Chapter 0002

In the lush confines of a private hospital's VIP suite, a young woman stirred, her eyelids heavy as she returned to the land of the living.

"David, are you here?" Kate's voice was a breathless whisper as she reached for the man who had once been her everything, but her hand grasped only air.

For a fleeting moment, disorientation swathed her thoughts, but the memories soon crashed through the fog like a storm—memories of her husband... no, ex-husband. A shudder wracked her body, and a sharp pain lanced through her heart.

He wasn't there. He didn't care. Not anymore.

The accusations, the bitter words, the love that had vanished like a dying ember. Had it ever been true love? She had given her all for him, but it hadn't been enough for him to trust her, to hear her.

Hot tears spilled down Kate's cheeks, and she ran her fingers over the necklace she'd worn since infancy. A family heirloom, perhaps? Kate couldn't be certain; she had been abandoned as a baby.

The peculiar pendant held a photograph of a baby nestled in a mother's arms—Kate had always suspected that she was that child, and the woman was her mother. The name "Kate" was etched on the back, accompanied by an enigmatic "S."

"Why are you still wearing that worthless trinket? It belongs in the trash!" A voice like ice cut through the air, emanating from the shadowed corner of the room.

Kate's heart tightened. "Lyra?" Fumbling for her glasses, she searched the bedside table, relief flooding her when they finally rested on her nose.

"I'm sorry. Did I startle you?" Her best friend's voice dripped with feigned sympathy. "I was waiting for you to wake up."

"Why are you here? Where is David?"

Lyra studied her nails with an air of indifference. "He's not here. I found you sprawled unconscious in front of the house and brought you to the hospital. Lucky I stopped by, isn't it? He didn't even blink when he saw you on the ground. Oh, and he asked me to tell you he never wants to see you again. But hey, at least you can be grateful that I took care of you, right?"

'David left me unconscious on the ground? He didn't even call an ambulance? Does he hate me that much?'

"T-thank you," Kate stammered, her heart aching as if pierced by a thousand knives.

A wicked grin spread across Lyra's face. "Consider it my last good deed as your friend, dear. Besides, I owed you one."

"But, Lyra, why did you tell David those pictures were real? You know I'd never cheat on him! Why did you lie?"

"I didn't lie—the pictures are real. I took them myself."

A wave of panic surged through Kate, her pulse pounding in her ears.

Lyra's laughter was a sinister melody. "You should see your face! You're so gullible, Kate! You've always been too innocent for this cruel world. That's why everyone walks all over you, because you're just a pushover!"

"Why are you so cruel? What did I ever do to you? Nothing!"

"Nothing? NOTHING? You stole what was meant to be mine! I should have married David and taken the name Hendrix! He's out of your league—his parents never approved of you. So why did you insist on accepting his proposal? Just because you grew up together in his house, you thought you were on the same level?"

"I... I never knew you had feelings for him, Lyra! You never said anything."

"You're the adopted daughter of his parents' servants! How dare you marry into one of the most prestigious families in the country?"

In that moment, Kate realized the enormity of her naiveté, to have ever believed that the girl standing before her, hurling venomous insults, was her friend.

It was the darkest day she had ever known. First, David had shattered her heart with his unfounded accusations and callous disregard. And now, her former best friend had revealed her true nature. How could Kate's fragile body and spirit withstand such a tidal wave of betrayal in a single day?

Yet, if no one else would stand up for her, she had to find the strength within herself. "Stop insulting me, Lyra, and tell me, why did you lie to him?"

"Are you dense, Kate? Must I repeat myself? I didn't lie to him—the pictures are real. I took them myself. Of course, it was after I slipped something into your drink, and you were out cold. A friend of mine was more than happy to take good care of you!"

"W-what? You did what? What did he do to me?"

"Nothing you didn't enjoy."

Kate's face drained of color. 'Did he... did he rape me? It... it can't be. Please, God, let this be a monstrous lie!'

Delighting in her anguish, Lyra twisted the knife. "And now that you're divorced, I'll be marrying your husband in no time. That's a promise! We come from the same world, and his parents approve of me!"

Lyra flung open the door, casting a final, triumphant glance at Kate, who was awash in tears, her heart thundering in shock. "You'd do everyone a favor if you just died!" With those vile words, she was gone.

The woman who had been like a sister to her had ripped her world apart, leaving her with nothing but the ashes of her dreams. Now, she was poised to claim the life Kate had once thought would be hers.

Kate was still weeping when a doctor entered her room to update her on her condition.

"What's wrong with me? Did I pass out because of the stress?" Kate asked, her voice trembling.

"No, that's not it! I have wonderful news for you! You're pregnant! Congratulations, Ms. Hendrix!"

'That's not my name anymore. Wait, I'm pregnant?'

Kate could scarcely believe what she was hearing. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, you should be thrilled! You're fifteen weeks pregnant with twins!"