My name is Clara Bennett. The day I learned that Liam 's secretary, Vanessa, was pregnant was also my seventh wedding anniversary with Liam Foster.

The sweet, cloying scent of Vanessa's perfume filled the living room, overpowering the aroma of the mushroom soup I'd been simmering all afternoon.

She was wearing my silk nightgown, the collar loose, revealing ambiguous red marks on her neck, and on her finger was my wedding ring, which I had treasured in the closet for years. The provocation in her eyes was like needles pricking.

Liam sat at the head of the sofa, a cigarette between his fingers, the smoke blurring his features.

He didn't even glance at the table full of dishes I had carefully prepared—each one of his favorite flavors from when we were deeply in love, but now they were just superfluous decorations.

He casually ordered me, his tone as if he were instructing a butler to clean up the trash: "This young lady is picky about food. From now on, you'll be in charge of preparing all three meals a day, and they can't be the same twice."

Vanessa immediately frowned in agreement, gently placing her hand on her lower abdomen: "Brother Liam, actually I'm not picky, I'm just afraid of causing trouble for Clara..."

"What are you afraid of?" Liam interrupted her, his gaze finally landing on me, but without a trace of warmth. "She's the young mistress of the Foster family, isn't it only right that she does these things?"

Then, he threw out a second sentence, like a second knife: "She's timid and needs someone to sleep with her. Pack your things and move to the guest room."

Before I could react, Liam continued, "You need to be more understanding. Vanessa's baby will call you 'Mother' someday. If you weren't infertile, why would I let Vanessa risk getting pregnant? Pregnancy is very hard for girls."

I stood there, my fingertips gripping the edge of the apron, the fabric wrinkled from being squeezed.

I remember the anniversary banquet seven years ago. Although Liam was indifferent, he still accepted the scarf I knitted, saying, "It's a bit thick, but you can use it in winter." Five years ago, when I broke my leg, he still had his driver take me to rehabilitation every day. Even three years ago, when Vanessa had just joined the company, he only said, "She's just a secretary, don't overthink it."

But now, he's even too lazy to feign politeness.

I didn't say anything, and turned to walk towards the bedroom on the second floor.

My suitcase was actually packed three days ago.

The clothes were folded neatly, and hidden inside were black and white photos of my parents, as well as my father's pocket watch that had been with me for twenty years.

My father always taught me from a young age that if a woman encounters setbacks, she should have the courage to start over.

The butler wanted to step forward and dissuade me. He had watched me grow from a young girl who married into the Foster family into the person I am today, worn down by life. He had seen all the grievances I had suffered in the past seven years, but he was just a butler and did not even have the right to say a word.

Liam sneered, stubbing out his cigarette in the sweet soup I had just served, showing no appreciation whatsoever. I had simmered that soup over a low flame in the kitchen for two hours, and now the black ash floating on the amber surface of the soup was just like my rotten marriage: "Let her make a scene. Anyway, she'll be slinking back in less than three days."

As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of laughter echoed in the living room.

That's Liam's friend. She used to call me "sister-in-law," but now she looks at me like I'm a clown.

Some people even pulled out checks and slammed them on the table: "I bet a million that she'll be crying and begging Liam to open the door tonight!"

“I bet two million!” another person chimed in. “Clara has nowhere to live after leaving the Foster family. Where can she go?”

Right in front of me, they used my seven years of humility as a gamble and trampled my dignity underfoot.

But no one knew that a silver-gray Maybach had been waiting for a long time under the sycamore trees not far from the villa.

That was sent by Gregory Nicholson. He said, "Clara, if you want to leave, I'll always be behind you."

I know he's always been there for me, waiting for my every word.

I dragged my suitcase, picked up my pet dog Tuantuan, whom I've had for ten years, and walked past the group of laughing people without pausing for a moment.

I know that this time, I'm really leaving.

Just as I was about to step out of the villa, Liam suddenly called out to me, his voice carrying an undeniable command: "Clara, leave your pet dog here. Vanessa is pregnant and lonely; she needs a pet for companionship."

I stopped in my tracks and instinctively hugged Tuantuan tighter in my arms. It was a birthday gift Liam gave me when we started dating.

Over the past ten years, Tuantuan has grown from a little puppy into the gentle creature it is today, keeping me company through countless lonely days and nights.

Especially during the dark period when I miscarried and lost my child, Tuantuan stayed by my side every step of the way, supporting me through those heart-wrenching nights with its warm body heat and silent companionship.

I looked up, my eyes already red-rimmed, my voice trembling almost imperceptibly: "Tuantuan has been with me for ten years; it's my only solace."

Tuantuan was my only source of emotional support during my seven years with the Foster family.

Liam, however, didn't seem to care. He even pulled a wad of cash from his wallet and threw it at my feet, the red bills scattered on the cold marble floor: "It's just a dog, isn't it? This money is enough for you to buy ten. Leave Tuantuan here."

How much is a seven-year marriage, so lowly and base, worth? I looked at the money on the ground and suddenly found it laughable. I remembered last winter at the Alps ski resort, Vanessa said she wanted to see the snow but forgot her goggles. Without a word, Liam reached out and ripped the goggles off my face.

Finally, he took off my coat and gave it to Vanessa, leaving me to stand halfway up the mountain in sub-zero temperatures, wearing only a thin sweater.

When he took Vanessa down the mountain in the cable car, he didn't even look back at me.

That day I was frozen in the snow for three hours and almost froze to death. Gregory heard about it and rushed over, wrapped me in his coat and took me to the hospital.

Now, he wants to steal my Tuantuan, just to amuse another woman.

Seeing my silence, Liam said in a deep voice, "Clara, don't forget, are you going to leave Tuantuan here to keep Vanessa entertained, or hang your sister on the third-floor balcony to keep Vanessa entertained?"

I took a deep breath and slowly put Tuantuan down in my arms.

Tuantuan seemed to sense something, rubbing against my leg uneasily and making soft, mournful whimpers.

I crouched down and stroked its soft fur one last time, remembering the difficult times it had been with me.

Whenever I cry because I miss the child I miscarried and lost, it always gently touches my cheek with its wet nose, as if to comfort me.

I walked up to Vanessa and handed Tuan Tuan's leash to her.

She took the rope casually, showing no respect whatsoever for life.

I looked into her eyes and said, word by word, "I hope you will treat it well. It's not just a pet dog; it's family to me."

These words seemed to touch Liam, and he surprisingly gave me a way out: "Clara, as long as you behave well, Vanessa's child can call you mother in the future."

But no sooner had he finished speaking than Vanessa suddenly exclaimed, "Ouch, it bit me!"

Vanessa threw Tuantuan, whom she had just picked up, far away. The small body flew out and crashed into the wall, letting out a painful whimper.

Liam's expression changed instantly. He rushed over almost immediately and carefully picked up Vanessa, his movements as gentle as if he were protecting a fragile treasure.

He shouted sternly at the housekeeper, "Quickly! Call the family doctor! Tell him to be here within ten minutes!"

Then he turned back and glared at me: "You ungrateful beast, why don't you send it to the kitchen to make soup for Vanessa to nourish her body?"

I was pinned to the spot by the bodyguards, my whole body was ice cold.

Watching Tuantuan's tiny body twitching in the corner, and hearing its weak whimpers, my heart felt like it was being torn apart.

"No..." I struggled to break free from the bodyguards, almost lunging forward to pick up Tuantuan, but Liam grabbed me.

"Can't you understand human language?" His eyes were sinister. "I told you, take it to the kitchen."

The butler stood there, looking troubled: "Sir, this..."

"What? Even you dare to disobey my orders?" Liam's voice was as cold as ice.

Vanessa nestled in his arms, sobbing pitifully, "Liam, I'm so scared... Why is this dog so fierce..."

I broke free from Liam's hand and rushed to the corner.

Tuantuan could no longer stand up; its hind legs were trembling incessantly, and its eyes, which were always full of trust, were now filled with pain.

I gently stroked its head, and it weakly licked my hand, as if to comfort me.

"Liam, it's been with us for ten years." My voice trembled. "How could you be so heartless?"

He scoffed, "It's just a dog. Clara, have you forgotten something? Is this dog more important, or your sister?"

His words were like a bucket of cold water poured over me.

My sister, that twelve-year-old girl, was locked in a dark attic by Liam for a whole week because she saw Vanessa bullying me and talked back to her.

"Think it through," Liam said slowly. "Are you going to use this dog to nourish Vanessa, or let your sister experience what it's like to fall from the third floor?"

My fingernails dug deep into my palm, and blood seeped out between my fingers.

Vanessa smiled smugly, snuggling into Liam's arms: "Brother Liam, you're so good to me."

Liam gently stroked her hair: "From now on, just tell me what you want."

I stood there, feeling cold all over.

In seven years of marriage, I gave everything, yet I couldn't even protect a dog.

No, it's not just dogs; I can't even protect my closest family members.

Liam never cared about me; I was the one who indulged in the lies of our marriage and deceived myself.

I remembered last night, I suddenly had a heart attack, and my chest hurt as if a huge rock was pressing down on it. I struggled to get my medicine, but I accidentally knocked over my water glass.

Liam was wearing a suit and getting ready to go out with Vanessa to see the Northern Lights.

He walked past me without even glancing down at me, stepping over the puddle on the ground and heading straight for the door.

I lay on the ground, foaming at the mouth, my consciousness gradually fading.

I heard him tell the housekeeper, "Have the living room thoroughly disinfected. Vanessa is coming home tomorrow, and we absolutely cannot let her smell the medicine or the stench of water stains."

Seeing my despair, Liam seemed to remember something.

"I'll spare its life, but now, go apologize to Vanessa," Liam said coldly.

I just want to get Tuan Tuan out of Liam's clutches as quickly as possible and then leave.

I mechanically walked up to Vanessa and bowed deeply: "I'm sorry."

"Didn't you eat? Speak louder," Liam snapped.

Before I could react, Liam dragged me down and forced me to kneel at Vanessa's feet.

Some shards of glass remained on the marble floor, broken when Tuantuan was thrown. The sharp edges of the glass grazed my knee, instantly tearing my skirt, and blood seeped out, staining the floor red.

Upon seeing the bloodstains, Liam frowned, his eyes filled with disgust, as if he had touched something filthy. He abruptly released his grip: "Your pet bit Vanessa and injured her. Shouldn't you apologize to her?"

I lowered my head, my knees throbbing with pain, but my heart ached even more.

Married to Liam for seven years, the words "I'm sorry" have almost become my mantra.

The hot milk is too hot; I apologize.

He came home late at night from a business dinner, and I made a noise while preparing hangover soup for him. I want to apologize.

There was someone else's lipstick stain on his shirt. When I asked him about it, he accused me of being "paranoid." I had to apologize profusely.

I bit my lower lip until I tasted blood, then slowly straightened up.

I bowed deeply to Vanessa at a 180-degree angle, my voice calm and undisturbed: "I'm sorry."

The first time, Vanessa didn't say anything, she just looked at me defiantly.

The second time, Liam's expression was still grim.

By the third time, my mind was numb. I looked up and stared blankly at Liam: "Excuse me, is that enough?"

Liam stared at the blood on the corner of my lips, his chest heaving noticeably.

That was a side of me I had never seen before; there were no tears, no grievances, only a deathly indifference.

He suddenly became irritated, and his tone became even more sarcastic: "Clara, your most trusted old man isn't here, so who are you trying to fool with this disgustingly pathetic act?"

Before I could reply, I heard hurried footsteps outside the door; the family doctor had arrived.

Liam immediately pushed me aside, afraid I was blocking his way, and quickly walked to Vanessa's side, asking softly, "Vanessa, is anything bothering you? Does it hurt?"

I took the opportunity to get up from the ground and staggered toward the door.

My knees were still bleeding, and every step hurt, but I dared not stop. I was afraid that if I hesitated even a second longer, this man would drag me into an even deeper hell.

As soon as I stepped out of the villa gate, I heard two beeping sounds.

Outside the iron gate, the Maybach sent by Gregory was flashing its lights, as if giving me hope.

I quickened my pace, but before the iron gate was fully open, two bodyguards in black suits suddenly rushed out, grabbed my arms on either side, covered my mouth, and forcibly dragged me back to the villa.

I struggled desperately, but the bodyguard was too strong. My wrists were gripped painfully, and he dragged me back to the villa like a piece of trash.

I looked at the Maybach with tears in my eyes. The headlights gradually blurred, just like the hope that had just been ignited in me, which was then extinguished.

I was roughly dragged back to the villa by the bodyguards and thrown onto the cold marble floor.

“Looks like I’ve been too lenient with you.” Liam looked down at me, his eyes filled with utter impatience. “Draw her blood first. Vanessa isn’t feeling well and needs a transfusion. After that, lock her in the basement. No one is allowed to let her out without my permission.”

“Liam! You can’t do this!” I finally screamed, “This is illegal!”

He acted as if he'd heard a joke, bent down and grabbed my chin with such force that he almost crushed my bones: "Illegal? In the Foster family, my word is law. Clara, you'd better know your place."

The family doctor walked in with a syringe. The needle was as thick as a child's arm and gleamed with a cold, silvery light.

The doctor walked over to me, hesitated for a moment, and then said to Liam, "Mr. Xie, although your wife and Ms. Vanessa both have Rh-negative blood, your wife has a history of heart disease since childhood and was hospitalized last year due to excessive bleeding and miscarriage. Forcing a blood draw could very likely trigger acute shock. I think it's safer to go to the hospital first for a comprehensive examination before giving Ms. Vanessa a transfusion..."

“Don’t try to persuade me anymore,” Liam interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Your only task is to get Vanessa back to health. As for Clara, she’s not that fragile.”

Before the doctor could say anything more, Liam had already stood up and walked over to me.

He looked at my pale face and suddenly said something strange: "Does it hurt a lot?"

I turned my head away, too lazy to waste words with him. I knew this man would never truly care about my pain.

The doctor picked up the syringe with trembling hands and pierced my arm.

The cold needle pierced my vein, and a chill ran down my arm and through my whole body.

I closed my eyes, and the scene from three years ago flashed through my mind.

At that time, I was pregnant, and Liam's friend was in a car accident and urgently needed rare blood.

Liam found me and said, "It's just a little bit, it'll be fine."

I believed it, and as a result, they drained 400 milliliters of blood. After returning home, I started bleeding, and the pregnancy became unstable, leading to a miscarriage.

He was filled with regret at that time and vowed never to let me donate blood to others again and never to let me be in danger again.

Now that he's met Vanessa, he's forgotten all his vows.

The blood flowed through the syringe into the blood bag, gradually filling it up.

My lips gradually lost their color and turned purple.

I could feel my heart beating faster and faster, and my chest started to feel tight; those were signs that a heart attack was about to occur.

Just then, Vanessa's coughing came from upstairs. Liam immediately rushed over and pressed down on the doctor's hand as he removed the IV: "Draw another two! Vanessa is still coughing, she definitely needs more blood!"

The doctor's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He looked at my increasingly pale face, his voice trembling with anxiety: "Mr. Xie, this won't do! We've already drained 800 milliliters. If we drain any more, Madam will really be in trouble! Her heart can't take it!"

Liam hesitated for two seconds, his eyes flickering, but he quickly regained his coldness: "Vanessa is pregnant, and everything should be done with the pregnant woman first. Clara... she can pull through."

"But..." the doctor wanted to argue.

"Go ahead and smoke," I said suddenly, my voice weak but firm. "After you're done, let me leave."

I'm exhausted, too exhausted to fight anymore, too exhausted to even think about escaping this suffocating place.

Liam looked at my pale face, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes—an emotion that seemed to be anger, or something else entirely. He opened his mouth, as if to ask me, "What are you doing?", but before he could speak, Vanessa's sweet voice came from upstairs: "Liam-gege~ I'm feeling a little unwell..."

Liam immediately turned around, ran upstairs quickly, and didn't even glance at me again.

My vision blurred and I eventually passed out.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in a damp, moldy basement, with only a sliver of light coming through the crack in the door.

I curled up in the corner, hugging my knees, not knowing how much time had passed—maybe a day, maybe two. Time had lost its meaning here.

Footsteps and the sound of a lock being opened came from outside the door.

The blinding light shone in, and I instinctively squinted.

It's Vanessa.

She stood gracefully in the doorway, wearing an expensive cashmere sweater and holding a glass of water, seemingly out of place in the gloomy environment.

"Clara, why make yourself look so disheveled?" She walked in slowly, placed the water on the ground in front of me, as if she were giving alms to a stray dog.

"I've come to make a deal with you."

I looked up at her coldly, without saying a word.

"The reason why Brother Liam is still unwilling to let you go is simply because he has his eye on your rare Rh-negative blood."

She gently stroked her lower abdomen, her smile both sweet and malicious. "I'm anemic during my pregnancy and need to have blood on hand at all times. If you sign this voluntary blood donation agreement, promising to be available whenever I call before I give birth, I'll have Liam release you, including... your half-dead dog, and your seriously ill sister."

She took a document out of her designer handbag and threw it in front of me.

I stared at the agreement, and my blood seemed to freeze at that moment.

Signing means I may never truly get rid of them; not signing means my sister and Tuantuan may suffer even crueler treatment because of me.

My father's words echoed in my ears: "Clara, when you encounter setbacks, you must have the courage to start over..."

Courage is not just about being unyielding to the death, but also about enduring hardship and humiliation to protect those who are important to you.

I raised my hand, stained with blood and dust, and picked up the pen from the ground.

“I’ll sign.” My voice was hoarse but clear. “But you have to promise to release my sister immediately and take Tuantuan to the vet for treatment.”

Vanessa's lips curled into a barely perceptible, eerie smile: "Of course, I always keep my word."

I took a deep breath and signed my name in the designated place on the document.

As soon as I put down my pen, Vanessa snatched the document away almost immediately. She carefully examined my signature, a bright yet malicious smile spreading across her face.

“Clara, you’re the dumbest woman I’ve ever met.” She chuckled, her voice jarring in the empty basement. “You think this is just a blood transfusion agreement?”