Chapter 9

If one could turn back time, Stefan was willing to risk everything to return to that night three months ago.

That night, on the streets of New York, the two brothers were assaulted as they were chatting about the family’s future. Tristan had selflessly protected Stefan using his body and took a bullet for him.

Moments before his death, Tristan mentioned that he had a girlfriend who he loved deeply, Briar Desrosiers. Moreover, Briar had just conceived their child.

“Marry Briar and live on in my stead. Please… give them a complete family.”

Stefan couldn’t possibly forget how his brother’s bloody hands held onto him, begging him with despair consuming him whole.

Stefan would surely push his brother away if he could turn back time, as it would have been better if he had died instead.

Hearing his answer, Briar continued with her pitiful act nonetheless. “Not only have you upset your father for me and the baby’s sake, but you’ve also hurt Miss Everheart in the process! I feel really bad… This isn’t going to work out!”

“I’ll be fine as a single mother. I may be a woman, and life may get tough sometimes, but… I don’t mind enduring it all to protect Tristan’s only child!”

‘Hehe, playing the damsel in distress always works on men. I refuse to believe that Stefan doesn’t feel the urge to protect me now.’

However, Stefan remained hostile, even going as far as to inch away from Briar. “My father has no idea about the truth, so you shouldn’t take his reaction to heart.”

“And as for Renee Everheart…” Stefan paused for a brief while before continuing his sentence. “We never had an actual relationship. We’ve never even done anything physical throughout the four years of our marriage. I would’ve divorced her regardless of your existence.”

“What about Miss Everheart then? She must love you very much, doesn’t she? You’re a great man and a very handsome one at that.” Briar’s voice was as enchanting as always, her eyes filled with absolute adoration towards the man.

As an experienced seductress, she merely wanted to fool around with the honest man, Tristan, and keep him hanging for a bit longer. The man was boring, to say the least, and always sucked up to her no matter what she wanted.

However, Stefan made her realize that love at first sight was indeed a real thing. Briar immediately cleaned up her act to focus on seducing this A-plus man, and Renee was obviously the biggest obstacle in her plan.

“She doesn’t love me either.”

‘Elsewise, she wouldn’t have been so excited about the divorce,’ Stefan thought to himself.

Hearing this, Briar felt much less worried, thinking. ‘Looks like the rumors are true, they don’t love each other. It might not even be a stretch to say that they hated the sight of one another, and that divorce was inevitable.’

“Oh dear, Miss Everheart has such bad taste. Just look at how handsome and excellent you are. How could she not love you? I’m not complaining, though, because now that I have someone as lovely as you by my side.” Briar said as she moved closer to him.

Stefan felt quite annoyed upon hearing the woman’s words and he tugged on his tie angrily.

“It’s getting late. I’m leaving.”

Panicked, Briar immediately asked. “Isn’t this your house? Where are you going?”

Stefan answered dismissively. “I stay somewhere else in Beach City.”

“Wh-What?” Briar was completely stupefied.

She was hoping to stay with Stefan so that their relationship could blossom with time.

‘And he’s… leaving already? ‘No wonder they’ve never had sex. Everheart was basically living as a widow for four years. That’s horrible!’

–

Renee was recovering well. It had been three days since she was discharged from the hospital.

At this time, she was moving out of her apartment. Liam had arranged a new place for her, saying that her room was way too shabby for someone her status.

“Don’t worry, Boss. I know you like keeping a low profile, so I chose a place according to your preferences.” Liam said over the phone.

However, as she followed the address he sent, she was absolutely speechless when she arrived at a luxurious 300-square-meter condominium in West Langsmith.

‘How is this million-dollar condo considered lowkey?!’

Just as Renee was about to call Liam to make changes, she received a call from the hospital.

“Hello, is this Miss Everheart? We are calling from the General Hospital. The final results of your full body checkup have arrived, and we noticed a minor issue. Please come to the hospital at once.”