I lay exhausted on the bed.

Bruce pulled me up angrily. "Cheryl Wallis, what do you want?"

Not wanting to argue, I turned my gaze elsewhere.

He gritted his teeth. "Cheryl, don't be so greedy. You think using my mother against me will make me powerless?"

He grasped my chin, forcing me to look him in the eye. "You've worked hard for this, haven't you? You want me in your bed, right? I'll grant your wish."

Bruce leaned in closer.

I pushed him away quickly. "Bruce, I didn't."

He pinned my shoulders, his eyes filled with rage. "Cheryl, isn't this what you wanted?"

He pressed me onto the bed, leaving me no chance to resist.

"Bruce, please, I'm pregnant. I'm begging you."

My voice trembled, tears filling my eyes.

Bruce braced himself, his tone threatening. "Cheryl, you better behave."

I curled up, burying my head under the covers, my heart feeling as if it was bleeding.

In Bruce's eyes, I was just a manipulative woman willing to do anything to get what I wanted.

Photos of Bruce and Selena on vacation abroad were leaked, instantly trending online.

In the pictures, they strolled and kissed, looking blissfully in love, making me feel like the third wheel among us.

The number of fans who supported them was huge.

It felt like countless dull knives were slicing through me, leaving me bloodied.

I never expected to run into them on my way to a checkup.

Bruce had his arm around Selena, both laughing and chatting.

As soon as Bruce saw me, his face darkened.

I intended to walk away, but Selena blocked my path. "Aren't you going to greet your sister?"

Selena was my half-sister. I had always known my mother had another daughter, but I only recently discovered it was her.

What a small world.

"I have nothing to say to you," I replied coldly.

"Cheryl, where's your manners?" Bruce seemed displeased with my attitude.

I scoffed. "I haven't slapped a woman who stole my husband, so that's my manners."

I bit the soft meat in my mouth tightly, and the salty and fishy taste filled my entire mouth.

Selena grabbed my arm, feigning innocence. "Cheryl, I didn't mean it that way."

I looked at her practically clinging to Bruce and laughed mockingly. "Selena, stop acting. You can't fool me."

Selena's expression faltered. "No, it's not like that. My ex-husband won't leave me alone. I was scared, so I called Bruce."

"Really? Miss Malan can't call the police and has to call a married man instead?

"You have nothing to hide. Your intimate photos are all over the internet.

"Do you want me to witness you two in bed before you admit it?"

Bruce suddenly grabbed my neck. "Cheryl, apologize to Selena."

My face flushed red, tears forced out as I managed to choke out. "No way."

As I struggled to breathe, Bruce finally let go.

I gasped for air, coughing heavily.

Selena suddenly pushed me forward. "Cheryl, why are you pushing me?"

As she spoke, she shoved me toward the road.

I pushed against her, but from Bruce's perspective, it seemed like I was the aggressor.

He tried to separate us.

Suddenly, Selena used her strength to shove me to the ground, and a car sped toward us.

I felt my body lift off the ground, the impact throwing me off balance.

Pain surged through me, especially in my lower abdomen.

I heard Bruce shout. "Selena!"

Struggling, I reached out for him.

But he scooped the unconscious Selena into his arms, not sparing me a glance.

Blood flowed from my abdomen, and I wanted to scream for help, but no one came.

When I woke up again, I grabbed the nurse's arm. "My... baby..."

"Your baby is gone."

My heart sank. Selena had killed my child.

I ignored my pain and rushed to Selena's room, where Bruce was feeding her fruit, his concern evident.

I lunged at her, gripping her throat. "Selena, you deserve to die for what you did to my baby!"

Bruce yanked me back, slapping my face.

"Bruce, you hit me?"

I stared at him in disbelief.

A flicker of guilt crossed his face.

"Cheryl, stop it. Selena is hurt too. Don't make a scene."

"A scene? Bruce, I spoke to the doctor. She only has a minor scrape!

"What about me? My baby is gone!"

Tears streamed down my face, each one like a needle piercing my heart.

"What compensation do you want, Cheryl? I'll give it to you."

I shouted, "I want her dead! Will you give it to me?"

I was nearly hysterical.

"Sorry, Cheryl, I didn't mean to," Selena cried, looking pitiful.

"Stop playing innocent?"

Bruce spoke softly to me, "Cheryl, let's rest for a bit. I'll handle this."

He led me back to the room, where he showered me with attention over the next few days, just like before.

But I knew it was all an act.

Bruce's true intention was to harvest my bone marrow.

Selena had leukemia and couldn't find a match even with her own mother.

But I was a perfect match. Bruce was deliberately neglecting Selena while fawning over me, all for the transplant.

If I hadn't overheard their conversation, I would have remained blissfully unaware.

I laughed at myself for being so naive, deceived by love.

When Bruce realized I knew, he dropped the facade. "Cheryl, you have no choice in this matter."

My mother came to the hospital, pleading on her knees for me to save Selena.

"Mom, she's your daughter! But what about me?"

"She is still your sister," my mother pleaded.

"And my baby? What about my child?" My heart felt like it was being squeezed, making it hard to breathe.

My mother's gaze faltered. "You'll have more children."

I smiled, a hollow laugh, feeling the pressure from everyone.

Bruce kept coming to me, insisting. "Cheryl, if you save Selena, I'll give you a child.

"He will be the sole heir to the Kennan family."

Looking at Bruce's earnest expression, I suddenly felt a pang of envy for Selena.

On the day of the surgery, I grabbed Bruce's arm.

"After this surgery, we're getting a divorce."

After spending some time recovering in the hospital, I was finally ready to be discharged.

I packed my belongings.

I would never beg him to come back like a heartbroken woman.

As I stepped outside, I saw Bruce returning with Selena.

He noticed me struggling with my suitcase and frowned in annoyance. "Cheryl, what are you doing?"

I shot them a cold smile. "I said after the surgery, we're getting a divorce."

With that, I turned to leave.

"Cheryl, stop this. The position of Mrs. Kennan has always been yours," Bruce said, clearly displeased by my defiance.

"Stop?" I blinked back tears.

Since the beginning of our relationship, he had always preferred compliant women, and I had buried my own personality to please him.

I learned to cook, leaving countless scars on my hands.

But what did it really mean to be compliant?

To never cry out?

To tolerate a husband who had feelings for another woman?

To allow her to call him at any time, no matter the occasion, while I pretended not to care?

To tolerate a husband who pried on a married woman like a pervert?

I had to endure even when that woman harmed our child and pressured me to donate bone marrow, all while pretending it didn't affect me.

That was enough.

This life was disgusting.

"Bruce, from today on, I'll walk my own path, and you live your life. I wish you both the best."

Seeing I was serious, Bruce reached out to stop me, but Selena intervened.

She leaned into him, clutching her chest and pretending to be unwell, which made Bruce immediately anxious.

Watching their flirtation, I scoffed.

I took my luggage and walked out.