The day after his beloved falsely accused Yvonne of hitting her with a car, her husband and two sons hung Yvonne’s younger brother above a massive vat of bubbling oil, threatening to deep-fry him alive.

Yvonne rushed forward like she had gone mad, but the bodyguards held her back tightly.

“Have you learned your lesson?” Justin stood nearby in a crisp suit. His sharp features were cold, and his voice was edged with ice. “Will you dare hurt Sophia again?”

“I never hit her!” Yvonne cried, struggling desperately. “Justin, let my brother go! He’s only 18. He just got accepted into MOT University!”

Five-year-old Milton Quinn crossed his arms. The look on his little face was cold. “The evidence is clear. Are you still going to deny it?”

Four-year-old Travis Quinn nodded along. His voice was innocent yet cruel. “Mom, if you're afraid Uncle Henry might die, you shouldn’t have hit Ms. Shaw with your car. She’s our treasure.”

Yvonne Johansson’s heart clenched painfully.

Sophia Shaw was their treasure. Then what about her? What was she?

She looked at Justin Quinn, hoping he would spare Henry Johansson for the sake of their years of marriage. However, the man only stared at her coldly as if she were a stranger.

Suddenly, she laughed, yet tears streamed down her face. After all these years, he still only loved Sophia.

Memories stabbed into her heart like knives. Yvonne, Justin, and Sophia had grown up together as childhood friends.

Yvonne had been in love with Justin for years, but Justin had eyes only for Sophia. Yvonne could only silently wish them happiness. She even helped him plan his confession.

On the eve of that confession, the plane Sophia was on crashed. No body was ever found.

After that, Justin drank himself into oblivion every day, sinking into despair.

Yvonne stayed by his side, watching over him. When he was drunk out of his mind, she made him hangover tonic. When he suffered stomach bleeding from all the drinking, she stayed awake all night to take care of him.

One night, Justin was especially drunk. He grabbed her wrist, murmured Sophia’s name, and pressed her beneath him.

She could have pushed him away. However, she loved him so much that she was willing to live as someone else’s shadow.

The next morning, he stared at the bloodstains on the sheets for a long time. He eventually said only one thing, “I’ll take responsibility. We’ll get married.”

They did.

After their marriage, Yvonne devoted herself to him completely.

His stomach was weak, so she woke early every day to prepare breakfast. When he was busy with work, she learned to help handle his documents. When he had nightmares at night, she stayed awake beside him.

Slowly, the way Justin looked at her began to change.

He seemed to grow fond of her too. He remembered her favorite foods. When she was on her period, he personally made ginger tea for her. Sometimes, when she fell asleep, he would gently kiss her forehead.

Later, they had two sons—Milton and Travis.

The boys clung to her constantly, and Justin would often hold her with a smile on his face and say, “Honey, you’ve worked hard.”

Those five years were the happiest time of her life.

That was until…

Sophia suddenly returned from the dead and reappeared in front of Justin. At that moment, Yvonne clearly saw the light ignite in his eyes again. What crushed her even more was that her two sons quickly sided with Sophia as well.

“Ms. Shaw is much gentler than Mom!”

“Ms. Shaw plays games with us. Mom only knows how to control us!”

“Dad, can Ms. Shaw become our mother?”

Each time, Justin would simply glance at Yvonne and pat his sons’ heads. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Still, he never refuted them.

Yvonne was like an outsider, watching helplessly as the five years of happiness she had stolen were shattered the moment Sophia returned.

Now, they were even using such a cruel method to force her to confess to a crime she never committed.

“It wasn’t me!” Yvonne snapped out of her memories. Her voice trembled. “Justin, let him go!”

Justin’s gaze was icy. “Since you refuse to admit your mistake, you can experience the pain of losing the one you love.”

He lifted a hand. Immediately, a bodyguard cut the rope.

“No!”

Yvonne watched in horror as the rope snapped and her brother’s body fell straight toward the bubbling oil.

She lunged forward like a madwoman, but the bodyguards pinned her down. She screamed in despair, “Justin! You killed him! You killed him!”

Pain tore through her chest. She suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. Milton clicked his tongue impatiently when he saw that. “Relax. That wasn’t Uncle Henry up there. It was just a dummy. Mom, why are you so dramatic?”

Travis snorted. “Yeah. We were just scaring you. Who told you to hurt Ms. Shaw?”

All the strength drained from Yvonne’s body. She collapsed to the ground, feeling like her heart had nearly stopped.

Justin looked down at her from above. “Remember this feeling. Sophia has already died once and come back to life. I can’t lose her again.”

He paused for a moment, then his tone slightly softened. “I know what you’re worried about. I’ve already married you. I’ll fulfill my responsibilities as a husband and father. I won’t divorce you, so stop trying to drive Sophia away.”

Yvonne lifted her head as she trembled. She was already preparing for a divorce… She did not want a husband and sons who favored Sophia anymore.

Just as she was about to speak, Justin’s phone rang.

“Sophia?” His voice instantly softened. “Does it hurt again? Okay, I’ll come right away.”

Without even sparing Yvonne another glance, he left with Milton and Travis. The factory fell silent, with Yvonne left kneeling on the ground. Her tears fell into the dust. She wiped her face and was about to stand when her phone suddenly vibrated.

A message from Sophia popped up.

[Yvonne, I had someone switch out the dummy. The one frying in the oil now is your brother.]

Yvonne’s blood froze instantly. She staggered toward the vat of oil. The scorching heat blasted her face.

Inside the pot, Henry’s body had already been fried beyond recognition. His flesh was blackened, his limbs twisting unnaturally. Only his eyes were still open, staring at her.

“Henry… Henry!”

She reached toward him like a madwoman, but splattering oil landed on her hand, instantly raising blisters.

Her body trembled with pain, yet she desperately tried to grab her brother’s hand. He could not even speak anymore. His lips trembled slightly, as though he was trying to call her one last time.

She had to save him! Even if there was only the slightest chance!

Yvonne shakily dialed 911, then carried Henry and ran out of the Quinns' residence like a madwoman. Her whole body trembled. Tears blurred her vision as she staggered into the street and flagged down a cab.

“The hospital! Hurry! Please!” Her voice was hoarse, nearly breaking under the strain.

The driver was terrified by the blood covering her and slammed on the gas.

Yvonne dashed through the hospital corridor into the emergency room, cradling the barely breathing Henry. However, the nurse looked at her helplessly. “Ms. Johansson, Mr. Quinn just gave an order. All the doctors are attending to Ms. Shaw right now. No doctor is available to perform surgery on your brother now.…”

Yvonne trembled violently and immediately called Justin.

“Justin! Please… Please have a doctor save Henry! He fell into a hot vat of oil! He’s dying!”

On the other end of the line, Justin’s voice was colder than ice. “Yvonne, that was just a dummy. How long are you going to keep making a scene?”

From the background, the voices of Milton and Travis complaining could still be heard.

“Why is Mom always so unreasonable?”

“Dad, ignore her. Ms. Shaw is still waiting for you.”

Justin hung up the phone.

Yvonne fell to her knees, begging desperately for help, yet everyone avoided her.

By the time she finally found a doctor willing to help, Henry’s body had already grown cold.

“Henry… Henry!”

She held her brother’s charred body tightly, screaming in grief. Yet the boy in her arms would never answer her again. He was dead, killed by the man she loved the most.

…

Three days later, Yvonne stood before her brother’s grave. Her face was as pale as death.

For three days, she had moved like a walking corpse—handling the death certificate, sending her brother for cremation, and burying him with her own hands.

Justin and the two boys never appeared once.

She opened Sophia’s social media feed. The latest post was a photo of Justin feeding her, captioned: [He insists on taking care of me personally. I just can’t deal with him.]

Below were comments from Milton and Travis.

[Ms. Shaw, get better soon! We’d like to go to the amusement park with you!]

[Ms. Shaw, you're way gentler than our mom. We like you the most!]

Yvonne turned off the screen. Her gaze turned completely cold.

After leaving the cemetery, she did only two things. First, she went to a law firm and drafted a divorce agreement. Second, she went to the police station and said to the officer on duty,

“Hello, I’d like to file a report. I’m accusing Sophia Shaw of intentional murder.”

Yvonne returned to the villa to pack her things after filing the police report. All of a sudden, the door was violently kicked open.

Justin stood in the doorway with a gloomy expression, with Milton and Travis trailing behind him. The two boys’ eyes were full of anger, as though she had committed some unforgivable crime.

“You called the police, accusing Sophia of murder?” Justin’s voice was icy. “Who did she kill? Are you never going to stop?”

Before Yvonne could respond, Milton rushed forward and shoved her. “Bad Mom! Would you only be happy if Ms. Shaw dies?”

Travis followed, pounding her legs with tiny fists. “You’re so cruel! Ms. Shaw is kind. Why would you accuse her?!”

Yvonne staggered backward, crashing against the wardrobe. She winced as a sharp pain shot through her back.

She looked at them with reddened eyes. Her voice was trembling. “She swapped the dummy for my brother… Henry was fried alive! I called the police to stop her. Did I do something wrong?”

The father and sons froze for a moment.

Justin sneered, “What nonsense are you talking about? Sophia could never do something like that!”

Yvonne laughed through tears. “Then call my brother now. See if he answers.”

Justin frowned, pulled out his phone and dialed Henry’s number. After a long wait, the call went straight to voicemail. No one answered.

Justin’s expression flickered, but just as he was about to speak, the door was gently opened.

Sophia stepped in, looking pale and fragile. She leaned against the doorframe. “I heard… Henry went on a graduation trip. Maybe the signal is bad and that’s why you can't reach him.”

Milton and Travis ran to her immediately, one on each side. “Ms. Shaw! You’re out of the hospital? Didn’t the doctor say you needed to rest?”

Sophia smiled helplessly. “I heard Yvonne called the police and accused me of murder. How could I not come to clear things up?”

Her gaze softened as she looked at Yvonne. “Yvonne, I know what you’re worried about. Although Justin and I loved each other back then, we’ve already missed our chance. Now that you’re married to him, I will only wish you happiness. I will never try to break up your family.

"There’s no need for such extreme accusations… Murder is too serious a crime.”

Milton immediately lifted his little face, full of admiration. “Look at Ms. Shaw's poise… and then Mom. The difference couldn’t be clearer!”

Travis curled his lips. “Milton’s right. Mom only lies and hurts people!”

Yvonne trembled as her nails dug into her palms. “Once the police investigate, you’ll see who’s right and who’s wrong.”

“Investigate?” Justin let out a cold sneer. “You falsely accused Sophia. That's the truth! What investigation do you need?”

He looked down at her and spoke in a tone that brooked no argument. “I’ve already dropped the case and made the arrangements. No one in the city dares take this case.”

Yvonne stared at him in disbelief, about to speak, when her phone rang the next second. It was the police station.

“Ms. Johansson, the case has been dropped… Mr. Quinn intervened, and there’s nothing we can do. Please… take care. No one in the city dares to take this case.”

The call ended, and Yvonne stood frozen. She felt a chill run through her entire body.

Pain, despair, anger… Every emotion pressed down on her. Her heart felt like someone had ripped a piece out, and the sharp pain made her vision darken.

Yet, she laughed. She looked at her husband and sons, her most loved ones, and laughed through tears.

For some reason, Justin felt a sudden tightening in his chest. He softened his voice. “Enough. This ends here. I admit I went too far this time and scared you. I apologize.”

He paused for a moment and continued, “I can give you whatever you want to make this right.”

Yvonne’s tears continued to fall, but her gaze gradually hardened. She wiped her eyes and slowly turned to the drawer. Each movement was deliberate, as though she was saying goodbye to her past self.

Her hand trembled slightly as she pulled out the divorce papers, but it was not from anger or sorrow. It was from a calmness close to relief.

“Sign here.” Yvonne flipped the papers to the last page, hiding the content on the first few pages as she handed them to Justin. Her voice was so soft that it was almost inaudible.

Justin glanced at it, assuming it was just another request for jewelry or property. He wanted to end the farce as quickly as possible, so he signed without a second thought.

Once it was done, he looked up. “Sophia’s not in good health, and no one is at her place to take care of her. She’ll need to stay here for a few days.”

Yvonne nodded numbly. “As you wish.”

She took the papers and left without looking back.

…

At the law firm, the lawyer carefully checked the divorce agreement and nodded. “The signature is valid, Ms. Johansson. After about a month, your marriage with Mr. Quinn will be legally dissolved.”

Yvonne gripped the papers so tightly her fingertips turned white.

Finally… it was about to end.

…

That evening, when Yvonne returned to the villa, the living room was filled with laughter.

Sophia sat on the couch with Milton and Travis on either side, leaning against her as she told them a story.

“And in the end, the prince kissed the princess awake, and they lived happily ever after.” Sophia gently stroked the two children’s heads.

Milton looked up. “Ms. Shaw, you’re so much gentler than our mom.”

Travis nodded. “I wish you could be our mom…”

Yvonne stood frozen at the doorway. Her chest felt as though it had been stabbed. She kept her face blank and headed upstairs to take a shower in the guest bathroom. The warm water washed over her body but could not chase away the chill in her heart.

She closed her eyes and told herself that she did not have to worry. That wish of theirs would soon come true.

She had barely settled into bed when the mattress dipped on the other side. Justin had finished his shower and climbed in beside her.

Yvonne faced away from him, completely still.

Suddenly, he leaned over, wrapping an arm around her waist. His lips brushed the back of her neck. She froze for a moment, then shoved him away sharply!

Justin frowned.“You’ve gotten your compensation. Your brother didn’t suffer any serious harm. How long are you planning to make a scene?”

When Yvonne was about to speak, there was a knock on the door. Milton’s little head peeked in. “Dad! The weather forecast said there’s going to be a thunderstorm tonight! Didn’t you say Ms. Shaw is scared of thunder?”

Travis squeezed in behind him. “Dad, come keep Ms. Shaw company! She’s scared!”

Justin glanced at the darkening sky outside and got up without hesitation. Before he left, he tossed a single sentence over his shoulder, “You’ll be sleeping alone tonight.”

The door was not fully closed, and from the next room came the faint sound of laughter.

“Justin, you’re here?” Sophia’s voice was gentle.

“Dad! The story Ms. Shaw told us was so good!” Milton exclaimed.

Travis whined, “Dad, can Ms. Shaw stay here forever?”

Justin gave a soft laugh. “Alright.”

Yvonne lay in bed, listening to their laughter. She slowly closed her eyes.

…

The next morning, when Yvonne went downstairs, the kitchen was filled with cheerful chatter.

Justin stood at the counter with an apron on, his long fingers gripping a spatula. Sophia was beside him, leaning in to catch the aroma from time to time. Her eyes curved into crescents.

Milton and Travis gathered around their legs, looking up and chattering nonstop.

“Justin, I didn’t expect you to still remember the food I like after all these years.” Sophia’s voice was gentle, carrying a hint of emotion in her voice.

Justin glanced at her. He had never shown Yvonne such gentleness. “Not a single moment forgotten.”

He plated the sunny-side-up eggs and pushed them toward her. “Try it. See if it tastes different.”

Sophia took a bite. Her brows and eyes relaxed. “Even better than before.”

Milton immediately raised his hand. “Ms. Shaw, I’ll cook for you when Dad’s busy!”

Travis bounced along, “Me too! I’ll make it even better than Dad!”

Sophia laughed and ruffled the boys’ hair. Even Justin’s normally stern features softened with a smile as he watched them.

Yvonne stood at the top of the stairs. She gave a wry, self-mocking smile. Justin was born with a silver spoon and had been living in luxury, while their two sons were pampered and fussy. All these years, they had kept her diligently running the household.

Yet…

Even someone like Justin, whose hands had never touched kitchen equipment before, could cook for the one he loved. Even children as spoiled and demanding as Milton and Travis could behave with such consideration.

Yvonne had always been humble and servile in front of them, while they willingly bent for Sophia. The one who loved more was always left utterly defeated.