Jane's Pov

Running a company sounded exciting in theory, but the reality crushed me.

I had only taken over Vlad’s second company a few months ago, and I already felt like I was drowning. I could not understand how Vlad handled two companies worth millions without losing his sanity, while I struggled to stay afloat with just one.

Still, there were some good moments. Traveling for work gave me a break from the same walls. I had just closed a massive deal in Seatle and booked the next flight back to Paris. All I wanted was to fall asleep in Vlad’s arms and maybe grab lunch with Annabel, who I had not seen in months.

At the airport, Vlad’s driver picked me up. His jaw was tight, and his fingers gripped the wheel like it might snap in two. I noticed it but brushed it off, thinking he just had a rough day.

When we reached the mansion, my mood lifted. A week away from home felt like an eternity. One of the housekeepers, Bailey, rushed to take my bags. But something felt off. The gates stood wide open, expensive cars filled the driveway, and soft music drifted out from inside.

I frowned. Vlad had not mentioned any gathering.

Inside, the noise hit me like a wall. The living room buzzed with people—relatives, business partners, socialites—all dressed like they had come for something important. I walked further in, feeling every stare.

Then, a voice echoed from the speakers.

“Everyone, a toast to the future Mr. and Mrs. Ebony—Vlad Ebony and Annabel Night!”

Applause exploded around me. My father-in-law stood nearby, his smile wide with pride.

My heart dropped. I turned slowly, my eyes landing on Vlad, who stood in the center with his hand wrapped around Annabel’s waist. She leaned into him, grinning like she had just won a prize.

I stood frozen. My stomach twisted painfully.

“Finally, a real match,” someone whispered beside me. I glanced to my right and saw Mrs. Salvator sipping wine with her daughter.

“The old wife was just a leech,” the younger woman said with a sneer.

I pushed forward, ignoring the claps and forced smiles, and stopped in front of Vlad and Annabel. Vlad tucked Annabel’s hair behind her ear and leaned in to kiss her.

“Vlad,” I said sharply.

The room quieted. Vlad turned to me, his jaw tightening before he forced a cold smile.

“What is this?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.

Vlad’s smile stretched wider. “It’s simple, Jane. We’re engaged.”

My chest burned as I stepped closer. “You’re already married.”

“Not for long,” he said, voice full of smugness.

My hands curled into fists. “Explain.”

He shrugged, then glanced at his assistant standing nearby. “David. Did you deliver the documents?”

David fidgeted nervously. “N-no, sir. I didn’t get the chance.”

Vlad’s smile dropped. His tone hardened. “Then go and get them. She can sign them right now.”

Before I could speak, Annabel chimed in, her tone full of mock concern. “You should be happy, Jane. This frees you from pretending to be something you’re not. Like a mother.”

My head snapped toward her. “What?”

Annabel smirked. “Let’s not pretend. Everyone knows you can’t have children.”

My throat tightened, but I forced my head high. “Say that again.”

Annabel tilted her head, her honey-brown eyes sharp as daggers dipped in venom. A smug grin tugged at her lips.

“Tell me something, won’t you?” she said sweetly, her voice dripping mockery. “What title suits a woman who warms a man’s bed for five years and still has no child to show for it?”

Her words slithered through the air, aimed to scar.

“Empty womb!” her sister and Vlad’s mother chimed together, their cruel voices slicing through me like cold steel.

I shut my eyes, wishing for a miracle, wishing to blink and wake up from this nightmare. But wishes meant nothing in a house built on betrayal. Vlad’s mother had always seen me as a burden, an unworthy outsider.

And Vlad… oh, Vlad… his silence felt like a blade twisting in my ribs.

“Vlad… don’t do this,” I whispered, my voice barely holding together. “Don’t shatter everything we built… not for her… please… we can fix this. Just talk to me.”

Vlad scoffed, his laugh as hollow as a winter breeze. His hands sank into his pockets, his posture cold and distant.

“Talk? About what? How you clung to me knowing you would never give me an heir?” His words cracked against me like thunder.

I staggered back, breath stolen from my lungs. “That’s a lie!” I cried, my voice breaking. “We stood together before the healers! You read the same scrolls—they told us to wait, that our time would come.”

“Spare me your fairy tales,” Vlad snapped. His voice sounded sharp and cold. His eyes looked like ice, full of hate as he glared at me. “You trapped me with your lies and fake promises. You made me believe something that was never real. Annabel opened my eyes… she showed me the truth. She carries my child now.”

I felt like I could not breathe. The floor under me felt like it broke apart. My lips shook, my hands trembled. My chest felt tight like someone squeezed my heart. “She… she carries your child?” I asked in a soft, broken voice.

He stayed quiet. He didn’t need to say anything. His silence felt louder than any words. His face stayed hard like stone, cold and cruel.

My legs felt weak, and my knees almost gave up. My body turned numb, too heavy to hold up. Betrayal now had a name, and it wore my friend’s smile. It cut deep into my heart while pretending to care. It crushed my life without guilt.

Then Vlad’s voice rang out again, harsh and strong. “Daniel!”

Daniel rushed inside like a dog. He kept his head low and didn’t look at me, standing still like a servant.

“Take her out,” Vlad ordered, his tone cold like I never mattered. “Send her back to the gutter where she belongs.”