It had been two full days since Zane's funeral, and I hadn't slept a wink. My head throbbed, and my eyes were bloodshot.

I glanced at the goldfish on the table. Louis noticed my gaze and sneered. "Wendy's a caring person. Someone like you wouldn't understand."

His words suddenly made me remember something from two years ago, when I wanted a puppy to keep me company.

His response was anything but kind. He'd clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Zane already has a bunny. Why do you need a dog? It has too much hair. It's too much trouble."

Having a dog was too much trouble, but keeping a fish was called caring.

I forced a bitter smile. I thought I had forgotten all this by now, but the memories came flooding back in a rush.

Wendy walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder. Her expression was full of concern as she asked, "Are you okay, Nora?"

I couldn't listen to her words, but my eyes immediately fell on the emerald necklace around her neck.

My pupils constricted, and my forehead started to throb. That was the only thing my mom, Regina Yates, had ever left me.

I reached out to snatch it off her neck, but Wendy screamed in shock.

Louis immediately grabbed my arm and yanked me away, barking, "Nora Harrison! Don't lose your mind!"

I slowly looked up and slapped him hard across the face.

His expression darkened an instant, and he stared at me with a look of pure rage. Wendy, acting like a protective hen, immediately shielded him behind her.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she held her hands over Louis' reddened face. "Just take it out on me! Why must you slap him?"

I fought to hold back my tears. Pointing at the necklace, I demanded, "Take it off. Now."

Wendy hesitated. Her hand lingered on the necklace, as she looked at Louis with a pitiful gaze.

Louis swatted my hand away. "Why on earth should she give it to you?"

I didn't waste time arguing with him. I lunged at Wendy, trying to tear the necklace off, but she clung to it desperately.

Louis shoved me aside. In that instant, I crashed into the small fish tank on the table.

The sound of glass shattering echoed in the cramped room. I collapsed onto the broken pieces, and my blood stained the shards of glass crimson.

I lay on the cold, cluttered floor like that goldfish, struggling to breathe just as desperately.

The next second, Louis picked up the fish with exaggerated care.

Wendy gazed at it through tears. Her expression was so sorrowful, it was as if someone had died. "My poor little fish."

Louis gently pulled her close and looked down at me with disgust. Then, he called for security.

Lying among the glass shards, I didn't even feel the pain. Instead, I let out a manic laugh.

I struggled to get up. Like a vengeful spirit, I sank my teeth into Wendy's hand.

She let out a shriek. In a fit of rage, Louis slapped me across the face.

I fell back to the ground, spitting blood. I couldn't tell whether it was mine or Wendy's.

Inside, I felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. I was ultimately dragged out by the security that had arrived.

This whole relationship had been a mistake from the start. Louis was a student of my dad, Tyler Harrison.

Because Louis was poor, Dad always used white lies to bring him over for dinner at our house.

Gradually, I got to know him better.

Dad recognized Louis's potential and did everything he could, using both his connections and his wealth, to support him.

Louis didn't disappoint. Within three years, he managed to make a complete turnaround, rising to success.

But just as things were looking up, Dad and Mom got into a car accident.

Mom didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. I cried so hard I almost fainted.

In his final moments, Dad, with tears in his eyes, placed my hand in Louis', He no longer had the strength to speak.

Louis' tears welled up, and he whispered, "I know."

Then, Dad closed his eyes for the last time. During that period, my entire world lost its color.

The pain was unbearable. I felt like a lonely boat adrift on the open sea with no direction or support.

I clung to Louis' sleeve, like a drowning person gasping for air.

A year later, Louis proposed to me.

Looking back, I realize I must've been completely blinded by the idea of happiness. I couldn't see the flicker of resentment in his eyes.

That bomb finally exploded with the arrival of his childhood sweetheart, Wendy.

He started disappearing for hours and sometimes wouldn't even come home without any explanation.

I knew he was crossing a line, but when I looked at Zane's sleeping face, I couldn't bring myself to confront it.

Now that Zane was gone, I had no reason to keep that bastard around.

Louis came home the next evening. He stared at the cut on my lip in surprise. A hint of guilt appeared in his voice. "Why didn't you put on some ointment?"

I pulled my hand away from his attempt to touch me and said coldly, "Sign it."

He paused for a second, then glanced at the documents on the table. I could see the anger building on his face.

He closed his eyes for a second, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table.

"Are you done with this? I've tolerated you for so long, but you just keep pushing me. Where's Zane? I come home, and he doesn't even come and greet me?"

Wendy stepped forward and gently caressed his chest. Her tone was slightly reproachful as she said, "Don't get so worked up. I've told you, it's bad for your health."

Louis patted her hand affectionately. The two exchanged a glance that spoke volumes, like an old married couple.

Louis caught the look of disdain in my eyes. His anger faltered for a moment before he snapped, "Where's Zane? Does he still consider me his father?"

My nails dug into my palms, and I swallowed the metallic taste of blood in my throat.

I closed my eyes and replied softly, "He's dead."

A suffocating silence spread across the room. Louis suddenly yanked me by the collar. "Can you stop with the lies? Wendy's daughter saw him yesterday at school. That brat even slapped her twice!

"Are you covering for him so much that you'll even lie about him being dead? You two really are something."

He shoved me to the ground, towering over me as he sneered.

Seizing the perfect moment, Wendy handed him the necklace I had failed to grab yesterday.

Louis was furious. He flashed me a terrifying smile.

The next moment, Louis tore the necklace in his hands apart.

My mind went completely blank as the scattered beads fell before my eyes.

A piercing sound rang in my ears. I collapsed to my knees, desperately scrambling to gather the beads.

This was the only thing Mom had left me. I buried my head in my knees and cried out in despair.

Louis, who was soothing Wendy beside him, said, "A woman like her needs to be taught a lesson."

He walked over to me and asked in his deep voice, "Do you realize your mistake now?"

"Mistake? What did I do wrong?" I muttered to myself.

Suddenly, a soft touch brushed my forehead, snapping me out of my daze. I looked up in confusion to see Zane's bunny, Peachy.

I reached out to touch it, but someone else picked it up before I could.

Sensing danger, Peachy squirmed uneasily in their arms.

I shakily got to my feet and choked back tears as I reached out to Louis. "Give it back to me."

Raising an eyebrow, he turned and handed Peachy to Wendy.

"Where's Zane? If you don't call him out, I'll give the bunny to Wendy. You killed her fish yesterday. This is your compensation."

A wave of anger surged through my head. I couldn't let them take Peachy.

Without thinking, I lunged at Wendy to snatch Peachy from her arms. But Wendy, clutching it tightly, turned and ran.

I hurried after her. But before I could reach her, a pair of strong hands grabbed my arms and yanked me back.

Louis glared at me. "Where's Zane? Bring him out now."

I broke down, screaming, "If you want to see him so badly, just kill yourself! You'll see him if you're dead!"

Louis sneered. "Why should I die? If you're so determined to protect him, don't blame me for being ruth—"

Before he could finish, Wendy screamed in terror from a distance.

My mind went blank because the sound came from the direction of the balcony.

I shoved Louis aside and stumbled toward the noise.

Wendy was crying pitifully, covering her mouth. Her eyes turned toward Louis, who was standing behind me.

Louis rushed over to her and pulled her into his arms. "What's wrong? Why are you crying like that?"

Staring at Wendy's empty hands, I felt the blood drain from my face.

With a trembling voice, I asked, "Where's Peachy?"

When Wendy glanced at me, she cried even harder. "It bit me and then accidentally jumped off the balcony."

Feeling sorry for her, Louis said, "It's not your fault. That bunny can't be tamed."

The ringing in my ears grew deafening. I couldn't hear their words anymore.

I just stared at the open balcony door. How could it be open? I had locked it myself.

My eyes went to the scattered beads and the lifeless bunny.

These were all that remained of Mom and Zane. How could they do this?

The pain in my heart was suffocating, and my eyes turned crimson.