Chapter 1

I loved Lucas deeply for five years.

He harmed himself to fight against his mother for me, promising to marry me.

But when his first love, Meredith Rivers, returned, he forced me to break up with him.

The most heartbreaking moment came when kidnappers took both Meredith and me hostage.

Without hesitation, he pointed at me, pregnant with his child. "Sara, you die. Save Meredith's reputation."

I nodded through my tears. As the blade pierced my body, my heart died completely.

After I left for Europe, I became the inventor of a breakthrough cancer drug and stood on the Nobel Prize stage.

My lover Enzo knelt on one knee, proposing to me with deep affection. I nodded with a smile.

At that moment, Lucas's hoarse, desperate voice came from below the stage. "Sara... don't marry him. I regret everything..."

I didn't even glance at him.

Sara POV

"Miss Sara, did you and Lucas break up?"

While packing Lucas's luggage for his business trip, the housekeeper suddenly asked.

I froze.

Lucas and I had indeed broken up, but only temporarily.

Five years ago, my only family, my brother Samuel, died saving Lucas. Lucas took me into the Knight family home. We developed feelings for each other and secretly started a relationship.

When his mother discovered us, she flew into a rage and demanded I be sent away. Lucas immediately stabbed himself in the abdomen, using self-harm as a threat to make me stay.

His mother was furious but helpless against Lucas's determination. She could only target me in secret.

She found excuses to slap me, and Lucas slapped himself ninety-nine times.

She "accidentally" spilled hot water on me, and Lucas immediately scalded his own hand until it blistered.

Over time, Lucas's mother had no choice but to accept us.

Lucas promised that once he successfully inherited the family business, he would marry me openly.

That was, until a month ago, when Lucas suddenly told me with red eyes.

"Sara, my mom is sick. The doctor said she can't handle any stress. I'm afraid something will happen to her. Can we break up for now?"

He held me, his warm tears soaking my clothes. He looked so pitiful and aggrieved.

Seeing him like that, my heart twisted into knots. I softened and agreed.

But this was just a temporary separation, not a real breakup. I hadn't planned to announce it publicly. Where did the housekeeper hear this news?

Meeting my confused gaze, the housekeeper slapped her thigh hard and said in frustration.

"The Rivers family has already announced the engagement! Mr. Knight is joining forces with Miss Rivers through marriage. The invitations are already printed. And you're asking me where I heard this?"

I felt like I'd been hit by a thunderbolt. My mind went completely blank.

The housekeeper sighed and shook my shoulders.

Tears were already streaming down my face. I jumped up and ran toward the club to find Lucas.

I ran the whole way. Just as I was about to push open the half-closed door, I heard the obscene sounds of a man and woman together.

My heart leaped to my throat. I pushed the door open just a crack.

"Lucas, be gentle."

Lucas, his eyes red, kept thrusting into the woman's body, gripping her hands tightly as if trying to merge her into his bones.

After a low groan, the man released inside the woman. The room fell silent except for their intertwined breathing.

"Meredith, do you know what these five years have been like for me? Five years ago, you left for abroad without a word, leaving me alone here. You're so cruel."

Meredith? The Miss Rivers who's engaged to Lucas?

Outside the room, I stood frozen, as if hit by a thunderbolt.

My phone lit up with a news notification: "Two major families,Knight and Rivers, unite through marriage."

I clicked on the news. A photo of Meredith and Lucas embracing pierced straight into my eyes.

Meredith wore an elegant dress. She was so beautiful that I couldn't even think to compare myself to her.

The voices inside pulled me back.

"I'm sorry, Lucas. My family wouldn't let me be with you. I had no choice."

Meredith cupped his face and planted a deep kiss.

"I won't let you leave again this time."

Lucas was silent for a few seconds before speaking softly, his tone filled with a carefulness I'd never heard before.

"The engagement news is already out. Don't even think about leaving me again."

"What about your girlfriend? If you've fallen in love with her, I won't interfere."

Lucas's veins bulged instantly.

"You want to leave? Impossible! Sara... her brother saved my life. I have a responsibility to her... I'll explain things to her."

A bone chilling cold swept through me from head to toe.

Five years of living together, of tender affection. Was it all just because he felt responsible for me?

I didn't have the courage to keep listening. I turned and rushed out of the club, running wildly home in the freezing wind.

Back at the villa, looking at the familiar bed, I remembered that night three years ago when Lucas carried me to bed like I was precious, asking softly.

"Is this okay? Sara, I'll love you forever."

Even though the man was burning with desire, he carefully waited for my permission. Looking into his sincere eyes, I nodded gently.

That day, his clumsy movements weren't comfortable for me, but my heart was full of contentment.

But it was all fake!

There had always been another woman's shadow in his heart.

I laughed lowly and wiped the tears from my face.

I decided I didn't want Lucas anymore.

I picked up my phone and dialed a number I'd buried in my memory.

"I agree to join you. Please process the paperwork."

"We're honored, Miss Sara. Processing the relevant documents will take fifteen days. I'll contact you then."