I carry a strange fragrance on my body. Even when I sweat, the scent lingers everywhere.

But I was too ashamed to face it—until one day, Ethan Lawson said solemnly, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.”

From that moment, I fell in love.

It wasn’t until the night before our wedding, during a class reunion, that I saw him through the cracked door, smoking, as he said flatly:

“She uses her scent to seduce men. Who knows how many she’s slept with? Marry me? She’s dreaming.”

The people around him laughed crudely and said with perverse grins:

“Hey! If Ethan dumps her, let me know, haha! I've been dying to play with her!”

Ethan’s eyes flashed with faint annoyance, but he parted his thin lips and said, “Sure. We're brothers—it’s an easy ask.”

I quietly closed the door and called my senior. “I’ll join the overseas project.”

Cheers erupted on the other end. They rushed to process my visa, afraid I might change my mind.

I did the math—it would only take half a month to settle everything.

While driving home, Ethan called and asked where I was.

I admitted I felt unwell.

There was a careless laugh at the other end. He only said, “Don’t forget to make me hangover tea.”

The line stayed open. I heard shameless kissing and breathless moans in the background.

“Baby… you’re amazing…” Ethan groaned.

I hung up with a “click.” I didn’t realize when tears began to stream down my face. I whispered: “Disgusting.”

At dawn, Ethan, still drunk, hugged me from behind and kissed my neck repeatedly.

“Samantha Lee… you smell amazing… why do you smell so good…”

My heart sank like a stone.

That was his secretary’s name.

I pushed him off and looked at him quietly—familiar, yet so strange.

“Samantha, what time is it? I should head home…” Ethan muttered in a daze, then spotted me sitting beside him.

He flinched and sobered up. His eyes showed hesitation, as if unsure if I’d heard everything.

Seeing no reaction on my face, he wrapped his arms around me and murmured, “Grace Bennett, your scent makes me feel so at peace…”

I forced a smile, stunned.

To him, this scent was just a tool—proof of my vulgarity and promiscuity. How could it bring peace?

He had said such things countless times. Only now did I realize how easily he lied without flinching.

“There’s a company outing this weekend. Dress nicely.”

I worked under him. He was my direct superior.

No matter how unwilling, I couldn’t disobey a boss’s order.

The outing was a mountain hike. Everyone was lively and enthusiastic, while I lagged behind, afraid others would notice my scent.

Out of nowhere, Jason Parker rushed over and suddenly leaned in to sniff near my ear.

Startled, I backed away—only to bump into another wall of flesh.

I hadn’t realized I’d drifted from the group. Now it was just the three of us.

“Grace, you smell amazing~” Jason’s leering gaze made my skin crawl, like he’d devour me any second.

I dodged their touches as best I could, but there was no escape.

“You… are you insane?!”

They laughed together, brazenly.

“Ethan said you’ve been around. You’re shaking, and your sweat is dripping. That scent might attract even more guys…”

Their sweaty palms cupped my cheeks. My legs shook; I nearly collapsed in fear.

“What are you doing?”

Ethan appeared, hair messy, panting, eyes cold with suspicion, as if he were confirming my betrayal.

Samantha stood behind him, watching with an amused smile.

“Grace, we’re on a company outing. No matter how badly you want it… doing this in broad daylight is a bit much!”

She pressed her handkerchief on her nose, as though the scent was some kind of toxin.

A flicker of emotion crossed Ethan’s face. He stared down at the three of us in silence.

No one knows better than Ethan how much I love him.

There’s no way I’d ever be with another man behind his back.

But in this situation, even with ten mouths, I couldn’t explain myself.

Seeing this, Samantha nestled into Ethan’s arms like a spoiled child and said sweetly, “Mr. Lawson, you can’t judge someone by appearance. Grace may look classy, but maybe she’s hiding a new lover!”

In just a few words, she clearly implied, “Ethan, she’s been cheating on you.”

He was so furious, he actually laughed. The chill in his eyes was like a blade: “Really? Then you three enjoy yourselves.”

With that, he walked off. Samantha clung to his arm, but turned back and smiled at me smugly.

Jason and the other man exchanged a glance. Their bodies were already aroused, but the boss’s words made them hesitate.

“Forget it, sweetheart. I’ll let Jason have fun next time. You’re lucky today.”

I didn’t know where the two of them had gone. It was getting dark, and going down the mountain alone was even more dangerous. Trembling, I stood and rejoined the main group.

Ethan stood at a distance. His anxious face was easy to spot. Though he held Samantha close, his smiles were forced and mechanical.

When he saw me slowly approaching, the gloom on his face faded. He gave me a once-over, then walked away satisfied.

That evening, everyone sat around the campfire playing games.

Ethan cooled a piece of food with care and brought it to my lips.

I stared blankly before responding, “Thanks. But I’m allergic to mushrooms.”

I didn’t throw a tantrum like I used to—we simply kept our distance in silence.

Ethan stiffened, then snapped, “What the hell? When did you become so dramatic?”

He tossed the food into the trash, then began feeding Samantha, bite by bite, as though showing me how sweet she was.

“Mr. Lawson, do you think Grace will be mad at you for this?” Samantha said lightly, though pride practically radiated off her.

“She? Who cares what she thinks.” Ethan glanced at me, clearly fishing for a reaction.

If this had been before, I might’ve cried, thrown a fit, or even threatened to kill myself.

But now, seeing their little act, I just find it absurdly amusing.

The others, noticing my silence, hurried to flatter: “Mr. Lawson is so thoughtful! He’s really husband material!”

“Yes, yes! I remember when Samantha burned her hand—President Lawson was so worried, he rushed out to buy ointment and soothed her personally!”

“Super sweet! I remember helping Mr. Lawson clean his desk once. In the photo frame was a picture of him and Samantha. Such a loving pair~”

Samantha blushed and buried herself in Ethan’s arms, playing coy.

Ethan quickly hugged her, waved off the teasing, then looked my way with a smug challenge in his eyes.

But my thoughts had already drifted to the past.

I remembered when we were dating—I stayed up late to make him sobering soup. I spilled some, and the burn hurt so badly it brought me to tears.

When I woke him, he just snapped impatiently, called me “clumsy,” and rolled over.

As for that photo frame—every time I went to work, I saw that the two people in the picture were clearly me and Ethan.

It seemed that every time I left, he rushed to replace it with one of him and Samantha—luring the tiger away and playing obediently.

I felt dizzy from the fire’s heat, and the people nearby kept inhaling the smoke. I made an excuse and stepped aside for some air.

I heard footsteps behind me. Turning around, I saw Samantha.

Tilting her head, she said, “Grace, you smell amazing. Just like Mr. Lawson said—did you use that scent to seduce him?”

I frowned and stayed silent.

“Jason and the others dared to touch you. Guess why? And who gave them the go-ahead?

Mr. Lawson said himself he’d let someone else have fun with you. Grace, you’re so pretty tonight—it’s no wonder they couldn’t resist~”

I froze, suddenly recalling what Ethan said before we left: “Dress up nicely.”

Then, I curled my lips into a sneer—so there was a reason behind everything.

After Samantha left, Ethan arrived.

His face was dark, like I had done something unforgivable.

I didn’t want to meet his eyes. I feared I’d throw up if I looked at him any longer.

“What are you mad about? Because you forgot you're allergic to mushrooms? I’m swamped every day—how can I keep track of that?”

I said nothing, expression cold.

“Grace, haven’t I been good to you? But this afternoon, when you flirted behind my back, you weren’t so upset!”

He cursed under his breath and angrily kicked a stone into the bushes, frustration showing on his face.

I stared blankly at his back.

I still remember when he promised he’d always protect me. For five years, I forgave him again and again because of that promise.

But now, he’d crushed the last of my dignity.

I stayed silent as he walked farther and farther away.

The next day at home, I saw a message from my senior—my visa was being processed, the flight was booked, and he told me to enjoy myself.

I thanked him for the kindness, then took out my suitcase and began to pack.

Ethan walked in, frowning as he watched me. “What’s this supposed to mean? You’re running away now?”

I knew no amount of explaining would matter. I opened my mouth but no words came out.

Forget it. Let him think about what he wants.

Bit by bit, my things disappeared from the bedroom. Ethan grew restless, angrily messing up the clothes I had folded.

I looked at him and gave up completely.

Even arguing with him now just made me feel exhausted.

Seeing me pause, Ethan looked pleased—but was quickly distracted by a ringtone.

That notification wasn’t ordinary—it was a custom alert he had set.

The next second, Ethan smiled down at his phone. “Okay, my little princess, just wait~”

He glanced at my calm face, and the smile vanished.

“Today’s Samantha’s birthday. Go to the mall and pick out a gift for her. I’ve transferred the money.”

I looked down, momentarily stunned by the large amount he sent me.

So this is how generous Ethan can be to someone he actually likes.

He once gave me a $2.50 postcard from a gift shop—and I treasured it like gold.

I nodded and agreed.

Before leaving, I looked up at his face and said evenly, “The documents on my desk—sign them when you can.”

I chose the most dazzling emerald necklace in the store for Samantha. The clerk smiled and asked who it was for.

I paused for two seconds before replying, “My boyfriend’s new girlfriend.”

I don’t even feel jealous now—just a little sad.

I handed the necklace to Ethan myself.

I told him to give it to Samantha in person—to show how much he cared.

Ethan looked at me, stunned. His face darkened immediately: “I know.”