My husband's widowed sister-in-law, Florence Wyatt, and I gave birth to sons on the very same day.

My mother-in-law, Marissa Channing, made a rule: whichever child learns to walk first would inherit the family legacy.

In my previous life, my son, Adrian Channing, could already walk along the wall at ten months old, while Florence's boy still couldn't stand properly at two.

Marissa immediately announced my son as the heir, and Florence drowned herself and her child, Steven Channing, in the river.

At the funeral, my husband, Jeremy Channing, threw our son straight into the dog kennel with his own hands.

Holding my son in my arms, I was forced to kneel in front of Florence's grave for a day.

"If you hadn't secretly laced his milk with growth hormones, how could he possibly have walked so early? Did you really think I wouldn't find out?

"I promised my brother to look after his wife, but you drove her to death!"

Then, he threw Adrian's body to the dogs, locked me away, made me get pregnant again and again, and then killed my children in front of me.

In this life, I secretly changed two children's milk.

I won't let myself be dragged into your filthy games any longer.

***

"Madam Channing, Mr. Steven can already walk while holding onto the wall!"

The Channing family had prepared a dedicated childcare team. And at this moment, the people on Florence's side were eagerly announcing the news.

But across from them, the people on my side looked defeated, their faces filled with envy and frustration.

Someone kept muttering, "Wait, that slow kid walked first? No way!"

"He was trained by Mr. Channing himself, didn't you notice Mr. Channing spending two hours each night in Ms. Wyatt's room?"

"Mr. Channing hasn't shown such care to anyone else besides Mr. Steven. If he doesn't learn first, then who will?"

"But isn't Ms. Wyatt his sister-in-law? Mr. Channing is married to Ms. Huxley. Madam Channing has always favored Ms. Huxley and hopes Mr. Adrian becomes the next in line!"

"Tsk, what's the use? Mr. Channing doesn't even pay attention to her. The child was born just to fulfill an obligation, and after that, he didn't care about him at all."

After hearing the news, Jeremy lifted Steven into the air, spinning him around with joy before wrapping Florence in a hug.

"Mom, Steven was the one who walked first. He's going to be the future heir of our family.

"You can't go back on your word. I'll throw him the biggest heir naming ceremony and make a public statement about it!"

Florence looked at her son with a mix of delight and pride and shyly leaned against Jeremy.

Jeremy's gaze was full of warmth like he only saw her and Steven as if the rest of the world didn't matter.

Everyone turned to look at me with mixed expressions, some sneered, others looked at me with pity.

To them, even though I'm his legally married wife, I rank lower than the family pet.

It was Marissa who had set her sights on me from the start, and she secretly drugged Jeremy on our wedding night. That's how I ended up pregnant with Adrian.

Because of this, Jeremy despised me.

He blamed it all on me, told everyone the story, and made me a laughingstock in the entire social circle.

Even Marissa looked shocked now, a little guilt showing in her eyes.

She narrowed her eyes and said with disbelief, "That can't be true. You must be mistaken."

I get why she acted like that. She used to be my mother's best friend. After my mother died in a car accident, Marissa brought me into the Channing family and raised me.

She always felt bad for me. She wanted Adrian to take over the family's business so much that she secretly put growth hormone drugs in Adrian's milk.

Even though Adrian had remarkable talent, Jeremy still pinned his hopes on Florence's child.

I can't forget the anger in his eyes when he threw the milk meant for Adrian right in my face.

"Irene Huxley, you even put drugs in Adrian's drink just to make him walk first! How could you be so cruel?

"I promised my brother that I'd look after Florence and Steven. Since you love using drugs so much, then let me return the favor!"

Whether it was on the wedding night or when the milk incident happened, Jeremy always assumed I was the one behind it.

He wouldn't listen to anything I said, no matter how many times I tried to explain.

To get back at me, he gave Adrian an entire box of sleeping pills.

I tried desperately to stop him, but he just walked away and said coldly, "Stop pretending. This is all your fault."

It's almost laughable how fate works. Even after undergoing gastric lavage and emergency treatment, Adrian still managed to learn how to walk first.

Then something no one expected happened. Florence jumped into the river with Steven, ending her life.

Before she died, she sent a video to Jeremy, crying as she spoke, "Irene gave Adrian hormone drugs in secret, just to make him the next heir. I won't fight it.

"But all I ever wanted was to stand in for your brother, to protect this family, to protect Steven. Why couldn't she just accept me?

"Now Steven has been tormented to death, and those people you brought in have hurt me so badly. Irene, are you happy now? Goodbye, Jeremy. I'm going to be with your brother. I wish you both happiness."

Jeremy spent three days searching the river and eventually found two bodies.

That was the moment he decided that both me and Adrian would be buried alongside her.

The truth was, if someone had done a proper medical check, they would've found every word Florence said was a lie. Steven had been strangled to death by her own hands.

But Jeremy didn't ask any questions or try to find out the truth, he just chose to destroy me instead.

While the room stayed quiet, Marissa suddenly looked at Steven, who was being held by Florence, and said, "Didn't you say he could walk? Then prove it, walk for me now."

In this life, I've swapped the milk with hormones for Florence's child.

However, her son was born with developmental deficiencies, and in my previous life, he couldn't stand steadily until he was two years old.

If it happens again, everyone will see that her son still can't walk properly.

I held Adrian close to me. Even though he could wobble a few steps, I didn't want anyone to find out.

In the previous life, Jeremy broke Adrian's legs with his own hands right in front of Florence's grave and fed his body to wild dogs.

I was pressed to the ground and kneeled until my knee was bleeding. I watched Adrian die in pain with my own eyes. The thought made me shake uncontrollably.

I instinctively looked at Adrian. This time, I have to protect him well and keep it a secret.

Unexpectedly, before I said anything, Florence's eyes filled with tears and she stammered, "Irene, I know you want Adrian to inherit our family's fortune, and Marissa wants to help you, but my son is trying hard too.

"Please don't make Marissa reject him. Steven wants to be accepted as well!"

With just that one sentence, I was suddenly seen as a villain who would harm orphans and widows.

Florence was about to bow her head to me, but Jeremy quickly stopped her.

"You did nothing wrong. Steven is smart, and you taught her well. Why should you bow your head to her? Is she even worth it?

"Irene, how many times do I have to remind you that I promised my brother I'd take good care of Florence? I only let you join the Channing family for my mom's sake. Can you please show some respect and stop always trying to push them down?"

He then looked at Marissa again.

"Mom, the childcare staff said Steven can walk now. Why doubt that?

"I know all the sneaky things she's done before. How can someone like her teach a child properly?

"I've decided to hold the heir naming ceremony in three days. No one is allowed to interfere before then!"

Marissa angrily stomped her foot.

"Irene isn't the person you say she is. Everything before, it was my..."

I quickly cut her off and gave Florence a gentle smile.

"Florence, don't joke around. You and Steven are the ones Jemmy cares about most. I would never make things hard for you.

"I hope Steven grows up healthy and has a bright future."

When I was younger, I always called Jeremy "Jemmy", something silly like kids do. But after I realized how I felt about him, I stopped using it.

Back then, I thought that if I didn't call him Jemmy anymore, maybe I could become his wife.

Now, I see how silly and naive that idea was.

Maybe it had been a long time since he heard me say that. A quick look of surprise flashed in Jeremy's eyes before he went back to looking indifferent.

"Good, at least you have some self-awareness. From now on, be kinder to Florence and Steven!"

He took Florence and Steven away, while my childcare team quietly left, their spirits heavy.

Marissa shouted angrily, "How could that Vixen's son learn to walk before Adrian?

"Irene, don't worry. I'll find out the truth. I will make Jeremy apologize to you and Adrian!"

Only then did I realize her private doctor had secretly told her that Steven was born with developmental deficiencies and would have trouble learning to walk quickly.

Jeremy knew this too, but he didn't believe it at all.

He even acted like I was the one spreading rumors and trying to ruin their family.

Seeing Marissa defend me made me feel warm inside, so I stepped forward and took her hand.

"Marissa, maybe marrying him was a mistake. Don't you see? Jeremy only cares about Florence.

"It doesn't matter who walks first, Steven or Adrian. Forcing things never turns out sweet. After all these years, I'm just tired. Now, I only want to protect Adrian, so he can grow up safely.

"Someone has been waiting for me for a long time. In three days, I'm leaving with him. Marissa, please let me go."

I was not shocked at all by Jeremy's feelings toward Florence.

Back then, Marissa wanted to set me up with Jeremy, so Florence turned down his proposal and ended up marrying his older brother instead.

Jeremy was heartbroken for three days straight, with red eyes when he came to see me.

"Irene, don't you like me? Then I'll give you a chance," he said.

He married me, and I thought he was finally ready to forget the past and accept me.

Later, I learned that he was just blaming me for everything and wanted to get back at me because of Florence.

He brought many women home, and each one looked a little like Florence.

He even made me "teach" these women myself.

"Irene, you're quite capable, right? Why was that new girl so nervous last night? How will you train her?"

He showed off his group of women everywhere like a playboy, but I knew he was only doing it to make Florence jealous.

Jeremy never touched any of them, including me.

When his brother had an accident, Florence came back to Channing's residence crying.

Jeremy acted cold and told her to beg him to take her in. Florence couldn't bear it and broke down in tears.

In that single moment, his cold act shattered completely.

He held her close and kissed her. In our room, unspeakable sounds echoed throughout the night.

That was what he called keeping his promise to his brother to take care of his sister-in-law.

Every time I hear him say that, I just can't help but laugh.

Marissa stayed quiet for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"Forget it. It seems our families are simply not meant to be. Since you've made your decision, I won't hold you back.

"When our families arranged this marriage, your mom designed an amulet and left it at the Northpoint Jewelry. Don't forget to pick it up. I planned to give it to you during Adrian's heir naming ceremony, but now that doesn't seem necessary.

"Irene, wherever life takes you, I hope you find happiness."

I nodded, feeling thankful. In this life, my only wish was to protect Adrian.

The next morning, I went with Adrian to the jewelry store to get the amulet.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I arrived there, I saw Jeremy with Florence and Steven. The staff held up a beautiful brocade box and said awkwardly, "Madam Channing told me this amulet is for Ms. Huxley only, and it cannot be given to anyone else."

Florence wore a simple dress. When she spotted me, her eyes quickly filled with tears.

"Irene, I don't want to take your things, but Steven has been having bad dreams lately. I heard this amulet can keep away evil..."

Jeremy immediately told me, "Give the amulet to Steven. Your son doesn't need it."

I had already decided to leave but couldn't help asking, "This was a keepsake my mom left for Adrian. Why should I give it up?

"If you don't love Adrian, someone else will love her in your place!"

Jeremy's expression suddenly became icy.

"Irene, why are you acting so high and mighty? Who would want to be with you if you had drugged me and slept with me?

"This amulet is kept in my family's jewelry store, so it should definitely go to the next Channing family heir!"

I didn't want to argue and reached for the brocade box, but to my surprise, Steven grabbed it first.

He perhaps enchanted by the beautiful box, clutched it tightly, babbling happily as he played.

Seeing this, Adrian laughed and tried to take it too, but the moment he touched Steven, the other boy started crying loudly.

"Sweetheart!" Florence stepped back, yelling and sobbing, "Irene, I know you don't like me, but my child didn't do anything wrong!

"If you have complaints, tell me. Don't teach Adrian to hit anyone!"

I was shocked. I saw it clearly a moment ago. She squeezed Steven's arm really hard.

Such a small child had a big red mark on his arm and was crying loudly from the pain.

I couldn't stop remembering the previous life when Florence strangled Steven to death.

"Smack!"

Jeremy suddenly came over and slapped me without a word of warning.

"Irene, how dare you!"

He grabbed Adrian away, and Adrian started crying out of fear.

But Jeremy didn't care. He roughly threw Adrian to the floor and told Steven to fight back.

I shouted and tried to jump in but was held down by a bodyguard.

While I struggled, Florence suddenly grabbed Jeremy.

"Don't do that, you'll frighten the kids," she said softly but with a warning tone.

"Irene, shall we go to the lounge and talk?"

Once inside the lounge, Florence's face changed.

"Did Marissa tell you everything about Steven's developmental deficiencies?

"Don't think I'm unaware. Adrian can already walk.

"Do you think that after all this, Jeremy will accept you? Sadly, only Steven and I hold a place in his heart."

I frowned deeply.

"I've made up my mind to leave. What more do you want?"

Florence glanced at Steven, then at Adrian in my arms, and smirked.

"You can leave, but first, you have to do me a favor."

Without warning, she grabbed a nearby decoration and smashed it hard against Steven's leg. Then she collapsed to the floor, screaming.

I instinctively looked at Steven and saw he had passed out from the pain.

At the next moment, the lounge door was forcefully kicked open as Jeremy stormed in.

"Irene! What are you doing?!"

"Jeremy, please help Steven! If something bad happens to him, I don't want to live anymore!" Florence said.

So this was what Florence meant by "do a favor". She was afraid that someone would discover Steven's developmental deficiencies, so she set me up instead.

Jeremy's eyes burned with rage as he stared at Steven's twisted leg.

"Well! Very Well!"

He told the bodyguards to get a cage meant for wild dogs and stared at me coldly.

"You're going to suffer twice as much as Steven did!"

Horrible flashbacks from my past life came rushing back. I grabbed Adrian tightly and stumbled back until my back slammed against the wall.

But Jeremy yanked Adrian's arm and dragged him toward the cage.

Adrian's heartbreaking screams echoed through the room. I fought as hard as I could, digging my nails into the bodyguard's skin until they bled.

"Jeremy! It wasn't me! Let Adrian go!" I screamed, eyes filled with tears so thick I could barely see.

He absolutely knew that I was terrified of dogs.

Florence cradled the passed-out Steven, acting like she was turning away, but the faint smile on her lips stabbed right into my heart.

The wild dog, smelling blood, grew more aggressive, scratching the bars with sharp claws that shrieked across the metal.

I looked at Adrian's pale little face, drained of color from fear, and felt as if a knife were slicing through my heart.

No, I won't let this happen!

Suddenly, like a madwoman, I broke free and hurled myself at Jeremy, slamming into him with enough force to send him staggering backward.

Before the bodyguard could stop me, I grabbed Adrian and turned my back to the cage, holding him close.

The wild dog sank its teeth deep into my shoulder. The pain was so sharp it nearly knocked me out, but I clenched my jaw and stayed quiet.

Adrian sobbed in my arms, his face buried against my chest. His tears mixed with the blood soaking through my clothes.

"Mr. Channing, if this keeps going, both Mrs. Channing and Mr. Adrian could die..." the bodyguard said, clearly unsure.

Jeremy paused for a moment, but before he could decide, Florence burst out, "Irene already got her rabies shots. She's just being dramatic about the pain.

"Poor Steven. She hit him so hard, what if he can't walk or play normally anymore? Sob, sob..."

After hearing her words, Jeremy's hesitation vanished. He grabbed a metal rod nearby and hit my back.

"Stop pretending to be pitiful! When you hurt Steven so cruelly earlier, did you ever think about the consequences? He was just a child. How could you be so heartless?"

He struck me again and again. Each blow made it feel like my ribs were snapping, and blood trickled out from my lips. But I never stopped shielding Adrian.

Florence, pretending to care, said softly, "Jeremy, don't kill her. You still need her alive to make things right with Steven."

Only then did Jeremy stop. He gave me one final, brutal kick that knocked me down.

He said coldly, "On the day of the heir naming ceremony, the amulet will go to Steven. Consider it a form of compensation.

"And when that happens, you and Adrian will apologize in front of everyone. If not, I'll never forgive you."

I lay curled on the ground, cradling Adrian tightly. As they walked away, I stared at their backs. My hands were clenched so hard that my nails pierced my skin.

I won't forget what you've done.

The store assistant helped me get to the hospital. After emergency treatment, I managed to pull through, and Adrian only got a few scrapes.

Compared to what happened in the previous life, this outcome was much better.

When I was finally allowed to leave the hospital, a black van pulled up, and a man inside reached out his hand to me.

"Have you decided to come with me?" he asked.

My lips curved into a small smile as I saw him holding Adrian gently and making him laugh.

"Yes, I've made up my mind."

I stepped into his car, boarded a plane going overseas, and left my hometown behind.

Meanwhile, Jeremy was busy getting things ready for Steven's heir naming ceremony, but his mind would drift whenever he passed by the now-empty bedroom.

Adrian and I had been gone for three whole days.

He figured I was being dramatic again, just like I used to when I was little, running off whenever things didn't go my way.

But this time was different.

The night before the ceremony, he came across Steven's medical records by accident.

When he read the words "born with developmental delays", his head started pounding.

He couldn't stop thinking about me lying in blood, trying to stay strong. Without thinking too much, he texted me.

"Irene, I know I went overboard that day, but you were in the wrong and I had no choice but to punish you.

"Adrian is my child too. I only wanted to scare him, not actually put him in the dog cage.

"As long as you don't stir up any more problems, I'll stay by your side."

Jeremy grew increasingly annoyed as he waited a long time for a response from me. I didn't show up, not even on the day of the ceremony.

At last, Marissa arrived, and Jeremy quickly asked, "Mom, where's Irene? Why is she still acting so stubborn? Didn't she say she would admit she was wrong? Is she..."

Before he could finish, she cut him off and tossed a paper right at him.

"Irene has left the country and is getting married. Here's the divorce paper. Well? Happy now?"