The scorching touch burned her skin like hot iron. Only by pressing against that cool body could she find momentary relief... Her fingers dug into his muscular arms as reason completely dissolved in the flood of desire... Tearing pain and overwhelming pleasure intertwined, rising like fireworks exploding in her mind, leaving her utterly lost in this sea of passion... Drowning beyond redemption— "Ma'am? Are you alright? The AC is too cold—you might catch a chill..." A gentle nudge on her shoulder snapped Jennifer Laurent awake. Meeting the nurse's concerned gaze, she quickly turned away, her ears burning. Damn it. That drunken night of recklessness—why did it haunt her again during a prenatal checkup? At least she'd been too intoxicated to remember clearly. Otherwise, how could she ever face Ethan Winston, her childhood sweetheart? The nurse handed her a form. "You forgot your prenatal report. Dr. Croix said to return for a follow-up next week." Jennifer carefully tucked away the report, her lips curling into an unconscious smile. Ethan was returning from his overseas research trip today. Just the thought of seeing him made her palms damp with nervous sweat. His remote fieldwork had kept him unreachable until her seventh month of pregnancy. That prolonged silence when she'd told him over the phone still unsettled her. The doctor said it was normal for expectant fathers to need adjustment time, but... Did she have to propose marriage herself too? The midday sun blazed mercilessly. As Jennifer steadied her aching back to hail a cab, a scarlet sports car suddenly screeched toward her. Tires screamed as the vehicle barely missed her maternity dress. Heart pounding, Jennifer watched Isabella Roscente stride over in stiletto heels. The red dress hugged her flawless curves, a stark contrast to Jennifer's swollen belly. "Trying to kill me?" Jennifer shielded her stomach as she stepped back. Isabella looked down at her with icy amusement. "Afraid I'll knock loose your bastard child?" "You—" "How amusing." Isabella suddenly laughed. "Don't tell me you actually thought it was Ethan that night? Childhood sweethearts, yet you couldn't even recognize his body?" Under the scorching sun, Jennifer felt plunged into an icy abyss. Fragments of that night sharpened suddenly— The man's defined abdominal muscles bore no resemblance to Ethan's slender frame...