Chapter 1

Archer's first love wanted to see an extreme performance, specifically requesting that I take the stage myself.

I said in disbelief, "I'm due to give birth in one day."

Archer interrupted me, his face full of disgust as he said:

"It's not like you haven't miscarried before. If you lose this one, you can always get pregnant again, can't you? What are you standing there for?"

With that, he tied me up 300 feet in the air. I endured the abdominal pain and completed the most dangerous fire dance.

When I landed, Archer was embracing Melody as he looked at me.

"You knew Melody has PTSD from a fire incident, yet you deliberately sprayed the flames so close? You woman, your heart is truly wicked!"

He waved for his bodyguard to bring over the flame and pressed it against my leg.

As the fire ignited, the air was filled with the sound of burning flesh.

His first love pinched her nose and said:

"Big sister looks just like a pig on fire. It warms my heart to see, and I'm not scared anymore!"

Archer only had someone put out the fire when I was barely conscious.

Then he left with his first love, striding away.

I suffered severe burns all over my body, and I lost my baby too.

Four lives for one life - the debt I owed has finally been repaid.

————————

1

After Archer left, the entire venue descended into chaos.

Before I could catch my breath, a swarm of reporters rushed in, their camera flashes blinding me.

"Are you performing such dangerous stunts while pregnant just to grab attention?"

"Did you even consider the safety of your child? Or do you simply not care?"

The questions came one after another, piercing my heart like knives.

Explosive headlines assaulted me from all sides.

"High-flying fire dance while pregnant? Isn't that just asking for death?"

"If she miscarries, she deserves it. Who told her to be so careless with herself and her baby!"

"Willing to risk her life for fame, this kind of person doesn't deserve to be a mother!"

I tried to explain, but no one was willing to listen.

Just when I was on the verge of despair, Archer suddenly appeared.

He pushed past the reporters and gently lifted me into his arms, his movements as tender as if I were his most precious treasure.

Camera flashes went wild once again, reporters' lenses focused on us, eager to capture this "touching" moment.

"Don't be afraid, I'll take you to the hospital."

I was stunned, completely bewildered as to why he would suddenly show up after hurting me.

It wasn't until the reporters crowded around, bombarding us with questions, that I understood.

"Mr."Ashford, you've appeared this time to protect her?"

Archer smiled softly, his gaze so tender it could practically melt.

"She's the most important person to me. I won't allow anyone to hurt her."

The reporters erupted in a frenzy, cameras wildly focused on us.

Archer ignored them, carrying me in his arms as he strode towards his car.

The car door closed, shutting out the clamor of the outside world.

"Don't flatter yourself."

His voice suddenly turned cold, as if the previous tenderness had been nothing but an illusion.

I looked up, meeting his eyes.

"I was just maintaining my image in front of the reporters. Did you think I actually cared about you?"

"Don't be naive."

So, he was just playing the role of the perfect man for the public.

"Archer, you're disgustingly fake."

I gritted my teeth, my voice slightly trembling.

He let out a cold laugh, releasing his hold and letting me fall back onto the seat.

Then, he lazily uttered, "Get out."

I was stunned for a moment, looking up at him.

"It's still far from the hospital."

"Stop wasting my time."

"Did you really think I'd take you to the hospital? Dream on. Isn't that the bus over there? Can't you just take that?"The icy wind pierced my wounds, each step feeling like treading on knife edges.

At that moment, Melody appeared.

"Sis, I'm so sorry, but Archer said he wants to take me out for dinner, so he doesn't have time to drive you home."

"But you should be used to it by now, right? After all, you've never been his first choice."

With that, Archer, without so much as a glance in my direction, ushered Melody into the car.

He held one hand above the car door, careful not to let her bump her head, while the other gently supported her waist.

Melody ducked into the car, a sweet smile gracing her face, as if all of this was perfectly natural.

This scene stabbed my heart like a thorn.

Once upon a time, it was always me opening the car door for him.

Every time, it was me adjusting his seat.

Every time, it was me waiting for him to get in before silently slipping into the driver's seat.

He never once said "thank you" to me, nor did he ever do anything for me.

Because I loved him, I was willing to do anything for him.

But now, watching his tenderness towards Melody, I finally understood.

It wasn't that he didn't know how to be gentle; it was just that his gentleness never belonged to me.

I trudged to the bus stop, waiting for what felt like an eternity before a bus finally arrived.