Chapter 1

The hands that once risked everything for Gunner were nearly shattered by an opponent on the field.

Gunner was personally tending to my female opponent's sprained ankle.

The lips Gunner once praised as so kissable were now bloodied and missing teeth.

Gunner was savoring the taste of my female opponent's lipstick.

Finally, I stopped struggling to defend myself, allowing my opponent's fists to strike my slightly protruding belly.

When the blood flowing from my lower body stained the entire arena red, Gunner finally realized something was wrong and ran towards me like a madman.

Later, Gunner, who had never been superstitious, went completely insane.

He knelt in every church in the city, begging just to see his deceased wife and child one last time.

————————

In the pre-match waiting area.

While warming up, I received a voice recording of Gunner in bed on my phone.

In the recording, Gunner was completely out of control, using all kinds of vulgar language he'd never use in front of me.

It ended with a muffled sound, his voice returning to its usual coldness.

"You're pregnant. Next time, don't tempt me to go so rough. It's not good for our sweetheart."

As I entered the ring, my mind went blank, and my opponent's fists came whistling towards me.

I couldn't react in time. My head was knocked to the side, and the taste of blood instantly filled my mouth.

A collective gasp rippled through the arena. I was stunned by the hit. My opponent seized the opportunity, launching a frenzied assault. Instinctively, I clenched my fists to protect my abdomen, retreating step by step.

But quickly, I regained my composure and turned defense into offense.

In the end, with a score of three to two, I snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

As I left the ring, Gunner was his usual attentive self, offering me an ice pack with eyes full of concern.

"Why so many mistakes today? Are you not feeling well? You've looked awful these past couple of days."

I took the ice pack without a word.

Gunner came over and put his arm around me. "Jolene, I know you're trying to get Grandpa to approve our marriage, but your health is the most important thing."

Seeing that I remained silent, he hugged me tightly, visibly moved.

"You don't have to try so hard, you know. Grandpa's old school. Once you're pregnant with his great-grandchild, he'll come around."

My heart, already sore, clenched painfully.

Three years ago, when Gunner was still considered illegitimate, he was chased by knife-wielding thugs in a fight for inheritance.

I took the knife for him, and since then, I've been unable to conceive.

But now, he seems to have forgotten all about it.

I couldn't bear it anymore and broke free from his embrace.

Seeing his surprised and hurt look, I averted my gaze.

"It's not just about Grandpa. Winning the boxing championship has always been my dream." Gunner's eyes flickered briefly, but he still spoke up.

"Jolene, whatever decision you make, I'll support you."

Just then, his secretary rushed over, "Mr. Frost, there's an urgent meeting. The Snow project has run into some issues."

Gunner's usually impassive face suddenly tensed up.

"Jolene, I can't accompany you to the next game. I need to head to the office."

After Gunner left, I opened the auto-call feature on my phone.

This was an automatic interconnected phone system Gunner had personally developed during the year he was most possessive of me.

Either of us could call the other at any time, and it would connect automatically.

It could also track the other person's exact location.

In the five years I'd been with Gunner, I'd never opened this app before. This was the first time.

Soon, Gunner's voice came through the phone.

"What are you up to now? If Jolene finds out, you..."

Before he could finish, the man let out a restrained groan.