Wang Xiaoke watched the video of the man and woman tightly embracing and passionately kissing each other, her mind in turmoil, buzzing like a raging sea.

Though the lighting was dim, she immediately recognized them as Lu Ming and Feng Ning. The two stood together so perfectly matched, their kiss so engrossing, that it gave her an illusion. It felt as if they only had eyes for each other, forgetting the world while she was the intruder-the outsider who had come between them.

Her vision blurred, and she collapsed in front of the computer, frozen in disbelief as though struck by lightning.

The familiar faces of the two kept flashing in her mind.

Wang Xiaoke was an online writer who also worked part-time as a screenwriter. She had trained in Taekwondo and had experienced her parents’ divorce three years ago, during her sophomore year in college. Due to her parents divorce, she was decided by court to reside with her father, but not long after, both parents remarried. Her stepmother had a daughter, Feng Ning, who was about the same age as Wang Xiaoke. Feng Ning was stunningly beautiful, with a slender waist and long legs. She was a well-known campus beauty at A University and had also gained some fame in the entertainment industry.

During that dark period of her life, due to her parents’ divorce, Wang Xiaoke felt like an abandoned stray cat, deeply despondent. It was during that time she met Lu Ming. Lu Ming was a prominent figure at A University, known for his good nature and cheerful personality. Like a ray of sunshine, he quickly captured her heart. So, when Lu Ming showed even a hint of interest in pursuing a relationship with her, she agreed without hesitation.

Their romance progressed naturally until a week before they planned to enter the bond of marriage. It was then she stumbled upon a secret in a secretly-filmed video shared by a netizen: Lu Ming was involved with her stepsister Feng Ning, who was not related to her by blood.

“This can’t be true. It must be fake. I must have mistaken them for someone else,” she muttered to herself, clinging to a sliver of hope, trying to convince herself, “Yes, there’s been a mistake. I can’t make any rash conclusions about something this serious. I need to confirm it with my own eyes.”

Her mind in a haze, Wang Xiaoke rushed to the entrance of the Blue Note Bar, only to realize she was wearing slippers. Though filled with unease, she hesitated and dared not take a single step forward.

Wang Xiaoke wandered outside the bar, lost and aimless. Several times, she mustered the courage to go in, only to turn back midway. Lu Ming had been her emotional pillar, and she couldn’t bear to imagine the worst outcome. But fate seemed intent on confronting her. Just when she decided to temporarily bury her head in the sand, Feng Ning’s words struck her like a thunderbolt.

“Lu Ming, I have good news. We’re going to have a baby.” Feng Ning’s voice was filled with the joy of impending motherhood. Standing in the shadow of a streetlamp, Wang Xiaoke saw Feng Ning clinging to Lu Ming’s arm like a conjoined twin, walking out of the Blue Note Bar without a care for the world.

Lu Ming stopped in his tracks, his deep voice tinged with surprise and disbelief. “How is that possible? We’ve always taken precautions.”

Lu Ming’s words felt like a malicious nightmare to Wang Xiaoke, who stood frozen, her entire body cold. Hiding behind a pillar, she struggled to suppress the urge to confront them. She admitted her cowardice; the warmth Lu Ming once gave her wasn’t something she could easily erase from her heart.

“Lu Ming, we’re having a baby together. Aren’t you happy? And what do you mean by that? Are you implying that I’ve been with someone else besides you?”

“Lu Ming, I’ve been with you for four years. You know how much I’ve sacrificed for you during this time, yet you still doubt me. Do you even have a conscience?” Feng Ning’s captivating eyes shimmered with faint tears.

Four years. The words struck Wang Xiaoke like a slap to the face. She had known Lu Ming for three years, meaning he had been with Feng Ning before meeting her. She had been kept in the dark all along. Clutching her chest, she felt an uncontrollable surge of pain, so intense that she could only take deep breaths without uttering a word.

As Lu Ming remained silent, Feng Ning grew increasingly agitated. “You don’t trust me, do you? Fine, let me make this clear: I, Feng Ning, may be in the entertainment industry, but in these four years, I’ve only ever been with you. If you don’t want to take responsibility, just say so. I’m not the type to cling to someone.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Lu Ming tried to reassure her.

Feng Ning responded with a cold laugh. “But what do you think Wang Xiaoke will do when she finds out about us? I’m really curious. I heard her wealthy father was planning to meet you a few days ago, but he’s been too busy with work to even go home. That’s why he hasn’t commented on her plan to get married.”

“How about I tell him the story of the three of us? What do you think?” Feng Ning leaned against Lu Ming’s tall figure, her smile as radiant as a flower, her breath warm against his ear.

Her laughter rang like delicate bells fluttering in the wind, carrying an eerie undertone. “I’ll tell him that Young Master Lu got me pregnant and then turned around to deceive his innocent daughter. Who do you think her father will believe? And when that happens, will the Lu Corporation still have a foothold in Xinyun City?”

“Feng Ning, are you insane? How can you even say such things?” Lu Ming was clearly exasperated by her provocation.

It was true that he liked Feng Ning. She possessed a charm and grace that Wang Xiaoke lacked. But he hadn’t expected Feng Ning to get pregnant at such a critical moment, nor could he have imagined that this once-perfect lover would resort to such threats. He was left with no choice but to comply.

Considering the plan he was so close to completing, Lu Ming suppressed his anger. Stroking Feng Ning’s radiant face, he gently reassured her, “I’m not abandoning you or the child. I’m just caught off guard. Give me some time. Once I secure the 20% shares that stupid woman holds, I’ll kick her to the curb and marry you and the baby immediately. How about that?”

“You better not be lying to me.” Feng Ning gazed at him, relaxing only after seeing his firm promise. “Good. As long as you recognize me and our child, I’ll do everything I can to support you and help you achieve your goals.”

Feng Ning returned to her usual delicate demeanor, lovingly caressing her belly as she spoke in an intimate tone, “I was just upset earlier, so don’t take it to heart. I can’t imagine a future without you, and I want to give our baby a complete and happy family.”

Is this still the person I thought I knew? Wang Xiaoke wondered, feeling as if all hope had been drained from her. So this is what it means to be utterly heartbroken.

Her breath caught in her throat. Feng Ning, you want a complete and happy family? Then why did you let Lu Ming entangle himself with me? What did I do to deserve this?