A protester rushed at Tyler with a knife glinting in his hand. Without even thinking, I stepped in front of him.

The next thing I knew, a sharp, searing pain shot through me. The knife dug into my lower abdomen, and I felt it tear into my uterus, twisting violently.

Somehow, I made it out that day, but the damage was done. The workers backed off, but the truth hit me hard.

I could never have children.

Tyler knelt beside my hospital bed, his face streaked with tears.

"Zoey, I’m so sorry," he choked out. "I swear, I’ll love you for the rest of my life. I’ll never leave you. I’ll always be by your side."

Once the injury healed, I knelt in front of my father, begging him to save Tyler. I even offered my life as collateral, forcing him to secure half of the William family’s fortune.

And, to top it all off, I married Tyler.

Consequently, my father was furious and refused to come to the wedding.

"You took half of the damn funds," he said, his voice full of bitterness. "From now on, don't ever call me your father again."

Now, facing Jessica's pregnancy, I was uncertain if my sacrifices for our love were even worth it.

When Tyler saw the pain on my face, he immediately pulled me into his arms. "Zoey, it’s my fault, but I had no other choice. We’ve been in love for more than ten years. We grew up together. I know everything you've sacrificed for me. Please, just understand where I’m coming from, okay?"

His words felt hollow, as if they held no meaning.

"My love for Jessica... it isn’t real love," Tyler continued, his voice desperate. "It’s just a need, Zoey. A man’s passion. The one I’ve always truly loved is you."

I stared at him, my mind spinning in disbelief.

'When did he get this shameless?'

'Can love really be split like that—physical and emotional parts?'

'If it could, what did that make him? Just an animal?'

Frustration was building up in me, my chest tightening.

I fought to hold it back and said, "Tyler, do you even get the difference between love like that? Doesn’t it disgust you?"

His face turned pale, his eyes darting to the ground as if he couldn’t face me.

"Zoey, you’ve always been so generous and understanding. I thought you’d get it. Isn’t it all for the child?" He seemed to falter, his voice softer. "Why make such a big deal out of it? Once the child is born, we’ll have someone to rely on when we’re old. He’ll respect you as his mother. Why can’t you think long-term? Why hold on to this tiny bit of affection?"

I forced a smile, even though all I wanted to do was scream. "Tyler, should I thank you for giving me a child? Should I thank Jessica for helping me have one?"

Tyler fell quiet, his eyes unreadable.

After what felt like forever, I finally asked, "What if I don't agree? Are you gonna get rid of the kid for me?"

"Zoey, I know you can’t accept it right now, and it's totally fine," he said with a quiet sigh. "I’ll give you time to think it through. Currently, Jessica is interning at the company. I’m taking her back to Harrington to check out the new market, and she’ll visit her family."

With that, Tyler turned and walked into the bedroom, leaving me alone to process it all.

...

When I woke up, the sunlight was streaming through the window, and the bedroom door was wide open.

Tyler was gone.

I turned to the bedside table and grabbed my phone. While browsing the newsfeed, I came across a post from Jessica on Instagram:

[Taking the new son-in-law to meet the parents.]

Jessica and Tyler's hands were tightly clasped together, sitting side by side on an airplane.

A second later, the post was deleted.

My stomach turned, a sickening knot forming in my gut. As much as I wanted to rip apart that post, there was nothing I could do now.

The damage was already done.

I paused for a moment, then went to the bathroom to freshen up before heading to the office.

When I walked into the company, it felt like a weight lifted off the staff. They greeted me like I’d just come back from a long break, clearly relieved to see me.

Rachel Parker, Tyler’s secretary, rushed over, grabbing my hand with a bright smile. "Miss Zoey, you finally came to visit! The company’s been changing, and it’s been... a bit chaotic without you."

Before I could even ask what she meant, I noticed that the layout of the CEO’s office had changed.

It used to be two separate rooms for quiet work, with a side platform but no real offices. A brand-new office was constructed, and the rooms were situated adjacent to one another.

I frowned, confused. "Why’s there an office here?"

Rachel hesitated, avoiding my gaze. "Well, Miss Zoey, how should I put it? Staying home all the time isn't good for your physical or mental health. You really need to come to the company more often."

Perturbation washed over me, and my stomach tightened in discomfort.

"Rachel, can you have someone open the door?" I asked, my voice tight.

She hesitated for a moment before gently pulling me by the arm. "Miss Zoey, Sir Tyler specifically instructed that no one is allowed in this office. Please, don’t look at it. Just come to the company more often from now on."

I lifted my eyes and glanced at the chair next to me. Without even thinking, I shoved Rachel aside, grabbed the chair, and swung it hard toward the door.

Fury surged through my veins. My arm tingled from the effort, yet I continued to swing the chair with all my strength. My heart raced in my chest, the intense rage within me nearly unbearable.

Then, with a loud crash, the door flew open.

I took a step forward and froze.

The room was spotless, featuring a king-sized bed in ivory white, a redwood screen partitioning the area, a neatly organized vanity table, and a wardrobe, all impeccably placed as intended.

But what hit me the hardest was what I saw at the head of the bed.

It was a photo of Tyler and Jessica, their heads pressed closely together.

Jessica was lying on Tyler’s back, smiling sweetly, while Tyler’s hand rested gently on her face.

I had never expected Tyler, the cold and composed man, to smile so brightly, revealing his back teeth. It felt like a slap to the face.

There was another photo too, one of them in swimsuits at a hot spring. Tyler, shirtless, held Jessica high against his chest, his face buried in her chest.

Jessica clung tightly to his neck, her legs around his waist, both laughing joyfully, completely at ease together.

My body shook, a wave of nausea washing over me. I couldn’t fathom what I was witnessing. He had already integrated her into his life, long before I became aware.

They had shared every experience a married couple should, in locations I had never known.

And I had no clue.

In a frenzy, I picked up my phone and called Tyler. I needed to face him and understand how he could betray me in this way.

After calling more than ten times, however, every attempt went straight to voicemail.

Frustrated, I tossed my phone aside, trying to gather my thoughts.

Then something caught my eye—a trending topic popped up on my screen.

It was a post from a show called 'Searching for True Love.'

The image captured a tall man sharing a passionate kiss with a glamorous foreign woman beneath the Eiffel Tower.

The program praised their cross-racial love, calling it "true love."

And then, I saw Tyler’s statement about it.

[True love knows no boundaries, no races—only hearts. Everyone, regardless of their background, deserves respect.]

Jessica looked more enchanting than ever as she wrapped her arms around Tyler, returning his kiss with equal intensity.

The audience thrived on this moment. They were completely engrossed in the unfolding story.

As I observed, my vision began to blur.

The enormity of it all hit me like a freight train, and before I realized it, tears were flowing down my cheeks. I seized the chair again, this time hurling it against the walls, slamming it into everything in that room. I aimed to obliterate the decade of my false marriage, the absurd love I had squandered on him.

By the time I was done, my arms were sore and numb from the exhaustion. I collapsed in the wreckage, crying uncontrollably.

Rachel hurriedly led the employees out of the room, then discreetly sent me back home.

I didn’t even realize when Rachel had left. I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought, unsure of how long I had been there.

Grief engulfed me.

The conflicting chills and heat were overpowering, and my throat felt scraped raw. My chest burned like fire, yet I remained still.

If I died like this, maybe it would be a relief. I wouldn’t have to suffer from this toxic love anymore, or endure the pain of caring for someone who didn’t care back.

...

Tyler came home.

But he didn’t come alone. Jessica trailed behind him, her eyes puffy and red from tears, her lashes quivering as if pleading for my compassion.

Tyler kicked open the door and yanked the curtains aside.

He pointed at me as he angrily said, "Zoey, I never knew you were capable of being this barbaric and violent! You went to the company, wrecked Jessica’s room, and even broke the emerald bracelet her mother left her! Do you have any idea how this makes us look? What do you think the employees are saying about us behind our backs?"

He paused to catch his breath, his face twisted in frustration. "You’re in your thirties now. Can’t you see the bigger picture? Can’t you act like an adult, like someone who understands responsibility?"

"Jessica is ten years younger than you. She has always been humble and kind. She’s even pregnant and still trying to take care of you. Why can’t you understand that?"

As Tyler kept ranting, I slowly turned my face, trying to make sense of his words.

But everything felt like a blur.

Tyler noticed I wasn’t responding and grabbed my arm roughly, pulling me to face him.

"Zoey!" he shouted, his voice trembling. "Look at me! Why aren’t you listening?"

I didn’t say a word.

How could I?

The man I had loved for so long had just shattered my world in a way I couldn’t even begin to understand.

"Get up, now. We’re going to the office to sort this out. You’re gonna apologize to Jessica in front of everyone."

Tyler’s hand was on my arm, his grip firm, but his brow was furrowed with concern. "Why are you so hot? Are you running a fever?"

I didn’t say anything.

Right then, he quickly pressed his hand to my forehead, looking visibly worried, "You're so warm, Zoey. Let's get you to the hospital."

Before I could say a word, he slipped his arm around me to help me up. But I just stayed still, staring at him, trying to summon the strength to speak.

As if on cue, Jessica’s voice cut in. "Tyler, it’s obvious. Zoey knows she’s in trouble. She's just pretending to be sick so she can avoid you."

Faking a dramatic sob, she then sniffled. "Stop putting up with her! After the mess she caused in the office, I don’t even know how I can still show my face around here. If this keeps going, I’m heading back to Harrington. I can’t have anyone thinking I’m cheap. Let’s just end things here and not see each other again."

With that, she covered her face like she was some victim in a movie and turned to walk out.

Tyler gently set me back down and rushed after her. I could hear their voices rising, and I didn’t need to see them to know exactly what was happening.

"Tyler, I’m poor," I heard Jessica say. "I’m grateful for everything you and Zoey have done for me, but I love you for more than just money. I can’t let love be reduced to that."

"If there’s no equality, I’ll go back," she added, almost daring him to argue.

Tyler’s desperation was clear. He was trying to calm her down, but their voices were growing distant as the argument escalated.

Fifteen minutes later, Tyler came back, dragging Jessica along with him.

"Zoey," Tyler said, looking exhausted. "Jessica says she forgives you, but she wants you to apologize to her and promise you won’t hurt her or the baby."

I stood in front of her, the icy contempt in her eyes impossible to ignore. The way she sized me up, with that provoking, superior look, made something inside me snap.

Without thinking, I slapped her hard across the face.

"You manipulative slut," I spat, the words burning in my chest. "Go back to your country!"

I never regretted going to Jessica’s homeland five years ago. It was the fifth anniversary of my marriage to Tyler.

I remember that day so clearly.

Jessica had been standing out in the blazing sun, holding a basket full of cheap trinkets, begging tourists to buy them. Some people were outright disgusted, tossing what she handed them at her feet.

But she didn’t cry. She just kept pushing her items, forcing a smile, and trying to make a sale. Her golden skin glowed in the sunlight, and her big, timid eyes only added to the feeling of desperation that seemed to surround her.

When she reached me, I couldn’t help but notice how fragile she looked. I found out she was working to make money for school, so I handed her a hundred euros and casually took one of the trinkets, not thinking much of it at the time.

The next day, to my surprise, she had walked miles just to find us. She handed me some homemade food, clearly hoping to repay me.

That day, I noticed her shoes were falling apart, so I gave her mine.

She immediately tried to kneel and thank me, but I stopped her, not wanting to make a scene.

Amidst all, Tyler lightheartedly remarked, "Well, since we’re fated to meet, why don’t you come with us? We’ll sponsor your education."

It had been an easy decision. We took Jessica with us, without hesitation.

For just five hundred euros, her parents agreed to let me take her.

Back in her home country, women were treated as inferior and a commodity to society. However, in just a few years, Jessica became accustomed to wealth. She became arrogant, indulgent, and constantly preached about human rights and equality—ideas she’d never considered before.

As I replayed those memories, Jessica suddenly stumbled back, crashing to the floor with a loud thud.

She clutched her stomach, letting out a dramatic cry. "Tyler, my stomach… it hurts!"

Tyler froze, his eyes widening. He rushed to her side immediately. "Jessica, are you okay?"

Without thinking, he slapped me across the face.

"Jessica’s right," he said, his teeth clenched in anger. "I’ve spoiled you so much, you’ve become reckless. You don’t even care about me anymore. Today, I’m going to show you just how big of a mistake you’ve made!"

He grabbed his phone and quickly dialed the police.

"There’s been a break-in at the office. A family heirloom emerald bracelet was destroyed, and someone was assaulted. Get someone here immediately."

The police arrived shortly after. They looked down at me, sitting on the floor, and then turned their gaze to Tyler, who stood nearby, his face like stone.

"Mr. Scott, are you sure you want us to arrest your wife?" one of the officers asked, his tone neutral.

Tyler’s eyes locked onto mine, hard and cold. "Business is business, and personal is personal. Even if she is my wife, if she commits a crime, she needs to face the consequences."

I felt the weight of his words, but they didn’t hurt like I expected.

At this point, I was numb.

The officer helped me to my feet, his grip firm yet polite. "Mrs. Scott, your husband claims that you caused damage to someone’s property and physically assaulted another individual. We need you to accompany us."

I remained silent as the ambulance pulled up, and Tyler acted quickly. He lifted Jessica as if she were fragile and helped her into the vehicle.

Meanwhile, I followed the officer to the police car, my feet dragging with each step.

As the car door slammed shut, I saw Tyler lean down and kiss Jessica on the forehead, offering her comfort.

Not once did he glance in my direction.

A part of me broke, but I didn't have the energy to fight back. Now I was completely awake—too awake.

I pulled my phone from my bag, my fingers shaking as I dialed the number I knew by heart.

"Dad, I was wrong," I whispered. "I want to come home. Please, come to the station to pick me up."