The day before my engagement, my fiancé bankrupted my family's company, absconding overseas with Jade Jefferson and all the funds. My parents, driven to despair by ruthless creditors, took their own lives. I went to the Griffins to seek justice, only to be drugged by the Griffin's elder and delivered to a gambling yacht.

Dozens of men dragged me into a private room, filming countless humiliating videos. Just as I was about to give up and throw myself into the sea, my fiancé's older brother suddenly appeared. He became my only salvation.

The man cleared all obstacles for me, avenged me against those who had wronged me and told me he had admired me for a long time. He said he didn't care about my past. To marry me, he severed ties with the Griffins and gave me a grand, once-in-a-lifetime wedding.

Five years into our marriage, I boarded a yacht as Mrs. Griffin once more. Unexpectedly, I overheard his conversation with a friend. "Jordan, how can you be so cruel? You drugged Willa Schmidt to ruin her innocence for Jade's sake. Now, just when she's finally pregnant, you're bringing her back here to repeat that nightmare?"

"Cruel?" Jordan sneered. "I promised Jade that only her child would inherit the Griffins. Willa's bastard has no place here. Besides, a filthy woman like her doesn't deserve to give birth to my child. Did you find those men again? Do the same as five years ago, no need to hold back. Just make sure Willa loses the baby and be careful, don't let her catch on."

So, what I thought was salvation was just another abyss. What I thought was love was nothing more than his carefully woven lies. Since that's the case, I'll help him get what he wants.

——

On the deck, Jordan stood against the sea breeze, his voice laced with regret. "Since Jade chose my brother, the least I could do was clear all obstacles for her. Ruining the Schmidts was just the first step. Their wealth? Consider it my wedding gift to them. Willa is already tainted. Someone like her doesn't deserve to bear my child."

His friend frowned, visibly disturbed. "But you were the one who hired those men to drag her into that room five years ago. Ever since she's suffered from depression. You've been by her side, treating her all these years. You know better than anyone what she's been through. Now you're doing it all over again. How is she supposed to live with this?"

Jordan's expression darkened as he lit a cigarette. Through the swirling smoke, he spoke coldly, "If it comes to that, I'll just keep treating her. But no matter what, her child cannot be born. I promised Jade. I won't let Willa become a threat to her."

"And what about Willa? Does she deserve to be manipulated like this? She's innocent! She loves you so much, how could you … "

"Enough," Jordan interrupted icily. "Just follow my plan. If she wants to blame someone, she should blame herself for appearing at the wrong time. Give me the drug. I need to make sure she drinks it myself."

His companion could only sigh and turn to go after realizing that trying to convince him would not help. Tears streamed down my face, carried away by the cold sea breeze into the night. I hugged myself, trembling uncontrollably.

Five years ago, Jasper Griffin bankrupted my family's company, taking all the money and fleeing overseas with Jade Jefferson. The creditors drove my parents into desperation, causing them to commit suicide. I went to the Griffins, seeking justice, only to be drugged and sent onto this very yacht. I became a plaything in the dark games of the elite.

Dozens of men dragged me into a private room, filming countless humiliating videos. I climbed to the deck in despair, ready to jump into the sea and die. It was Jordan who suddenly appeared and hugged me in his arms. He gave me the only warmth.

Jordan Griffin gently wiped away my tears and blood one by one as he said, "Wait for me, I will not let anyone who bullied you go."

That night, the yacht was filled with screams. My body still carried the trauma, haunting me in nightmares every night. He was the one who stayed by my side. Whenever I jolted awake from a nightmare, he would gently stroke my back and comfort me. He told me he couldn't control Jasper, but his brother owed me and he would repay me tenfold.

To give me a grand wedding, he didn't hesitate to sever ties with the Griffins and establish himself independently. He announced his love for me to the world, but five years of happiness eventually turned out to be nothing but an illusion. The man who pulled me out of the abyss was the same one who pushed me into hell. I stumbled back into the private room.

Jordan saw my pale face and his eyes turned red with anxiety. He pulled me into his arms, patting my back gently, just like before. "What's wrong, Willa? Did something trigger your memory again? Don't be afraid, I'm here with you this time and those people won't show up again. I asked the doctor to bring you your medicine before we came up. Drink it when the water cools down."

Looking at his deliberately gentle expression, I spoke softly. "Jordan, I don't want to take the medicine anymore. I'm already cured. I want to go home."

The warmth in his eyes slightly dimmed. He reached out and playfully tapped my nose. "Be good, Willa. Psychological illnesses tend to relapse easily. You need to take your medicine to recover faster. Once you take it, you won't have nightmares anymore."

Before I could refuse, he had already placed the pill in my mouth. Warm water slid down my throat, but my entire body felt ice-cold. It was as if he was certain I would soon lose consciousness after taking it. Jordan didn't stay with me. He turned and quickly left the private room.

I knew where he was going, to find those people from five years ago. Like shattered nightmares, the memories surged back. Cold sweat broke out all over my body. I collapsed onto the floor, writhing in agony. As my consciousness blurred, a warm pair of lips pressed against my forehead. "Shh, be good, Willa. It'll be over soon. I'll be waiting for you."

Then came the tearing pain. Blood continued to flow from below and the sensation was all too familiar. A wave of dread washed over me as countless rough hands grazed my skin. I don't know how long it was before I heard Jordan's voice again. "Miscarriage?"

"Yes, but Mr. Griffin, they couldn't stop in time, it seems they went a bit too far. Miss Schmidt probably won't be able to get pregnant again."

"Good job. Your payment is doubled. Go collect it before you leave the ship."

When I opened my eyes again, five hours had passed. Jordan was clutching my hand tightly, his eyes filled with sorrow. "I'm sorry, Willa. I failed to protect you. Those people from five years ago found out you were here and came for revenge. I couldn't save our child. The doctor said you may have trouble conceiving again in the future, but don't worry. I've taken care of them. They won't appear ever again. Please don't cry. No matter what happens, I will always be by your side. Losing the baby doesn't matter. I only want you."

I stared blankly at the wooden deck. I was so numb that I couldn't even feel the pain anymore. I was the one who had suffered the humiliation and lost my child. Yet, he was crying harder than me. His acting was flawless, but I didn't even have the energy to expose him. After a long silence, when his sobs finally quieted down, I spoke softly. "Avenge me. That must have been exhausting, right? Jordan, get some rest. I'm fine."

Seeing that I wasn't making a scene, he breathed a sigh of relief. He closed his eyes beside me, his breathing gradually evening out. Silently, I reached for his phone. In our five years of marriage, this was the first time I had ever unlocked his screen.

He used Jade's birthday as the password. The social media app on his phone was still open and there was only one contact, who was saved under the name Jade. I clicked on it. Their conversation stretched from five years ago until now. The "good morning" and "good night" messages had never stopped.

Jade sent Jordan her daily schedule while she was overseas, including when she went shopping, had coffee, worked at her firm and attended meetings. No matter what she sent, Jordan never failed to respond enthusiastically. One photo earned her a thousand dollars reward.

Jordan had been a constant presence in her life until ten thousand photos filled his album. It's too bad his response was always the same whenever I shared something with him: "Willa, I'm in a meeting. Let's talk when I get off work."

To keep Jade happy, he went to great lengths to send her gifts from here. His auction orders filled dozens of pages on his phone. Many of the luxury brands were familiar to me. Jordan had given me a gift once, too. Sadly, it turned out to be a complimentary item from an auction he attended for Jade.

The latest video in his album was from five hours ago. The thumbnail showed me unconscious after taking my medication. Surrounded by a dozen familiar faces. My fingers trembled uncontrollably. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't bring myself to click on it. In the end, I pressed delete. Then, I turned off his phone.

"Jordan, since our beginning started with a lie. Then, let me end it with my own lie this time." I immediately messaged my best friend to ask her to wait for me in a lifeboat tomorrow night on the other side.

I found a divorce agreement online, downloaded the electronic version and attached it to an email. After finishing everything, I looked over at Jordan. Even in his sleep, a cold sweat covered his forehead. He kept mumbling my name, "Willa. No, you can't. Something can't happen to you."

"Willa!" The moment Jordan opened his eyes, he grabbed me and held me tightly as if he had just regained something he thought he had lost forever. Our chests pressed against each other, but our heartbeats were out of sync.

For a long moment, he stayed like that. Then, he finally snapped out of his nightmare. "Thank god you're okay."

Scenes like this had happened so many times before. I used to think he felt my pain because he loved me deeply, but I see it for what it really is now. It was just another act. Just another part of his flawless performance. I lowered my head, allowing him to hold me and offer empty comfort.

"Be good. I'll go get you something to eat. Wait for me." I followed him as soon as he stepped out the door, but he didn't go to the restaurant. Instead, he turned and headed to a private lounge downstairs.

The moment he entered, a slender hand reached out and wrapped around his shoulder, pulling him inside. I stood outside the door, listening to the rapid breathing inside. Then, I heard Jordan's suppressed voice. "You're finally willing to come back?"

Jade smiled, her face radiant. She tiptoed and pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips. "If I stayed away any longer, I was afraid you might actually fall for Willa. I heard you pulled the same trick again. She's been your wife for five years now and she just got pregnant. Are you really willing to go this far, Jordan? If Willa finds out, she'll probably want to tear me apart."

Jordan chuckled, pulling her closer and leaning against the door. "I told you, as long as I'm here, no one can touch you. As long as you're happy, I'll use her flesh and blood to pave your path."

A passing waiter spotted me and gasped. "Madam Griffin? What are you doing here? You haven't fully recovered yet, you shouldn't be running around. If Mr. Griffin finds out, we'll all be punished."

"Let me take you back." As she spoke, a group of wealthy businessmen passed by. They glanced at me, their eyes filled with ridicule.

"So, this is Mr. Griffin's wife. Huh? The one who was dragged into the private room by over a dozen men just now?"

"I heard she's already been ruined twice and he still keeps her? Jordan really has a strong stomach."