Marcus pressed a kiss to my forehead before helping Vivian up, guiding her toward the Maybach parked at the door.

My nails dug into my palms, biting down into my flesh as I watched them walk away. I was certain—Marcus would never come back to me.

His expression just now had been one of pure desire, unmistakable and raw.

I had barely taken off my heavy wedding dress when my phone vibrated, a new message alert flashing on the screen.

[We had sex while you were asleep last night. I wonder if you've ever been this happy?]

[Come to the underground parking lot and see for yourself.]

I shut off my phone, my hands trembling.

In the dim, deserted corner of the underground parking lot, I spotted the familiar Maybach, parked off to the side.

This was a quiet, closed-off shopping mall with few cars, and the Maybach was tucked in the far corner. It was hidden, barely noticeable to anyone passing by.

But I could hear it.

The window was slightly cracked, and through it, I could hear the woman's soft sobs mingling with the sound of Marcus' heavy breathing.

This time, there were no signs of hesitation. He was fully in it, unlike last night when he had been too afraid to make a sound, too worried I might catch him.

He never expected I would come here.

I leaned against a pillar, the weight of everything pressing down on me, like a lead ball tied to my feet. I couldn’t move.

"Lighter... a little..."

"Will the little goblin still act like a demon in front of Lila in the future?"

"Are you getting bolder?"

The man’s voice was low, almost mocking, like a fierce tiger toying with its prey.

Vivian’s sobs filled the space, her voice breaking, "I love you so much..."

The contrast between their words was jarring—the innocent little rabbit caught beneath the heavy paw of the tiger.

The rain stopped suddenly, leaving only a fine drizzle. The flowers outside swayed beautifully in the wet air.

Then the storm picked up again, the flowers blooming more fiercely, as if in response to the rising intensity.

He spoke gently, almost coaxing: "Okay, don’t cry. Don’t you want to go to work at the company? How about you become my secretary tomorrow, hmm?"

Vivian’s voice was soft, teasing: "Well… baby wants to go today."

"Okay!!"

A satisfied sigh.

At the company’s beginning, Marcus had sworn to me, his voice firm and sincere: "I’ll never hire a female secretary. There won’t be any woman other than you around me. If I break this oath, may lightning strike me down."

And what had I said?

Oh, I remember.

"If you betray me, I will disappear forever. You’ll never find me, not in this lifetime."

I’d said it calmly, and he had been terrified. His face drained of color, and he had held me close, his lips trembling. "Lila, I love you. I, Marcus Rivers, will never betray you—even if I die."

But what about now?

Not only had he betrayed me physically, but I was beginning to fear that he had also abandoned me in his heart.

Tears fell from my eyes, endless, like beads scattered from a broken string. My teeth clenched, and I bit down hard on my wrist, the sharp pain jolting me into clarity.

The bright red blood flooded my senses, clearing my mind in an instant.

It wasn’t worth it.

What love was there?

In just eight days, I would leave him behind, completely.

The ache in my wrist reminded me that this was the final path. I ran, not looking back toward the Maybach, running farther and farther away from the man who had once been everything to me.

I ran until my legs gave out, and finally, I collapsed by the side of the bridge.

This was the bridge where Marcus and I had first met. The memories flooded in, overwhelming me.

I remembered the summer nights, lying under the bridge with him, staring up at the stars. He would sometimes stay up all night, using a rotting cattail leaf fan to swat away the mosquitoes, making sure I could sleep peacefully.

In the winter, he would run over ten kilometers every day, pushing himself to the limit just so he could return to me, sweat-soaked and exhausted, only to climb into bed and warm my cold sheets.

Those were the days when we had nothing, when we were so poor...

I worked at a small restaurant, and the leftovers I brought home were enough to keep us from going hungry.

Every day, he typed away on the old computer, his fingers tapping the keys with a determination that seemed to burn with hope. He would say to me, "Lila, soon, very soon, we’ll be in a big house, and we’ll be living a happy life."

“When the time comes, we’ll have two kids—our girl will look like you, and the boy will look like me. I’ll love you forever, Lila, and I’ll never change my mind...”

The soft breeze blew through the window, carrying with it the hum of life outside. My phone buzzed, a message notification lighting up the screen.

It was from Vivian.

She sent a picture—used baby bags and torn wedding dresses piled in a corner.

“Auntie, you won’t blame me, right? We didn’t mean to leave you at the bridal shop. It was really that Uncle Marcus was too anxious and had to...”

“Auntie, I think Uncle Marcus should leave you some public grain, don’t you?”

At that moment, Marcus' name flashed on my screen.

I hung up immediately.

But he refused to give up, repeatedly calling back.

With shaking hands, I answered.

"Lila, there’s an emergency at the company, and I might have to work overtime tonight." His voice was just as rehearsed as ever.

I could feel the hollow emptiness of his words.

"Got it," I replied, my voice flat, and hung up.

For the next few days, Marcus didn’t come home.

I took the opportunity to quietly pack up my things. I came with nothing, and I would leave the same way. I couldn’t take anything with me—nor did I want to.

On the third morning, the assistant arrived in a hurry, his face pale with urgency.

"Madam, Mr. Rivers has been working overtime at the company. He suddenly fainted this morning and was rushed to the hospital."

I remained silent, the words barely registering.

Is he really busy working overtime? Or is he busy with someone else?

"Madam," the assistant continued, voice shaky, "before he fainted, the president kept calling your name. Please, come with me."

The car sped down the road, its tires screeching as it cut through the streets. We stopped at the downtown plaza, near the St. Mary’s Hospital.

"Madam, the car broke down. The hospital is close; please walk the rest of the way."

The driver opened the door, bowing respectfully, a silent invitation.

I stepped out, stunned, my heart pounding as I stood in the downtown plaza.

Suddenly, a loud rumble echoed above me.

Snowflakes began to fall from the sky, swirling around me like ghosts of the past, and I felt the cold seep into my bones.

Brookdale has never seen snow.

I used to tell Marcus about the winters in my hometown, how the snow would blanket everything, so pure and beautiful.

"Lila."

The moment I turned around, I saw him.

Marcus, looking perfectly fine—vibrant, full of energy, his health nowhere near the fragile state I had imagined.

He walked toward me, holding a box in his hand, his steps quick.

When he reached me, he slowly opened the box, revealing a set of pigeon blood red diamond necklaces that sparkled in the dim light.

"Lila, do you like it?" he asked, his voice smooth, confident. "I bought this at an auction in Italy. Only you, Lila, can match such a beautiful diamond."

He reached forward and gently draped the necklace around my neck.

Snowflakes began to fall, delicate and slow, landing on our heads as if the world was frozen in time.

He wrapped me in his arms, his face filled with an apologetic softness. "Lila, do you like it? I’ve been so busy with work lately, and I’ve neglected you. I’m sorry."

"If we can stand in the snow together in the future, growing old side by side... I’ll love you forever, Lila. In this life, and the next."

His words should have been comforting, but they felt hollow in my chest.

I took a deep breath, the faint scent of his perfume overwhelming me, and I glanced around.

The crowd around us had gathered, whispering in awe.

"Ahhh, you are so lucky."

"That pigeon blood diamond necklace? It’s worth 600 million! How rich—God, please send me someone like that, I don’t care if he’s old or ugly..."

"Ah, this is Marcus, the new business tycoon, the love-struck fool. I heard they’re getting married in two days. Why are they still showing off their love?"

"I swear, they’re laying it on thick. So sweet, though!"

Some people in the crowd even pulled out their phones, starting live broadcasts.

But then, my gaze landed on her.

Vivian.

She was standing in the crowd, dressed in a hospital gown, her eyes searching through the throng.

Her face was pale, a strange smile twisting her lips.

When our eyes met, she casually stroked her belly with one hand, flashing me a look full of challenge and provocation.

I lowered my gaze, the noise around me suddenly feeling too overwhelming.

"I want to go home," I whispered, my heart aching. Back to my world, back to my own space, away from all of this.

Marcus was basking in the crowd's praise, a satisfied smile on his face. "Are you tired, darling? Can I go home with you?"

"No need." I pushed him away, the words coming out colder than I intended.

"Lila, why are you always angry lately?"

He softened his gaze, a helpless look in his eyes, as though he didn’t understand what was happening.

Before I could respond, his assistant appeared with an urgent report.

"Mr. Rivers, the company called again. There’s an urgent matter that needs your attention."

"I handle everything. What use are you?" Marcus snapped at the assistant, his voice rising with frustration.

"Go, do your job. Don’t worry about me," I said, my tone calm, detached.

Marcus frowned, that familiar crease appearing between his brows whenever he was uneasy.

"Lila, please, don’t be angry, okay? The company is just so busy right now..."

"No." I smiled faintly, trying to hide the sting in my chest.

"I really want to go home, Marcus."

His expression shifted, panic flickering in his eyes. He rushed toward me, pulling me into a tight hug. "Lila, I’ve also prepared a surprise for you on our wedding day. You said you wanted to grow old with me..."

I stood there in his arms, my hand patting his back almost mechanically, like I was comforting him. "Well, I have a surprise for you too, Marc."

He eventually let me go, but I could feel the tension in the air.

As I turned to leave, I saw Vivian collapse to the ground.

Marcus immediately ran toward her, crouching to pick her up. But as he did, his gaze flickered in my direction, and for a moment, I thought he might come to me.

Instead, he turned his attention back to Vivian and only moved toward the hospital when I had disappeared from his view.

I saw everything clearly from the corner, the pain in my chest like a needle piercing through my heart.

Breathing was hard. Every inhale felt like I was suffocating.

I sat down on a bench by the flower bed in the square, my phone vibrating in my pocket.

It was an ultrasound image.

"I already have Uncle Marcus' child. How could your 600 million deep red ruby necklace compare to the baby growing in my belly? He’ll be the heir of the Rivers Family, the fruit of my love with Uncle Marcus."

Vivian was pregnant?

Yes, how could she not be pregnant after all the times they’ve been together?

Marcus must be thrilled, living out his games, his desires, without any restraint.

Would he abort their child for me?

No, I won’t forgive him.

No matter how deep the love may have seemed, it couldn’t withstand the temptation of the flesh.

What am I still holding on for?

It has nothing to do with me anymore.

Let them do whatever they want.

Yet, despite the coldness in my thoughts, a wave of loss and despair washed over me.

Hot tears slipped down my face, falling onto the back of my hand. I quickly wiped them away, but the emotion refused to stop.

Why am I crying so foolishly? Wasn’t I supposed to let go?

Before I could even finish wiping my face, Vivian’s voice messages came flooding in, each one like a bombshell shattering my composure.

"Well… don’t worry, you’re happy with Vivian, aren’t you?"

"Vivian loves you so much. You love Vivian too, don’t you?"

"You’re fascinated by Vivian’s body, aren’t you?"

"Come on, Vivian has a surprise for you."

I could hear Marcus' labored breathing in the background, the desperate sound of a man lost in his own indulgence.

"Otherwise, Vivian’s surprise will be gone..."

"Yes, I like you. I just want to be with you!" His voice was impatient, filled with a mix of lust and frustration.

And then, Vivian’s voice came again.

"Lila, did you hear everything? Do you still want to marry him?"

"Every time he worked overtime, he was with me. Every time we were together, he said he loved me. Even God seemed to be on my side, letting me get pregnant with his child before you two got married. Why don’t you just quit?"

Vivian’s voice was sharp, relentless, pushing me with every word. "If you quit, he’ll marry me."

I could feel my blood boil, but I stayed calm. "You’re really sick, aren’t you? Aren’t you afraid of giving birth to a deformed child?"

Vivian’s voice dropped, low and dangerous. "I’m not even his biological daughter. I have no blood relation to him."

Her words were venomous, but I didn’t flinch.

"I’ve admired him since I was a child. If it weren’t for you, I’d already be married to him. You’re nothing compared to me. You were just there when he was struggling! You don’t deserve him at all!"

I could hear the excitement in her voice, her smugness practically suffocating the line.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps in the background.

"Uncle Marcus, the baby kicked me. Come, listen."

Marcus' voice roared back, furious. "Are you insane? I promised you to keep the baby and not to show up in front of Lila again! You know the consequences!"

"Uncle Marcus, the baby just misses you... I didn’t see you when I woke up."

I could hear her teasing him, the sound of fabric tearing as she spoke in an almost seductive tone.

"The little white rabbit can't wait for you..."

The air thickened with their lustful exchange.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I sneered bitterly.

Without a second thought, I hung up the phone and dialed 110.

"Hello, is this 110? I need to report someone looking for a lady in the hospital."