Chapter 1 Betrayal

The mountain air was crisp and thin, carrying the scent of pine and morning dew. Andrea Reed stepped closer to the edge, her skirt fluttering as mist drifted lazily through the peaks ahead. The view unfolded in waves-jagged ridgelines, pale clouds, and sunlight spilling across the horizon like a quiet promise.

A soft laugh escaped her lips. "Steven," she said, her voice bright with delight, "this place feels unreal. It's like standing inside a painting."

"I'm glad you like it," Steven replied from behind her.

What Andrea couldn't see was that his right hand was openly clasping another woman's.

The woman had striking features and a smug smile curling on her lips. After waiting all these years, this day had finally come.

Andrea stretched out her arms and closed her eyes, letting the morning breeze brush across her face. Her body relaxed completely. Today was her second wedding anniversary with Steven. She hadn't expected him to take time off to travel with her-it made her genuinely happy.

'When I tell him the news later... he'll be happy too, right?'

Then his voice cut through the air without warning.

"Andrea, let's get a divorce."

Her body froze.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and turned around, forcing an awkward smile. "Honey... what did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly."

Steven took out a divorce agreement and spoke coldly, his face unreadable. "Andrea, we're getting divorced. The car and the house will go to you. As for the company-you don't know how to run it, so I'll continue managing it."

"Why...?"

It felt like a thunderbolt had struck her. She stared at the man in front of her. He still had the same handsome, gentle face-but somehow, he suddenly felt like a stranger.

"Because Steven doesn't love you," a woman's voice cut in sharply. "The one he loves is me."

Sandra stepped forward and hooked her arm around Steven's, pressing her seductive body tightly against him. Her red lips curled in disdain. "Andrea, do yourself a favor and sign the papers. Don't force us to embarrass you."

"Sandra... Steven... you two..." Andrea shook her head in disbelief. "No, this isn't real. You're joking, right? You're just trying to scare me. Honey, today is our anniversary. Please stop joking, okay?"

Steven frowned impatiently, his voice turning harsh. "Andrea, I don't have time for this. Sign the agreement now-or don't blame me for being ruthless."

"No! You can't do this to me!" Andrea broke down, tears streaming down her face. "I love you! For you, I was willing to do anything! How could you treat me like this?"

She reached for his arm, but he shoved her away without hesitation.

Sandra glanced at her freshly painted crimson nails and said lazily, "Andrea, have some self-respect. Steven never loved you. Crying, making a scene, threatening your life-it's all useless. You might as well sign the divorce and leave with some dignity."

Andrea stared at her stepsister in disbelief.

Was this really the same girl who used to cling to her and say, 'Sis, you're the best'?

She had treated Sandra like her own sister-protected her, indulged her, gave way to her in everything. And now she was saying she was in love with her husband?

Andrea shook her head helplessly. Then something suddenly occurred to her.

"Steven! I'm pregnant!" she cried out desperately. "I'm carrying your child. We don't have to divorce-let's start over, okay?"

Steven stiffened.

Sandra tightened her grip on his arm and shook it gently. "Steven, Brian is already over a year old. Are you really going to let him keep being called an illegitimate child?"

She spoke softly, sounding pitiful, but her eyes were fixed on Andrea-burning with hatred. If it weren't for Andrea, her son wouldn't have carried that label from the moment he was born.

"No," Steven said firmly, pulling Sandra into his arms. "Brian is my son. I won't let him suffer anymore."

When he looked back at Andrea, his gaze was icy and merciless. "Andrea, this is your last chance. Sign the agreement."

If she still didn't understand now, then she truly was a fool.

Brian-the obedient little boy who always called her Auntie. Sandra had said he was adopted from an orphanage.

But he was actually her husband's child.

The couple standing before her, locked in an intimate embrace, looked more and more unfamiliar... and unbearably ugly.

How many things had they been hiding from her?

Sandra leaned in, her face twisted with malice, whispering into Andrea's ear. "My dear sister, let me tell you a secret. Your father and your brother didn't die by accident."

Andrea's heart lurched violently. She looked up sharply. "You did it?"

"Wasn't it beautifully done?" Sandra smiled darkly. Then she wrapped her hands around Andrea's shoulders and pushed her backward, step by step. Her red lips hovered near her ear as she whispered cruelly, "One more secret-Steven bought you an accident insurance policy. Guess who the beneficiary is?"

Her voice dropped to a deadly whisper.

"My name.

So today... is the day you die."

The moment the words left her mouth, she shoved hard.

Andrea's frail body stumbled backward several steps before slamming into the safety railing. She hadn't even regained her balance when Sandra rushed forward again and pushed her a second time.

Her body tipped over the railing.

Instinct took over.

Andrea clawed desperately at the metal bar, her fingers locking around it as her entire body dangled in midair. Beneath her was a bottomless abyss. The mountain wind howled past her ears, rocking her violently, as if eager to tear her loose at any second.

Her grip tightened until her knuckles turned white.

Her bloodshot eyes locked onto Steven.

"Why...?"

Why did I love you so much-only for you to treat me like this?

Steven curled his lips into a faint smile and strolled over, looking down at her from above. His voice was cold, almost amused.

"Don't you get it yet? I never loved you. Not once."

"I hate you!" Andrea screamed. "You shameless monsters-you won't die a good death!"

Her eyes were so red they looked like they might bleed. Hatred twisted her features into something almost unrecognizable.

Steven snorted and crouched down, prying at her fingers. But she was holding on too tightly. His brows furrowed. He glanced around, picked up a jagged stone, and smashed it down on her fingers.

Once.

Twice.

Blood burst from her mangled hand.

Yet she didn't scream.

She laughed.

Wild, broken laughter tore from her throat-hoarse, shrill, soaked in despair and venomous hatred. It sent chills straight down the spine.

"What are you laughing at? What's so funny?" Sandra snapped, humiliated and furious. "Go die, you bitch!"

She lifted her foot and kicked Andrea squarely in the head.

The world went black.

Her fingers finally lost their strength.

Her body plunged into the endless void.