In the third year of Leanna Dalton and Brenton Anderson's marriage, Brenton died in a car accident.

His twin brother, Dylan Anderson, told Leanna in a hoarse voice, "Brenton... he's not coming back."

She fainted immediately.

When she arrived, she went into a frenzy trying to find him, only to be held back tightly by her mother-in-law.

Later, she took sleeping pills and attempted to suicide three times, each time being saved.

Everyone said, "Their relationship was truly remarkable..."

Indeed, it was.

So remarkable that only three months after his "death," she discovered—Brenton wasn't the one who died.

***

On the night Leanna was rescued from her third suicide attempt, she arrived at her husband's family home with a pale face. She intended to ask her mother-in-law, Ivy Cade, for some of Brenton's belongings to ease her grief. But as she approached, she overheard low voices coming from the inner room.

"Brenton, how long are you going to keep hiding this? Leanna has attempted suicide three times because of you!"

Her fingers clenched into her palm.

Brenton?

Why was Ivy calling Dylan, Brenton's older brother, by that name?

"Mom, just wait a bit longer," Dylan replied. It was unmistakably his voice, but the tone was similar to Brenton's when he used to comfort her.

"Before Dylan passed away, he asked me to take care of Crystal. She's fragile and weak. If she learned of his death, she wouldn't be able to survive. So I had no choice but to assume his identity... to give her a child. With a child to hold onto, she might have the strength to go on."

Leanna felt as though her blood had turned cold, unable to believe what she had just heard.

It was Dylan who had passed away, not Brenton.

"Her husband was still alive. But he had taken on his brother's name and identity, and was sleeping in the next room—

with Crystal."

"What about Leanna?" Ivy pressed with urgency. "You stay in Crystal's room every night. Haven't you thought about Leanna's feelings?"

"She's stronger than Crystal..."

Those words cut into Leanna like a knife. She stumbled backward, accidentally knocking a painting off the wall, and plunging the room into silence.

But she turned and fled as if pursued by wild beasts.

For three months, she had awoken from her dreams in tears countless times. Now, it all felt like a cruel joke.

Her husband wasn't dead.

He'd let her think he was—for Crystal's sake.

Five years ago, she first encountered Brenton at a social gathering.

He was the hockey team's captain, and she was a cheerleader.

But that night, he stood by the stage and watched her intently as she danced. When she finished, he strode up onto the stage in front of everyone, draped his coat over her shoulders, and said, "It's chilly. Don't catch a cold."

She wore his coat and blushed with shyness.

After that, he started pursuing her. He'd go out of his way just to see her.

When she finally agreed to be his girlfriend, he celebrated by getting completely drunk. He lifted her up and spun her around in the yard, saying, "Leanna, for my entire life, I, Brenton Anderson, will recognize only you as my one and only."

After their marriage, everyone said that he was utterly devoted to his wife.

And she believed it. She truly believed he loved her more than life itself.

But now?

To "take care of" Crystal, he had taken on his older brother's identity, shared a bed with her, and was even planning to have a child with her.

Meanwhile, she'd been weeping like a fool, willing to die for him, living each day in unbearable pain.

Did he ever think that she might feel pain too?

When she returned home in a daze, Sadie visited again.

"Leanna, Ethan will be transferred to Hawaii in two weeks. This is the seventh time he's sent me to ask... He said if you still refuse, he won't come back. Ever."

Ethan Madren was Brenton's comrade from the army.

Since the day she was labeled a "widow," he had repeatedly proposed to her.

She had turned him down six times before, believing that she would only ever love Brenton.

But then...

She glanced up and said calmly, "Alright, I'll marry him."

Sadie was stunned. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," she replied with a smile. "Please tell Ethan that in two weeks, I'll marry him and go to Hawaii with him."

Suddenly, the door curtain was pulled aside, and Brenton appeared with a stern expression. "Leanna, who are you planning to marry?"

She looked at him. For a moment, the situation felt laughable.

"Dylan," she said softly, "This is my choice."

Although he was speaking to Sadie, he seized Leanna's wrist with such force it hurt. "I'll look after Leanna. She doesn't need to remarry. Besides, she loves Brenton too much to ever do that. Sadie, don't come here again, or I'll have to show you the way out!"

Sadie was shocked, "But Leanna has already agreed..."

Leanna interrupted Sadie mid-sentence by grabbing her arm. "Sadie, didn't you say you needed to go to the supermarket? You should hurry, it'll close soon."

Sadie, momentarily distracted, nodded and left quickly.

Once Sadie was gone, Brenton let out a sigh of relief. He stepped slightly closer, his voice earnest. "Leanna, even though Brenton is gone, don't worry. I'll look after you. If any matchmakers approach you, just send them away..."

Leanna found the situation absurd.

He spent his nights sneaking into Crystal's room, yet he was afraid she might leave or remarry.

It made no sense.

But she said nothing. Just nodded.

In any case, she'd be marrying someone else in two weeks and leaving this place forever. He wouldn't be able to control her anymore.

At night, Leanna was packing her suitcase when she suddenly heard the creaking of a wooden bed from the next room.

In the past, she would have assumed it was just Dylan and his wife being affectionate.

But now, every gasp felt like a dull knife cutting through her flesh.

She recognized those suppressed groans as Brenton's, the kind he used to whisper in her ear when he was excited.

Leanna rushed out just in time to see Brenton holding a half-dressed Crystal in his arms as he ran outside. Under the moonlight, a vivid red stain spread across her white pajama pants.

"What's happening here?" someone asked.

"I heard things got too intense, and she started bleeding," another replied.

"Tsk, Dylan always seems so serious, who'd have guessed he's so tender with his wife..."

Leanna was in the crowd, feeling a shiver run through her.

She was about to turn and leave when Lyla grabbed her. "Leanna, you're the younger brother's wife. You should go and check!"

Not wanting to spark gossip, she threw on a coat and hurried to the hospital.

The sharp scent of disinfectant in the corridor stung her eyes.

Brenton was pacing nervously and looked startled when he noticed her.

"What are you doing here?"

Leanna forced a smile. "As the younger brother's wife, I should be here to check on her."

Just then, the operating room door opened, and the doctor walked out.

"No worries. Your wife is fine. She's pregnant. Just be more careful during intimacy..."

Leanna stood in the hospital hallway, a buzzing noise filling her ears.

The doctor's words, "She's pregnant," hit her like a heavy blow.

Her eyes instinctively turned to Brenton, who looked shocked at first, but then joy filled his eyes. He whispered, "That's wonderful... Everything is falling back into place."

She understood what he meant. With Crystal being pregnant, he could finally leave behind his "Dylan" persona and return to her.

But she no longer needed him.

The doctor's voice cut through her thoughts, "However, the patient is somewhat anemic and needs a blood transfusion."

Brenton immediately rolled up his sleeves, but the doctor stopped him. "Your blood type isn't compatible. We need type B blood."

Leanna had type B blood.

Brenton looked at Leanna, hesitated, and then approached her. "Leanna, Crystal is pregnant, and we've been hoping for this child for a long time," he said, pausing. "Could you please donate some blood to her? I promise I'll make it up to you once the baby is born."

"Compensation?" Leanna scoffed to herself.

Was his idea of compensation really just returning to her side as if he were doing her a favor?

"I can donate the blood, but there's no need for compensation," she stated calmly, then turned to follow the nurse for the blood draw.

As the needle pierced her vein, she watched her bright red blood fill the bag.

Soon, her blood would flow into another woman's body to nurture their child.

Over the next few days, Leanna rested at home.

Looking out the window, she noticed that Brenton no longer went to the office. Instead, he traveled back and forth each day between home and the hospital.

Brenton, whose gaze was usually cold and stern, couldn't hide the smile on his face as he handed out pastries to the neighbors. "Crystal is pregnant. Have some."

"Congratulations! Congratulations!"

"Finally, you're going to have a child!"

He responded with a smile, and the joy of becoming a father was evident in every expression.

Finally, he walked up to Leanna. His hand hesitated a little. "Leanna..."

"Congratulations, Dylan," she accepted the pastries and smiled politely. "I wish your family of three a happy and fulfilling life."

Brenton frowned slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Such a blessing was too proper, so proper that it made him feel uneasy.

Ever since "Brenton's sacrifice", Leanna had either been crying or causing a scene. When had she ever been this calm?

But before he could think more, Crystal walked over and took his arm, saying in a sweet voice, "Dylan, didn't we agree to invite Leanna to dinner?"

To show her appreciation for Leanna's blood donation, Crystal insisted on treating her to a meal.

Despite Leanna's repeated refusals, she was eventually persuaded into the car.

When they arrived, the waitress greeted them warmly, saying, "Welcome!"

She glanced between Brenton and Crystal, then smiled and remarked, "You two make a wonderful couple!"

The waitress turned to Leanna and commented, "This must be your younger sister, right? She's quite beautiful."

Brenton was momentarily stunned, but before he could react, Leanna softly replied, "Yes, I'm his younger sister."

Her words felt like a knife to his heart.

However, as he noticed Crystal's slightly rounded belly, he chose not to correct her.

While ordering food, he expertly rattled off a list of dishes. "With less oil and salt. She's expecting..."

Only when the waiter asked, "What would your sister like?" did he pause and glance at Leanna.

"Anything's fine with me," she replied, lowering her head to sip her coffee, the steam obscuring her eyes and brows.

As the meal was served, Leanna absentmindedly picked at her salad.

It was only when her throat suddenly constricted that she realized the salad contained peanuts—she was allergic to them!

There had been a time when Brenton remembered all her dietary restrictions.

But now, he had ordered something with peanuts.

"Leanna?" Crystal noticed something was off with her skin tone. "What's going on with you?"

Only then did Brenton glance up. Seeing her flushed face, he abruptly stood. "Did you eat peanuts?"

Leanna struggled more and more to breathe, and her vision began to blur.

In a haze, she saw Brenton rushing toward her, but he was halted midway by Crystal's agonized cry. "Ah... My stomach hurts so much..."

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

She watched Brenton freeze, torn between her and Crystal.

Ultimately, he picked up Crystal and, before leaving, urgently instructed the waiter, "Please take my sister to the hospital."

"Ma'am? Ma'am!" The waiter's frantic shouts became increasingly faint as Leanna's consciousness slipped away, and she eventually lost consciousness.

The sharp odor of disinfectant pricked Leanna's eyes.

Upon opening them, she saw a nurse replacing the IV bottle.

"You're awake?" the nurse said with a relieved sigh. "Luckily, the waiter from the restaurant got you here quickly. Allergic reactions can be very dangerous."

Leanna tried to speak but discovered her throat ached immensely.

The image of Brenton leaving without a second thought, carrying Crystal, replayed in her mind.

She shut her eyes, allowing tears to trickle down to her temples.

During the three days Leanna spent in the hospital, she lay alone in her bed. The allergy-induced rashes made her entire body itch, and her throat was so swollen that she couldn't even swallow water.

At her most uncomfortable moments, she overheard the nurses whispering outside her door.

"The pregnant woman in Room 308 is just experiencing frequent fetal movements, and her husband is incredibly anxious."

"It's not like the patient in Room 302. She's suffering from a severe allergic reaction, yet her husband hasn't even visited her. It's as if he's gone..."

Leanna buried her face in the pillow.

Yes, her husband had been gone for some time.

He died in a car accident three months ago, and at the moment he chose to become someone else's husband.

When Leanna was discharged from the hospital, the sun was shining brightly.

As she reached the hospital entrance, she suddenly spotted that familiar jeep.

The following moment, Crystal emerged from the hospital's main entrance.

The car door swung open with a loud "bang!", then Brenton hurried over in two quick steps, gently supporting her waist. "Take it easy. The doctor advised you to get more rest..."

His voice was tender, reminiscent of how he used to comfort her in the past.

Leanna remained standing as the jeep drove off, the exhaust fumes wafting onto her pale face.

He didn't even glance in her direction.

***

The evening breeze was chilly as Leanna pushed open her house door. From afar, she noticed a tall figure at her doorstep.

Brenton stood there, clutching multiple bottles of supplements.

"Leanna," he called out, hurrying toward her. "Is your allergy improving?"

"How ironic," she thought.

He ignored her all day, but now, with no one else around, he was acting concerned.

"Thank you for your concern. I'm doing much better," she replied, attempting to sidestep him to unlock the door.

Brenton grabbed her wrist. "Take these..."

"There's no need..."

Crystal burst into the yard with tears streaming down her face. "Dylan! Something's wrong! I've been reported for smuggling!"

Leanna felt Brenton's hand tense up suddenly.

"What did you just say?" His voice turned icy.

Crystal was sobbing so intensely that her face was wet with tears. "I only wanted to make more money to buy clothes... Now they're coming to arrest me..."

Brenton's forehead veins stood out. "Why would you do something like that?"

"I..." Crystal pulled at his sleeve, stomping her feet. "What are we going to do now? I'm pregnant and can't go to jail."

At that moment, the courtyard door was kicked open, and three people rushed in.

"Crystal Harrell, you're being reported for smuggling. Please come with us."

The atmosphere turned icy in an instant.

Brenton was silent for what felt like ages before he finally spoke up, "It's not her."

Everyone's attention was riveted on him.

The tension lingered for a few moments before he continued, enunciating clearly, "I know about this. Crystal didn't do it. It was... Leanna."

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

"What did you say?" Leanna's voice quivered. "Repeat that. Who was it?"

He avoided her gaze, swallowing hard. "It was Leanna!"

Leanna's voice wavered as she attempted to speak again, but court officials had already taken hold of her arm. "There are witnesses identifying you. Please cooperate with the investigation!"

As she was ushered into the police car, Leanna locked her gaze on Brenton.

He stood protectively in front of Crystal, yet he no longer resembled the man she once remembered.

In the dimly lit room, Leanna's protests of innocence went unheard.

"How can it be false when your own relative pointed you out?" The officer forcefully placed a pen before her. "Admit the truth!"

After three days without food or water, Leanna was thrown into jail.

The prison was cold, damp, and grim. She was worn out and terrified.

"Leanna!"

Was she hallucinating? The man who had left her was now rushing toward her frantically.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

As Brenton carried her away, his voice trembled uncontrollably. He repeated her name over and over.

"Crystal is expecting and can't handle this ordeal... I had to put the blame on you. Leanna, I was compelled to do it. I feel more agony than you do. I'll bring you home once the baby arrives... Please wake up... I can't live without you..."

Leanna felt an urge to laugh.

He always had this habit—scolding her first, then softening with kindness.

The last thing she remembered before blacking out was the sensation of Brenton's tears on her face.

When she regained consciousness, the hospital room was silent.

Brenton was asleep with his head resting on the bed's edge, and his chin was covered in dark stubble.

The moment Leanna stirred slightly, he awoke at once. "Leanna!"

He wrapped her in a tight embrace and, with tearful eyes, kissed her fervently. "You're awake. Thank God..."

"Dylan," Leanna shoved him away with all her might. "What on earth are you doing?"

The next day, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, the sound of a car starting up came from the courtyard.

Leanna opened her eyes. As she listened to Brenton's car gradually drive away, she was just about to heave a sigh of relief when the door suddenly burst open!

A slap landed heavily on her face, stinging painfully.

Crystal stood by the bedside, her eyes filled with resentment and venom. "Leanna, you're really despicable! Since your man is dead, you're here to seduce Dylan?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Leanna covered her face, but in the next instant, she understood. It was what happened last night.

How absurd. Brenton was legally married to her, with a marriage certificate to prove it, yet their closeness was being misconstrued by another woman as an affair.

"You're mistaken. Last night, it was him..."

"Shut up!" Crystal abruptly knocked the candles off the bedside table onto the floor. "Don't think you can allure someone else's husband just because you're somewhat attractive. Today, I'll show you who truly matters to him!"

The flames quickly engulfed the curtain, spreading rapidly.

"Are you out of your mind?" Leanna leaped out of bed, ready to flee, but Crystal gripped her wrist firmly.

"What's the rush?" Crystal taunted. "Do you really think I'll perish with you?"

She leaned into Leanna's ear and whispered icily, "I had someone call Dylan before I arrived. Tell me, who do you think he'll rescue first?"

The thick smoke made Leanna's eyes water uncontrollably. She fought to free herself but heard the sound of hurried footsteps beyond the door.

"Crystal! Leanna!"

As Brenton burst into the flaming room, Leanna had a fleeting memory of their wedding night. He had held her close and promised, "Leanna, no matter what, you will always be my top priority."

But the truth was, he didn't even glance her way. Instead, he scooped up Crystal and dashed out.

"Brenton..." Leanna called out, reaching for him, but a falling beam blocked her path.

The intense heat scorched her skin. As she collapsed, it felt like she was seeing Brenton walking toward her on the playground all over again.

***

"Leanna? Leanna!"

The sharp scent of disinfectant filled the air as Leanna struggled to open her eyes.

Brenton sat beside her, his chin covered in dark stubble and deep shadows etched beneath his eyes.

"You've just had a skin graft. Don't move," he advised, reaching out to steady her, but she pulled away from his touch.

"A skin graft?!" Leanna's voice was raspy, disbelief evident in her tone.

Brenton frowned deeply. "You started the fire and nearly killed Crystal. Now you've had a skin graft. Is there any reason to be so upset?"

Leanna suddenly began to laugh, tears brimming as she did. "She said I started the fire? And just because she said it, you believed her?"

"What else should I think?" Brenton sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose in exhaustion. "I'm her husband. If I don't believe her, who else should I trust?"

The word "husband" pierced Leanna's heart like a dagger.

Leanna abruptly yanked the needle from the back of her hand. "Then why are you here? Leave!" she demanded.

The infusion bottle crashed to the floor, shattering. Brenton applied pressure to her bleeding hand, trying to soothe her. "Leanna, please calm down. I understand you're upset, but just hold on for ten more months. Once the baby is born..."

"Get out!" Leanna interrupted, hurling a pillow at him. "I never want to see you again!"

The pillow barely grazed his shoulder, feeling light and insubstantial.

Brenton remained still, swallowing hard before finally turning to leave.

After the door clicked shut, Leanna noticed a box of her favorite toffees on the bedside table.

In a fit of anger, she threw it against the wall, the candies scattering across the floor, mirroring her shattered heart.

The day Leanna was discharged from the hospital, the sunlight was harsh on her eyes.

As she arrived at the entrance of the family compound, she noticed Sadie standing on her toes, waving energetically. "Leanna! I've finally been waiting for you!" Sadie exclaimed.

"Sadie?" Leanna said, smoothing the loose hairs around her temples.

"Mr. Madren has taken care of everything. The ship departs early tomorrow," Sadie whispered, pulling a ship ticket from her pocket. "He specifically said you shouldn't bring much luggage. Everything is ready in Hawaii."

Leanna's lips curved into a slight smile. "To celebrate my new beginning."

Sadie was momentarily surprised, then her face lit up. "Yes, it's truly worth celebrating. Just leave your late husband in the past and focus on the future..."

In the eyes of everyone, Brenton had been considered dead for a long time.

He had supposedly perished in that car crash.

Only she knew the truth: he was alive and thriving in the arms of another woman.

Just as she prepared to speak, the courtyard door swung open with a loud crash.

Brenton stood there, his face dark with anger, his suit drenched in sweat, clearly having rushed back.

"I've told you, no more arranging blind dates for Leanna! I will look after her, and she won't agree to remarry either!"

Sadie was so startled that she trembled. "But she has already..."

Leanna gently cut in, giving Sadie a meaningful glance, "You can leave now."

Sadie hurried out in a rush and accidentally collided with Crystal, who was coming in.

Crystal glanced up and noticed Brenton standing protectively in front of Leanna, causing her eyes to immediately flash with hostility.

***

Late at night, as Leanna was packing her suitcase, the door swung open.

Crystal, her slightly protruding belly evident, taunted, "Didn't you learn your lesson last time? You still have the nerve to go after Dylan?"

Leanna continued folding her clothes without looking up. "I'm leaving tomorrow. You..."

Before she could finish, Crystal suddenly screamed and fell to the floor, clutching her stomach and crying, "My baby!"

Almost simultaneously, Brenton burst in from outside. "Crystal!"

He didn't even look at Leanna as he scooped Crystal up in his arms and hurried out.

Leanna stood listening to Crystal's cries and shouts echoing down the corridor, "She pushed me... Dylan, our baby..."

Her acting was laughably bad, yet Leanna felt tears sting her eyes.

At dawn, as Leanna was leaving with her suitcase, she encountered Brenton returning, looking exhausted.

His eyes were shadowed with dark circles, his chin unshaven, and his eyes red.

"Why do you keep hurting Crystal?" he demanded, grabbing her wrist. "I stayed with her all night. We almost lost the baby!"

Leanna pulled away and continued walking in silence.

Brenton noticed her suitcase and asked, "How did you know I was going to ask you to leave? You're already packed."

Leanna paused, surprised. "Ask me to leave?"

His handsome features were marked by fatigue, yet he spoke with a frosty tone, "Yes. Crystal's pregnancy is delicate, and she doesn't wish to see you at the moment. You should return and stay with your parents for a while."

Without seeking her consent, he grabbed the suitcase and stated, "I'll drive you to the train station."

"There's no need," Leanna insisted, retrieving the suitcase. "I can manage on my own."

Nevertheless, Brenton persistently trailed her, seemingly anxious that she might not depart. He accompanied her all the way to the train station.

"Stay at your parents' during this time. Once the baby arrives, I'll come to get you.

"I won't go in with you. Buy a ticket and go in yourself. Crystal is waiting for me to care for her in the hospital."

After offering a few words of guidance, he swiftly turned and left.

Leanna burst into laughter.

"Brenton, you can look after your Crystal forever."

Once the jeep vanished into the morning fog, she turned around and walked the other way.

There were cars heading to the port. Ethan was waiting for her, and a fresh start awaited.

"Brenton, this time, we won't meet again!"