Seven Years Shrouded in Shadows, Only to Wake from The Dream in an Instant

That time, when Declan Harrison hit rock bottom, I helped him out of the freezing river. From that moment on, I became his bottom line. Everyone said I was the woman he cherished most. So, in the world of fame and power, no one dared disrespect me.

Until one day … when a pair of identical high heels appeared before me. “Are you my stand-in?”

That was when I finally learned that Declan had been in love with another woman for eight years, his first love.

“Stand in?” I curled my lips into a cold smile. “You were the one who dumped him. How dare you show your face again?”

Sadie Rockwood set her phone down in front of me. “Take a good look. Your dear husband has been messaging me night after night.”

On the screen, Declan sent messages to Sadie every few days.

Seeing my stunned expression, she smirked confidently. “Do you want to make a bet? I’ll text him that I’m back. You call him and say you were in a car accident and lost the baby. Let’s see who Declan chooses.”

“If he picks me, I’ll happily take your spot as the bride in seven days. If he picks you, I’ll leave the country immediately and never come back.”

My hand instinctively moved to my belly. Declan had always put me first. I was sure I wouldn’t lose.

The phone rang for a long time, but no one picked it up.

However, on the screen that she handed to me, the words [Where are you?] were glaringly obvious.

"You lost," said Sadie.

As I looked at her triumphant expression, my tightly clenched fists slowly loosened. "I accept the bet result."

——

On the drive home, scenes from earlier kept flashing in my mind.

Just when I was about to confront Declan for answers, a van plowed straight into me.

Sharp pain exploded in my stomach and blood soaked my white dress.

A passerby helped me call an ambulance. I tried calling Declan for so many times but he did not answer.

[I’ve been in a car accident and lost a lot of blood.]

[The baby might be in danger. Please answer my call.]

I had never sent him messages in such a desperate tone and until I was rescued, the call never went through.

When I emerged from the operating room and saw the sympathetic glances from the medical staff, I felt my heart turn to ashes.

The doctor comforted me, “You can still have children.”

I did not say anything.

Seven years ago, I had saved Declan from trying to end his life in that icy river. I was submerged in the freezing river water for four hours.

The doctor said it was a miracle I could conceive this child. I once thought this child was a gift, but now I was not sure whether it was a blessing or a curse.

I dragged my weary body home, but the high heels at the door made me freeze in place.

Sadie was lying on the sofa, with a plate of neatly arranged fruits by her side. So, that’s what he’d been doing in those three hours he didn’t pick up my calls.

Declan had gone to the airport to pick up Sadie and bring her home.

No wonder he didn't have time to answer my call. As ex-lovers, of course, they had endless topics to discuss.

When he heard me open the door, Declan walked to the entrance and said, "Sadie has just returned to the country. So, she'll be staying with us for a while."

Then he noticed the blood on my clothes. His brows furrowed and his tone turned harsh. “Why is there so much blood?”

I put the heels back in the cabinet and said calmly, “I texted you, didn’t I? I was in a car accident and lost my baby."

Just as I was about to go wash up and change my clothes, Declan grabbed my wrist. His grip was so hard that it felt like my bones might snap.

He growled, "Alice Sanders! Haven't you had enough of the joke? Sadie told me everything. You should know when to stop!"

I turned and met Sadie’s mocking gaze. "Whether you believe it or not is up to you."

I yanked my arm free and went into the bedroom.

As I was closing the door, I heard Sadie’s sweet voice asking, “Did you forget to tell your little sister I was coming? Is that why she’s upset?”