The doctor sighed.

"Ms. Tallis, your last miscariage damaged your uterus. This time, the stab hit the same spot...

"I'm afraid you won't be able to have children again."

I stared at the ceiling. The voice sounded like it came from far away.

"Okay. It's fine."

After the doctor left, I checked the time on my phone.

Mission failed. I was going to die from the curse.

And everyone I knew would forget I ever existed.

I had 72 hours left.

I closed my eyes, surrounded by an eerie silence.

But for some reason, I ended up opening Tina Ashby's livestream.

She was painting today in the villa Jack bought her.

Wearing an oversized men's shirt and a messy bun, she stood at her easel mixing paint.

Her cheeks were flushed, her smile sweet and innocent.

"The shirt? It's my boyfriend's. Mine aren't wearable anymore.

"Yeah... Last night got a little intense."

She blushed and glanced off-camera, mumbling, "I didn't expect my first kiss and first night to happen on the same day..."

A man's deep, gentle voice replied, "Sorry. I'll be gentler next time."

The livestream chat exploded with cheers.

"Tina finally got her dream guy! Please post more couple content!"

"Couple content might be hard. My boyfriend's job is special. He can't show his face."

As they spoke, some red paint got on Tina's sleeve.

"Oh no," she said with a little gasp.

The man's slender fingers reached over and gently rolled up her sleeve, revealing a cute ring on the ring finger, engraved with her name.

"It's okay if it gets dirty."

Tina's blush deepened. She giggled, then was suddenly pulled off-camera by the man.

The sound of kissing and breathless gasps filled the background.

Comments flooded the livestream. One stood out, "Pretty sure I just heard mafia boss Jack's voice."

The man spoke, and the air seemed to freeze, "I'm not."

The livestream cut off instantly. I put down my phone and drifted back into sleep.

In my dream, I accidentally got dust on his white shirt while cleaning.

I apologized right away, but he still lost his temper, yelling at me for touching his things.

He tossed the shirt like trash. After that, I never saw any of his clothes in the house again.

The dream ended with the image of Jack's back.

It reminded me of the last three years when I was tortured, and he rushed away for Tina.

I drifted awake once more. The first thing I saw was a ring engraved with Tina's name.

Looking up, I saw Tina. She'd changed into a simple T-shirt and jeans, happily eating chicken soup from a thermos.

The nanny said apologetically, "Mrs. Caldor, I'm so sorry. I only made one serving when I brought your meal, and Ms. Ashby happened to like it too."

"Oh no, I finished all of it. Selly, I'm so sorry!"

Tina seemed to realize then that it was my meal, and her eyes welled up.

Jack entered to see her clasping her hands, bowing repeatedly to me.

"Selly Tallis, what are you doing now? Tina came to see you because she was worried!"

The nanny looked awkward and wanted to explain, but Tina cut in first.

"Jack, don't be mad. I was greedy. Once I smelled the chicken soup, I couldn't help but try it... and ended up finishing it. Selly's right to be upset."

She cried so sadly, and Jack felt sorry for her.

"It's just a bowl of soup. Once you're out of the hospital, you can have as much as you want. Why make a fuss over Tina?"

He shot the nanny a cold look. "Tina hasn't had much of an appetite lately. She rarely has your soup. Go back and make another pot and send it to Tina's villa."

The nanny hurried away, and Jack softened, gently brushing away Tina's tears.

"Stop crying, or you'll get all blotchy."

Tina wiped her tears and smiled, throwing herself into his arms. "You're making fun of me again."

They laughed as they left the room, and the quiet settled back in.

I was surprised. After all the misunderstandings, blame, and questions over the years, today, none of it stirred anything inside me.

I didn't want to argue, fight, or explain anymore.

An hour later. While the doctor was examining my wound, Jack's subordinates barged in and urged me to leave the hospital soon, saying his enemies were still causing trouble.

One of the men took pity and asked if I wanted more painkillers.

I shook my head. "It's okay."

I was used to this pain.

They dropped me off at my door, tossed the bag of meds, and walked away without a word.

Jack didn't care about me, and neither did his men.

I opened the door, but the house was cold and empty, even the cleaning lady was gone.

Jack called. His voice was as cold and distant as always.

"Tina's not feeling well. Your nanny's more attentive, so I had them all go over there.

"You stay there alone for a few days. Once Tina's better, they'll come back."

He said it like it was no big deal like Tina was the one who got stabbed five times by his enemy and nearly died.

"Okay."

He paused when he heard how indifferent I sounded, then added, "Write down anything you want to eat. The nanny can make it when she comes back."

"Okay."

Even through the phone, I could tell he was frowning.

"Why are you giving me attitude? Over a bowl of chicken soup?

"Selly, don't forget. I told you when we got married, you were just there to take the hit for Tina. Don't think three years as my wife gives you the right to step over her!"

I nodded mechanically. "Okay."

"You—"

He was just starting to get angry when Tina called out from his side.

"Jack, time for cake!"

The call ended.

I had 48 hours left until I died.

I was a little hungry, but when I got to the kitchen, I realized everything had been cleared out and the fridge was empty.

Because of Jack's special status, he never allowed me to order takeout.

I had no choice but to dig through the cabinets and finally found an expired pack of instant food.

The kettle had been broken for a while, and no one ever bothered to fix it. I used hot water from the heater to soak the pasta and set it on the table.

My phone lit up. Tina was livestreaming.

They weren't at the villa today, judging by the background, they were at a hot spring resort.

Tina wore an oversized T-shirt, eating chocolate cake while chatting with her viewers.

Off-camera, a man occasionally fed her bites with a fork, his movements gentle.

"Can't you please post more couple content? Just from his hand, you can tell he's a total heartthrob!"

Tina stuck out her tongue. "My boyfriend's the most handsome man in the world. Every time he smiles, my heart melts.

"He was the one who chased me first, but I was too timid and worried about everything, so I only said yes recently.

"The cake's sweet, but not as sweet as us."

The man gently brushed her hair, and her cheeks turned red as she smiled.

Tina finished half the cake around the same time I forced down the awful instant food.

Her other phone lit up on the screen. She looked at it, and her eyes reddened, revealing a surprised look.

Seconds later, she broke down crying in front of over 100K viewers.

The livestream ended abruptly. I was still in a daze when Jack called.

He started yelling the moment he called. "Selly, over a bowl of soup? Over a few nannies? You actually leaked Tina and me dating online?

"If Tina gets hurt because of this, even dying ten times wouldn't be enough!"

I said, "I don't know what you're talking about. After I got home, I was just eating—"

"Still denying it? Tina said she only accidentally sent those photos to you. No one else ever saw them, not even me!

"And the place we're eating at today, you've been here before.

"I saw you in the livestream just now."

His last few words came through gritted teeth.

If I were standing in front of him right now, he probably would've already kicked me to the ground and forced me to apologize to Tina on my knees.

Just like last winter. Tina had cramps and specifically asked for me to take care of her.

But I was still weak from a miscariage. I barely got out a "sorry" before he shoved me down by the shoulders.

That day, I had to apologize over and over with blood on my head before Tina finally said she forgave me while crying.

Jack's angry breathing through the phone pulled me out of the memory. I stared down at the leftover instant food broth and said quietly, "It wasn't me. I have no reason to do that."

Tina started crying again.

"Jack, I think someone's watching me outside. I'm really scared..."

The call ended. I sat frozen at the table, staring blankly ahead.

As I expected, ten minutes later, Jack's men entered using the passcode and dragged me out like I was a sack of trash.

"Hurry up! Jack wants you to take the bvllet for Ms. Ashby!"

The hot spring resort had a massive glass window.

They made me sit at the dining table right in front of it, pretending to read a book.

Meanwhile, in the safest corner of the room, Jack was gently comforting the sobbing Tina.

"Don't be scared, I'm here. I'll protect you."

She was curled up in his arms, her delicate hands clutching his expensive custom sweater.

"Jack, will they kill me? I'm scared. I'm afraid of the pain..."

"You'll be fine. This place is safe. I promise nothing will happen to you."

The sobbing slowly faded as Tina sniffled.

"Jack, what would I do without you?"

"Don't say that. You'll always have me. I'll stay with you until we're old."

Their kisses were too loud; even when I focused on my book, I could hear everything.

It went on for half an hour, stopping only before the final step.

"Jack, Selly's still here. She's technically your wife. Maybe you should have someone protect her too?"

Jack shot me a cold glance. "If she hadn't exposed our photos and location, you wouldn't be this scared. She brought this on herself."

I wanted to focus on the words in the book, but my vision was blurred.

There shouldn't be any more heart-wrenching pain, so why were tears falling?

I didn't understand, and I didn't want to.

I didn't know how long it had been before the pain and exhaustion wore me down, and I accidentally fell asleep.

When I woke up, the slap from Jack's hand came before the reminder in my ear, "24 hours left."

"Selly, why are you so cruel? Sneaking in while I was asleep!"

I stood up quickly but pulled at the wound on my lower belly, letting out a sharp hiss.

"Don't pretend to be pitiful. Tell me, where's Tina?"

That's when I realized I'd somehow ended up in the bedroom.

But Tina disappeared.

"I don't know. Last night, I was right by the window—"

"Cut the crap! Where did you send Tina?"

I shook my head. "I don't know."

"Selly, you better be telling the truth, or I won't go easy on you!"

Jack ground his teeth, then made endless calls. Finally, he found out where Tina was.

"Send a few people here. Take her away!"

My feet were tied up in the backseat as Jack drove, flooring the gas.

After three years of marriage, it was the first time I'd seen him lose control like this.

When we reached the beach, Tina was hanging from the boat by her wrists, crying heartbreakingly.

"Jack, why did you take so long? I'm so scared. Please save me!"

"Tina!"

Jack called her name desperately, then glared fiercely at the enemies on the boat.

"Let her go. I'll trade you my wife, plus two gangs and ten shops."

A smile appeared on the enemy's scarred face. "Deal."

While I was hung and slowly raised, Jack held Tina tightly, whispering soothing words.

When I reached the top, he hugged the woman he loved and turned away.

I saw that back again, but this time, Tina was by his side.

The enemy lit a cigarrette and glanced sideways. "Do it."

The burning iron pressed against my skin, and I couldn't hold back a scream of pain.

"Just kill me!"

He shook his head.

"If you die too easily, it wouldn't be fair to my fallen brothers.

"Better to torture you slowly, so everyone in the underworld sees that Jack is nothing to be afraid of."

I struggled and twisted, but the iron always pressed down exactly where it hurt the most, leaving me unable to speak.

I lost count of how many times they burned me. Just as I was about to lose consciousness, they let me down.

I barely caught my breath before a sharp pain hit my wrist.

They cut my wrist with a knife and threw my hand into the sea!

Blood spilled into the sea, turning the water bright red instantly.

I was pinned down, unable to move, but my head was forced to turn toward my wrist, making me watch my blood flow out.

Suddenly, I laughed.

"Jack, if I die here, will you find another shield for your little girl?

"Or will you just marry her yourself?

"Either way, it won't matter to me anymore," I thought.

My vision blurred, fading into darkness, and before I passed out, Jack's men finally arrived. Too late, as always.

I heard voices negotiating, then they lifted me into an ambulance.

In the car, they were loudly laughing and playing cards, keeping me wide awake.

I vaguely heard someone say, "Jack really cares about Ms. Ashby. He wasn't going to press the issue, but as soon as he saw her wrist was scratched, he got so angry he personally wiped out that entire gang."

"Oh, have you heard? Jack's decided to retire for Ms. Ashby."

When I was saved, I had six hours left.

Suddenly, I remembered what they said in the ambulance.

Because Tina's wrist was scratched, Jack wanted to retire.

I looked down at the gauze wrapped around my wrist and the countless scars all over my body, smiling bitterly.

Something I couldn't do in three years was achieved so easily.

It just wasn't me who did it.

With four hours left, I ignored the hospital's objections and dragged my weak body back to the villa.

Before leaving, I wanted to see the test report one last time.

But when I returned, the yard was a mess and the house empty.

The guest room was ransacked.

Drawers were emptied.

I quickly called Jack. He answered impatiently, "I want to retire. I'm selling all the properties and starting fresh after clearing everything.

"Find somewhere else to stay. Once Tina calms down, we'll get divorced."

I said, "But the things in my bedroom drawer—"

"Selly, don't push your luck!

"Tina got hurt because of you. Sending my people to rescue you was already more than enough. You want me to buy you a separate place to keep those jewelry in your drawer?"

I had nowhere to go, no need to look for a place.

In the last three hours, I sat on the doorstep, sunbathing.

Sunlight fell on me, but it couldn't warm my gradually cooling body.

The gate creaked open. I looked up to see Tina, arms folded, leaning against the gate, staring at me.

"You're lucky, still alive after all that."

I was taken aback and then smiled softly. "Soon. Don't worry."

She was about to say something but suddenly heard a noise and lowered her arms.

Tears instantly filled her eyes.

"Selly, I didn't mean it. Please don't be mad.

"You just got out of the hospital. Don't stress yourself. I'll have the nanny make you some chicken soup..."

Before she finished, Jack burst in angrily, holding his phone up to me.

On the screen was a message someone sent him.

"Jack, your wife's clever. She mass-texted your enemies, saying you love Tina Ashby, telling them to go after Tina, not her.

"They even posted photos and leaked Tina's social media accounts."

Jack went mad, kicking me hard in the chest.

"I shouldn't have sent anyone to save you. You should've died back there!"

Gasping, I looked up, the sunlight blinding me.

A gun pressed against my forehead, the muzzle was cold, making me shiver.

"It's not me."

These three years, those words seemed to be all I ever said.

Tina ran over to stop him, crying and saying, "Jack, Selly didn't mean it. I stole the man she loved. It's normal she hates me. Please don't hurt her. She just got out of the hospital...

"My accounts are gone, but it's okay if they come after me. I can handle it."

Jack held Tina tightly, then turned to glare at me, grinding his teeth.

"I regret ever bringing you in. You're restless and cruel!"

His subordinate called.

"Jack, several enemies have put a bounty on Ms. Ashby's life. What should we do?

"Maybe you should take her abroad to hide. Someone told them she's at the villa, and they're already heading there!"

Jack glanced at me coldly. "I know who leaked it."

He turned on a live stream, appearing on camera for the first time, but quickly focused the camera on me.

"I'm Jack Caldor. From today, I'm retiring. I'm done with all this.

"Any of you with grudges, find her. Everything I did before was at her instruction. I don't want anything to do with her anymore, so she's yours to handle."

I took a sharp breath. "I took bvllets for Tina for three years, and now you want me to die for you?"

Jack grabbed my collar and dragged me to the main street.

As he dumped me and left, he said coldly, "This is all on you. Your fate is in your own hands."

That was the last time I saw his back.

Indifferent and resolute.

Ten minutes after he left, enemies swarmed from all sides.

They unleashed all their anger and hatred on me, no one showed mercy.

They cut the tendons in my hands and feet, broke both my legs, and stabbed my chest countless times.

They shouted that they were avenging their loved ones, grabbing my chin, and demanding an apology.

But I was numb, staring blankly at the deep blue sky.

Great, before dying, I still got to see endless blue without a single cloud.

The moment I closed my eyes, the one-hour countdown until everyone forgot started.