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?"

Hillary hadn't even spoken when she saw Julian cast a sidelong glance at her, his expression displeased. "You should be grateful just to have a seat in my car. Or do you think you can fight Willow for the front seat?"

His tone carried a sense of condescension and Hillary instinctively moved toward the back seat. Still, a thought struck her as she watched Willow sitting there so comfortably.

Back at home, she had always been adored by her family. No matter what she did, her parents indulged her. When had she gotten so used to backing down? Her relatives had warned her before she got married and now, looking at Julian, she felt nothing but irony. Compromising—was this the price she had paid for three years of marriage?

For the first time, she didn't want to give in. Hillary looked straight at Julian and said, "I get carsick too." It wasn't a lie. Her carsickness was severe. Initially, Julian never allowed her to sit in the passenger seat. It was only because of this that he later agreed to let her sit beside him.

Julian seemed to recall this as well. Just as he was about to say something, Willow let out a soft chuckle. "Why are you copying me, Hillary? If you want the passenger seat, I'm happy to give it to you. There's no need to lie. After all, you are Julian's beloved wife."

The moment those words fell, Julian's eyes darkened. Willow made a show of moving to get up, but he stopped her. He cast a cold glance at Hillary. "The back seat is the only option. If you don't want it, then forget it."

Hillary hesitated. She was about to get out of the car and drive herself instead, but Willow suddenly grabbed her hand. "Come on, Hillary. Don't be stubborn. We'll be there soon."

The car door was closed. Hillary hadn't fastened her seat belt yet when the car flew out. She leaned forward uncontrollably and hit the back of the seat in front of her. Tears suddenly rushed out and she couldn't help but cry out in pain.

Julian abruptly slammed on the brakes, turning back to look at her. His expression was instantly filled with panic. With a stern face, he got out of the car to check her injuries. "Why can't you even fasten your seatbelt properly?"

Hillary was still dazed. Who knew he would drive off so quickly? But before she could speak, she saw him grimly fastening her seatbelt for her.

Willow's gaze somewhat flickered, but she quickly smiled and said nonchalantly, "It's just a little blood. Let's go. We shouldn't keep everyone waiting."

Hillary endured the throbbing pain and calmly said, "I'm fine now."

Julian's brows were furrowed with irritation. Hearing her words, he snapped angrily, "Shut up!"

Without another word, he turned the car around and drove straight to the hospital. Hillary's head was spinning, her face pale—she really did get car sick. The next moment, Julian pulled her out of the car and carried her in his arms. Hillary instinctively clung to his neck, her heart pounding as she gazed at his sharp features up close.

Despite her efforts to restrain herself, she couldn't help but wonder if Julian had even a sliver of affection for her. Otherwise, why would he be so concerned about her? But would someone who truly loved her treat her like this?

She bit her lip and looked away. "I can walk by myself."

Julian scoffed. His voice was laced with mockery. "I've never seen anyone as foolish as you."

By the time they left the hospital and headed to the banquet, her fleeting hope had vanished entirely. The bar's private room was filled with music. Julian and Willow walked in side by side, with Hillary trailing behind them.

Someone called out, "You two are late! You'll each have to down a drink as a penalty."

Julian sank into the couch. His brows had been tightly knit on the way there. Now, he exuded a languid air, reaching for a glass of wine. "Well, we had a little incident on the way."

His friends turned their attention to Willow. "Willow, you're late too."

Willow sat down naturally beside him, smiling as she replied, "I'm a bit dizzy and can't drink. You can't force me."

Julian looked at her with tenderness, taking the glass of wine in front of her and draining it in one gulp. "I'll drink for you."

Hillary, who was just about to enter, stopped in her tracks at the sight of this. She felt a pang of self-deprecation for the thought that had crossed her mind earlier.

How pathetic was she to think that just because of a tiny moment of concern, he might actually love her?

Inside, Willow cast a provocative and triumphant look at her. Willow beckoned to her with a smile before everyone. "Hillary, why don't you come in?"

Her words drew everyone's attention to Hillary. She paused for a few seconds before walking in, creating a momentary hush in the atmosphere. Someone couldn't help but question who she was and Julian stayed seated on the couch, without even glancing at her or bothering to introduce her.

Hillary lowered her gaze, then looked up calmly. "I'm Hillary."

The atmosphere stiffened. Some of the people there forced a chuckle. "Oh, so you're … his wife?"

Others looked confused. "Wait, I thought his wife was Willow?"

Willow giggled. "Since Hillary is still here, you shouldn't call me that. Though soon enough, I will be."

Julian played cards with a nonchalant expression, neither confirming nor denying her words. The atmosphere instantly became awkward.

Hillary lowered her eyes, her heart clenching at the scene before her. Ever since she arrived, the atmosphere seemed to have frozen over. Midway through, she felt a wave of dizziness and went to the restroom to splash some water on her face to clear her head.

When she returned to the private room, she overheard them talking about her. "You can't be serious, Julian. How could you do this to Willow and actually marry someone else?"

Someone scoffed. "You've just come back, so you don't know. They've been married for ages. Besides, she was the one who ran away from the wedding back then. She has no one to blame but herself."

Willow looked aggrieved when she heard this. Julian's face was highly handsome under the blue light. He, who had been silent all this time, slowly spoke, "It was Hillary who threatened Willow back then. It was not Willow's fault."