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Chapter 1Blood Stained Red

"After a fierce entanglement, Joyce Blackwood's body was covered with a thin layer of sweat. Sebastian Winters held her in his arms, his slender fingers outlining her features. In the man's deep peach blossom eyes, there was an unprecedented affection.

Although Sebastian had put Joyce through a lot, she now felt deeply loved. However, before Joyce's desire could dissipate, Sebastian's phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Joyce's heart trembled. She held onto Sebastian's arm tighter and looked up at him, "Can you not answer it?"

The call was from Isabella Vale, the woman Sebastian deeply loved. Isabella had returned to the country less than a month ago and had attempted suicide several times. Joyce knew it was merely a cry for attention, but Sebastian didn't seem to care about Joyce's feelings. He pushed her away without any tenderness and eagerly answered the call.

Joyce didn't know what was said on the phone. She only saw the depth of emotion in Sebastian's eyes, deeper than the night outside the window. After Sebastian hung up, he quickly dressed, saying, "Isabella is threatening suicide again. I need to go check on her."

Joyce sat up on the bed, her fair skin covered in marks. She looked at Sebastian intensely, "But it’s my birthday today, and you promised to spend it with me. I have something important to tell you."

Sebastian, already dressed, looked at her with sharp eyebrows and cold eyes. "When did you become so unreasonable? Isabella's life is in danger at any moment."

Before Joyce could react, Sebastian slammed the door shut. Soon, the sound of a car engine could be heard downstairs. Joyce reached under the pillow and took out a delicate box. She looked at the two rings inside, her eyes moist. Three years ago, she was cornered by a villain in an alley, and Sebastian got injured trying to save her. Joyce volunteered to stay and take care of him. One thing led to another, and they got into a relationship.

At the time, Sebastian asked Joyce if she wanted to be with him, with no promise of marriage. Joyce agreed without hesitation because Sebastian was the man she had secretly admired for four years. Since then, Joyce was Sebastian's capable and beautiful secretary during the day and his obedient companion at night. Joyce naively believed that Sebastian loved her. Sebastian's reluctance to marry her was influenced by his family.

Joyce had spent the whole day preparing to propose, hoping to break through Sebastian's reservations. But Isabella's call shattered her illusions. Sebastian probably did want to get married, just not with her. Joyce smiled bitterly and put the ring away. She dismantled all the decorations on the terrace by herself and drove away alone. However, not long after she left, a sharp pain struck her lower abdomen.

Joyce looked down and saw blood soaking the white leather seat. She immediately called Sebastian, "Sebastian, my stomach hurts. Can you come and pick me up?"

Sebastian, somewhat impatient, replied, "Joyce, you can throw a tantrum, but choose the right time!"

Joyce, frightened by the increasing amount of blood, cried, "Sebastian, I'm not lying. My stomach hurts a lot, and I'm also..."

Before she could finish, Sebastian's voice came through the phone, cold and indifferent. "Joyce, Isabella is dying, and you have the nerve to make it all about you!"

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