Chapter 3

Karina stumbled to the ground with me, her arms full of gifts.

"Madam, I... I'm so sorry, are you alright?" Karina asked, her expression like a deer caught in headlights, feigning concern.

Connor arrived upon hearing the commotion and immediately started scolding me. "Brynn, are you addicted to acting now? Didn't you see Karina carrying so much stuff?"

He then quickly checked Karina for injuries, asking gently, "Are you okay? What were the staff thinking, letting you carry all this?"

Karina responded with a hint of grievance, "I'm fine. It's just that Madam arrived too late today, and we didn't anticipate such a change, so some things weren't prepared adequately."

"I know Madam isn't fond of me, so I thought I'd try to make a good impression today and not be so disliked."

My already tender joints were aching from the fall, and I couldn't stomach their charade any longer.

"Connor, with so many reporters around, are you that eager to reveal Karina to the public?"

My harsh sarcasm caught him off guard.

"Brynn, just because your heart is tainted, don't assume everyone else is too."

"If it weren't for the fact that you're pregnant, should Karina get hurt in any way, I'd make you pay back tenfold."

With that, he hurriedly carried Karina off to the medical room, leaving me and a group of wide-eyed reporters staring at one another.

Looks like I won't have to start any rumors myself; the headline about the Connor couple's marriage breaking down will likely hit tomorrow's papers.

I pulled myself together and forced a brave smile for the media. "Sorry for the spectacle."

After enduring his coldness and sarcasm for so many years, what's one more time?

After all, doesn't Connor believe that because I'm pregnant, I can't leave him?

I'll show him that once a heart is dead, once a decision is made, there's no turning back.

It wasn't until everyone was ready that Connor finally arrived, conspicuously late.

People around him watched with silent eyes, but he seemed oblivious.

"What are you all staring at? Let's get on with the ceremony."

It turned out... he hadn't even prepared an engagement ring.

The officiant had no choice but to press on, "Mr. Connor, do you vow to love and cherish Brynn here, in sickness and in health, and choose her as your wife?"

I saw a flash of contempt in Connor's eyes, but he reluctantly uttered, "I do."

The officiant then turned to me.

"Miss Brynn, do you vow to remain faithful to Mr. Connor, in sickness and in health, and choose him as your husband?"

Camera flashes lit up the room as countless media journalists awaited my response.

And I, in front of everyone, told the officiant, "I do not."

The room erupted into chaos.

Reporters erupted into a frenzy, and Connor's eyes widened in disbelief for the first time.

Yet, they still held disdain and mockery.

As he was about to speak, likely to say something humiliating, I cut him off decisively.

"I've ended the pregnancy."

"There is nothing tying us together anymore. With everyone present and the media as witnesses, I, Brynn, and Connor will be strangers from now on."