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.