No touching, no kissing, no sex.

That was the strict rules that Rosalie's husband Benjamin set for her.

Because he had severe germophobia.

Once, she accidentally drank from his cup.

He threw the cup straight into the trash in disgust, as if it were covered in poison.

Another time, she got a high fever. When she woke up, she asked him for a hug for comfort.

His brows furrowed. His cold voice carried a warning. "Rosalie, don't test my limits."

During her period, she accidentally stained the passenger seat in his car.

He held his breath, pulled over, and immediately called his assistant to sell the car.

After that, she was never allowed to sit in any of his cars again.

Rosalie cried in silence but said nothing. She just became even more careful, respecting his obsessive habits.

Before sleeping beside him, she would shower three times, making sure not a single speck of dust was left.

Just to hold his hand, she wiped her palms with disinfectant until they turned red, then touched him carefully, promising again and again that she was clean.

She thought that if she followed Benjamin's rules long enough, one day he'd let her into his world.

Until both she and his widowed sister-in-law Cassandra, fell into the river, Rosalie realized the one he loved was Cassandra.

If Benjamin didn't treasure her, then she didn't want him anymore.

She would marry his lifelong rival.

The man who had proposed to her 9,999 times, Oliver Vargas.

***

After visiting the cemetery, the car carrying her and Cassandra was hit halfway home.

Everything spun. Both of them fell into the muddy river beside the road.

"Help..."

Rosalie couldn't swim. Out of instinct, she opened her mouth to shout, but only swallowed more dirty river water.

Through the blur, she saw Benjamin jump in without hesitation.

Her survival instincts kicked in. She reached her hand toward him. "Ben... help me..."

But then, Cassandra's voice rang out at the same time.

"Benny... help me..."

Benjamin hesitated only for a second before swimming straight past Rosalie toward Cassandra.

"Rosa, Cassie can't swim. I'll save her first. Hold on!"

Rosalie's pupils contracted. Her heart felt as if it had been pierced by ice.

She tried to grab his sleeve, but before her fingers even touched the fabric, he swung his arm hard and shoved her away.

As the suffocating pain grew stronger, her arms and legs started to lose strength.

All she could do was watch the light on the water's surface blur and fade away...

She and Benjamin first met during a bank robbery.

He was wearing a black designer suit, looking calm and noble among the terrified crowd.

When the police arrived, the robber panicked and grabbed him as a hostage.

Benjamin didn't even flinch. With just one sharp look, he cooperated with the police to shoot the robber dead.

When the gun went off, everyone else trembled in fear.

Only he stayed calm, his eyes glancing down coldly at the robber's curled-up body. His strong brows didn't even twitch.

Rosalie couldn't take her eyes off him, her heart trembling.

She begged her father to introduce them.

Her father saw right through her and immediately disagreed.

"You can like anyone you want, just not Benjamin. He's got severe germophobia. Dozens of women have tried, but none ever got close."

"So what? I'm beautiful, I've got a good figure, and I'm nice. I can win his heart."

Back then, she was full of confidence, bright and radiant, chasing after him everywhere.

When she learned he liked bread pudding from the South Side of Chicago, she drove across half the city just to bring him a warm serving.

When he got sick overseas while on a business trip, she chartered a private plane, flew to his hotel, and took care of him for three days straight.

The most dangerous time was when he went to a mountain site and got caught in a landslide. Ignoring everyone's warnings, she dug him out of the mud with her bare hands.

After that, he proposed to her.

"I need someone to marry for the family's benefit."

No ring. Not a single word about love.

She was overjoyed, holding his arm, asking if he had finally fallen for her.

Benjamin quietly brushed her hand off and gave a faint "yeah."

Blinded by happiness, Rosalie didn't notice the flash of disgust in his eyes.

But when she thought back, the day he proposed to her...

It was the same day Cassandra married Benjamin's eldest brother, Joseph Malone!

So Benjamin never loved her!

Rosalie's love was just his way of patching up a broken heart!

Before Rosalie lost consciousness, a bodyguard pulled her out of the river.

But even after she reached the shore, Benjamin didn't look at her once. He held Cassandra tightly, whispering to her.

"It's okay.

"You're safe now. I've got you."

He had always hated dirt, but now his expensive suit was soaked with foul, muddy water. Grime clung to his hair, yet he didn't seem to care.

All he cared about was the woman in his arms.

There was a tenderness in his eyes that he had never given Rosalie.

Shivering, Rosalie wrapped her arms around herself as hot tears streamed down.

She had truly believed he had severe germophobia.

A year of dating, three years of marriage, over 1,200 days and nights, she followed every rule he made.

But now Rosalie knew... that wasn't it.

Those rules were only for her. For Cassandra, there were none.

How ironic!

How ridiculous!

Cassandra noticed the look on Rosalie's face, and pride flashed in her eyes. She suddenly clutched her chest. "My necklace! Benny, the necklace you gave me is gone!"

Benjamin immediately said, "It must've fallen in the river. Don't worry. I'll find it."

Without hesitation, he jumped back into the filthy water.

After diving several times, he finally found Cassandra's necklace and handed it to her like a prize.

"Don't cry anymore. I found it."

Rosalie let out a bitter laugh. Her hands trembled as she wiped her tears and pulled out her phone. For the first time, she replied to that same message she had been getting for years—

"For the 9,999th time. Rosie, when are you divorcing Benjamin and marrying me?"

Through blurry vision, she typed each word carefully.

"Return from abroad and find me after thirty days."

If Benjamin didn't treasure her, then she didn't want him anymore.

She would marry her lifelong rival. The man who had proposed to her 9,999 times, Oliver Vargas.

Rosalie and Cassandra were both sent to the hospital.

The moment Benjamin stepped into the hospital hallway, the air around him seemed to grow colder. A faint trace of disgust and discomfort flashed through his pale blue eyes.

But after glancing at Cassandra, he forced himself to hold it in and stayed by her side the whole time, never taking a single step away.

Rosalie's gaze fell on them, and it felt as if someone had carved a hole through her heart. The emptiness hurt so much she could barely breathe.

During their three years of marriage, Benjamin hadn't always been cold to her.

When he came home from parties, he would sometimes bring her a cup of her favorite gelato.

When she felt down, he would pat her head gently through his gloves.

But when she once got a high fever and begged him to come visit her at the hospital, he said.

"Rosalie, stop forcing me. You know hospitals are full of germs, and I have serious germophobia."

Yet now, in front of Cassandra, his germophobia seemed miraculously cured. He actually stepped into the hospital. The very place he had always feared like the plague.

She had once heard someone say that love meant unconditional tolerance and compromise.

Just like how she did for Benjamin, and how Benjamin did for Cassandra.

***

After leaving the hospital, Rosalie took the divorce papers that her lawyer had drafted and went to see Benjamin.

"I want a divorce. Sign it."

Benjamin pursed his thin lips tightly. "Just because I didn't save you first? Rosalie, Cassie can't swim. Of course I had to save her first!"

Rosalie couldn't help but laugh, though her eyes burned with tears. "She can't swim! Do you think I can?"

Benjamin froze for two seconds. Then impatience flashed between his brows. "Even if you can't, even if I didn't save you, you're still fine, aren't you?"

His self-righteous tone hit her like fire, burning through every bit of her heart.

All her struggle, longing, and unwillingness to let go turned to ashes in that fire.

Only bone-deep emptiness was left.

She didn't want to argue anymore. Too tired to care, she closed her eyes and pointed to the signature line. "Sign it."

Benjamin didn't move. His cold eyes were sharp as ice. "Can you stop being unreasonable?"

With a click, the door opened from the outside.

Cassandra walked in. When she saw the divorce papers spread on the table, the corners of her mouth lifted ever so slightly.

She first handed a cup of hot tea to Benjamin and said softly, "Rosalie, Ben didn't mean it. Here. Have some hot tea. It's my way of apologizing for him."

Her expression was gentle, but pride flickered in her eyes.

A sharp pain struck Rosalie's heart. Without thinking, she swung her hand. "Get out of my way."

Smash.

The cup shattered, and the tea spilled everywhere.

Cassandra screamed and fell to the floor.

Benjamin's face changed instantly. Without hesitation, he lifted Cassandra into his arms and set her on the couch.

"Are you hurt?"

Cassandra leaned weakly against his chest, her voice trembling with grievance. "I'm fine. I just wanted to talk to her. I didn't expect..."

"It's not your fault." Benjamin's fingers twitched as he fought the urge to touch her cheek. His icy blue eyes shot toward Rosalie. "You want a divorce, right? Fine. As you wish."

He signed his name in bold, elegant strokes and tossed the papers at her. "I hope you don't regret it."

Regret?

The only thing she ever regretted in this life was marrying him.

That bitter thought flashed through Rosalie's mind. She turned to leave, but behind her came Cassandra's soft voice and Benjamin's low reply.

"Benny, you actually signed it? Aren't you afraid she'll really divorce you?"

Benjamin's tone held a hint of mockery. "She loves me too much to leave. It's just a little trick to get my attention. Now, let me see if your foot is hurt."

Rosalie's steps faltered. She turned instinctively.

Under the dim light, Benjamin knelt on one knee, carefully holding Cassandra's foot on his lap. His expression was gentle and focused.

Germophobia?

What a serious case of germophobia.

The next morning, Rosalie went to the courthouse to file for divorce.

When she returned to the villa, she saw Benjamin teaching Cassandra how to drive.

His hand rested lightly on hers. The space between them was so small that the air inside the car felt charged with tension.

Rosalie suddenly remembered all the times she had wiped her skin raw with disinfectant just to get close to him.

To Benjamin, his wife was nothing but a carrier of germs. If she wanted to touch him, she had to scrub herself clean first.

But... Cassandra was his exception. The one he treated like a holy item. Even if she were covered in dirt, he would still let her come close to him.

It is true that love always reveals itself.

She was the fool for never noticing it.

Rosalie looked away coldly and walked toward the villa. But then, the sharp roar of a car engine suddenly sounded behind her.

The next second, she felt her body fly into the air before crashing down like a rag doll. A burning pain shot through every inch of her body like a red-hot iron.

She lay amid shattered glass, choking as blood filled her mouth. Through the cracked windshield, she saw what happened inside the car.

Benjamin was holding Cassandra tightly in his arms, his face tense. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"

Cassandra's voice trembled. "I'm fine. But Rosa looks really hurt. Benny, hurry and take her to the hospital."

Through her blurry vision, Rosalie saw Benjamin glance at her, his voice icy.

"No. She's covered in blood. It's dirty."

Tears mixed with blood slid down her cheeks.

Rosalie let out a broken laugh as pain spread through her chest, tearing her apart from the inside.

She couldn't bear it anymore. Darkness closed in, and she passed out.

***

When she woke up again, Rosalie was in a hospital.

Benjamin's face was tight with restraint as he reached out to help her. But then, as if remembering something, he took out his gloves and put them on.

One pair wasn't enough, so he put on two more.

Pain stabbed deep in Rosalie's chest. She sneered. "If you don't want to touch me, don't force yourself."

Benjamin pulled his hand back and handed her the bowl of chicken broth the maid had made. "Eat something first."

Once, Rosalie would have been deeply touched.

Now, it only felt like mockery.

She said nothing, just quietly took the bowl.

When she finished, Benjamin's furrowed brows relaxed slightly. His voice was calm. "Cassie's pregnant with Joseph's child. She wants to have the beef broth you make. I'll have the driver take you home so you can cook for her."

So that was why he'd endured his germophobia, stayed with her in the hospital, and even brought her soup.

Not out of concern, but because he wanted her... to cook for Cassandra.

Rosalie's fingers clenched under the blanket, fury boiling inside her chest.

"Benjamin, are you insane? She hit me with her car, and you want me to make beef broth for her?"

Benjamin met her bloodshot eyes. Something inside him twitched.

He thought he was imagining it. His brows furrowed, his tone cold. "She didn't mean it. The doctor said you weren't badly hurt and can move just fine. And it's just beef broth. How much effort could that take?"

Rosalie's chest heaved. She grabbed the water cup on the nightstand and hurled it at him.

"Get out!

"Get out of my sight!"

Benjamin dodged, irritation flickering across his face.

He tore off his gloves and, as if offering her mercy, grabbed Rosalie's right hand and intertwined their fingers.

"Now, is this enough?"

Rosalie stared at him, tears streaming down her face and splashing onto the back of her hand, cold as ice.

What kind of man had she fallen in love with?

How could he be so heartless? How could he... humiliate her like this?

In the end, the bodyguards dragged her back to the villa, forcing her to make beef broth for Cassandra.

When she was finally sent back to the hospital, her weak body gave out, and she drifted into sleep.

But before long, sharp pain shot through her wrist.

Then, someone yanked her hard and threw her to the floor.

Rosalie's back hit the cold floor hard. Sharp pain shot through her body, and cold sweat broke out across her forehead.

"Benjamin! What are you doing?!"

Benjamin's face was dark as night, the chill in his pale blue eyes almost solid.

"Rosalie, I could understand if you were mad that Cassie ran into you. But why did you drug her beef broth? Do you know she almost lost the baby because of you?"

Rosalie tried to get up, but the bodyguard twisted her arms behind her back and pinned her to the ground.

Her cheek was pressed against the rough floor and her skin was burning, but it was nothing compared to the pain in her heart.

She trembled with rage. "Benjamin, if you're sick, go to a mental hospital! Stop making things up! Why would I drug her for no reason?"

Benjamin stared at her pale face, his cold eyes showing no pity.

"She didn't eat anything today except the beef broth you made.

"If you won't admit it, then stay put until you understand what you've done wrong."

Fear flashed in Rosalie's eyes, her teeth chattering.

"No... Benjamin! You... you can't do this to me!"

The only answer she got was Benjamin's icy order. "Take her down."

Rosalie tried to fight, but the hands on her were like iron clamps.

She was dragged out by the bodyguards toward the pool next to the hospital.

Splash.

Her body hit the water and was instantly enveloped by the freezing water.

Rosalie choked on a mouthful of water that reeked of chlorine. Fire burned down her throat and into her lungs, leaving her gasping and unable to breathe.

She called out instinctively, "Benjamin..."

Through the rippling water, Benjamin stood still, his cold gaze even harder than ice.

Hopelessness filled Rosalie's eyes. She struggled to reach the edge, but her body felt as heavy as lead.

Just when she thought she was about to drown, a bodyguard pulled her out and threw her at Benjamin's feet.

She was soaked from head to toe, her wounds tearing open again. Blood mixed with the pool water and formed a pool beneath her.

Benjamin took a step back, his tone cold. "Do you admit your mistake now?"

Rosalie coughed hard, her beautiful face white as paper. "It wasn't me..."

Splash.

The next second, she was thrown into the pool again.

It happened again and again until she had no strength left to fight. She let herself sink.

So be it.

Let it end here.

She didn't want to live anymore.

The blue tiles at the bottom of the pool grew clearer, closer.

Just then, someone pulled her up once more.

Through the ringing in her ears, she heard Benjamin answer a call.

"Have you investigated properly? It really wasn't her?

"Alright, I got it."

Her trembling, wet body finally gave out. Everything went black as she collapsed to the ground.

***

Rosalie woke from pain.

The sharp smell of disinfectant filled her nose. Agony spread through her body, her chest burning as if needles were stabbing her lungs. She let out a soft cry.

"How do you feel? The doctor said you have pneumonia. You'll need to stay here for two days."

Rosalie turned her head and saw Benjamin sitting nearby.

He was still in his black suit, cold and distant, untouchable as ever.

But now, the eyes that were always cold held a trace of guilt.

"We investigated the matter. It really had nothing to do with you. The nurse mixed up the medicine," he said, glancing at her again. "This was my fault. Whatever you want as compensation, I'll provide it."

Rosalie didn't look at him. Her voice was faint. "No need. If you really want to make it up to me, leave me alone so I can rest."

She understood now that Benjamin had only ever cared about Cassandra. He only offered compensation because he didn't want her to cause any trouble for Cassandra.

Benjamin frowned at how lifeless she looked. Something stirred in his chest, a feeling he couldn't name.

But in the end, he said nothing and walked out.

Maybe out of guilt, for the next few days, Benjamin came to the hospital every day, staying for half an hour each time.

If this had been before, Rosalie would've been overjoyed. But now, it just felt like a cruel joke.

Rosalie stayed in the hospital for a week. The day she was discharged, she accepted a friend's invitation to a private party.

She didn't expect to run into Cassandra there.

When Cassandra saw her, she gave a faint, mocking smile and walked over holding two glasses of wine.

"Rosa, I'm sorry about what happened a few days ago. Benny just cares about me too much. This drink is my apology; consider it me making up for him."

Rosalie didn't want to deal with her and turned to leave, but Cassandra stopped her.

Cassandra leaned in close, her whisper in Rosalie's ear sounding downright cruel.

"Rosalie, don't you think you're like a dog begging for scraps? No matter how hard you try, Benny will never look your way."

Rosalie's gaze turned cold. She shoved Cassandra hard and snapped back.

"If I'm a dog, then what are you? A widow sleeping with her ex-husband's brother while pregnant with her ex's child?"

Cassandra's face darkened instantly.

Then, for some reason, she suddenly threw her drink on her own face, slapped herself hard, and dropped to her knees in front of Rosalie.

"I'm sorry, Rosa. Everything that happened before was my fault. But I'm carrying Joseph's baby now. Please, I'm begging you, don't make me drink."

Rosalie froze. Before she could react, someone grabbed her arm tightly and shoved her hard.

Crash.

Caught off guard, she was thrown against a nearby coffee table.

Cups and bottles shattered, splashing wine across her face and clothes.

Several glass shards pierced her palm, blood spilling out. The sharp pain made her vision blur.

As Benjamin shoved her, he carefully helped Cassandra up, his face colder than ice.

"Rosalie, have I spoiled you too much? How dare you treat Cassie like that!"

Rosalie struggled to stand, looking up quietly into Benjamin's cold, merciless eyes.

They had been together for three years. She had wished countless times that he'd touch her just once, without caring about his obsession with cleanliness.

That day finally came, but only so he could hurt her.

She bit her lip until she tasted blood and spoke in a trembling voice.

"Benjamin, after all this time, so in your eyes, I'm nothing but a horrible woman."

A flicker of doubt flashed in Benjamin's eyes.

Cassandra's heart skipped, and she quickly forced a weak smile. "Forget it, Benny. I don't think Rosa meant it. She just got carried away by jealousy for a moment. After all..."

Looking at Cassandra's teary face, Benjamin's hesitation vanished. His gaze toward Rosalie turned ice-cold.

"You love me so much that there's nothing you wouldn't do. Grab her. She slapped Cassie once, so give her 20 back. She needs to learn a lesson."

Rosalie's eyes flew wide, pain crushing her chest like a hammer.

So in his eyes, her love for him was her greatest crime.

"Benjamin! I didn't touch her! If you don't believe me, check the cameras!"

"No need. I trust Cassie." Benjamin's tone was flat and cold. "Rosalie, anyone who does something wrong must be punished. Even a three-year-old knows that."

Fury filled Rosalie's eyes as she struggled to break free.

The moment she moved, two bodyguards grabbed her tight. Their huge hands came down fast and hard.

Slap!

The sharp crack echoed. Rosalie stumbled, her cheek burning with pain.

Slap!

Another blow.

Her head snapped to the side, blood trickling from her pale lips.

Two slaps.

Three...

The private room went dead silent, except for the sound of non-stop slapping.

At first, Rosalie still had the strength to argue, but after 20 slaps, her face burned like it had been branded. Even opening her mouth took effort.

She collapsed to the ground and passed out.

Rosalie had a nightmare.

When she finally struggled awake, she found herself staring at Benjamin's cold, handsome face.

He was wearing gloves, carefully applying medicine to her wounds with a cotton swab.

When he saw her wake up, he casually put the swab down and said flatly, "Let's forget what happened. But if you ever bully Cassie again, it won't be this easy next time."

Rosalie couldn't help but let out a low laugh. "Benjamin, do you know what? I regret ever meeting you."

Benjamin looked at her tear-streaked face, and something sharp flickered in his eyes. A strange restlessness rose in his chest.

"Rosalie, stop acting up. This was your fault from the start. Just 20 slaps. It was a light punishment."

"Light?" She asked inwardly.

Her face hurt so badly it felt ruined, yet he said it was a light punishment.

"Leave. I don't want to see you again."

When Benjamin met her lifeless gaze, his heart tightened for no reason. Something unexplainable made him speak again.

"Didn't you always want to sleep with me? As long as you promise not to bully Cassie again, I'll agree to sleep with you. That should make you happy, right?"

His tone was full of condescension, as if he were granting her the greatest favor in the world.

Rosalie gave a mocking smile, closed her eyes slowly, and stayed silent.

In the past, she had shamelessly tried to crawl into his bed many times.

But because of his germophobia, even when she stood naked before him, he never touched her.

And now he was offering to sleep with her? How generous.

But he didn't know... she didn't need it anymore.

All she wanted now was to stay far away from him, so far that she'd never have to see him again...

That night, Benjamin really meant to keep his word and share her bed.

She didn't bother to argue and used her period as an excuse to kick him out.

But when she went to the laundry room, she saw Benjamin washing Cassandra's underwear by hand.

At that moment, it felt as if a thousand knives were stabbing her heart.

Benjamin noticed her stare, his expression calm and unbothered.

"Cassie's pregnant. It's hard for her to move, and she feels embarrassed asking the maid, so I'm helping her."

Rosalie clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. Pain shot through her chest before she finally gave a small nod.

She didn't even want Benjamin anymore. Why should she care whose underwear he washed?

She turned and began packing her things.

After living there for three years, she had quite a few belongings. In the drawers were the gifts Benjamin had given her without much thought.

The expensive jewelry he'd had his assistant buy.

The ice cream he once bought her. She couldn't bear to throw away the box, so she kept it like a treasure.

The couple photo stickers she forced him to take when they went shopping together.

In the photo, Benjamin's expression was stiff, but the light softened his eyes.

Once, she thought those things were precious. Now, they just looked ridiculous.

Without hesitation, she threw them all into the trash can.

Along with them was her love for him.

For the next half month, Rosalie stayed home and didn't step out, only waiting quietly for the divorce cooling-off period to end.

Until one day, she opened a news alert on her phone.

"Malone Group CEO Benjamin prays to God for love."

In the video, Benjamin climbed 3,000 steps on his hands and knees.

Because it was raining, his expensive tailored suit was covered in mud, and his face, which was always clean and spotless, was smeared with dirt.

But he didn't care at all, only bowed his head respectfully as he took the blessed bracelet from the priest.

In the comments, countless people were shipping Benjamin and Cassandra.

"I heard Benjamin and Cassandra were childhood sweethearts, but fate separated them when Cassandra married Joseph by mistake. Now that Joseph's gone, they can finally be together."

"Doesn't Benjamin have a wife? I remember his wife is the prettiest woman in Chicago, Rosalie."

"He never loved Rosalie. Last time, he even slapped her 20 times in public for Cassandra."

Rosalie's fingers tightened around her phone, the ache in her chest completely numb.

She suddenly remembered once begging Benjamin to go to an old church in the suburbs with her.

Benjamin said.

"Rosalie, it's a mountain road to the church. It's dusty, and there are too many people and germs. Stop being selfish and think about me for once!"

But now, he prayed to God for Cassandra.

How ironic.

And how ridiculous.

Rosalie calmly closed the article and began packing her suitcase.

Just then, the door burst open.

Benjamin walked in, uncharacteristically tense. His gloved hand grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward the door.

Rosalie tried to pull away, but she couldn't. Helpless, she shouted.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!"

Benjamin's face was grim, his voice tense.

"Cassie accidentally hurt someone. The victim's family agreed to settle, but on one condition. They want someone to take the punishment for five days."

Rosalie froze as the meaning of his words hit her, her face turning pale with fear.

"No... I'm not going... "

Why?!

Cassandra made the mistake. Why should she take the blame?

Benjamin forced her into the car with unshakable strength.

"No, you have to go! Cassie is timid, and she's carrying my brother's child. Nothing can happen to her. Don't worry, they promised not to kill you. At most, they'll hurt you a little.

"When the time's up, I'll come pick you up myself. Besides, haven't you always wanted a child? If you take this for Cassie, I'll give you one in exchange."

Rosalie's lips trembled.

Her chest went numb, but tears still streamed down her face.

How cruel. How ironic.

She was his wife, and all she wanted was to have his child, but he wanted her to earn it by taking Cassandra's punishment.

So in his eyes...

She was that worthless!

A sudden gust of wind blew away her tears and, with them, the last trace of love in her heart.

She struggled wildly, screaming hoarsely, "Who cares!"

But in the end, she couldn't fight Benjamin's strength and was shoved into the car.

When they arrived, Benjamin ordered his bodyguards to tie her up and throw her in front of the furious victim's family.

"I've done what I promised. Don't go after Cassie again."

Rosalie turned her head and met the hate-filled eyes staring back at her. Fear gripped her heart like an iron claw.

Her teeth chattered as she begged, "Benjamin, don't do this to me! They'll beat me to death!"

Benjamin crouched down, gently wiping her tears with a handkerchief. A flicker of pity passed through his eyes, but his tone stayed cold.

"They won't. They promised me they wouldn't kill you. Be good, Rosa. I'll come for you when it's over."

Rosalie clung to his sleeve, but he pushed her hand away without hesitation.

Her trembling fingers reached helplessly toward him, unable to stop him from leaving.

A helpless sob escaped her throat, her eyes turning red.

The family dragged her into a dark room, where fists and sticks rained down like a storm.

Rosalie bit her lip hard, but couldn't stop the painful cries spilling from her mouth.

After that, she endured torment she never thought possible.

They poured boiling water on her, burning her skin until blisters covered her body.

They pressed lit cigarettes into her arms, leaving scars that spelled out "criminal."

They whipped her with lashes soaked in salt water, tearing her clothes and cutting deep into her flesh.

They even... sealed her inside a coffin with a rotting corpse for an entire night.

Just when she thought she'd die from the torture, the door was kicked open.

A man stood against the light. His face was hidden and his presence was terrifying.

"Touch her again, and you'll pay for it!"

His bodyguards rushed in, taking down everyone in seconds.

Then Rosalie fell into a steady embrace.

Through her blurry vision, Oliver's cold eyes met hers, though his embrace was gentle.

"Rosie, don't be scared. I'm here to save you. Sleep now. When you wake up, everything will be fine."

Tears filled Rosalie's eyes as she whimpered and leaned against his chest.

Then everything went dark.

Five days later.

Benjamin came as promised to pick her up, only to learn that she had already been rescued by a man five days ago.

"A man? What kind of man?" Benjamin asked inwardly.

A strange frustration rose in him. He took out his phone, about to call her, but someone stopped him.

Cassandra hooked her arm through his and sighed, "Why is Rosa so immature? Is she mad at you and doing this just to make you worry?"

Benjamin's finger paused above the screen.

Cassandra's lips curved slightly as she continued, "Ben, today is Oliver's wedding. Let's attend first. You can reach out to Rosalie afterward, right?"

Benjamin was silent for a moment before putting his phone away. "You're right."

But even as he said it, on the way to the hotel, he couldn't calm down. He kept checking his phone over and over.

When they arrived, he finally pocketed it and looked toward the entrance.

A red carpet lined the hotel entrance, flowers on both sides, and at the end stood a huge wedding photo.

Benjamin was about to look away when he froze, his gaze snapping back in disbelief.

When he saw the wedding photo clearly, he felt as if he was struck by a heavy hammer. He froze in place.

The woman in the photo had bright and flawless skin. Her red lips curved into a smile. It wasn't just anyone. It was his wife.

Rosalie.