I tried to push her away despite the searing pain, but the moment my hand touched her, Cassidy flung herself dramatically to the floor like a feather in the wind.

She collapsed at Joaquin’s feet, whimpering softly.

Joaquin instantly scooped her up into his arms and barked at me, “Was throwing you into the bullfighting ring not enough? You’re still this vicious?”

“It’s okay, Brother-in-law,” Cassidy whispered tearfully, “Maybe Sis is just jealous that we have children of our own.”

Children.

That word shattered what little restraint I had left.

“Joaquin,” I said, my voice cold, “Do you even know the truth about those children?”

“Sister!” Cassidy interrupted, feigning heartbreak. “No matter what, the children are innocent! How can you be so cruel to those poor little ones?”

Before I could say another word, she pounced again—this time driving both her hands down hard onto my wounded leg.

Pain exploded through me. I was soaked in cold sweat, unable to even form a sound.

As she sobbed and dramatized her performance, the twins started crying too.

Joaquin's expression flickered with conflict—but in the end, he gathered all three of them into his arms, gently rocking them while whispering words of comfort.

“Waaaah! Bad Auntie! Bad Auntie!”

“Teacher said bad people must be punished!”

Joaquin waved his hand.

Two bodyguards stepped forward.

“Take the Madam to the kangaroo farm. Let her box with them.”

The guards moved like emotionless machines. Their hands were iron claws clamping down on my ankles. I was dragged out like a sack of meat and thrown straight into the reeking pen.

The stench of feces hit me instantly.

A mother kangaroo glared at me, bristling with hostility at the intruder.

I couldn’t even stand. My leg injuries were too severe. All I could do was crawl and dodge, barely avoiding her strikes.

But the blows came—hard and fast.

I lost consciousness before the pain could take everything.

—

When I woke up in the hospital, for a split second, I thought I had already died.

But pain—burning, suffocating pain—dragged me back to reality.

Unfortunately, I was still alive.

My entire body felt like it had been crushed, my ribs were shattered. Even breathing was excruciating.

I slowly turned my head—and saw Joaquin sitting next to my bed, typing on his laptop.

Sensing my movement, he looked up with what almost seemed like relief.

“Allison, you’re awake.”

“The doctor said you should drink more water.”

He carefully scooped a spoonful of water and brought it toward my lips.

I smelled gardenia on his skin—and the faint, unmistakable scent of fresh lipstick kisses on his neck.

I turned my face away.

He froze mid-motion.

Then, without warning, he slammed the water cup and spoon down on the bedside table. Boiling water splashed across my face, burning my skin.

“Allison,” he growled, “Have I been too kind to you? Is that why you think you can get away with everything?”

“After everything you’ve done, I’ve been nothing but tolerant!”

I didn’t respond. I simply stared at the ceiling.

Four more days.

Then someone would come to take me away.

Seeing my indifference, he exploded.

“Cassidy even said she’s planning to return the emerald to you tomorrow. But someone like you—this venomous, remorseless woman—you’re no longer worthy of something so pure!”

I still said nothing.

My silence only fueled his fury. He grabbed my chin tightly, forcing my face toward him.

“What is this? Another one of your games? Playing hard to get? Or maybe you still don’t realize what unforgivable sins you’ve committed!”

Still, I said nothing.

That’s when his phone lit up on the nightstand. I tilted my gaze toward it.

He picked it up.

The moment he answered, his voice softened, his tone completely changing.

It was Cassidy.

I watched his back as he walked away, and all I felt was bitter irony.

He was the one who cheated.

He was the one who betrayed me, who broke me again and again—and yet he had the audacity to talk about my sins?

What a joke.

Was this truly how the world works? That having a sincere heart only leads to betrayal and pain?"

Three years ago, even a twisted ankle would have him rushing over to carry me like I was made of glass.

And now—with both my legs broken—he tossed me to the beasts, humiliated me, and not even flinch.

Even if I died right in front of him, I doubt it would matter as much as a frown from Cassidy.

...

Two days later, I was discharged from the hospital.

I began packing my things.

The gifts he'd given me, now faded and dusty, I stuffed silently into black garbage bags.

Then I found my handwritten letters.

All 999 love letters he had written for me, one for each day he claimed to love me. I had kept them all, treated them as sacred proof of our love.

But now?

They meant nothing.

I pulled out the Zippo lighter he had custom-engraved for me.

[Allison & Joaquin — Forever Together.]

I struck the flame and set everything ablaze.

The front gate swung open.

Joaquin walked in, carrying the twins and smiling as if nothing had happened.

Then he saw the roaring fire.

“Allison! What are you burning?!”

I tossed the last love letter into the flames and watched as the fire devoured the final word. Only then did I speak, voice light and indifferent.

“Nothing important—just some useless things.”

He stared at the burning papers, watching familiar handwriting curls and blacken in the heat. Something about it felt wrong to him, and he opened his mouth to ask.

But Cassidy tugged on his sleeve first. “Brother-in-law, the children are getting sleepy.”

Joaquin cleared his throat awkwardly, his voice a little strained. “I plan to have the children stay in the nursery downstairs.”

“That nursery was for my baby!” The words burst from me before I could stop them—sharp and louder than I ever expected.

I looked down and saw my hand resting on my now-flat stomach.

Of course. That nursery was meant for my child.

“They are my children,” Joaquin said firmly, unmoved.

I scoffed and said nothing more. After tonight, none of this would have anything to do with me anyway.

He sighed and crouched beside me, lowering his voice. “Allison, if you’re willing, they can be your children too.”

Scoffing, I spat coldly, “I don’t want anything that comes with that kind of price.”

Behind us, Cassidy let out a soft, pitiful sob—just loud enough for the twins to start crying too. Joaquin immediately turned and rushed to comfort them.

I didn’t bother stopping him.

As soon as I closed my bedroom door, my phone buzzed with dozens of videos and photos—courtesy of Cassidy.

Every one of them was a record of her intimacy with Joaquin.

I scrolled through three years’ worth of passionate embraces, stolen kisses, hotel bookings. I thought I’d feel something—rage, heartbreak, nausea.

But no.

It was like watching a stranger’s drama unfold. Detached, numb, almost analytical.

I could even sense the fake joy Cassidy tried to display at times.

Then the barrage of text messages came next. She detailed every luxury Joaquin had spent on her.

The private ski chalet in Switzerland.

The penthouse apartment in Paris.

The seaside resort in Hawaii.

[Sis, did you like the perfume I sent? It’s been a while since someone gave you a gift, hasn’t it? That was a freebie from when your husband bought me new jewelry. I figured you’d appreciate it.]

[You thought marrying Joaquin made you better than me? I’m the mother of his children. To the world, you’re just the pathetic secretary who kept throwing herself at him.]

I turned off my screen and climbed into bed. Soon, none of this would matter anymore.

The room was dark when Joaquin returned.

He sat on the edge of the bed, watching me.

“Allison, you’ve crossed the line lately. That’s why I had to punish you a little. But if you just apologize to Cassidy and the kids, we can move on from this.”

He paused, then added, “Besides, isn’t your father’s company still waiting on funding from Davies Group?”

I let out a tired sigh. “What’s between us has nothing to do with business.”

In truth, that company was built by my mother—her blood, sweat, and tears. I couldn’t let her life’s work be threatened.

His eyes lit up at my words. He eagerly grabbed my hand.

“As long as you apologize, our two families can continue working together.”

Before I could answer, his phone lit up.

A new message from Cassidy.

I glanced at the screen.

It was a sultry video of her dressed in a tiny uniform skirt, performing a provocative pole dance.

I saw his body tense immediately.

He stood up in a rush, his voice husky with desire. “I’ve got something to handle. Think things over while I’m gone.”

And with that, he turned and left.

Three minutes later, I received another video from Cassidy.

On the screen, Joaquin was holding her in his arms.

Her long red nails trailed across his muscular back, leaving scratches that burned into my eyes like fresh wounds.

I blinked away the sting, but sleep dragged me under.

By morning, I was jolted awake by the overwhelming scent of gardenias.

Joaquin sat by the bed. When he saw me stir, he cleared his throat.

“Allison, just apologize to Cassidy and the kids. Then we can move on.”

I shook my head, saying nothing.

He glanced at me and sighed again. His expression was so absurd, I almost laughed out loud.

Why should I, the one who’s been hurt, apologize to the people who hurt me?

How could I apologize for something I didn’t even do?

When I stepped outside the room, I found Cassidy already seated at the dining table, directing the nanny to feed the twins.

“Sis, come join us. Brother-in-law and I prepared your favorite breakfast,” she said sweetly, eyes flashing with ill intent.

I ignored her and turned to leave, but Joaquin grabbed my arm and pulled me to the table.

“Auntie! I want Auntie to feed me!”

“Auntie! Auntie!”

The twins suddenly began shouting. Joaquin laughed and set them on his lap before pushing them toward me.

“They like you. Come on, feed them.”

I stared at the bowl of mango puree in my hand, and my skin instantly prickled.

I’m allergic to mango.

But at that moment, I had no way out.

Forcing myself, I gave each child a spoonful.

They both spat it out immediately.

“I don’t want it! I want Auntie to eat it! Auntie eat it!”

Joaquin remained oddly patient. “Allison, just eat a little. They really like you.”

“I can’t eat it. I—”

“Boohoo! Auntie’s being mean again! Bad Auntie!”

Their cries cut me off. Joaquin’s face darkened.

“Allison, how much do you hate these kids? Why do you keep hurting them?”

“Exactly,” Cassidy chimed in sweetly. “They’re only doing this because they like you. You’ll scar them for life if you keep acting this way.”

The children wailed louder, and I snapped. “I can’t eat it! I’m allergic to mango!”

Cassidy’s voice slithered like a venomous snake. “Sis, please don’t raise your voice. You’ll frighten the kids. They’ve been through so much lately.”

The next second, Joaquin slammed his hand on the table, grabbed the bowl from me, and forced the mango puree into my mouth.

It choked me so badly that juice sprayed out my nose.

And then everything spun. I collapsed, retching violently.

My throat burned like it had been seared by fire.

My vision blurred, my breathing weakened, and just before I passed out, I saw Joaquin’s panicked expression flicker across my eyes.

“Water... Help... Help me...”

—

When I opened my eyes again, the house was empty.

It was the last day.

I packed my things and went to the office to hand in my resignation.

But as soon as I entered, I noticed the strange looks from my coworkers—sympathetic, uncomfortable glances.

Given how wrecked I looked, I was surprised they hadn’t mistaken me for a homeless lunatic.

“Could you help me get to the top floor?” I asked the front desk receptionist with a faint smile.

She hesitated for a moment, then gently advised, “Miss Allison... maybe it’s better if you come back tomorrow.”

I shook my head. There was no more time.

She sighed and escorted me to the elevator. Only when I reached the top floor did I realize a major investment conference was happening.

No wonder she was hesitant—she probably thought my appearance was inappropriate for such a formal event.

Before she left, she looked at me seriously. “Miss Allison, I think you’re an amazing woman. Maybe... you don’t need a man or marriage to be happy.”

I wasn’t sure why she said it, but I smiled and nodded.

She was right. A woman’s happiness shouldn’t be tied to a man or a marriage.

I made my way to the Davies Group’s CEO office, familiar with every step.

I was here to submit my resignation.

But as soon as I opened the door, I felt everyone’s eyes on me.

“Well, well. Isn’t it Secretary Flores? What’s with the getup today?”

“She can barely walk and she’s still throwing herself at President Davies. His charm must be something else.”

“Didn’t she drink 99 shots for him at that party once? Shouldn’t she at least get a title by now?”

Their mocking laughter buzzed in my ears like flies. And suddenly, a terrible sense of foreboding washed over me.