“Theodore, you still have me. I will protect you. You don’t have to be a puppet of the family. With me, you can live the life you want.”

Because of her words, I made the first rebellious decision in my life. I gave up my second attempt at the postgraduate entrance exam and started a business together.

After a long period of hard work, we founded our own flower company. We had a sea of roses all our own. At that time, we cuddled together and imagined a beautiful future.

“I’ll pave the entire road with roses. I’ll put the brightest ring on your hand and give you the best in the world!”

Sadly, this dreamlike wedding never came to pass.

Due to family opposition and a busy career, it didn’t happen.

While I felt regretful, I wasn’t sad. I thought there was still a long way to go and as long as we worked together, we would have endless good times.

But an unexpected event arrived before happiness. A major client suddenly terminated its contract, which disrupted the company’s funding chain.

Monica was utterly devastated and was unable to sleep. To help her, I ran around seeking help.

My parents stood by and watched and my busy sister felt heartbroken but helpless.

Our three-year-old child needed care. With nowhere else to turn, I took my child and knelt down to apologize to the client.

My forehead was red and my knees were bruised. After going through untold hardships to secure Monica’s chance of survival, I died at Eden’s hands.

To this day, I still shuddered when I thought of everything I experienced that day. Eden gathered a group of people to humiliate me relentlessly.

He sent a video clip to Monica as evidence of my infidelity. Then he stabbed me in the stomach. He sliced through my skin inch by inch and grinned at me.

“Don’t you love Monica dearly? Now she needs cash. How could you stand by and watch? I’ve found a good place for you and your offspring: you will... sacrifice your lives to help Monica and me be together!”

Eden partnered with the murderer. He burned my child to death and then shipped my organs around the world.

With the money the murderer gave him, he helped Monica achieve a remarkable comeback, becoming the highly regarded Secretary Clark.

Monica’s business grew and their relationship grew closer. Soon, they had a child. Now, Monica enjoyed a successful career and a happy family.

The only indelible shame in her life was her cheating ex-husband. But if she had taken a closer look, if she had watched the video carefully, she would have noticed that my hands and feet were strangely twisted.

There was unnatural blood at the corners of my mouth. Eden, worried I would struggle, had broken my bones bit by bit. He had pulled out my tongue and teeth.

But she didn’t. She believed Eden’s tears and believed my betrayal.

With just a quick glance at the video, she condemned me.

She left me in a corner, devoured and buried deep underground, hidden from the public eye.

Even that poor child was packaged as a priceless relic bead, being shipped abroad as merchandise.

At this moment, I couldn’t help but sigh. God was such a cruel screenwriter. He took my child’s life and mine, yet brought us together in this way.

That sweet, sensible child died filled with resentment and regret. After many years, we traveled across the world.

After all these twists and turns, Monica gave the beads to Eden as a gift to keep him safe. What an irony of fate.

My thoughts returned and I looked at Monica unwillingly. I knew it was impossible. But I still hoped she would see me, hear my heartfelt words.

But then, when I heard their conversation, my long-dead soul felt a chill once again.

Eden leaned into Monica’s arms and sighed in mock grievance.

“Monica, are you still heartbroken about Theodore’s betrayal? Actually, this whole thing started because of me. If I hadn’t driven the company to the brink of bankruptcy, Theodore wouldn’t have been so eager to run away with the money. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have fallen in love with you, I shouldn’t have ruined your marriage…”

Monica kissed Eden’s forehead with a pained look. “It’s none of your business. Theodore is willing to degrade himself. I should thank you for letting me see his true colors!”

Eden sighed, resting his head on Monica’s shoulder. As their lingering conversation progressed, I gradually learned.

It turned out Monica had been cheating on Eden long before my death. She fell in love with him at first sight at the campus recruitment fair and made an exception to hire him to stay with her.

Monica even admitted it herself. Eden was the love of her life. To me, it was just a responsibility.

“Theodore’s family situation is special. I can’t divorce him, but I will never let you down. Everything I have in the future, I will give you double!”

Monica’s favoritism caused Eden to lose his composure and foster undue ambition.

While I was at home taking care of the children, he acted arrogantly, acting like a boss and offended the company’s major clients.

Monica got into a fight with the other party to protect Eden. This led to a client falling out and the company on the verge of bankruptcy.

After this incident, Eden realized his unshakable position in Monica’s heart. He also began to consider getting rid of me and becoming Mr. Johnson.

After listening to their conversation, I was stunned, as if struck by a bolt from the blue. Tears streamed down my face.

After the company stabilized, Monica used her love to coerce me into stepping down from management and staying home to take care of the children.

Our happy times didn’t last long. She began to frequently leave early and return late.

She had a strange smell of cigarettes and several ambiguous red marks appeared on her neck.

When I questioned her, she would always say, “Theodore, you’re overthinking it. I work and socialize for you and the children.”

If I asked a few more questions, Monica would lose her temper. She said I was plagued by low self-esteem and was constantly suspicious. I felt like I was bored at home and didn’t appreciate her hard work.

But it turned out… all suspicions had a basis. All betrayals were hidden in these tiny details.

I finally understood why Monica didn’t investigate and simply assumed I’d run away with the money.

That was because unfaithful people saw no loyalty in anyone! The heartache brought me to the brink of collapse. Just then, an unexpected phone call shattered the peace.

It was Anna, her voice frantic. “The autopsy results are in. The deceased was 25 years old, 180cm tall and had been dead for more than four years. We’ve already done a DNA comparison with missing persons. Monica, this case is extremely serious. Our initial inference is that it’s either a vendetta or a perverted attempt at social retaliation.”

“The deceased’s appearance is very similar to Eden’s and the crime scene is very close to your company. Therefore, during this period, you must protect Eden and don’t let him go out alone.”

Hearing this, Monica’s expression suddenly became serious and she made repeated promises.

I stood aside. Sadness mixed with amusement. A sister, my blood relative. A wife who had been with me through thick and thin. They showed no concern for me, their murdered relative.

But they spent all day huddling around the murderer, asking about his well-being. The body’s appearance matched mine perfectly. And yet no one cared. No one even asked if it was me.

After intense grief, there was a deadening numbness. I lost all hope for anyone in front of me. I simply desperately wanted to leave this heartbreaking place.

But my soul lingered uncontrollably around Monica. I could only watch her and Eden make out. I watched her diligently plan their wedding. I watched her give Eden the tenderness and favor I never had.

Only on the eve of their wedding, I finally saw my parents after a long absence. The loss of time had left no trace of sadness on their faces. The sight of Eden brought a kind smile I had never seen before.

My mother smiled brightly and took Eden’s hand, incredibly affectionate. “My dear child, from the first moment I saw you, I felt a connection with you, like you were my own son.”

Eden smiled knowingly and affectionately took my mother’s arm. “Godmother, you flatter me too much. How can an orphan like me compare to a scholarly young man like Theodore?”

Dad immediately interrupted with a frown, “Don’t say that. In our hearts, you’re our own son. A scoundrel like Theodore is a disgrace to our entire family!”

Anna nodded in agreement and lowered her head to place the family heirloom watch on Eden’s wrist.

The family was in a state of joy. It wasn’t until that moment that I finally understood.

My parents’ almost harsh and strict treatment of me since I was a child wasn’t because they had high hopes for me. It was simply because they... didn’t like me.

And how could a disgraceful scoundrel like me compare to Eden, a well-behaved and sensible man who could bring them endless benefits?

I chuckled to myself. I quietly watched my family, who once belonged to me, surrounding Eden and asking about his well-being.

While I was lost in thought, there was a knock on the door. Monica stood up, as usual, but was stopped by Anna.

She smiled and joked, “Just take care of tomorrow’s groom. As your sister, I’ll take care of everything.”

But when the door opened, her smile froze. What came into view was an autopsy report and a search warrant.

“According to the investigation, the deceased is Theodore, who has been missing for four years. Mr. Clark, please come back with us for the investigation. The main fugitive was just apprehended today and according to his confession…”

Eden’s face paled instantly. He panicked and hid behind Monica. He interrupted the officer guiltily, “I’m not going. I’m getting married soon and I don’t want to be involved in these unlucky things.”

The officer refused to budge, staring straight at Eden. “Do you know what you’re wearing around your neck?”