Chapter 1

I was framed as a corporate spy and personally sent to a psychiatric hospital by my fiancé.

He forced me to sign a confession so he could use it as a gift when marrying Linda.

He didn't know that the eight week old baby in my womb had already been destroyed by his drugs.

I smiled and signed it. I even agreed to be a bridesmaid at the wedding.

Seven days left.

After seven days, he would know the truth.

And that wedding would be my final gift to him.

Sophia POV

The 100th day since I was locked in the psychiatric hospital.

The TV was broadcasting news of Tristan Shaw's upcoming wedding.

The orderly pressed my head down, forcing me to swallow two white pills.

"Swallow them. Tristan said if you take your medicine obediently, you can attend the wedding."

I didn't resist. I swallowed them.

The pills scraped down my throat. Very bitter.

I stared at the man on the screen. Tristan Shaw, a name I'd called for ten years, and the person who personally sent me here.

Five years ago, the Shaw Group's core data was leaked, and hundreds of billions in assets evaporated.

All the evidence pointed to me.

Tristan didn't believe my explanations. He only said one thing: "Sophia Lane, even a dog I raise would wag its tail. All you do is bite."

From that day on, I became the Shaw family's criminal.

The iron door opened.

Marcus walked in and tossed a document onto the filthy sheets.

"Sign it."

I picked up the document.

Termination of Adoption Agreement.

And a confession statement admitting that I'd sold the Shaw Group's secrets for money years ago.

"Tristan said once you sign this, he'll let you out."

Marcus covered his nose, unwilling to look at me for even a second. "Linda is a kind person. She wants your blessing at the wedding. Sophia, this is your last chance to atone."

My fingers trembled uncontrollably.

A side effect of long-term psychiatric medication.

Atone.

For five years, I'd been rotting away in that word.

I picked up the pen and signed my name on the confession admitting I was a corporate spy.

I used to refuse to sign even if it killed me, because I hadn't done it.

Now it didn't matter.

"How many days until the wedding?" I asked. Due to prolonged dehydration, my voice was very hoarse.

Marcus collected the documents. "Seven days. What, can't wait to watch Tristan marry someone else?"

Seven days.

I looked at the dingy gray sky outside the window.

Just yesterday, I'd dug up that buried pregnancy test from the hospital's flower bed.

That was the reason I was sent here.

Two months pregnant.

To pave the way for Linda, to punish me for my "betrayal," Tristan forcibly sent me here to "get treatment."

The baby dissolved into a pool of blood on the third day, under the influence of the drugs.

I stood up. My body swayed.

I'd promised Tristan's mother that I would watch over him until he established himself, until someone could replace me in taking care of him.

Seven more days and he'd be married.

My promise was about to expire.

This rotten life should end too.

"Let's go," I said.

Marcus froze for a moment.

The car was parked in the courtyard.

I sat in the back seat.

The car window reflected my face. Extremely thin, with sunken eye sockets.

I touched my empty abdomen.

Tristan, I've repaid the Shaw family's kindness in raising me.

For the remaining seven days, it's time to settle our five-year-old grudge.