That night, Jade’s sleep was fitful and restless.

The nausea surged again. In her half-conscious state, she reached out for the space beside her. "Julian..."

The touch of the cold, empty sheets snapped her into clarity.

She put on a coat and sat up, a mocking smile touching her lips.

Physical habits were truly terrifying things.

Julian didn't return until noon the next day.

Under the bright sun, the snow began to melt, though it only made the air feel colder.

The moment he stepped into the living room, Jade caught the scent of gardenia perfume—Selina’s signature scent—clinging to the cold air around him.

Jade paused and instinctively looked at Julian. "Last night..."

Julian met her gaze, and his heart skipped a beat for a reason he couldn't name. He pulled her into a hug. "What about it?"

The gardenia scent grew stronger.

It felt like a slow-acting poison, corroding her internal organs.

Jade looked directly into Julian’s eyes, trying to find a trace of anything on the man’s face.

But his eyes held nothing but flickers of affection.

So, even a gaze like that could be a lie.

She turned and slipped out of his embrace, changing the subject. "It’s nothing. I just didn't sleep well last night."

After dinner, Julian took Jade to try on red carpet gowns.

With the Golden Dragon Awards approaching, every artist was doing their best to stand out on the red carpet.

Jade felt a surge of emotion as she looked at the gown sent by Venus, a brand she had collaborated with for years.

She and Julian had worn matching couple’s outfits for ten years; every time, they were a perfect pair.

Now, it was for the last time.

Suddenly, Selina’s triumphant voice rang out. "Sister Jade, do you really like my gown that much?"

Chapter 6

Jade’s pupils contracted as she looked at Julian in disbelief.

In her previous life, this was clearly her gown!

She and Julian were the brand ambassadors for Venus in China, and the sizes were tailored specifically to their measurements.

Julian frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Selina looked at Julian with a pitiful expression. "You clearly said I could choose my own gown this time."

"Besides, I’m pregnant now. If I don’t wear it this time, I won't get another chance."

Like a bolt from the blue, Jade froze where she stood.

No wonder Julian had insisted on her getting an abortion in her previous life. She had actually believed he was doing it for her career.

It turned out he just didn't want her child to stand in the way of Selina’s child.

Julian’s expression shifted. He turned to Jade and said, "Jade, why don't you pick a different one?"

If this were the past, Jade would have fought to take the dress back.

But this time, it suddenly didn't feel important anymore.

She knew Julian would arrange another dress for her, but what she wanted was never guilt or compensation. She wanted to be favored; she wanted to be the only one.

Jade managed a small smile. "Fine. A brand with divided loyalties isn't worth my collaboration anyway."

Julian knew she was talking about the brand Venus, but his heart felt strangely stifled.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit her.

The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was Julian’s frantic face.

When she woke up again, she was in the hospital.

Julian’s expression was complicated. "...Jade, are you pregnant?"

It wasn't a joyful exclamation, but a questioning interrogation.

Jade couldn't tell if her swollen ankle or her heart hurt more.

Her eyelashes fluttered. She gave a bitter laugh. "You think the timing is bad, don't you?"

Seeing Julian’s silence, the bitterness in Jade’s heart intensified. She closed her eyes, her tone flat and bordering on despair.

"Then let's get rid of it."

No arguing, no resistance.

The lessons from her previous life were enough to keep her quiet.

She was destined to lose this child.

A flash of guilt crossed Julian’s eyes. As if remembering something, he let out a long sigh. "Keep it."

Jade snapped her eyes open, and the dead embers in her gaze finally sparked with a glimmer of hope.

Julian squeezed her hand. "What kind of parents wouldn't want to keep their child?"

Jade’s nose tingled, and she nearly burst into tears.

What kind of parents wouldn't want to keep their child? What kind of husband and wife would keep up an act for ten years?

But Julian, why does it have to be you?

While Julian went out to buy dinner for her, Selina walked in carrying a fruit basket. "Sister Jade, congratulations!"

Despite her words, there was no joy in Selina’s eyes—only a cold, venomous light.

She glanced around, and seeing Julian wasn't there, the fake smile vanished.

"You know, don't you? My boyfriend is Julian Grant."

"Jade Yu, you’re so pathetic. Only a woman who can't get love would try to use a child to tie down her husband."

Jade looked Selina in the eye. "Are you talking about yourself?"

"Selina, no matter how much people envy you on your live streams, you will never be anything more than a mistress who can't be shown in public."

Selina was stunned for a moment.

In the few times she had encountered Jade recently, the woman had been passive and submissive. It had given Selina the illusion that Jade was a pushover.

She clenched her fists until her palms stung, her face contorting with rage.

Outside, the sound of Julian’s footsteps approached. "Jade, I bought you some porridge that’s easy to digest."

A malicious glint flashed in Selina’s eyes. She suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Jade by the collar.

A powerful force pulled Jade forward, and both women crashed violently to the floor.

Selina’s venomous whisper hissed in Jade’s ear.

"Guess who he’ll choose—you or me?"

Chapter 7

A sharp gasp rang out. Julian quickened his pace and kicked the door open with a loud thud.

Selina began to sob, tears streaming down her face. "I just brought a fruit basket to see Sister Jade, but she started cursing at me, saying I seduced you and stole her dress."

"I didn't—"

Before Jade could finish, Selina screamed. "Blood! Julian, my stomach hurts so much... the baby..."

Julian was instantly distracted by Selina’s crying. He shot a cold, piercing glare at Jade before scooping Selina up in his arms and rushing away.

As she watched their retreating backs, the last bit of warmth left Jade’s body.

Sharp, twisting pains erupted in her lower abdomen, and she felt a warm rush of fluid down her legs.

Forcing herself upright, Jade called for a nurse. As she was being wheeled down the hallway, she heard the frantic voice of a nurse up ahead.

"Right now, only Dr. Zhao is available in Obstetrics. But the patient in the VIP suite also has signs of a miscarriage."

Julian hesitated. Just as he was about to speak, Selina’s eyes filled with piteous tears.

"I’m fine... let Sister Jade have the surgery first. I’m used to a Best Actress like her acting like a diva and taking her temper out on a little influencer like me."

Feeling the life of her baby slipping away, Jade’s eyes turned bloodshot. She grabbed the nurse’s sleeve and begged:

"Please, save my baby!"

Julian’s voice cut through the air, filled with cold disgust. "Her child isn't important. Save Selina’s baby first!"

The nurses quickly rushed Selina inside.

The smell of hospital disinfectant and blood filled Jade’s nose, making her eyes sting.

By the time it was Jade’s turn, Dr. Zhao let out a deep, heavy sigh. "If you had been ten minutes earlier, we could have saved it. It’s too late now."

A chill crawled up Jade’s spine, inch by inch, until her heart was numb with cold.

Her child was gone... just like that?

Shaking, Jade covered her stomach with her hand, tears overflowing and streaming down her face.

"Baby, I’m sorry. Once again, I failed to protect you."

As the anesthesia began to wear off, an agonizing pain washed over her whole body, yet it didn't even match a fraction of the pain in her heart.

That was her own flesh and blood, a part of her body.

She hadn't even given the baby a chance to see the world.

Jade was wheeled out of the operating room in a trance. Julian was still holding Selina in his arms.

Selina was weeping softly. "Julian, will you stay with me tonight?"

Her voice was choked with tears, but the look she gave Jade was one of pure, triumphant provocation.

Julian went silent for a second before saying gently, "Okay."

Even as he saw Jade come out, Julian didn't let go of Selina. His eyes burned with a faint anger. "Apologize to Selina."

The surging emotions in Jade’s chest suddenly went still.

With the death of her child, a part of her soul had died along with it.