“Sweetheart, are you just saying this because you’re upset?” Monica asked, her voice gentle but firm. “Your parents entrusted you to us before they passed. That boy may be reckless, but he has a responsibility to take care of you for the rest of his life. How could you two possibly separate?”

Yeah… if it weren’t for my parents’ dying wish, I don’t think I would’ve ever clung to Justin the way I did.

Our families had been close for generations. But when my parents’ business grew too successful, it put a target on their backs. One day, Justin and I—both just kids—were kidnapped.

My parents didn’t hesitate. They stormed the kidnappers’ hideout to get us out, sacrificing their own lives so we could escape.

I would never forget that last moment. My parents, bleeding and desperate, grabbed my hand and placed it in Justin’s. “Take her. Keep her safe.”

And he did. Barefoot and terrified, Justin carried me on his back, step by step, until we were finally free.

From that moment on, he was my lifeline. The only person I could count on. And as I got older, he became more than that. My first love. My whole world.

Everyone knew I couldn’t live without Justin. And now, looking at Francis, Monica and even Justin himself, I could tell they still believed that.

What they didn’t know, what none of them could have predicted was that I had already booked a plane ticket.

In three days, I would be gone.

Francis and Monica were still trying to talk me out of it, too focused on me to even acknowledge Justin’s seething glare or Leah’s pitiful sobs.

I knew I wouldn’t convince them to agree to a divorce right away, so I decided to shift the conversation. My gaze landed on Leah, still kneeling on the floor, her hands trembling.

"If it weren’t for Miss Sloane’s generous kidney donation," I said smoothly, "Justin wouldn’t have been saved so quickly. So why don’t you let her go home with him?"

Leah’s head snapped up, her wide eyes locking onto mine.

She was stunned. Completely thrown off. Like she couldn’t understand how anyone could be this stupid. I had already handed her all the credit for the kidney donation and now I was handing her Justin, too?

Justin, on the other hand, didn’t waste a second. Before anyone could object, he grabbed Leah by the arm and yanked her to her feet.

"Let’s go," he said, voice clipped, like he was afraid I’d suddenly change my mind.

Then, without even glancing back, he dragged her out of the hospital, his body still weak, but his determination unwavering.

Francis and Monica didn’t have much of a choice. Between Justin’s stubborn insistence and my own, they finally gave in.

But they didn’t linger. After making sure we were in the car, they sent us home and left without another word.

The second we stepped inside, Justin grabbed my wrist and yanked me to the side.

"Lara," he said in a low, warning tone, his grip tightening. "I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but whether this is self-torture or some pathetic attempt to win me over, forget it. You’ll never make me love you."

His fingers dug into my side, right over the fresh surgical wound where they had taken my kidney. A sharp, searing pain shot through me, but I refused to flinch.

"And listen carefully," he continued, his voice hard. "Leah is living here now. She’s still recovering, so you’d better not try anything. If you so much as think about hurting her—"

I wrenched my arm out of his grip before he could finish, my voice calm but firm.

"Relax, Justin," I said. "I’ll convince your parents soon enough. We’ll get divorced and I won’t waste another second hoping for your love."

For once, he had nothing to say. I turned without hesitation and walked away, heading straight upstairs.

Even as I climbed the steps, I could feel his eyes on me, but I knew one thing, he wouldn’t be coming upstairs tonight.

Eventually, after listening to the muffled sounds of movement downstairs, I drifted into a fitful sleep. Then, sometime in the middle of the night, I woke up shivering.

A fever had taken hold, my entire body aching and drenched in sweat. The surgical wound on my waist throbbed unbearably, the pain flaring so intensely it made me lightheaded.

With shaking hands, I grabbed my phone and called Justin.

Once. Twice. Three times.

No answer.

By the fourth try, I gave up. Swallowing back the nausea, I forced myself out of bed, steadying myself against the wall as I made my way downstairs to find some medicine.

But the moment I flicked on the living room light, a sharp scream rang out. "Ah!"

I turned my head and there she was. Leah.

Her clothes were half undone, her body practically draped over Justin’s, her wide eyes locked onto mine like she had just been caught red-handed.

Justin’s head jerked up. He quickly pushed her away, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It’s not what you think," Justin said quickly, straightening his shirt. "Leah and I just came downstairs for water and accidentally fell onto the couch."

Leah let out a soft gasp, clutching her half-open shirt to her chest like some helpless damsel before hurrying away.

I barely reacted. My throat was dry, my voice rough when I finally spoke. "Go ahead," I said flatly. "Don’t let me stop you."

I turned to leave, but Justin grabbed my wrist. The second his fingers touched my skin, he froze.

He could feel the heat radiating off me, the fever that had my body shaking. For a split second, I thought I saw something flicker in his expression. But just as quickly, he dropped my arm like I was something disgusting.

"Are you seriously pretending to be sick just to make me and Leah feel guilty?" His voice was laced with irritation. "Look, I won’t cheat on you before the divorce and when the time comes, you’ll get whatever compensation you want. But until then, don’t try any of your little tricks on me!"

And with that, he shoved me away and ran after Leah. I stumbled back, landing hard on the sofa. For a moment, I just sat there.

Then, a bitter laugh escaped my lips. Justin… this time, I’m really done with you.

For the next two days, he didn’t speak to me once. Instead, he spent every moment clinging to Leah, making sure I saw just how "in love" they were.

And then, as if he couldn’t sink any lower, he started planning his eighth suicide attempt.

"Leah," I heard him whisper to her, "if I try again, my parents will have no choice but to let me marry you. And honestly… if I can’t be with you, there’s no reason for me to keep living."

Leah let out a choked sob and kissed his cheek, completely swept up in the moment. Justin smiled down at her, stroking her hair like she was the most precious thing in the world.

By the time they left the house hand in hand, I was already heading out myself. But I wasn’t going where they were.

Today was the day I was leaving Hartmere. And before I did, I had one last thing to do. I needed to say goodbye.

The cemetery in the southern suburbs was quiet when I arrived. But as I made my way to my parents’ graves, I froze.

Not far from me, I spotted two familiar figures. Justin and Leah. I watched as he knelt solemnly in front of his grandparents’ tombstones, his voice full of reverence.

"Grandpa, Grandma," he said softly, "this is Leah. She’s the woman I’ve chosen to spend my life with and she’ll be your future granddaughter-in-law. Please watch over her. Keep her safe and happy."

His tone was gentle. Sincere. Like he truly meant every word.

A dull, heavy weight settled in my chest. In my last life, Justin never once acknowledged me as his wife. He never brought me here. Not even once.

Even when he pretended to care—even when he put on the perfect act of a devoted husband—he refused to bring me to this place.

"I don’t want to disturb their peace," he had said.

But now, with Leah, there was no hesitation. He was proud to introduce her. Proud to claim her. Justin and Leah knelt in front of the grave, fingers intertwined, completely at ease. Like this was exactly where they were meant to be.

I should have walked away. Should have ignored them and left without a second glance. But then, something caught my eye.

Hanging around Leah’s neck, a small, familiar charm. My breath hitched. It was my amulet. The one my parents got for me at the church.

The one I placed on Justin’s pillow when he was in the hospital after his fifth pathetic suicide attempt, back when I still believed he was worth saving. And now, somehow, it was on her.

My body moved before I could think. I lunged forward, reaching for it, but Justin was faster.

His arm shot out, yanking Leah behind him like I was some kind of threat. His entire stance turned defensive, like he was protecting her from me.

"Lara?" His voice was sharp, full of disbelief. "Are you insane? You followed us here? And now you’re trying to attack Leah in broad daylight?"

I was shaking, my breath coming out in short, angry bursts.

"That amulet," I ground out, pointing at it. "It belongs to me. My parents left it for me. I only put it with you when you were in the hospital. Why did you give it to Leah?"

"Give it back," I demanded, my voice thick with rage. "That’s mine."

Justin didn’t move. He stood firm, his expression unreadable. I pushed forward, trying to reach for it again, but he was like a damn brick wall. No matter how much I fought against him, he didn’t budge an inch.

And then, as if he had finally had enough, he shoved me backward. I stumbled, landing hard on the ground, my palms scraping against the rough dirt.

Justin let out an irritated sigh, shaking his head like I was the one causing problems.

"Leah gave up her kidney for me," he said, his voice cold and dismissive. "She’s still recovering. What’s wrong with me giving her an amulet for protection?"

He scoffed. "Stop making a scene. I’ll transfer some money to your account later—go buy yourself another one. Just quit showing up and bothering Leah over nothing."

The moment Justin raised his hand, two bodyguards stepped forward and shoved me to the ground. I fought against their grip, but it was useless. All I could do was watch helplessly as Justin and Leah walked away.

Right before climbing into the car, Leah turned back, meeting my eyes with a slow, smug smile. Then she tossed her hair over her shoulder and got in, taking my amulet with her.

The bodyguards only let me go after the car disappeared down the road. By then, the rain had started to fall.

I pushed myself up, clothes drenched, hair sticking to my face. But instead of heading home, I knelt in front of my parents’ graves.

Cold rain mixed with the warmth of my tears and I whispered, "Mom… Dad… I’m sorry. I couldn’t protect what you left for me."

My fists clenched at my sides. "But I promise you, this is the last time."

I stayed there for a while, letting the rain wash over me, before finally making my way home. By the time I stepped through the front door that evening, the divorce papers were signed and in my hand.

And the first thing I saw was Justin and Leah. They were all dressed up, standing by the door, clearly about to leave.

Justin looked me over, his brows pulling together in irritation.

"Where the hell have you been?" he snapped. "There’s a business dinner tonight. Go dry off and change, you’re coming with me."

I didn’t argue. I just went upstairs, changed into something appropriate and followed him out the door.

But of course, the moment we arrived, Justin abandoned me completely. His wife.

Instead, he spent the entire night parading Leah around, pouring her drinks, introducing her to important people, making it painfully obvious who really mattered to him.

The murmurs started almost immediately.

"Lara’s got some patience, huh? Her husband tried to kill himself seven times just to leave her and she’s still here, pretending everything’s fine?"

"What choice does she have? She’s an orphan with nothing. She finally got herself a spot in the Stokes Family, of course she’s holding on for dear life."

"That’s harsh. Her parents died saving her and Justin. The Stokes Family owes her."

"And Leah? She’s not innocent either. Back in school, she was bullied all the time—Lara was the one who stood up for her. And this is how she repays her? By stealing her husband?"

The whispers built, growing louder, until—

"Enough!" Justin’s voice cut through the room like a whip.

Every conversation stopped as he slammed his champagne glass down on the table, the crystal shattering on impact.

His chest rose and fell in quick, angry breaths, veins bulging at his temples. "I will be with Leah," he snapped. "She’s done nothing wrong."

His gaze swept across the room, daring anyone to challenge him.

"And if I hear one more word about her," he added darkly, "don’t expect me to be friendly anymore."

Because of Justin’s constant suicide attempts over the years, I had been dealing with the same whispers, the same pitying looks, no matter where I went.

People knew. And they talked. And Justin? He knew, too. But he never cared.

Yet now, the second someone said a few careless words about Leah, he was suddenly outraged, ready to burn bridges, pick fights, throw a tantrum like the world was against her.

It was pathetic, but it didn’t matter anymore.

I was leaving. I just had to get through this dinner, hand him the divorce papers and walk away for good.

While Justin was in the bathroom, Leah sauntered up beside me, swirling a glass of wine in her hand.

She leaned in, lowering her voice so only I could hear. "You still want your amulet back?" she murmured, her lips curling into a smirk. "Drink this and I’ll give it to you right now."

I took the glass from her, staring down at the deep red liquid. Something felt off.

The color wasn’t right, too dark, too murky.

I glanced up, meeting her gaze. "What did you put in this?"

Leah’s expression flickered, just for a second, before her smile sharpened. "What are you talking about?" she said impatiently. "Are you drinking it or not?"

She reached for my hand, trying to push the glass toward my lips. But then, her eyes flicked past me, locking onto something behind my back.

And in an instant, her whole demeanor shifted. Before I could react, she pressed against my hand, tipping the glass toward her own mouth.

The strong liquor burned its way down her throat and she barely had time to gasp before she collapsed.

"Leah!" Justin’s voice rang through the room as he rushed over, catching her before she hit the floor.

Then, just as fast, he turned on me and slapped me hard. Pain exploded across my cheek, my head snapping to the side.

His voice was pure rage. "What the hell did you force her to drink?!"

He glared at me like I was some kind of monster. "How could you do this to Leah?!"

Leah clung to Justin’s chest, her voice soft and pitiful. "Justin… she forced me to drink an aphrodisiac… I feel so awful…"

Justin’s expression darkened. "Don’t worry," he murmured. "I’ll take care of you."

Then, without a second thought, he scooped her up in his arms. Before disappearing into the private room, he turned back to glare at me. "Lara, I’ll deal with you when I get back!"

I stood there, motionless. The sting of his slap still burned on my cheek, but it was nothing compared to the numbness settling in my chest.

Laughter rippled through the room. I didn’t have to look around to know people were watching, enjoying the spectacle of the humiliated wife being tossed aside.

I swallowed down the bitterness rising in my throat and forced a smile. Then, without a word, I turned and walked upstairs.

From down the hall, I could hear them. The muffled sounds of rustling sheets. Leah’s breathless moans. Justin’s low, hushed voice.

I exhaled slowly, my hands shaking as I pulled out my phone. Through the crack in the door, I snapped a single photo of the chaos inside and sent it straight to Justin’s parents.

[I’ve done everything I could for this marriage. If I can’t change him, I have no choice but to leave.]

Justin, this is my last gift to you. I slid the divorce papers under the door and walked away.

By the time he saw them, I would be gone. A car was already waiting for me outside. I got in and headed straight for the airport.