Three years after my death, my CEO husband sent me a legal notice.

He sued me, claiming that the kidney I donated to his beloved was defective, but he never received my response to the lawsuit.

To force me to show up, he held a press conference and publicly transferred 20% of the company's shares to his beloved.

Finally, unable to stand it anymore, he went to the countryside to find me.

The neighbor was shocked. "You mean Madison Velmont? She hasn't been back since her grandfather passed away."

He furiously knocked on my door.

My sister opened the door.

"Liam? Don't you know my sister died two years ago?"

***

The man put his hands in his pockets and sneered. "What trick is Madison trying to pull now? Faking her death to make me feel regretful?

"She dared to hit Sophia with her car two years ago, and I just froze her credit cards, yet she still had the nerve to throw a tantrum?

"If it weren't for Sophia's kidney showing abnormalities today, I wouldn't forgive her so easily!"

My sister, Emma Velmont, frowned. "My sister died two years ago. What are you saying now? You? Forgive her easily? That's ridiculous!"

My husband, Liam Kendrick, ignored Emma's words, looking past her. A fluffy white dog was wagging its tail happily.

"Still trying to fool me. Charlie is here, so where could Madison go?

"Tell her I'm being generous here. If she doesn't wise up, then don't bother coming to me ever again!"

Charlie seemed to understand and limped over to his feet, barking twice. Emma reached out and held Charlie in her arms to comfort him.

But Charlie suddenly stuck out his tongue and began convulsing all over.

Emma frantically looked for an oxygen tank and tongue depressor. Seeing Charlie like this, my soul cracked slightly, and I instinctively reached out to hold him.

But my arm passed right through his body.

I suddenly realized that I was no longer part of this world and could never hug my loved ones again.

Liam frowned with disgust. "Stupid dog! Do you want me to kick you again?"

Two years ago, Liam slapped me because of his beloved, Sophia Downey. Charlie, being protective, bites Liam's leg hard before getting kicked away.

Charlie's right leg was injured and would spasm when he got too scared.

Liam warned in a low voice, "I'm saying this one last time. Get Madison out here to see me!"

"She's dead! Even if she were still alive, she wouldn't want to see you again! I would keep her far away from you, find her a good family to marry into, and never let her have anything to do with you again!"

Emma screamed hysterically, but Liam didn't believe a word she said.

"So Madison was cheating on me, huh? Sophia was right, she's such a promiscuous woman. I must have been blind to marry her!"

As he spoke, my heart felt like it was being torn apart. So even in death, I could still feel heartbreak.

I had already been driven to death by him and his childhood sweetheart, yet I still had to endure such vile insults.

Thinking about this, my internal organs felt like they were burning with fire, causing unbearable pain.

"Stop spouting nonsense and get out of here! The Velmont family doesn't welcome you!"

Liam's fierce gaze swept toward Emma. "The Velmont family? I'm the one who put a roof over your head. Didn't your sister tell you? Even your useless brother's betrothal gift money came from me!"

Yes, Liam had been kind to the Velmont family. When my mother was critically ill, he provided the money that saved her life.

When my sister-in-law got pregnant before marriage and her family pressured her to abort, he also provided the betrothal gift money, allowing my nephew to be born.

So all my sacrifices were taken for granted by him.

But what he didn't know was that I only had one kidney, and Sophia bribed the doctor who examined me.

I only found out during the surgery when the doctors were chatting.

The anesthesiologist gave me half the normal dose, and while I was conscious, I couldn't stop them. I endured excruciating pain as they removed my kidney and replaced it with a cold, torturous artificial one.

After surgery, I developed a severe infection and soon died from complications within less than two weeks.

At that time, Liam was still by Sophia's side, caring for her, and didn't think of me at all.

Emma broke down emotionally. "Mr. Kendrick, if you don't believe what I'm saying, go ask at the hospital where my sister had surgery!"

"The hospital has my sister's death certificate!"

Liam laughed coldly. "I already asked them. They told me she was discharged successfully. At least try to make your lies believable!"

That was not what happened at all!

I died in the hospital after failed resuscitation!

But Liam believed in the lie firmly, even though it could be exposed easily.

"Liam! How dare you come to my house!"

Looking over, a tall and imposing man was staring at Liam with bloodshot eyes.

My eldest brother, Nathan Velmont, had just come back from the construction site. His dusty face was full of exhaustion, but the anger in his eyes was burning endlessly.

"I've already paid back all the money you lent us. What are you doing here?"

Liam took a cigarette from his assistant, brought it close to the flame to light it, and smoke-shrouded his expression.

"Nathan, the Velmont family sucked my blood by clinging to Madison. Can you ever pay that back?"

Nathan's eyes flashed with pain, and he murmured with his head down, "Yes, I dragged her down, but you... You have absolutely no right to blame me!"

He took two steps forward and grabbed Liam's collar.

"When Madison married you, I was the first to oppose it. To convince me and my dad, she knelt at the door for a whole day and night...

"And then! You broke her heart and made her lose her life! You should have lived happily ever after with your childhood sweetheart, not show up here and disturb her soul!

"Liam! You're nothing but a scum. You're worse than animals!"

Liam's face darkened, and he pressed the dark red cigarette butt onto Nathan's fist.

The skin burned instantly. "Nathan!"

"It was just one kidney. I gave her 1.8 million dollars! What scum would be that generous?

"She agreed to it herself back then, so why are you blaming me now?"

Nathan shouted loudly, "What do you mean 1.8 million? That 18,000 dollars for a betrothal gift and the 85,000 to save Mom's life — I've already paid them back to you. You're slandering us!"

"You took it all and still won't admit it. Are all the Velmonts this disgusting?"

Liam frowned, showing an impatient expression, and immediately ordered his men to seize the family members.

"Release those German Shepherds and teach them a good lesson!"

I panicked and instinctively knelt down to beg for mercy, but I could only watch helplessly as men in black suddenly burst in and surrounded my family.

Drooling vicious dogs pounced forward. My brother held my sister as they dodged, but Charlie got bitten.

"No! Stop! Stop it all!"

I screamed hoarsely, but no one could hear my voice. I shed tears of blood, and only Charlie looked at me with resentment.

My Charlie, you had noticed me the moment you entered the door!

But I could only watch helplessly as it stopped breathing.

"This is just a small lesson for you," Liam roared angrily. "Tell Madison to come back by herself within three days, or this dead dog will be your fate."

The door slammed with a thunderous sound.

Years ago, because I spoke rudely to Sophia, Liam directly destroyed the Velmont family factory, and Dad fell seriously ill from anger.

Now, he could certainly do it again.

For Sophia, he would destroy gods and devils alike — nothing could stop him.

Two years had passed. Because of that kidney, my soul was tethered to Liam's side, more painful than going to hell.

Downstairs, Sophia called him.

The moment he saw her name on the phone, the hostility on Liam's face immediately disappeared.

"Hello, Sophia, what's the matter?"

My soul seemed to be mysteriously drawn and was immediately pulled to Liam's side.

I saw him talking on the phone with a face full of tenderness.

"Liam, is Madison still hiding from us?

"It's all my fault for being weak. I couldn't even handle the rejection reaction and ruined the kidney Madison donated to me. She must be reluctant to give me another one..."

On the other end of the phone, Sophia's fake sweet voice made me nauseous.

"Don't be silly. How can you say that? I'll arrange the best artificial kidney for her. She'll have to agree even if she doesn't want to!

"The doctor said your body can only use a living kidney. Madison exercises regularly and is as strong as an ox. She'll be just fine living with an artificial kidney!"

Liam comforted Sophia for half an hour before reluctantly hanging up the phone.

Just then, a man who looked like an assistant hurriedly knocked and entered.

"Mr. Kendrick, someone anonymously sent a death certificate..."

Liam raised his eyebrows. "Whose?"

"It's... Ms. Velmont's."

Liam took it casually. The name section read "Madison Velmont."

He snorted. "Madison, you really have some nerve. To avoid me, you even faked a death certificate. Is that useful?"

The assistant hesitated. "Mr. Kendrick, that death certificate isn't forged. After all, I went to verify it, and the police station also said..."

"Enough!" Liam interrupted him impatiently. "It's definitely just Madison's little trick. She just wants me to regret it. She's dreaming!

"Go find her. No matter where she hides, turn over every stone and bring her to me!"

The assistant sighed and nodded quickly. "Yes, Mr. Kendrick!"

A week passed.

The assistant came to report with a strange expression.

"Mr. Kendrick, the private investigators reported that Ms. Velmont has been confirmed dead, and her body has already been cremated at the funeral home. The ashes were personally signed for and collected by Nathan Velmont. There's absolutely no mistake."

Liam frowned. "Nonsense! Madison values her life so much, how could she bear to die? To save her life, she even went to Colorado for herbal remedies!"

I smiled bitterly. He didn't know I went to Colorado to get medicine for him.

That year, Liam went on a business trip to Africa and contracted malaria. No matter what medicine they used, his fever wouldn't break.

I heard that Colorado had ancient remedies that could treat malaria, so I traveled through mountains and rivers to seek them in the mountains. The high altitude left me gasping for air, and I nearly fainted.

Finally, I found the remedy in an old chapel on the mountain.

I don't know if the herbal remedy really worked, or if my sincerity moved God, but Liam really recovered after taking the medicine.

But he actually thought I went to the high mountains of Colorado for myself. How ridiculous.

The assistant said with difficulty, "But Mr. Kendrick, I hired two private detective agencies, and the results they found... are the same. Ms. Velmont might really be..."

Liam slammed the table angrily. "Nonsense! This isn't my first day knowing her!

"She's the kind of person who won't give up until she reaches her goal. How could she bear to die? She's determined to cling to me and stick to me for life.

"Maybe she already knew there was a problem with her kidney and was afraid I'd give her troubles, so she's playing dead to escape. Who knows where she's living it up now!"

The assistant was stunned. "But Mr. Kendrick, this is too dramatic!"

Liam laughed mockingly. "She was the star of the drama club in college. She's a professional at faking her own death!"

The assistant was completely speechless.

"So Mr. Kendrick, should we continue investigating?"

Liam lit a cigarette and blew out smoke rings. "Investigate. Keep investigating for me. Which funeral home she was cremated at, and which cemetery her ashes are buried in.

"I want to see if Madison has really arranged everything perfectly!"

I stood behind him, watching this man I had loved for seven years with icy detachment, my heart completely shattered.

I felt myself fading even more.

Another week passed, and the assistant came to report.

This time his expression was very bad. He placed a file in front of Liam.

"I found that Ms. Velmont was cremated at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale two years ago.

"Her ashes are buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, in the Loving Kindness section, Lot 9734."

"The cemetery staff said the Velmont siblings come to pay their respects every year."

Liam's expression was cold, his thin lips parting slightly. "Excellent, quite thoroughly arranged!

"Madison, seems like you're determined to hide from me!"

He suddenly stood up from his seat and strode toward the door.

"Let's go! Let's go to the memorial park and take a look!"

The assistant followed closely behind him.

An hour later, the car stopped at the gate of Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.

Liam got out of the car. The sky was drizzling, and the assistant quickly opened a black umbrella.

In front of Lot 9734 in the Loving Kindness section.

The tomb was still new. The words on the headstone were written clearly.

"Second daughter of the Velmont family, Madison Velmont."

On the small portrait was my face with a gentle smile from when I was young.

Back then, I had just started college, young and radiant, with my whole life ahead of me.

Liam stood there gloomily, staring at my portrait, lost in thought.

His assistant stood at a distance, not daring to breathe loudly.

My soul floated nearby, looking at my own grave with some sadness.

This grave was taken care of by my brother. My mother, overwhelmed by grief, passed away the year after I died.

"Dig it up!"

Liam suddenly spoke, startling his assistant.

"Mr. Kendrick, you... What did you say?"

"Don't you understand? I want you to dig up her grave!"

The assistant turned pale with fear.

"That's not right, Mr. Kendrick. This... this will bring divine punishment! Ms. Velmont is already gone, just let her rest in peace."

But Liam wouldn't let it go.

"If you don't want to do it, pack your things and get out today!"

The poor assistant looked miserable. The bodyguards behind him had no choice but to grit their teeth and dig up the grave.

Liam stared intently until a small urn was dug up.

He snatched it over and violently lifted the lid.

Before he opened the lid, his throat moved as he took a deep breath.

The moment he raised his hand, both the bodyguards and assistant looked down.

But they heard Liam's sarcastic laughter mixed with triumphant joy.

"Hah, I knew it! This woman was faking it! Let's see you try to pull this stunt again, Madison!"

The assistant stood there in a daze. He couldn't help but take a look and was so shocked his jaw dropped.

"It's empty..."

Yes, empty.

My ashes weren't here at all after my death.

Liam walked away with the urn, completely missing the black box placed under the tombstone.

My beautiful youth and unwilling obsessions were all hidden in that small box.

Liam went to the Velmont family's house again.

Downstairs, Sophia was there too, her pale complexion making her look even more pitiful.

Liam took off his coat to wrap around her, and when he bent down, a necklace was revealed around Sophia's neck.

My heart suddenly tightened.

This was the necklace I had made and blessed for him on Mount Washington, said to protect the one you love from disaster.

My lips stiffened, and a bitter pain tore at my soul.

The necklace was indeed effective — essentially, I had taken the disaster for Sophia.

"Nathan! Emma! Bring Madison out here!"

Sophia started crying the moment she entered.

"I'm here to apologize to Madison. It's all my fault. As long as she can save me, I'm willing to never see Liam again!"

As she spoke, she started coughing, her palms full of blood.

Emma got angry just looking at her, yelling at them to get out and pushing Sophia.

Liam smashed the urn on the ground. "It's clearly empty, and you say she's dead? Where are the ashes?"

Nathan's chest heaved violently, realizing that he had actually been insane enough to dig my grave.

He couldn't hold back anymore and got into a fight with Liam.

They accidentally knocked into the memorial shelf, and a crystal picture frame fell to the ground, instantly shattering into pieces.

Liam glanced at it, but his whole body froze, his face going ashen.

Under that memorial candle was actually my photo.

"You... you were mourning someone alive..."

But in the next moment, his voice began to tremble.

"Or... is Madison really dead?"

"You beast! You treated Madison badly when she was alive, and now even after she's dead you won't leave her alone!"

Nathan staggered up from the ground and lunged at Liam again.

"No! No! This can't be real!"

Liam gasped heavily, veins bulging on his forehead. "How could she die!"

He broke free and reached out to pick up the glass shards on the ground.