Jake was just about to leave when he hesitated. In a cold tone, he said, "Come along. There aren’t many cars at this hour anyway."

The whole ride, Jake showed no intention of talking to me. He kept staring at his phone, afraid of missing any updates. We rushed to the location Luna had sent, only to find a lively scene in a private room.

The moment Luna saw me, the smile on her face vanished, but she quickly adjusted her expression, lowering her head in feigned guilt. “I didn’t know Joy was with you. I just lost a game of truth or dare—that’s the only reason I called him.”

Jake, who had rushed into the room still catching his breath, showed no signs of reproach. “It’s nothing serious. I just had a meal with her.”

As soon as he said this, all eyes in the room turned to me. Lowering my head, I fiddled with my fingers, wanting to put an end to this farce. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now.”

However, just as I turned to go, Luna called out to me, “Joy, my experiment isn’t finished yet. You can’t go home right now. It’s better if you stay in the hospital a bit longer.”

At that moment, someone in the crowd sneered. “So, she’s Luna’s test subject? No wonder she’s covered in scars.”

Another voice chimed in, “Having scars is one thing, but wearing such a revealing dress despite having them? How ugly!”

I turned my back on them, pinching my fingers to keep myself from crying.

Jake acted as if he hadn’t heard anything, continuing to defend Luna, “Luna’s right. You shouldn’t waste your previous efforts. You’d better go back to the hospital.”

I clenched my teeth and held back, but before I could leave the private room, I received a call from the hospital.

“Miss Joy, your mother’s condition is critical. If possible, you should come and see her one last time.”

My mind went blank. I was about to run out when a few bodyguard-like men blocked my way. Struggling helplessly, I turned back, teary-eyed, and looked at Jake, only to see displeasure on his face.

“Luna has worked so hard to get to today. Do you really have to ruin this moment at the last second?” Seeing me remain silent, he offered no room for negotiation. “Today, you must return to the psychiatric hospital.”

At that moment, I could no longer hold back and urgently tried to explain, “My mother is dying! I have to see her!”

Jake hesitated slightly, but Luna tugged at his sleeve, her expression aggrieved.

Jake immediately changed his tone, snapping at me, “There’s plenty of money in your mother’s hospital account. What good will it do for you to go? Luna is about to receive an award. Can’t you stand to see her succeed for once?”

My throat tightened, and I felt a cold numbness spread through my body. Jake’s expression only grew more impatient as he raised his hand.

At his signal, the bodyguards seized me and dragged me outside, tossing me into a car sent by the psychiatric hospital. The journey felt endless.

Once again, I was locked in the cold, dark hospital room.

Until the dreadful news from the hospital reached me...

At that moment, countless images churned in my mind. It felt as though I had plunged into an icy abyss. For the next few days, no matter how Luna tortured me, I remained as lifeless as a walking corpse, no longer resisting.

Finally, on the last day, Jake accompanied Luna to her awards ceremony, basking in the spotlight.

Meanwhile, I regained my freedom. With the plane ticket the kind nurse had helped me purchase, I carried the heavy urn of ashes and my battered body back to my hometown.

The moment I got off the plane, my phone was flooded with missed calls—all from Jake.

After some thought, I replied with a single message: “Jake, let’s get a divorce.” Then I blocked him, disappearing into the bustling crowd.

Returning to my shabby apartment complex, I let out a sigh of relief. While unpacking, I received a call from the nurse.

“The city’s news channels are all blowing up…”