The day before the wedding, my brother, Edmund Forrester, drove his car and killed my dad. Not only did his fiancée not blame him, but she also showed her marriage license to him.

I took Edmund to court. I also made a scene at the wedding to make him pay for his life, but I became the laughingstock of the crowd.

At the moment of despair, my childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth Emberlyn, told me that she loved me. It made me propose to her in public at that moment. Elizabeth also promised that she would be the harbour of my life.

I agreed with her. I gave my fiancée full authority over the car accident case. I believed Elizabeth when she said Edmund was in jail. But the third year after the wedding, I accidentally heard her conversation with the lawyer.

“Mrs. Elizabeth, did you marry Sebastian Cuthbert just for a letter of apology? It was just a car accident case. Why did you have to put yourself in the middle of it?’

“You don’t know about my plan. Only by getting married could I write the letter of apology for Sebastian Cuthbert in the name of his family in exchange for Edmund's freedom. It is enough for him to be happy abroad, as for me anything is fine.”

It turned out that the marriage that I regarded as salvation was nothing more than a carefully planned deception. That letter of apology in my name and Edmund's freedom was what she sought in her heart. The person who should leave was me.

——

In the office, Elizabeth looked at Edmund's photos on the computer from abroad. She smiled heartbreakingly and regretfully.

“It's been three years, Edmund. It’s enough to see you happy. Even if your happiness is not given to me. As for Sebastian, I have used the second half of my life to make up for him, this matter is over.”

The company's legal affairs were furious, but there was nothing they could do with her. “Mrs. Elizabeth, the company is not easy to develop now. How can you joke about a murder case? If this matter is discovered by a rival company, not only you, but all of the Emberlyn Family's properties will have to be lost.”

“I’m not joking at all. I have a perfect plan to solve this mess.”

“It’s the reality that we face now, Mrs. Elizabeth. It's also a fact that Mr. Edmund intentionally killed someone. Why do you need to get involved in this mess? He doesn't love you at all!”

Elizabeth's face went cold. Her tone was unfriendly to them, “That’s enough. About this matter, I said not to mention it again in the future. I don't believe that Edmund killed someone on purpose. He must have done it carelessly. Don’t worry. I've already dealt with Uncle Ferdinand’s funeral, which is also an explanation to the Cuthbert family. As long as I can save him, not to mention a company, even if it takes my life, I'm willing to give it!”

The lawyer was a bit anxious. “Okay, I agree with your plan, Mrs. Elizabeth. But what about Mr. Sebastian? Sooner or later, this matter will be discovered by him. Once he goes to see Edmund in prison, everything you've planned is over! We used his name to save his father's murderer. What do you want him to do?”

Elizabeth was silent for a split second. She then stretched out her hand to enlarge the photo on the screen.

“It’s easy. Then keep him out of the loop for the rest of his life. It's been three years. He should be released from prison sooner or later. Go ahead and arrange it. Remember, don't let Sebastian Cuthbert find out.”

“Mrs. Elizabeth, as a lawyer, let me remind you that the net of heaven is wide open. It's impossible to leave no traces of what you've done. For the sake of a murderer, you hurt even more innocent people. If Mr. Sebastian finds out about it, you'll be completely finished!”

Tears rolled down my chin. I was shaking so much that I could barely hold my lunchbox. The sound of footsteps approached. It made me hastily ducked into the stairwell. It turned out that my dad's fatal car accident was never filed at all. Edmund Forrester also did not, as she said, be locked up in prison to atone for his crimes.

I couldn’t believe Edmund was living a free life abroad. All of this was done by the hand of my beloved wife, Elizabeth. Her humble bowing, her forbearance and concession were all to redeem the one she loved in her heart.

For the three years of marriage, I lived in her carefully woven lies. I thought I was happy, but I was in hell. It was ironic. I stumbled down the stairs. Then I just stood in front of the company.

I waited for five hours. The last light in the building went out. Her figure finally appeared. The moment she saw me, she took my hand heartily.

“Why don't you go in when you're here? How long have you been waiting?”

I replied, “Not long ago, I just arrived. I know you've been busy recently. So, I brought you some porridge that I cooked myself. The secretary said that you were in a meeting, so I came out.”

“Don't send it next time. You're not in good health. I'll feel bad if you get tired.”

After saying that, she drilled into my arms and gently kissed the corner of my lips. The action was as compassionate and gentle as before. But I could no longer feel her warmth. A person, for the sake of another person, could really go to this extent.

She brought me into the passenger seat and pretended to speak casually, “By the way, Edmund is about to be released from prison. After all, you guys used to have a good relationship before and he got his due punishment for this incident. Besides, the company is now cooperating with the Harperwood Family on quite a few projects, should we not--”

“Well, it's all over. It’s all in the past. I won't look for him again. Don't worry.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. The corners of her lips hooked into a smile.

“Thank you, my husband, for being understanding. Having you is truly a blessing for me.”

I inclined my head and looked out at the scenery outside of the window. My tears slipped silently. After returning home, I opened her computer while she was washing up. The password was Edmund's birthday. The desktop was a seascape photo of the Maldives. That was where Edmund had lived for the past three years.

I logged into her social account. The background of the homepage was a photo of her and Edmund. There was only one person on the following list. When I clicked in, all I could see were Edmund's photos and his life abroad. The wristwatches were new seasonal products from the Emberly Group's brand.

The suits were the latest endorsements from the Emberly Group. Even the villa he positioned himself in was Emberly Group's hotel property abroad.

This hotel, exactly three years ago, was established. It was also the only project of the Emberlyn Family abroad. With a trembling hand, I clicked into her remittance record. The payee was only Edmund Forrester. One million dollars a month, she held out for three years.

I read them one by one. My heart cooled down inch by inch. I remembered her signature in her circle of friends, which had only one word. It made me think about something.

Once upon a time, I asked her what this meant. She just said it was something she used to write randomly. But that time, I felt I knew the answer.

Three years of marriage, except for the wedding photos on the wall. We didn't have a single picture together. No matter how much I humbly begged her. She only said that we see each other every day, there was no need to keep memories.

I didn't realize until this moment that it wasn't unnecessary. It was just that I wasn't necessary for her. I laughed at myself and didn't look any further. I only bought myself a plane ticket to leave the country in three days. Applied for a cancellation of all my documents.

I thought that three days to say goodbye for our three years was enough. I set the countdown as my cell phone wallpaper to remind myself every day.

When she came out of the bathroom, I was already lying on the bed. Thinking I was asleep, she didn't say another word. I didn't sleep a wink. At dawn, I went out to wash up. The cell phone rang.

Elizabeth's puzzled voice followed, “Sebastian, what documents did you cancel?”

I hurriedly took the phone away and explained calmly, “It's nothing, honey. My ID card has expired, so I'm making an appointment to renew it. Don't you still have to talk about the project today? Go and get busy.”

She didn't think much about it, but only lovingly drilled into my arms. She then whispered to me, “Thank you, my husband. It's really a blessing for me to meet such a considerate man like you.”

I just smiled. At that moment, I chose to not say anything.

“As a reward, your wife will give you a big gift today, okay?”

“Okay, I'll wait for you at home.”

In order to keep me from getting into trouble with Edmund, she really did everything she could. It was the time for this scam that has lasted for three years to come to an end. She left the house. 

On the other hand, I went to apply for the cancelled documents on the back. After filling out the application form, I went to find the lawyer again. When inquiring about that letter of apology, the lawyer simply said that the family's letter of apology had the same legal effect.

It had been established and was not recoverable. I didn't ask any further and asked him to print out two copies of the divorce agreement for me. With the agreements in hand, I went to Elizabeth's company.

Just as I entered, I heard employees talking. “That is Mrs. Elizabeth's husband, right? I heard that he just came back from abroad. With this temperament and body, no wonder he can charm Mrs. Elizabeth. Even a man like me can't stand it!”

“Surely, the wristwatch on his hand is a new Patek Philippe. It is limited to ten worldwide. I've been in the office a few times and seen Mrs. Elizabeth picking out a watch. Even this one can be bought for him. It’s so sweet.”

“The hotel abroad will not be for his establishment, right? I heard that the two are still childhood sweethearts. Even idol dramas don't dare to shoot like this!”

I stood in the doorway of the top-floor office. A familiar voice came from inside, “These three years, are you okay?”

“Well, I’m quite good. Every day when I open my eyes, I can see the sea. The air is the breath of freedom. I haven't thanked you yet. If it weren't for you, I'm sure I would have died long ago.”

“Don't talk about this. It's all in the past. I believe you didn't mean to hurt anyone. I'm helping you because I'm also doing it to help myself.”

Edmund smiled with open favour. “Elizabeth, you're still like this after all these years. If Sebastian knew that you secretly helped me, he would definitely make a scene with you, right? Then I think this wristwatch is too expensive for me. I can't accept it, Elizabeth. You'd better give it to your husband, Sebastian Cuthbert. I'm afraid that if I accept it, he'll sue me again.”

Edmund had always been like that. He took advantage of someone. Then he pretended to be generous and put all the blame on me. Three years ago at the wedding. I publicly exposed his identity as a murderer. I also completely turned against him and Mackenzie Harperwood. But all the guests at the scene stood on his side and accused me of being ignorant. I became the laughingstock of the crowd.

Elizabeth's appearance became my only salvation. But now, she was also the one who pushed me into the abyss. The secretary rushed to me. She opened the door in a hurry to deliver the contract.

Elizabeth's eyes flashed with surprise. She didn’t believe that I stood up in front of her office.

“Sebastian? When did you come? Don't think too much, Edmund just came out. He is just catching up with me, nothing else.”

“Hai, Sebastian Cuthbert, long time no see.”

Edmund stood up. He wore a new high fashion from the Emberlyn Family brand. His face was rosy. His muscles were tight. ‘No matter how you look at it, it doesn't look like you just got out of prison in a mess, Edmund,’ I said in my heart.

I just smiled and nodded. I then suppressed my aggression and said, “It's fine, Elizabeth. I stopped by to see you. Since you're busy, I'll go back first.”

Elizabeth thought I was angry. She caught up with me to explain for a long time.

“Don't be like this, Sebastian. I just asked how he is doing in prison, no other. Please, believe me. It's been three years. Any grudge should be able to be put down, right? Didn't you say it's all over?”

Looking at her anxious appearance, I just smiled. In order to save Edmund, she sacrificed her marriage to accompany me in this drama.  I asked in my heart, ‘Now that Edmund is safe and sound, who is she pretending to be?’

“Well, it passed. Don't worry, Elizabeth. I'm not an unintelligent person, I'm true to my word.”