After hearing his curt reply, he turned on his heel and walked away. No second glance, no hesitation.

The smile that had been teasing my lips disappeared. I looked down at the silver necklace he had given me on our wedding day. Back then, I was naive enough to treasure that simple little chain, like it actually meant something, just a tiny symbol of care, however small.

Now? He could walk away without blinking and spoil Claudia with diamonds worth a hundred million.

I picked up the necklace and tossed it into the trash bag along with everything else I used to feel for him.

Holding the divorce papers in my hand, I smiled.

This time, it wasn’t for show. It was real.

From here on out, I wouldn’t have to see either of them again.

I stepped out of the villa, that place that never once felt like mine.

As I pulled out my phone to call a cab, one came into view in the distance. I waved it down.

The engine started roaring louder.

Then my eyes went wide.

The car wasn’t stopping. It was speeding right at me.

My body flew through the air like a ragdoll, slamming into the pavement right at the villa’s entrance. Blood soaked my clothes. Everything hurt—burning, stabbing, screaming pain in every inch of me.

I tried to lift my head through the haze.

Behind the glass, I saw Russell’s silhouette.

I wanted to scream. I tried to call out and beg for help.

But no sound came out. Just tears, hot and bitter, rolling down my face.

Then I saw her. Claudia walked over, slipped her arms around him, and kissed him like she had all the time in the world.

She turned him away from me.

Russell’s breathing got heavier. His hands started pulling at her clothes, right there, up against the window.

Before I passed out, I caught one last thing.

Claudia looked at me. Smiled.

“My dear sweet sister, rest well,” she mouthed.

...

When I woke up, I couldn’t move. It felt like I’d been hit by a freight train.

I stared up at the white hospital ceiling, barely able to breathe, but somehow just glad to still be alive.

A nurse caught sight of me and nearly dropped her clipboard. She rushed out to grab the doctor.

When he came in, I found out I’d been unconscious for a week. They said I’d been in critical condition when they brought me in. Bruises everywhere. Several broken bones.

And in all that time, not a single message.

Not one from the man I was still married to.

I didn’t say much. Just asked, “Where’s my divorce agreement?”

The nurse hesitated, then handed over a copy.

It was stained with blood.

I ran my fingers along the dark bloodstains on it.

That was all the proof I needed for my dead, numb heart.

After the doctor gave me his rundown and was about to say more, shouting broke out in the hallway.

“If you don’t admit Claudia, I’ll make sure this hospital goes bankrupt!!” a voice thundered.

My body tensed. I leaned on the crutches beside my bed and peeked out.

There he was. Russell. Holding Claudia like she was made of glass.

She looked fine. Flushed and glowing, not a scratch on her.

The doctor sounded nervous. “Sir, she only has a minor burn on her hand. It’ll heal fast. She doesn't need to be hospitalized.”

Russell shot him a look that shut him right up.

Then, suddenly, he looked up and locked eyes with me.

His brow furrowed. “What are you doing here? You’re injured?”

He looked like he might come closer, but then he remembered Claudia was in his arms.

Instead of letting her go, he walked straight over.

Still holding her, he said, “Give your bed to Claudia. Name your price.”

He didn’t even ask how I felt, and didn’t suggest. Russell just picked her up and laid her down in my hospital bed like I didn’t exist.

Still pretending to care, Claudia whispered, “Russell, my sister appears to be more injured than I am."

Russell just patted her head like she was a child. “She’s faking. Ignore her. You’re the one who matters most to me.”

In bitter pain, I laughed, even though my ribs screamed in protest.

'What was my pathetic marriage worth, really?' I couldn't help but ask myself.

Right then, I hated myself for marrying him at all.

I turned and limped out of the room—blank expression, heart hollow.

“No need. I’ll give you the bed,” I told the nurse.

Let Claudia have it. She could take the bed, the pity, the man.

She already had all of it, anyway.

...

My phone was loaded with missed calls from Jacob, but I let them sit.

When I finally called him back, he picked up right away.

“I’ve been abroad. What’s happening on your side? Did you get the divorce yet?”

I knew what he meant. Once the divorce was final, he’d move in on Russell without mercy.

But I stayed calm. “No rush. Let the bullets fly for a while.”

I wanted to handle this my way. Pay back what I owe on my terms.

I rested quietly, relieved that I hadn’t injured my fingers. Otherwise, I’d never be able to paint again.

Then one day, Russell finally took me off his blacklist and messaged me. “Claudia’s trying on wedding dresses. As her elder sister, don’t you feel responsible? Get here now.”

My leg wasn’t fully healed yet. I could barely get around with a wheelchair, and crutches weren’t much better.

I wanted to say no. Really did.

But before I could type a single word, he hung up.

When I tried calling Russell back, I found out he blocked me again.

I let out a short laugh.

Fine. They want me there?

Since they want me to show up so badly, I’m gonna make them regret ever asking.

When I showed up at the bridal shop, a crowd had already formed around Claudia, all fussing over her dress. She looked stunning, wrapped in a custom designer gown covered in diamonds that caught every bit of light, sparkling like she was born to be the center of attention.

And just like that, memories of my wedding day came crashing in. I’d gone alone to try on dresses. No family, no friends, just silence.

The one I picked? Cheapest one in the shop. Barely a hundred bucks.

Russell didn’t even blink and just told me, “It’s just one wedding. Rent a dress. You’re never gonna wear it again anyway.”

Now here I was, standing in the same room as Russell and Claudia. He was beside her in a sharp groom’s suit, and she was glowing, radiant in that glittering gown.

'What a perfect couple!' I scoffed inwardly

Right then, the shop assistant gushed, “Madam, this dress fits you perfectly. When Mr. Fraizer sees you, he’ll be speechless."

Claudia slipped her arm through Russell’s like it was second nature. “Russell, I really want this dress. Can you buy it for me?”

“Sure,” he said, tapping her nose with a smile.

The assistant nodded. “This dress is $5 million. Please swipe your card here.”

Without hesitation, Russell swiped like it was $5 and not $5 million.

I’d already accepted he didn’t love me, but watching that hit like a punch in the chest. The difference between how he treated her and how he treated me was like night and day.

Every second hurt. Every second felt like I was splitting apart.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Claudia lit up when she saw me. “Sis, over here!”

I sneered to myself at how well she played the role of the sweet sister.

'So practiced. So fake.'

My eyes drifted to Russell, standing tall in his tux. He stared at me without the slightest guilt, as if nothing was wrong.

“Claudia's fiancé’s not here, so I’m trying this on for him. Is there a problem?” he said flatly.

I laughed and shook my head. “No problem."

We were already divorced, after all.

Russell frowned.

Back in the day, I would’ve lost it if I saw another woman clinging to him. That used to annoy him. But now, I didn’t react. And that annoyed him even more.

But now? I was numb. I didn't care.

Seeing my reaction, his lips pressed into a tight line. His stare locked on me like a silent dare.

“Russell, since Nadine doesn’t mind, you can be my one-day groom,” Claudia chirped, twirling around him like a spoiled kid.

“Alright, whatever you say,” he said, looking at her with eyes I’d never seen turned on me.

She leaned in, pouting. “By the way, Russell, let’s go to the French bistro later. I haven’t had it in forever. Nadine, you should come too.”

Russell didn’t hesitate as he flatly said, "Okay."

I furrowed my brow, about to decline, but he cut in first. “Nadine, it’s rare for you two sisters to spend time together. What is one meal going to kill you?”

I gave a bitter smile and said nothing.

...

At the restaurant, Russell ordered every tangy dish Claudia liked. All of them. Not a single thought about me.

He forgot—or maybe didn’t care—that I couldn’t eat anything tangy because of my gastritis.

So I nibbled on some veggies but winced in pain and spat them out.

“This has peanut sauce?” I asked, stunned.

“You only ate two bites. It won’t kill you. Quit the drama,” Russell snapped. “What are you faking for? You were fine last time.”

My stomach dropped. That 'last time' he was talking about? That was the first time he ever cooked for me.

I knew it had peanuts, but I ate it anyway. And it nearly killed me by having an anaphylactic shock.

Staring at his cold, indifferent face now, I couldn’t even speak.

My throat locked up.

Claudia giggled and leaned closer to Russell. “Russell, I forgot my bag in the car. Can you grab it for me?”

He jumped up immediately, like a trained dog.

As soon as he was gone, Claudia’s face twisted. Her sweetness melted away, replaced with that smug cruelty.

“Didn’t expect you to survive,” she hissed.

I took a sip of water, thankful I hadn’t eaten enough to trigger anything.

I raised an eyebrow and retorted, “I’m not like you. I don’t resort to such low, disgusting tricks. Heaven’s on my side.”

I pulled out my phone and tapped to open a video—Dashcam footage from the cab.

Jacob had helped me get it.

At that instant, Claudia’s face turned pale.

She lunged for my phone, but I stepped back and she missed.

Claudia stumbled and hit the floor.

"You bitch!" she snarled.

I crouched down, grabbed her chin, and met her burning glare with my own. “Next time you try something like this, be careful. There will be consequences.”

Her glare wavered. Then suddenly, she slapped herself hard and repeatedly.

Her cheek instantly swelled and turned red.

My heart thudded, knowing what she was about to do.

Sure enough, she forced out a few tears and wailed, “Nadine, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make Russell my one-day groom. But my fiancé wasn’t here, and I was so lonely. I was wrong. Just hit me, but don’t say anything about Russell.”

Before I could say a thing, I felt a sharp shove from behind.

A hand gripped my arm and twisted my shoulder around. Then a slap landed across my face.

My vision went blurry. My ears rang.

On the left side, everything went quiet.

But I still heard Russell's voice, loud and clear. “Nadine, I didn’t expect you to be this cruel. I can deal with Claudia’s tantrums, but you hit her? Didn’t you learn from last time?”

He turned away, barking, “Get them in here!”

The bodyguards didn’t even wait. They showed up like they’d been listening the whole time.

Russell shoved me toward them like I was nothing. “Take her to the basement.”

My eyes went wide. “Russell, are you insane?”

I remembered stories—the kind where people got taken to basements and didn’t come out the same. Fingers snapped one by one until you confessed to things you didn’t do.

My heart beat faster. I had to protect my hands. I’d told Russell once that I even got insurance on them.

He knew what they meant to me.

He didn’t care.

He turned to Claudia, gently brushing her cheek with the back of his hand.

“Nadine can lose her hands. Maybe then she’ll finally learn her lesson. You’re getting married, Claudia. No bruises on your face,” Russell said, like it was the most normal thing.

Then he looked at me, voice cold and sharp. “Breaking your hands is perfect. You’ll stay home and be a full-time wife.”

Without missing a beat, he barked to his bodyguards, “Take her away.”

I kicked and screamed and fought, but there were too many of them.

And no one came to help.

They shoved me into the car.

And at that moment, all I felt was despair.

My crutch got kicked away. Then a blindfold was slammed over my eyes, and my mouth was covered tightly. My left ear was still ringing from that earlier hit.

Through the muffled haze, I tried to speak. “How much did Russell pay you? I’ll give you ten times more. Please, just let me go!”

But no answer came.

I clenched my teeth. I knew Russell’s bodyguards weren’t just hired muscle. These guys were black market thugs, the kind who didn’t flinch. They only answered to Russell.

What was I supposed to do? Just sit there and let them ruin my hands?

Not a chance.

Then I remembered. My phone was still in my pocket. Carefully, barely breathing, I reached for it. My whole body was soaked in sweat. Fingers shaking. I moved slowly, praying not to get caught.

Just as I was about to tap the emergency feature, one of the bodyguards snatched it away.

That was it. My last shot, gone.

At least I managed to trigger the emergency location. That beacon went straight to Jacob.

He wouldn’t ignore it. He wouldn’t.

I didn’t know where they took me, but eventually, the bodyguards hauled me into a cold, dark place and ripped the blindfold from my eyes.

They tied me up, treating me like a criminal.

I looked around. The concrete floor was stained with blood. Some of it was still fresh.

I bit down hard on my lip. Russell was knee-deep in some serious darkness. Maybe worse than I’d thought.

They wordlessly placed my fingers, one by one, into some kind of torture device. Not a single one tried to negotiate or reason.

I shut my eyes. All I could do was pray that Jacob would get here in time.

Then...a crash. Loud and sharp.

Thuds followed, heavy bodies hitting the ground.

My eyes flew open.

Jacob King stormed in, his whole body radiating fury. I had never seen anything like it. His punches were fast, brutal. He didn’t hold back. One by one, the guards went down.

After dealing with the last one, he quietly untied me.

I threw my arms around him, shaking. “Thank you! Thank you so much!”

If it weren’t for him, I’d be in hell right now.

I didn’t even notice his body stiffen slightly before he murmured a low, “Mm.”

I let go, took a deep breath, and grabbed my phone from the pile of knocked-out guards. I snapped photos of everything — the room, the tools, the blood. Evidence. Russell wasn’t walking away from this.

I glanced at Jacob. His face was hard to read, flickering between light and shadow.

“Let’s go,” I said.

“Where to?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

I smiled. “The police.”

At the station, I showed the photos and told them everything: the abduction, the threats, the setup.

The officers took matters seriously. They said they’d open a full investigation and start cracking down on black market operations.

As for bringing down the Fraizer Group, that was Jacob’s job now.

I walked out of that building feeling something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Satisfied.

Jacob was leaning against a pillar outside, his black coat hanging from one arm. He looked solid, unshaken. Those broad shoulders, those arms—no wonder he’d taken those guards down like it was nothing.

I averted my eyes and stretched my limbs. “I’m heading back for a bit. Can you help book me a flight to London?”

He paused. “What’s the trip for?”

I looked over my shoulder and smiled. “Sir Andrei is looking for an apprentice to carry on his legacy. I applied. He’s not just a fashion designer. The art world respects him. I want to keep learning.”

He didn’t respond right away.

I glanced at him curiously. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he said hoarsely. But I noticed the tight set of his jaw. “I’ll book you a flight for tomorrow. Is that okay?”

“Thank you,” I said softly. He’d already done too much for me.

One day, I was going to repay him properly.

...

Walking back into that villa didn’t feel the same. The first time I stepped foot in here, I was holding onto the dream of a happy marriage. Russell and I, building a life.

Now, just one year later, this was where we’d ended up.

As I stepped into the hall, my face was blank.

Russell was on the couch, one arm wrapped around Claudia’s waist. She spotted me and jumped a little, like a startled bird. But her eyes told the real story—smug and gleaming.

Russell glanced at me, full of disgust, then pulled Claudia closer like she needed protection from me.

“Russell, this isn’t appropriate,” Claudia whispered, all shy and fake, sneaking looks at me like she was winning.

Then Russell glanced at me and said in a cold tone, “If it weren’t for Claudia begging me, do you think you’d be out so easily?”

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Claudia. She was playing the mercy card to make herself look noble. Russell still hadn’t realized that they hadn’t let me go. I escaped.

Anger stirred in my chest, hot and low. Russell must’ve felt it, because his tone shifted, like he was trying to calm me.

“Alright, you know your mistake now. Stop bullying Claudia. She’s your sister. We’re husband and wife. Treat her right and there won’t be any more problems.”

'Sister?' I laughed under my breath. 'What kind of sister steals your husband and tries to kill you?'

If I hadn’t made it, Claudia would probably be standing by my casket, crying fake tears while kissing Russell on the side.

I took a deep breath. I was done playing nice. It was time to end it.

The divorce papers were in my bag.

“Russell, there’s something I need to talk to you about,” I said, serious.

He caught the tone and turned to Claudia. “Go wait for me in the study.”

She pouted but complied, leaving the two of us in the living room.

I thought back to the day I married him. Just us two, him looking in my eyes, telling me he’d take care of me. Love me.

What a joke!

I steadied myself and reached into my bag. I pulled the divorce papers halfway out.

But before I could speak, a scream rang out from upstairs.

Loud. Piercing.

“Russell, help me!”