chapter 1
Landon carried his Julie to the shore.
He attempted to jump back in to save me but was pulled back by Betty: "Landon, I can't breathe."
"I feel so suffocated, help me..." With that, she closed her eyes and fainted.
"Betty!"
Landon cried out and immediately turned to tend to Betty.
He didn't even bother to look back at me.
I watched helplessly as he performed CPR on her, as if she was his one true love.
I wanted to tell him about the pregnancy, but the cold river water filled my nose, silencing me.
Gradually, I lost all strength to struggle.
My heart and body sank to the riverbed together.
...
When I woke up, I stared at the white ceiling for a long while.
Then it slowly dawned on me that I was in a hospital, not heaven.
I didn't die.
But I lost my baby.
A sharp pain stabbed at my heart, and I pleaded with the doctor: "Could you keep my pregnancy a secret? I don't want anyone to know."
After the doctor left, I wept alone in the empty ward.
I had been looking forward to this child's birth, cherishing it more than my own life.
Yet, it died because of Landon's favoritism.
"Honey, you're awake."
The familiar voice sounded, and Landon appeared at the door without my notice.
I turned my head, unwilling to see him: "Leave, I don't want to talk to you right now."
Landon frowned slightly: "Are you angry with me? You're being unreasonable. Leo is gone, and I promised him I'd take care of Betty. Can't you understand?"
How ironic.
I looked at him with red eyes: "But have you ever considered what would have happened if I hadn't made it and died in the river?"
Landon's gaze wavered: "...You wouldn't have, don't make such pointless assumptions."
He couldn't answer directly.
It was just guilt.
The last bit of expectation I had for him was completely crushed.
"Admit it, you care about her more than me. Landon, let's call off the engagement."
His expression turned serious, a hint of impatience in his voice: "Is this a joke? I only see Betty as a sister. Are you even jealous of her?"
Before I could respond, Betty from the next room called out.
"Landon, where are you? I'm so scared."
Landon ignored me and left.
But I wasn't joking.
I truly don't love you anymore.
Betty was in the ward next to mine.
But for three days, Landon didn't visit me again.
My peaceful and beautiful life was shattered from the moment his brother passed away.
We were in love for seven years, about to get married.
On our anniversary, I prepared a sumptuous candlelight dinner, waiting for his annual surprise gift.
I waited from dusk till late at night, only to receive a call from Landon.
"The storm is coming, Betty says she's scared alone, I have to go keep her company. Don't wait for me."
The candles went out, and the food got cold.
When I asked about the gift, all I got was: "Betty liked it, so I gave it to her first."
"But this is our anniversary gift! It has special meaning; how can you just give it to someone else?"
"She is my brother's wife, she's family!"
Landon looked at me earnestly.
"I want you to care for her alongside me, not see her as an enemy, okay?"
I never saw her as an enemy. Instead, she was the one who provoked me.
Our camping trip, meant for Landon and me, was tainted by her presence.
In front of Landon, she batted her big eyes: "Julie, I've never been camping before. I came out of curiosity. Please don't blame Landon."
Innocent and pitiable, as if she were the victim.
But as soon as he left, Betty showed her true colors.
"Your face, your figure, they're not Landon's ideal type. He doesn't like women who are gentle to the point of being dull. If you don't want to lose too badly, back out now."
We argued, and before we knew it, we both fell into the river.
Landon could abandon me for her; in that moment, all words were powerless.
I was discharged from the hospital before Betty and returned home alone with my belongings.
I informed all our relatives and friends that the engagement banquet was canceled, and I retrieved all the invitations.
Then I quickly submitted my resignation to the company; it would take about a week to hand over my work.
Actually, I never liked this city, but Landon did, so I followed him here.
But that day, Betty told me: "Do you know why Landon has a special fondness for this place? It's because it's my home, where I grew up."
She occupied too significant a part in his life.
Unfortunately, I discovered this too late.