Alexander Vance's breath hitched.

He looked out the car window, loosening his tie with a finger.

"She saved my life."

"I promised to marry her when I grew up."

He bore responsibility for Sophia Watson's current obsession.

Sophia wasn't wrong about one thing.

The little girl nicknamed "Dim Sum" was different from other trafficked children.

Dim Sum was adorable and well-behaved.

Even the traffickers showed her extra kindness.

They promised to find her a good family.

Back then, Dim Sum even ate at the same table with them.

Evelyn Ross froze at his words.

Long-buried memories surfaced.

A young boy had once made her the same promise.

He said he would come back for her.

He said he would marry her.

But he never appeared all these years.

No wonder Eleanor Vance always said Alexander valued duty above his own life.

The car entered the psychiatric hospital.

The grounds were quiet and shaded by trees.

Sophia was the only patient in the entire facility.

It showed how thoroughly Alexander cared for her.

The moment the car stopped, Evelyn followed Alexander toward the patient rooms.

They ran into Sophia's attending physician.

The doctor looked relieved to see Alexander.

"Mr. Vance, Ms. Watson has refused to eat since yesterday."

"Everything she tries to eat, she vomits back up."

"If this continues, her digestive system will fail even with IV nutrients."

Evelyn thought to herself.

Could Sophia not survive without Alexander?

Before they reached the room, a weak crying voice carried out.

"Is Alexander here?"

"I won't eat anything unless he comes."

"Vomiting hurts so much. I need Alexander..."

Alexander paused.

He turned and took Evelyn's hand.

He led her into the room together.

Evelyn looked up.

Sophia wore an oversized hospital gown.

She was thinner than at the Vance family birthday banquet.

The clothes hung loosely on her frame.

Her face was pale as paper.

Her cheeks were sunken, her body gaunt.

Seeing Alexander, her eyes lit up.

"Alexander..."

Alexander's jaw tightened.

"I heard you're not eating properly."

"I brought your sister-in-law to see you."

He emphasized "sister-in-law."

Sophia's gaze finally left him and landed on Evelyn.

Panic and hostility flashed in her eyes.

Her voice trembled.

"Alexander, what do you mean?"

Alexander spoke bluntly.

"Ms. Watson, I am married."

"Please learn to be independent."

Sophia stared, tears instantly falling.

"Alexander, are you abandoning me?"

Alexander looked down.

"I will continue covering your medical expenses."

Sophia looked incredulous.

"You... won't come to see me anymore?"

Alexander remained silent.

Sophia cried harder.

"I'll die if I can't see you!"

"Alexander, you can't do this to me..."

She struggled to get out of bed.

Weak from hunger, she swayed unsteadily.

She still reached out for Alexander, trying to grasp him.

"Alexander, I saved your life!"

"You promised to marry me... Have you forgotten?!"

Alexander's voice was calm.

"A nine-year-old's childish words shouldn't be taken seriously."

"But I took them seriously!"

Sophia screamed hoarsely.

"I took them seriously!"

"I waited for you since childhood, hoping you would marry me!"

"You are my salvation, Alexander!"

"When you first found me, you said you would take care of me forever..."

"Now you've married someone else. Are you throwing me away?"

After shouting, she collapsed back onto the bed, exhausted.

Alexander frowned.

"I promised to take care of you, but I never said I would marry you."

"But you're married!"

"You're starting a new life. You'll have your own children..."

"You'll slowly forget me! You are abandoning me!"

She cried pitifully, like an abandoned young animal.

"If even you don't want me, who else in this world will?"

"What's the point of me living?"

"Alexander, you know my condition..."

"If you won't take care of me, just kill me now."

"It's better than me torturing myself later!"

Alexander's jaw clenched.

Evelyn stepped forward with a cold laugh.

She shielded Alexander and looked directly at Sophia.

"Calling him 'brother' over and over. Are you a hen trying to lay an egg?"

Sophia's crying stopped abruptly.

Evelyn's voice was icy.

"Take responsibility for your own life."

"Why should someone else carry it for you?"

Sophia pointed a trembling finger at Alexander.

"He promised to marry me!"

"Childhood jokes. Who takes them seriously?" Evelyn scoffed.

"I had a brother who said he would marry me when we were kids."

"He's still nowhere to be seen."

"Should I go force him to marry me?"

Sophia was speechless.

But Alexander suddenly looked at Evelyn.

"What brother?"

Evelyn glanced at him.

"Who didn't play house as a child? There's no need to take it seriously."

Alexander fell silent.

Sophia regained her composure and cried.

"It's not the same!"

"I saved Alexander with my life!"

"If not for me, he would have been beaten to death!"

"Those people were kidnapping for ransom. I was just trafficked alongside..."

"I saved Alexander!"

"We agreed then. He had to take responsibility for me. He had to marry me..."

"Alexander, you can't go back on your word!"

Evelyn suddenly froze.

Trafficked?

Why did this experience sound so familiar?