I let out a bitter laugh, opened the safe, and dumped everything inside into the trash.

Since I'd already decided to leave, there was no reason to keep any of it.

I grabbed my suitcase and was heading for the door when the man standing in my way stopped me cold.

Abraham leaned against the wall, a cigarette dangling from his lips. His eyes were dark and unreadable.

"Leaving?"

I hadn't expected him to come after me.

I froze but said nothing.

He frowned. "Just because I stood up for Marina, you're leaving? Is it really that serious?"

When I still didn't answer, he flicked the cigarette to the floor, irritation bleeding into his voice.

"Beryl, Marina saved my life. Was I wrong to help her?"

"You've been picking fights with her, and I've always turned a blind eye. But you actually went so far as to drug her."

"Tell me, didn't you deserve to be punished?"

I shook my head, unable to hold back the question any longer.

"Abraham, I'm genuinely curious. What kind of person do you think I am?"

"Why else would you believe every word out of Marina's mouth without giving me even an ounce of trust?"

If he'd just sent someone to look into it. If he'd just paid the slightest attention.

He would've known that Marina was the one who came after me every single time.

Slashing my gowns. Tampering with my foundation. Using my name to stir up trouble.

I'd endured it all in silence because she'd once saved his life.

But Abraham only grew more displeased.

"I know exactly what kind of person you are. You got with me because of my last name, didn't you?"

One sentence turned every hope I'd ever carried into a joke.

His gaze was thin and cold, his voice a low warning.

"If you still want a career in this industry, you'll stay by my side and stop provoking Marina."

"Otherwise, I guarantee you'll be blacklisted by tomorrow."

He thought I'd cry and beg him not to.

But I only met his eyes, devoid of any love.

"That's exactly what I want. I'm done with this industry anyway."

I meant every word. And with complete sincerity, I added, "Oh, by the way, I'm getting married next month. Would you like to come?"

Abraham seized my wrist.

"What did you just say? Married?"

His eyes were bloodshot. When he saw how calm my face was, he suddenly let out a scoff.

"Playing hard to get, is that it? Maybe that used to work on me."

"But Marina hasn't cooled down yet. Wait until she has, and then you can try that little trick again."

I cut him off, too impatient for his delusions.

"Believe whatever you want."

"But for the record, I'm making a unilateral announcement: we're done."

Abraham laughed in disbelief.

He pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, his voice cold as ice.

"Done? Beryl, without me, you're nothing."

"You think those producers and directors will still suck up to you? Still hand you roles?"

"One word from me, and you won't even be a footnote."

Every sentence hammered the sincerity of my past feelings against the wall like nails.

It made me realize just how terrible my judgment had been.

"Abraham, I truly regret ever knowing you."

This time, he was silent for a long while.

Long enough for a sports car to roar past on the street outside.

Then I heard his voice, ground out through clenched teeth.

"Fine. Just fine, Beryl. If you walk out that door today, don't ever come back."

I didn't respond. I just turned and left without looking back.

The next morning, I arrived at the agency right on time to handle the contract termination.

But on the way, someone pressed a cloth over my nose and mouth and dragged me away.

When I came to, I was strapped to a wooden cross.

Two people stood in front of me.

Abraham explained in an unhurried tone, "Marina wants to play a game of darts. She specifically requested you as the target."

"But don't worry. Once she's gotten it out of her system, I'll lift your punishment."

"Including the breakup you brought up yesterday. I'm willing to let all of it go."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Something inside my head snapped, like a wire pulled taut until it finally broke.

It took me a long time before I could hear my own trembling voice:

"Are you both insane? Using me as a target? Aren't you afraid you'll actually kill someone?"

"If anything happens to me, my family won't let you get away with this!"

Marina laughed. The sound was grating, piercing.

Dripping with undisguised mockery:

"You're an orphan. What family?"

"You must have lost your mind, conjuring up imaginary relatives."

She toyed with the dart in her hand, eyes narrowing.

She aimed at my heart.

Then she tilted her head and smiled.

"Ready or not, sis. Here I go."

Under my terrified gaze, Marina hurled the dart.

It buried itself in my arm.

Blood gushed from the wound, and a scream tore from my throat, raw and agonized.

My right arm was still bleeding. My face contorted in pain.

But Marina was already pouting at Abraham:

"My aim is just terrible. I actually hurt her."

"Abraham, she won't hold it against me, will she?"

Abraham seemed distracted, barely paying attention.

His response was careless, dismissive:

"There's a doctor outside the door. She won't die. Go ahead and practice."

In that moment, every last shred of hope shattered.

Abraham Simmons, when you treated my life like a weed to be pulled, did you ever once think about the promises you made?

The man who swore he would never let me be hurt ended up being the one who hurt me the most.

A bitter smile twisted my lips.

Marina, on the other hand, grew even more excited. She seemed certain that no matter what she did today, Abraham wouldn't stop her.

So she gave her next order without a shred of restraint:

"Strip her. It'll be easier to aim without all those clothes in the way."

My entire body went rigid. I blurted out before I could think:

"I'm a member of the Summers family of Harborton! If you dare do this to me, my parents will never let you get away with it!"

"The Summers family of Harborton?"

Marina's laughter was wild, unrestrained.

"Don't make me laugh."

"You? Claiming to be a daughter of the Summers family?"

She gave the order directly.

"Do it."

The assistant glanced at Abraham, hesitant.

Abraham was silent for a long moment.

In the instant our eyes met, he still opened his mouth:

"Do what Marina says."

My heart plummeted to the bottom of an abyss.

From love to disappointment to hatred. It had only taken two days.

Marina's face lit up with the expression of a victor.

"What are you standing around for? Didn't you hear what Abraham said?"

"Strip her. Every last piece."

With the order confirmed, the assistant moved in and began tearing off my clothes. One piece after another.

My hands and feet were bound. I couldn't even fight back.

What they stripped away wasn't just clothing.

It was my dignity.

It was everything I had left.

I thrashed with everything in me, clinging to the last piece of fabric with a death grip.

Marina's gaze was obscene.

"Look at you right now. What's the difference between you and a stray dog on the street?"

"The internet is covered in your photos. What do you think would happen if I sent them something real?"

My voice came out raw, shredded:

"You'll regret this."

Marina sneered.

"You're staring death in the face and still putting on an act. I'd love to see how you plan to make me regret anything."

She picked up another dart with a smile, aiming at different parts of my body.

I squeezed my eyes shut on instinct, certain this was the end.

But the pain I braced for never came.

Instead, I heard a familiar, commanding voice from the front door.

"Who dares bully my daughter?"