Venice's boyfriend, Kevin, was the proud heir of the McAuliffe family in Los Angeles.

She, on the other hand, was just the mute owner of a small café—at least, that's what everyone thought.

When the McAuliffe family fell into chaos, it was Venice who saved him, who stayed by his side through the darkest three years of his life.

Later, the McAuliffe family sent twelve Maybachs and a hundred bodyguards to escort Kevin back to the McAuliffe estate. Overnight, he became the long-lost heir of the McAuliffe empire.

At his inauguration, a reporter asked, "And the mute young lady beside you—who is she?"

Kevin looked straight at the camera and replied coldly, "Just a caretaker. A mute like her isn't worthy of the McAuliffe family name."

Venice smiled. She had never been mute—and she certainly wasn't some small café owner.

That was all an act.

In truth, she was the only daughter of the world's richest man.

Picking up her phone, she made a single call.

"Tell him I've agreed. The wedding will be in seven days."

Her groom? Adam McAuliffe, Kevin's younger uncle.

——

Venice was nothing more than the quiet owner of a small, nameless café—a mute woman with no background. Yet she was also the one who had saved Kevin's life.

When assassins came for him, she shielded him with her own body and stayed through three years of hardship by his side.

Later, the McAuliffe family sent twelve Maybachs and a hundred bodyguards to escort Kevin back to the McAuliffe estate. Overnight, he became the long-lost heir of the McAuliffe empire.

Before leaving, he had cupped her face and whispered, "Venice, trust me. Once I've cleared every obstacle and officially become the McAuliffe heir, I'll marry you."

Because of that promise, she kept waiting.

From the age of twenty to twenty-five, she belonged to him. For five long years, she gave him everything—her time, her love, her body. The used condoms alone could circle her coffee shop ten times.

On her twenty-fifth birthday, Kevin told her mysteriously, "I have a special surprise for you tonight."

Venice's heart fluttered. She spent the entire day preparing—carefully curling her hair, putting on soft makeup, and slipping into a delicate cocktail dress.

She waited in the grand villa they shared, every minute an ache of anticipation.

But the man she waited for never came.

Instead, she saw him—on live television.

Kevin stood beneath a cascade of flashing lights, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his handsome features sharp and refined as he officially announced his takeover of the McAuliffe Group.

The reporter smiled.

"Congratulations, Mr. McAuliffe. May I ask a few personal questions?"

He accepted the microphone with a practiced charm.

"I know what you're going to ask. Yes—I'm getting engaged."

The crowd fell silent, waiting for the second half of the sentence.

"My fiancée," Kevin said, smiling at the camera, "is Miss Stefanie Cervantes."

Of course everyone knew that name.

Stefanie was the eldest daughter of the powerful Cervantes family—his godsister.

"Stefanie devoted her youth to me," he continued gently. "I can't make her wait any longer. Seven days from now, we'll hold our engagement banquet at the Pearl Tower. I hope you'll all attend."

Venice staggered back, her face turning white.

What about her?

She had stayed with him through the hardest three years of his life, waited another five, given him eight years of her youth—only to watch him announce another woman as his bride.

The revelation spread across the internet like wildfire, climbing the trending searches within minutes.

Another reporter pressed, "But Mr. McAuliffe, wasn't there a mute café owner who once saved your life? Some say she even offered herself to repay the debt. Does she know about your engagement?"

Kevin's expression remained cold and composed.

"A mute woman isn't worthy of the McAuliffe family name. She was just my caretaker."

Standing before the television, Venice shut her eyes as silent tears streamed down her face.

That night, she packed her belongings.

At dawn, she planned to disappear from Kevin's world forever.

But when she woke up, she found herself lying on the cold ground of the villa courtyard—and her beloved dog, the one that had followed her faithfully for five years, was hanging in midair.

Suspended by a drone.

Her blood froze. She frantically raised her hands, signing with trembling fingers.

[Kevin, what are you doing?! Put my dog down!]

Dressed immaculately in a dark suit, Kevin sat on a nearby bench, one leg casually crossed over the other.

"Venice," he said calmly, "I won't allow you to leave me. If you insist on going, then I'll just have to apologize to your dog first."

Her vision blurred with panic. Her hands moved rapidly. [I saw the news. You're marrying Stefanie!]

[You don't love me anymore—let me go!]

Kevin frowned slightly.

"When did I say I don't love you? Venice, I just inherited the McAuliffe family. There are still many internal threats. My engagement to Stefanie is a temporary arrangement."

"Once things settle, I'll call it off and make you my wife."

His voice softened, almost tender. "Until then, we'll live as we always have."

Venice trembled all over, her heart twisting in disbelief. She signed furiously. [Kevin, I will not be your mistress!]

But he ignored her plea and gave a small gesture.

The drone rose higher. Her dog whimpered in terror, struggling helplessly, eyes glistening with fear.

"I'll give you ten seconds," Kevin said, his tone now icy. "Ten."

"Nine."

Venice lunged for the guard controlling the drone, but he easily overpowered her, pinning her to the ground.

"Eight."

"Seven."

Her tears soaked the grass as she screamed soundlessly, [Kevin, you'll regret this! That dog—you rescued it yourself!]

He sat there like a merciless god of judgment, unmoved.

"Six."

"Five."

The drone rose to a hundred meters.

"Four."

Snap! One of the ropes snapped.

"Three."

Another rope snapped. The little body swung violently in the air. Venice's world shattered.

She dropped to her knees, sobbing, signing desperately, [Please! I'm begging you! Let him go!]

"Two."

The final rope gave way—the dog fell several meters before landing in a suspended net beneath the drone.

Kevin lifted the remote control. One button—one command—and the net would release.

Venice's voiceless cry tore through her throat, [Fine! I'll stay! I'll stay with you! Just let him go!]

Only then did Kevin nod. He ordered his men to lower the drone and handed the trembling animal back to her.

Venice clutched her dog tightly, her sobs shaking her entire frame.

Kevin pulled out a tissue, brushed aside her messy hair, and wiped her tears with practiced gentleness.

"Venice, you're the woman I love most in this world. I can't live without you. Stay by my side, behave, and get along with Stefanie. When the time is right, I'll marry you. Don't fight me anymore—I don't want to see you sad. It hurts me too."

The words were barely out when his phone rang.

"Mr. McAuliffe," his assistant reported, "Miss Cervantes just had a fight with her family and ran away from home..."

His expression darkened.

"I'm on my way."

He hung up, ordered the guards to watch Venice closely, and left without another glance.

Back in her room, Venice locked the doors and windows.

Once she was sure no one could hear her, she picked up her phone and dialed a number she hadn't called in eight years.

"Dad," she whispered, her voice clear and steady. "I've made up my mind. I'm ready to return to the Robles family and fulfill my engagement with Adam."

Adam was Kevin's younger uncle.

Venice had never been mute, nor was she truly a café owner. Her true identity was the only daughter of the world's richest man.

Pretending to be a mute had been part of a bet—a test her father set, to see whether Kevin's love for her was genuine.

And now, Venice knew the answer.

Her father was silent for a moment before speaking gravely, "Didn't you have a boyfriend? Does he know who you really are?"

"No," she said softly. "And there's no need. I'll be ending things with him."

Just mentioning Kevin sent a sharp pain through her chest.

"Tell Adam this—our wedding will be held at Pearl Tower in seven days. If he refuses, consider the engagement void."

Seven days from now, Kevin would be holding his engagement banquet with Stefanie at Pearl Tower.

Then so would she—a grand wedding in the same place.

If he was going to celebrate betrayal there, she would make sure he witnessed regret.

"And, Dad," Venice added softly, "you'll come back for my wedding with Adam, won't you?"

On the other end of the line, her father chuckled warmly.

"Venice, you're my only daughter. Of course, I'll be there."

He paused, then sighed. "But your call came a bit suddenly. I've still got work to finish here, so I probably can't fly out immediately. I'll land in Los Angeles in about seven days."

When the call ended, Venice finally exhaled, the tension in her chest easing slightly.

Her mother had died young, and her father was all she had left in this world.

But she knew Kevin far too well. His love had always been a kind of possession—deep, obsessive, and suffocating. He would never let her go easily.

If he suspected even once that she wanted to leave him again, he would lock her up without hesitation.

Her father was thousands of miles away. No one could protect her now.

So for the next seven days, she had to play her part perfectly—to remain the mute café owner trapped in the gilded cage Kevin had built for her.

Venice climbed back into bed, curling up with her little dog. Exhaustion finally pulled her under.

She didn't know how long she slept before a sharp noise downstairs jolted her awake.

When she opened her eyes, she saw a familiar silhouette standing at the doorway.

Stefanie.

The woman who had just been announced as Kevin's fiancée was now barking orders at the servants, pointing imperiously toward Venice's room.

"Move my things in here," Stefanie said with a proud tilt of her chin.

When she noticed Venice standing by the staircase, Stefanie sauntered over, her lips curving into a delicate smile.

"I'll be taking this room," she said sweetly.

Venice's gaze turned cold. She raised her hands and signed calmly, [There are plenty of guest rooms here. Pick another one.]

Stefanie leaned closer until her breath brushed against Venice's ear, her voice a silken whisper laced with venom.

"What's the problem? You're just Kevin's housekeeper, aren't you? A servant doesn't live in the master bedroom."

Her smile widened. "I'm Kevin's godsister—and his fiancée. You're a mute café girl. What right do you have to compete with me?"

Before Venice could even respond, Stefanie suddenly let out a shrill scream and tumbled backward down the stairs.

Thud!

Her forehead slammed against the railing, swelling instantly.

"Venice!"

Kevin burst in from outside, his eyes cold and sharp.

"Didn't you promise me you'd get along with Stefanie? You couldn't even last a day before causing trouble?"

Venice immediately began signing, [It wasn't me.]

But Kevin didn't even glance at her hands. His attention was entirely on the trembling woman in his arms.

"Kevin..." Stefanie whimpered pitifully, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Didn't you say Miss Robles was just your housekeeper? I only asked her to tidy up and make space for me. Was that so wrong?"

Her voice cracked. "Maybe I should just leave... Miss Robles seems so angry. I'm scared..."

Kevin tightened his hold around her, soothing her gently. "Don't be afraid. I'm here. I'll handle it."

Then he turned to Venice, his expression hard as steel. "When you make a mistake, you take your punishment. Take her to the cold storage."

Before she could resist, two bodyguards grabbed her, ignoring her frantic gestures. They stripped off her coat and shoved her into the freezing chamber.

The air was sharp as knives, and the temperature was negative twenty degrees.

By midnight, Kevin stood outside the frosted glass window, a cigarette glowing between his fingers. Through the haze of smoke, his eyes were still dangerously beautiful, but his words cut colder than the air.

"I told you to be patient. Why do you always have to disappoint me?"

Be patient.

The same words he'd whispered years ago, when his hand had brushed over the scars he'd left on her back, his eyes full of guilt and tenderness.

"Venice, I swear I'll never fail you."

Now, those same eyes looked at her as if she were nothing.

When they finally dragged her out, her limbs were stiff and numb, her skin pale as snow.

She could barely stand when she saw the next blow waiting for her—all her belongings had been thrown into the backyard like trash.

Stefanie stood beside the pile, smiling sweetly.

"Miss Robles, I'm so sorry. Your things were taking up too much space, and I may have accidentally cleared them out."

She tilted her head innocently. "How much were they worth? I'll compensate you."

She's the only daughter of the world's richest person. She could buy as much as she wanted!

Venice's fingers moved slowly. [Don't bother.]

But the moment she turned away, her eyes froze.

Dangling around Stefanie's neck was a pendant—a simple silver locket.

Her pendant.

Venice's pupils contracted sharply.

That necklace wasn't expensive, but what was inside it was priceless—a small vial of her mother's ashes.

Her hand shot out, grabbing Stefanie's wrist, trembling with fury.

[Where did you get that necklace?!]

Stefanie's eyes lit up as she pulled her wrist free and leaned forward, showing off the necklace around her neck.

"I found it in your room," she said smugly. "When Kevin heard I liked it, he gave it to me right away."

She tilted her head, her smile was sweet. "Tell me, Miss Robles—does it look good on me?"

Venice froze, her entire body going cold as if she'd fallen into an ice pit.

That necklace... Kevin knew it was hers—one of the few things she cherished most. And yet he'd given it away so casually.

Her face went pale, but she forced herself to stay calm, her fingers moving in deliberate, sharp gestures.

[That's mine. Please give it back.]

[You can have everything else, but not that necklace.]

Stefanie chuckled softly, the corners of her lips curving in mock pity.

"Oh? But Kevin already gave it to me. It's mine now." Her tone turned playful, cruel. "If you want it back... beg me for it."

Their eyes locked for a long second. Then Venice slowly lowered her head.

She took a step back and bowed deeply, her trembling hands spelling out the words.

[Please. I'm begging you. Give it back.]

Stefanie's smile widened. "No. I think I'll keep it. It suits me."

Something inside Venice snapped. She lunged forward, her fingers tightening around Stefanie's throat, desperate to retrieve the necklace.

"What are you doing, Venice?!"

Kevin's voice thundered across the hall as he strode in, instantly pulling Stefanie behind him.

She buried her face against his chest, feigning fear, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing.

"Kevin... Miss Robles tried to snatch the necklace you gave me... She got so angry... Maybe I should just return it to her..."

Kevin's gaze turned sharp, his tone icy. "It's just a necklace. I gave it to Stefanie—what's the problem? Venice, must you always be this petty?"

Venice stared at him, disbelief flooding her chest.

[Kevin, you know that necklace—my mother's—]

"Enough!" he cut her off impatiently.

"If you want it so badly, name a price. I'll buy it from you."

He tore a check from his book, scribbled a number, and thrust it toward her. "This should be enough to buy an apartment in Los Angeles. With what you earn selling coffee, could you ever afford a necklace like that?"

Each word drove another nail into her heart. Venice took the check, stared at it blankly, and tore it to shreds.

Kevin frowned. "Fine. You refused it yourself. Don't come crying to me later."

Her eyes were red, her body trembling violently.

For a moment, something flickered in his expression—maybe guilt, maybe irritation, but he quickly smothered it.

"Come here," he ordered coldly. "Apologize to Stefanie."

Venice froze. [You want me to apologize to her?]

"I won't say it again. Apologize," Kevin repeated.

[No.] Her hands moved with defiance. [What will you threaten me with this time? My dog? My cat?]

He didn't even glance at her. "Take her outside," he ordered the guards. "Teach her what happens when someone forgets their place."

Two towering bodyguards seized Venice by the arms and dragged her out into the courtyard.

One kicked the back of her legs, forcing her down—straight onto burning coals.

The sound of sizzling flesh filled the air.

She opened her mouth to scream, but a harsh slap struck her face, cutting the sound short.

Her ears rang; the world tilted.

In the haze, she remembered another time.

When someone had caused trouble in her café, Kevin had stood before her protectively. "Venice, don't be afraid. I'll protect you for life. No one will ever hurt you."

Another slap landed.

Then another.

By the time the ninety-ninth blow fell, Venice's consciousness was fading, her skin was scorched, her cheeks swollen beyond recognition.

She no longer felt pain—only an empty, echoing numbness.

From somewhere distant, she heard Kevin's voice. "Stefanie, how do you feel now? Is your anger gone?"

Stefanie let out a delicate laugh, pounding lightly on his chest. "Make it an even hundred."

Seconds later, the final slap landed.

A dark trickle of blood slipped from Venice's lips—and the world went black.