Chapter 2

After hanging up the phone, I couldn’t calm my emotions.

I slumped on the sofa, and my vision started to blur inch by inch.

I cried so hard that my throat became hoarse, releasing all those emotions.

When I first suggested having the wedding at Peter Church, Joey had smiled gently and said, “Okay.”

I thought he understood the reason I chose this place.

It was where we first met.

And it was that day when we were ambushed by the gunman.

When the bullet shot out, I didn’t have time to think. I jumped in front of him.

I took the fatal bullet for him.

The scar on my abdomen and the infertility in my uterus were the eternal price left from that day.

In the hospital, he held my hand, tears streaming down his face.

At that time, I felt uneasy about this marriage that had barely started.

But he stayed by my side for three days and nights, without sleep.

He promised me a lifetime of happiness.

But it turned out, those promises were lies.

While I was still crying, my phone rang.

Joey’s call came from a noisy place, with the sound of a woman’s sweet voice in the background.

“I’m not coming home tonight,” he said.

Before I could respond, the call was hung up.

After midnight, my sister, Emma Smith, called and woke me up.

She sent me a screenshot of Joey’s social media.

In the photo, Rory was drunkenly leaning against him, and his hand was wrapped around her waist.

Someone commented: “Joey, isn’t this your stepmother? Your wedding is coming up, don’t overstep your boundaries.”

Joey didn’t explain. He just replied: “My father is dead, and Rory only has me now. If Elara can’t accept this, then she’s not worthy of being my Donna.”

He blocked me, not letting me see the post.

He knew this would hurt me, but he still did it.

I smiled bitterly, sarcastically: “Maybe he doesn’t care anymore, after all, I’m about to die at our wedding.”

Emma angrily said: “You’re about to get married, and he’s still flirting with his stepmother. Elara, you shouldn’t marry such a man.”

“I know.” I said expressionlessly, then hung up the phone.

I had already made up my mind.

A few days later, I went to the hospital for a follow-up. I still cared about whether I could have my own child.

No woman can accept her incompleteness.

The doctor was surprised to see me alone: “Didn’t your husband come with you?”

I nodded, “I’m fine, I can do it myself.”

While waiting for the results, I felt the air was a little stuffy.

I wanted to go to the rooftop for some fresh air, but I accidentally saw Joey and Rory there.

Joey was supporting Rory’s arm.

He gently said: “The doctor checked, you and the baby are fine.”

Rory leaned on him weakly and said: “But my belly still hurts. Do you think the doctor lied to me?”

“I’ll take you home.” He said patiently. “For the next few days, I’ll cancel all my plans and stay with you.”

I looked at their departing backs and sneered.

Finally, when I returned to our residence, the house was empty.

It was silent.

Joey didn’t return until the third day.

When he saw me, he froze for a moment, a trace of irritation flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his usual gentleness.

He straightened up: “I’ve been too busy lately, there’s a problem with the underground fight arena.”

I sneered: “Maybe you should wash off the perfume scent on you before saying that.”

His body stiffened.

“And your pocket,” I added, “it’s still holding Rory’s medical records.”

“You’ve been following me?”

His eyes instantly turned bloodshot.