The day after her brother attended her birthday party, scandalous photos of the heiress in Washington flooded the internet.

The heiress insisted he was responsible, shattering every bone in his body and throwing him into sea to feed the sharks.

Sophia Taylor filed charges against the ruthless heiress, but the case vanished. It was controlled by Alexander Ford—an underworld kingpin.

And he was her husband for six years.

"Sophia, your brother hurt Amanda Williams first. He deserved it. Stop this."

Alexander believed Amanda, but Sophia didn't.

After her brother's funeral, Sophia livestreamed for 99 days in front of his grave. Public outrage forced the court to check the yacht's surveillance footage on that day.

Alexander locked her in the basement for seven days, so she missed the trial.

After release, Sophia prepared her third appeal.

That night, Alexander unearthed her brother's ashes, threatening to burn them unless she signed a settlement agreement.

He shoved her toward the flames, the urn teetering on its stand.

"Sophia, your slander against Amanda's gone too far. Keep pushing, and your brother's remains vanish."

He discarded his expensive cigar, fingers brushing her chin tenderly.

But every word he said cut like a knife, leaving her bleeding inside.

Sophia stared into his eyes. "Why? Have you forgotten my brother saved your life?"

During an international business deal, her brother shielded him from fifty blades, falling into a coma for three years.

Alexander had spent billions hunting the perpetrators, vowing to destroy anyone harming him.

Now he snapped, "Amanda saved my life. Anyone upsets her pays—you and your brother included."

Blood pooled in Sophia's mouth. She couldn't understand how things had come to this?

This man had once loved her with all his heart.

Six years ago, she'd have died in that remote village without him.

Her parents had died right after she was born. Her brother raised her alone.

To support her, he quit school for Washington, and became Alexander's bodyguard with his strong figure.

After taking those stabs, he begged Alexander to fetch his sister.

In that remote village, Alexander met eighteen-year-old Sophia. The evil responsible for countless atrocious acts was captivated by the pure and beautiful girl.

He confessed his love instantly.

But Sophia shrank back, trembling.

Alexander resolved to bring her home. But just then, the villagers had grabbed knives to stop them.

Women were rare commodities there. They'd coveted beautiful Sophia, planning to share her before selling her off.

Two groups fought for a day and night. Alexander had taken thirty knife wounds before he finally fought his way out with Sophia. He'd been on the verge of death, but he still comforted her:"Hush... safe now."

That tenderness shattered her defenses.

They married after his recovery.

He taught her knives, guns, survival—transforming her from a frightened girl into someone calm and graceful.

Alexander gave her the best care possible. He was never absent whenever something involved Sophia.

Sophia loved Washington deeply, believing she'd live happily ever after with Alexander and her brother.

But dreams, however beautiful, are fragile.

Alexander's cold voice cut through her memories from above.

"Stop stalling. Your brother can't afford to wait."

Sophia clung to a sliver of hope, thinking Alexander still held some affection for her. "If I don't sign the settlement, will you really burn my brother's ashes?"

Dissatisfied with her response, Alexander clicked his tongue impatiently.

"Baby, Amanda took a fatal knife for me. I promised I'd be with her for a year.

Didn't I make that clear?

She's my bottom line. Everyone must yield to her. Why must you provoke her?"

Amanda and Alexander grew up together. She chased him for ten years, but he married Sophia in a whirlwind romance. Consumed by hatred, Amanda had Sophia kidnapped and tortured for ten days and nights.

Sophia could never forget the leather whips lashing her skin, bamboo splinters forced under her nails, steel needles piercing her flesh... Amanda even killed her first child.

Because of this, Alexander turned against the Williams family and pulled every string to send Amanda to prison for three years.

Sophia thought Amanda would vanish forever like a nightmare from the remote village. Until a year ago, when Alexander brought her back, declaring before all their buddies: "For the next year, All of you should respect Amanda. She is the lady of the house.Her authority overrides all."

He had completely forgotten how Amanda had bullied her.

Tearfully, Sophia confronted him, but Alexander was unmoved. "Loyalty is everything in the underworld. I'm just repaying a debt. Stop making trouble, baby. She won't interfere with you."

Sophia fell silent, knowing she had no right to refuse. She waited for Alexander to repay his debt, only to receive news of her brother's death.

Swallowing her bitterness, she whispered, "I'll sign. Please spare my brother."

Alexander patted her head. "That's my good girl."

He lifted the urn. Sophia sighed in relief, reaching out to take it.

But in the next second, he flicked his wrist. The ashes scattered into the flames.

"No—!"

Sophia screamed in despair, lunging madly toward the fire, only to be pinned down by bodyguards.

Alexander looked down at her with cold contempt. "You crossed my bottom line, baby. This is your punishment."

Eyes red with fury and heart shattered, Sophia glared back.. "Alexander, I'm leaving you..."

At that moment, the last trace of love she had for him turned to ash along with her brother's remains.

Instantly, Alexander's smile vanished, his expression terrifyingly cold. "Do you think you can escape?

I implanted a tracker in you. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, I'll drag you back."

"So behave."

Sophia felt chilled to the bone.

Alexander had implanted the tracker to protect her from being kidnapped by enemies.

What was once a means to protect her had now become his tool to hurt her without restraint.

After he left, Sophia sat clutching the ashes until dawn. Then she dialed the number that Alexander didn't monitor.

"Jasper Brown, can you help me fake my death to escape?"

There was no other way to leave Alexander without him knowing.

It would be better to fake death and escape, then start over with a new identity.

He answered without hesitation, "I owe everything to your brother. Even if it costs me my life, I will get you out."

Jasper used to be Alexander's most trusted aide. For some reason they fell out, and he went overseas alone to build his own power.

With his help, success was guaranteed.

"But Ms. Taylor, that tracker on you is a tricky problem. I'll need a month to replicate it."

As long as she could escape, she could wait a month—even a year.

Sophia set up a symbolic cemetery for her brother. She bought a bottle of wine and some Lilies to place before the grave.

It was already evening when she returned home.

Amanda's laughter pierced the air without warning. "Alexander, be gentle, you're hurting me~"

She wore a skimpy halter dress, her chest covered in love bites.

Alexander pinched her chin, about to kiss her when he spotted Sophia and paused.

Sophia walked past them without a glance, heading straight upstairs.

But Alexander's cold voice stopped her: "Stop! Come here."

After a brief hesitation, Sophia obediently walked over. Having spent years in the underworld, Alexander tolerated no disobedience. Not wanting any trouble before her escape, Sophia chose to endure.

But his next order made her blood run cold: "Apologize to Amanda!"

Sophia bit her lip hard until she tasted blood. He demanded she apologize... to her brother's murderer.

Impossible!

As Alexander rose in fury, Amanda tugged his sleeve. "It's alright, Alexander. Don't force Mrs. Ford. I don't blame her."

He kissed her lips, and said hoarsely. "Always so understanding."

Then he kissed her deeply, his hand slipping inside her clothes, indifferent to his lawful wife standing witness.

Even though she had already decided to leave, Sophia's heart still ached.

She turned toward the stairs, only to be blocked by a maid. "Pardon, Ms Taylor. Mr. Ford says Ms Williams needs to stay here a few days to recover from the distress you caused her. She chose the master bedroom. You'll move to the basement temporarily."

Sophia smiled. It didn't matter. She didn't care anymore.

Not just the bedroom—she didn't want Alexander anymore either.

At midnight, Sophia was jolted awake by shrill screams.

When she realized it was her pet dog, she rushed out like a madwoman. "Poppy!"

In the living room, Amanda was directing her friend to slash the dog repeatedly with a knife.

Her vicious expression reminded Sophia of past nightmares—how Amanda had once cut her fingers a thousand times with a blade just because Alexander complimented her piano skills, leaving her unable to play the piano ever again.

Trembling from trauma, Sophia heard Poppy howled in agony again.

Overcoming her terror, Sophia lunged forward, and shoved Amanda aside to cradle the bleeding dog.

Furious that Sophia dared push her, Amanda snarled. "How dare you, bitch! Teach her a lesson!"

CRASH!

A liquor bottle shattered against Sophia's skull.

Blood streamed down, but Sophia shielded the dog desperately.

The second blow landed harder.

Her vision dimming, Sophia bit her tongue to stay conscious.

As the third strike descended, a glacial voice cut through: "Dare to hit my wife? Got a death wish?"

Alexander raised his pistol, aiming at the attacker's head.

Amanda instantly threw herself in front, weeping tearfully. "Alexander, Mrs. Ford set her dog on me! My friends were defending me! This is my fault—I shouldn't have stayed and angered her. I'll leave..."

She took one step before Alexander yanked her back.

"You're my savior. No one has the right to kick you out.

Amanda, I'll get justice for you on this."

Alexander approached, his gaze fixed on Poppy with terrifying coldness.

In that instant, Sophia understood what he intended to do. Shaking with fear, she begged, "Alexander, Poppy didn't bite her!

Check the surveillance footage!"

But the man showed no mercy, uttering cruel words: "Sweetheart, mistakes demand punishment."

In the next second, Alexander snatched the dog from her arms and hurled it violently to the floor.

With a few weak whimpers, Poppy coughed up blood and went still.

"No!"

Sobbing, Sophia crawled forward and clutched the lifeless body. She glared fiercely at Alexander. "You killed our baby!

I hate you!"

Years earlier, After losing her first baby because of Amanda's schemes, Sophia had fallen into deep depression. Alexander had brought Poppy home to comfort her—it was this little dog that had helped her heal.

He had once promised, "Poppy is our baby. I will always love her."

But now, on Amanda's word alone, he had killed the companion she had loved for six years—without even checking the truth.

Gently, Sophia closed Poppy's unblinking eyes in death.

As the dog's life faded, her love for Alexander died within her.

Sophia wept with heart-wrenching sobs. A pang of guilt struck Alexander, and he instinctively moved to help her up. "Sweetheart, let me take you to get treated."

But she pushed him away without expression.

Alexander clenched his jaw, about to speak.

Sophia didn't even glance at him, cradling the dog's body as she walked outside to the oak tree where Poppy loved napping in the shade.

She dug a hole with her bare hands, placed the dog inside, and covered it gently.

"Rest well, my baby…"

She pulled out a lighter and tossed it onto the wooden doghouse.

Six years ago, when Poppy first arrived, Alexander had built that house himself—sanding and polishing each plank with care. It had taken him ten months to finish.

Now it turned to ashes in the flames, just like her six-year dream.

Next, Sophia grabbed an axe and swung at the oak tree. Alexander had planted it for her, claiming oaks symbolized loyalty—just like his love for her, everlasting.

What a joke that love had become.

With the final strike, the tree split apart, and Sophia's obsession shattered.

Alexander, from now on… I won't love you anymore.

When Amanda claimed she was still frightened, Alexander canceled billion-dollar deals to comfort her at home. He tied her apron, sat her on his lap, fed her spoonful by spoonful, then gently wiped her mouth—doing everything he had once done only for Sophia.

For seven days, they flirted openly. But Sophia didn't care. Every day, she knelt on the meditation cushion, praying for Poppy.

On Poppy's seventh-day memorial, as Sophia finished her last prayer, the basement door swung open.

Alexander entered with his arm around Amanda, and said coldly, "Give your wedding ring to Amanda."

Sophia stared at him in disbelief. "Alexander, have you lost your mind?"

He shrugged. "She saved my life. As long as I can afford it, I'll meet any of her requests."

Sophia's fists clenched until her palms nearly bled.

How absurd. This ring had been designed and placed on her finger by Alexander himself—one of a kind. He'd slipped it onto her finger, and said tenderly, "Sophia, you're my only love. Never take it off while we're together."

She had obeyed. For six years, even when her finger was injured and bandaged, she never removed it.

She'd believed their love would last forever.

Now he demanded she surrender it to please another woman.

Sophia suddenly laughed—at vows that meant nothing, at love that vanished overnight.

"Fine."

Alexander was taken aback. He hadn't expected her to agree so easily, and a strange unease twisted inside him. His throat felt tight. "Sophia, wait—"

But in the next second, Sophia pulled off the ring and threw it on the ground."Want this secondhand item? Pick it up yourself."

She strode toward the exit.

But before clearing the Ford family, bodyguards forced her to her knees.

Alexander's icy voice cut through the air: "Sophia, I spoiled you too much. Now you dare defy me to my face."

The butler handed over a thorn-covered wooden stick, used to punish subordinates who make mistakes. Alexander raised the stick and said coldly, "Apologize!"

"I said everyone must respect Amanda, and you're no exception."

Sophia trembled, Alexander's favoritism toward Amanda had reached such an extent. Tears welled in her stubborn eyes as she looked at him. "I did nothing wrong. I won't apologize."

Amanda hugged the man's arm and cried, "Alexander, Sophia just can't stand you being good to me. She didn't mean to defy you. Please don't be angry"

Her words added fuel to the fire; Alexander hated it most when others defied him.

Sure enough, the next second, a stick as thick as an adult's arm came down high and struck Sophia on the back.

The first strike made her vomit blood. Dazed, she remembered their first meeting six years ago: Alexander picking a flower by the roadside, kneeling on one knee, saying, "Sophia, I like you. Be my girlfriend".

At that time, his eyes were full of sincerity.

The second blow plunged her vision into darkness; the pain nearly made her pass out. She recalled five years ago, when enemies kidnapped her and demanded he cripple himself. Without hesitation, he had raised a knife to his own legs.

At that time, he loved her so resolutely.

With the third strike, Sophia lost consciousness entirely. Before passing out, she seemed to see Alexander on their wedding day—weeping with joy, vowing, "Sophia, I will love you with all my heart forever."

But he broke his promise, he broke his promise...

He beat her badly for another woman.

Sophia lay in bed for seven days before barely able to get up.

Just walked into the yard, she saw Amanda walking over with a smile, her face showing the arrogance of a victor. She waved the wedding ring tauntingly on her finger, "Now Alexander's body and heart are with me."

Sophia replied expressionlessly, "If you want him, then he's yours."

Amanda froze for a moment, then slapped Sophia's face, "Bitch, he was always mine! You're a bitch! You seduced him away."

Enraged by Sophia's calmness, she raised her hand again—then, spotting Alexander approaching, she suddenly pulled off the ring and threw it into the pond.

Then, she threw herself into the man's arms and cried loudly, "Alexander, Sophia bullied me, she threw away the wedding ring you gave me, she said I'm not worthy..."

Instantly, fury rose in Alexander's eyes, "Sophia, nothing to say?"

Sophia met his gaze and said calmly, "Would you believe what I say?"

He smirked coldly, "No, I only believe Amanda."

Sophia was pushed into the water to retrieve the ring.

Darkness and cold instantly engulfed her.

As a child, villagers used to put her in stocks for fun, she had a severe fear of water. Alexander drained all the ponds in the villa, until a year ago when Amanda said she wanted to grow lotuses, and Alexander made an exception.

Sophia was almost suffocatingShe struggled desperately to swim up, finally swam ashore, but heard Amanda's crying, "Alexander, Sophia seems unwilling..."

"It's not up to her."

His merciless tone was a death sentence. He ordered the bodyguards to hit Sophia down with bamboo poles.

Every time she surfaced, they struck her down again.

The unhealed wounds on her back split open once more. Soaked in cold water, the pain numbed her entire body.

The pain in my body couldn't compare to a fraction of the ache in my heart.

Alexander, I regret ever falling for you. I regret it so much.

Sophia lay unconscious for three days before waking.

The maid attending her breathed a sigh of relief. "You're finally awake, Mrs.Ford. Three days ago, after you sank underwater, Mr. Alexander was terrified. He held a gun to the doctor's head and said if they couldn't save you, everyone would pay with their lives."

The maid spoke of how frantic Alexander had been, how deeply he loved her.

But Sophia would never believe that again.

If he truly loved her, would he openly bring her tormentor home?

If he truly loved her, would he personally kill the dog she cherished as her emotional anchor?

If he truly loved her, knowing her had aquaphobia, would he order people to repeatedly dunk her underwater?

Alexander, stop lying to me!

After dismissing the maid, Sophia began writing her 【Last Words】.

"Alexander, by the time you read this, I'll likely be gone..."

They had promised to write love letters to each other every year, exchanging them on their anniversary.

They had written them for five years. But since Amanda saved him last year, Alexander had stopped writing. And as for the 999 love letters Sophia wrote—he hadn't read a single one.

She placed the 【Last Words】 in a box, then burned the love letters one by one.

As the final letter caught fire, Alexander burst in. His pupils contracted violently as he lunged for the flames—but too late.

"Sophia, why burn them?"

Watching blisters rise on his scorched hands, Sophia replied calmly, "They're outdated. I wrote new ones."

Alexander exhaled in relief, suppressing his unease as he reached for the box.

Sophia stopped him. "Wait for our anniversary."

The anniversary was on the third day after her fake death.

For their seventh anniversary, she'd give Alexander a surprise he'd never forget.

Hearing tonight's auction included her brother's bullet casing, Sophia rushed over with her black card. She had just taken her seat when Alexander arrived with Amanda and sat down beside her.

He tenderly tucked Amanda's stray hair behind her ear, his gaze softening exactly as it once had for Sophia.

As their lips drew closer and closer, about to kiss, Sophia gave a light cough. Alexander paused, and only then did he notice Sophia sitting nearby.

His expression flickered with discomfort. He instinctively reached for her hand, but Sophia evaded it.

Now Alexander only had eyes for Amanda—when did he last truly seen her?

The first auction item was her brother's bullet casing.

Amanda shot a provocative glance at Sophia and cooed to Alexander, “Alexander, I want it.”

Alexander didn't hesitate. "Of course, Amanda. I'll buy you anything."

Sophia dug her nails into her palm, forcing down surging emotions as she pleaded softly, "Alexander, it's my brother's relic. Could you—"

He cut her off coldly. "Sophia, you're being difficult again. How many times must I say it? Amanda saved me. This year, I fulfill her every wish."

"But—" Sophia persisted.

His voice sharpened with impatience. "Enough. Stop making a scene."

As the auctioneer called for bids, Alexander immediately raised his paddle. "Five million."

Sophia's nails drew blood from her palm. Resolve flashed in her eyes. Abruptly, she rose and signaled for an unlimited bidding.

Unlimited bidding meant claiming the item at any cost—no ceiling.

Amanda's face paled. "Alexander, I really like this..."

Alexander glared at Sophia. "That's big talk. Don't embarrass yourself when you can't pay."

Ignoring him, Sophia stepped off the stage and swiped her card to complete the transaction.

Alexander straightened up, remembering he'd given her an unlimited black card.

The man's eyes narrowed into a dangerous glare.

Sophia had just finished mourning at her brother's grave when her phone notification flashed.

[The 999 intimate photos of Mr. Ford's wife will be auctioned tonight as the finale!]

Sophia's blood froze.

Only Alexander possessed those photos.

Was this... his revenge?

Sophia returned to the auction hall, immediately spotting Alexander lounging on the elevated platform, smirking lazily at her.

"Mr. Ford, you're really letting go? Last time someone just glanced at Sophia, you gouged his eyes out. How can you offer her intimate photos today?"

A cruel smirk twisted Alexander's lips. "She made Amanda cry. This is her punishment."

It felt as if a steel knife was twisting in Sophia's heart. The pain was almost unbearable.

Because of Amanda, he'd show her private photos to every man.

He used to be so possessive—he would lock her away for days if any man looked at her, constantly repeating: "Baby, you're mine. Only I see your body."

Biting her lip hard to hold back tears, Sophia walked in numbly and pressed the bidder paddle again and again under the men's malicious gazes.

With each press, her heart grew colder. By the final bid, her love for Alexander had turned to ashes.

She approached him expressionlessly. "Satisfied?"

Alexander glanced at her pale face and curled his lips into a smile. "Sorry, not but."

Soon, she understood what he meant.

He'd frozen her accounts!

Unable to pay, She had no choice but to let her intimate photos be leaked online.

She stared at him in disbelief, her eyes filled with despair, but the man only smirked coldly. "Baby, if you don't learn the consequences of defying me, how will you ever behave?"

Sophia's heart turned to ashes. She closed her eyes in agony.

She thought it was over.

But it was only the beginning.

Alexander posted her shameful past from the remote village online!

The remote village where Sophia grew up was a place plagued by human traffickers. She'd been taken there with her mom, witnessing villagers torture her mom to death.

After coming to Washington, Alexander had found countless therapists to help her heal.

It took six years for her to finally move on from the past. However, her husband, the man who claimed to love her, tore open her most hidden wounds and exposed them to all.

Sophia's PTSD flared. She collapsed to her knees, gasping for air as violent tremors wracked her body.

The crowd's whispers sharpened into blades.

"Ms Taylor grew up in that filth? She's probably been slept with by countless men."

"No wonder she hooked Mr. Ford. Must be incredible in bed."

Some even threw money at her and asked how much she charged per night.

Alexander saw it all. His eyes flickered over the scene once before he took Amanda' hand and walked away, abandoning Sophia to the humiliation without a backward glance.

Sophia didn't remember how she got home. Exhausted, she stared at the ceiling with dull, lifeless eyes.

The physical agony of depression crushed her. In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to die.

Her phone rang persistently before she answered. "The body for your fake death is ready, Sophia," Jasper assured her. "Once the tracker's finished in two weeks, you can leave."

Hope flickered in Sophia's chest as his words sank in.

She stared at the ceiling, her resolve growing firmer.

No—she had to survive and leave this place!

She won't die for a monster like Alexander.

He's not worth it.

The butler insisted she attend a charity gala.

A man approached her instantly. "Mrs. Ford, I've seen your private photos. Amanda says you're cheap—100 dollars for the whole night."

Sophia trembled. "Get away from me!"

But the man grabbed her and dragged her toward the stairwell. She struggled helplessly as he tore her clothes roughly—until Alexander's furious voice cut in:

"What the hell is this?"

The man dropped to his knees with a thud. "Mr. Ford, your wife seduced me! She said if you can have Amanda, she can have men too. She asked me to sleep with her to piss you off."

He gulped. "I wouldn't dare lie—before me, she had many men. I'm her hundredth."

Sophia caught the vicious glint in Amanda's downcast eyes. She suddenly understood it was all Sophia's scheme.

"Alexander! Amanda framed me!"

But the next moment, a sharp pain shot through her abdomen as Alexander kicked her down the stairs. "Sophia, you've grown far too bold."

Though he was smiling, his eyes were filled with murderous intent.

Amanda gasped dramatically. "Alexander! Sophia's bleeding down there! Did someone... get her pregnant?"

Alexander's grin twisted grotesquely, jaw clenched tight enough to splinter teeth.

Sophia was dragged back home.

A doctor examined her with trembling hands and half an later, stammered, "Mr. Ford... Mrs. Ford is pregnant."

Alexander kicked the coffee table flying. He grabbed Sophia's chin, snarling, "Whose?"

Shock froze her. Staring into those predator's eyes, she knew the truth would be her only shield.

"It must have been from that time in the garden three months ago."

But the moment the words left her lips, a sharp slap struck her face.

Alexander's palm struck with brutal force, splitting Sophia's lip and drawing blood.

The man choked her neck. "Still lying to me!

I gave you the contraceptive shot every time after we were done. How could the child possibly be mine?"

What?

Sophia was stunned.

Then Amanda spoke up: "Alexander promised me he wouldn't get you pregnant while he was with me. So, Sophia, that child absolutely cannot be his."

All strength drained from Sophia's body. Alexander… he actually agreed to such a demand from Amanda?

Alexander, is it really just repayment of gratitude that you feel for Amanda?

Alexander ordered her tied to a wooden bench. Blows rained down on her stomach.

Thud after thud landed on her body. The pain was excruciating, tearing through her, but Sophia stopped struggling.

She knew it was useless. Nothing she said would make Alexander believe her!

By the 200th blow, blood soaked her entire skirt. But she felt no pain anymore. When the soul goes numb, the body truly stops hurting.

Throughout it all, Alexander's gaze remained locked on Sophia. Seeing her hollow, broken expression, he felt an indescribable ache in his chest.

Suddenly, he roared: "Enough!

Stop!"

He strode towards Sophia.

Just then, Amanda gasped: "Alexander, I feel dizzy…"

Then she collapsed stiffly.

In the next instant, Alexander scooped her up and rushed out.

The moment Alexander left, Sophia crashed to the floor. Blood gushed from between her legs.

Overwhelming agony surged through her, sharp knives twisting in her abdomen.

She begged the maids to take her to the hospital. But without Alexander's order, not one dared to help.

Sophia bit her lip hard. No!

She couldn't die today!

Only two weeks left until she could leave!

She dragged herself towards the villa entrance, leaving a trail of blood behind.

Finally, a passerby called 120 for her.

"I'm sorry, Ms Taylor. Your uterus was destroyed. We have to perform a complete hysterectomy. Even one minute earlier, we could have saved it. Such a shame…"

Sophia lay on the operating table. The harsh, white light stung her eyes.

After a long while, a calm smile touched her lips.

It didn't matter. She never planned to marry anyone again. A womb was pointless now.

From this day on, she would live for herself!

One week after being discharged, Sophia found herself surrounded by a group of ragged people.

"Mrs. Ford, you promised lifelong support. Why sell the foundation?"

Sophia had wanted to help those from impoverished backgrounds like herself. Alexander had established the Sophia's Love Foundation for her.

She called Alexander. "You sold Sophia's Love ?"

The man dismissed it. "Amanda wanted a dress. The seller demanded Sophia's Love. Don't be petty, Sophia."

Sophia demanded, "Do you even remember what Sophia's Love means?"

"It's just a foundation," he retorted impatiently. "One week left in my arrangement with Amanda. I'll buy it back for you later—"

Sophia hung up.

She'd never forget Alexander's solemn vow six years ago: "Sophia's Love is our effort together, just like our child. Even if I go bankrupt, I'll never sell it."

But now?

He'd killed their dog. He'd killed their unborn child. And for Amanda, he'd sold their other "child."

Alexander... Alexander... You've severed every tie between us.

From now on, we're strangers.

Three days later, on Sophia's birthday, Alexander threw an extravagant party, perhaps sensing her gloom.

Drones performed aerial displays. Rose petals carpeted the venue. Luxury bags and clothes piled high...

Sophia didn't glance at any of it.

Alexander wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "Forget that bastard, baby. Once my year with Amanda ends, I'll have children with you."

He didn't know the child he'd killed was his own flesh and blood.

Sophia had obtained a paternity test, paying the doctor to mail it to the Ford family after her death.

Alexander... will you regret this when you learn the truth?

Before Alexander could say more, a business partner summoned him.

The moment he left, Amanda approached with a wine glass.

"Sophia," she sneered. "I bribed the doctor to switch the contraceptive injections, then hired men to frame you for cheating. I had so many more plans, but Alexander believed it so easily. Do you know what that means?

It means you're trash to him!"

Sophia's fingers trembled. Jasper had sent her a button camera yesterday—she wore it today.

Mistaking her reaction for pain, Amanda smirked. "Still investigating your brother's death?

Let me tell you: I staged those private photos. That day, I broke every bone in his body. The deck was covered in blood—even his brains were spilled—and he was still calling your name."

"So before dumping him into the sea, I promised I'd send you to join him soon."

Suddenly, Amanda slapped her own face. Alexander's icy voice cut through the air behind them.

"Sophia! Bullying Amanda again!"

"I didn't!"

"I saw everything!"

Alexander signaled his men to hold Sophia down, his gaze turning dangerous. "Didn't I warn you she's my bottom line? Cross her again, and I'll make you repay a hundredfold."

Before Sophia could react, the bodyguard's hand swung through the air—

Smack!

The first blow landed, stinging like fire.

Then came the second, the third...

Sophia struggled desperately, her voice raw. "Alexander, you're a fucking asshole!"

Alexander kept applying ointment to Amanda's wound, his order icy. "Continue. Don't stop."

Smack!

Smack!

Smack!

The bodyguard's iron grip pinned her. Sophia twisted away, but escape was impossible.

Blow after blow rained on her face, more relentless than a downpour.

Her ears rang, cheeks burning, but she clenched her teeth, refusing to cry out.

Finishing Amanda's treatment, Alexander asked casually, "How many?"

"Ninety-nine."

Alexander narrowed his eyes, smiling. "Then round it off."

The final slap sent Sophia crashing to the floor. She spat out a mouthful of blood.

Her face swelled crimson, lips split, tear-streaked and utterly broken.

But she was laughing.

Just four days left until this torment ended.

And before that? She'd unexpectedly uncovered evidence of her brother's murder.

Amanda, you'll pay in blood.

Sophia applied medicine to herself in front of the mirror.

The horrifying wound in the reflection mirrored the past she and Alexander could never return to.

She extracted the video from the button camera and sent it to Jasper for backup, just in case.

Jasper called: "Sophia, how about arranging your fake death as a suicide?

The location is..."

"Alright. I'll come find you in four days."

"Darling, where are you going?"

Suddenly, Alexander appeared behind her, a trace of barely detectable panic in his voice.

Sophia hung up abruptly, her heart pounding.

Alexander rushed over, grabbing her wrist to check the tracker embedded in her flesh.

Finding nothing amiss, Alexander sighed in relief.

Probably overthinking it. With the tracker, even if Sophia ran, he could drag her back.

Alexander gently touched her swollen cheek and smiled, "Darling, don't blame me. It's all because you misbehaved."

Sophia tried to pull away, but he seized her chin, his crushing grip pressing into the burning wound. It felt like a thousand needles stabbing her face.

"Darling, in seven days, my one-year agreement with Amanda will be over. That day happens to be our wedding anniversary."

Alexander narrowed his eyes, "Don't upset me. If you behave, I promise we can go back to how we were."

Sophia lowered her gaze, hiding her emotions.

Alexander, how dare you think that after all this hurt, I'd still wait for you? That I'd want to go back?

Impossible!

Never again.

The day of departure arrived. Sophia went to meet Jasper, but the moment she stepped out, someone drugged her.

She woke in an abandoned warehouse, seeing... Amanda tied up nearby.

"Sophia, today is your end!"

Watching Amanda interact with the kidnappers, Sophia understood: this was her scheme.

Sophia twisted her wrists. The bite of the rope into her flesh sharpened her focus.

"Amanda, what exactly do you want?"

Jasper was taking her away today. She couldn't die here!

Amanda laughed, "Guess who matters more to Alexander?"

Sophia closed her eyes. She also wanted to know.

The next second, Alexander kicked the door open.

Amanda wept, tears streaming down, "Alexander, save me."

Sophia just watched him silently.

Kidnappers pressed knives against both women's throats.

"Alexander, you can only choose one."

Alexander's eyes turned vicious, "What if I want both?"

The blades pressed closer, drawing blood on their necks.

"That's not your call, Alexander."

Alexander clenched his fists, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

Then Amanda wailed: "Alexander! I shouldn't have been kidnapped! They only wanted Mrs. Ford! It was Sophia who told them I'm your savior... She's the one who suggested this choice! She said... she wanted to test your love..."

Instantly, rage radiated from Alexander. "Sophia, I said I love you, and I mean it. My love for you is beyond doubt. But you shouldn't have hurt Amanda to test me. Since you want to play games, then—"

"Listen well. I choose Amanda."

After speaking, he rushed to untie Amanda's ropes, wiped her tears, held her in his arms with soothing whispers, never once glancing toward Sophia—as if the woman with a knife to her throat wasn't his wife.

Sophia didn't cry or protest. She watched it all quietly, then suddenly laughed—a laugh dripping with endless mockery.

Alexander, is this what you call love?

Loving me means trusting another woman unconditionally? Loving me means abandoning me to die?

Listen to yourself. Do you even believe it?

Alexander strode past Sophia toward the kidnapper. "Whatever your employer's paying, I'll double it. Lock my wife here for three days—teach her some manners. But if you touch a single hair on her head," his voice turned glacial, "I'll scatter your bones to the wind."

Without another word, he swept Amanda into his arms and left.

Alexander had played the godfather too long—accustomed to giving orders, accustomed to blind obedience.

He forgot not everyone can be bought.

The moment Alexander vanished, the kidnapper rubbed his crotch and leered at Sophia. "Mr.Alexander think I'm an idiot? Guarding a beauty like you? No way I'm holding back."

"Wish I could play with you for three days," he sneered, closing in. "But Miss Amanda says you die today. I'm a Williams mercenary. Orders are orders."

As his foul mouth lunged for hers, agony exploded in his throat. He gaped at Sophia, eyes wide with shock.

Sophia yanked the blade free, kicked his chest, and rose to deliver three precise strikes.

Every move flowed like deadly water—swift and ruthless.

Self-defense moves Alexander himself had taught her. All those years of being called "Madam" weren't for nothing.

The door swung open. Jasper entered, hauling a suicide victim's corpse.

Sophia deleted the second half of the video from her phone, then pinned a button camera to the corpse's clothes.

"Jasper," she said tonelessly, "deliver my body and this camera to the anniversary venue in three days."

She wanted Alexander to know how he'd shielded a murderer while destroying her.

She wanted him to know how Amanda had framed and tormented her.

She wanted him to know that when he chose another woman, she'd been defiled by a thug before taking her own life.

The day he abandoned her would be their last meeting. She wanted Alexander to spend every remaining breath drowning in regret and agony—gutted, shattered, broken beyond repair.

Finally, Sophia raised the knife without flinching and dug out the tracker embedded in her arm.

She was free at last!

Six years ago, Alexander had knelt to propose, vowing to carve her into his very life.

Now, she carved him out with her own hands.

Alexander, you'll never find me again.

For the rest of your days, we are done.