Ophelia Flynn secretly arranged for the young woman Augustus cherished to attend a top music school overseas.

Augustus, always regarded by everyone as cold and detached, lost it. He was convinced that Ophelia was trying to make things difficult for his sweetheart.

So he took their son, Julian Reynolds, on an Arctic cruise, forcing Ophelia to hand over Kimberly.

As the ship entered international waters, Augustus's assistant, Tobias, abruptly hoisted five-year-old Julian over the railing and suspended him above the sea. Ophelia watched, paralyzed by pain, as her son screamed and cried.

Augustus's deep, malicious voice sounded. "Honey, you have five minutes to decide. Otherwise, our son will sink into the sea!"

In the first minute, Ophelia recalled her five-year-long secret crush on Augustus and how she became his secret lover. He came from a top medical family, while she was just a plain-looking, ordinary girl, so she never pushed to make their relationship known.

In the second minute, she remembered how the Reynolds family tried to arrange for Augustus to marry a rich heiress after graduation, but Augustus instantly took Ophelia to City Hall to register their marriage.

In the third minute, Ophelia recalled Augustus's immense loyalty. When she became pregnant, the Reynolds family still refused to acknowledge her, so Augustus cut them off. Later, she gave birth to Julian.

In the fourth minute, she remembered how Kimberly, his friend's niece, had entered their world, and the loving look Augustus gave Kimberly on her 20th birthday.

In the fifth minute, her thoughts shifted to the devastating image of Augustus and Kimberly entwined in bed...

The leather band Augustus had worn for nearly 20 years was gone.

He had never allowed Ophelia to touch it, but it was now on Kimberly's right ankle.

Augustus's eyes were utterly cold. "Ophelia, I'll ask you one last time. Where is Kim?"

Ophelia's throat ached. Julian's cries rang in her ears. "Mommy, save me..."

The cold sea wind whipped her face, leaving her cheeks raw and stinging.

"Honey, you want Jules to die, don't you?"

Ophelia's chest hurt so much that she could barely breathe. She fixed her tearful eyes on Augustus.

"Augustus, Jules is your son! How can you threaten me with his life?"

Augustus replied, "But Kim means more than my life!"

Tears streamed down Ophelia's cheeks. "Kimberly means so much to him? What about me and Jules?" she thought.

"Ophelia, as long as Kim comes back, you will still be my wife."

Ophelia composed herself. "Augustus, I don't believe you'd kill Jules for Kimberly. Besides, I haven't harmed her."

Augustus's voice turned colder. "Five seconds left. If you don't tell me where she is, Julian will be thrown into the sea for the sharks!

"Five... four... three..."

Ophelia panicked. "Kimberly is at the Royal College of Music in Britain."

She collapsed to the ground, crushed by the realization that he would kill their son for Kimberly.

Augustus immediately pulled out his phone, clearly anxious. "Prep the helicopter. I'm flying to Britain now."

He didn't look at her again, only staring at his phone.

Ophelia grabbed a handful of sand, her hand shaking.

For an entire decade, she had been Augustus's silent partner, working in the shadows to bolster every achievement and project he pursued.

He built the Reynolds Group from scratch. While he focused on management, shifting his time away from research, she toiled in the lab for up to twenty hours a day to develop the medicine he required.

She succeeded. The Reynolds Group became a top medical company on par with the old Reynolds Group.

That night, Augustus held her in his arms, kissing her neck with affection.

"Lia, you are everything to me."

Ophelia used to think everything was going well. She proved that she deserved to stand by him. Her professional achievements gradually earned her recognition from his family, and their relationship improved over the last two years.

But in the end, Augustus fell in love with a woman nine years younger than him. She was pure, carefree, and playful, constantly clinging to him.

"Augustus, I want you to stay with me."

"Augustus, I can't solve this problem. Help me."

"Augustus, you must come to my cello competition. If you don't, I won't play..."

"Augustus, I love you so much."

Ophelia had never acted that way with Augustus.

She had never confessed her love to him.

Augustus craved that kind of relationship dynamic. He fell hard for Kimberly—the woman who couldn't even manage her own affairs—and adored pampering her every need.

The helicopter soon arrived.

Augustus couldn't wait for the cruise to return. He boarded the helicopter for Britain.

Watching the helicopter fly away, Ophelia called him several times, but he rejected them all.

She had no choice but to text him, "When will Jules be back?!"

"Three hours later. Kim is entrusted to my care. I'm like an uncle to her. I cannot let my friend down."

Ophelia forced a bitter smile.

Cannot let his friend down?

As she was about to lock her screen, a few new messages popped up.

"I love Augustus, Ophelia, and there's nothing you can do to stop us. He wants me; we have incredible sex. He's lost all interest in you. Just let him go."

"Ophelia, tonight Augustus came to my school again. We went to a hotel. He loves the bunny outfit I wore today."

The rest of the messages were all variations on the same theme.

There were also explicit videos detailing Augustus's intense passion.

Ophelia turned off her phone and sat by the sea, numb, waiting for her son to return.

Her tears were dried by the sea wind.

She once thought it was enough for her to love Augustus.

She dismissed his cheating as only a fling, merely physical. She never once considered divorce, convinced Julian needed a functional family.

But now, she realized she had reached her limit, and she was done.

Alone most of her life, having never known parental love or family warmth, she believed she had finally found true love. Now, that illusion—her entire world—was utterly destroyed.

Ophelia opened a contract on her phone.

It was the divorce agreement she had signed to help the Reynolds Group go public.

She gave up all her shares and marriage rights.

Before the listing, Augustus's father, Dominic Reynolds, approached her with an offer. "Ophelia, if you sign this, I will personally ensure the Reynolds Group is listed in London, just as Augustus wishes. With my help, his company will rival the old Reynolds Group."

To reassure the Reynolds family and for Augustus's sake, she signed the agreement behind Augustus's back.

She never thought Augustus would abandon her. Everything had changed.

Soon, Ophelia sent another message.

"I agree to join Scripps Institution of Oceanography."

This was the world's most elite marine medical research team, comprising the best talents from across the globe. After joining them, she had to stay underwater for thirty years.

Her only condition was to take Julian with her.

Augustus would never find her and Julian again!

To join Scripps, Ophelia had to bring along the research she'd developed on her own.

But all the research data and samples were in the lab.

The lab could only be opened with both her and Augustus's fingerprints and passwords. Both had to be present to open the door.

Not long after, Ophelia finally got her son, Julian. His face was covered in tears, and he fell into a dazed sleep.

She kissed her son's forehead. "Jules, do you want to leave with Mommy?"

Julian's eyelashes trembled. He looked at Ophelia and cried, "Mommy, I almost fell into the sea."

A five-year-old child already understood what had happened.

The one who took Julian away was Augustus's closest assistant.

Tears welled in Ophelia's eyes.

"Jules, if you come with Mommy, there won't be a Daddy anymore. Will you still come with me?"

Julian wrapped his little arms around Ophelia's neck and nodded.

"I'll go wherever Mommy goes."

Ophelia brought Julian to the company. Her fingerprints and password could access the executive research lab.

But the door wouldn't open.

Through the glass door, she saw the computers and various samples inside.

The only thing she wanted to take was the data from an experiment she developed alone.

"Mommy, what do we do? Daddy isn't here. You can't open this door."

Ophelia's mind went back to when Augustus built the lab and recorded fingerprints and passwords with her.

He held her and whispered in her ear, "Ophelia, don't tell me your password, and I won't tell you mine. These are the company's most precious treasures. Only if we come here together can we open this door and see them. That way, we'll always be inseparable."

When they loved each other, this was mutual dependence.

But when love was gone, it was the best way to guard against the other.

"Augustus, did you ever imagine this day five years ago?"

Ophelia never opened the lab door.

She took Julian straight to their home on the second floor.

For years, she had lived with Julian and Augustus in the company. It was not until Kimberly appeared that they bought a villa and lived like a family.

Everything here had been completed by Ophelia and Julian before Kimberly came.

Ophelia sorted through all her belongings, including the gifts Augustus bought her, gifts she bought him, matching couple items she bought, and everything her son had.

"I don't want this thing that Daddy bought anymore. I'll take this thing that Mommy bought with me. This is our family photo, I don't want it anymore."

The little boy grabbed three bags and sorted everything quickly.

Ophelia held back her tears, watching her son carefully organize their things.

"Augustus, do you know how smart Jules is?

"He didn't say anything, but he knew you had given up on him," she said inwardly.

Julian ran over and hugged Ophelia.

His little hands wiped her tears.

"Mommy, you've always wanted to go to that lab, right? You said the ocean takes up three-quarters of our home. We have to protect it. You've always wanted to be a warrior who protects the ocean. Mommy is the strongest. You're just fulfilling your dream. I support you. I'll go with you."

Ophelia looked at a painting in the distance.

Augustus was very good at painting.

It was an oil painting he made when Julian was two—of her and Jules together.

Ophelia walked over, opened a nearby paint box, and took a brush to paint herself out.

Julian immediately grabbed a small brush and painted himself out like Ophelia.

The little boy said warmly, "Mommy, when I learn to paint, I'll paint just for you. My painting will be better than this."

Ophelia's lips curved into a faint smile as she stroked her son's face.

After sorting and packing everything.

Ophelia called a junk removal service to take everything away.

Including the bed she and Augustus had slept in, the sofa, and the kitchenware. Everything.

The heartwarming photos she had hung on the walls, and Julian's messy drawing.

She removed and discarded everything, then repainted with new paint over and over.

By the time she finished, the 200-square-meter house was empty except for the load-bearing walls. White walls, completely clean, not a trace left.

Even in the kitchen, the stomach medicine she always prepared for Augustus was gone.

It took a whole day and night, and Jules had fallen asleep on the floor.

Ophelia carried him back to the villa.

When she opened the door, the living room was smoky, ashtrays filled with a dozen cigarette butts.

Augustus's cold face looked a little disheveled, his red-rimmed eyes bloodshot.

His voice was dark and heavy. "Kim was bullied as soon as she went to school. She was injured, lying in her dorm, and she has no money to buy medicine!"

He had been waiting for Ophelia. His eyes were icy, as if she were his enemy.

Ophelia glanced at Julian sleeping in her arms.

"Augustus, whatever you need to say, don't argue in front of our son."

She was about to go upstairs when Kimberly appeared on the staircase.

She wore a white nightgown, her long curly hair cascading down her waist. Her innocent face was full of panic.

Her tense hands gripped the hem of her nightgown.

"Ms. Flynn, I... I won't bother Gus anymore. Please don't send me abroad."

The girl stood not far off, deliberately calling Ophelia "Ms. Flynn," as if she weren't married to Augustus at all.

Kimberly looked at her pitifully.

Augustus had already gotten up from the sofa and walked directly toward Kimberly on the stairs.

He pushed aside her hair, revealing the red handprint marks on her fair cheek from a hard slap.

Kimberly cried, leaning against Augustus's chest.

"Ms. Flynn, the people who bullied me were all Americans, and they claimed someone paid them to do it. Since you sent me to a top music school, I know you couldn't possibly be behind this."

Augustus stared at Ophelia with cold eyes.

"Ophelia, you may not like Kim, but as I have told you, I must take care of her until she finishes her Master's degree at 25, unless her uncle is back."

"But my patience and compromises only let you bully her again and again."

Their argument woke Julian.

He wanted to turn his head, but Ophelia stopped him. "Jules, close your eyes. Don't listen."

She struggled to control her emotions.

"Augustus, the Royal College of Music is the best music school in the world. If bullying happened, you could report it and even investigate it yourself instead of questioning me here."

Kimberly sobbed uncontrollably. "Ms. Flynn, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

She begged on her knees.

"Please, Ms. Flynn. I just want to study in New York. I can even live in the dorm and come back for a day every month. No, even half a day is fine. Don't send me away. They'll kill me."

Her tears captivated Augustus. In front of Ophelia, he scooped Kimberly up and looked at Ophelia, rage written all over his face.

"We'll talk in the study later. I'll comfort Kim first."

Ophelia went upstairs numbly. Leaning on her shoulder, Julian whispered, "Mommy, can we leave Daddy sooner?"

Ophelia stroked his back, her heart aching. "Yes, once Mommy finishes everything. I'll do my best."

Ophelia carried Julian down the second-floor hallway toward his bedroom.

Passing Kimberly's room, she noticed the door slightly ajar.

Through the narrow gap, she saw Augustus pressing Kimberly onto the bed, and one of his hands inside her white nightgown.

Ophelia's body froze instantly, her eyes full of pain.

Augustus, was that how you took care of her?

Seeing Augustus's betrayal with her own eyes, Ophelia felt as if her heart had been ripped out.

She carried Julian into his room and placed him on the small bed.

She tried her best to comfort him.

"Jules, just three more days. After three days, we'll leave. Can you tidy up the things in your room?"

The little boy nodded.

Only then did Ophelia step out and close the door.

In the hallway, Augustus said with cold eyes, "We'll talk in the study."

When Ophelia entered the study, she realized something.

At some point, Kimberly had left an imprint of herself within Augustus's study. There were her accessories, jewelry, sheet music, and various snacks on the sofa and the carpet.

In the past few years, this room had only contained data, research directions, and materials she discussed with Augustus.

Things had changed without her noticing.

She remembered how exhausted she was when she was pregnant with Julian.

She had fallen asleep while leaning against him.

When she woke up, Augustus kissed her forehead and said, "Ophelia, don't exhaust yourself. You and the baby are my life. Only when you are well can I be well."

Back then, she had felt that all her effort was worth it.

Because Augustus had given her a home and warmth.

Now, when she entered the study, Augustus threw stacks of papers at her.

The pages were filled with handwritten notes.

"Ophelia, there's news from Kim's school. These are testimonies from the bullies. Someone from New York transferred money into their accounts to have them bully Kim, and that account eventually traced back to you."

Ophelia didn't say a word.

Augustus's voice was cold. "I won't divorce you. I'll comfort Kim this time, but I will never let her leave me again. If you still want to be with me and maintain our marriage, put away your malicious thoughts."

Ophelia didn't even have the energy to explain. She forced herself to stay calm.

"Augustus, do you have time tomorrow? Come with me to the lab. There's something wrong with the previous data. I need to check it."

Hearing that something had gone wrong at work, Augustus furrowed his brow.

"Tomorrow morning, I need to take Kim to the hospital. Her injuries can't leave scars. I'll have lunch with her and go to the company in the afternoon."

She realized she had been deprioritized. She hadn't noticed before, but now, as an observer, it was clear.

When Kimberly had a cello competition, he left her alone in meetings with foreign partners just to watch Kimberly perform.

If Kimberly complained of pain, he'd leave her on the roadside, asking her to take a cab to the Reynolds's residence, forcing her to face the elders of the Reynolds family alone.

If Kimberly wanted ravioli, he'd wake her up in the middle of the night, even though she had worked for more than ten hours, insisting she cook for Kimberly.

"All right..." Ophelia let out a long sigh.

The next morning.

Ophelia woke to screaming.

Augustus barged into her room like a madman.

He yanked her off the bed.

Ophelia groaned in pain, her delicate features scrunched in discomfort.

Augustus gripped her hand tightly. His eyes were red.

"Ophelia, how dare you do this to Kim?"

Beside him, Julian cried, hitting Augustus. "Bad Daddy! Let go of Mommy!"

Augustus shoved Julian aside. The boy fell to the floor instantly.

His phone slammed down onto the bed.

"Ophelia, those people actually took photos of Kim, and now they've uploaded them online. Everyone in New York knows about it."

"Ah... Mr. Reynolds, Ms. Monroe had attempted suicide."

Augustus immediately pushed Ophelia aside and ran across the room.

Ophelia stood frozen, seeing Kimberly lying on the bed, her wrist cut, blood flowing and dripping onto the floor.

Ophelia's face went pale.

She covered her son's eyes with her hands.

"Jules, listen to Mommy. Stay in your room. Don't come out."

Kimberly risked her life for this scheme.

Ophelia didn't know what the consequences would be.

Augustus carried Kimberly to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Ophelia was forced into another car by his bodyguards.

The car sped off.

They arrived at the hospital owned by the Reynolds Group.

Augustus ran frantically while carrying Kimberly.

Ophelia looked at Augustus, who had forgotten that he was a highly skilled surgeon.

Less than half a minute after Augustus entered her room, Kimberly had cut her wrist, just in time for the maid, Margaret, to see.

The amount of blood she lost couldn't have been enough to be life-threatening.

Ophelia was dragged to the surgery room door.

Augustus's eyes were cold as he stared at her.

"Since you like taking photos so much, fine!"

He walked over and in front of the bodyguards and passers-by, yanked her clothes apart.

Her skirt was torn, revealing her flawless skin instantly.

She shivered, trying to cover herself with her hands.

But Augustus pressed down on her. His large hand gripped her wrists and stopped her from struggling.

With a cold look in his eyes, he said, "Ophelia! What you did to Kim, I will repay a hundredfold!"

Ophelia's body trembled, and her throat felt like it was being cut with a knife.

"Augustus, I'm your wife, and the mother of your child. How dare you treat me like this in front of everyone?"

He slammed her against the cold wall. Ignoring the crowd, he ripped off her clothes completely. They fell to the floor.

In an instant, countless camera flashes focused on her for live streams, photos, and videos.

His cruel lips curled. "Ophelia, you ruined Kim's reputation. So I'll let the whole city watch your body!"

Ophelia's face went pale. She tried to cover herself, but it was impossible.

Augustus pressed her wrists above her head, forcing her arms up.

He deliberately let everyone see her body.

The crowd filmed even more eagerly.

Everyone knew who Augustus was.

Tears streamed down Ophelia's face.

She remembered Augustus five years ago.

Back then, when her skirt tore slightly, he immediately took off his coat and covered her, even though nothing was exposed. He had been anxious to the extreme.

But now, he destroyed her completely for another woman.

The moment Augustus released her, Ophelia fell to the floor.

Her trembling hands grabbed her clothes and put them on quickly.

She was about to leave the scene.

But his cold, merciless voice came.

"Ophelia, all your photos are online now. Kim's have been taken down everywhere. As for yours... Handle them yourself!"

Ophelia's face twisted into a bitter smile. She clutched her chest.

She left without saying anything.

Her mind replayed the first time Augustus had wanted her.

He had kissed the mole on her chest, saying, "Ophelia, from now on, only I can see your body. No one else is allowed."

Sitting in the car, Ophelia unlocked her phone to see the headlines everywhere.

"Mrs. Reynolds has a red mole on her chest."

"Beautiful woman with a red mole."

"Hot body!"

"Breaking news"

"..."

Ophelia opened the video.

The video clearly showed Augustus pulling her dress off.

Her reaction and his cruelty were all captured in detail.

Below, the comments were ruthless.

"Mrs. Reynolds always looks so conservative, always in black suits, but I didn't expect her to be like this deep down."

"Look at that body, that tiny waist, no wonder Mr. Reynolds married her."

"My favorite part is her legs, so slim and straight, so fun to look at."

"That chest... looks like a D cup."

"Wow..."

The comments were disgusting.

Her phone rang.

Ophelia answered. It was Augustus's cold voice.

"Ophelia, I won't let anyone help you with those photos online. You only have one way, which is to use your money to buy them back, one by one."

Ophelia also heard him say.

"You have to pay the price for hurting Kim. I have to give her uncle an answer!"

Then he hung up.

Ophelia took out her bank card with trembling fingers.

There was only 850,000 dollars in it. It was her salary from the Reynolds Group over the past five years.

Yes, salary.

She didn't have company shares. All the dividends were with Augustus.

He had given her a black card.

Ophelia called a friend, gave him the 850,000 dollars and the black card, and asked him to buy back the photos and videos online one by one.

But the bloggers wanted very high prices.

Her money was only enough to buy back seven of them.

Her friend tried using the black card to buy them.

The first transaction worked fine.

But when it came to the second transaction, the card was frozen.

"Ophelia, the card's frozen, so I can't pay. They won't accept it. You'll need a few million dollars to get all the videos removed from the bloggers' accounts."

Ophelia looked at the black card.

Augustus had given it to her on the day the company went public.

He said, "Lia, this card has no limit. I hope you never lack money. I'll provide for you."

Tears blurred her eyes. She let them fall on the card.

For five years, she had lived in the company and barely spent anything.

The company paid her salary, so she had never used the card.

She only used the card once. And she was only allowed to use the card once.

She thought of Kimberly.

Kimberly had taken Augustus's secondary card to shop everywhere.

Later, Augustus got annoyed that she always ran around and complained that her feet hurt every time she got tired.

So he told all the luxury brands to deliver new releases once a month. Kimberly could pick anything she wanted, spending money like crazy.

Her phone beeped. Augustus's message appeared.

"You're not allowed to use my money to buy back photos, Ophelia. Even if you sell yourself, I won't give you a dime."

Ophelia wiped her tears.

"Help me sell that patent. Use the money to buy back the photos and videos."

Her friend was shocked. "Ophelia, you're crazy. You spent ten years researching that. No way. I'll help you, I promise I'll help you."

She took out all her savings and even sold three houses under her name, just to buy out all the original photos and videos.

For the reposts, she had them taken down from the internet for Ophelia.

Seeing all the photos cleared, Ophelia remembered her friend's words.

"Ophelia, I know you spent ten years researching and developing it. Don't sell it cheaply. It just needs a bit of polishing. When the world sees it, it'll benefit everyone. It's worth more than a few billion dollars. Just remember to give me 15 million dollars as my share."

Her friend's teasing was vivid in her mind, but she also remembered Augustus's ruthless cruelty.

She realized that over the past ten years, her biggest mistake was wasting all her time on Augustus. She regretted loving him.

Ophelia returned to the villa.

As soon as she stepped in, she heard Julian crying.

She rushed inside.

She saw Kimberly's smug face as she slapped Julian.

Instinctively, Ophelia ran forward, grabbed Kimberly's hand, and slapped her twice.

Ophelia held her son tight in her arms.

But Kimberly's cries were filled with despair.

"Augustus, Augustus..."

Augustus came down from the stairs.

Kimberly immediately threw herself into his arms.

Seeing the slap marks on Kimberly's face, Augustus's eyes filled with murderous intent.

Kimberly cried, "It's not Ms. Flynn's fault. She misunderstood me. Jules was playing with blocks, and Ms. Flynn got angry when she came back and slapped Jules's face, saying he looks too much like you. I stopped her. I didn't want her to hit Jules, but she slapped me twice instead."

Julian cried, "Daddy, Kimberly hit me. She hit me, and Mommy only hit her to protect me."

Augustus said coldly, "Ophelia! You really hit Kimberly."

Ophelia heard him ignore the point and focus on her hitting Kimberly.

"Augustus, look at Jules's face. Do you think I've ever hit him since he was born?"

Panic showed on Kimberly's face. She immediately grabbed her wrist, and the gauze was soaked through with blood.

Augustus's eyes were full of worry.

"Kim, did your wound reopen?"

Kimberly nodded through her tears.

Then Augustus looked at Ophelia again, coldly. "Tobias, slap her ten times. Whatever Kimberly suffered, make Ophelia pay tenfold."

Ophelia had no chance to resist.

Augustus's assistant slapped her ten times, left and right. Her face hurt, and blood came out from the corners of her mouth.

She covered Julian's eyes with her hands. He cried hysterically.

"Daddy, it's not Mommy's fault. That woman bullied me; Mommy protected me. I hate you. I hate you..."

She looked at her son, who was struggling in her arms.

She held him tightly, not letting him move.

Until she endured all ten slaps.

Julian cried as if his heart was breaking.

"Mommy, we don't want Daddy anymore. We don't want him. Jules only wants you."

Augustus's face changed drastically, furious. "Ophelia, this is how you're teaching your son? He's only five. You want him to deny me as his father? You're the cruel one. Kimberly doesn't know anything. Can't you be kinder?"

Ophelia hugged Julian and tried to leave.

But Augustus ordered the bodyguards to stop them.

"Throw the two of them in the stables to reflect on their actions."

They were locked in the stables.

Ophelia saw Kimberly's smug expression.

She said silently, "Augustus is mine!"

But Ophelia knew she would never want Augustus again.

The night in the stables was cold, and her son suddenly ran a high fever in her arms.

Ophelia immediately tried to open the stable door.

But it was locked.

She called Augustus.

It was Kimberly who answered.

"Ophelia, enjoy your time in the stables. You want to compete with me? You see it yourself, Augustus won't believe you. He loves me more. You'd better take Julian and get as far away as you can; otherwise, I'll make life hard for both of you."

"Kimberly, Jules has a high fever. Let Augustus take the call."

"Isn't that perfect? Your son's turning into an idiot. Listen, Ophelia, I'm already pregnant with Augustus's child. The one in my belly is the heir to the Reynolds Group. I will be thrilled if your son becomes an idiot."

With a snap, Kimberly hung up immediately.

Ophelia tried calling again, but she couldn't get through.

She looked at her son's fever growing worse in her arms.

Her whole body shook.

She immediately called Margaret.

Margaret hesitated, "Mrs. Reynolds, I can't help. Mr. Reynolds ordered that anyone who brings you or Julian even a cup of water will be fired immediately."

The call was cut off again.

Pain filled her eyes as she stared at her phone with only five percent battery left.

She put her son down.

She slammed her whole body against the wooden door. Once. Twice. Didn't work. Three times.

Her entire body ached like it was exploding, but she didn't stop.

After hundreds of attempts, the door finally gave way.

She was in so much pain that she couldn't even lift her fingers, but she still held her son and ran out.

"Jules, hold on. Mommy will get you to the hospital right away."

Julian was burning so badly, he was unresponsive.

Tears streamed down Ophelia's face.

"Jules, Mommy will get you out, I promise."

Ophelia couldn't drive. No one in the villa would help her. In the middle of the night, she had no choice but to turn to Augustus.

She ran into the villa.

Upstairs, she burst into Augustus's room, holding her son.

She saw Augustus caring for Kimberly.

A flash of panic crossed his eyes.

But he said coldly, "Kim had a nightmare. She came over to me just now."

Seeing the intimate scene between them, Ophelia felt nothing.

"Augustus, take my son to the hospital now. He has a fever."

Augustus still had a shred of conscience.

Seeing Julian's condition, he immediately took him to the hospital.

Kimberly cried, "Ophelia, how can you be so cruel? Hurting Jules like this, making him sick and feverish, just to make Augustus feel sorry for you?"

Hearing this, Augustus's expression darkened.

He handed Julian back to Ophelia.

"Ophelia, you deliberately used your son to soften me. Since this is your doing, you can walk him to the hospital yourself."

He was unwilling.

Ophelia's face went pale.

"Augustus, I want a divorce. Please, take Jules to the hospital now. His fever is bad. He can't wait."

For a moment, Augustus looked shocked.

To him, Ophelia was never weak.

She was terrifyingly calm. Even when she was under him, she was shy but calm.

He was about to speak.

Kimberly cried, clutching her belly.

"Augustus, my stomach hurts so much."

Augustus looked at Kimberly.

He touched her flat stomach without hesitation.

"Kim, are you okay?"

Ophelia grabbed Augustus's hand.

"Augustus, take Jules to the hospital, please. I'll do whatever you want. Divorce. I don't want the property. I just want Jules."

Hearing her mention divorce, Augustus instantly got furious.

"I will never divorce you! Ophelia, you are my wife. That will never change."

But he held Kimberly and tried to leave.

"Since you could solve the problem with the photos last time, you can handle your son's fever this time too."

Ophelia held Julian and followed Augustus's car, chasing after them.

"Augustus, please, take the child, take him to the hospital."

But all she got was Augustus speeding away, not willing to stop even for a second.

Seeing his determination, Ophelia laughed bitterly.

It was her mistake. A huge mistake.

Julian, Augustus didn't deserve to be his father, nor did he deserve her research.

Ophelia immediately dialed 911 on the landline.

Since Augustus refused to take their son to the hospital even though she begged him, she wouldn't give him a single chance from now on.

Two days later.

While caring for her son, she also overheard gossip.

"Did you know? Mr. Reynolds rented an entire floor of the hospital for his wife. He treats her like a treasure."

"Yes, he's so romantic. I heard their love has been running for ten years."

"But what happened last time?"

"I don't know. That woman might have been fake, just someone who looked like Mrs. Reynolds. That's what the internet says."

"Yeah, Mr. Reynolds loves his wife so much, there's no way he would strip her on the spot. It must have been a fake trying to seduce him. That's why he got angry."

Ophelia saw that Julian's fever had subsided.

She needed to go to the company to get her things. She thought she probably knew what the password was.

She asked a friend to take care of her son.

She headed to the company.

But on the way, she was suddenly hit by a car.

Her whole body ached as she lay on the ground, bleeding.

She heard the sirens, the sounds of emergency treatment.

In a daze, she heard Augustus's voice.

"Mr. Reynolds, are you really going to give Ms. Monroe one of Mrs. Reynolds's kidneys?"

"Yes, I have signed all the surgical consent forms. Ophelia's kidney is a match for Kim. Kim is suffering from acute renal failure; nothing can go wrong with her."

"But if we remove a kidney, Madam will find out."

"Then make sure she never finds out. If she asks about the surgical scar, just say it was left by a car accident."

Ophelia wanted to move, but she had no strength left in her body, not even enough to open her eyes.

She could feel her skin being cut open, feel her kidney being removed.

Then she felt the sutures.

Ophelia's mind was filled with memories of when she was pregnant with Julian.

Augustus would crouch down, kissing her belly over and over again.

His deep voice was full of love.

"Lia, I really can't bear the thought of a stretch mark appearing on your belly. I'll rub pregnancy oil on you every day. I swear, I will protect your belly no matter what."

Back then, Ophelia looked at Augustus, her eyes brimming with love.

Watching him caress her belly again and again, as if it was more important than his research.

But now, her belly had been cut open by someone on his orders, leaving a long, hideous scar.

It wasn't until much later.

The door to the operating room was opened.

Ophelia heard the sound of someone running in.

Augustus spoke a few steps away from her.

"How is Kim?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Reynolds, the surgery was a success. Ms. Monroe had acute renal failure. If anything else had happened, Ms. Monroe would have needed another kidney transplant."

"Ophelia has two kidneys. It's fine."

Ophelia lay on the operating table, tears streaming down her face.

She slipped into an even deeper unconsciousness.

So, what Kimberly wanted was her life, and she had to give it!

When Ophelia woke up, seven days had already passed.

Her son's fever had subsided, and his small body was curled up beside her.

The moment he saw her awake, his big dark eyes lit up.

"Mommy, Mommy, you're finally awake! Daddy said you got into a car accident while buying food for me. It's all my fault..."

Julian burst into tears, lying on top of Ophelia, full of guilt.

Not far away, Augustus walked over.

His voice was magnetic: "It's good that you're awake. It's nothing serious, you were just hit in the abdomen by a car, and there's a large wound on your stomach."

Ophelia heard this but did not respond.

She said, "Augustus, the password to my lab is your birthday. Go get the computer from there for me. I've reworked some data and I have to revise it before tonight."

A trace of emotion flickered across Augustus's face.

"Yes, I set it to the day of our first time together."

Ophelia's trembling hands held her son tightly.

That was the night Julian was conceived.

Augustus thought it was important—a day that meant a lot to the three of them as a family.

But now, none of it mattered anymore.

She wanted Augustus to hand her that computer himself.

Augustus said, "Get some rest. The doctor said you just lost a lot of blood. You'll recover with some rest. I'll go get the computer and be right back."

Augustus left.

Ophelia held Julian in her arms.

"Jules, we can finally leave."

Ophelia used Julian's watch to send a message.

"In two hours, the helicopter will leave from the roof of X Hospital."

An hour later, Julian brought her the computer.

He also bought food that both he and Ophelia liked.

Augustus wanted to feed her himself.

Ophelia turned her head away.

"It's fine, I'll work first."

"Tell me, I'll make the changes."

Augustus wanted to help.

But Ophelia shook her head. "No need, you never got involved in this experiment. I'll do it myself."

Augustus stayed with the mother and son the whole time.

But Ophelia didn't actually make any changes; she was just biding her time.

She was also thinking of a way to get Augustus to leave.

Just then, Augustus received a phone call.

She heard everything clearly.

"Mr. Reynolds, Ms. Monroe is awake and looking everywhere for you. She was crying terribly when she couldn't find you. Please come quickly."

Augustus hung up, a trace of panic appearing on his face.

"Lia, something happened at the company. I have to go, but I'll be back soon."

As Augustus left, he paused at the door.

He turned back and said, "Lia, you and Jules will always be the most important people to me. Divorce is impossible between us. Wait for me."

Wait? Never again.

After Augustus left.

Not long after, the sound of a helicopter came from outside the window.

It was very loud.

The little one was very excited.

"Mommy, we can finally leave!"

Ophelia looked up at the sky outside the window. At last, it was clear.

She got out of bed, the pain in her waist sharp and obvious, but she endured it.

One hand holding Julian, the other carrying her laptop.

She headed straight outside.

She and Julian boarded the helicopter.

Her superior who came to pick her up asked, "Ophelia, is there anything else you need to arrange?"

"Just those two things: give my friend 15 million dollars, and divorce Augustus for me."

"Alright, no problem. The organization will take care of everything for you."

"And one last thing, please have the organization blow up the Reynolds Group's research lab for me."

All those patents she and Augustus had created together would cease to exist. She was cutting ties with him completely.

Ten years ago, when she met Augustus.

She was all alone.

Now, as she left, she had Julian and her dreams.

But in the world to come, there would never be Augustus again!