Watching him carry Edith away, Cornelia felt a sharp pang of pain in her heart, even though she had known this would happen.

What made her even more desperate was that these kidnappers had been bribed by Edith. As soon as the gate closed, they immediately pounced on her.

The kidnappers were too strong, and Cornelia’s hands and feet were tied tightly, any struggle was in vain.

Tears streamed down her face. Just as she was about to give up hope, the factory gate burst open with a loud bang.

Cornelia mustered her last ounce of strength to turn her head and saw a face resembling Parker’s.

It was like him, yet not him.

…

When Cornelia woke up again, the first person she saw was Murphy.

Parker’s younger brother.

She had grown up with the Greene brothers since childhood. She had a crush on Parker but regarded Murphy as a younger brother.

Now, she didn't want to show her sadness to Murphy, so she forced a smile and said, “Thank goodness you saved me. Your brother's phone wasn't answering, otherwise I would have been...”

“Why did you come back to the country? How's your studies abroad? It's been years since we last saw each other, and you've changed so much!”

Murphy and Parker are identical twins, with very similar appearances.

However, Murphy has sharper features and a hint of youthful recklessness in his brows.

Parker, on the other hand, has softer features and an air of compassionate detachment.

Cornelia has never confused the two.

“I graduated. Didn’t you pay any attention to me, sister?”

From childhood onward, Murphy had always called her “sister,” even after she married Parker, and he had never been willing to change it.

Seeing that the young man spoke so bluntly, Cornelia could only laugh awkwardly.

“I'm sorry. I've been too busy lately. I'll make sure to give you a graduation gift.”

Murphy merely glanced at her indifferently, tucked the blanket around her, and said nothing.

Over the next few days, Murphy took care of Cornelia.

He didn't ask why Parker, her legitimate husband hadn't come, and he didn't say much, but he worked tirelessly.

Cornelia felt a bit embarrassed and asked him to go home first, but he stubbornly refused to leave.

It wasn't until Cornelia had fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital that the Greene Family hosted a welcome banquet for Murphy.

At the banquet, Cornelia suddenly felt an inexplicable heat spreading through her body, and her head grew dizzy. Just as she was about to collapse, Parker came over to support her.

Parker carried Cornelia upstairs, but stopped abruptly at the door to the room.

In her daze, Cornelia heard Edith ask:

“Parker, do you regret it? Do you feel sorry for your sister and don’t want to continue with the plan?”

“If you don’t want to continue, that’s fine. I’ll go abroad, and we’ll pretend nothing happened. You two can still live happily together. After all, she likes you so much.”

Hearing this, Parker no longer hesitated and opened the door.

Cornelia then noticed that Murphy was also in bed.

But he seemed just as unsettled as she was, fidgeting nervously and tugging at his tie.

She didn't know what the two of them were up to.

Until Parker said, “Mom and Dad said that if Cornelia and I don't have a child, they'll send Edith abroad, but I can't touch her, so Murphy, you'll have to cover for me.”

Hearing this, Cornelia was struck speechless, but Parker had already left with Edith, locking the door behind him, leaving no chance for the two of them to escape!

Cornelia felt ice-cold and utterly absurd.

She held her last ounce of clarity and kept pounding on the door, but there was no response from outside.

Suddenly, Murphy had somehow woken up from the bed, stumbled down and grabbed her hand.

Cornelia quickly pulled her hand back and forced herself to stay calm.

“Murphy, don’t be afraid. I’ll figure out a way to get you out soon.”

Cornelia scanned the room, searching for anything that might be useful, and bit her tongue to stay awake.

Murphy, however, embraced her with a dark expression, his voice low and hoarse.

“Why do we have to leave? Didn’t my brother say we should stay together?”

“If Parker can touch you, why can’t I?”

Hearing this, Cornelia’s mind went blank, and she froze in place, unsure of how to react.

Suddenly, Murphy picked Cornelia up in his arms. She struggled in his embrace, slapping his chest with both hands.

“Calm down, Murphy! I’m your sister-in-law!”

She struggled fiercely, seizing the moment when Murphy was startled, and quickly grabbed the fruit knife on the table.

Before Murphy could react, Cornelia had already slashed several bloody cuts on her arm with the knife.

She had resorted to self-harm with the knife to snap herself out of it!

His mind, which had been slowed by the drug's effects, suddenly snapped back into clarity. Murphy furrowed his brows and hurriedly stopped her.

“Sister, I was just joking with you. Don't hurt yourself.”

Cornelia didn't think his expression was joking at all.

His face and body were flushed with an unnatural redness, his entire body was burning hot, and his eyes were slightly glassy.

She couldn't believe Murphy was still conscious.

But the next moment, Murphy slashed his arm deeply, then threw her into the bathtub and turned on the cold water valve.

The icy water continuously washed over Cornelia's body, finally bringing her back to her senses.

She watched Murphy warily until he left the bathroom and closed the door, then gradually relaxed.

Perhaps fearing he might lose control, Murphy curled up in the farthest corner of the room.

His eyes were bloodshot, staring unblinkingly at the blurry bathroom door, imagining Cornelia’s appearance in his mind.

…

After a night of torment, Parker finally opened the door.

The bed was spotless, and everything remained exactly as it had been when he left the night before.

He glanced at Murphy, who was neatly dressed in the corner, then turned and followed the sound of water.

Opening the bathroom door, he immediately saw Cornelia lying in the bathtub, fully clothed.

Cold water was continuously washing over her body. Her clothes clung to her skin, and her hair was wet, strands sticking to both sides of her face.

Her complexion was pale, and there were shallow cuts on her hands from a fruit knife, though they had not yet healed.

Parker immediately realized what had happened last night.

He furrowed his brows, a flash of reluctance crossing his eyes, which then turned icy.

“Cornelia, do you like me that much?”

“If you like me, give me a child of our family’s bloodline.”

Cornelia, dizzy with confusion, heard these words and felt her heart grow cold, utterly despairing.

She slowly opened her eyelids and said weakly, “Parker, why are you treating me this way? All these years, I’ve loved you so much, yet you can’t see it at all?”

“Your heart is filled with Edith, and you’d do anything for her. Have you ever thought about me, your wife?”

Cornelia poured all her grievances into those words.

But Parker remained silent, saying nothing. His eyes flickered uncertainly, and in the end, he turned and left.

Cornelia felt utterly defeated, recalling how all her passion over the years had been in vain, and she felt unbearable pain.

She struggled to climb out of the bathtub, looking like a ghost, and returned to her room.

She wanted a divorce!

She didn't want Parker anymore; she wanted a divorce right now!

That evening, Cornelia slammed the divorce agreement down in front of Parker.

“Let's get a divorce.”

Parker acted as if he hadn't heard her, keeping his eyes closed as he continued to fiddle with the bracelet in his hand and recite sutras.

Just as Cornelia was about to repeat herself, the phone rang suddenly.

It was Mr. Gilbert calling.

“Cornelia, the family’s cash flow has suddenly dried up. Are you having a fight with Parker?”

“You’re married now, you’re an adult. Don’t be so stubborn. Please, as your father, I’m begging you—try to make things right with Parker, okay?”

“Listen to your father. Don’t be stubborn. Lovers’ qurrels are soon mended. Clear up any misunderstandings, and consider about the family…”

Mr. Gilbert’s anxious voice echoed in Cornelia’s ears, almost suffocating her.

She numbly hummed a few times before hanging up the phone.

Seeing Parker’s calm expression, Cornelia’s heart sank to the bottom.

“Did you do this?”

“Divorce is impossible. Don’t mention it again.”

Parker's face remained calm, but his words were astonishing.

“I only want one child. If you obey me, everything will be fine.”

“Isn't this the company your mother worked so hard to build? Do you really want it to go to waste? Can your mother rest in peace?”

Hearing these words, Cornelia felt immense pain.

She didn't want to admit it, but Parker had indeed hit her weak spot.

She could ignore Mr. Gilbert, but she couldn't ignore her mother's life's work.

“Parker, Parker, do you really have to push me to the brink?”

She asked, nearly in tears, but Parker didn't respond.

A few days later, Cornelia received a message from Parker on her phone.

It was a reservation notice for a couple's restaurant, along with a floating image of Gilbert Family Company stock. Nothing else was mentioned.

Cornelia didn't even have to think to know that Parker was forcing her to go on a date with Murphy.

Perhaps Parker didn't even remember that today was their wedding anniversary.

Cornelia felt nothing but irony.

The romantic and ambiguous piano music drifted through the couple's restaurant, where only one table was served per floor.

Pink, white, and red roses were arranged in various shapes, filled the space and countless heart-shaped balloons floated in the air.

Murphy sat in the restaurant waiting for Cornelia. Seeing her fidgeting uneasily after she sat down, he handed her the sliced steak,

“Sister, don’t worry. I’ll make my brother give up this idea.”

Hearing this, Cornelia relaxed slightly.