Chapter 5

Actually, Damien and I once had a child.

Back then, he was just starting his business, with no connections or resources, like a small-time guy being forced to drink excessively at business dinners.

My heart ached for him, so I snatched his glass and drank for him.

The people at the table, seeing I was pretty, had bad intentions and pushed all sorts of drinks—white spirits, red wine—in front of me.

To avoid offending anyone, I accepted them all and passed out drunk.

When I woke up groggily, I found myself in a hotel bed, a pool of red beneath me.

A man, looking utterly annoyed, grabbed Damien's collar. "Why didn't you tell me she was pregnant sooner? I was halfway through and now I'm in a mess!"

Damien glared at him fiercely but was beaten bloody by the man's bodyguards.

The sun was scorching that day. He carried me for three miles, but it still wasn't enough to save our baby.

And I permanently lost the ability to have children.

In the hospital, Damien's eyes were bloodshot.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... I didn't protect you or our baby."

He knelt before me, vowing, "If we can't have kids, we won't. My feelings for you will never change."

I fell into a deep depression during that time. Damien pleaded with countless doctors until I finally rekindled my hope for life.

To protect me, he paid a fortune to silence everyone who knew.

After establishing himself in the city, he personally made sure that man who hurt me paid a painful price.

For all these years, no one dared to bring up that incident in front of me. Other than Damien, no one would have told Chloe these things.

I tore up all my photos with Damien, smashed every piece of jewelry he had given me.

Only when my palm was cut by broken glass did a sliver of rationality return.

Indeed, all promises are only true the moment they are spoken.

I packed a small bag and left without looking back.