On my birthday, I was kidnapped and tortured for three days straight.

When the police finally rescued me, I was covered in bruises, my clothes all torn.

Benjamin Whitmore dashed to the scene and shouted at the reporters to back off.

His eyes were full of pity as he pulled me into his arms. Right there, he proposed to me.

On the drive back, I fell asleep in his car.

Half-awake, I overheard him talking to his bodyguard, Kenneth Rutledge.

"Ben, did we go too far by drugging her and getting someone to assault her? Even if you wanted to ruin her reputation for that woman, we could have done it another way."

Benjamin's voice was calm as he stroked my back.

"For a devout girl like her, chastity is everything. If you wanna destroy her reputation, there's no other way.

"But it's fine. I'll marry her as she wishes and spend the rest of my life making it up to her. That should be enough."

Scalding tears poured down my face, but inside I felt nothing but ice.

I never imagined that the marriage I longed for would turn out to be the hell that ruined me.

"Ben, maybe we should take her to the hospital belonging to the Whitmore Group. Everyone there is on our side, so no one will tell."

"No. Go to a public one."

"But the public hospital's packed, and the reporters must've been waiting there. The tabloids will twist the story however they want!"

"That's the point. It needs to be public. This final step will make sure Jonathan gives up on Vanessa completely, and Amy can finally become Mrs. Callahan without worry.

"Enough talking. I'm tired. Gotta rest."

I bit down hard on my lip, forcing myself not to make a sound.

The warmth coming from him, once so familiar and safe, now terrified me.

The car that used to hold so many of our happy memories felt like a living hell.

Now I finally knew why Benjamin, the golden boy, would keep courting me after I divorced Jonathan, my cheating husband.

It was never because he loved me.

He was just clearing the path for Amelia.

The two men I once loved with all my heart were both crazy about the same woman.

And that woman wasn't me...

The thought alone made my stomach churn with disgust.

I couldn't hold it in any longer.

Gripping the seat, I leaned forward and began to retch uncontrollably.

The sound startled Benjamin awake.

He quickly bent over, gently patting my back as he spoke softly, "Sweetheart, what's wrong? Just hang in there a little longer. We'll be at the hospital soon."

As he spoke, he reached for the bottle I usually used and handed it to me from the driver's seat.

The water inside was at the perfect temperature—something Benjamin never failed to get right.

"Slow down, sweetheart," he murmured, leaning closer.

Hearing him call me that over and over made the nausea rise again.

After a few minutes, I managed to steady myself and looked out the window.

Just then, we drove past the hospital owned by the Whitmore Group.

He tensed up a bit, then regained his composure.

Pulling me gently into his arms, he brushed the hair away from my face and spoke in that same calm, tender tone.

"Sweetheart, the doctors at our company hospital aren't the best. Now that you're finally safe, I don't want to risk anything happening to you again. I've already arranged for the top specialists to check on you properly."

He paused, his voice steady. "Don't worry. I'll keep the reporters away from you, just like I did before."

After he finished speaking, he pressed a gentle kiss against my cheek.

I turned my head toward the window and sighed quietly to myself.

What could I even say?

After three years of marriage, I was nothing more than a caged bird Benjamin kept to show off.

Aside from the platinum card with its six-figure limit, I had no control over anything in my own life.

I forced a small smile and replied softly, "Alright. I'll let you handle it."

My obedience seemed to please him.

He shifted slightly and glanced at Kenneth through the rearview mirror.

"Kenneth, once we get to the hospital, make sure to protect Nessa."

Kenneth met his gaze in the mirror and gave a slight nod.

A few seconds later, he glanced at me again.

I knew exactly what that look meant.

It was probably guilt, the kind that only flickered in someone who still had a shred of conscience left.

The car soon pulled into Mount Sinai Hospital, one of the most prestigious medical centers in America.

Reporters swarmed the entrance, joined by a sea of onlookers.

The moment I stepped out, the reporters surrounded me.

Benjamin and Kenneth immediately stepped in front of me, trying to block them, but two men were no match for a crowd that size.

Within moments, Kenneth was shoved to the ground, and dozens of microphones were thrust in my face.

"Mrs. Whitmore, pardon the question, but were you kidnapped on your birthday because your outfit that day was too revealing and caught the criminals' attention?"

"Mrs. Whitmore, Mr. Whitmore claimed the kidnappers didn't harm you, but looking at the marks on your body, any adult can tell otherwise. Was he just trying to protect you by lying to the public?"

"Mrs. Whitmore, after what happened, do you think this will affect your marriage with Mr. Whitmore?"

"Mrs. Whitmore, if Mr. Whitmore still loves you the same way he used to after all this, don't you think that's a debt you could never repay even in three lifetimes?"

Each question cut into me like a knife.

I looked at Benjamin, who was standing in front of me and shielding me from the reporters as best he could.

But all I could hear were the words he and Kenneth had exchanged in the car.

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

The man I had trusted with my life, and once loved so completely, was the very one who had destroyed me.

What a cruel joke.

I felt like an unwanted stray dog, crouching in the chaos as reporters trampled over my clothes and stepped on me.

"Kenneth! What the hell are you doing?"

Benjamin's furious voice cut through the noise.

Kenneth finally got back on his feet.

The two of them worked together seamlessly.

I had stood beside Benjamin through countless press encounters before; I knew this performance by heart.

The reporters had already gotten every shot they needed.

It didn't matter that I hadn't said a single word.

Benjamin would make sure the headlines said exactly what he wanted them to say.

The story would write itself—"The unfaithful socialite wife and the devoted, powerful husband."

The media always loved that narrative.

The reporters didn't dare cross Benjamin.

After his outburst, the crowd began to thin out.

He rushed over, lifted me from the ground, and gently brushed the dirt off my clothes while murmuring soft words of comfort, "Sweetheart, don't listen to what they said.

"After everything that's happened, I only love you more than ever."

Then, without warning, he turned and kicked Kenneth hard in the side.

"Kenneth, I told you in the car to protect Nessa. What the hell were you doing out there? One more mistake and you can pack your things and go back to your village! Useless!"

His performance was flawless.

The hospital's specialists had been waiting for us.

As soon as I arrived, they rushed me through a series of examinations.

Hours later, the doctor asked to speak with Benjamin alone.

While Kenneth went to make the payment, I slipped toward the door and overheard their conversation.

"Your wife's uterus is severely damaged. She was pregnant, but unfortunately, she won't be able to have children again."

He paused before continuing, "The psychiatrist also said her mental state is unstable. She's showing signs of self-talk and fear of human contact. It's far beyond typical post-traumatic stress. I would suggest controlling the media narrative to avoid further psychological harm. For the Whitmore family, that shouldn't be too difficult."

After that, his words became a blur.

I had been pregnant when it happened.

I touched my flat stomach, my body trembling.

Benjamin hadn't just ruined me. He had killed our child.

My knees gave out, and I stumbled into the hallway, collapsing to the floor.

A few minutes later, I heard Kenneth's voice echoing down the corridor.

"Ben, it's just like you wanted. Nessa really can't have kids now. But I didn't expect that she was already carrying one. That means there's another life on our hands... What a sin..."

Benjamin didn't answer right away.

After a long silence, Kenneth hesitated and asked, "Ben, since the doctor said all that, should we still go ahead with the media coverage?"

"Do it," Benjamin replied flatly.

Then, the two of them walked away.

Once I calmed down, I pulled out my phone and found an old email from six months ago.

It was a job offer from an animation studio overseas, and I decided to accept it.

A few minutes later, their reply came through.

Following the schedule in the email, I booked myself a flight for two days later.

A loveless marriage was nothing more than a cage with the door locked from the outside.

There was no reason to stay anymore.

Just as I confirmed the ticket, my phone rang.

It was Benjamin. His voice sounded anxious.

"Sweetheart, where are you? I've been looking everywhere for you."

"I'm still at the hospital," I said. "I just needed some air. I can see you now."

When I got in the car, he pulled me tightly into his arms.

"Sweetheart, don't scare me like that again, okay?"

I forced back my tears and nodded.

He told Kenneth to drive us home.

The moment we entered the gates, I saw my mother-in-law, Megan Whitmore, arranging flowers in the garden.

Amelia was beside her, happily handing her the stems.

"Sweetheart, Mom was so worried after what happened that she insisted on coming to see you. You know Amy majored in psychology for her master's, so I thought she could talk to you and help you feel better."

If there was one person Megan despised most in the world, it was me.

There was no way she came here out of concern.

Sure enough, as soon as I stepped out of the car, she walked over arm in arm with Amelia.

Her face twisted with disdain when she saw me.

"How dare you come back after being tainted by another man? You should've just died out there and left room for Amy!"

At that, Benjamin quickly pulled me into his arms.

"Mom, you always speak so harshly. Can't you show some kindness if you're worried about Vanessa?"

She yanked her sleeve free and snapped coldly, "Me? Worried about her? Maybe in her next life. I came here to find out when you're finally divorcing her. I want Amy to be my daughter-in-law!"

Then, she pushed Amelia toward him, smiling as if admiring her own handiwork.

"Look at them. Aren't they perfect together?"

Amelia stumbled lightly against Benjamin's chest.

"Mom, don't say that. Amy's a married woman," Benjamin said, though his body leaned toward her almost instinctively.

Amelia only giggled softly and said nothing.

Watching the three of them standing there, perfectly content, I couldn't bear another second of it.

"Benjamin, I'm a little tired. You should stay here and keep Megan and Amy company."

He was probably already lost in Amelia's gentle charm.

He didn't even look at me. He just gave a perfunctory reply that passed for agreement.

When I went upstairs and looked out from the balcony, I saw her holding onto his arm, the two of them standing close in the garden.

Megan's shrill voice carried up through the open window.

"Benjamin, hurry up and get that woman out of this house. Just seeing her makes me sick. Amelia's fiancé is useless anyway. You two should just get married already!"

Hearing Megan's words, Benjamin looked at Amelia with eyes full of longing, but the way she avoided his gaze made a quiet bitterness flicker across his expression.

I couldn't watch anymore.

Exhausted, I crawled into bed, pulled the blanket over myself, and finally drifted into sleep.

When I woke up again, night had already fallen.

Half-conscious, I heard Benjamin's familiar voice outside the door.

"Amy, do you know how happy I was when Mom pushed you toward me today? It was like a dream I've had countless times. In my life, I've always gotten everything I wanted, except you."

His voice was rough, trembling, on the edge of tears.

I had never heard Benjamin sound so fragile.

Quietly, I slipped out of bed and cracked the door open.

Amelia had her arms around him, gently rubbing his back as she whispered, "Ben, I never wanted things to be this way. I just didn't expect you to sacrifice so much for me. You've suffered enough."

The moment she finished, he suddenly grabbed her and kissed her like a madman.

She froze for a second before lifting her head and kissing him back with the same desperate intensity.

Between ragged breaths, he murmured, "It's not suffering, Amy. As long as you're happy, I'll do anything for you."

Before he could finish, she tore open his shirt and kissed him again, deeper this time.

I couldn't watch anymore. I shut the door and leaned against it, trembling.

Moments later, I heard the door to the guest room open.

Then, the unmistakable sounds of pleasure followed.

My stomach churned violently.

It felt like fire was clawing at my chest, desperate to escape.

I slammed my forehead against the wall, over and over, until the dizziness dulled the pain in my heart.

I turned toward the mirror, staring at my disheveled reflection until tears blurred everything.

I sat there in silence, crying until dawn crept in through the curtains.

But Benjamin never came back.

Laughter and moans drifted endlessly from the next room.

When dawn finally broke, the door creaked open.

It wasn't Benjamin. It was Amelia.

Amelia looked down at me, sitting on the floor in defeat, and burst into laughter.

Pointing at my face, she snapped, "So what if Jonathan used to love you? One flick of my finger and he was in my bed. And Benjamin—marrying you didn't stop him either. He slept with me under your own roof."

"Vanessa, I used to hate how proud you were. But look at you now. Everyone sees you for what you are—a shameless whore!

"Do you know that when Benjamin arranged for those men to ruin you, he already knew you were pregnant? He didn't care. While you were bleeding on the floor, he was playing golf with me. I hit that shot perfectly. Your screams echoed over the course. It was almost beautiful."

Her words struck me like lightning.

So Benjamin had known I was pregnant.

It was bad enough that he let that vicious woman ruin me, but he didn't even spare our child.

Amelia paced back and forth in front of me, her face lit with smug satisfaction as she took in my broken, hollow stare.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I lunged forward and wrapped my hands around her throat.

But my body was still weak, my strength long gone.

Before I could do any real harm, she let out a sharp scream.

"Ben! Help me! Vanessa's gone crazy!"

The door burst open.

Benjamin stormed in and shoved me to the floor before pulling Amelia into his arms.

His voice softened as he held her. "Amy, what happened? Why are you two fighting?"

Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at him.

"Ben, I told you before that I just wanted to help Vanessa from a professional standpoint. I asked her to talk through what happened to her, to release the trauma. But I didn't expect her to try and strangle me..."

Her sobs grew louder with every word.

Benjamin turned to me, his eyes cold and full of disgust.

"Benjamin..."

"Shut up, Vanessa! I don't understand why you hate Amy so much! She came here out of kindness to comfort you, and you try to kill her? You make me sick. I'm ashamed to call you my wife!"

He scooped Amelia into his arms and walked out without looking back.

As he left, she glanced over his shoulder and flashed me a triumphant smile.

Tears soaked through my clothes.

I looked around the house Benjamin and I had once built together, piece by piece.

Then I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror—disheveled, hollow, and barely human. A laugh tore out of me, raw and broken.

Everything had been a lie.

Since they were determined to destroy me, I wouldn't let them walk away unscathed then.

With shaking hands, I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in years, but one I still remembered by heart.

***

After leaving the room, Benjamin began to regret what he had said.

Maybe he had gone too far.

Amelia didn't seem hurt at all.

She was back to her usual self within minutes, tugging on his arm and insisting they go to the mall to check out a new limited-edition handbag.

He hesitated for a moment, but then thought of how obedient and quiet Vanessa usually was.

The worry faded.

At the mall, while Amelia was distracted, he pulled out his phone and called Kenneth.

He told Kenneth to go home and check on Vanessa's condition.

Once the call ended, Benjamin finally felt at ease.

Whatever happened, Kenneth could handle it.

All day long, Benjamin and Amelia wandered through the mall like a couple madly in love, inseparable and oblivious to everything else.

By nightfall, Amelia finally complained she was tired, so they headed back to the car.

Benjamin let out a deep breath, exhausted but oddly content.

When he picked up his phone, though, his blood ran cold.

There were over a hundred missed calls, all from Kenneth.

A sudden dread gripped him. He started the engine and quickly called back.

The moment the line connected, Kenneth's panicked voice came through.

"Ben, something's wrong! Nessa is gone, and so is the company's liquid fund, hundreds of millions of it! And somehow, the reporters found out. They're all gathered outside the building!"