The dark, damp space reeked of blood. They dragged Tamara Saunders's mother in, her head covered.

Behind her, a giant iron cage held three beasts.

A tiger. A fierce dog. A massive python. All of them glared, hungry, waiting for the gate to open, and ready to devour their prey.

"Tamara, pick one."

Three wooden sticks appeared in Darwin's slender hand, his tone laced with a faint, mocking smile.

A few steps away, her frail, trembling mother couldn't make a sound—her mouth was gagged tight.

Tamara instantly realized what Darwin was planning. Her heart pounded, blood surging backward. She stared at him, shaken. Even her voice trembled.

"She's my mom. She's my only family in this world. Please don't hurt her... I beg you..."

Darwin, the son of a mafia kingpin, had learned cruelty from a young age. Tamara knew—this wasn't a bluff.

"What if I have to hurt her?"

He lifted her chin, his eyes smiling but hiding a dangerous intent underneath.

"Tamara, how many times have I told you? Bella's dying. She won't last a month. Why must you keep fighting her?"

Grief surged through Tamara.

She swallowed the bitterness in her throat, her voice hoarse. "There won't be a next time. My mom's on the edge. I had no choice..."

"Hmph!"

Darwin snorted coldly. "And yet Bella fainted because of you. You make a mistake, you pay."

Once again, he held the wooden sticks out to her, eyes impatient.

"Pick one, Tamara. Don't make me say it a third time.

"You've got three seconds. If you don't choose, I'll choose for you. Three...

"Two...

"One!"

Her heart leaped to her throat. She dropped to her knees with a thud. "No!"

Too late. Darwin made the choice for her.

The cage opened. Her mother was thrown inside like a rag doll.

The beasts pounced instantly. The tiger and dog roared, jaws wide open. In a flash, one tore off her arm, and the other went for her neck.

Blood gushed, staining Tamara's vision red.

"No—!"

Frantic, she lunged forward, only to find herself pinned to the ground by the guards, unable to move.

Three hours earlier, she had barely made it home alive. The butler told her that her mother had suffered a heart attack and was critical.

Ignoring the gunshot wound on her shoulder, Tamara rushed her mother to the hospital, only to be told that Bella had accidentally cut the quick while trimming her cat's nails—and got scratched.

Every expert in the hospital had been pulled for Bella's emergency.

Furious, Tamara shoved a gun into Bella's head, which made her faint on the spot.

Thanks to that, her mother was saved.

But it didn't take long for Darwin to hear about it.

He simply smiled, unreadable, and drove her straight to the Xavier's residence underground torture chamber.

Tamara never imagined things would come to this.

Tears blurred her vision. She didn't understand. After eight years together, how could Darwin do this to her?

The first time they met, she was just a poor student, waiting tables at a bar to survive. She accidentally spilled a drink on an important guest. Furious, the man shouted he'd cut off her hand. Darwin showed up in time and shot the man's right hand uselessly, but got ambushed later and was bedridden for a month.

The second time, her mother fell sick. Afraid her daughter couldn't afford the surgery, her mother climbed to the hospital rooftop, ready to jump. Darwin caught her just in time, his wrist torn and bleeding against the rough stone—but he never let go.

The third time, she had just joined the Xavier family. Inexperienced, she fell into a rival's trap during a delivery. She was moments from death when Darwin appeared like an angel, pulling her back from the brink. He took a bullet to the chest that almost killed him.

For eight years of marriage, every month, Darwin secretly hid a love letter under her pillow.

One day, she accidentally spilled water on one of the letters. As the ink bled, she noticed—beneath her name, another name was hidden.

Ninety-six letters—all exactly the same.

She was just a pathetic stand-in.

Even so, she never believed Darwin had no feelings for her. She still wanted to give him a chance.

She thought if she tried hard enough, she could take that woman's place in his heart.

Then, two months ago, Bella came back.

Darwin changed overnight.

Especially after hearing Bella didn't have much time left.

He went insane trying to make her happy. Smothered her with attention. Spent more and more nights away from home. The scent of another woman clung to him. Red marks began appearing on his neck.

He kept holding her, explaining softly, "Honey, she won't last much longer. Once I help her through these final days, I'll be with you for life. Just wait a little longer, okay?"

She believed him.

Tamara had always been a little too proud. She bet that she still held a place in Darwin's heart.

Only now did she realize how terribly wrong she was.

And she paid a price she could never bear.

Just days ago, her mother had reminded her to eat well. Now, her mother was gone in the cruelest way imaginable.

Tamara broke down, sobbing. She fought with everything she had, finally breaking free from the bodyguards. Stumbling to her mother's side, she grabbed a gun with trembling hands and shot the snarling beast dead. Then collapsed beside her mother.

The cloth over the face had been torn apart. She froze.

It wasn't her mother. It was the surgeon who operated on her mother yesterday.

Satisfied with her reaction, Darwin finally walked over. He bent down in front of her, slowly reached out, and wiped her tears. His thumb lightly touched his lips.

"Such a pity.

"Tamara, next time, I won't play around."

Tamara stared at him, stunned.

Darwin pulled her into his arms, hard.

"Honey, I told you. Bella doesn't have much time left. I just want her to be happy every single day. You know I like you. So can you give in? Don't make this hard for me."

Tamara said nothing. She didn't move.

Even after Darwin left, she never looked at him.

She admitted defeat in this battle with Bella.

With trembling hands, Tamara called Darwin's father, George Xavier.

"I've made up my mind. I'm willing to leave your son."

There was a soft chuckle on the other end.

"Smart choice. You'll leave in a month."

The gunshot wound on her shoulder hadn't been treated. By nightfall, Tamara was burning with fever.

Her throat was dry and raw, the taste of iron making her frown.

She struggled out of bed to get some water when she heard laughter outside the window.

Two weeks ago, Darwin brought Bella home because he was worried that she couldn't take care of herself.

Since then, they chatted late into the night—every night.

Tamara thought she was used to it. But for some reason, her hand trembled, and the glass slipped from her fingers.

Water splashed across the floor, shards of glass scattering like her heart—shattered and impossible to piece back together.

She forced herself up.

That's when she saw Darwin teaching Bella how to shoot.

He stood behind her, eyes full of tenderness.

Their bodies were almost pressed together.

A sharp pain stabbed through Tamara's chest. Years ago, Darwin had taught her like this too. Back then, his gaze was gentle but tinged with a sorrow she didn't understand.

Now, she did.

He was never looking at her. Only in the shadow of someone else.

Despite his patience, Bella kept missing the target.

Her face dimmed with disappointment.

Seeing this, Darwin turned back to the room. When he came out again, he was holding a slingshot.

"You need to work on your aim first. That gun's too heavy. Try this."

Bella hesitated as she took the slingshot.

"Will... this even work?"

Darwin smiled dotingly. "Well, don't underestimate it. I practiced with this when I was a kid. I'll teach you."

"Okay."

The gloom vanished from Bella's face.

But after searching around, they couldn't find any decent stones.

Darwin frowned slightly, then took off the ring from his right hand.

"Try this."

Bella's eyes lit up, but she hesitated. "Darwin, that's your wedding ring. Isn't it... wrong to use it?"

She wasn't wrong. That ring was his wedding band—the one Tamara had personally designed for their wedding.

She had locked herself in the study for three months, scrapping thousands of sketches before finally creating the perfect design.

The diamond had been small, but it carried all her love.

But Darwin only chuckled, indifferent. "So what? It's just a rock. Try it—it might work even better."

Hearing this, Tamara froze. Her blood ran cold.

Bella, however, smiled with satisfaction.

She eagerly loaded the diamond onto the slingshot.

Aimed.

Released.

Perfect shot.

The diamond shot straight into the bullseye. Snap! The stone split from the band shattered into two pieces and fell to the ground.

At that moment, Tamara walked out, expressionless. Her gaze slowly dropped to the broken ring lying on the floor.

Seeing her, Bella's face instantly went pale.

"M-Ms. Saunders... don't blame Darwin. I begged him to teach me. If you're upset, be mad at me. Don't take it out on him."

Tamara stayed silent.

But Bella's trembling act only stirred Darwin's protectiveness.

His face darkened, eyes full of reproach as he looked at Tamara.

"Tamara, you know Bella scares easily. Why frighten her? Have you already forgotten what I said yesterday?"

Tamara stared at him for a long moment—then suddenly smiled.

She stepped forward, picked up the broken ring, and studied it carefully in her hand, voice low.

"I don't dare."

Something strange twisted in Darwin's chest.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't find the words.

Finally, after a long pause, he squeezed out, "I'll have it fixed."

He meant the ring.

But before he could finish, Tamara casually tossed it into the lake.

"No need," she said.

Darwin froze, his face tightening with anger. But before he could explode, Tamara suddenly collapsed with a dull thud.

The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was Darwin sprinting toward her in a panic.

The sharp scent of disinfectant hit her nose first.

Without opening her eyes, Tamara knew she was in a hospital.

Ever since she moved overseas eight years ago and joined the Xavier family, she'd trained relentlessly. To please George. To help Darwin gain footing in the family. Day after day, living at gunpoint—this hospital had long become a familiar place.

Her subordinate, Evelyn Rowan, stood guard by her bedside. From her words, Tamara pieced together what happened after she passed out.

It was Darwin who brought her here. But not long after, he got a call from Bella and rushed off.

"Tamara! I swear that woman did it on purpose! Look at her—glowing like nothing's wrong. She's probably faking it!

"She's been provoking you again and again. I seriously wanna put a bullet in her head!"

Compared to Evelyn's fury, Tamara was much calmer.

"How's the prep for going back to the States?" she asked.

Evelyn finally stopped cursing and replied, "Almost done. George's people are moving faster than we expected. Shouldn't take more than a month."

"Good."

Tamara nodded lightly.

"Tell everyone—if anyone wants to leave with us, they better get ready."

As soon as she finished, the door swung open.

Darwin stood at the entrance, his face complicated.

Beside him was Bella.

"Leave? Tamara, where are you planning to go?"

Tamara stayed composed. She glanced at Darwin and said flatly, "Nothing. Just talking about the next shipment."

Darwin didn't press further.

He walked in, looked at her, and sighed.

"Why didn't you tell me you got hurt? The doctor said if your shoulder injury keeps dragging on, it might leave permanent damage."

As he spoke, he leaned in and gently hugged her.

"Honey, why do you always make me worry, huh?"

So fake. Tamara looked at him, disgust churning in her stomach.

Her shoulder injury was obvious. The only reason Darwin hadn't noticed was simple.

He didn't care.

He never cared whether she was hurt or not.

So why bother putting on this act now?

Tamara coldly pushed him away.

"I'm fine."

Just then, Bella opened the thermos in her hand and carefully brought it over. Her voice was soft and timid. "Ms. Saunders, yesterday was my fault. I didn't mean to upset you.

"I made this bone broth myself. I hope you don't mind."

Tamara had no interest in watching her little show. She neither spoke nor reached for it.

The air grew tense.

Darwin finally broke the silence.

"Tamara, don't waste her good intentions."

His voice was calm, but there was a warning hidden beneath it.

Thinking of her mother lying in that hospital bed, Tamara had no choice but to reach out.

But just as her hand was about to touch the thermos, Bella suddenly let go.

The scalding broth spilled straight onto Tamara's injured shoulder, not a drop spared.

A cold sweat broke out instantly. Tamara bit down hard, forcing back the scream.

Yet Bella looked pitiful, her face pale, eyes filled with silent grievance as she stared at Tamara.

"Ms. Saunders... I really just wanted to apologize. Please don't be mad."

Before Tamara could respond, Darwin's face darkened. He stepped forward, gripping her hand tightly.

"Do you know? Bella's been up since morning, busy in the kitchen just to make this for you. Is this how you repay her kindness?"

His face turned cold, his eyes sharp as ice.

Under his glare, Tamara almost forgot the pain in her shoulder. She murmured, trying to explain, "I didn't... She let go."

But Darwin only sneered.

"Not only do you trample on someone's effort, now you're trying to blame her? Tamara, I really misjudged you."

He flung her hand away viciously.

"Apologize."

Tamara stared at Darwin. After a long pause, she finally let out a mocking laugh.

"What if I say no?"

Darwin narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Tamara, don't test me."

His fingers lightly brushed her cheek.

"Tamara, don't be stubborn. You know what happens when I'm angry."

That controlling tone triggered a flash in Tamara's mind—the blood-soaked scene of that female surgeon being torn apart by beasts in the underground prison.

After a long silence, she finally caved. She swallowed her pride and spoke three words.

"I am sorry."

Satisfied, Darwin left with Bella without even looking back.

Before leaving, Bella glanced at her one last time, her eyes filled with smug contempt.

For days, Darwin didn't show up once.

On the day Tamara was about to be discharged, a young nurse came in, beaming with excitement.

"Ms. Saunders, guess what? You're going to be a mom!"

Tamara froze, not quite understanding.

The nurse explained, "Your test results came back. You're almost three months along. Congratulations, Ms. Saunders!"

Tamara trembled, completely stunned.

She never expected to get pregnant with Darwin's child—especially not now.

It wasn't that she didn't want kids. On the contrary, she had dreamed of having one of her own.

For years, she tried everything to conceive, but it never happened.

To spare Darwin's feelings, she lied, saying she hated kids.

Now, when she had finally given up and planned to leave, she was pregnant.

Life sure... has a twisted sense of humor.

Sitting in a daze, Tamara stayed frozen for an hour.

When she went to tell Darwin, she found out he had already made the decision for her.

He sat in the doctor's office, his expression unreadable.

"Mr. Xavier, are you sure? This is your child, after all."

Darwin fiddled with his pen, frowning in silence.

Just as the doctor thought he wouldn't answer, he suddenly looked up.

"I'm sure. Get rid of it."

That one sentence froze Tamara in place, just as she was about to knock.

Inside, the conversation continued.

Darwin's voice held confusion. "But doctor, I had her take the pills. How did she still get pregnant?"

The doctor sighed. "Mr. Xavier, all drugs have resistance. Ms. Saunders has been on the same medication for eight years. Over time, its effect wore off."

"I see."

Darwin continued, "Forget it. The timing couldn't be worse. Bella... she only has less than a month left. I don't want this to affect her mood in her final days.

"As for children, there will always be others.

"Schedule the surgery for Tamara as soon as possible."

Tamara had no idea how she made it back to her room.

Even after giving up all hope for him, her heart still felt like it was being stabbed over and over.

Bleeding.

Hurting so much that tears streamed down her face.

That night, they dragged her into the operating room.

Cold instruments tore through her body, and the heart that once beat for Darwin shattered completely.

For the next two weeks, Darwin spent all his time with Bella.

Her social media lit up with daily updates.

At the snow-capped mountains, under the aurora, by the grasslands and lakes—always the two of them, clinging to each other.

Tamara tortured herself by scrolling through Bella's posts over and over. Her bleeding heart slowly grew numb until it couldn't even stir a ripple.

"Ms. Saunders, Mr. Xavier asked me to take you to tonight's fireworks show on the sea."

Tamara didn't refuse.

Darwin wouldn't have allowed her to, anyway.

She only realized the truth when she arrived, this entire event was a grand party Darwin threw just for Bella.

Given his special status, he had never hosted such a high-profile event for anyone before.

Clearly, Bella was the exception.

Layers of bodyguards guarded every entrance. Every guest underwent strict security checks. Tamara's gun was confiscated the moment she stepped in.

Inside, the yacht was pure luxury. Darwin spared no expense on appearances for her.

Tamara arrived a little late. By then, the guests were already seated. Bella clung to Darwin's arm, gracefully greeting the crowd with him.

The timid act she used around Tamara was gone. Now she smiled elegantly, fully stepping into the role of the Xavier family's hostess.

"I've heard how in love Mr. Xavier is with his wife. Seeing tonight's extravagance, this must've cost tens of millions!"

"Open your eyes. She's not his wife. Word is, she's his first love—the one he couldn't have back then. That woman over there? Just a stand-in."

"Look! That one behind you—she's the real Mrs. Xavier!"

Tamara pretended not to hear any of it. She quietly found a seat and poured herself a drink.

"You're right, they do look alike. Especially from the side—like they're cast from the same mold. But the stand-in's gaze is sharper, the real one's softer."

"Honestly, I almost feel bad for the stand-in. She's humiliated enough, yet she still has to attend a banquet thrown for the real one."

"Gotta say though... she's got some thick skin!"

Their mocking whispers kept getting nastier. Just then, Darwin walked over, face dark.

For a brief moment, Tamara almost thought he was here to defend her.

After all, in the past, if anyone dared to humiliate her like this, Darwin would've smashed a bottle over their head without hesitation.

But that was the past.

Now that the real one had returned, who would care about a stand-in?

Darwin approached, his voice low and filled with faint sorrow.

"Tonight might be Bella's last party, Tamara. And you showed up 30 minutes late."

He poured a glass of wine and handed it to her. "Go over and apologize to Bella."

Tamara was about to sneer when suddenly—a gunshot cracked through the air.

Screams erupted. The entire crowd panicked and scattered like headless chickens.

Despite all of Darwin's precautions, chaos still broke out.

Dozens of armed men suddenly stormed through the crowd. They had a clear target in sight—Bella on stage.

The bodyguards outside swarmed in. Chaos erupted on the yacht.

Darwin's gaze grew icy. He drew his gun from his waist and rushed toward Bella.

Tamara was caught off guard by the sudden attack. Even after everything he had done to her, her first instinct was still to worry about his safety.

She hated herself for it, but her body reacted before her mind could stop it.

She ran toward Darwin.

By then, he had already dragged Bella into a corner behind the dining table.

Bella, who had never seen anything like this, was pale as a ghost, drenched in cold sweat.

Seeing her like that, Darwin's face was full of heartache. Without hesitation, he made a decision.

When Tamara reached them, Darwin spoke in a low voice. "Tamara! Quick! Take off your jacket!"

As he spoke, he yanked off Bella's coat and tossed it to Tamara.

"Put this on."

His tone left no room for argument.

Tamara stared at him in disbelief.

"You want me to die for her?"

Darwin shot her a glare.

"Don't say it like that! With your skills, you should be able to escape. Besides, they're after Bella. They might spare you! Time's running out—don't make me repeat myself!"

Tamara suddenly laughed.

She laughed so hard that her tears came out.

Eight years as someone else's stand-in wasn't enough—now she was supposed to die in her place too.

At that moment, Tamara admitted it.

She regretted it.

She truly regretted ever falling for Darwin.

Memories flashed through her mind—the love, the tenderness—all of it boiled down to two simple words, stand-in.

That's all she ever was.

In these eight years of love, the only one who fell was her.

What a joke.

Fine.

Since he saved her life back then, she'd return it now.

But after this, she would owe him nothing.

Tamara stared into Darwin's eyes.

"Alright."

She put on Bella's coat. The moment she stepped out, gunshots rang out one after another.

She dodged instinctively. That was all she could do now.

Her gun had been taken before she even entered the yacht.

She didn't even have a chance to fight back.

But there was nowhere left to hide.

At last, she closed her eyes and leaped into the sea.

The freezing seawater surged into her mouth and nose.

Her final image was Darwin sprinting toward her.

Maybe it was just her imagination, but...

There was fear in his eyes.

So be it.

She didn't care anymore.

Maybe God took pity on her. In the end, Tamara survived.

Darwin and his men dragged the sea for a whole day and night before they finally pulled her out.

In her hazy consciousness, she vaguely heard someone speaking by her ear.

"She's just a stand-in, Mr. Xavier. Why get so worked up? You only approached her because of her face. Now that Ms. Rivera's back, why should you care if she lives or dies?"

Darwin's voice followed, cold and sharp.

"You want her dead so bad—what, still bitter about losing your hand during that act? If that's the case, don't you think you're blaming the wrong person?

"I'm the one who crippled your hand. If you need to hate someone, hate me. Isn't that right?"

The man sounded terrified.

"I wouldn't dare, Mr. Xavier! You went all in to sell the act back then. Even used self-sacrifice. What's a hand compared to that?

"And wasn't it you who told the guys to push her mom to jump off the building? Or when you leaked her location during that cargo run? If you still care about Ms. Saunders, what if she finds out about all this one day..."

Before he could finish, Darwin cut him off coldly.

"As long as you keep your mouth shut, she'll never know. Yes, I tricked her. So what? Once Bella leaves, I'll spend my whole life with her.

"But if she ever finds out... I'll kill you first."

This time, the man completely panicked. With a loud thud, he fell to his knees, resolutely vowing to carry this secret to his grave.

Hearing all this, Tamara slipped back into unconsciousness.

When she woke up, it was two days later.

Groggy and weak, her mind involuntarily replayed everything she heard before passing out.

Her eyes instantly turned cold.

An overwhelming hatred threatened to consume her.

So what she thought was salvation... was nothing but a complete lie.

Darwin never once told her the truth.

From the moment they met, she'd been nothing but a fool in his hands.

Just then, the door to the hospital room swung open.

The man she wanted to tear apart walked in.

Darwin rushed over and pulled her into his arms.

"Tamara, you're finally awake! I knew you'd be okay!"

His hands were shaking, and so was his voice.

Tamara used every bit of her willpower not to kill him on the spot.

Darwin held her for a long time before finally letting go.

He seemed like he wanted to say something, but for some reason, he couldn't get the words out.

Just as Tamara's patience ran out, he finally spoke.

"Tamara, this morning Bella's doctor called. They found a kidney match."

Seeing his expression, Tamara felt a surge of absurdity rise inside her.

Sure enough, a moment later, Darwin added, "It's you."

If she looked closely, she could see the wild joy flashing in his eyes.

"Tamara, Bella doesn't have to die now! Will you donate one of your kidneys to her?"

Tamara stared at him coldly, the irony cutting deep.

"And what if I say no?"

The words burst out of her mouth. "What if I told you your beloved Bella's been faking her illness from the start? Would you believe me?"

Darwin froze, then his eyes filled with anger.

"Tamara, do you even know what you're saying?

"I get that you don't like Bella and don't want to donate your kidney, but you don't have to make up something this ridiculous."

This time, Tamara just let out a cold laugh and stayed silent.

Because even if she argued until her lips bled, Darwin still wouldn't believe her.

After all, she was nothing but a pathetic stand-in!

But Bella was faking her illness. That was real.

Two months ago, she had someone investigate her. She even once saw her dump an entire bottle of prescription pills into the lake.

Tamara had thought about exposing her. But remembering Darwin's attitude, she gave up.

This ending? She saw it coming long ago.

"Get ready. Surgery's in three days."

Seeing her silent, Darwin sighed. His tone softened.

"Tamara, I know you've suffered a lot. But Bella once saved my life. I can't just stand by and watch her die. After this surgery, I'll have to repay my debt. Then, it'll be just us. Okay?"

Tamara stared into his eyes for a long time. Finally, she nodded.

"Okay."

Darwin kissed her and left, satisfied.

But if he had looked back just once, he would've seen the madness in her eyes—something he'd never seen before.

Not long after Darwin left, the doctor called. Her mother's heart attack had relapsed. Emergency surgery was needed.

When Tamara rushed to the hospital, her mother was already at death's door.

The doctor told her that only Dr. Heller, who had operated on her mother before, could handle this. But Dr. Heller had vanished over 20 days ago. No one had found her since.

Hearing this, Tamara suddenly remembered that blood-soaked face she saw in the underground execution ground. Her heart turned cold.

Dr. Heller was dead.

She died right in front of her. Torn apart by a beast's sharp claws 20 days ago.

No one could save her mother now.

Her mind went blank.

The lights above the operating room kept turning on and off. After several rounds, the door finally opened.

Someone walked out and said softly, "Sorry. We did everything we could."

Her mind roared. She couldn't hear anything else.

By the time she realized it, she had already rushed into the operating room.

A pale, thin hand gently touched her face.

"No... don't cry, baby... it's not... your fault...

"From now on, I just hope... you live the life you want."

Tamara stared ahead as tears kept falling.

She had lost her only family in this world.

She trembled with rage and sat in the hospital hallway. All night.

The first rays of morning sunlight hit her face. She snapped out of her daze.

She went to the crematorium. When she returned to the hospital with her mother's ashes, she was like a walking corpse. Bella was already waiting in her hospital room.

Her eyes brimmed with provocation. With Darwin gone, she finally showed her true face.

"Ms. Saunders, where did you run off to so early?"

Tamara said nothing. She didn't even look at her.

"In two days, you'll be donating your kidney to me. Mind to share how that feels?"

She suddenly burst into laughter, full of smugness.

"Tamara, drop the act. Since things have come this far, I might as well tell you something else.

"I was never sick.

"Surprised, aren't you?"

She laughed until tears came out. "And your dirty kidney? It won't be going into my body. Most likely, it'll end up as dog food."

Tamara stayed motionless the whole time.

The lack of reaction made Bella furious. Her face twisted in anger as she glared.

"Are you deaf or mute? Let me warn you—stay away from Darwin while you still can!

"Otherwise, next time, it won't just be your kidney. It'll be your life!"

Tamara remained silent, staring at her like she was already dead.

Bella suddenly felt insulted.

She lunged forward, ready to teach her a lesson. But then her gaze landed on the square box Tamara was holding.

"What's that in your arms?"

Only then did Tamara finally speak, her voice cold.

"Go away."

Bella opened her mouth to retort, but her eyes darted behind Tamara—and instantly turned red.

"Ms. Saunders, I just came to thank you. Thank you for donating your kidney. Don't be mad. I'm leaving now."

Tamara said the same thing again.

"Go away."

The moment she spoke, Darwin walked in with a dark face, his voice low and dangerous.

"Who were you talking to?

"Tamara, how many times do I have to tell you to stop targeting Bella? Are you ignoring my warnings?"

His eyes were sharp as he slowly approached.

"Do you really want your mother to end up like that meddling doctor?"

Tamara stared at him, hatred burning like never before.

He actually dared to mention her mother.

Darwin looked at her impatiently, his eyes full of disgust.

"I'll say it one last time—don't test me. Especially when you have no way to fight back.

"Prepare for tomorrow's surgery. Once Bella's cured, I won't mistreat you. You wouldn't want your mother's throat ripped open by dogs, would you?"

As they left, Bella shot her a mocking, malicious glance.

Tamara felt as though flames were burning through her insides. Her whole body trembled with hatred.

She wanted to laugh, but tears came first.

Just then, her phone rang.

"Ms. Saunders, your ticket for tonight's flight home is ready. Shall I arrange a car to take you to the airport?"

Tamara gave one word.

"Yes."

After hanging up, her eyes darkened. She was deep in thought.

A few minutes later, she called Evelyn.

"Get ready. Before I go back, I want to send Darwin a nice gift."

***

At 8 p.m., Tamara boarded the plane with her mother's ashes.

She took one last glance at the place she had lived for eight years.

"Goodbye."

From that moment on, she was nobody's stand-in.

She was Tamara Saunders.

And in her world, Darwin no longer existed.