Chapter 1

After successfully winning his heart, I chose to stay for Liam.

But three years into our marriage, he changed.

Later, when it was time for me to leave this world, I chose to fall into the sea, an apparent accident.

The prenatal scan report left on the shore was my three-year anniversary gift to him.

But he knelt on the ground, his eyes blazing with unshed tears, his voice raw as he begged me to return.

I was pregnant.

That afternoon, on my way home from the hospital, I immediately called Liam Vance.

For three years of marriage, he'd always wanted a child, and I could almost picture the look on his face when he heard the news.

But I decided to keep him guessing. I told him:

"Remember to come home early tonight. I have a surprise for you."

At that moment, I was completely absorbed in my joy. So, when I stumbled upon photos of another girl in Liam's cloud drive, I instantly lost the ability to think.

It had started two years ago. At first, it was just two people cropped from larger group photos, then pictures of them hiking, watching sunsets, diving...

The most recent one, from just yesterday, showed her profile, wearing a bunny-ear headband, focused on a claw machine.

The claw machine's glass reflected Liam's face, a look of doting affection and deep longing etched there.

As I looked at those photos, tears unknowingly streamed down my hands.

Every inch of my skin felt like it was being slowly, excruciatingly crushed by a massive stone wheel. I was bleeding internally, raw with an unbearable pain.

For three years, Liam had been utterly devoted to me, agreeing to my every whim.

Everyone knew that three years ago, he'd shielded me from a fatal injury in a fire, and even now, there was a jagged, prominent scar on his back.

After I'd finally captured his heart, my body had been in a coma for four days. He, still weak from his own injuries, had stayed by my bedside, awake day and night for just as long.

No one had ever cared for me that deeply before.

So, after my spirit had hovered for four days, I petitioned the System to let me remain in this world.

The price for staying? My body would age twice as fast.

Back then, I thought, if Liam was willing to give up his life for me, what was a little aging?

Three years later, my appearance had aged by six years.

I'd truly believed Liam wouldn't disappoint me.

Liam Vance, the CEO known to outsiders for his decisive nature and quiet demeanor, was always fervently passionate and incredibly attentive when he was with me.

But I could never have imagined him betraying me.

If his "beloved" was another girl, what did all his talk of loving me even mean?