My best friend, Jennie Steinfeld, killed my mother by hitting her with a car the day before my wedding. Instead of blaming her, my fiancé publicly flaunted their marriage certificate.

I took Jennie to court and crashed their wedding to demand justice for my mother's death. Instead of receiving sympathy, I became everyone's laughingstock.

My childhood buddy, Corey Gail, proposed to me in front of everyone while I was at my lowest point, saying he would be my rock forever. I said yes and entrusted him with handling the entire car accident case. I believed him when he told me Jennie had been sentenced to prison.

Still, in the third year of our marriage, I accidentally overheard a conversation between him and his lawyer. "Mr. Gail, did you really marry Winona Zettel just for that letter of understanding? It was just a car accident case—why go this far?"

"The only way I could write the letter on her behalf as a family member was by marrying her. It was the only way to secure Jennie's freedom. As long as she's happy abroad, that's enough. As for me … it doesn't matter what happens."

The marriage I thought was my salvation turned out to be a carefully orchestrated lie. The letter of forgiveness in my name and Jennie's freedom were all he ever wanted. It was me who should've left all along.

——

Corey stared at Jennie's overseas images on the office computer, smiling heartily and regretfully. "Three years of seeing her happy is enough, even if her happiness doesn't come from me. As for Winona ... I've spent the rest of my life making it up to her. This matter is over."

The company's legal counsel was furious but helpless. "Mr. Gail, the company's just started to thrive. How could you risk everything for a criminal case? If a rival company finds out about this, it won't just be you—every business under the Gail family's name will pay the price! Jennie deliberately killed someone. Why would you involve yourself in this mess? She doesn't even love you!

Corey's expression turned cold and his tone became harsh. "Enough. I told you never to mention this again. I don't believe Jennie intentionally killed anyone. It must have been an accident. I've already taken care of Aunt Edna's funeral arrangements. It's my way of giving the Zettels closure. As long as I could save her, I'd give anything, even my own life!"

The lawyer grew anxious. "And what about Mrs. Zettel? She's bound to find out eventually. If she ever visits Jennie in prison, your entire plan will fall apart. You used her name to free the person who killed her mother. How do you expect her to live with that?"

Corey paused for a moment before lighting a cigarette. "Then I'll make sure she never finds out. It's been three years. Jennie should be getting out of prison soon. Make the arrangements and remember—don't let Winona find out."

"Mr. Gail, as your lawyer, I have to remind you: justice always catches up to you. What you've done won't leave no trace. For a murderer, you're hurting someone even more innocent. If Mrs. Zettel ever finds out, you'll lose everything!"

Tears rolled down my cheeks and dripped from my chin. My hands trembled so much that I could barely hold onto my lunchbox. Footsteps echoed closer and I hurriedly hid in the stairwell.

So, my mother's fatal car accident had never even been filed as a case. Jennie wasn't imprisoned or paying for her crime like Corey had said. Instead, she was living a carefree life abroad.

Moreover, all of this was orchestrated by the husband I loved with all my heart. His humility, patience and compromises were all for saving the woman he truly loved.

For three years of marriage, I had lived in a web of lies he had carefully crafted. I thought I was happy, but I was in hell all along. How ironic.

Stumbling, I ran down the stairs and stood at his company's entrance.

I waited for five hours until the last light in the building went out. Only then did Corey's figure appear. The moment he saw me, he grabbed my hand with concern. "Why didn't you come inside? How long have you been waiting?"

"Not long. I just got here. I know you've been busy lately, so I brought you some meals I made. Your secretary said you were in a meeting, so I waited outside."

"Don't do this again. You're not in great health and if you overwork yourself, I'll feel terrible." He spoke as he pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead. His movements were as gentle and affectionate as they had always been, but I could no longer feel his warmth. Could a person really go to such lengths for another?

He helped me into the passenger seat, then casually brought up something as he drove. "Oh, by the way, Jennie is about to be released. You two used to be close and she's already faced the punishment she deserved. Besides, our company has been working on several projects with the Sterlings. So maybe—"

"It's fine. It's all in the past. I won't go looking for her. Don't worry."

He sighed in relief, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips. "Thank you for being so understanding, Honey. Having you is truly a blessing."

I turned my head to look at the scenery outside the window, tears silently streaming down my face.

Back at home, I unlocked his laptop while he was showering. The password was Jennie's birthday. The desktop wallpaper was a picture of the Maldives—where Jennie had lived for the past three years.

I logged into his social media account. Then, I discovered his profile background was a photo of him and Jennie. He was following only one person.

Clicking on it, I saw countless photos of Jennie and her life abroad. The jewelry she wore was from a brand owned by the Gail Corporation. The shawl she draped over her shoulders was from their latest campaign.

Even the villa she named her location was part of the Gail Corporation's overseas hotel portfolio. That hotel had been built three years ago. It was the only overseas project the Gail family had undertaken.

My hands trembled as I opened his bank transfer records. The recipient was always Jennie. One million dollars every month—for three years straight.

I went through each record, my heart growing colder with every line. I remembered Corey's social media bio. It was just one word: "Waiting."

I once asked him what it meant. He said it was something random he'd written, but I know the answer now.

After three years of marriage, we had no other photos of us together except the wedding photograph hanging on the wall. No matter how much I cried or argued, Corey would only say that we saw each other every day, so there was no need for keepsakes.

Only now did I understand that it wasn't that there was no need but that I wasn't a necessity to him.

I let out a bitter laugh and stopped looking. Instead, I booked a one-way ticket to leave the country in three days. I applied to cancel all my identification documents.

Three days. That's all I needed to say goodbye to three years. I set a countdown as my phone's wallpaper, a daily reminder to myself.

I had already been lying in bed when he came out of the bathroom. He remained silent, assuming I was asleep. I actually didn't sleep a wink all night.

I walked outside to wash up around dawn when my phone rang. Corey's puzzled voice followed. "Winona, why are you canceling your documents?"

I quickly grabbed my phone and calmly explained, "It's nothing. My ID expired, so I scheduled an appointment to renew it. Don't you have a project meeting today? Go handle it."

He didn't think much of it and only pulled me into a tender embrace, whispering sweet nothings in my ear. "Thank you, honey. Marrying someone as kind and understanding as you is truly my greatest blessing."

I smiled faintly but said nothing.

"As a reward, how about I give you a big gift today?"

"Sure, I'll wait for you at home."

He was going to any lengths to stop me from going after Jennie. This three-year-long charade needed to end. As soon as he walked out the door, I went straight to cancel my ID card.

After filling out the application form, I visited a lawyer. When I asked about the letter of understanding, the lawyer only said that a family member's signature held the same legal weight. It was already valid and couldn't be undone.

I didn't ask further and instead had him print out two copies of a divorce agreement. With the agreements in hand, I headed to Corey's company.

As soon as I entered, I overheard employees gossiping. "Isn't that Mrs. Gail? I heard she just came back from abroad. Look at her! No wonder she could sweep Mr. Gail off his feet. Even I'm a bit jealous!"

"It must be her. Look at that Hermes bag—brand new, global limited edition of ten. I saw Mr. Gail personally picking out bags in his office and he even bought that one for her. So sweet … "

"Do you think that hotel overseas was built for her? I heard they've been childhood sweethearts. Even TV dramas wouldn't dare write a story like this!"

When I reached the top-floor office, I stood at the door and heard a familiar voice from inside. "These three years … how have you been?"

"Pretty good, actually. I wake up to the sight of the ocean every day. The air smells like freedom. I should thank you—if it weren't for you, I probably would've—"

"Don't mention it. It's all in the past. I believe you didn't mean to hurt anyone. Helping you was also helping myself."

Jennie laughed gleefully. "You're still the same after all these years. If Winona knew you were secretly helping me, she would definitely make a scene with you. "This bag is too expensive. I can't accept it. You should give it to Winona. If I take it, she might sue me again."

That's just like Jennie—taking full advantage and still pretending to be gracious as if she's forgiving me while putting all the blame on me.

I openly exposed her as a murderer at the wedding three years ago, ultimately falling out with her and Sebastian after that. Sadly, all the guests at the scene stood on her side, accusing me of being immature.

I became a laughingstock and Corey's appearance was my only salvation. Still, now, he's the one pushing me into the abyss.

A secretary opened the door directly in front of me and hurried to deliver some contracts. Corey's eyes flickered with surprise. "Winona? When did you get here? Don't overthink it—Jennie just got out and we were catching up. That's all…"

"Winona, long time no see," Jennie said as she stood up, dressed in a brand-new couture piece from Gail Corporation's luxury line.

Her face glowed, her skin flawless and delicate. She looked nothing like someone who had just been released from prison.

I nodded with a smile, suppressing my grievances and saying, "It's nothing. I was shopping nearby and just stopped by to see you. Since you're busy, I'll head back first."

Corey thought I was angry and chased after me, explaining for a long time. "Don't be like this. I was just asking how she was doing in prison. After all, she's a girl, it must have been difficult for her in there. It's been three years. Shouldn't all grievances be put to rest by now? Didn't you just say it's all in the past? "

Looking at his anxious expression, I couldn't help but laugh. To rescue Jennie, he sacrificed our marriage and acted out this charade with me. Now that Jennie was safe and sound, who was he pretending for?

"Yes, it's all in the past. Don't worry, I'm not unreasonable. I keep my word."