I was known as a good girl in high society, and the most rebellious thing I ever did was to refuse to marry Asher Jonas, the head of the Ace family.

When I was kidnapped by enemies, I thought I would be assaulted and hurt. Unexpectedly, Asher fought against the kidnappers to protect me. When rescue arrived, Asher, covered in blood and on the verge of death, finally let out a sigh of relief, "Don't cry. I'll be sad."

I fell in love with this man at that moment.

After we wed, he doted on me, and I soon became pregnant. However, I overheard his conversation with his underboss.

"Don Jonas, you made a bet with Mr. Anderson Payne that you would win the heart of the good girl, Elle Sachs. You deliberately set her up to make her fall for you. Now that you've been married for two years, are you still going to keep pretending?"

Asher paused for a moment and muttered, "I can't be with Lucy Snow, so it doesn't matter who I marry."

The underboss asked in confusion, "Didn't you always complain that Donna was too dull and uninteresting? Even though you can't be together because Ms. Snow is your stepsister, you can choose any girl you want."

"Elle is very well-behaved. She won't hurt Lucy. That's why I chose her."

It turned out that all the happiness I had experienced over the past two years was fake. My husband had been deeply in love with another woman all along.

I wiped away my tears, silently packed my luggage, and left the fake prison that had been built for me, carrying the baby that I had only just conceived.

I would disappear from Asher's world and never cross paths with him again.

I fled back to the manor in panic and locked myself in the room.

Up until now, I still refused to believe what I heard.

Asher Jonas loved me deeply, gave up his promiscuous lifestyle for me and was willing to turn over a new leaf for me.

However, it turned out that everything was fake. Even that accident was something Asher had meticulously planned.

My heart felt as if it had been slashed open with a dull knife, causing me to tremble with pain. I cried so hard that I did not even hear the sound of the door being opened.

"Elle, what's wrong?"

Asher's voice was filled with panic. Soon, I fell into a familiar embrace.

"Are you feeling unwell? Or did you encounter something unpleasant?" He gently patted my back as he treated me with affection like he had done countless times before.

The Ace family knew that Asher loved me deeply, doing anything for me within our two years of marriage.

Who could have imagined that all of this was just an act he put on?

When he coaxed me, I hugged him and made a fuss until he promised to buy me the latest bag or jewelry.

Now, I just quietly rested against him, holding the already deformed pregnancy test report and remaining silent for a long time.

Asher sighed heavily, looking helpless. "I've got the limited edition Gucci you were eyeing. It's the only one in Italy. Can this cheer you up, my little princess?"

My mind went blank for a moment, almost doubting that everything I had just heard was a hallucination.

'Could it all be a misunderstanding?' I pondered as I hesitated, faint hope rising within me at the same time.

Perhaps I could give him a chance for the sake of the baby.

I held up the pregnancy test report, about to tell him about the baby, when Asher's phone suddenly rang.

The caller ID flashed before my eyes — Lucy Snow.

The next second, Asher pushed me away, and I fell onto the bed.

He answered the phone anxiously.

On the other end was Lucy's tearful, pleading voice.

Asher's expression was so grave and anxious. His entire focus was on Lucy on the other end of the line. He swept the pregnancy test report I handed him to the ground.

"Lucy's in trouble. I'll go check on her first!" Asher rushed out, not even glancing at the pregnancy test on the ground, even stepping on it as he rushed out.

I stared blankly at the paper with a footprint on it. At that moment, I finally made up my mind to leave. I took out my phone and called my father, whom I had not seen for two years.

The phone had barely rung twice when my father's weary voice came through the line. "Elle, you’re calling so late. Is there something important you need?"

Hearing his concerned inquiry, tears welled up in my eyes again. "Dad, I want a divorce from Asher!"

Hearing my plea, the person on the other end of the line fell into a long period of silence.

After a long pause, he said with difficulty, "Elle, an arranged marriage is different from a normal one. Our two families' interests are intertwined... Has that brat Asher bullied you? Tell me and I'll contact the elders of the Ace family to teach him a lesson!"

My father's answer was exactly what I expected. He had always doted on me, his only daughter, since I was born. However, as the head of the Kyson Family, he always put the family's interests first.

I closed my eyes, trying to keep my voice calm. "What if my return brings with me the next heir of the Kyson family? Someone unrelated to the Ace family. An heir who's solely the Kyson family's!"

My father gasped as he exclaimed in shock, "Are you sure? How could Asher possibly agree?”

“He'll never know... Asher has a girl he likes. Even if I leave, he won't care."

My offer had deeply moved him. An heir with his bloodline was tempting.

"In that case, do as you wish. I'll handle everything. Someone will pick you up in three days."

"Three days later, I will be waiting for you at the manor with my luggage."

After achieving the result I desired, I let out a long sigh and hung up with trembling hands. With nothing left, all I could use as leverage was my unborn baby.

"Where are you going three days from now? Why are you bringing luggage?" Asher pushed open the door with a hint of panic and Lucy, dressed in a haute couture dress, followed him in closely.

She stood at the door as she looked at me, her eyes showing reluctance and resentment.

Asher held me tightly, as if letting go would make me disappear before his eyes. "Elle, are you leaving me? You know I can't lose you. I won't be able to survive without you!"

He rubbed against my neck like a puppy. Even his voice had a touch of coquettishness.

My heart was bitter and sore. Eventually, I comforted him softly, "It's my father. We haven't seen each other for two years. He wants me to go back and visit him."

Asher looked up and said to me without hesitation, "Let me go back with you. It's been two years since we got married, so we should indeed visit your father. Don't worry, I'll arrange everything."

He was as understanding as ever, taking care of everything for me.

My eyes stung, and my heart ached even more. I thought, 'Asher, if you don't love me, why are you so good to me? You make it impossible for me to forget you, even when I have to leave you.'

Lucy walked over with a smile, seemingly unintentionally bumping into me before gasping and falling into Asher's arms.

"Ah! Elle, I just came to talk to you. Even if you don't like me, you can't push me!"

Lucy nestled in Asher's arms, looking up at him with a pitiful expression. "Asher, Elle has never liked me. She won't agree to my moving in. I'd better leave."

Asher quickly hugged her tightly, as if holding a precious, fragile object. "Lucy, don't talk nonsense. Elle is very well-behaved. Why would she target you?"

He looked up at me, his eyes full of trust. "Elle, Lucy is a bit lively, but she doesn't mean any harm. She was just trying to play a joke on you. Her pipes broke and her house flooded. She's homeless and will be staying here for a few days. She doesn't mean any harm and just likes to play pranks... Can you tolerate her?"

Lucy raised her fist and playfully punched his chest. "Hey! How can you belittle your sister like that and defend your wife? I didn't do anything and you're already protecting her. You've forgotten about your sister now that you have a wife!"

Asher grabbed her playful hand, his eyes filled with a tenderness I had never seen. "Who can put up with your bad temper besides me? I wonder which man will marry you."

Asher's expression darkened considerably as he finished speaking.

Lucy raised her head, her forehead almost touching Asher's chin. "I won't marry then. I have the most powerful brother in all of Naples, and you promised to support me forever!"

The two leaned close together, their posture intimate and suggestive.

I felt as if I had lost my breath. I just stared blankly as my blood ran cold.

After what seemed like an eternity, Asher finally seemed to realize what was happening and hurriedly pushed her away. He coughed twice to cover his embarrassment and explained to me, "Elle, we siblings are close and like to play around like this. Don't... overthink things."

My hand clenched slightly, but my voice remained gentle and submissive. "It's okay, I don't mind."

As soon as Asher breathed a sigh of relief, Lucy held up the Gucci bag in her hand and made a face at me. "You're so generous. I won't feel guilty then! First come first served. You weren't as fast as I was and couldn't beat me. This limited edition bag is mine now. Don't be upset!"

I looked up and saw that she was holding the exclusive Italian Gucci bag that Asher had promised to give me, a birthday gift he had promised to give me two months ago. Lucy was holding it in her hand as she proudly showed it off to me.

Asher looked away awkwardly, not daring to look into my eyes. He softly comforted me, "Lucy just cried very hard. You know all her belongings have been soaked in water at home. I just wanted to comfort her... It's just a bag. Elle, I promise you, I'll buy you ten more expensive ones later, okay?"

I lowered my eyelids and stopped looking at Lucy's provoking gaze. "It's okay. I don't mind. Lucy can keep it if she wants to."

I did not even want Asher anymore, let alone a bag.

Asher gave a relieved smile. "I knew Elle was obedient. Today, the auction house will be putting up the king of gems, the Heart of the Ocean. I'll have someone go and win it back for you right away!"

He took out his phone and gave orders to his subordinate as he walked out of the room.

As soon as Asher left, Lucy's smile vanished and was replaced by a cold and sarcastic look. "You're really patient. Aren't you even angry? You're faking everything, right?"

I looked at her calmly. Having known the truth, I had been sad and angry, but now I could face everything without any strong emotions.

"Asher loves me. You don't know that, do you? He married you just to shut those old fools up. You're just a tool, Elle. You're so pathetic!" Lucy laughed triumphantly and casually played with the Gucci strap.

If I had not known the truth beforehand, I might have lost my composure in public. Now, I calmly retorted, "So what? Donna's position is mine. If he loves you so much, why won't he marry you?"

Lucy looked at me in disbelief, seemingly not expecting that I, who had always been weak, would fight back so fiercely. "I knew you were faking it! But even if you get Donna's position, so what? Everything Asher has is mine!"

She quickly suppressed her anger, revealing a hint of sarcasm. "You think Asher spoils you, but for every gift he gives you, he gives me something even more expensive! He promised you a regional limited edition, but gave me a global limited edition. If he celebrates you with citywide fireworks for a day, he'll make it up to me for two. Everything you get is something I don't want! If I wanted that Heart of the Ocean, do you think Asher would give it to me or save it for you?"

Lucy's words struck my heart like hammer blows. Even his doting affection that had moved me was deception!

Asher's affections were always reserved for Lucy, while I only received scraps that Lucy rejected.

My silence seemed to annoy Lucy. She stood up arrogantly, looking down at me. "Elle, you've upset me. In three days, do you think Asher will choose me, or go back to your parents' house with you?"

After Lucy left, I could not resist calling Asher. "Asher, are you sure you want to go back to my parents' house with me?"

Asher agreed readily as always, "Of course, I promised you! I will keep my promise, no matter what happens!"

Indeed, Asher had never broken a promise he made to me since we got married.

Last year, on my birthday, he said he would take me to Sicily to see the sea. The day before departure, the Ace family's rival forces suddenly attacked their territory. That night, Asher led the army in a desperate counterattack with bloodshot eyes. The fierce battle lasted a full day and night.

I sat alone in the manor, thinking he would not return. However, he appeared before me, covered in blood. "I promised to take you to see the sea on your birthday."

Covered in wounds, he brought me onto the plane to Sicily, finally fulfilling his promise to me.

That day, I cried my eyes out for his perseverance and severe injuries.

Lucy's words deeply hurt me, but I still refused to believe that he would break his promise to me for Lucy, even though he loved her.

I told myself to take a gamble. If he stayed for me this time, I could forgive his deception and give him a chance to explain.

Three days later, the men my father sent arrived at the manor on time. Ten extended Lincoln limousines were parked at the gate. The bodyguards helped me with my luggage. However, I waited and waited until noon, but Asher still had not appeared.

"Miss, it's already noon. Shall we leave?" A bodyguard softly reminded me of the time. My heart sank as I dialed Asher's number, but both my calls were hung up on.

Then, Lucy sent me photos and provocative words.

Lucy: [Are you still foolishly waiting? Asher isn't going back today. Give up!]

The photo showed a lively party — Asher was embracing Lucy as he smiled gently at the party.

What was captivating was the dazzling sapphire necklace around Lucy's neck.

The priceless Heart of the Ocean!

I silently put down my phone and said to the bodyguard, "Let's go."

I thought, 'Asher, this was your last chance, but you didn't seize it. From today on, the baby and I will leave your world forever and never return.'