There was no cash inside the safe, just a single brown file folder and a photo album. Cecelia opened the folder first. It was an investigation report about her father's car accident.

As she skimmed the cold words on the paper, a few key lines stood out and seared into their mind.

"…Upon review, the driver's blood alcohol content far exceeded the threshold for driving under the influence…"

All the documents and evidence were there, complete.

Cecelia's fingers shook violently as she held the papers, her knuckles straining under the pressure. Francis had used his expertise and power to carefully fake evidence, clearing the real culprit of all criminal charges.

Melody, who was driving under the influence.

All just to protect the bright future of his precious childhood friend.

Before he died, her father had held Francis's hand, his eyes cloudy but full of hope. "Fran… I'm leaving Celia to you… Take care of her…for life…"

Francis had knelt by the bed, eyes red, his voice choked but determined. "Don't worry, sir! I swear, I'll protect her with my life. I will never let her down!"

The promise still echoed in her ears.

But the one he protected was the person who killed her father! The one he refused to let down was Melody!

The crash that stole her only family and changed her entire life was nothing but a problem that might affect the career of his so-called childhood friend.

A tidal wave of grief and absurdity swallowed Cecelia whole.

Her chest was cramped with pain as she held it tightly, but the taste of blood still filled her throat. She numbly copied and photographed every piece of evidence.

Then, she picked up the photo album from the safe and opened it. It was full of photos of Francis and Melody, from their school days up until now. In every photo, Melody leaned into Francis, her smile bright and happy.

The most recent one was from just last month, even. The background was a beach at a foreign resort. Melody wore a revealing bikini, arms wrapped around Francis's neck, planting a clear kiss on his cheek.

He didn't push her away or look annoyed. Rather, he had turned toward her slightly, lips forming a smile, his eyes filled with an indulgence Cecelia had never seen before.

Her heart felt like it was being pierced again and again, until all that was left was a gaping, frozen hole.

At this moment, every suspicion and every pain was confirmed in the cruelest way possible.

This home now felt like a prison.

Using the last of her strength, she went to her studio downtown. That was the only space left that was truly hers.

However, Cecelia had just sat down when a commotion broke out outside.

Through her studio's tall windows, Cecelia saw something absurd.

A dozen bodyguards in matching black suits and white gloves lined up neatly outside her studio door, each of them carefully holding a dust-cloth-covered item in their hands, obviously valuable.

The lead bodyguard knocked politely. Under Cecelia's cold gaze, he directed his team to place each item in the reception area. They lifted the cloths, revealing a collection of antiques from elite auction houses.

"Madam, Mr. Rivera asked us to bring these for you. He said he knows you didn't sleep well and have been in a bad mood, so he hopes these little trinkets will cheer you up," the bodyguard said, his tone stiff and formal.

The commotion drew everyone working on the same floor to come and watch.

"Oh my god! Isn't that the record-breaking porcelain bowl from Sotheby's last month? Mr. Rivera is going all out!"

"He's really spoiling her! All of this just because his wife's upset? What a perfect man!"

"Cecelia is so lucky! Mr. Rivera is handsome, rich, devoted, and romantic!"

"I'm so jealous! If my husband cared even a tenth as much…"

Standing among all these antiques, Cecelia felt nothing but bitter irony as she listened to the admiration and envy outside. Her face showed no emotion, and her eyes were as empty as the void.

Finally, she walked straight back to the door. With a bang, she shut it in front of all the stunned bodyguards and onlookers, locked it, and pulled the blinds.

The world fell instantly quiet.

Outside, the bodyguards hesitated before calling Francis.

As soon as Francis got the call, he cleared his schedule for the next few days and came home early.

Cecelia was sitting by the window, her figure so thin that she looked like she might be scattered by the wind.

"Celia." Francis softened his voice and walked over, trying to hug her from behind.

However, Cecelia quietly moved away.

His hand froze in the air before he sat on the single sofa next to her. "Are you still angry about last night? I just…"

"I miss my dad." Cecelia suddenly said, her voice was light as air.

Francis gulped, his voice unconsciously tight. "Your father… If he's watching from above, he would only want you to be happy. Don't overthink things."

Eager to change the subject, he quickly said, "Right, I booked a three-day trip on the Starocean Cruise, top-deck suite. Let's go together, get some fresh air, watch the sunrise, and leave all the bad memories behind."

He looked at her with expectation, almost a plea, though he didn't realize it himself. Cecelia turned to stare into the sky again, silent.

Francis took that as agreement.

-

The cruise ship sounded its horn and cut through the blue sea.

On the top deck, Francis's friends were already waiting.

When they saw Cecelia, they all put on exaggeratedly warm smiles.

"Celia! You finally made it! Fran's been so worried about you, his hair's about to go gray!"

One friend directed the staff to bring over several beautifully wrapped gift boxes.

"We heard you cleared out some things from home, and Fran was really upset. He had us search the city for the latest and best. Why don't you give it a look and see if there's anything else you need?"

The boxes glittered in the sunlight, so bright they strained Cecelia's eyes.

Cecelia simply looked at the gifts presented to her by Francis's friends, her face expressionless.

"You're so lucky!" A sweet voice cut in.

Melody strode over, showing off in a sparkling, skin-tight mini dress. She wrapped her arm around Francis's arm, her eyes full of hidden jealousy and hate, but her smile was very sweet.

"Fran treats you so well! I'm so jealous! If my future boyfriend is even half as thoughtful as him, I'll count my blessings!" Melody said, deliberately emphasizing the word "boyfriend."

Everyone around them burst into laughter.

The salty ocean wind blew by. After a moment, all Cecelia could feel was suffocation. She turned to head back to her cabin for some air. As she rounded the corner, she saw Melody pulling Francis into a lounge.

Cecelia quietly followed.

Through the crack in the door, she saw Melody clinging to Francis, arms around his neck and red lips almost kissing his ear.

"Fran, I'm scared," Melody said, a sob in her voice. "Cecelia looked at me so coldly… Does she know it was me who…ran over her dad that year? Is she going to have her revenge on me?"

Cecelia's nails dug deep into her palms, but she didn't feel a thing.

Francis stiffened, then raised his hand to pat Melody's back, his voice low and steady. "Don't worry, Melody. As long as I'm here, she'll never know the truth. I swore I'd protect you, and I will. She can't hurt you."

Melody broke into a smile and nestled closer in his arms, her voice even sweeter. "You're the best, Fran. I have a surprise for you…"

She looked up at him with flirtatious eyes, gently placing a hand on her own belly. "Congratulations, you're going to be a dad!"

Francis froze completely, his eyes narrowed in shock.

Melody saw his reaction and instantly pouted, looking aggrieved. "Does our baby have to be hidden away like some dirty secret? It makes me so sad…"

After a few seconds, he seemed to have made up his mind. He held Melody's face, his voice both comforting and cold.

"Don't worry, Melody. You can have the baby. If Cecelia really can't accept it, if she won't raise the child… I'll give her enough money and divorce her. I'll take care of you and the baby. I won't let you suffer."

"You're the best, Fran!" Melody hiked up her skirt and tangled herself with Francis.

The room quickly filled with a steamy heat.

Every word they said was like stakes shooting right into Cecelia's heart and twisting it.

The truth about her father's death.

Francis's promises to protect Melody.

Melody's pregnancy.

And how easily he tossed his wife aside…

It was like one poisoned stake after another, reducing her already shattered heart to dust.

So, in Francis's game, she was just an obstacle that could be swept away with money.

All her years of love and even her father's life… She now wondered, what did they mean to him?

A sharp pain ripped through her chest as she clamped a hand over her mouth, just barely keeping her sob of despair inside.

So…

This was how utter despair felt.