When I woke up, I was in a hospital room filled with the smell of disinfectant.

The emptiness in my abdomen told me the result even before I asked the doctor.

"Mrs. Smith, I'm sorry."

The doctor took off his mask, his tone professional and cold.

"You arrived too late. The prolonged exposure to low temperatures and excessive blood loss meant we couldn't save the baby."

I stared at the pale ceiling, not crying, not making a fuss.

There is no greater sorrow than a dead heart.

The ward door was pushed open.

It wasn't Killian who walked in, but his private lawyer, Mr. Jones.

He walked to the bedside in a businesslike manner, took out a pre-signed check from his briefcase, and placed it gently on my bedside table.

"Mrs. Smith, Mr. Killian is accompanying Miss Elena for her preoperative examination and cannot get away."

"I am very sorry for your loss. However, this was, after all, an accident."

"This five-million-dollar check is 'spiritual compensation' from Mr. Killian. He hopes you can adjust your mindset and not bring your emotions home."

I looked at the string of zeros, feeling incredibly ironic.

My child.

In his eyes, was worth only a flimsy check.

Even a face-to-face comfort became a luxury.

"Take it away."

I said hoarsely.

"I don't..."

Before I could finish, several orderlies suddenly barged in and started roughly packing my things.

"What are you doing?"

"Sorry, Mrs. Smith."

The head nurse stood at the door, avoiding my gaze.

"Mr. Killian ordered that you be transferred to a general ward downstairs."

"This VIP ward faces south and has the best lighting. Miss Elena said she's afraid of the cold and wants to stay here to get some sun. Mr. Killian has already agreed."

I was trembling with anger: "I just had surgery too! I need rest too!"

"Halen, don't be so selfish."

The sound of a wheelchair rolling came.

Elena appeared at the door, pushed by Killian's assistant. She was wrapped in a thick blanket, wearing a victor's smile.

"Sis Halen, you have a strong constitution, a general ward is enough. But I'm weak, I need the best environment to recuperate."

She waved her hand, signaling the orderlies to be faster.

Then, she wheeled herself to my bedside, her gaze falling on the check.

"Tsk tsk, five million."

Elena leaned close to my ear, her voice as contemptuous as if teasing a stray dog.

"Halen, look, you're not that noble either."

"Killian gives a little money, and you have to obediently give up your place, obediently listen."

"Take the money and roll to the general ward, don't be an eyesore here. Oh right, you probably don't need a caretaker in the general ward, you can take care of yourself."

I looked at her exquisitely made-up face.

And looked at the check again.

Finally, I had no strength to argue anymore, nor the strength to tear up the check and throw it in her face.

I just wept silently, letting them drive me out of that sun-filled ward like throwing out trash.

---

After staying in the noisy four-person ward for three days, I insisted on being discharged.

Returning to the manor, I just wanted to shut myself in the studio.

There were the competition design drafts I had prepared for two whole years—my only hope to regain a foothold in the fashion world, and the capital I relied on to survive after leaving Killian.

However.

The moment I pushed open the studio door, I felt the sky collapse.

A mess all over the floor.

It looked like a blizzard had just passed through.

Except those white snowflakes were my design drafts, shredded into pieces.

That was hundreds of manuscripts!

The painstaking effort of countless days and nights!

Now they had turned into waste paper, covering the entire floor.

And the culprit, Elena, was sitting in the middle of the room, holding a pair of sharp scissors, looking at me innocently.

"Ah, Halen, you're back?"

Her hand shook, and the last intact draft was cut.

"What are you doing!!!"

I rushed over like crazy, pushed her away, and knelt on the floor trying to piece together the fragments.

"My drafts... my competition..."

"What's wrong?"

Killian arrived upon hearing the noise.

He saw the paper scraps all over the floor, frowned slightly, and then seeing Elena, who almost fell from my push, immediately strode forward to support her.

"Halen, what are you going crazy about now?"

"She cut my design drafts! They're all destroyed!"

I held up a handful of shredded paper, shouting at him in breakdown.

"That's my life! Why did she do this?!"

Killian looked down at Elena in his arms.

Elena immediately reddened her eyes, raising her right hand holding the scissors, which was trembling violently.

"I'm sorry... Killian, I also wanted to help Halen organize the studio..."

"But my hand... my hand is uncontrollable..."

"I wanted to cut the loose threads, but my vision blurred, and I cut the wrong thing... I didn't mean to..."

What a perfect excuse.

The doubt in Killian's eyes instantly dissipated, replaced by deep pity.

He held Elena's trembling hand and turned to look at me, his eyes full of disappointment and disapproval.

"Halen, you're being too aggressive."

He sighed, his tone rational to the point of coldness.

"Elena's brain tumor is pressing on her motor and optic nerves. Trembling hands and blurred vision are normal pathological reactions."

"She meant well and wanted to help you, but her body didn't allow it."

"Isn't it just a few drawings?"

Killian looked at my breakdown as if watching an unreasonable clown.

"You're a designer, the talent is in your brain, not on paper."

"Since they're destroyed, just redraw them. Why shout at a sick person over such a small matter?"

Redraw?

The deadline is in two days.

That was two years of blood, sweat, and tears!

He actually said it so lightly.

"Killian Smith."

I slumped in the pile of shredded paper, looking at this man I had loved recklessly for four years.

Finally.

I was completely disappointed in him too.

"Okay."

I wiped my tears and stood up from the floor.

"I don't blame her."

Because I knew.

That I became like this wasn't just Elena's fault, but more because of Killian's indulgence.

One week before I decided to leave New York, Killian suggested taking everyone out to sea to relax.

I didn't want to go.

But Killian insisted that I attend.

"Halen, this is a family gathering, you are the hostess, you cannot be absent."

He was wearing a white casual shirt, the cuffs rolled up casually, revealing his strong forearms, his tone gentle but unquestionable.

"Besides, the sea breeze can improve one's mood. You also need to relax, don't you?"

So, I boarded this private yacht named "Poseidon".

The yacht sailed into the high seas, surrounded by endless deep blue.

Champagne towers were built high on the deck, and the music was soothing.

Killian stayed by Elena's side the whole time, considerately shielding her from the wind, and even stood with her for half an hour holding binoculars just because she said she "wanted to see dolphins".

That scene was too glaring.

I walked alone to the edge of the second-floor deck with a glass of wine to get some air.

Not long after, the sound of high heels came from behind.

I knew who it was without turning back.

"The scenery here is really nice, isn't it, Halen?"

Elena walked up to me, holding a glass of red wine, her smile bright and moving.

Where was even a hint of the weak appearance of a late-stage brain cancer patient?

"Speak your mind." I looked at the sea surface coldly.

"Nothing, just wanted to thank you."

Elena leaned close to me, lowering her voice, her tone full of vicious showing off.

"Thank you for your miscarriage, thank you for your design drafts, thank you... for giving everything of yours to me."

"Halen, do you know what Killian said to me last night?"

"He said, as long as I recover, he will be with me, after all, I am his legal wife."

I gripped the wine glass tightly, my knuckles turning white.

"Get lost."

"Don't be in such a hurry to drive me away."

Elena suddenly smiled strangely.

She glanced at Killian who was chatting and laughing downstairs, then suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"Halen, if I jump from here, do you think Killian will save me or kill you?"

"Are you crazy? This is the high seas!"

Before I could shake her off.

Elena suddenly screamed: "Ah—! Halen, don't push me! Help!"

Immediately after, she unhesitatingly flipped over the railing, falling into the bone-chillingly cold seawater like a kite with a broken string.

"Splash—!"

The huge sound of falling into the water startled everyone.

"Elena!"

Killian downstairs heard the cry for help, looked up and saw this scene, his pupils contracting sharply.

He didn't even think for a second.

Throwing away the wine glass in his hand directly, he leaped and jumped into the turbulent sea.

"Quick! Save her! Throw the lifebuoy!"

Chaos on the deck.

I stood by the railing, watching the sea surface coldly all over.

Watching that man, who usually didn't even go to the swimming pool much because I had claustrophobia, now swimming towards that woman desperately like a crazy shark.

He lifted Elena's head, letting her float out of the water, that anxious expression as if he was lifting his whole world.

Ten minutes later.

A soaking wet Killian climbed onto the deck holding the choking Elena.

Elena nestled in his arms, coughing violently, her face pale as paper.

"Killian... cough cough... don't blame Halen..."

She clutched Killian's wet shirt, crying like a pear blossom bathed in rain, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"It's my fault... I shouldn't have told her I wanted to take a photo with you on the deck..."

"She was just too angry... she didn't mean to push me..."

Killian took the blanket handed by the waiter and wrapped Elena tightly.

He wiped the seawater off his face and slowly raised his head.

In those deep eyes, bloodshot veins were now visible.

He stared at me firmly, walking towards me step by step.

Seawater dripped from the tips of his hair, spreading dark water stains on the floor.

"Killian, I didn't..."

I subconsciously stepped back, wanting to explain.

"Halen."

Killian interrupted me.

His voice was no longer angry but carried an extreme, heartbreaking disappointment.

Like watching a carefully crafted piece of art suddenly turn into a puddle of mud.

"I always thought that although you had some petty temper, at least your heart was kind."

"I thought the previous incidents were just misunderstandings, just your willfulness."

"But today, I saw it with my own eyes."

He pointed at the shivering Elena behind him, his tone painful as if pronouncing my death sentence.

"She is a late-stage brain cancer patient; her body simply cannot withstand the torment of seawater."

"This is the high seas, the wind and waves are so big. You pushing her down means you want her life."

"For jealousy, for so-called 'possessiveness', you actually turned into a murderer?"

"I didn't push her! She jumped down herself!"

I shouted in breakdown.

"Jumped down herself?"

Killian sneered, a barren coldness in his eyes.

"Would a person with such a strong will to survive, who dreams of living, jump into the sea herself?"

"Halen, how can there be such a ridiculous lie in this world?"

He walked up to me, looking down at me from above.

He didn't hit me, nor did he roar again.

He just used that gentlemanly, decent, yet extremely cruel gaze to execute me by a thousand cuts.

"You are too terrible, Halen."

"Your jealousy has made you unrecognizable."

"I even start to doubt whether that pure, kind girl I fell in love with four years ago was a false appearance disguised by you."

After saying these few sentences.

He didn't look at me again.

Turning around, he picked up Elena and strode towards the infirmary in the cabin.

"Dock the ship."

He ordered the captain coldly.

"Send Halen back to the manor, grounded."

"Before I confirm Elena is not in life-threatening danger, I don't want to hear any news about this woman again."

The crowd on the deck gradually dispersed; everyone looked at me with eyes full of contempt and fear.

I stood alone in the wind, the sea breeze cutting my face like knives.

I looked at Killian's retreating back.

So determined, so protective.

He would rather believe that "best actress" full of lies than believe the wife who shared his bed for four years.

I didn't cry.

I just felt the hole in my heart being completely filled by the whistling sea breeze.

Killian.

You will never know.

Just now, the moment you jumped down to save her.

The Halen who loved you had already jumped into the sea with her and drowned.

Killian didn't let the yacht return directly.

After Elena drank ginger soup and her vital signs were stable, he made a new decision.

"Halen, I think you need a quiet environment to think properly about what 'humanity' is."

The yacht stopped by a reef of an uninhabited desert island.

This was a wild reef in the high seas, half submerged at high tide, surrounded by sea on all sides, calling to heaven and earth to no avail.

"Killian, what are you doing?"

Watching those bodyguards forcing me onto a lifeboat, fear began to spread.

Killian stood on the high deck, the sea breeze blowing the hem of his trench coat. He was still that steady, rational appearance, like a fair judge.

"Calm down for a night."

He said lightly.

"There is no signal here, no one to disturb. You can face the sea and repent properly for what you did to Elena."

"Killian! The tide will rise! And there is a storm tonight!"

I struggled desperately, trying to grab the railing.

"I have claustrophobia, I'm afraid of the dark... please don't leave me here alone..."

"When Elena fell into the sea, she was more scared than you are now."

Killian was indifferent, his eyes even carrying a hint of sternness hoping for iron to become steel.

"Everyone has to pay the price for their evil deeds. If this little fear makes you flinch, then when you pushed her down just now, why didn't you think about the consequences?"

"There is water and food here, you calm down here for a night, I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow morning."

"Hope that by then, you can give me a sincere apology."

The lifeboat was lowered.

I was abandoned on that bare reef.

The yacht's engine roared, turning the bow ruthlessly and sailing into the distance.

Leaving only two white waves, as if mocking my wretchedness.

Night fell.

The weather forecast didn't lie; the storm really came.

The gale whipped up huge waves, slapping against the reef time and again.

The cold seawater flooded over my ankles, then knees, waist...

I curled up in a rock crevice at the highest point of the reef, wet all over, shivering.

There was no light, no sound here, only the angry roar of the sea.

Fear choked my throat like countless cold hands.

"Killian... help..."

I cried out, my voice instantly swallowed by the wind and rain.

I remembered four years ago, we also encountered a storm.

Back then, he used his body to shield me from the wind and rain, saying in my ear over and over again: "Don't be afraid, even if it's the end of the world, I won't leave you."

But now.

The one who personally threw me into this hell was him.

In the second half of the night, the seawater had flooded up to my chest.

My physical strength was exhausted, consciousness beginning to blur.

Just when I thought I was really going to die here, a faint beam of light came from the distance.

It was a speedboat.

"Killian..."

I used my last bit of strength to wave.

The speedboat approached.

But standing on the boat wasn't the figure I expected.

Instead, it was Elena, wrapped in a thick down jacket, holding a searchlight.

She looked down from above at me soaking in the water, her face wearing a victor's pity.

"Tsk tsk, how miserable, Halen."

"Did you really think Killian would come to pick you up himself?"

"Elena..." My teeth were chattering, "Where is Killian?"

"Him?"

Elena chuckled lightly, absentmindedly fiddling with her freshly done nails.

"He's busy cooking ginger soup for me right now. I said I was scared and dared not sleep alone, so he's been guarding me."

"As for you..."

She paused, her gaze becoming vicious and smug.

"Originally he wanted to send an assistant. But I told him, 'Halen must have realized her mistake, I'll go pick her up, and reconcile with her by the way, this will show our sisterly affection'."

"And guess what?"

"He actually believed it. He even praised my generosity, saying I still thought about your safety after being wronged."

"Look, Halen."

Elena squatted down, shining the searchlight in my eyes, stinging me to tears.

"He simply doesn't care about you."

"If he really cared about you, how could he hand over such a life-and-death matter as picking you up to me just because of a couple of sentences from me?"

"In his heart, my emotions are ten thousand times more important than your life."

I clutched the rock tightly, my nails breaking, blood seeping into the seawater.

The last spark in my heart was completely extinguished at this moment.

Yes.

He didn't care.

If he cared even a little bit, he wouldn't have left me alone on this desert island that could be submerged at any time.

"Come up."

Elena had appreciated enough of my wretchedness before lazily waving her hand to signal the bodyguards to pull me up.

"If I really let you die here, Killian would still cause me trouble."

"Go back alive, so you can see how loving we are, right?"

I was dragged onto the speedboat like a dead dog.

Lying on the cold deck, I looked at the pitch-black night sky, letting the rain wash over my face.

Killian.

You won.

You taught me what despair is in this way.

This time.

I really, don't love you anymore.

After I was brought home in a wretched state,

The Smith family held a family trust fund meeting.

"Halen," the family lawyer adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his tone businesslike, "Given your 'attempted murder' of Elena on the yacht, the Smith Family Committee has unanimously decided to activate the disciplinary clause."

Killian sat at the head of the table, not even glancing at me, and simply signed his name on the document.

"As punishment, and to compensate Elena for the shock she suffered. All family trust shares under your name will be transferred to Elena."

"This is the price you have to pay." He looked at me with disappointment.

I looked at him.

I once thought he was my rock, my only hope in this room.

But he just sat there quietly, his long fingers crossed on his knees, his expression solemn and rational.

"Killian..."

I called him softly.

Killian raised his head, and in those deep eyes, there was still that despairing "hoping for iron to become steel."

"Halen, sign it."

His voice was steady, carrying an unquestionable gentlemanly demeanor.

"If you do something wrong, you have to bear the consequences. This is the adult world, not your willful playground."

"Depriving you of your wealth might calm you down and make you reflect properly on the weight of life."

"Besides, Elena almost lost her life because of you; this money for her medical treatment is the compensation you should make."

I looked at him.

Looking at this man I had loved for four years, yet who had never trusted me.

With trembling hands, I signed my name.

At that moment, I lost not just hundreds of billions in assets but also my last sense of belonging to this home.

---

Back in the bedroom, I just wanted to hug Luna.

Luna was the ragdoll cat I had raised for five years, the last living creature left to me by my mother before she passed away.

During the days and nights of my miscarriage and confinement, only she accompanied me, licking away my tears.

But as soon as I entered the room, I heard a burst of violent coughing.

Elena was clutching her chest, collapsing into Killian's arms, her face flushed red as if she would suffocate the next second.

And Luna was squatting innocently on the cabinet nearby.

"What's wrong?"

"Cat... cough cough... there's cat hair..."

Elena had difficulty breathing, clutching Killian's collar, large tears falling.

"Killian... I can't breathe... save me..."

Killian's expression changed instantly.

He turned to look at the cat, a flash of disgust and decisiveness in his eyes.

"Butler!"

He shouted in a deep voice.

"Get rid of this beast."

"Where to?" I rushed over, hugging Luna, looking at them vigilantly.

"Send it to the animal shelter on the outskirts of the city."

Killian stood up, his tone cold and hard, "Anyway, this cat cannot appear in the manor again."

"No! Luna is my life!"

I hugged the trembling kitten tightly in my arms, tears bursting out.

"She's very good, she never sheds! Elena never said she was allergic when she came before; she's faking it!"

"Halen!"

Killian raised his voice a few decibels, carrying deep disappointment.

"Elena is about to suffocate, and you're still dwelling on these excuses?"

"Is a human life important, or a cat's life?"

"I know you like it, but its presence now threatens Elena's safety."

"Killian, I beg you..."

I knelt before him with a "plop."

At that moment, I abandoned all dignity.

I grabbed the hem of his expensive trousers, crying my heart out.

"I signed, I gave up the property, I don't want anything... I beg you, don't send Luna away."

"She's the only memory left by my mother... I beg you..."

Killian looked down at me kneeling on the ground.

A flash of unbearable emotion passed through his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by something called "principle."

"Halen, don't be so unreasonable."

He bent down, not to help me up, but to pry open my fingers holding the cat one by one.

His movements were gentle, yet cruelly hair-raising.

"It's just a plaything. When Elena recovers, I'll give you a better, more expensive one."

"But this one must be disposed of."

"Take it away."

Several bodyguards rushed up and forcibly snatched Luna from my arms.

"Meow—!"

Luna let out a shrill scream as if knowing the fate she was about to face.

"No! Luna!"

I scrambled up from the ground and chased out stumbling.

Heavy rain poured down.

The black Range Rover started, carrying my last family member, and drove into the vast rain curtain.

"Stop! Please stop!"

Barefoot, I ran wildly on the muddy driveway.

Rain mixed with tears flowed into my mouth, bitter enough to make me want to vomit.

I slapped the car window; through the glass, I saw Luna shrinking in the cage, looking at me with fear in those blue eyes.

The car accelerated.

I was thrown heavily to the ground, my knees scraping against the gravel, blood dripping.

I could only watch helplessly as the taillights disappeared into the darkness.

I knew Elena would definitely cause trouble.

That was a shelter on the outskirts; for an "abandoned" sick cat, the only outcome was death.

At that moment.

I lay in the muddy water, letting out a desperate wail.

Killian.

You finally killed all my love.

---

The next morning.

Dragging a simple suitcase, I walked out of that villa which was like a cage.

On the garden path, Elena blocked my way.

She was wearing Killian's shirt, her face glowing, holding a cup of hot coffee.

"Leaving?"

Elena chuckled lightly, leaning close to my ear.

"Tell you some good news. The shelter people just messaged me."

"That cat had a severe stress reaction and scratched a staff member."

"So... they've already helped it 'find release'."

My heart twitched violently, my nails digging deep into my palm.

But I didn't cry, nor did I make a fuss.

I didn't even have the strength to be angry anymore.

"Congratulations, Elena."

I looked at her, my eyes as empty as a dry well.

"You won. This man, this home, and that dirty money are all yours."

Elena was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting me to be so calm.

"You're really leaving? Killian thinks you're just throwing a tantrum."

"He thinks that by pushing you to a dead end, you'll obediently learn to listen, learn to be a 'perfect wife'."

"Perfect wife?"

I smiled mockingly.

"Leave it for a ghost to be."

I pulled up my suitcase, bypassed her, and walked towards the gate.

A black Bentley was parked by the roadside.

The window rolled down, revealing Killian's handsome face.

"Figured it out? Going out to relax?"

He looked at the suitcase in my hand, his tone even carrying a hint of relief.

Perhaps he thought I still loved him and would definitely return to his side.

"Go to Paris or Milan for a while. Take this card, no limit."

"When you've calmed down, learned how to respect Elena, and reflected on your mistakes, I'll come pick you up."

He handed over a black card.

Just like when he gave me the five-million check.

I looked at the card and didn't take it.

"No need."

I said faintly.

After speaking, I flagged down a passing taxi.

"To the airport."

The car started.

I didn't look back at the man's stunned expression.

Killian.

Hope that when you can no longer find the Halen whose eyes were full of you in this empty home.

You can maintain your decency and gentlemanliness like today.

Forever, do not regret.