Betrayal Leads to Redemption

Having been in a relationship with Kameron Campbell for five years, it was the first time Meadow Lewis had seen him lose control in bed. He pressed her down firmly, his fingers entwined in her hair, and his eyes burned with intense desire. In a moment of passion, he couldn’t help but murmur softly, “Zara…”

Meadow froze beneath him. The soft glow from the lamp highlighted the tattoo on his chest, the letters "ZRF" standing out starkly. Zara Ford was his new secretary and the woman he'd been secretly seeing.

Kameron seemed disgruntled by her sudden stillness. Noticing her gaze had shifted downward, he casually provided an explanation. “Zara had a depressive episode yesterday and hurt herself. She begged me to get her name tattooed.”

“I’ve agreed to marry her in a week. We'll break up, and once she’s better, I’ll make it up to you, alright?” He paused, leaning down to kiss her eyelids. “Don’t overthink it. It’s a matter of life and death.”

The gentle comfort Meadow usually cherished now pierced her ears like needles. Pain flickered in her eyes, and she numbly nodded. “Alright.”

Everyone in their circle knew Meadow loved Kameron dearly. Since she was eighteen, she had been by his side, working tirelessly for his business during the day and sharing his bed at night.

She had drunk until she suffered a stomach ulcer to help him avoid drinking; she had worked non-stop for resources, nearly collapsing from exhaustion; and she endured slanderous rumors online for a month just to protect the company’s reputation. She stood by him from his unknown startup to becoming a global business powerhouse.

But all her devoted efforts culminated in his wedding to another woman. With this thought, a bitter smile crept onto Meadow’s lips.

Six months ago, Zara had become Kameron’s secretary and was immediately smitten with him, pursuing him relentlessly. Her first attempt—an insinuating gift—was discarded by Kameron. The second attempt—spiking his drink—was met with shattered glass. The third—an office declaration of love—resulted in her being tossed out.

Meadow was convinced Kameron would never fall for such underhanded tactics or betray her. But then—

On their anniversary, Kameron received a call and, for the first time, left her abruptly. “Zara doesn't know many people here. She’s having a crisis and wants to jump. I need to stop her!”

On Meadow’s birthday, Kameron didn’t come home and called the next afternoon, saying, “Meadow, Zara took sleeping pills and tried to overdose. I took her to the hospital. I’ll make it up to you with a gift later.”

Only later did Meadow discover that Kameron had flown across the Atlantic that day to bid on a necklace worth millions for Zara, while her birthday gift was merely the silver-plated version.

Too many similar incidents occurred, and his excuses grew more perfunctory. Last night, he disappeared without a word.

After the passion faded, Kameron wrapped his arms around Meadow from behind, as he always did. “Meadow, just wait seven more days, and I’ll marry you.”

With those words, the bitterness in Meadow’s heart intensified. No, that day would never come.

She turned over, quietly withdrawing from his embrace. “It’s late. Let’s sleep.”

When Kameron fell into a deep sleep, Meadow got up, walked to the balcony, and made a call. The dappled shadows of the trees fell across her face, her eyes unusually determined.

“Mom, I’ve made up my mind. I agree to the arranged marriage back home.”