"A match made in heaven like you two is hard to find-one utterly hypocritical, the other absolutely disgusting. You're truly perfect for each other. In love, pairings as toxic as yours are rare. Only such vulgar photos suit your temperament and status."

"You two better hold on and not call it quits halfway. At least let me see you grow old together. It's the least you can do to make up for the disgusting things you pull on me every day."

"May you two rot and torture each other."

Natalie tossed her phone onto the bed and stormed into the bathroom to wash up, still fuming.

Meanwhile, a deep sleep had Joanna waking up early. Opening her eyes, she heard her phone buzzing on the nightstand. She reached for it and saw the barrage of texts from Natalie. A mocking smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. She wondered what dark corner Natalie had been hiding in to cry all night.

For her to send texts this early in the morning, she had to be furious.

She and Maxwell certainly weren't going to grow old together.

Because once Natalie was dead, Maxwell would be leaving this world, too.

She had recently read a popular novel about a queen who used the men around her as stepping stones to secure her throne.

Every man who loved her became collateral damage.

Even the man she loved the most was orchestrated to be killed by her rival, all to ensure she sat securely in power. He had accepted it, possessing a grand vision for her success.

Joanna believed she was destined for that exact same greatness.

Setting the phone down, she turned to look at Maxwell sleeping beside her. Perhaps she actually loved Sebastian more. Keeping Maxwell around as a mere substitute for Sebastian wasn't a bad idea.

Joanna slowly sat up. It all came down to Horace now. She needed to know everything going on inside Natalie's lab.

She would never let Natalie have a better life than hers.

Wendy might have planned everything out, but the older woman could never predict what Joanna truly wanted.

A venomous smile spread across Joanna's face.

"Joanna, it's way too early for a smile that scary."

Maxwell mumbled, waking up. He propped his head up with one hand while playing with her fingers with the other.

Joanna was exceptional in every way. Her skin was luminous, and she smelled intoxicating.

Sleeping with her was infinitely better than anyone else.

Joanna instantly softened her expression into a gentle smile. "It's nothing Natalie texted me bright and early. She wished us a long happy marriage."

Maxwell chuckled. He sat up and pulled her into his arms. They had been so wild the night before that the sheets were tangled on the floor.

"Don't worry, we're definitely going to grow old together. Because you're the one I love most."

Hearing that, Joanna merely smiled. She didn't throw herself into his arms with ecstatic joy the way she used to.

Maxwell noticed the shift. Before, whenever he declared his love, she would gleefully embrace him and coo, "I love you too."

Her calm, detached attitude sent a wave of panic through him. "Are you having second thoughts? I never cared that you were carrying another man's child, so why are you pulling

away from me?"

"I remember you used to throw yourself into my arms and kiss me whenever I said I loved you."

His voice was strikingly similar to Sebastian's, yet he could never quite replicate Sebastian's unique cadence.

Hearing that gentle tone, Joanna felt

a brief illusion that it was Sebastian speaking to her. Staring at the handsome face that was a mirror image of Sebastian's, she felt dazed. Lately she couldn't stop reminiscing

about all the good things Sebastian had done for her. Was Sebastian the one she truly loved?