Faye Townsend's fall from Anchester's celebrated socialite to its most pitied castaway happened in a single heartbeat. The divorce papers arrived the morning she was scheduled to terminate her pregnancy. Hunter Warren's legal team presented their offer with cold precision: sign away her claim, and the Townsend Family's financial ruin would be reversed. The price was absolute—complete severance from him. Without hesitation, Faye penned her signature. "Tell Mr. Warren I'm grateful for his mercy," she said, her voice steady. Eight years of devotion met eight years of contempt. Her unrequited love finally exhaled its last breath. That same day, the city erupted with news of Hunter Warren's wedding to Zenia Yates. The photograph of their enraptured gaze pierced through her like a blade. She recalled Zenia's old question during university: "Isla, is Hunter Warren's family truly that influential?" Zenia had smiled with undisguised longing. "Being bound to someone like that must be a dream." In a single night, Faye transformed from Anchester's most abandoned woman into its most envied. Scandal painted her as Hunter's ex diving into the arms of his greatest rival, Oliver Turner. Eight months later, she delivered a son at an exclusive medical facility. Six years abroad followed—until she returned to reclaim her life. At the airport, fate engineered an encounter. She walked past Hunter with her child, deliberately turning away. Hunter's eyes narrowed as he followed their departure, catching sight of the boy. The child bore a striking resemblance to Hunter's childhood self. "Is that your ex-husband?" the boy asked with disdain. "Your judgment was appalling then." "I was foolish," Faye replied without warmth. "Everyone stumbles through mud sometimes. Now hurry—your father's waiting." Months later, Hunter cornered her in a hospital corridor. "That child deserves an explanation." She cherished the wisdom in those lyrics: *We must owe each other, or what remains to cherish? We must owe each other, or how do ties persist?*