To save his kept woman Kate Murray, Carla Quinn's husband, Jason Collins, transplanted Carla's mother's liver into her.

The day Jason tied her mother to the operating table, Carla dropped to her knees and begged, but he had her locked away.

Three days later, the surgery was a success.

Dressed in a sharp suit, Jason stood in front of her and said coldly, "The surgery went well. I'll be staying at the hospital to take care of Kate. I won't be coming home."

Carla looked at the man who once would've gone through hell for her. Just before he turned to leave, she couldn't hold back and asked hoarsely, "Jason, you used to love me so much. Why did you stop loving me?"

He paused but didn't look back. "We married just because of an alliance. I never loved you."

Never loved her? That couldn't be true.

In their previous life, he had loved her to death.

***

That's right, Carla had been reborn.

In her previous life, her family and the Quinn family formed a marriage alliance, and she became Jason's wife.

Back then, he spoiled her endlessly and gave her anything she wanted.

If she asked for stars, he wouldn't settle for just the moon. If she casually mentioned liking a multimillion-dollar piece of jewelry, it would appear in her vanity room the next day. When she got sick, he would stay up all night by her bedside.

But she despised him.

Because the one she loved was her childhood friend, Liam Jacobson.

Forced by her parents to marry Jason, she rejected the marriage completely.

She refused to share a bed with him, skipped every event he invited her to, and even went to bars to flirt with male models just to humiliate him.

In the end, she believed Liam's lies and ran away with him.

But what she never expected...

Was that Liam never loved her?

He went out of his way to win her over only because his family had a long-standing feud with the Quinn family. He'd already figured out Jason was in love with Carla and used her as leverage against him.

He kidnapped her and used her life to threaten Jason.

"Jason, send me one of your fingers every day, or I'll kill her."

Jason said nothing. He just cut off one finger each day and sent it over.

On the tenth day, when the last bloodied finger arrived, still wearing his wedding ring, Carla broke.

She couldn't let him keep sacrificing himself, so she bit through her tongue and ended her life.

After death, her soul floated in the air, watching the always proud and composed Jason lose his mind the moment he saw her body.

He came for revenge, breaking every bone in Liam's body with his own hands. But as Liam screamed in agony, Jason's eyes held nothing but emptiness.

In the end, he walked away from his billion-dollar empire, abandoned the entire Quinn Group, and carried her body into the fire.

Amidst the flames, he deeply kissed her, softly asking, "Carla, if there was another life... could you love me once?"

As the flames swallowed him, Carla's spirit hovered above, crying with a heart-wrenching sorrow.

At that moment, she finally saw the full depth of his love.

When she opened her eyes again, she realized she had been reborn, back to the first year of her marriage to Jason.

Overwhelmed with joy and tears, she vowed to truly love him this time.

So, she deleted every trace of Liam, made breakfast for Jason every morning, and waited up late every night for him to come home; her heart and eyes only for him.

But he changed.

He stopped being gentle, stopped coming home every day, grew cold and distant, and even kept a mistress outside.

Now, to save that mistress's life, he forcibly put her mother on the operating table.

After Jason left, she collapsed onto the cold floor, her tears long dried up.

She thought to herself, "Fine.

"If he doesn't love me this time, I'll let go—fully and completely."

Staggering to her feet, she dragged her weary body to the hospital.

When she pushed the door open, her mother was still asleep, her face horrifyingly pale, her breathing faint and steady under the oxygen mask. Carla stood by the bedside, staring at her frail body wrapped in a hospital gown, and felt a blockage in her throat.

"Carla."

She turned to see her father, looking exhausted, standing at the door. His suit was wrinkled, his tie crooked, clearly hurried back from overseas.

"Dad..." Carla's voice broke as her knees gave out, and she fell to the floor. "I'm sorry... it's all because of me..."

Her father hurried over and pulled her up. "Nonsense! The floor is cold, get up!"

His rough, warm hands trembled slightly. "It's not your fault. How can I blame you?"

Carla hung her head, tears falling onto the floor.

Her father sighed and gently patted her back. "Jason was the one who asked to marry you. He said he'd loved you for years..."

His voice was full of confusion. "So why did it suddenly turn out like this?"

Yes, everyone knew he loved her.

But why had he changed so much this time?

"Dad." Carla took a deep breath. "I've made up my mind. I'm going to divorce Jason.

"Our family business is already shifting overseas. If that's the case... maybe, it's time we all leave this place."

Her father fell silent.

His eyes moved between Carla and her mother, who was lying on the bed. After a while, he finally asked, "Do you not love him anymore?"

Carla dug her nails deep into her palm, blood seeping through her fingers, but she felt no pain.

"After what he did to Mom..." Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling and breaking. "How can I... keep loving him?"

Her father was silent again, then sighed heavily, as if making a firm decision. "In that case, then we'll leave."

He patted Carla's shoulder. "Go handle the paperwork. I'll take care of things here."

Carla with eyes red, nodded and turned to leave the ward.

The immigration paperwork went smoothly. As she stepped outside, the sunlight stung her eyes.

Standing by the roadside, everything felt unreal.

It was finally over.

Suddenly, a sharp screech of brakes pierced the air.

"Watch out!"

Before she could turn, a powerful force sent her flying.

Carla woke up in a sharp, searing pain.

The moment she opened her eyes, Jason's cold face was right in front of her.

He looked down at her, his disgust clear. "Carla, was this on purpose?

"You saw Kate get injured in that car accident, so you're copying her?" He sneered. "We're married for convenience, there's no love. You can try to be like her all you want, but it's useless. I don't have time to take care of you."

She opened her mouth to explain, but the hospital door suddenly swung open.

"Mr. Quinn, here's the soup you asked for," the assistant said politely, handing over a takeout container.

Jason took it casually, lifted the lid, and frowned instantly. "Why is this seafood soup?"

His tone was clearly annoyed. "She's allergic to seafood. Go buy another one."

Those words hit Carla like a thunderbolt, right on the top of her head.

Seafood allergy.

Back in her last life, it wasn't until their second year of marriage that he found out after she nearly went into shock from eating seafood by mistake.

But now...

They'd only been married a year.

Thinking about his recent strange behavior...

His sudden coldness toward her, the unexplained favoritism toward Kate, and that chilling line, "When have I ever loved you?"

A wild thought suddenly struck her, making Carla tremble all over.

"Jason..." Her voice was hoarse and broken. "Did you also reborn?"

Jason frowned. "What reborn?"

She stared into his eyes. "Then how do you know I'm allergic to seafood?"

"Your parents came to see me a while ago," he said calmly, not even batting an eye. "They asked me to treat you better. They even gave me a notebook listing your likes and dislikes. I glanced at it before tossing it."

His flawless explanation stung her.

Was she just overthinking?

The nurse suddenly pushed the door open. "Mr. Quinn, Ms. Murray's awake and asking for you."

Hearing that, Jason walked away without even looking back at Carla.

He hadn't visited her once during her three-day stay in the hospital.

Each time the nurse came to change her bandages, her hesitant glance seemed to silently mock Carla's embarrassment.

On the fourth morning, Carla went through the discharge procedures on her own.

Her immigration paperwork was done; now only one step left.

Divorce.

She sat at the desk, carefully writing the divorce agreement.

The pen's tip sliced the paper like her heart being torn apart.

The terms were simple, she wanted nothing, only freedom.

Her phone buzzed—Kate had posted on social media.

In the photo, Jason sat at his desk while Kate leaned on his shoulder, flashing a peace sign.

The caption was, "Someone said no non-staff allowed in the office, but today they made an exception for me!"

Carla's finger hovered over the screen, frozen.

In her previous life, Jason had broken countless rules for her.

He, who never ate spicy food, suffered stomach issues eating spicy dishes with her. He, obsessive about cleanliness, carried her home drunk. He, who hated public appearances, did magazine interviews for her.

Carla took a deep breath, pushing those memories away, then grabbed the divorce papers and headed out.

The Quinn Group building was as grand as ever. As the elevator rose, Carla kept rehearsing how to bring up the divorce. Passing the CEO's office, Jason's assistant walked by carrying some documents.

"Mrs. Quinn?" The assistant looked surprised. "Are you here to see Mr. Quinn?"

"Yes." Carla tightened her grip on the file. "I need him to sign something."

His eyes lingered on her pale face for a moment. "I'm heading in there now, let me help you carry it."

Carla hesitated, then handed him the divorce agreement. "Thank you."

The assistant took it, slipped it into a stack of documents, and gently knocked.

The door opened, and Carla's blood froze.

Jason was on his knees, gently massaging Kate's feet as she sat on the sofa.

Kate wore a short skirt, her pale legs resting on his knee, a sweet smile lighting her face.

"Mr. Quinn, these documents need your signature," the assistant said, making Jason look up.

Without even glancing at the papers, he quickly signed them while still massaging Kate's feet.

Carla stood outside the door, her nails digging into her palm.

In her previous life, when she sprained her ankle playing tennis, Jason was just like this, carefully tending to her wound on his knees.

That day, he'd frowned with worry and didn't even dare to touch it hard.

Soon, the assistant came out and handed Carla the signed divorce agreement.

"Mrs. Quinn, it's signed." Carla stared at the bold signature, her eyes growing a little wet.

She nodded, thanked him, and turned to leave.

Waiting for the elevator, she called her lawyer. "We've both signed. How long until I get the divorce certificate?"

"After one month of the cooling-off period, Mrs. Quinn."

She nodded. Just as she hung up, Kate's voice came from behind, "Carla? What are you doing here?"

Carla whipped around to see Jason release Kate's hand, his face darkening as he strode toward her. "Who told you to come to the office?"

He grabbed her wrist. "How many times have I told you? This is just a marriage of convenience! I didn't interfere with you, so don't interfere with me!"

Carla pulled her hand free. "Got it. There won't be a next time."

As the tension rose, Kate quickly stepped forward, slipping her arm through Jason's, and gently said, "Jason, come on, she's still your wife."

After saying that, she turned to Carla. "You're just in time. Jason and I are heading to an auction. Come with us, your mom saved me last time, and I haven't had a chance to thank her properly."

"No thanks," Carla cut in. "My mom doesn't need anything."

Kate's eyes instantly welled up. "But if you don't come, I'll feel bad..."

"Carla," Jason said coldly. "You're going. Don't be ungrateful."

His gaze was icy and sharp, completely different from the warm look he gave her in the previous life.

Carla suddenly felt drained, too tired even to argue back.

In the end, Carla was forced to go to the auction.

She sat there, surrounded by the rising and falling sounds of bids.

Jason raised his paddle calmly and gracefully, each bid drawing gasps from the crowd.

"Ten million! Mr. Quinn bids ten million!" the auctioneer announced excitedly. "The sapphire necklace goes to Mr. Quinn!"

Leaning on Jason's shoulder, Kate smiled like a winner. "Jason, this necklace is stunning."

"As long as you like it," Jason said gently, brushing the hair behind her ear.

"Mr. Quinn sure spoils this mistress rotten," someone whispered from the back row.

"That's nothing," another voice chimed in. "Last month, Ms. Murray casually mentioned liking that island in the Pacific that's worth over 20 million, and Mr. Quinn transferred it to her name the next day."

Carla gripped her paddle tightly until her knuckles turned white.

In her previous life, Jason had spoiled her just like this without limits.

But now, that same kindness was given to another woman.

"Carla," Kate suddenly leaned in, "which one do you want? I can have Jason bid it for you."

Carla shook her head coldly. "No thanks."

"Then let's check out the next item," Kate insisted. "Maybe you'll like it."

The auctioneer tapped his gavel. "The next item is special. Please enjoy, esteemed guests..."

The moment the screen lit up, the room erupted.

The photo showed Kate completely naked, posed in various obscene postures.

High-definition, uncensored close-ups reveal every bit of privacy.

"Oh my god, her skin's so pale..."

"That pose is downright filthy..."

"Wonder how much she charges for a night..."

Crude comments flooded the room. Kate's face went from red to pale, then to ashen.

"Turn it off! Turn it off now!" she screamed, trembling as she shot to her feet. "That's not me! It's not me!"

She suddenly turned to Carla, tears streaming down her face. "Carla! Do you hate me that much? You had to humiliate me like this? Are you trying to kill me?"

Then, she ran off, face buried in her hands.

Jason's expression turned terrifyingly dark. "I'll buy every single photo. Take them down, now. Three seconds. If you're late, I will make your auction go bankrupt!"

His sharp gaze swept the room. "Anyone who dares leak a word of this will deal with the consequences."

Finally, he looked at Carla, his voice like ice. "Just wait."

Carla's mind went blank as she returned to the villa, chilled to the bone.

She had no idea how those photos ended up at the auction.

Yes, she disliked Kate. Yes, she could be willful.

But she would never humiliate her like that, especially not with photos she didn't even have.

But Jason wouldn't believe her.

To him, it would all just sound like another excuse.

She sat on the couch all night, anxious and restless. At dawn, the front door was suddenly kicked open.

Jason stormed in with rage, eyes bloodshot. "Carla!"

He grabbed her by the chin, his grip so tight it felt like he might crush her bones. "Do you have any idea that Kate jumped into the sea?"

His voice was hoarse. "If I hadn't gotten there in time, she'd be dead right now!"

"It wasn't me..." Carla choked out. "I didn't leak those photos—"

"Not you?" he sneered, suddenly letting go. "Are you saying she released those photos herself?"

Carla was speechless.

Just as she opened her mouth, Jason cut her off coldly. "Our marriage is just a business deal. We have nothing to do with each other. But you keep hurting the woman I love, again and again. You're going to pay for it."

His words hit like a knife, stabbing straight into her heart.

In her previous life, when others had bullied her, he had protected her just as fiercely.

Back then, he said, "Anyone who touches Carla, I'll bury their whole family with them."

But now, the one he protected was someone else.

"Carla, you're going to the hospital right now to apologize to Kate!"

Carla's eyes turned red, but she met his gaze stubbornly. "I did nothing wrong. So tell me, what exactly should I be apologizing for?"

Jason sneered and snapped his fingers.

Two bodyguards immediately entered and pinned her down.

"Take her to the electric shock room," he said without even looking back. "She stays there until she admits she was wrong."

The shock room?!

Carla stared at him in disbelief.

Just to make her apologize to Kate, he was really going to have her electrocuted?!

Before she could react, she was dragged into a cold basement and tied to the shock table.

The guards quickly tied down her hands and feet, the icy leather belts digging into her skin.

The moment they hit the switch...

"Argh!"

Electricity surged through her body. Carla jolted like a fish out of water, only to be yanked back down by the straps, her body convulsing against the restraints.

Her teeth sank into her lip, breaking the skin. The taste of blood spread through her mouth.

"Still not apologizing?" one of the guards said as he pressed the button to increase the current.

It felt like thousands of steel needles were racing through her veins, stabbing from her fingertips to her heart. She heard choked inhumane sobs escaping her throat as she bit her lower lip raw until it was a bloody mess.

She shook her head, sweat-soaked hair clinging to her face.

She had done nothing wrong, why should she apologize?

Then the current hit again, stronger this time.

Her vision blurred, and her muscles convulsed uncontrollably.

"Argh... Ugh..."

The third time.

The fourth.

The fifth.

The tenth.

"S-Stop... stop..."

She finally broke down, crying out in pain, tears mixing with blood streaming down her face.

"I was wrong... I'm sorry... I'll apologize...

"I apologize!"

Carla was forcibly taken to the VIP ward of the hospital.

"Finally came around to admit your mistake?" Jason sat beside the bed, looking at her coldly.

Carla's legs trembled uncontrollably; the muscle spasms from the electric shock made every step feel like stepping on knives. She barely steadied herself against the wall, her vision blurring.

"I'm sorry..." Her voice was hoarse and broken. "I shouldn't have leaked your private photos..."

Kate leaned against the headboard, her pale face streaked with tears. "Carla, if it were just any other time, maybe I could forgive you. But this time, you really went too far. So, I can't accept such an apology."

Jason immediately bent down to hug her, his voice incredibly gentle. "Then what do you want?"

"At least bow down to show sincerity."

Carla suddenly looked up but met Jason's icy gaze instantly. "Still not bowing? What, do you want to feel the electric shock again?"

Her whole body trembled as she bowed down.

"I'm sorry!"

Only then did Kate let out a begrudging hum. "Alright, I forgive you."

As she left the ward, Carla's vision darkened, and she almost collapsed.

She leaned against the wall for a long while before barely dragging herself away.

That night, Jason actually brought Kate back to their home.

"Kate's mental state isn't good. She needs to stay home for a while," he said flatly as if discussing the weather.

Carla was too weak to argue. "Do as you please."

After all, they were already in the process of divorcing; soon, this wouldn't be her home anymore.

Jason frowned slightly, sensing something unusual about her.

Just as he was about to speak, Kate tugged his sleeve. "Jason, I'm hungry."

"What do you want to eat? I'll have the servants make it."

"It's so late, don't disturb them." Kate smiled awkwardly but stared straight at Carla. "Isn't Carla here? Let her make it."

Jason looked at Carla. "Didn't you hear that?"

How ironic—she was the legitimate wife, yet he reduced her to cooking for her husband's mistress.

Carla grimaced, then blankly walked to the kitchen.

The boiling soup bubbled fiercely in the pot; Carla stared numbingly at the bubbles.

"Is the soup ready yet?" Kate's voice suddenly came from behind.

"Almost." Carla didn't look back.

Kate leaned in for a glance, then frowned. "Carla, how come there's so little? It's not enough."

Before she finished speaking, she suddenly grabbed Carla's wrist and pressed it hard into the boiling soup!

"Ah—!"

A searing pain spread from her palm to her whole body, and Carla struggled instinctively.

The scalding soup splattered everywhere as she barely pulled her hand out, her skin red and blistered.

But Kate took the chance to drip some of the soup onto her own arm and then dramatically collapsed on the floor.

"What happened?" Jason rushed over at the sound.

Kate immediately started crying, "Jason, I shouldn't have asked Carla to make the soup, or she wouldn't have gotten angry and deliberately splashed the soup on me."

Jason's face darkened suddenly. He grabbed Carla's wrist tightly. "Why are you causing endless trouble? Don't you ever listen to a single word I said last time?"

Carla's face turned pale from the pain. Trembling, she raised her swollen, blistered hand and choked out, "Jason, look carefully. Who's more seriously injured?!"

Jason was stunned.

"This wasn't me!" Kate hurriedly defended herself. "Jason, she splashed me first, then afraid you'd be angry. She burned herself on purpose!"

Carla's eyes reddened as she said slowly and clearly, "There's surveillance footage. Just check it."

Kate's expression changed. She was about to speak, but Jason sharply interrupted, "No need to check! I believe Kate wouldn't do something like this."

Hearing this, Kate instantly relaxed and gave Carla a triumphant look full of provocation.

Carla's heart felt like it was being ripped in two.

One half was the burning pain in her hand; the other was a deeper ache inside her chest.

"Carla, you're really stubborn," Jason said coldly. "Since you like burning people with soup, I'll let you have as much as you want."

He snapped his fingers, and two bodyguards immediately came in, pinning down Carla's other uninjured hand.

"No." Carla struggled in horror. "Jason! You'll regret this..."

Before she finished, the bodyguards mercilessly pressed her hand into the boiling soup.

"Ah!!!"

A heart-wrenching scream instantly echoed throughout the entire villa.

When Carla woke from the sharp pain, she found herself lying in the bedroom bed.

Her hands were wrapped thickly in gauze, waves of burning pain pulsing through them.

"Mrs. Quinn, you're awake?" Martha Brevin, the housekeeper, sat by the bed with red-rimmed eyes. "Your hands... I'll call Mr. Quinn right now to come back—"

"No need." Carla shook her head weakly. "He's the one who had me burned."

Martha gasped sharply. "That can't be! He used to follow you to and from school every day secretly, terrified something would happen to you."

Tears silently slid down Carla's cheeks.

Everyone said he loved her. So why did it suddenly stop?

She didn't understand. She really didn't.

During the days she spent nursing her wounds, Carla saw their loving posts on Kate's social media every day.

Jason took Kate to fashion shows in Paris, rented out the entire amusement park for her, and even arranged a private fireworks display on her birthday.

A week later, Jason finally brought Kate home.

His first words were. "Carla, Kate's birthday is coming up. You're organizing the party as punishment for burning her."

Carla was too exhausted to argue.

Not wanting to cause trouble before she left, she nodded in agreement. "Fine."

She barely slept that whole week preparing for the birthday party.

Dragging her still-healing hands, she personally chose every bouquet and confirmed every dish.

The servants looked at her with pity, but no one dared to help.

On the day of the birthday party, the Quinn's mansion was brightly lit.

Guests whispered among themselves.

"The wife throwing a party for the mistress—never heard of anything like it."

"Mr. Quinn is really serious this time. Look at those gifts—each one worth a fortune."

Carla stood quietly in a corner, ignoring the gossip.

Her gaze fixed on Jason standing at the center of the stage.

He wore a crisp suit, constantly checking his watch, clearly waiting for Kate.

Time passed minute by minute, but Kate never showed.

Jason's face darkened, and he finally sent his assistant to look for her.

"Mr. Quinn!" The assistant returned flustered, holding a letter. "Ms. Murray left, but she left this behind."

Jason snatched the letter and quickly scanned it, his expression turning grim.

Suddenly, he threw the letter into Carla's face.

"Carla!" His voice was like it was squeezed through gritted teeth. "You better explain this to me!"

The paper fluttered to her feet.

She tremblingly picked it up. The handwriting was delicate and neat—it was Kate's.

"Jason, by the time you read this letter, I will have left. I loved you and hoped we could grow old together. But Carla threatened my parents' lives. I have no choice but to go. From now on, we will never meet again."

"It's not me."

Carla mechanically returned the letter. "I never did that."

"You say that every time!" Jason grabbed her neck roughly. "But the damage you caused is undeniable!"

Carla struggled to breathe but stubbornly met his gaze. "I... Really... Don't know..."

But Jason didn't believe her.

He was convinced she drove Kate away, and to force her to reveal Kate's whereabouts, he even had Carla's parents kidnapped to the rooftop of the Quinn Group building.

Her elderly parents were suspended a hundred meters in the air, life hanging by a thin rope!

"Tell me! Where's Kate?" His voice turned icy as he gripped her chin and forced her to look toward the rooftop's edge. "Only if you tell me will your parents live."

"Dad! Mom!"

Carla never expected that he loved Kate to such a dangerous extreme—that for Kate, he would be willing to let her parents fall to their deaths!

Her voice cracked, on the verge of breaking down.

"I really don't know... I don't even know when she left... Jason, please, please let my parents go. They're innocent, they're innocent!"

Jason sneered and raised his hand.

The bodyguards immediately pulled out knives and leisurely began cutting the thin life-saving rope.

"No!!!"

The sound of the rope being sliced bit by bit was like a dull blade sawing through her nerves.

"I really don't know..." She dropped to her knees, her forehead nearly hitting the floor. "Jason, I swear I don't know! If I sent her away, I deserve to die! Isn't that enough!"

The bodyguards continued slowly cutting the rope.

Jason bent down and grabbed the back of her neck. "Last chance—where is she?"

Carla looked up at him, eyes full of despair, suddenly feeling dazed.

Was this ruthless man really the same one who once cut off his finger to show love for her in another life?

Just as the rope was about to snap, a bodyguard rushed in.

"Mr. Quinn! We found Ms. Murray! She's at the airport!"

Jason immediately released Carla and rushed out without looking back.

The bodyguards hurriedly pulled her parents up just as the rope became nothing more than a thread.

Carla scrambled over, grabbing her parents' icy hands and finally breaking down in tears.

"Dad! Mom!"

Her mother's wrist showed deep, bone-exposing marks from the ropes; her father's back was scraped raw by the rough wall. Both wounds pierced her heart like knives.

In the ambulance, her mother trembled as she wiped away Carla's tears. "Carla, he used to worry for you even when you had a small cut on your finger."

At that moment, Carla's eyes flushed red, and she could no longer hold back her sobs.

The ambulance sirens pierced the night.

Carla sat on a bench in the hospital hallway, her hands clenched tightly into fists.

The doctor had just told her that her parents were only shaken but physically unharmed.

She let out a long breath and gently closed the door to the ward.

"Jason! Hang in there! It's all my fault."

From the far end of the corridor came Kate's heart-wrenching sobs.

Carla looked up just in time to see medical staff rushing past with a stretcher.

Jason lay on it, his white shirt soaked with fresh blood, his handsome face pale and lifeless.

Kate clutched his hand tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks like raindrops. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. You intercepted the plane to find me, and I even grabbed the steering wheel and caused a scene."

Jason weakly lifted a hand, using his fingers to wipe her tears away. "As long as you don't leave me, I'm willing to do anything."

Carla's heart clenched painfully. She turned and hurried away.

She no longer wanted to see it. She couldn't bear to see anymore.

In the following days, Carla stayed in the hospital, caring for her parents.

Every day at dawn, she'd make a hearty broth and see her parents drink it slowly, spoon by spoon.

The nurses' gossip occasionally drifted through the hallway.

"Mr. Quinn really spoils Ms. Murray. Even with such serious injuries, he still tries to make her happy every day."

"Yeah, I heard Ms. Murray said she wanted some cake from the west side of the city at midnight, and Mr. Quinn immediately drove there despite his condition."

Carla's parents looked worriedly at their daughter, but she calmly peeled an apple as if she hadn't heard a word.

"Carla..." her mother started, then stopped.

"Mom, I'm fine." Carla cut the apple into small pieces. "I don't love him anymore."

That was the truth.

From the moment he tied her mother onto the operating table, her love for him had completely died.

Now, her only thought was to take her parents away safely.

A week later, Carla's parents' condition stabilized.

"Carla, we've gotten through it. You should go pack your things," her father said, patting her shoulder. "We're leaving soon, probably for good. Whatever's left to do, it has to be settled first."

Carla nodded.

Back at the villa, she had barely started packing when the door suddenly swung open.

Jason stood at the entrance, his expression dark. "Kate's been through a lot these days. Go to the chapel and get a protection charm for her."

His tone brooked no argument as if he was ordering a servant.

Before, Carla would have refused outright.

Now, she only nodded numbly. "Okay."

She didn't dare resist anymore.

The last time she did, he almost cost her parents their lives.

She couldn't afford any more risks.

Early morning mist curled around the mountaintop chapel.

Carla walked way up the long flight of stone stairs. By the time she reached the summit, her legs felt numb.

As she stood, something caught her eye.

An old oak stood nearby, its branches tied with handwritten notes—messages, hopes, and memories fluttering in the wind.

Curious, she stepped closer. And froze. One by one, she read the handwriting on each note.

"For Carla, may she always be safe and happy. —Jason"

"Keep Carla healthy. —Jason"

"Please let Carla fall in love with me. —Jason"

Every note was a silent love letter from Jason, spanning over the years—from their high school days to just before they got married.

Carla let out a bitter laugh and turned toward the hall.

She still got the protection charm Kate had asked for—but this time, she also picked up a pair of love charms.

Before leaving, she borrowed a pair of scissors from the groundskeeper, returned to the oak tree, and cut down every note with Jason's name on it. One by one, she burned them into ashes.

"Miss, what are you doing?" a young attendant asked gently.

"Letting go," Carla said softly.

On her way down the mountain, she handed both the protection charm and the love charm to Jason.

"What's this?" he frowned, holding up the pair of love charms.

"Love charm," Carla said sincerely, her eyes calm like still water. "I hope you and Kate live happily ever after."

Jason looked at her deeply. "You really mean that?"

She nodded. "Of course."

He frowned and stared at her for a long time as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he said nothing and simply turned to leave.

A few days later, there was the Quinn family banquet.

Carla hadn't wanted to go, but thinking of Jason's grandfather, Greg Quinn, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, she changed into a formal dress and went.

She was about to leave soon, and no matter what, she wanted to say goodbye to Greg.

As soon as she arrived at the old mansion, she saw Jason holding Kate's hand, walking in under everyone's watchful eyes.

At the Quinn's family banquet, bringing Kate to attend was clearly a slap in her face.

But Carla no longer felt heartache or cared.

Ignoring the whispers and gossip, she went straight to Greg's bedroom.

"Greg, Jason, and I are divorced."

As soon as she entered, she got straight to the point, telling Greg about her plans to leave.

Upon hearing this, Greg suddenly sat up straight and quickly grabbed Carla's hand. "Carla, are you angry at Jason? Listen to me. He really likes you. The girl he's with—there must be some misunderstanding."

"Greg." Carla gave a bitter smile. "Please don't try to convince me. I've thought it through clearly. With everything he's done to me recently, no matter what he thinks of Kate, there's no chance between him and me anymore."

Seeing the pain and resolve in her voice, Greg sighed deeply.

"Fine, then it's his loss. Carla, remember, even if you and Jason are divorced, you will always be my beloved little girl. As long as I'm here, that girl will never set foot in the Quinn family!"

Carla's nose tingled with emotion.

In her previous life, Greg had always protected her just like this.

"Greg, you should rest now." She stood and said goodbye. "I'll get you some water."

Carla stepped out to pour a glass of water. When she returned and was about to knock on the door, she suddenly heard a muffled thud from inside.

"You old bastard!" Kate's voice came through the half-open door. "You still dare to stop me from entering? I'll kill you!"

Carla's blood froze instantly.

She pushed the door open violently and saw Kate pressing a pillow hard over Greg's face. Greg's frail hands clawed weakly at the bedsheets, almost motionless.

"What are you doing?!" Carla rushed over and shoved Kate away.

The pillow dropped to the floor. Greg's face was purple and blue; he was unconscious.

"Help! Call an ambulance!"

Carla's scream brought everyone running.

Jason was the first to rush in. His face changed drastically at the scene. "Grandpa!"

He scooped up Greg and rushed out. Passing Carla, his eyes were cold as ice.

The hospital corridor lights were glaringly white.

The operating room lights stayed on all night. Carla sat on a bench, her hands trembling uncontrollably.

Kate curled up in Jason's arms, quietly sobbing, occasionally shooting Carla venomous looks.

At dawn, the doctor finally stepped out. "Mr. Quinn, the lack of oxygen went on too long. There's a high chance he may be in a vegetative state."

Jason punched the wall, knuckles bleeding immediately.

In the VIP ward, Jason's expression was dark as he stared at the two women. "What really happened?"

"It was her!" Kate immediately pointed at Carla, screaming, "She tried to kill Greg! When I came in, she was pressing a pillow over Greg's face!"

Carla stared at her in disbelief. "Say that again?"

"It's true no matter how many times I say it!" Kate cried bitterly. "Jason, I'm so scared. She almost killed me too."

Jason's gaze grew colder and colder until it was like an ice blade stabbing straight into Carla's heart.

"Carla, Grandpa has always been good to you. How could you do something like this?"

"It wasn't me, Carla's voice trembled, "it was Kate, I saw her with my own eyes..."

"Enough! Jason interrupted sharply, "Carla, you must pay the price for this."

He snapped his fingers, and two bodyguards immediately stepped forward to restrain Carla.

"Jason! Carla struggled, "Believe me this one time, just this once..."

Jason sneered, "Take her to the amusement park."

In the early hours of late autumn, the amusement park was empty.

Carla was dragged to the highest bungee jumping platform, where the cold wind made her shiver.

"Tie him up, Jason ordered coldly."

Carla's face turned pale. "No... Jason, you know I'm afraid of heights..."

"It's because I know that I want you to remember this lesson, Jason personally fastened her seatbelt. "When you're ready to tell the truth, that's when I'll let you go."

The bungee jump slowly ascended, and Carla kept her eyes tightly closed.

When the machine reached the highest point, she was already shaking like a falling leaf.

"Ah!"

The machine suddenly plummeted, and the feeling of weightlessness made Carla's heart almost stop beating.

She screamed, tears scattered by the wind in the night sky.

One time, two times, three times...

When the sky was just beginning to turn pale, Jason finally called a halt.

When Carla was put down, she was already incoherent, her lips bitten until they bled profusely.

"Have you thought it through? Jason looked down at her from above."

Carla opened her mouth and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, then passed out completely.

In a daze, she seemed to hear Jason calling her name, but soon, endless darkness engulfed all her consciousness.

The smell of disinfectant made Carla's temples throb.

She opened her eyes and saw Jason standing by the bed, his long fingers holding three plane tickets.

"Carla, recently you have been causing trouble, first bullying Kate, then hurting Greg. I really don't want to see you anymore."

He put the plane tickets on the bedside table with a cold face, "Take your parents abroad and calm down. When you repent, I will bring you back."

Carla stared at the plane ticket and suddenly felt ridiculous.

In the previous life, he cut off his finger for her out of love, but in this life, he couldn't wait to exile her to the ends of the earth.

She didn't say anything, but took the plane ticket in silence.

Seeing her so obedient, Jason frowned and said, "You just agreed like that? Don't you have anything to say?"

Carla slowly raised her eyes.

She wanted to say a lot, wanted to say that he mistakenly believed in Kate, wanted to say that he let down her true feelings, wanted to say that Greg was the one she harmed...

But in the end, she just shook her head gently.

"Mr. Quinn, the nurse knocked gently on the door, "Ms. Murray said she had chest pain and has been looking for you."

"Got it, tell her I'll go see her in a bit."

Jason responded with a nod and turned to Carla, saying coldly, "In order to prevent you from running away halfway, I will personally take you to the airport."

On the way to the airport, Carla quietly sent a text message to her parents.

Mom and Dad, bring my divorce certificate, we will meet at the airport and leave immediately.

After sending the message, she tilted her head slightly and saw Jason's profile reflected in the car window, looking particularly cold and stern.

During the time when she came back to life, she was ecstatic and wanted to make up for everything with him. She wanted to give him all her love, so she followed him around like a shadow every day.

At that time, she always loved to stare at the way he drove, feeling that even the knuckles he used to grip the steering wheel were incredibly sexy.

But looking back now, I just feel like my heart was as still as dead water.

"We're here, Jason stopped the car, "I'll walk you in."

The airport terminal was bustling with people coming and going. Jason was supposed to keep an eye on her as she went through security, but Kate's phone suddenly rang.

"Kate? Jason answered the phone, his tone instantly gentle. "Don't be afraid, I'll be back to accompany you right away."

He hung up the phone, didn't even look at Carla again, and walked away quickly.

Carla stood still, watching as his figure disappeared into the crowd before walking towards her parents.

"Carla, this is your divorce certificate, her father handed her a document."

"Hmm."

Carla took it and finally had a relieved smile on her face.

She tore the three tickets to Paris that Jason gave her into pieces, threw them directly into the trash can, and then went to the front desk to buy three tickets to Switzerland.

"Dad, Mom, let's go."

In the sunset glow, they walked into the boarding gate as a family, their backs resolute.

On the other side, Jason rushed to the hospital at the fastest speed.

Just as I stepped out of the hospital elevator and was about to go to Kate's ward,

The television on the side suddenly interrupted with an urgent news report:

"The latest news, the MU587 flight from New York to Paris crashed shortly after takeoff, with 132 passengers on board, none survived..."

Upon hearing this, Jason's footsteps halted, and his blood instantly ran cold.

MU587?

Wasn't that the flight he bought for Carla?!