Evelyn Carter was pregnant. The test results crumpled slightly in her trembling fingers as she walked home, heart pounding with excitement. She couldn't wait to surprise her husband, Daniel Blackwood, when he returned from his overseas business trip tomorrow. He'd been gone for nearly three weeks. But the moment she stepped inside their home, her joy evaporated. A pair of designer heels—ones she didn’t own—sat neatly by the foyer. Her stomach twisted. She recognized them instantly. They belonged to her half-sister, Serena Hart. Wasn’t Serena supposed to be on the same trip with Daniel? Then, a woman’s voice drifted down from upstairs—breathy, intimate. Serena’s voice. Evelyn’s breath hitched. Who else could be up there with her? Her legs moved before her mind could stop her. Each step up the staircase made the voices clearer—Serena’s teasing purr, a man’s deep, indifferent tone. Daniel’s voice. “What happens when she finds out?” Serena murmured. “I don’t care.” His reply was ice-cold. “She’s been desperate for your baby. But I got pregnant first. How will you explain that to her?” “I said I don’t care.” Evelyn’s blood turned to frost. Her fingers hovered over the doorknob—then she pulled back. What was the point? Daniel had never loved her. She had been the one who fought for this marriage. For two years, she’d visited every fertility specialist, tried every remedy, just to give him a child. And now, when she finally carried his baby, he was in their bed with Serena—who was also pregnant. Tears burned her cheeks as she stumbled out of the house. The rain poured, soaking her through, but she barely felt it. No wonder Daniel insisted Serena be his assistant. No wonder he took her on every business trip. They’d been together all along. Upstairs, Serena smirked as she watched Evelyn’s retreating figure through the window. The man’s voice Evelyn had heard? A cleverly edited recording. Serena knew her sister wouldn’t dare open that door. “My wife is Evelyn. Have some self-respect.” “I’m not getting divorced anytime soon.” Daniel’s brutal rejection still echoed in her ears. With a cold laugh, Serena pulled out her phone and dialed. Evelyn didn’t realize how far she’d walked until she stood on Harborview Bridge, rain blurring her vision. A truck roared toward her. She didn’t move. CRASH. The impact sent her flying. Pain exploded through her body as she hit the pavement, blood streaming from her temple. Through the haze, she saw the driver step out. He checked her pulse, then made a call. “Mr. Blackwood… She’s still alive. Should I finish the job?” Her heart shattered. Mr. Blackwood. There was only one man that could be—Daniel. The man she’d loved with everything. The man who’d just ordered her death. Was this because she’d discovered his affair? Or… because he wanted to legitimize Serena’s baby instead of hers? “Don’t blame me,” the driver sneered. “Blame yourself for loving the wrong man.” A brutal kick sent her sliding toward the edge. Another. Then— Nothing but air. As she fell, Daniel’s face flashed in her mind—the boy she’d met under the cherry blossoms, beautiful and kind. “I hate you, Daniel Blackwood…” Six Years Later Mariner’s Cove. Daniel strode out of a board meeting, his expression unreadable. His assistant rushed to his side, pale. “Sir—it’s your wife. There’s been an accident.” He didn’t slow. “What now?” “She… She was hit by a truck. They haven’t recovered her body.” Daniel froze. His phone rang—the hospital. “Mr. Blackwood, your wife didn’t want you to know, but… she was three months pregnant.” Willowbrook International Airport A woman in a sleek black trench coat stepped off the plane, her chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders. Six years ago, she was Evelyn Carter. Now, she was just Evelyn. Behind her, two children—a boy and a girl—mirrored her cold elegance, their small suitcases rolling behind them. “Evelyn!” Grace Thornton waved from the arrivals gate. The renowned plastic surgeon had met Evelyn during her studies abroad and become her closest friend. Grace grabbed her luggage, grinning. “Everything’s ready at the house!” Evelyn smiled faintly. “Liam, Emily, this is your Aunt Grace.” “Hi, Auntie!” Emily blew a kiss. Liam merely eyed Grace. “You’re single, right?” Grace blinked. “How’d you—?” He yanked the suitcase from her hands. “Women who work too hard stay single.” Grace gaped. Evelyn sighed. “He means he doesn’t want you to tire yourself.” Grace huffed. “That’s better.” Looping arms with Evelyn, she whispered, “Why come back now? And where’s Oliver?”