Chapter 1

I'd been Liam's secret girlfriend for seven years, even carrying his child, only to hear he was proposing to his first love.

For a fake scratch on her arm, he shoved me, sending me crashing into the corner of a table.

I lost our baby, and almost bled to death.

He slapped me, his voice chilling.

"You're a truly wicked woman. I must have been blind to ever love you."

Later, swayed by his first love's lies, he drove my mother to her death and let my brother suffer such severe bullying that he jumped from the school building.

And I was locked in a mansion, consumed by a raging inferno.

Everyone thought I was dead.

Until three years later, I returned with a new identity, arm-in-arm with my fiancé.

He knelt in the pouring rain, begging for my forgiveness, offering me his life and his entire fortune.

I barely glanced at him, then turned and took my fiancé's hand. "Mr. Maxwell, your life or death means nothing to me."

SUMMER'S POV

I was backstage at Maxwell Group's 10th Anniversary Gala, in the lounge.

I was half-kneeling, meticulously smoothing the wrinkles from Liam Maxwell's suit hem. This custom-tailored suit? I'd spent three sleepless nights hand-stitching it for him.

Liam looked down at me, his deep eyes filled with tenderness.

He reached out, gently cupped my chin. His thumb brushed over my lips, his voice low and husky. "I'm skipping the celebration party tonight. Wait for me at the apartment, okay?"

My cheeks flushed, and I nodded obediently.

I instinctively touched the thin paper in my pocket. The pregnancy test results I'd gotten this morning.

Seven years. I'd been Liam's secret girlfriend, hidden from the world, for seven long years. Today, I could finally claim my rightful place in his life and build a family with him.

"Mr. Maxwell, everything's ready. It's time for your speech." Adam, his assistant, respectfully urged from outside the door.

Liam leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss on my forehead. "Be a good girl and wait for me."

Watching his tall figure disappear behind the door, my heart swelled with sweetness. I walked to the corner where a broadcast screen was set up, watching the radiant man on stage.

Liam stood under the spotlight, delivering his speech calmly. The room below was packed with business elites and media reporters.

As his speech neared its end, the host joked, "Billionaire Mr. Liam, the rumors say you've been single for seven years, a true workaholic. With the joy of our 10th anniversary, perhaps you could share a little about your personal life?"

It was meant to be a lighthearted joke to lighten the mood.

But Liam on the screen suddenly fell silent.

His intense gaze swept past the sea of faces, landing precisely on the VIP seat in the very front row.

His usually stern lips softened, curving into an incredibly tender smile.

"It's true, I've been single for seven years," Liam said into the microphone, his voice deep and firm, echoing through the entire hall. "Because I've been waiting for someone."

Backstage, I froze, my heart pounding uncontrollably.

What was he saying?

Single? Wasn't I his girlfriend?

"For these past seven years, I've longed for her return every single moment. Fortunately, I finally found her."

Liam snapped his fingers. The lights plunged into darkness, save for a single spotlight that dramatically illuminated the woman in the white haute couture gown in the front row.

The woman slowly stood up, turning her head to reveal a pure and radiant face.

It was Scarlett Davis. Liam's high school classmate and his passionate first love.

"Scarlett, welcome home." Liam walked off the stage. Under the shocked gazes of the entire audience, he knelt before Scarlett, pulling a dazzling, 'pigeon-egg' sized diamond ring from his pocket. "Will you marry me?"

Scarlett covered her mouth, tears of joy streaming down her face, and nodded emphatically.

Thunderous applause erupted, flashbulbs exploded, capturing the romantic scene of this once-in-a-lifetime proposal.

But backstage, I felt all the blood in my body turn to ice.

I stared at the screen in disbelief, my fingertips digging into my palms, my body trembling like a leaf in the autumn wind.

How could this be...?

Memories of the past seven years flashed wildly through my mind.

He refused to post about me on social media, refused to introduce me to any family or friends. Every time I brought up making our relationship public, he would hold me, soothing me with a helpless tone. "Summer, my circle is too complicated. I don't want those people bothering you. I want to keep you safe."

I believed him.

I thought it was deep love, protection.

Turns out, he was just biding his time, waiting for another woman's return.