational,
17:06fiercely logical
17:07Professor Arthur Davies
17:08became hyper-emotional
17:09and inexplicably
17:10blurred the lines.
17:11On Christmas Eve,
17:12he had driven
17:13300 miles
17:14through a blizzard
17:14to Boston
17:15just because she texted him
17:16that her stomach hurt.
17:18When I questioned him,
17:19he simply sighed.
17:20Her health is fragile, Sarah.
17:22I was worried
17:22something terrible
17:23had happened.
17:23Yet when I,
17:24his wife,
17:25sat alone in our home,
17:26five months pregnant,
17:27waiting up for him
17:28all night in pain,
17:29he wasn't worried.
17:29When my violent fetal movements
17:31left me in agonizing,
17:32breathless pain,
17:33he wasn't worried.
17:34Through my morning sickness,
17:35my contractions,
17:36my edema,
17:37and my hair loss,
17:38he wasn't worried.
17:38With me,
17:39he was always as cold
17:40and pragmatic as a machine.
17:41Sarah,
17:41creating a life
17:42is naturally difficult.
17:43You just have to endure it
17:44until the baby is born.
17:45When the hormones
17:45made me irritable
17:46or depressed,
17:47he dismissed it
17:47as female hysteria,
17:49threw out a few
17:49half-hearted platitudes,
17:51and locked himself
17:52in his study.
17:53Every single time,
17:54I had to swallow my despair
17:55to avoid disturbing his work.
17:57Yet,
17:57the crowning achievement
17:58of his career,
17:59a research paper
18:00that took him
18:00five grueling years
18:02to complete,
18:02featured Mia's name
18:03on the very first line
18:04of the acknowledgements,
18:05an undergraduate student
18:06who had absolutely
18:07no professional contribution
18:09to the work.
18:09By the time I found out,
18:10it was already making headlines.
18:12In the interview video,
18:13Arthur looked into the camera
18:14with a soft, affectionate smile.
18:15In my five years of teaching,
18:16Mia might not be
18:17the most gifted student
18:18I've ever taught,
18:18but she is unequivocally
18:19the most resilient.
18:20I thank her for walking
18:21into my life.
18:21She gave me the courage
18:22to continue my research.
18:23Last week,
18:23I accidentally dropped
18:24my favorite vase.
18:25It shattered into a dozen pieces.
18:27When Arthur saw it,
18:28he didn't even blink.
18:29He just calmly asked
18:30the housekeeper
18:30to sweep it up.
18:31But that vase
18:32was irreplaceable.
18:34It was one we had sculpted
18:35and fired together
18:36in Italy
18:37during the most passionate
18:38year of our marriage.
18:39He had once held it up
18:41looking deeply into my eyes
18:42and solemnly declared
18:43it would be
18:44our family heirloom.
18:46Let me just,
18:47let me glue it back together.
18:49I had whispered,
18:50squatting on the floor
18:51with trembling hands,
18:52trying to gather
18:53the fragmented pieces
18:54of our memories.
18:54He frowned and pulled me
18:55up by my arm.
18:56It's just a cheap vase, Sarah.
18:58Let it go.
18:59My eyes welled with tears,
19:00but his gaze simply
19:01dropped to my stomach.
19:02Is the baby making you
19:03act out again?
19:04I tried to comfort myself.
19:05He's a rational man.
19:06I thought it's normal for him
19:07not to care about
19:08sentimental trinkets.
19:09But that night,
19:10when I brought a plate
19:10of fruit into his study,
19:12my eyes fell upon a locked,
19:13transparent display case
19:14on his desk.
19:15Inside sat a cheap
19:17$20 fountain pen
19:18from a local stationery store,
19:19a gift from Mia.
19:21At that moment,
19:21it felt as though
19:22a bucket of ice water
19:23had been poured
19:23directly over my head.
19:25We had the worst fight
19:26of our marriage.
19:26I completely lost it.
19:28I grabbed a paperweight,
19:30smashed the glass case,
19:32and threw the cheap pen
19:33into the trash can.
19:34But the very next second,
19:35Arthur scrambled to fish it out,
19:37cradling it in his hands
19:38as if it were
19:38a priceless treasure.
19:40When he finally looked at me,
19:41his eyes were brimming
19:42with disgust and impatience.
19:44Go look in the mirror
19:44Sarah.
19:45Look at yourself.
19:46You look like a madwoman.
19:47You broke the damn
19:48vast yourself today,
19:49so what exactly
19:50are you blaming me for now?
19:51Swear on the Bible
19:52that you hadn't
19:52developed feelings for Mia.
19:54If you had,
19:55they would both run in hell!
19:57Arthur, a staunch man of science,
19:58actually hesitated.
19:59It took him a long time
20:00to finally speak.
20:01Yes.
20:03I am tempted by her.
20:04The word struck me
20:05like a physical blow.
20:06But we haven't crossed the line
20:07and we never will.
20:08So you can drop
20:09the wronged wife act.
20:10Tears streamed down my face.
20:11He sighed,
20:12stepping forward
20:12to gently smooth down
20:13my messy hair.
20:15Sarah, we've been together
20:16for 11 years.
20:17There's no freshness left.
20:18To be brutally honest,
20:19kissing you feels like
20:19my upper lip
20:20tug was on my lower lip.
20:21Sometimes I even regret
20:22that we eloped to Vegas
20:23the second we turned 18.
20:24Back then,
20:25I didn't know that 10 years later
20:26I would fall for someone else.
20:27He was the one
20:27who bought out
20:28the city's fireworks
20:29just to make me smile
20:30when we were young.
20:31Now he was the one
20:31looking down on me
20:32casually discussing
20:33his change of heart.
20:34Mia has a lively personality.
20:36She's not dull
20:36and suffocating like you.
20:37She likes to goof off.
20:38She likes watching
20:38cheesy romance movies.
20:39She loves feeding
20:40stray cats by the road.
20:41You used to do
20:41those mundane things too
20:42but when she does them
20:42I just find her
20:43incredibly adhering.
20:44I can't control
20:44my heart flutter.
20:45Finally,
20:45he lit a cigarette.
20:46His tone was gentle
20:47yet unimaginably cruel.
20:49As long as you want it
20:49the position of Mrs. Davis
20:50will always be yours.
20:52But you have to
20:53accept the reality.
20:54She is the only one
20:55in my heart now.
20:56After that night
20:56I spiraled into
20:57an endless cycle
20:58of breakdowns
20:59and internal torment.
21:00I cried
21:01until my eyes
21:02were swollen shut.
21:03I tried to detach
21:04myself emotionally.
21:05I tried pretending
21:06I didn't care
21:06when he came home late
21:07when he missed
21:08my prenatal checkups
21:09when he took Mia
21:09to Hawaii
21:10for a research trip
21:11but I was only
21:11lying to myself.
21:12And today
21:13when he knelt
21:14in front of all
21:14our friends
21:15begging me to
21:15carve out my heart
21:16for Mia
21:17and abandon
21:17our six month old baby
21:19I finally realized
21:20something this marriage
21:21was completely
21:21utterly meaningless.
21:25Sarah,
21:26I know I was wrong.
21:27Please forgive me.
21:29Her voice carrying
21:30much more confidence
21:31than before.
21:32Someone chimed in
21:33to help her.
21:33Sarah,
21:34Mia didn't mean
21:34any harm.
21:35She never takes
21:36things seriously.
21:36Remember that time
21:37she got drunk
21:37and babbled
21:37about wanting
21:38to marry
21:38the professor?
21:39I didn't mean
21:40it like that.
21:40I just meant
21:40she speaks
21:40without a filter.
21:41Everyone knows
21:42you and Arthur
21:42have an unbreakable
21:42bond.
21:43There's no room
21:43for anyone else.
21:43I offered a quiet
21:44hollow smile
21:45and looked directly
21:46at Mia.
21:47It's fine.
21:48I don't blame you.
21:50The crowd let out
21:51a collective sigh
21:52of relief.
21:53Then I delivered
21:54the final blow.
21:55Arthur and I
21:55are getting a divorce
21:56soon anyway.
21:57I wish you get
21:57everything you've
21:58ever wanted, Mia.
21:59Sarah,
22:00stop talking nonsense
22:01in front of everyone.
22:02I found it laughable.
22:04You can kneel
22:05in front of a room
22:06full of people
22:06and beg me
22:07to give my heart
22:07to another woman
22:08but I can't even
22:08mention divorce.
22:09It was an April Fool's
22:10joke.
22:11What is the big deal?
22:12Mia has already
22:12apologized and I've
22:13reprimanded her.
22:14If you keep making
22:14a scene you're only
22:15going to embarrass
22:15yourself.
22:16Calm down, Sarah.
22:17You're pregnant.
22:17Don't let a little
22:18misunderstanding ruin
22:19your marriage.
22:19Yeah, Arthur
22:20clearly cares about you.
22:21We all saw it.
22:21He normally never
22:22yells at Mia.
22:22Hearing this,
22:23I slowly turned
22:23my gaze to Arthur.
22:25My voice was
22:25eerily calm.
22:26You weren't angry
22:27just now because
22:27she disrespected me.
22:28You were angry
22:28because she joked
22:29about being a match.
22:30When you heard
22:30the truth,
22:30you were just
22:31disappointed.
22:32Arthur stiffened.
22:32A moment later,
22:33profound irritation
22:34flashed across his face.
22:35For God's sake,
22:36I'm begging you.
22:36Can we not do this here?
22:37If you don't care
22:38about your dignity,
22:38Mia still cares about hers.
22:39A tidal wave
22:40of sheer exhaustion
22:41washed over me.
22:42I closed my eyes.
22:43Fine.
22:44I'll see you
22:45at the lawyer's office
22:46on Monday.
22:46I stood up to leave.
22:47Sarah, please
22:48don't blame the professor.
22:49He just wants me
22:50to have a healthy body.
22:51It's my fault.
22:52I looked down coldly
22:53at the girl
22:53crying crocodile tears.
22:54You went to all
22:55this trouble
22:55with this prank
22:56just to prove
22:56your place in his heart.
22:57You must be thrilled
23:00as if she had been slapped.
23:01I looked away
23:02and walked past her.
23:03Sarah,
23:04don't forget,
23:05your mother is still
23:05staying at my family's
23:06private hospital.
23:07My footsteps halted.
23:08Never in my wildest
23:09nightmares did I think
23:10the man I loved
23:11would use my sick mother
23:12as leverage
23:13to protect his mistress.
23:14After a long,
23:15agonizing silence,
23:16I forced a smile
23:17and helped Mia
23:18up from the floor.
23:22Everything I just said
23:23was a joke, too.
23:25I don't blame you.
23:26Mia choked back a sob.
23:27That's good.
23:28I was so scared
23:29I caused trouble
23:30for the professor.
23:31The farce finally ended.
23:35Arthur offered
23:35to drive me home.
23:37On the way,
23:38he uncharacteristically
23:38tried to explain himself.
23:40I only said that
23:40to scare you.
23:41I would never do
23:41anything to your mother.
23:42You suffered a grievance today.
23:44As an apology,
23:44I'll go with you
23:45to your prenatal checkmate
23:45tomorrow.
23:46Sarah,
23:46we've been together
23:47for over a decade.
23:48It's not like
23:48I don't have feelings for you.
23:49I just wish you could
23:50learn to get along with Mia.
23:51I leaned against
23:51the cold car window
23:52feeling absolutely nothing.
23:54I was serious
23:55about what I said today.
23:56Let's get a divorce,
23:57Arthur.
23:58From now on,
23:59whatever happens
23:59between you and her
24:00is none of my business.
24:04Sarah,
24:04I know I was wrong.
24:06Please forgive me.
24:08Her voice carrying
24:08much more confidence
24:09than before.
24:11Someone chimed in
24:12to help her.
24:12Sarah,
24:13Mia didn't mean any harm.
24:14She never takes things seriously.
24:15Remember that time
24:15she got drunk
24:16and babbled about
24:16wanting to marry the professor?
24:18I didn't mean it like that.
24:19I just meant she speaks
24:19without a filter.
24:20Everyone knows you and Arthur
24:21have an unbreakable bond.
24:21There's no room for anyone else.
24:22I offered a quiet,
24:23hollow smile
24:24and looked directly at Mia.
24:26It's fine.
24:27I don't blame you.
24:29The crowd let out
24:30a collective sigh of relief.
24:32Then I delivered
24:32the final blow.
24:33Arthur and I are getting
24:34a divorce soon anyway.
24:35I wish you get everything
24:36you've ever wanted, Mia.
24:38Sarah!
24:39Stop talking nonsense
24:40in front of everyone!
24:41I found it laughable.
24:43You can kneel
24:44in front of a room
24:44full of people
24:45and beg me to give my heart
24:46to another woman,
24:47but I can't even mention divorce?
24:48It was an April Fool's joke.
24:49What is the big deal?
24:50Mia has already apologized
24:51and I've reprimanded her.
24:52If you keep making a scene,
24:53you're only going to
24:54embarrass yourself.
24:55Calm down, Sarah.
24:56You're pregnant.
24:56Don't let a little misunderstanding
24:57ruin your marriage.
24:58Yeah, Arthur clearly cares about you.
24:59We all saw it.
25:00He normally never yells at Mia.
25:01Hearing this,
25:02I slowly turned my gaze to Arthur.
25:03My voice was eerily calm.
25:05You weren't angry just now
25:06because she disrespected me.
25:07You were angry because
25:07she joked about being a match.
25:08When you heard the truth,
25:09you were just disappointed.
25:10Arthur stiffened.
25:11A moment later,
25:12profound irritation
25:13flashed across his face.
25:14For God's sake,
25:14I'm begging you.
25:15Can we not do this here?
25:15If you don't care about your dignity,
25:17Mia still cares about hers.
25:18A tidal wave of sheer exhaustion
25:19washed over me.
25:20I closed my eyes.
25:22Fine.
25:23I'll see you at the lawyer's office
25:24on Monday.
25:25I stood up to leave.
25:26Sarah, please don't blame the professor.
25:28He just wants me to have a healthy body.
25:30It's my fault.
25:31I looked down coldly
25:32at the girl crying crocodile tears.
25:33You went to all this trouble
25:34with this prank
25:35just to prove your place in his heart.
25:36You must be thrilled right now.
25:37Her face turned deathly pale
25:39as if she had been slapped.
25:40I looked away
25:41and walked past her.
25:42Sarah,
25:43don't forget,
25:43your mother is still staying
25:44at my family's private hospital.
25:45My footsteps halted.
25:47Never in my wildest nightmares
25:48did I think the man I loved
25:50would use my sick mother
25:51as leverage
25:52to protect his mistress.
25:53After a long,
25:54agonizing silence,
25:55I forced a smile
25:56and helped Mia up from the floor.
26:01Everything I just said
26:02was a joke, too.
26:03I don't blame you.
26:05Mia choked back a sob.
26:06That's good.
26:07I was so scared
26:08I caused trouble for the professor.
26:10The farce finally ended.
26:13Arthur offered to drive me home.
26:16On the way,
26:16he uncharacteristically
26:17tried to explain himself.
26:19I only said that to scare you.
26:20I would never do anything
26:20to your mother.
26:21You suffered a grievance today.
26:22As an apology,
26:23I'll go with you
26:23to your prenatal checkmate tomorrow.
26:25Sarah,
26:25we've been together
26:26for over a decade.
26:26It's not like I don't have
26:27feelings for you.
26:28I just wish you could learn
26:28to get along with Mia.
26:29I leaned against the cold car window
26:31feeling absolutely nothing.
26:32I was serious about
26:34what I said today.
26:35Let's get a divorce, Arthur.
26:37From now on,
26:37whatever happens between you and her
26:39is none of my business.
26:40The night I signed the divorce papers,
26:42I wandered the streets
26:43of New York alone.
26:45It was raining in Manhattan,
26:46cold wind cut between the skyscrapers,
26:49chilling me to the bone.
26:50My bank accounts
26:51had already been frozen.
26:52My apartment access
26:53had been revoked,
26:54and my phone balance
26:55showed less than $40 left.
26:57Dragging my suitcase behind me,
26:58I sat outside
26:59a 24-hour convenience store,
27:01mechanically scrolling
27:02through job listings
27:03on my phone.
27:03Almost every position
27:05required long-term work history
27:06or a permanent address.
27:08And at that moment,
27:09I had none of those things.
27:10Just when I was about to give up,
27:12a new listing suddenly
27:13appeared on the screen.
27:15Live-in nanny wanted.
27:17The words accommodation included
27:19immediately caught my attention.
27:21I never expected the family
27:22behind the listing
27:23to be the Blackwoods.
27:25At that moment,
27:26I stood outside
27:27a private estate
27:27on the north shore
27:28of Long Island,
27:29beside an elderly butler
27:31with an unreadable expression.
27:33Miss Carter,
27:34there's something I need
27:35to make clear
27:35before you enter this house.
27:38Mr. Blackwood is looking
27:39for a guardian
27:39for the young master,
27:40not a partner for himself.
27:42Several women misunderstood
27:43that distinction before you.
27:45I hope you won't.
27:46I lowered my head slightly
27:47and kept my eyes down.
27:49Honestly,
27:49this job sounded perfect to me.
27:51I had finalized my divorce
27:52that very morning.
27:53The thought of getting married again
27:55was the last thing on my mind.
27:56But as long as I had somewhere to stay,
27:58I wouldn't have to spend the night
27:59wandering the streets.
28:00To me,
28:01this opportunity felt like a lifeline.
28:03I nodded immediately.
28:04I understand.
28:05I won't have any inappropriate thoughts.
28:07The butler finally seemed somewhat satisfied
28:09and led me down a long hallway.
28:11The air carried a faint cedarwood scent,
28:13an oppressive aura
28:14unique to a powerful Alpha's territory.
28:16Then we entered the dining room.
28:18At the far end of the enormous table
28:21sat a young father and son
28:22locked in a silent standoff.
28:24The tall man held a child's dinner plate
28:26in one hand,
28:28exhaustion faintly visible
28:29between his brows.
28:30Across from him,
28:31the little boy sat with his lips
28:32tightly pressed together,
28:33refusing to cooperate.
28:35The silence in the room
28:36was almost unsettling.
28:37After a long moment,
28:38the man finally let out a low sigh.
28:40It looked harder than negotiating
28:42a billion-dollar Wall Street merger.
28:44He pinched the bridge of his nose
28:45and spoke quietly.
28:46Noah,
28:48just one bite, okay?
28:49The boy turned his face away stubbornly.
28:51Sir,
28:52the new applicant has arrived.
28:54The man finally looked up.
28:56He wore simple black slacks
28:57and a white dress shirt,
28:59the top two buttons undone loosely,
29:01revealing the sharp line of his collarbone.
29:03His sleeves were rolled neatly
29:04to his forearms,
29:06exposing pale skin
29:07and lean muscle beneath.
29:08I recognized that face instantly.
29:11Alexander Blackwood.
29:12One of the most dangerous Alphas
29:14in North America.
29:15His gray-blue eyes were cold as ice.
29:17One glance from him
29:18was enough to make people
29:19instinctively back away.
29:20And yet,
29:21for some reason,
29:23I wasn't afraid.
29:24His gaze swept lightly over me
29:25and paused for half a second.
29:27The restless alpha pheromones
29:29lingering in the room
29:30suddenly calmed.
29:31Something flickered in his eyes.
29:33Name?
29:34Evelyn Carter.
29:35I answered quietly.
29:36He gave an almost imperceptible nod
29:38before handing me the plate.
29:39You try.
29:41Then he leaned back in his chair,
29:43arms folded,
29:44silently watching me.
29:45This was probably my interview,
29:46and I needed this job desperately.
29:48At the very least,
29:49I didn't want to sleep
29:50in a subway station tonight.
29:52Holding the plate carefully,
29:53I forced a gentle smile
29:55and walked toward the little boy.
29:56Before I could get close,
29:58he suddenly dove beneath the table,
30:00leaving only a pair of dark,
30:01angry eyes staring at me.
30:02I don't want her!
30:04Tell her to leave!
30:05She's just like the others!
30:06So there had already been
30:07many future stepmothers before me.
30:09That only made me
30:10more determined to succeed.
30:12I glanced around the room
30:13and noticed superhero toys
30:15scattered everywhere.
30:16An idea immediately came to mind.
30:17I picked up an action figure
30:19and crouched beside the table
30:20with a smile.
30:21Relax.
30:21I'm not feeding you,
30:23I'm feeding Superman.
30:24I pretended to feed the toy seriously.
30:27Superheroes need to eat too.
30:28If they don't eat,
30:29how are they supposed
30:30to save New York?
30:31Oh?
30:32You want broccoli?
30:33Of course.
30:33Broccoli helps you grow strong enough
30:35to defeat bad guys.
30:36Under the table,
30:37the little boy was clearly wavering,
30:39but he still stubbornly refused
30:40to say anything.
30:41I deliberately continued ignoring him,
30:43until his nose turned red
30:44and he looked moments away from tears.
30:45Only then did I pretend to notice him.
30:48Oh?
30:49What's this?
30:50There's a little wolf cub hiding under here?
30:52Trying not to laugh,
30:53I raised the superhero toy.
30:55Superman,
30:55would you like to share your dinner
30:57with the little wolf cub?
30:58I lowered my voice dramatically.
30:59Of course.
31:00A wolf cub needs to eat properly
31:02if he wants to become
31:03the strongest alpha.
31:04That finally broke him.
31:05The little boy nodded aggressively.
31:07The moment I lifted the spoon,
31:08he took a huge bite.
31:10Then another.
31:10And another.
31:11After several mouthfuls,
31:13he suddenly glared at me indignantly.
31:15Why didn't you give me more broccoli?
31:17Are you scared I'll become
31:19stronger than Superman?
31:20I couldn't help laughing.
31:22But when I turned around,
31:23I met Alexander Blackwood's gaze.
31:26For the first time,
31:27the cold sharpness
31:27in his expression softened.
31:29Something unfamiliar flickered
31:31within those gray-blue eyes,
31:32as though he had finally recognized
31:34something he'd been searching for
31:35all along.
31:36That very evening,
31:37I moved into Blackwood Manor.
31:38The entire estate has three floors.
31:40Noah and I stayed on the second floor,
31:42and Alexander stayed on the third.
31:43Before going upstairs,
31:45the old butler, Harris,
31:46purposely stopped,
31:46his expression serious,
31:48and reminded me.
31:49Miss Carter,
31:50there's something you have to remember.
31:52Absolutely never
31:53go up to the third floor
31:55without Mr. Blackwood's permission.
31:57I froze for a moment.
31:58Harris didn't change his expression
32:00as he continued.
32:01A lady once snuck into
32:02the master's room late at night,
32:04trying to become the lady
32:06of the Blackwood household.
32:07She almost got thrown out the window.
32:10Mr. Blackwood greatly dislikes it
32:12when others overstepped
32:13their boundaries.
32:14I nodded immediately.
32:15I understand.
32:16To be honest,
32:18I don't have the headspace for that.
32:20At this point,
32:20I just want to hold on to this job.
32:22Not to mention,
32:23an alpha on Alexander Blackburn's level.
32:26He's just not someone
32:27I can afford to mess with.
32:28Noah is only five,
32:29but surprisingly independent.
32:31He sleeps on his own at night,
32:33which is a huge relief for me.
32:37The next afternoon,
32:38Alexander came home,
32:39and there I was,
32:40squatting in the front yard,
32:41feeding Noah.
32:42Actually scratched that.
32:43Noah was on a leash,
32:43sitting side by side
32:44with the family's Alaskan Malibut
32:46on the lawn,
32:47having an eating contest.
32:48Big dog takes a bite.
32:49Noah takes a bite.
32:50It was surprisingly wholesome,
32:51and kind of fierce, too.
32:54Alexander had just stepped out
32:55of the car when he falls.
32:56He stared at the scene,
32:58and his face went dark
32:59in an instant.
32:59Evelyn,
33:01what do you take my son for?
33:04Ow!
33:06Dad,
33:07we're role-playing!
33:08Look!
33:09I ate more than Rocket today!
33:12Alexander's frown deepened,
33:13and he slowly turned
33:14to look at the butler beside him.
33:16Sir,
33:16although Miss Carter's method
33:18is a bit
33:19unconventional,
33:20the results are undeniable.
33:21Before,
33:22no matter how we chased after him,
33:23the young master
33:23just wouldn't eat.
33:25But this afternoon,
33:26he's already finished
33:26two whole plates of pasta.
33:28He's even insisting
33:29that he have to beat Rocket.
33:31The man silently watched
33:33his son demolish broccoli,
33:34steak,
33:35and mashed potatoes,
33:36his expression growing
33:37more and more complicated.
33:38After a long moment,
33:39he finally let out
33:40a resigned sigh,
33:41as if accepting his fate.
33:43At the very least,
33:45Noah and Rocket
33:45should have separate dishes.
33:49Don't worry, sir.
33:50Rocket's a very clean dog.
33:51He hasn't so much
33:52as touched Noah's spoon.
33:54Alexander's temple
33:55pulped a little,
33:55like he was about
33:56to say something.
33:58But then he just
33:58squeezed his eyes shut,
34:00turned,
34:00and walked into the house.
34:02The sun was slowly setting.
34:04Noah held the leash,
34:05running across the lawn
34:06and how-ow like a wolf.
34:07Rocket was running wild
34:08with excitement, too.
34:09I was laughing so hard.
34:11Little did I know,
34:12behind the floor-to-ceiling window
34:13on the second store,
34:14Alexander stood there quietly,
34:16watching us.
34:16Miss Carter
34:17is practically magic.
34:19Before,
34:19the young master
34:20wouldn't eat,
34:21wouldn't talk,
34:22wouldn't even go outside.
34:23but she's only been here
34:24one day
34:25and everything has changed.
34:27Sir,
34:27I think this time,
34:28we've finally found
34:29the right person.
34:30By the time I brought
34:31Noah back inside,
34:32Alexander was already seated
34:33in the first floor living room.
34:35Long legs crossed,
34:36watching the business news.
34:37His aura was still so intense
34:38you didn't dare
34:39look straight at him.
34:40I just took the leash off Noah
34:41when Alexander suddenly said,
34:42Evelyn,
34:43let's talk.
34:44Evelyn,
34:45let's talk.
34:47Okay,
34:47Mr. Blackwood.
34:48I gave Noah to the maid,
34:49then sat properly
34:50across from him
34:51on the sofa.
34:52Alexander looked up at me.
34:53You're great with kids.
34:54Have you done this before?
34:56I took care of my ex-hun's
34:58sister's kid
34:59for two years.
35:00At the time,
35:01Ryan's family thought
35:02I wasn't making enough,
35:03so they told me to quit.
35:04But once I did,
35:05they figured I was worthless,
35:07just staying home.
35:08So they went ahead
35:09and fired the babysitter
35:11and made me watch
35:11their children.
35:13Alexander listened in silence,
35:14his gray-blue eyes
35:15were deep,
35:16unreseedable.
35:16After a moment,
35:17he suddenly asked,
35:18According to your file,
35:19you just got divorced?
35:20Mm.
35:21Reason?
35:22We're from different worlds.
35:23It was quiet for a moment.
35:25Alexander looked at me,
35:26his gaze heavier than usual.
35:28You should have already
35:28seen the job posting
35:29from yesterday.
35:30Noah's a special case.
35:31He has no sense of security.
35:33He doesn't want to go out,
35:34doesn't want to meet strangers,
35:35and he really resists
35:36going to school.
35:37And I don't have much time
35:38to spend with him.
35:38So,
35:40I need someone who can
35:41stay by his side long term.
35:43A real mother figure.
35:45If you're willing to stay,
35:46we'll sign a pre-nuthwil agreement.
35:48Assets will remain
35:49completely separate.
35:50You won't be taking on any risk.
35:52Families like theirs
35:53were all the same.
35:54Even though my first marriage
35:56had started because of love,
35:57the gap between our social status
35:59had been too large.
36:00Ryan's family still insisted
36:01on a pre-nuthwil agreement.
36:03So when we divorced,
36:04I walked away with almost nothing.
36:06And a family like the Black Hose,
36:07an old money dynasty
36:08at the very top
36:09of New York society,
36:10would naturally treat marriage
36:11even more cautiously.
36:12After hesitating for a moment,
36:14I finally spoke.
36:15Actually,
36:16I only need a place to stay.
36:17We don't necessarily
36:18have to legally marry.
36:19Alexander looked up at me.
36:21The marriage is for Noah.
36:22I need to give him
36:23a stable family structure.
36:25And marriage is the most
36:26effective legal protection.
36:27He sounded as though
36:28he were discussing
36:29a business contract.
36:30And somehow,
36:31that made me feel
36:32strangely reassured.
36:34Then we'll do it your way.
36:35After the marriage,
36:36I'll transfer $20,000
36:37into your account
36:38every month
36:38for personal expenses.
36:39That part mattered to me
36:40more than anything.
36:41After all,
36:42I had already learned
36:43what happened
36:43when money was left
36:44entirely in someone else's hands.
36:46I hesitated
36:46before quietly asking,
36:48If we ever divorce
36:49in the future,
36:50will I be allowed
36:51to keep that money?
36:52Alexander looked
36:53mildly surprised
36:54by the question.
36:55He watched me silently
36:55for two seconds
36:56before answering,
36:57Of course.
36:58It already belongs to you.
37:00Only then
37:00did I finally relax.
37:02That's good.
37:03And for now,
37:04I have no intention
37:05of establishing
37:06a true mate relationship.
37:07You'll continue
37:08staying on the second floor.
37:09That's fine.
37:10I don't have that intention either.
37:11And just like that,
37:12three days after my divorce,
37:14I got married again.
37:15Just like my first marriage,
37:17there was no wedding.
37:18No vows.
37:18At dinner that night,
37:19Harris unusually instructed
37:21the kitchen to prepare
37:21several additional dishes.
37:23Then Alexander
37:23slid a black velvet box
37:25towards me.
37:26Inside was a diamond ring.
37:27A very large diamond ring.
37:29That's really not necessary.
37:30For Noah.
37:31I immediately understood.
37:32Children needed
37:33the illusion
37:34of a complete family.
37:35So in the end,
37:36I accepted it.
37:38That night,
37:39I had just finished showering
37:40and climbed into bed
37:41when my bedroom door
37:42slowly creaked open.
37:43Noah stood outside
37:44holding a little wolf plushie,
37:46looking unusually conflicted.
37:48What's wrong?
37:49The little boy
37:49lowered his head
37:50and awkwardly twisted
37:51the hem of his pajamas.
37:52Could you read me
37:53a bedtime story?
37:54I froze for a second.
37:56Noah pressed his lips
37:57together nervously.
37:58I can ask my dad
37:59to increase your rallery,
38:00but if you don't want to,
38:02you can say no.
38:02I lifted the blanket
38:03slightly and gestured
38:04toward him.
38:05Come here.
38:06The little boy's eyes
38:07lit up instantly.
38:08He immediately climbed
38:09into bed with his wolf plushie
38:11clutched tightly in his arms.
38:12That night,
38:13Noah fell asleep
38:14in my embrace
38:15while listening to the story.
38:17The next morning,
38:18Alexander was visibly surprised
38:20when he heard about it.
38:21That familiar faint approval
38:22appeared in his eyes again.
38:24Evelyn,
38:24thank you for your hard work.
38:25Starting next month,
38:26I'll have finance increase
38:27the amount transferred
38:28into your personal account.
38:29I stared at him in shock.
38:32That's really too much.
38:33After all,
38:34I had done far more
38:35in my previous marriage
38:36than I was doing now,
38:37yet when the divorce ended,
38:38I couldn't even afford
38:39a hotel room.
38:40During the day,
38:41I took care of Ryan's
38:42sister's child.
38:42At night,
38:43I cooked dinner for Ryan.
38:44And after midnight,
38:45I still had to clean
38:46the entire apartment.
38:47Even so,
38:48when the divorce happened,
38:49they still acted as though
38:50I had been the one benefiting
38:51from three luxurious years
38:52with the Sterling family.
38:54Thinking about it now
38:54felt almost absurd.
38:56Mr. Blackwood,
38:57you really don't have to do this.
38:58I genuinely like Noah.
38:59He's actually a very gentle child.
39:01It was only a bedtime story.
39:02Before finished speaking,
39:03a small warm hand
39:05suddenly grabbed mine.
39:06Noah was holding
39:07onto my hand tightly.
39:08The little boy still had
39:09his usual serious expression,
39:10but his eyes were shining brightly.
39:12The women before you
39:13only cared about
39:14getting close to me.
39:15No one ever truly cared
39:16about Noah.
39:17So you deserve the money.
39:18I could no longer refuse,
39:20so I simply thanked him.
39:21From that moment on,
39:22Noah became completely
39:24attached to me.
39:25Alexander was constantly
39:26busy with work,
39:27so most days
39:28the enormous estate
39:29only held the two of us.
39:30Until the day
39:31I needed to return
39:32to the hospital
39:33for another evaluation
39:34and refill my medication.
39:35Harris had warned me before.
39:37Noah couldn't go too far
39:38from the estate,
39:39so I crouched down
39:39in front of him
39:40and patiently negotiated.
39:41I'll be back very soon.
39:43Can you wait for me at home?
39:44But Noah simply
39:45grabbed my hand tightly.
39:46He didn't say a word.
39:48He only looked at me quietly.
39:50Those beautiful eyes
39:51were filled with unease.
39:53The young master
39:54is afraid you'll leave.
39:55He's afraid you'll disappear
39:57like all the others.
39:58Something in my chest
39:59softened instantly.
40:01I'm not leaving.
40:02I'm only going to see the doctor.
40:04I'll come back soon
40:05and stay with you.
40:06Before I could even finish speaking,
40:08Noah had already climbed
40:09into the back seat of the car.
40:11Young master,
40:11are you going to the hospital too?
40:13Noah silently nodded.
40:14Harris's eyes
40:14instantly turned red,
40:16as though he had just
40:17witnessed a miracle.
40:18God bless the Blackwood family.
40:20The doctor said my depression
40:21had stabilized significantly
40:23over the past few weeks.
40:25Honestly,
40:26the cedarwood scent
40:27that lingered throughout
40:27the Blackwood estate
40:28really did make me feel
40:29calmer.
40:31Before I left,
40:32she adjusted my prescriptions again.
40:34After we walked out
40:35of the consultation room,
40:36Noah stayed unusually quiet
40:37beside me.
40:38Evelyn,
40:39are you sick?
40:40The little boy
40:41was clearly worried.
40:42Yeah,
40:43I got sick because
40:44I didn't take care
40:44of myself properly.
40:46So Noah has to eat well
40:47from now on, okay?
40:48Noah immediately looked alarmed.
40:49Does it hurt?
40:51Before I could answer,
40:53Noah had already started
40:54digging through his pockets.
40:55A few seconds later,
40:57he carefully placed
40:58a slightly melted
40:59chocolate bar
40:59into my palm.
41:01If it hurts,
41:02you should eat
41:02something sweet.
41:04Dad says sweets
41:05help people feel better.
41:06I stared at the chocolate
41:08in my hand,
41:09and suddenly,
41:10tears slipped down
41:11my face without warning.
41:12During those three years
41:14with the Sterling family,
41:15every time I cried,
41:16they called me
41:16too sensitive
41:17and too emotional.
41:18You're exhausting,
41:19Evelyn.
41:20And yet now,
41:21this little wolf cub
41:22who clearly lacked
41:23security himself
41:24was willing to give me
41:25his favorite chocolate.
41:26I pulled Noah
41:27tightly into my arms.
41:29The little boy
41:30obediently curled up
41:31against me
41:31and even awkwardly
41:32patted my back
41:33the way adults
41:34comfort children.
41:35Evelyn,
41:35I will sure to eat
41:36properly from now on.
41:38When I grow up,
41:39I'll protect you.
41:40I burst out laughing
41:41through my tears
41:42and rubbed his soft hair.
41:45Then you'd better
41:45grow up quickly.
41:46The night I signed
41:47the divorce papers,
41:48I wandered the streets
41:49of New York alone.
41:51It was raining
41:52in Manhattan,
41:53cold wind cut between
41:54the skyscrapers,
41:55chilling me to the bone.
41:56My bank accounts
41:57had already been frozen,
41:58my apartment access
41:59had been revoked,
42:00and my phone balance
42:01showed less than $40 left.
42:03Dragging my suitcase
42:04behind me,
42:05I sat outside
42:05a 24-hour convenience store,
42:07mechanically scrolling
42:08through job listings
42:09on my phone.
42:10Almost every position
42:11required long-term
42:12work history
42:13or a permanent address.
42:14And at that moment,
42:15I had none of those things.
42:16Just when I was
42:17about to give up,
42:18a new listing
42:19suddenly appeared
42:19on the screen.
42:21Live-in nanny wanted.
42:23The words
42:24accommodation included
42:25immediately caught
42:26my attention.
42:27I never expected
42:28the family behind
42:29the listing
42:29to be the Blackwoods.
42:31At that moment,
42:32I stood outside
42:33a private estate
42:34on the north shore
42:34of Long Island,
42:35beside an elderly butler
42:37with an unreadable expression.
42:39Miss Carter,
42:40there's something
42:41I need to make clear
42:41before you enter
42:42this house.
42:44Mr. Blackwood
42:45is looking for a guardian
42:46for the young master,
42:47not a partner
42:47for himself.
42:48Several women
42:49misunderstood that
42:50distinction before you.
42:51I hope you won't.
42:52I lowered my head slightly
42:53and kept my eyes down.
42:55Honestly,
42:56this job sounded
42:57perfect to me.
42:57I had finalized my divorce
42:59that very morning.
43:00The thought of getting
43:00married again
43:01was the last thing
43:02on my mind.
43:02But as long as I had
43:03somewhere to stay,
43:04I wouldn't have to spend
43:05the night wandering
43:06the streets.
43:07To me,
43:07this opportunity
43:08felt like a lifeline.
43:09I nodded immediately.
43:10I understand.
43:11I won't have any
43:12inappropriate thoughts.
43:13The butler finally
43:14seemed somewhat satisfied
43:16and led me down
43:16a long hallway.
43:17The air carried
43:18a faint cedarwood scent,
43:20an oppressive aura
43:20unique to a powerful
43:22alpha's territory.
43:23Then we entered
43:23the dining room.
43:25At the far end
43:26of the enormous table
43:27sat a young father
43:28and son locked
43:29in a silent standoff.
43:31The tall man
43:32held a child's dinner plate
43:33in one hand,
43:34exhaustion faintly visible
43:35between his brows.
43:36Across from him,
43:37the little boy sat
43:38with his lips
43:39tightly pressed together,
43:40refusing to cooperate.
43:41The silence in the room
43:42was almost unsettling.
43:43After a long moment,
43:45the man finally
43:46let out a low sigh.
43:47It looked harder
43:48than negotiating
43:48a billion dollar
43:49Wall Street merger.
43:50He pinched the bridge
43:51of his nose
43:51and spoke quietly.
43:53Noah,
43:54just one bite, okay?
43:56The boy turned
43:56his face away stubbornly.
43:58Sir,
43:58the new applicant
43:59has arrived.
44:00The man finally
44:02looked up.
44:02He wore simple
44:03black slacks
44:04and a white dress shirt,
44:05the top two buttons
44:06undone loosely,
44:07revealing the sharp line
44:08of his collarbone.
44:09His sleeves
44:10were rolled neatly
44:11to his forearms,
44:12exposing pale skin
44:13and lean muscle beneath.
44:15I recognized that face instantly.
44:17Alexander Blackwood.
44:19One of the most dangerous
44:20alphas in North America.
44:22His gray-blue eyes
44:23were cold as ice.
44:24One glance from him
44:25was enough to make people
44:25instinctively back away.
44:27And yet,
44:28for some reason,
44:29I wasn't afraid.
44:30His gaze swept lightly over me
44:32and paused
44:32for half a second.
44:33The restless alpha pheromones
44:35lingering in the room
44:36suddenly calmed.
44:37Something flickered
44:38in his eyes.
44:39Name?
44:40Evelyn Carter.
44:41I answered quietly.
44:42He gave an almost
44:43imperceptible nod
44:44before handing me the plate.
44:46You try.
44:47Then he leaned back
44:48in his chair,
44:49arms folded,
44:50silently watching me.
44:51This was probably
44:52my interview,
44:52and I needed this job
44:53desperately.
44:54At the very least,
44:56I didn't want to sleep
44:56in a subway station tonight.
44:58Holding the plate carefully,
45:00I forced a gentle smile
45:01and walked toward
45:02the little boy.
45:03Before I could get close,
45:04he suddenly doved
45:05beneath the table,
45:06leaving only a pair
45:07of dark, angry eyes
45:08staring at me.
45:09I don't want her!
45:10Tell her to leave!
45:11She's just like the others!
45:13So there had already been
45:14many future stepmothers
45:15before me.
45:16That only made me
45:17more determined to succeed.
45:18I glanced around the room
45:19and noticed superhero toys
45:21scattered everywhere.
45:22An idea immediately
45:23came to mind.
45:24I picked up an action figure
45:25and crouched beside the table
45:26with a smile.
45:27Relax.
45:28I'm not feeding you,
45:29I'm feeding Superman.
45:30I pretended to feed
45:31the toy seriously.
45:33Superheroes need to eat too.
45:34If they don't eat,
45:35how are they supposed
45:36to save New York?
45:37Oh?
45:38You want broccoli?
45:39Of course.
45:40Broccoli helps you grow
45:41strong enough
45:41to defeat bad guys.
45:43Under the table,
45:43the little boy
45:44was clearly wavering,
45:45but he still stubbornly
45:46refused to say anything.
45:47I deliberately
45:48continued ignoring him
45:49until his nose turned red
45:50and he looked
45:51moments away from tears.
45:52Only then did I
45:53pretend to notice him.
45:54Oh?
45:55What's this?
45:56There's a little wolf cub
45:57hiding under here?
45:58Trying not to laugh,
45:59I raised the superhero toy.
46:01Superman,
46:02would you like to share
46:03your dinner
46:03with the little wolf cub?
46:04I lowered my voice
46:05dramatically.
46:06Of course.
46:06A wolf cub needs
46:07to eat properly
46:08if he wants to become
46:09the strongest alpha.
46:10That finally broke him.
46:12The little boy
46:12nodded aggressively.
46:13The moment I lifted
46:14the spoon,
46:15he took a huge bite,
46:16then another,
46:17and another.
46:18After several mouthfuls,
46:19he suddenly glared
46:20at me indignantly.
46:22Why didn't you give me
46:23more broccoli?
46:24Are you scared
46:25I'll become stronger
46:26than Superman?
46:27I couldn't help laughing,
46:28but when I turned around,
46:29I met Alexander Blackwood's gaze.
46:32For the first time,
46:33the cold sharpness
46:34in his expression softened.
46:36Something unfamiliar
46:37flickered within
46:37those gray-blue eyes,
46:38as though he had finally
46:40recognized something
46:40he'd been searching for
46:41all along.
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