Chapter 1

Hospital

Elsie Forbes had just finished her check-up when she turned a corner and bumped into a woman coming from the other direction.

The woman's pregnancy test results went flying everywhere.

When Elsie finally looked up and saw the woman's face, she was shocked.

Was Missy pregnant?

Pushing her doubts aside, Elsie bent down to pick up the papers, but she was suddenly shoved to the ground.

Her fingers hit the cold floor, and a sharp pain shot through her, making her eyelashes flutter from the agony.

“You okay?” Her husband, Ronald York, was gently helping Missy Forbes, his eyes full of concern and tenderness.

Missy's eyes filled with tears. “Ronald…”

She clutched her barely-there belly, glancing at Elsie, who had already gotten up. Fear filled her face as she hid behind Ronald.

She appeared utterly terrified of Elsie.

A cold glint flashed in Elsie's eyes.

After all these years, Missy was still such a good actress?

Ronald's tall frame blocked Elsie's view. She met his eyes, which were murderous and angry.

Leon snapped,“Why are you here? Following me?”

Ronald's countenance was exceedingly somber as he stood defensively before Missy.

The coldness and impatience in his voice were a stark contrast to the tenderness he had shown Missy just moments ago.

The scene was like an invisible needle stabbing into Elsie's heart, causing a deep, spreading pain.

Elsie opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She suddenly felt a deep sense of sorrow.

Her husband of four years was protecting another woman in front of her.

And that woman was her uncle's daughter.

Missy timidly tugged on Ronald's sleeve and spoke softly,“Ronald, maybe Elsie just happened to be passing by.”

Ronald's eyes were filled with obvious disgust. "Then why is she at the hospital?"

His words implied that Elsie had followed them on purpose.

“She's a malicious person, not worth your concern.” Elsie clenched her fists silently.

It's winter again now. Every year in this season, her ten fingers felt like they were being gnawed by ants.

Ronald knew how badly her hands were injured. If he thought about it, he would know she was here for her hands. But he still chose to think the worst of her.

Especially with his recent defense and tenderness towards Missy, an uninformed observer may assume that he and Missy were the married couple.

Elsie focused her gaze, staring at the familiar face she had once loved so much.

At this moment, he seemed a complete stranger to her, and she found herself harboring a growing disdain for him.

She let out a mocking laugh and turned to leave. The person she truly loved would never treat her this way.

She had chased after Ronald for six years, and now the only thing he had in common with that person was his appearance.

As Elsie walked around the corner, her assistant Julie came running up, holding the report.

“Elsie, the doctor said your hand is severely injured. Should we cancel tomorrow's performance? Otherwise, your hand might be permanently damaged, and you might never recover.”

Elsie calmly signed,“No, I will complete this performance.”

Even if her hand was ruined, she had to fulfill her promise.

Winning the Peace Dove Piano Award was a goal they had set five years ago.

Seeing Elsie's determination, Julie sighed. “Here's the pain meds the doc prescribed.”

Elsie nodded and took them.

Her fingers were long and graceful, like works of art, perfect for playing the piano.

Julie's eyes showed a hint of regret. “God is so unfair, giving you such flair only to cruelly take away your ability to play.”

Elsie forced a bitter smile.

Her hands had been injured two years ago. Back then, Ronald had been kidnapped, and she had brought bodyguards to rescue him.

The kidnappers were ruthless and savage. Before going, Elsie had even prepared to trade her life for his.

She couldn't let the only person who resembled him disappear from the world.

The rescue was harrowing. She fought to get the unconscious Ronald out, but as they drove away, the kidnappers rammed their car.

In the final moments before the explosion, she lifted the car with her own hands and saved Ronald.

Elsie would never forget that day. Her ten fingers felt like they had been crushed by a truck.

As they escaped the blast zone, a massive explosion and a wave of heat erupted behind them.

She was just relieved. This time, she wasn't too late.

Later, Elsie spent half a month in the hospital. Her fingers were the most severely injured, and the doctor said she might never play the piano again.

Losing the most important thing in her life again, she broke down and cried.

Perhaps out of guilt, Ronald brought in the best medical team and stayed by her side, doing everything to help her fingers recover.

She practiced day and night, enduring the pain, just to win the Peace Dove Award.

As hope was in sight, she and Ronald had a huge fight two months ago.

Ronald inexplicably lost his temper and stormed out. Elsie, used to it, just wanted to calm him down.

She chased after him, blocking his car door with her hand.

But Ronald closed the door without hesitation, severely injuring her hand again.

Her career had been on a countdown since then.

This competition might be her last.

When Elsie sent this message to Leon, she had hoped for some sympathy.

But Ronald never responded. Their chat history was only filled with her long messages.

Ronald had disappeared from her life for two months. The next time she saw him, he was with Missy for a prenatal check-up.

Snapping out of her memories, Elsie emotionlessly typed a message on her phone.

Even such a simple action caused her fingers intense pain.

Elsie took the pain medication, calmly swallowing it with water.

She suddenly regretted saving Ronald.

It would have been better to let him die then. At least the boy in her heart wouldn't be tainted.

He wouldn't have had the chance to wear a face like his and do those disgusting things.

Ronald watched Elsie's determined departure, a sudden panic rising in his heart.

He instinctively wanted to chase after her, but Missy's soft voice stopped him.

“Ronald, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have come here. Elsie must misunderstand you.”

Missy lowered her eyes, full of self-blame. “I'll go explain and apologize to her. No matter how she insults me, as long as she doesn't reveal my pregnancy, my baby and I will be fine.”

Her pale face was full of vulnerability and fear, instantly softening Ronald's heart.

He reassured her, “This is my child. No one dares to say a word.”