It was part of my mother’s dowry, passed down through generations of Thornton women. It went missing last year and even after searching and reporting it, I couldn’t find it. Turns out, he stole it and gave it to his illegitimate daughter.

When Matt saw the bracelet, his face changed. “Sarah, listen! It’s just a replica, not the one you lost! I only had it copied because I liked the design for the child to play with…”

He glared at Lindsay and said sharply, “Lindsay, take it back! It’s worthless. Auntie wouldn’t want it!”

He tried to grab the bracelet, but I was faster and took it first. “No, I like it very much,” I said.

Seeing their faces go pale, I added calmly, “My mom’s bracelet is gone, so this fine imitation will do as a reminder.”

I looked it over and laughed softly. “The jade color is close, but the carving and details are blurry. A good imitation is still just an imitation.”

Matt relaxed a little and sighed. “Yeah, it’s nothing compared to yours.”

Isabella winced, pressed a hand to her forehead and leaned toward Matt. “Matt, I feel dizzy… so uncomfortable…”

I coldly watched her poor act, my face expressionless, while Matt grew increasingly anxious. He pushed me aside and carried Isabella, glaring at me. “I’m taking her to rest! She’s unwell. You don’t need to come!”

I watched them disappear around the corner, frozen in place. Looking down at the bracelet in my hand, I wondered how much Matt had been hiding from me all these years.

I took out my phone and called the Ferguson Group in Eldravia. “Harry, it’s me. Get me the best private investigator…”

After finishing everything and signing the company order, I went home. That evening, Matt video-called, saw I was home and sighed in relief.

“Sarah, Isabella’s illness came back and I can’t leave... I’m sorry you have to spend your birthday alone again.”

I smiled gently. “It’s okay. I understand her condition is serious.”

He said quickly, as if offering a treasure, “I sent you a gift. It should arrive soon. You’ll like it.”

I glanced at the trash can filled with 999 roses and a black truffle cake, same as every year, nothing new.

I ended the call, saying I was tired. Then the private investigator texted me a photo of Matt and his family setting off fireworks for their “seventh anniversary.”

A wave of nausea hit me. Was I the other woman? They’d been together seven years and I’d been married to him for six; six birthdays spent alone.

“Sarah, Isabella’s autumn melancholy is serious. She’s an orphan. If I don’t help her, no one will.”

“Sarah, you’re so kind. Please forgive her. She’s a special case, okay?”

He lied to me for six years, living with Isabella all that time. I’d been such a fool.

My phone buzzed again. It was Harry. “Sarah, I’ve seen everything in Eldravia. Want me to teach him a lesson or deal with Isabella…” He didn’t finish, but I knew what he meant.

My eyes turned cold. “No need. I’ll buy you a drink when it’s over.”

Harry chuckled. “What are we drinking?”

“My husband’s funeral wine.”

He laughed louder, unfazed. “Then I’ll be there with the biggest wreath.”

After hanging up with Harry, I felt an overwhelming mix of exhaustion and absurdity. I once believed Matt and I were meant to be together. The Ferguson family suggested marriage, but I refused immediately.

That year in Drakmor, Matt and I were robbed at gunpoint. I took a bullet for him and he was stabbed three times protecting me. In the hospital, we looked at each other’s bandaged arms and laughed.

“Matt, our bond is lifelong, meant to be, right?”

Now, it seemed like just another lifelong challenge. The doorbell rang—Camille had arrived. After checking the private investigator’s report, she frowned. “The Garner and Thornton families have intermarried for generations. I married Matt’s uncle, Harley, for ten years, but it ended in a messy divorce.”

She looked at me intently. “You and Matt are no different. Maybe the Garner Family is rotten at its core. But Sarah, think carefully; once you act, there’s no turning back. Are you really serious?”

I looked up at her and nodded. “He wants women on every side and to enjoy everything for himself. He swore an oath in the Thornton ancestral hall when he married me. If he betrays me, he’ll suffer and I’ll do as I please. Retribution has come. If Heaven won’t punish him, I will.”

My aunt looked at me for a moment, then gave my shoulder a firm pat. “Okay. If you’ve thought it through, I’ll help you deal with the aftermath.”

I knew she could handle it. Back then, Harley was a womanizer and she quietly dealt with his first two mistresses.

It wasn’t until the third time that Aunt took extreme action. At the Garner Family banquet, she whipped Harley 30 times, leaving him bruised and humiliated.

This incident made Sienna personally take away Harley’s inheritance. Then he returned to the Thornton Family and changed his surname.

Aunt gave Harley three chances, but I didn’t. Matt had countless chances over six years, but he never changed. I’d lost my patience.

Professional inspectors searched the house and finally found the drug Matt had used to poison me. I looked at the switched vitamins and smiled wryly.

For six years, except for the three months he disappeared each year, he prepared my vitamins and a glass of warm water every night. I thought he was very thoughtful.

It turned out his thoughtfulness was fake. The real plan was to poison me. He went to great lengths to stop me from getting pregnant.

Just then, the private investigator’s message came. Matt showed up at a top Varinthia auction house with Isabella. I checked the calendar; it was Isabella’s birthday.

Every year, Matt gave me roses and cake for my birthday, but for Isabella, he went to an auction house. Trying to impress her? Then why shouldn’t I help them?

I called my art consultant in Eldravia. “Watch Matt. Match his bids. Our only goal is to push the final price so high it hurts him.”

“Understood, Mrs. Thornton.”

Isabella wanted an ancient jade piece symbolizing “eternal love.” As Matt kept bidding, my consultant matched him closely. The price skyrocketed and Matt’s expression darkened.

Finally, losing his temper after another bid, he confronted my consultant in the crowd. “Sir, are you targeting me on purpose? Look at who I am! I’m the head of the Garner Family and son-in-law of the wealthy Thornton Family!”

The consultant smiled politely. “Sorry, sir. This is Eldravia. I don’t know you.”

Matt was furious. He gritted his teeth and shouted, “I’ll take it!”

In the end, Matt bought the ancient jade for a shocking $28 million. I knew he didn’t have enough cash to pay for it.

Sure enough, the call came soon. “Sarah, the company has an urgent project and needs working capital. What do you think…”

I sneered inwardly but sounded concerned. “How much?”

“$21 million.”

“Sure,” I agreed, then shifted the topic. “But I’ll use the value of your Garner Group shares as collateral.”

There was a pause on the other end. After a few seconds, he spoke, disbelieving. “Sarah? Between us… is this really necessary?” He sounded deeply wronged.

I scoffed. “Forget it. Ask your parents.”

Hearing my firm statement, he immediately gave in. “Okay.”

I sent him the mortgage agreement electronically and quickly got his signature. I wanted to see how far his love for Isabella went.

Faced with power and wealth versus love and family, what would he choose? The drama was about to start.

In just over two months, the private investigator had gathered enough information to make a move. As autumn turned to winter, Matt called me, “Sarah, Isabella’s condition is stable. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

I looked at the coffin and the prepared commitment letter, a cold smile on my lips. “Okay, I’ll welcome you home.”