On her 26th birthday , Clara Bennett gave herself a special gift. This gift was a resolute new beginning.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city's dazzling night view reflected on her bloodless face. She picked up her phone and dialed a number almost buried at the bottom of her contacts, her voice calm and utterly emotionless:

“ Gregory , draft a divorce agreement for me. I want to sever all ties with Liam Foster .”

Gregory on the other end of the phone was visibly taken aback. As the Bennett family 's long-term legal counsel and one of Clara's few old friends, he knew all too well how she had endured the past three years. His tone was worried: " Clara , are you really sure? Liam ... given his personality and his... love for you , he won't easily agree to a divorce and let you go." He carefully chose his words, but ultimately uttered the word "love . "

Clara paused for a moment, her long eyelashes casting a shadow beneath her eyelids. Did Liam truly love her ? She had initially thought so too, until an hour ago when that veil of tender affection was cruelly ripped away. She took a deep breath, her tone unwavering: "I will find a way to get him to agree. Send me the draft agreement to my email, thank you."

After hanging up the phone, she leaned against the cold wall. Every word she had heard at the corner of the banquet hall felt like a poisoned needle, repeatedly piercing her heart.

Just hours ago, this grand birthday party had just begun.

In the dressing room, Clara put on the starry blue floor-length gown that Liam had specially commissioned for her from Paris. In the mirror, her skin was as white as snow, her eyes as bright as stars, and the gown's perfect tailoring accentuated her exquisite figure. Filled with anticipation and love, she appeared before Liam like a princess awaiting her prince's praise .

"Honey, you look so beautiful today!"

An undisguised amazement flashed in Liam's eyes. He pulled her close, his warm hands penetrating the thin fabric of her clothes. He buried his face in her neck, which exuded a delicate fragrance, greedily inhaling her unique scent.

Feeling his warm breath on the most sensitive spot behind her ear, Clara trembled involuntarily, her cheeks instantly flushing crimson like clouds painted by the sunset. She twisted her waist slightly, trying to break free from this overly intimate embrace, her voice soft and sweet: "Stop it, the banquet is about to begin..."

Unexpectedly, her unconscious struggle only seemed to ignite a fiercer flame. Liam tightened his arms, pulling her even closer into his embrace, their bodies pressed tightly together, almost able to feel each other's racing heartbeats. "What are you afraid of? Let them wait." His voice was already somewhat hoarse.

"Wife, you smell so good..." he murmured, like the most devout believer.

As he spoke, his well-defined knuckles began to explore Clara's V-neck area, his fingertips, burning hot, lightly brushing against her delicate collarbone, moving towards more intimate areas.

“ Liam …” A soft moan escaped her lips involuntarily, and a strong, tingling sensation spread through her body like an electric current. Clara felt her legs go weak, almost unable to stand, and could only slump against Liam’s firm, warm chest, letting his lips and hands explore and invade her body, igniting clusters of heart-pounding flames. In her dazed and confused state, she even tilted her head back to deepen the kiss.

Just as Liam's gaze deepened, and he was about to pick her up and carry her to the lounge for a more in-depth "exploration," his phone, which was in his suit pocket, rang inconveniently and persistently, shattering the romantic atmosphere of the room.

Liam paused, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, seemingly extremely displeased. He took out his phone, and when he saw the name flashing on the screen, his expression changed almost imperceptibly.

"Hello?" He answered the phone, his voice still carrying a trace of lingering desire, but his tone had regained some of its usual composure.

Clara heard him say something on the other end of the phone, but all she saw was his fingers tighten slightly as he gripped the phone. His handsome profile seemed to tense up for a moment, and his eyes became dark and unfathomable, as if veiled by a thin mist, making them difficult to see clearly.

"Okay, I got it, I'll be right there." He hung up the phone promptly.

Turning to look at Clara , who was still nestled in his arms, her eyes sparkling with longing , he instantly switched back to his gentle and doting husband persona, as if the slight change in his demeanor just moments before was merely her imagination. He chuckled softly, reaching out to affectionately tap the tip of her delicate nose, a gesture brimming with tenderness.

"Sweetie, Lila said she has something urgent to tell me. Go to the lobby and greet the guests for a bit. I'll come find you in a bit." His tone was gentle, as if he were comforting a child.

With that, Liam planted a brief but passionate kiss on her lips, then turned and walked quickly downstairs without looking back.

Watching Liam 's tall, departing figure, Clara's unease, which had been dispelled by lust, resurfaced and began to spread. Lila Foster , Liam 's spoiled younger sister, had never really liked her sister-in-law. It was rare for her not to make sarcastic remarks when they met, so why would she specifically seek out Liam for "urgent business" at her birthday party? She wondered what kind of trouble she was going to cause at her carefully prepared birthday celebration.

She shook her head, trying to dispel these bad premonitions, straightened the hem of her skirt that Liam had messed up and her slightly disheveled hair, tried to put on a proper smile in front of the mirror, and walked alone into the bustling banquet hall.

Upon entering the magnificent hall, soothing music filled the air as guests gathered, their elegant attire creating a vibrant atmosphere. Clara instantly became the center of attention. While gracefully accepting birthday wishes from friends, family, and business partners, she absentmindedly responded, her eyes constantly searching for that familiar figure in the crowd.

Ten minutes, twenty minutes, an hour passed... Waiters kept moving around with champagne, and the banquet hall was filled with laughter, but Liam still hadn't returned.

Clara 's unease grew stronger, coiling around her heart like vines, almost suffocating her. Did it really take him this long to find Lila ? What could be more important than her birthday party as his wife?

Unable to maintain her composure any longer, she made an excuse to "touch up her makeup" and left the noisy hall, heading in the direction Liam had just gone. Her high heels clicked almost silently on the soft carpet, each step feeling like a weight on her increasingly heavy heart.

Just as she reached the corner leading to the VIP area, a sweet yet slightly sarcastic laugh suddenly burst out from another slightly ajar booth, clearly reaching her ears. It was Lila 's voice.

"Hahaha... Ryan , is this drug really as powerful as you say? Can it make someone lose their mind and be completely at the mercy of others?"

"Of course, Miss Lila , this is the latest stuff I got from overseas through several connections. It's guaranteed to be colorless and odorless, and no one will notice it if mixed into alcohol. Just let Clara take this tonight, and have a man deliver it to her room, and I guarantee she'll be in heaven. She won't remember a thing tomorrow morning!"

Hearing her name mentioned in such a vile way struck Clara like a thunderbolt, her blood seemingly freezing instantly. She instinctively held her breath, as if drawn by an invisible thread, and moved a few steps closer to the half-open door.

Through the crack in the door, she could clearly see the scene inside the private room— Liam was lounging lazily on the velvet sofa in the center, his long legs crossed, his posture relaxed. He was holding a small bottle of clear liquid in his hand , turning it around casually, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were thinking about something, but his eyes were a bottomless pool, revealing no emotion.

"Wow, Ryan , I didn't expect you to have such connections and influence. You did a great job!" Lila, swaying gracefully in her high heels, walked over to Liam and sat down next to him. She snatched the bag from his hand, examined it closely, and wore a mischievous, excited smile on her face.

Clara takes this drug today , my brother can ‘coincidentally’ catch her in bed with him at the hotel tomorrow morning. With solid evidence, the divorce will be inevitable! Then it will be Clara who cheated on my brother , and for the sake of the Bennett family’s reputation, we will definitely get those shares!” Lila ’s voice was full of calculation and smugness.

She paused, as if remembering something, and her tone became indignant: "Honestly, if it weren't for that old bastard Clara 's father forcing my brother to marry Clara with the investment and shares , Vanessa wouldn't have left for abroad heartbroken, and my brother wouldn't have broken up with Vanessa! It's all Clara's and her father's fault!"

As she spoke, Lila turned to look at Liam , who was still leaning back on the sofa, a cigarette between his fingers , silent. She frowned, her tone tinged with a hint of probing and dissatisfaction: "Brother, what's wrong? You haven't said much since earlier. You didn't soften your heart at this crucial moment, did you? You didn't... really fall in love with that stupid woman Clara in these past three years, did you? Don't forget, Vanessa is coming back tomorrow!"

"Fall in love?" Liam finally spoke, his voice low and cold, carrying a hint of mockery. He glanced casually at the potion in Lila's hand , as if it were nothing more than an insignificant item, his tone chillingly indifferent. "It's just a tool to help our family return to the top, a fairly handy stepping stone. How could I possibly fall in love with it?"

He flicked his cigarette ash and continued in his usual, weather-speaking tone, "I'm just thinking about what excuse I can use to get her to take this medicine willingly and without any suspicion. After all, she seems to have become a little 'smarter' lately." He spoke the last few words very softly, yet with a cruel, playful edge.

His tone remained nonchalant, yet every word he uttered was like a red-hot blade, relentlessly piercing Clara 's heart, shattering all her love, devotion, and faith of the past three years.

She never imagined that the man who had just been whispering sweet nothings to her in the lounge, making her believe she was deeply loved, could turn around and calmly plot with someone else how to use the most despicable means to get her into someone else's bed, just to seize her family's property and make room for his beloved.

She met Liam on campus. He was a high achiever, and she was a recognized talent. Their grades were always neck and neck, making them the focus of attention throughout the school. In addition, their families had a close working relationship with their respective companies. Gradually, Clara fell hopelessly in love with this dazzling man.

But by then , Liam already had the gentle and lovely Vanessa by his side . She buried this budding love deep in her heart, never revealing it, only silently watching and sincerely wishing them well.

Three years ago, Vanessa suddenly left the country without warning. Shortly afterward, the Foster family faced bankruptcy due to a major investment mistake. They sought help from the then-powerful Bennett family .

Clara 's father had long seen through his daughter's feelings, and his only request was that Liam marry Clara .

She wasn't oblivious to whether this marriage, which began as a transaction, should have started, nor was she unaware of the complexity and restraint in Liam 's eyes when he proposed. It's just that she loved him, loved him too much, loved him to the point of believing that sincerity could move mountains, loved him so much that she couldn't bear to let go, naively believing that three years of tender companionship could melt the ice in his heart.

Besides, in the three years of their marriage, he had been incredibly good to her, attending to every little detail with tenderness and consideration. To outsiders, they were the epitome of a perfect couple. She repeatedly told herself that he loved her, but his personality made him unable to express his passionate feelings.

She thought he had gradually fallen in love with her during the three years they spent together, but only today did this bloody truth completely wake her up—all his kindness and tenderness towards her was only because he needed the Bennett family 's help, and needed her as a "tool" to help his Foster family make a comeback!

Now, the Foster family has not only emerged from its predicament but is even more powerful than before. She, having lost her usefulness, is now ready to be eliminated to make way for his beloved Vanessa . They even intend to exploit her "stain" to seize the Bennett family 's shares!

The clenched hands, gripped so tightly, had nails that dug deep into the soft palms, oozing tiny beads of bright red blood that stood out starkly against the pale skin.

But how could the sharp pain of the nails digging into the palm compare to even a fraction of the feeling in my heart that was being torn apart and crushed?

She didn't want to hear any more. She was afraid that if she listened for even a second longer, she would lose control and rush in, doing something irreversible. Clara forced back the tears that threatened to spill, biting her lower lip hard until a faint metallic taste filled her mouth. She straightened her back, like a defeated soldier unwilling to abandon her last shred of dignity, turned, and staggered into the nearest restroom.

She locked the door, shutting out everything outside. Leaning against the cold door, her body trembled uncontrollably. Finally, the tears she had suppressed for so long burst forth like a flood, blurring her delicate makeup and washing away the last trace of fantasy and longing she had for Liam .

Since he had never loved her, she didn't need to love him anymore.

She cried for an unknown amount of time, until her tears dried up, leaving only an empty numbness. She went to the sink and rinsed her face with cold water over and over, trying to clear her mind. When she looked up, the woman in the mirror had red and swollen eyes and a pale face, but those eyes, which had once been filled with love and starlight, now burned with a flame that was almost apocalyptic and reborn.

Her fingers trembled as she took out her phone, her fingertips unsteady from the cold and heartbreak, yet her movements were unusually resolute. She quickly opened the ticketing app and deftly booked a one-way ticket to a faraway country a week later. There lay the major she had wanted to pursue in university but had given up for Liam , and a completely new life.

Then, she took a deep breath and dialed the number that belonged to Gregory , a number she hadn't contacted in a long time .

From that moment on, she and Liam went their separate ways, each finding their own happiness. No, she only wanted to be happy; as for him… he was no longer a part of her life.

When Clara emerged from the restroom, she had composed herself, at least outwardly. She gave a cold, forced smile to her reflection in the decorative mirror at the end of the hallway, at her own red-rimmed, vulnerable face. It was time to end this absurd charade.

She went back to the bathroom and took out her cosmetics from her purse. With practiced speed and precision, she carefully concealed all traces of crying around her eyes with a slightly thicker foundation, then drew a bolder, more dramatic eyeliner and applied a retro, bright red lipstick. Instantly, the mirror reflected a strikingly beautiful Clara, exuding confidence and charisma. Her overly sharp gaze and intense makeup acted like a sturdy mask, sealing away all her heartbreak and vulnerability, leaving no room for observation.

When she stepped back into the dazzling banquet hall, Liam and Lila were indeed already waiting for her in the center of the hall, seemingly whispering something to each other.

"Honey, where have you been? You haven't been back for so long, and you didn't answer my calls. I was so worried about you!"

The moment Liam saw her, he strode over to her, his tone laced with just the right amount of anxiety and concern. However, when he noticed the heavy makeup on Clara's face, so different from her usual fresh and elegant style, he was momentarily taken aback, a fleeting, almost imperceptible look of surprise crossing his eyes, quickly replaced by worry. He reached out naturally, wanting to take her hand affectionately, just as he had for the past three years, to feel her warmth.

"It's nothing, I just took a while to touch up my makeup, and my phone was on silent so I didn't hear it."

Clara's voice was calm and even, as if she were stating something unrelated to herself. Almost the instant his fingertips touched the skin on the back of her hand, she subtly yet resolutely pulled her hand out of his palm, letting it hang at her side, her fingertips slightly curled.

"Really, you're alright?"

Her hand suddenly felt empty, the lingering delicate touch instantly replaced by the cool air. Liam stared blankly at her empty palm for a moment, a strange feeling rising within her. She had never so clearly resisted his touch before.

"Um."

Clara didn't want to say anything more, not even giving him a second glance, and walked straight past him into the crowd. Her straight back and aloof posture seemed to draw an invisible chasm between them.

Watching Clara's resolute retreating figure, Liam frowned deeply, a strange sense of unease creeping in. Today, Clara, from her makeup to her demeanor, and even her aloof manner, seemed different from the gentle, dependent wife he knew. But he couldn't quite put his finger on it; it was just a vague and irritating intuition.

At that moment, Lila, who could no longer contain herself, held a glass of blood-red wine, a fake smile plastered on her face, and strode up to Clara, blocking her way.

"Happy birthday, sister-in-law! I was wrong to disturb you and my brother earlier. This drink is my way of making amends. Please do me this favor!"

Lila smiled and handed the carefully prepared glass of red wine to Clara, her eyes filled with barely concealed calculation and eager anticipation as she watched Clara's reaction intently, afraid she might refuse.

Gazing at the alluring red liquid shimmering under the light, Clara felt as if an ice pick had pierced her heart, a chill instantly spreading to every limb. She knew this drink was an invitation to hell. She remained silent for a long time, so long that the smile on Lila's face was almost impossible to maintain, and the atmosphere around her seemed to freeze. Finally, she slowly reached out and accepted the heavy glass, laden with malice and betrayal.

She didn't look at Lila, but instead, holding the glass of red wine, she walked back to Liam step by step. She raised her eyes and gazed deeply, almost greedily, at the handsome face she had loved for so many years, trying to find even the slightest hesitation, reluctance, or struggle in his deep eyes.

“Liam,” she called him by his full name for the first time in public, her voice soft but clear, “this drink… do you really want me to drink it?”

Her gaze, like the most precise searchlight, locked onto his eyes, not missing a single subtle change. She was giving him one last chance, and also giving her own dead love a final farewell.

Liam merely frowned slightly, seemingly puzzled by her abrupt question and form of address. He then raised the wine glass he had somehow acquired, his gentle and perfect demeanor returning, and spoke in a relaxed and natural tone:

"Honey, what's wrong with you today? You're acting so strange. Of course we should drink! Today is your special day, happy birthday! I'll drink with you."

As he spoke, he casually downed the champagne in his glass, then looked at her with a smile, waiting for her next move.

Watching him drink his "clean" glass of wine without hesitation, seeing the flawless, almost genuine tenderness in his eyes, Clara's heart ached to the extreme, leaving only a deathly numbness. The last glimmer of hope was completely extinguished.

Slowly, she brought the wine glass, which carried the weight of conspiracy, to her lips. The cool rim of the glass touched her warm lips, carrying a deadly allure. However, just as everyone thought she was about to drink it, the next second...