Norman immediately called out, "Security, get over here!"

Two tall bodyguards entered the room.

Gritting his teeth, Norman hissed, "I told you before this. No one is allowed to lay a finger on Cindy. Not even you! Pour all the soup from the pot onto her hands."

With that, he scooped up the crying Julia and left.

"No!" I screamed, "Norman, I'm the real Cindy! Look at me!"

But Norman didn't hear me. He hurried away, getting farther and farther.

The bodyguards came toward me with the pot. I tried to escape, but the other bodyguard held my hands down. "No, let me go! I'm the real Mrs. Ford... You can't do this to me!"

One of the bodyguards gave a mocking smile. "Miss Julia, this is Mr. Norman's order. There's nothing we can do."

And with that, the boiling soup was poured over my hands.

The pain was so intense that I passed out within seconds.

When I came to, Norman was sitting at my bedside, his face dark. When he saw I was awake, he said irritably, "I know you're upset, but I told you. Cindy means everything to me. Don't you dare touch her!"

At the end of his sentence, he suddenly grabbed me by the neck. I struggled and wanted to sit up, but I could only tug my bandaged hands.

Maybe it was my painful expression that made Norman feel guilty, because he abruptly loosened his grip. I couldn't help but gasp for air afterward.

"Julia, behave yourself. I'm fine with you being mine, but I'm warning you again. Never take this to Cindy." Norman's face was still dark, but his tone had softened.

I laughed, my tears mixing in. "Norman, what if I told you I'm actually Cindy? What would you do?"

He clearly panicked for a split second, but quickly forced a smile. "Julia, if you want me to feel sorry for you, you don't have to pretend to be Cindy."

My heart shattered into fragments. I couldn't understand how a man could love two women at the same time.

"Alright," Norman said, wiping away my tears, "maybe the punishment was a bit harsh this time. Didn't you say you wanted Cindy's wedding ring? I've already had another one custom-made just for you."

He pulled out a gift box from behind him and opened it. Inside was a ring identical to the one I had designed myself.

Seeing the ring, I couldn't stop my tears from falling.

"Look at you, you're so happy you're crying," Norman said, tucking me in. "When your hands have healed, I'll put it on you myself. Cindy's still hurt, too. I can't give her any sleeping pills. Just get some rest today. I won't do it with you today."

So that was what "same as always" meant. They had been giving me sleeping pills at night. Once I was knocked out, they could sneak out and cheat behind my back.

My whole body felt ice cold, as if all the blood had stopped flowing.

After Norman left, I took a deep breath and quietly followed him to the master bedroom. The door wasn't closed all the way.

Inside, I heard "my" voice asking, "Norman, did you go check on Julia? How is she doing?"

Norman's voice was tinged with irritation. "Cindy, you don't have to be so kind. If it weren't for her, you wouldn't get hurt. I already taught her a lesson!"

Julia glanced slyly at me, then said kindly, "But Julia and you grew up together. Don't make things get awkward between you two just because of me. It's just a minor burn, and the doctor said I'll be fine."

Norman sat down on the bed and gently pulled Julia into his arms. "Cindy, you're the best wife I could ever ask for. I'll love you forever!"

A flash of jealousy flickered in Julia's eyes, but she quickly replaced it with a look of tenderness. She whispered, "Norman, I love you too."

Then, she kissed him.

When things got heated, Norman gently touched Julia's injured hand.

"Cindy, your hand…"

Julia unbuttoned his shirt. "It's fine. I just want you to be happy."

Their bodies then began to become one.

I felt sick as I gagged in the hallway, stumbling back to the guest room.

When I saw the diamond ring on the table, I swept it straight into the bin. I didn't want it anymore.

Neither the person, nor the ring.

-

The next morning, when Norman helped Julia downstairs, he didn't even look at me.

Julia nudged him and said softly, "Julia, I know you didn't mean it yesterday. Norman was too harsh with you. I already talked to him about it, so don't be upset."

I didn't want to respond, but Norman shot me a dangerous look. I knew if I didn't play along, I'd just be punished again. So, I forced myself to respond. "I understand."

Julia smiled, satisfied. "Let's all go to the auction together. Norman said he's taking me shopping to cheer me up. You should come too."

Norman refused as always. "Why bring her along?"

Julia shook his arm. "Come on."

Norman tapped her nose. "Alright, whatever you say."

Julia then gave me a look I couldn't read. I stayed quiet.

At the auction, Julia and Norman sat in front and center as usual.

Just when I was going to sit down with them, Julia suddenly said, "Julia, why don't you sit in the back? All the seats here are for couples."

I stared at Norman, but he just nodded. "Sit at the back. Don't get in my way."

"Alright." I didn't argue and quietly followed the attendant to a corner in the back.

During the break, I went to the restroom. As soon as I stepped out, Norman pulled me aside.

"Look at how sad you are! I bought you a set of jewelry, alright? Yours is the main necklace, hers is just a matching one." His hand slid toward my hip, but I moved away before he could touch me. "See? You're better than her. Happy now?"

I forced a smile. "Very happy." Then, I pulled out a contract from my bag. "I want the villa in Senton City. If you give it to me, I'll be even happier."

Norman hesitated for a moment, about to check what the contract was. I held my breath.

Suddenly, Julia called for him outside. Norman immediately grabbed the pen, signed his name, and said, "As long as you're happy."

He handed the agreement to me, then rushed out to put his arm around Julia. I turned and headed straight to the clerk's office.

After finishing all the paperwork, I carefully tucked the two certificates into my bag. On the way home, my phone rang. Norman had sent me a message.

[Where did you go? Cindy wants to take the wedding photos. Come with us. After I'm done with her, I'll take pictures with you too.]

He attached the address of the bridal studio.

My heart skipped a beat as I could hardly read the message through my tears.

This was the end for us, Norman.

Back at the villa, I packed up the things I needed, left a letter behind, and asked the courier to deliver it to Norman immediately.

Dragging my suitcase behind me, I took one last look at the house I had lived in for three years and bid it goodbye.

At that moment, while Norman was taking wedding photos, he felt a growing sense of unease.

Outside, a courier shouted at the door, "Package for a Mr. Norman Ford!"