My mother accidentally scraped a luxury car that was illegally parked. The arrogant owner retaliated mercilessly, beating my mother so severely that she lost her sight before that person sped away without a second thought.

My fiancé, Jacob Williams, rushed to the scene immediately. While preserving evidence and calling the police, he also took care of my mother, comforting her with gentle words.

Tears welled up in my eyes. Moved by his kindness, I accepted his proposal at my mother’s hospital bedside.

For three years after our marriage, he treated me exceptionally well and showed the same kindness to my mother.

Yet, the agony of blindness tormented my mother endlessly. The stress and sorrow took a toll on her health, leading to liver disease that eventually landed her in the ICU.

Jacob arranged for a trusted doctor and took great care of her.

But one night, I overheard him speaking in a hushed voice on the balcony.

"Five million for a full recovery? Forget it. Just pull the plug. That money was meant for the seaside villa I planned to gift Wendy."

"I owe Wendy for not marrying her back then—this is my way of making it up to her."

"Besides, Wendy didn’t mean to blind my mother-in-law. It was an accident, and she always felt guilty all these years. She can only be freed from that guilt once my mother-in-law is dead."

"As for my wife... I’ve never been physically unfaithful, so I haven’t betrayed her. But my heart was never hers to begin with."

Two minutes later, I received a text from the doctor.

[Your mother has just passed away. My condolences.]

——

Clutching my phone, I collapsed to my knees, sobbing silently.

I knew then—the only person in this world who truly loved me was gone.

I looked at Jacob, still standing on the balcony, engrossed in his phone call. My heart churned with indescribable emotions.

He had once been my rock, my greatest love. But now, he was the blade that had pierced my heart.

The day my mother was attacked, he was in the middle of a board meeting. The moment he heard the news, Jacob abandoned the executives and ordered his driver to speed to the scene.

I had thought it was out of concern for my mother. Only now did I realize—he was worried about Wendy.

No wonder the culprit was never found, despite committing the crime in broad daylight.

It was him. He had helped Wendy cover up the evidence. Wendy—his university classmate. His first love.

I had known about their past when we got engaged. But I didn’t care about his history—I only cared whether he loved me.

His tenderness, his thoughtful gestures, his constant warmth—they had made me let my guard down. He made me believe I was worthy of being his wife. That he was mine, and no one could take him away.

So, I never interfered with his normal interactions with Wendy.

But I never realized—I had been living in a web of lies all along. My marriage was nothing but a pathetic joke.

Jacob walked in from the balcony, his face etched with sorrow.

He held me in his arms and whispered, "The doctor just called... Mother-in-law has passed away."

I nodded slightly and gently pushed him away.

'Jacob, don’t touch me anymore. Your embrace only chills me to the bone.'

He looked at me, eyes filled with concern. "Juli, are you okay? Don’t worry. Even if your mother is gone, you still have me."

I stared at him blankly, speechless.

If I had heard these words before, I would have been overwhelmed with emotion, clinging to him with tears in my eyes.

But now...

All I could do was admire his acting skills.

His words echoed in my mind, "As for my wife, my heart was never hers to begin with."

So, the man I had loved so deeply had never loved me back.

The perfect marriage I had once proudly flaunted—was nothing but my own delusion.

How ironic.

Without saying a word, I stood up and locked myself in my room.

Only a thin door separated me from Jacob, and I never wanted to see him again.

My phone vibrated.

It was a message from Jacob. [Juli, get some rest. Don’t worry about the funeral arrangements—I’ll make sure your mother has a grand farewell.]

I replied with a simple answer. [Hmm.]

Then, I sent a message to my lawyer, [Draft a divorce agreement for me.]

The funeral was grand.

Because of Jacob’s status in the business world, many people came to pay their respects.

He truly did what he promised—he gave my mother a dignified send-off. But all I wanted was for her to be alive. Even if it meant living a quiet, unnoticed life.

'Mom, I miss you so much.'

I knelt in front of her portrait, silently shedding tears.

Suddenly, a mocking voice sounded behind me.

"Juliana, everyone dies eventually. My condolences."

I froze.

When I turned around, I saw Wendy standing there.

She wore a black trench coat and held a bouquet of white roses, clearly here for the funeral. But beneath her coat’s collar, a flash of bright red fabric peeked through.

This was my mother’s funeral. I didn’t want to make a scene and disturb her peace in the afterlife.

Suppressing the fire in my chest, I merely nodded.

But Wendy didn’t leave. Instead, she casually tossed the white roses in front of my mother’s portrait.

Staring at the photo, she sighed regretfully.

"Auntie never got to find the person who blinded her before she died. Isn’t that such a pity?"

I responded coldly, "Justice sees all. I’ve hired someone to continue the investigation. The culprit won’t escape."

For a brief moment, panic flickered in Wendy’s eyes. But she quickly recovered, letting out a chuckle. "After so many years? I doubt that you’ll find anything."

She sighed dramatically. "I wonder if Auntie was able to pass away peacefully."

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she covered her mouth with a giggle.

"Oh, my mistake. Auntie was blind—she had already 'closed her eyes' long ago."

Rage boiled inside me. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face.

Wendy let out a sharp scream and collapsed to the ground. Her cry immediately drew the attention of all the guests.

Clutching her cheek, she began to sob pitifully. "Jacob and I were just ordinary college classmates. If you don’t like me being around him, I’ll stop seeing him."

"Juliana, I know you’ve never liked me, but I came today to pay my respects."

"Causing such a scene at a funeral... How can Auntie rest in peace?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could say a word, Jacob rushed over.

He didn’t ask what had happened. He didn’t even hesitate. All he did was hold Wendy up with a look of deep concern.

I stepped forward. "Jacob, just now—"

Before I could say anything more, he cut me off, his voice furious. "Get out!"

He shoved me forcefully.

I staggered back and fell to the ground. The bouquet of white roses Wendy had brought landed beside me—its thorns pierced into my palm.

It hurt.

But Jacob didn’t notice.

Instead, he towered over me, berating me mercilessly.

"Juliana, is this what you call being magnanimous?"

"How many times do I have to say it? Wendy and I are just normal classmates."

"I’ve tolerated your jealousy before, but today is your mother’s funeral! Can’t you at least act with some dignity?"

"Honestly, I’m embarrassed for you."

With that, Jacob helped Wendy to her feet and walked away—leaving me there, alone.

I never imagined that the man who had once been so gentle and caring would humiliate me like this in front of my mother’s portrait, without even listening to my side of the story.

The murmurs of the guests reached my ears.

"That Juliana... She has no manners at all. She’s really not worthy of Jacob."

"A woman like her will ruin three generations."

"Jealous, paranoid, stirring up chaos at home. I really don’t know how Jacob puts up with her—poor man."

"If she can get violent at her own mother’s funeral, imagine what she’s like on a normal day!"

I couldn’t defend myself. Tears welled in my eyes as I silently tidied up my mother’s memorial table.

At some point, Jacob had come to stand behind me.

"Juli, I spoke too harshly earlier. I came to apologize."

I turned around and stared at him.

His voice was gentle, but his expression was cold—completely devoid of warmth.

Sure enough, he added, "But you went too far with Wendy."

"No matter what, she was a guest."

"Do you know how many rumors are spreading right now? They’re all against you."

"I’ve been trying to explain things for you, but it’s not working. Listen, if you come with me and apologize to Wendy, she’ll clear things up. That way, your reputation won't be ruined."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips, and I replied sarcastically, "I won’t apologize. I don’t need that kind of reputation."

Jacob’s patience wore thin. His face darkened as he stepped closer, his voice dropping into a low growl.

"You made a mistake. You should own up to it. Don’t you think you owe Wendy an apology? Juliana, when did you become so shameless?"

I closed my eyes, letting the tears slip down my cheeks.

Jacob had always been gentle to me. He had never spoken to me like this before. But today, he had lashed out at me twice.

Both times—because of Wendy.

I opened my eyes, my vision blurred by tears.

Jacob’s face was hazy, out of focus.

Then again, had I ever truly seen him clearly?

My voice trembled. "Jacob, did you really never find out who blinded my mother?"

He stiffened for a moment before shaking his head firmly. "There were no leads. And now that she’s gone, what’s the point of bringing it up?"

A hollow, bitter smile spread across my lips.

Jacob didn’t care what I was thinking. He grabbed my wrist and dragged me into another room.

"Wendy, Juli is here to apologize," he announced.

I looked around. The guests were all there.

Every pair of eyes watched me with interest.

Jacob leaned in and whispered, "I gathered everyone here to clear your name."

Clear my name? Or force me to bow my head in front of everyone—so I could "compensate" Wendy for her supposed grievances?

Jacob gave me a slight push, forcing me toward her. "Go on. Apologize."

I said nothing.

Wendy, playing the magnanimous victim, smiled gently. "There’s no need for an apology. I understand. Juliana is going through a difficult time."

Someone started clapping. Soon after, the entire room was filled with applause.

Under the cover of the noise, Wendy leaned in and whispered so only I could hear.

"Juliana, do you know why your mother was blinded?"

"Maybe it was because you stole someone else's happiness."

"Do you really think you deserve Jacob?"

A deafening roar filled my head.

Without thinking, I grabbed the nearest object and hurled it at her face.

I couldn’t hear anything.

I couldn’t see anything.

All I could think about was my mother’s muffled sobs in the dead of night—the sound of her pain after she had been hurt.

By the time someone pulled me away, Wendy’s face was already swollen.