The Wife Who Jumped on New Year's Eve

Chapter 7

Joanna Taylor stared at the tiny red heart Lily had drawn on the calendar. The little girl had been so hopeful that day, saying she would finally get to see her great-grandma and daddy. She'd drawn the heart with such solemn care.

A servant brought news from Ryan Bennett.

"Mr. Bennett said the New Year's Eve dinner will be at The Grandeur. He wants you to take Lily and Grandma Wilson there first. He'll join you later."

Joanna gave a slight nod, a faint flush coloring her pale cheeks. She touched the half-finished drawing tucked near her heart, feeling a strange lightness—as if she were on the verge of release.

The Grandeur was known for its discretion. Joanna sat alone in the private dining room they had reserved long ago. Outside, the ocean view glittered under the night lights, dazzling and bright.

But Ryan never came.

With only ten minutes left until midnight, Joanna checked her phone. Still nothing.

Then—

A trending headline caught her eye.

"Ryan Bennett's True Love: Rising Artist Crystal Lynn Is Pregnant."

The word pregnant stabbed into her vision like a blade.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she dialed Ryan's number.

His voice was hurried when he answered.

"Joanna, something urgent came up. Go ahead and eat with Grandma and Lily. I'll make it up to you all tomorrow."

Her voice was thin as mist.

"But we've waited so long for this dinner."

For once, Ryan sounded almost apologetic.

"There will be plenty more reunion dinners, Joanna."

"Tell Lily and Grandma to think about what New Year's gifts they want. I'll bring them tomorrow."

Plenty more?

Joanna looked at the drawing of Lily and Grandma, then at the empty table. She had no strength left to argue.

Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Fine. Go ahead."

Ryan was like sand slipping through her fingers—no matter how tightly or loosely she held on, he would always slip away.

But it was only today that she truly understood.

Pushing open the floor-to-ceiling window, she saw the distant lighthouse counting down to the New Year. The night wind tangled in her hair as she slid off her wedding ring.

"5..."

She heard Ryan's vow at their wedding: "I'll cherish you for the rest of my life."

She saw her daughter's sweet smile in her cradle and Grandma's loving face.

"3..."

Ryan's face twisted in her mind—cold, disdainful. All his tenderness belonged to someone else now.

"2..."

She heard Grandma's pained breaths, Lily's desperate cries.

"1..."

Grandma and Lily smiled and waved at her.

"Happy New Year."

Clutching the drawing tightly, Joanna stepped forward with a smile—

And let herself fall.

At the hospital, Ryan suddenly clutched his chest, a sharp, inexplicable pain tearing through him. He dropped to his knees, feeling as if a part of his heart had been ripped away.

"Ryan, what's wrong?"

Crystal Lynn tugged at his sleeve, her delicate face streaked with tears.

Frowning, Ryan pushed down the unease in his chest.

"It's nothing. Just focus on resting."

"Joanna and the others must still be waiting. I should go back."

Panic flashed in Crystal's eyes before more tears spilled.

"Ryan, I understand. You have a family, a child."

"I know my baby was a mistake. I won't interfere. I'll raise them alone."

"I—"

She buried her face in her hands, sobbing. Ryan's expression softened with guilt.

"Crystal, it wasn't just your fault. I was drunk that night."

After a pause, he sighed.

"I'll stay with you and the baby tonight."

"But Joanna will always be Mrs. Bennett."

Crystal threw herself into his arms, tears still falling.

"Ryan, I love you. I don't care about titles."

But where he couldn't see, her face twisted with venom.

If not for the chance to become the rightful Mrs. Bennett, she would never have risked keeping this child.