Ylona was slammed hard to the floor, her elbow scraping against shattered glass. Pain seared through her arm, and her brows knit tightly together.

A cold laugh echoed in her chest.

Rylee had a venomous tongue—and the moment Ylona tried to fight back, Cyrus rushed to her defense without hesitation.

Yet when their son was crying and begging for help with a bomb strapped to his body, that same man didn't lift a finger.

Now, he stood above her, looking down with icy disdain. “I was going to let you go. But since you don't know your place, it's time you learned a lesson.”

“Maybe next time you'll think twice before bullying Rylee.”

Ylona let out a sharp, mocking laugh and met his gaze.“What exactly did I do to her?”

Since childhood, Rylee had always been the best at playing the victim—always pretending to be weak and innocent after provoking others first.

Yet her father and Cyrus fell for the act every single time.

Ignoring Ylona's explanation, Cyrus barked at the servants, “Lock her in the basement. Don't let her come out unless I say so.”

And just like that, she was imprisoned—for three days.

No matter how she screamed or cried, no one came. Once a day, they would slide in a plate of stale food at night.

She knew this was Rylee's doing—and Cyrus was letting her get away with it.

On the third day, her phone rang endlessly—dozens of calls, all from the crematorium.

But the basement had poor reception. Even when she answered, they couldn't hear her voice.

One message after another came in.

[Miss Alvarez, your son Cedric is scheduled for cremation soon. Please come to the crematorium to send him off.]

[Two hours left until the scheduled time...]

[One hour remaining.]

Ylona went mad, pounding on the door, screaming until her voice was hoarse.

“Cyrus! isn’t this what you wanted? To crush my pride and force me to bow? Fine. I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please... just let me out!”

She cried for an hour straight, but no one answered. Not even the servants.

She tried to send out a message for help, but the signal was too weak. Nothing went through.

An our later, one final message arrived.

[Miss Alvarez, your child's cremation is complete. Please come to retrieve the ashes.]

Each notification shattered something inside her. Her heart went numb.

Staring at the photos of Cedric and Arden on her phone, the dam finally broke. Tears flooded her cheeks.

She could still hear Cyrus' voice from the past, full of tenderness and promises.

“Ylona, we're a family—a family of four. I'll always be your rock and our children's protector.”

Ylona let out a hollow, bitter laugh as she shook her head.

“Cyrus... the children are gone. So is the love. Everything we once had is gone.”

The emotional toll was too much. She fainted, collapsing in the basement. It wasn't until a servant came to deliver food that she was discovered and finally released.

As the evening set in, Ylona woke up. Realizing she was free, she didn't even stop to put on shoes—she ran barefoot to the crematorium.

—

Meanwhile, Cyrus had just returned home. When he heard she had fainted, a flicker of concern flitted through his eyes. He went to check on her only to find her room empty.

“Hah. I knew it. There's no way someone as healthy as her would just faint. It was all just another act,” he snickered.

Beside him, Rylee stoked the flames. “Ylona has always been good at pretending. It's no surprise she fooled the servants too.”

“But she's already been locked up for three days. That's enough. After all, she's still my sister. Even if she wronged me, I won't hold it against her.”

Compared to Rylee's kindness, Ylona seemed more and more unreasonable in Cyrus' eyes.

But then, at around eleven that night—Ylona returned.

Barefoot, with her hair in disarray, she held a small urn in her arms as she walked back into the villa.

Cyrus was downstairs working. The moment he saw her, something stirred in his chest—but it quickly turned to irritation.

“So you pretended to faint just to sneak out and grab a box of ashes?”

“You really are that vicious—just waiting for something bad to happen to Rylee, aren't you?”

Ylona's mind was buzzing. She couldn't help but laugh.

He hadn't even asked whose ashes she was holding—he simply condemned her on the spot.

Even if she told him it was their child—that Cedric's ashes were inside this very urn—he wouldn't believe her.

She was tired.

All she wanted now was to wait for the right moment, take her child, and leave this man forever.

She said nothing and turned to head upstairs.

Cyrus frowned and stepped in front of her.

“There's an auction in Los Angeles tomorrow. You're coming with me.”

Once, Ylona would've been happy to attend those events with him. It was his way of showing her off, of proving she mattered.

But now?

She no longer wanted anything to do with him.

“I'm not going.” Her voice was quiet and drained.

Cyrus' expression instantly darkened. He grabbed her wrist tightly and threatened, “If you don't go, I'll throw that urn away.”

Ylona's eyes were bloodshot, her face pale.

She knew Cyrus was capable of doing exactly what he threatened.

Right now, she was still under the Warner family's roof. She had no power to resist him—so she gave in, her voice was flat with resignation.

“Fine. I'll go.”

She lifted her gaze and looked at him coldly. Deep inside, she told herself, 'Cyrus, this will be the last time I ever attend something like this with you.'

...

The next day, at the auction venue, the hall buzzed with luxury and noise.

Ylona's father, Arnold had also arrived, but he didn't come alone—beside him was Maggie, Rylee's mother.

And beside Cyrus?

Rylee, of course.

Arnold scowled when he saw Ylona. “I heard you were the one who sent Rylee away last time? Good thing she was found—if anything had happened to her, I'd have held you responsible!”

“You ought to thank your mother and Rylee. If they hadn't pleaded on your behalf, I wouldn't have let this go so easily!”

Ylona's expression remained indifferent. She had long since given up hope on this so-called father.

“My mother is dead. I don't have a living one.”

She would never accept a mistress as her mother.

Besides, the whole "Rylee disappearing" incident had been a scripted farce—orchestrated by that mother-daughter duo.

Maggie looked at her with a show of heartache. “Ylona, I know you don't like me, but you shouldn't speak to your father like that.”

Arnold's face turned crimson with rage, and he raised his hand to strike her—but Cyrus caught his arm just in time.

“Father-in-law, please. This is a public auction. Too many eyes are watching—let's not air our family's dirty laundry.”

Ylona scoffed inwardly.

Dirty laundry? Yet they had no problem flaunting their mistresses in public.

Soon, the auction began, and everyone took their seats.

Ylona wasn't interested in any of it. She just wanted to get through it and go home.

But Cyrus and her father acted like nouveau riche, bidding on item after item for Maggie and Rylee, showering them in extravagance.

A bitter realization hit her—how foolish she had been.

She used to feel guilty about Cyrus working so hard. She never asked for anything at these events, always careful not to spend his money.

And what did that save him for?

So he could spoil his mistress and his bastard.

Ylona shut her eyes, too disgusted to watch another second.

That was, until she heard the auctioneer announce the next item: a purple diamond bracelet.

She snapped her eyes open and stared at it, stunned.

That was her mother's bracelet—her only keepsake.

Years ago, when the Alvarez family was in financial crisis, her mother had sold it to help her father rebuild his business.

Without hesitation, Ylona called out, “Five million.”

Cyrus' gaze flicked toward her. In his memory, Ylona had never been one to spend recklessly. Her sudden boldness surprised him.

Next to him, Rylee pouted sweetly. “Cyrus, I really love that bracelet too. Could you buy it for me?”

Cyrus didn't even blink. He turned to Ylona and said coolly, “Rylee wants that bracelet. Let her have it.”

It wasn't a suggestion—it was a command.

But Ylona stood her ground. “I have to win this bracelet.”

“Cyrus, I've been with you for seven years. I've never asked for anything... but this bracelet, I must have it.”

“It's my mother's keepsake.”

Cyrus frowned slightly. Then Rylee leaned closer and added fuel to the fire. “But I really love it, Cyrus! Coco adores purple things—it would look so cute around her neck!”

Coco was her pet dog.

Ylona trembled with rage.

Rylee was deliberately humiliating her—trying to put her mother's keepsake around a dog's neck.

Before she could say anything, Cyrus spat sharply, “Ylona, your mother has been gone for years. It's just a bracelet. Why fight with a dog over it? Be reasonable.”

On hearing his words, her heart clenched, each word stabbing her like a needle.

Clenching her fist, she choked out, “A dog? So now a dog is more important than my mother?”

“No matter what, I will get this bracelet.”

Cyrus' eyes turned cold, displeased by her defiance. He raised his hand and called out, “Twenty million.”

Then he turned to her with a smirk. “Ylona, I am the head of this household. The money is in my control. Without my permission, the bank won't release a cent to you.”

“Come on, be good. It's just a bracelet. Stop being so petty.”

Ylona felt numb all over.

She didn't understand how the man who once looked at her with such tenderness could become this heartless.

Looking at her helpless expression, Rylee gave her a triumphant smile.

Still, Ylona didn’t give up—she turned to her father with pleading eyes. "Dad, that bracelet was something Mom gave up for you when things were tough. Please, for the sake of the love you once had for her—help me get it back."

But her father only looked annoyed.

“What a waste! Spending over twenty million on a bracelet—are you out of your mind?”

He sneered and added, “Besides, your little sister said her dog likes that bracelet. What, don’t you understand plain language?”

Everyone was blaming her, saying she had no right to want something that now belonged to a dog.

Ylona's heart ached with both pain and coldness. Deep regret surged through her—regret for having such a father, and for marrying such a husband.

In the end, the bracelet was won by Cyrus for twenty million dollars.

That night, the last memento of Ylona's mother was fastened around a dog’s neck.

Late at night, when everything was silent, Ylona quietly made her way to the pet room to retrieve her mother's bracelet.

But Coco—the dog—had long been trained by Rylee to attack her on sight.

She ended up kneeling on the cold floor, fighting a dog for her mother's keepsake.

In the end, she got the bracelet back—but her body was covered in fresh bite marks, blood soaking through her clothes.

Unfortunately, the noise Coco made had woken up Cyrus and Rylee.

The overhead light clicked on, and Cyrus' face twisted with fury.

“Fighting a dog for a bracelet? Ylona, how pathetic can you be?!”

Clutching her wounded arm, Ylona stared back at him stubbornly. “It belonged to my mother.”

“I'll pay you back the money. But the bracelet—I'm taking it.” She clutched the jewelry tightly, afraid that they would take it from her.

Annoyed, Cyrus ran his finger through his hair.

"Cyrus... I didn't expect my sister would do something like this. It's the dead of the night, but she still fought with Coco and disturbed our sleep..." Rylee butted in with teary expression.

"Since you don’t want to sleep, then stay outside! Don’t you dare step back in!" Cyrus thundered as he glared at Ylona.

Without waiting for her response, he turned his back and slammed the door shut.

Ylona's health was already fragile, and now it was the dead of winter. After a night exposed to the biting wind, she fell into a high fever.

But she didn't regret it—the bracelet was finally back where it belonged.

The world outside was pitch black. She could only rely on the faint glow of her phone to light the space around her.

Suddenly, a message came through.

[Hello, I've been sent by your grandfather to pick you up. Send me your address—I'll come get you tomorrow afternoon.]

Ylona's lips finally curled into a smile. She quickly sent her location.

The man replied shortly after.

[Got it.]

The night was cold, the darkness even deeper—but her heart was colder still. But after tomorrow, she would no longer have to endure days like this.

—

The next morning.

After spending an entire night outside, Ylona finally heard the heavy iron gates creak open.

Rylee appeared, wearing Ylona's pajamas, her lips curled in a mocking smile.

“You survived the whole night out here, huh?”

“You're really tough—didn't die from a dog bite, and even this cold couldn't finish you off.”

Ylona slowly pushed herself up, using the wall for support. Her voice was hoarse but firm. “You don't need to waste any more energy trying to get rid of me. I'll be gone soon.”

But Rylee didn't believe her. She leaned closer and whispered, “I don't trust anyone. I only believe in controlling my own fate.”

“And today—you will leave.”

Before Ylona could react, Rylee suddenly collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Cyrus rushed over, glaring furiously at Ylona.

“You bullied her again?!”

“Rylee is so kind—she woke up early just to open the door for you, worried you'd freeze out there. And how do you repay her? You hurt her again!”

“Ylona, you're heartless!”

He gripped her chin tightly, his words were cold and sharp. “You don't deserve anyone's kindness.”

Ylona looked him straight in the eye and clapped back, “Cyrus, did you see me push her? There are security cameras all over this house. Go check the footage and see who's really acting.”

He sneered, clearly not believing her. “Fine. I'll check it. Then you'll have nothing to say.”

But just then, Rylee reached out to stop him. “Cyrus, forget it. I don't want to make a big deal out of this. No need to check the cameras.”

“My sister is right. It was my fault—I wasn't careful. It has nothing to do with her. Please don't blame her. Otherwise, she'll hate me even more.”

Her words seemed generous on the surface, but every line dripped with passive aggression and manipulation.

Cyrus' heart ached for her even more. He pushed Ylona away without hesitation.

“Rylee, you're too kind. That's why people take advantage of you.”

Ylona was thrown to the ground. She let out a cold laugh as she stared at him.

'Cyrus...'

'One day, when you finally see Rylee's true face, will you regret all of this?'

Just then, a paper slipped from her pocket—her cancer diagnosis.

Cyrus caught a glimpse of the bold characters.

His expression changed instantly.

“Cancer?”

“Ylona—you have cancer?!”