"Miss, the renovation designs for the estate have been sent to you." Standing in front of the glass window, Hillary listened to the warm voice on the other end of the call.

She glanced at the designs and picked one. Her red lips slightly parted as she spoke in a calm, steady tone. "Landon, this one."

The voice on the other end hesitated for a moment. "Miss, are you planning to live abroad with Mr. Julian?"

Hillary's expression turned cold at these words. She replied firmly, "No, I'll be living there alone."

A few days ago, she had purchased an estate overseas and had Landon oversee the renovations. Once the estate was fully completed, she would leave the Cooks—forever.

Hearing her response, Landon sighed softly. "Miss, you and Mr. Julian have always been so in love. How did things come to this?"

Even Landon thought they were in love. If Willow Scott hadn't come back, Hillary might have believed it too. Thinking of this, she curled her lips in a bitter smile. "Landon, we've reached the end."

The other end of the call remained silent for a long time before she finally hung up.

Three years ago, Julian proposed a marriage alliance. "Hillary, it's just a three-year contract. When the time is up, our marriage will be null and void. But during these three years, I will love you, protect you and never let anyone hurt you."

At that time, Julian and Willow were childhood sweethearts. They were originally about to enter the halls of marriage. Still, Willow ran away from the wedding, turning the Cooks into a laughingstock.

Her mother had tried to dissuade her. "Hillary, Julian is not a good choice for marriage. I don't want you to marry him."

Everyone around her told her not to do it, but Hillary still agreed. She had secretly loved Julian since she was young, but he already had someone else.

Therefore, she never dared to approach him, only daring to gaze at him from afar. This three-year marriage made Hillary feel like it was an opportunity. She believed Julian's words and became immersed in this limited-time marriage. Julian was indeed very good to her.

He took care of her tenderly in everything. When she was sick, he stayed with her all night. He was polite to her from beginning to end. Aside from not sharing a bed, they had done everything a married couple would do until Willow came back.

That day, Julian kissed her lips as if she was something precious. Hillary thought she had finally found a place in his heart. Then his phone rang. He glanced at the screen. As if suddenly sobering up, he pushed her away. All the warmth and care vanished. His expression turned panicked. That night, he ran out the door and never came back.

Hillary tried calling him, but he never answered. She had no idea where he had gone. The next day, Julian and Willow were trending online. They were wearing masks and strolling side by side in the news images that netizens took. After a three-year break due to Julian's marriage, their couple's fans had returned.

Under Hillary's social media account, people hurled insults at her. "You shameless homewrecker! Now that Willow is back, you'd better get lost!"

Some people even tagged Julian. "When are you getting a divorce? Willow deserves her place!"

Julian only replied with one simple word, "Soon."

Their affair became widely known on the internet and Hillary became a laughingstock in the entire circle. That day, she didn't know how many mocking and disdainful looks she had received. While she was being humiliated and cursed online, her husband was off by the seaside with Willow—camping, traveling and seeing the world's beauty together.

She could no longer bear it and went to question him. Julian was no longer the gentleman he used to be. His gaze was cold, his tone sharp. "Willow told me everything. If you hadn't threatened her three years ago, she never would have run away from our wedding!"

However, Hillary had never even been part of their world back then. She had never gotten close to Julian, let alone met Willow. How could she have threatened her?

Hillary kept explaining to him, but Julian didn't believe her. The way he looked at her was like looking at trash on the side of the road, full of disgust and loathing. "Hillary, the three-year contract is almost up. I don't need to pretend with you anymore."

Only then did she realize that Julian had already grown tired of her. The sweet memories that existed in her mind were nothing more than acting on Julian's part, just completing a task.

Not long ago, Julian even brought Willow into the villa where they lived after their marriage, announcing to the servants that she was their mistress.

Looking back now, all of this made Hillary's heart feel like a knife was cutting it. She once thought that she could make Julian fall in love with her during these three years, but now she had become a big joke.

Hillary stood by the window, the biting cold wind blowing against her face. Her heart was aching to the extreme, but her consciousness was incomparably clear.

They had been together for almost three years. Since Julian couldn't love her, she had to take back her love for him.

Julian and Willow came back late at night. Meanwhile, Hillary couldn't sleep, so she played the piano in the room. The soft and pleasant sound was a lingering sadness.

Bang! The door suddenly flung open. Julian stood there with a cold expression. "Hillary, what the hell are you doing playing the piano in the middle of the night? It sounds awful."

Behind him, Willow raised an eyebrow and stepped in with a smile. "Julian, don't be so harsh. You're scaring me."

Julian's gaze softened slightly, but his voice remained stern. "Who plays the piano at this hour? It's just disturbing everyone."

Hillary lowered her eyes and stood up to leave, but Willow blocked her way. "Hillary, don't go. What do those men know? I'm sure you're only playing because you can't sleep, right?"

Seeing her smiling face, Hillary suddenly felt a trace of unease. She was wary and didn't speak, but she saw Willow's expression turn lonely. "On the days when I couldn't see Julian, I also suffered from insomnia countless nights. I could only play the piano to vent my feelings, so I understand you."

Julian's eyes softened with a trace of guilt after hearing that. "Willow, I'm here now. I'll stay with you forever. If you want to play the piano, just play. Every room here is soundproof so that it won't bother anyone."

It wasn't the first time Julian had double standards, but facing it so blatantly still made Hillary's heartache. She took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions welling up inside her and turned to leave. But then, Willow's voice rang out. "Wow, your piano is beautiful! I want to play it."

Julian naturally agreed without hesitation, but Hillary suddenly stopped in her tracks. She turned around, her body tense and said, "No."

His handsome face darkened instantly. "It's just a piano. What's the big deal?"

Hillary pursed her lips. "Julian, this is the only thing my deceased grandfather left me. I won't let anyone touch it."

That piano had been with her since childhood. Only those she trusted were allowed near it—let alone someone like Willow, who had always been against her. She meant for this to be a reminder, but Julian's face twisted with anger instead. "It's just something from a dead man! You're clearly doing this to target Willow on purpose!"

Hillary's eyes turned icy, but Willow quickly stepped in before she could speak. "Alright, alright, don't fight over such a small thing."

As she spoke, she walked towards Hillary while eating the cake in her hand. "Hillary, I won't play your piano. Today is my birthday, so you should try the cake Julian prepared for me."

Julian glanced at Hillary with disdain. "Look at Willow, how kind she is."

Hillary didn't speak, watching Willow approach. She felt a trace of unease in her heart. The next second, Willow suddenly exclaimed and threw herself at the piano on the side. The cake, cream and bottle of water in her hand all spilled onto the piano. Hillary stared in horror, feeling something inside her shatter. Panicking, she reached for something to clean the mess, but the more she wiped, the worse it got. Her eyes burned red.

It was the only thing her grandfather had left her. Why was she so vicious, even trampling on the only thing her grandfather had left her?

Next to her, Julian helped Willow up. "Willow, are you okay?"

Willow looked up at Hillary with an apologetic face. "I'm fine. I just accidentally ruined Hillary's piano. I'm so sorry! If you're mad, you can hit me."

Julian frowned, not taking it seriously. "No need to worry, it's just a piano. I'll just buy her a new one."

Hillary trembled with anger. She raised her hand and slapped Willow hard. Willow didn't expect Hillary actually to dare to hit her and her face turned ferocious for a moment.

Hillary endured her anger and stared at Willow, her expression furious to the extreme. "Get out!"

But the next second, Julian pushed her away violently. Hillary was caught off guard and fell to the ground. She clenched her fists and slowly raised her head, only to see Julian protecting Willow in front of him, his expression icy and looking down at her condescendingly. "Hillary, you're the one who should get out."

Hillary slowly pushed herself up, shaking with anger. Willow put on a pitiful face. "Hillary, I didn't mean to. I really like you. Please don't hate me."

Julian was about to say something when Willow tugged on his sleeve playfully. "Julian, stop it! If you stay, she'll just get angrier. Go on, I'll handle it."

Julian gave Hillary one last look. "Willow, tell me if she bullies you."

After saying that, he frowned and looked at Hillary again. "If Willow is hurt, I won't let your family have an easy time."

So, in his heart, she was someone who could be bullied at will. Hillary's heart was numb and she couldn't muster any more emotions.

After Julian left, Hillary didn't want to be with Willow. She found her disgusting, but Willow stood in her way with a smile. "Hillary, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Don't you want to know why Julian treats you like this?"

Hillary remained silent, fingers clenching at her sides. "I already know. You told him I threatened you to stay away from him. Willow, doesn't your conscience hurt when you say this?"

Willow raised her eyebrows slightly, covered her mouth and chuckled. "I was just saying it casually and I even asked my family to put on an act, saying that your family was powerful and suppressed mine. As a result, Julian actually believed it. I thought your relationship was so good, but it seems like that's all there is to it!"

Her words were gentle, but every word pierced Hillary's heart. Willow smiled smugly. "Now that you've been his wife for almost three years, it's time to return the position to me after occupying it for so long."

Hillary's heart was burning with anger. She clenched her fists, suppressing the anger in her heart. "So what? I've been the one accompanying Julian for these three years. Do you think he has no feelings for me?"

She wanted to leave and didn't want to see Willow again, but Willow didn't let her go and stood in front of her, "Hey, don't be mad. Aren't you curious where we were tonight?"

Hillary's eyes flickered slightly. Willow smiled triumphantly. "Did you know? Julian and his friends have known each other since they were kids. They always invite me to their gatherings. You've been with him for years, but he never took you, did he?"

Her heart instantly felt like it had broken and become full of holes she lowered her eyes. "No," she said softly.

Not even once. Hillary suddenly felt very ridiculous. She was angry and wanted to use these three years to tell Willow that Julian was not without feelings for her, but Willow's words shattered everything she had. That woman was bluntly told that in these three years, she hadn't even walked into Julian's heart. All of this was her wishful thinking.

She was exhausted physically and mentally. She closed her eyes and slowly uttered, "Don't worry, Willow. I won't cling to him. When the time comes, I'll leave him and his family."

The next day, Willow wore a soft pink outfit, her delicate features making her look charming. Julian had always preferred comfy shirts, but since Willow showed up, he was rarely seen without a suit since she admired how he looked in one.

Hillary laughed at herself in her heart, but she quickly calmed down and wanted to return to her room. She didn't want to see them, but Willow held her hand affectionately. "Hillary, we're going out for dinner with Julian's friends. You should come with us!"

Hillary's heart was long past feeling anything. She coldly brushed off Willow's hand, her tone indifferent. "I'd rather not."

Willow's eyes widened in feigned surprise. "Hillary, are you perhaps … afraid? Don't worry, they're all lovely people."

Julian cast her a mocking glance. "Come on. Weren't you begging to go before? You even went to Willow to ask. How could I refuse after that?"

"Begging?" Hillary's expression froze.

Willow, however, smiled sweetly. "That's right, Hillary. Just last night, weren't you complaining that Julian never took you along?"

Initially reluctant, Hillary felt a wave of defiance as she saw the undisguised triumph in Willow's eyes. She changed her mind, fixing her gaze on Willow as she enunciated each word. "Alright, I'll go. Since you're so sincere in your invitation, how could I possibly refuse?"

A place she had once begged Julian to take her, a place he'd only agreed to visit after Willow's casual mention. How could she not go?

Willow's smile stiffened for a brief moment. She hadn't expected Hillary to agree. Julian then impatiently urged, "Go change your clothes already."

He had brought out his globally limited-edition Porsche. She remembered this car; Julian had spent a fortune customizing it after acquiring it. He rarely let anyone touch it and even he only drove it occasionally, revealing just how much he treasured it. She had once wanted to ride in this very car, only for Julian to reject her outright. "Let's take another car. This one's my meticulously customized baby. Not even my wife gets to share it."

Yet, at this moment, Willow sat in the passenger seat. The car was adorned with countless festive pendants and there was an adorable lucky doll placed at the front. As well as many gadgets that girls like in the car.

With just one glance, Hillary knew they belonged to Willow. The man who used to be obsessed with cleanliness and wiped himself off even if someone went too close, suddenly sat there with a smile, indulging Willow while she ate sweets in his car. He even gently wiped the crumbs from the corner of her lips, his gaze filled with tenderness and doting affection.

Hillary watched this scene, her heart overwhelmed with indescribable emotions. She couldn't help but recall the times when Julian had also been gentle with her, but now she knew that those were all mere illusions.

Willow's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled at her. "Hillary, I get a little carsick, so I'll sit in the front. You don't mind, do you?"