Their rising laughter was like a sharp blade stabbing into my heart over and over again.

Tears slid down like broken pearls, falling one by one onto the back of my cold hand, bringing a burning pain.

Just then, the people in the office changed the subject and suddenly mentioned Amelia, "Arsen, if you really marry Celine, what about Amelia? She's been chasing after you for years. You mean to say you never felt anything for her?"

Hearing Amelia's name, the smile on Arsen's face faded quite a bit. He sighed faintly and said softly, "Amelia has had a tough time these years. I'll give her everything she wants. Once Celine begs me to marry her and we get the certificate, I'll give Amelia a grand wedding. Even if she's upset, she won't be able to do anything about it."

He said again, "And though Amelia doesn't ask for a title, I can't keep letting her suffer."

Suddenly, I recalled his whisper in my ear last night, "Celine, will you marry me? I can't wait to make you my wife."

Last night, he had clearly held back his desire and seriously brought up marriage with me. He promised to marry me with dignity and fanfare.

But in just one day, the bride by his side had changed. Arsen, were all your promises to me nothing but lies?

My heart felt like it was being gripped by an invisible force, making it hard to breathe.

I didn't dare push the door open and confront them, afraid of facing their shameless, scrutinizing gazes.

I fled the company like I was running for my life. I stumbled home in a daze, but before I could catch my breath, Arsen, not receiving a reply, messaged me again: [Celine, I heard you ran out of the company. Are you feeling unwell?]

[Celine, reply to me! Are you trying to scare me to death?]

His words, once gentle and affectionate, now felt absurdly mocking.

Before I heard them talking, I might have thought he was truly worried about me, which made him so anxious.

But now, I could clearly imagine him sending these messages while laughing at me with others. The thought made my heart twist uncontrollably again.

Scalding tears dropped onto my phone screen, blurring my vision. I trembled as I exited the chat and sent a message to my mom: [I lost. I'll go through with the arranged marriage.]

Arsen had no idea that I came to this unknown fourth-tier city to resist my family's arranged marriage. I always believed that even if I left home, I could still get everything I wanted.

After being with him, I gave him everything I had so he could have the means to fight back against my family.

Later, not only did I humble myself to help him get investors, but I also drank until I had stomach bleeding for a deal and was rushed to the ER.

For three years, I never dared to rest, pouring all my effort into the company.

I only hoped that when the company went public and I brought him home to meet my parents, he could stand tall and proud, no longer feeling inferior. But I never imagined that in his eyes, all I'd done was worthless, even shameful.

My mom paused in shock when she heard my words, then responded with relief, "I'm so glad you've come around. Sweetheart, don't worry. Mom and Dad would never hurt you."

"Alright, I'll come home as soon as I finish what I'm working on. I'll leave the wedding plans to you." After settling the serious matters and ending the call, I collapsed onto the sofa, dazed.

At that moment, the sound of the door opening came from nearby.

I stiffly looked over and saw Arsen walking in with a simple clothing bag in hand.

He didn't notice the terrible look on my face and excitedly waved the bag, saying, "Celine, I passed by a lingerie shop on my way back and thought this set would suit you. Try it on now, okay?"

The bag he held had the words "Atelier" printed on it. I froze when I saw it clearly.

All those outfits of mine had been brought back by Arsen and he always used the same lines, saying the clothes suited me, so he bought them for me to try.

And every time, I believed his words without question, never doubting him once.

But I had forgotten, if it was really by chance, why did the shopping bags always have the exact same brand logo? I pressed my lips together and said nothing.

Arsen, not getting a response, had the smile on his face fade and his gaze toward me deepened. I knew, he was angry again.

I opened my mouth, just about to say I didn't want to wear it, when he snapped impatiently, "What's with you today? You don't reply to messages and now you're acting mute? Can you react a little, don't make me feel like I'm acting a one-man show, alright?"

He continued, "Celine, sometimes I really wish you'd learn from Amelia, learn what a proper woman should be like."

His so-called 'proper woman' ran a risqué lingerie store, spoke in vulgar tones with a shy face, pretending to be demure?

I looked at the familiar yet strange Arsen in front of me, my heart aching as if a heavy object smashed into my chest, I could barely breathe.

Before I could speak, Arsen set the shopping bag on the sofa with a cold face and said sharply, "I'm going to shower. I hope you've changed into the clothes when I come out. Celine, don't disappoint me."

With that, he no longer spared me a single glance, removed his suit jacket and headed into the bathroom.

But before he was even gone for long, the phone he left on the coffee table lit up. On the screen was Amelia's name.

I had never cared to check his phone before, always giving him the utmost respect. Even when he offered his phone for me to look through, I always chose to trust him.

But now, almost involuntarily, I picked up his phone.

As soon as the screen unlocked, the messages between him and Amelia were right there in front of me.

[Arsen, you must get Celine to wear the new set from my store. Without her modeling pics, I can't launch the new items.]

My hand holding the phone clenched tightly.

What did she mean by that? What modeling? What product launch?

My brain felt like it exploded, blood rushing, my heart pounding wildly as if it would leap from my chest.

With trembling hands, I searched Amelia's store on multiple platforms.

Soon, I found her shop on a certain platform and there I was, posing in her outfits. Everywhere I looked, it was my familiar face, my familiar figure, my familiar clothing …

I stared, frozen in disbelief, as I scrolled through every photo. And under each product listing were filthy, vile comments.

"Is she a store employee? Can you ask how much she charges?"

"Damn, I've never seen such pale bunny girls before. If the outfit came with her, I'd buy out the whole store!"

"Dear shop owner, I beg you for her contact. I'll pay whatever it takes."

"Is she free? Let me take a look."

And beneath every comment, Amelia replied with a blushing emoji, saying, "DM me."

The more I scrolled down, the heavier my heart sank, like falling into a bottomless abyss.

I couldn't help but wonder, did Arsen know everything Amelia had done?

With trembling hands, I took out my phone and saved every photo and comment without missing a single detail.

Right after I did that, another message from Amelia popped up: [Arsen, don't forget to give Celine the thing I prepared.]

[If tonight's livestream goes well, your company's funding will be secured. Then you won't need Celine anymore, you can finally kick her out of the company openly.]

[Arsen, for our future, you must not go soft on her.]

What does she mean by that? Before I could think it through, Arsen came out from the shower.

Usually, after a shower, he never wore formal clothes. He'd always walk around in a loosely wrapped towel.

But today, he was dressed impeccably. If not for the water still dripping from his neatly cut hair, no one would've known he had just bathed.

Seeing I still hadn't changed into the clothes he brought, his eyes showed even deeper impatience.

But then, as if something came to mind, his expression suddenly softened. He walked into the kitchen and brought me a glass of water.

He said gently, "Celine, if you don't like the outfit, then don't wear it. I won't force you. You don't look well. I'm worried about you. Have some warm water, it'll help."

I didn't know why, but I had a terrible feeling in my gut. His gaze gave me chills. So I instinctively shook my head and refused.

Unexpectedly, Arsen's face darkened and he came over, gripping my jaw and forcing the water down my throat.

My face went pale instantly. The fear and dread in my chest suffocated me.

"Arsen, what are you doing?" I struggled to spit it out, but he clamped my mouth shut with all his strength.

Seeing the fear in my eyes, Arsen's face flashed with a moment of hesitation.

But he still didn't let go. He whispered by my ear, coaxing, "Celine, today will be over soon. Once it's done, we'll go get our marriage certificate tomorrow."

What? What does he mean by that?

I stared at him helplessly, wide-eyed, but couldn't break free from his grip.

And then, I suddenly felt my body burning uncontrollably. My sanity began to crack, piece by piece.

Noticing the change in my expression, Arsen finally loosened his hand.

As he stepped back, my weakened legs lost all strength and I collapsed onto the floor.

I clenched my teeth, a strange flush rising on my cheeks and whispered hoarsely, "What did you make me drink?"

Before he could answer, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Arsen glanced at me, then strode over to open the door.

The moment it opened, Amelia burst in excitedly, holding a camera rig. Behind her were several tall men wearing masks.

Even with their faces hidden, I recognized them immediately, they were Arsen's closest friends.

I didn't know what they were planning to do, but my heart panicked as I tried desperately to stay calm, biting my lip and inching backward.

Amelia noticed and sneered, "Celine, stop hiding. Everyone here's already seen everything. No matter how you hide, it's useless."

Arsen stood next to her with his hands in his pockets, indifferent and said coldly, "She can't resist now. Just be gentle, we don't want to bother the neighbors."

His eyes held none of the tenderness he used to show me.

Only coldness and unfamiliarity remained. As if the man I once knew never existed.