The news of Harvey breaking off the engagement caused a citywide uproar. Jane became the laughingstock of all Avarame City.

But losing the Graham family's support was like Harvey severing his own arm. Mr. Graham Senior even swore he'd use the family's entire resources to make Harvey pay.

Owen was the one who brought me this news. At the time, Harvey had me confined to a private hospital to recuperate. All I had to do each day was water flowers and read books, so my days passed in easy comfort.

Owen stood in the hospital room and said, "Ms. Wynn, you're the only one who can talk sense into Harvey now. If this continues, both the Cole and Graham families will destroy each other."

Since Harvey wanted to play the tyrant, I might as well play the part of the seductress. I picked up my teacup and took a small sip, as if listening to something completely trivial.

"What do the Graham and Co

No matter how busy Harvey was, he always came to have dinner with me every evening. The dark stubble on his chin showed that his days hadn't been easy either.

This man, who should have been completely overwhelmed, was now carefully picking cilantro out of my chicken chopped salad.

I obediently accepted the bowl he handed me, even though I wasn't the one who disliked cilantro. Maybe it was his late first love who couldn't stand it. But I didn't mind playing her part to win his favor.

I mimicked the way she used to tuck her hair behind her ear, revealing the graceful line of my profile. "Thank you."

He reached out and ruffled my smooth hair, his eyes full of affection.

"Owen came by today," I said.

"Oh?"

His tone was flat, as if he wasn't surprised at all. I guessed Owen had already complained to him about me.

"I'm sorry. I've caused you so much trouble. I don't need you to defend 

I had a miscarriage.

In the hospital, I had a long dream. In it, I was back on the day I first found out I was pregnant. I'd brought it up casually, testing Harvey's reaction.

"What if I got pregnant?"

"Keep it. I want a child, one that looks like both of us."

His eyes were full of deep affection.

Was this the kind of devoted gaze that bewitched his other lovers and his first love? Was this why they had fallen for him, why they had been willing to die for him?

But I wasn't willing. This unexpected child wasn't the fruit of love. He was just the cursed seed of hatred.

I couldn't let him be born.

When I woke up, my whole body ached. Harvey sat beside my bed, looking over some documents.

I closed my eyes again and pretended to have a nightmare. "Harvey… Harvey, don't leave me. Please, don't leave me."

Harvey quickly set down the documents and took my hand. "I'm here."

Only then did I slowly open my eyes. Tears spilled down my cheeks. "Our baby…"

Harvey wiped away the tears at the corner of my eyes, his gaze full of tender affection. "We'll have another child."

I threw myself into his arms and sobbed. "I was going to wait until the pregnancy was stable before telling you. I never thought…"

I swallowed back a tremor. "Don't blame Jane for this. It just wasn't meant to be."

On the surface, it sounded like forgiveness. In reality, it was a reminder.

I needed to remind him who had killed his child. He'd better not forget.

Sure enough, he held my hand. In his usually calm, composed eyes, a barely perceptible flash of ruthlessness appeared.

"I've been too lenient with her."

The news of Harvey breaking off the engagement caused a citywide uproar. Jane became the laughingstock of all Avarame City.

But losing the Graham family's support was like Harvey severing his own arm. Mr. Graham Senior even swore he'd use the family's entire resources to make Harvey pay.

Owen was the one who brought me this news. At the time, Harvey had me confined to a private hospital to recuperate. All I had to do each day was water flowers and read books, so my days passed in easy comfort.

Owen stood in the hospital room and said, "Ms. Wynn, you're the only one who can talk sense into Harvey now. If this continues, both the Cole and Graham families will destroy each other."

Since Harvey wanted to play the tyrant, I might as well play the part of the seductress. I picked up my teacup and took a small sip, as if listening to something completely trivial.

"What do the Graham and Cole families have to do with me?"

"If you really care about Harvey's wellbeing—"

I cut him off, a f

Chapter 7