"Ms. Vaughn, your heart is a successful match, but let me ask you one last time. Are you really willing to donate your heart in place of the Flynn family?"

Catherine Vaughn stood in the yard, letting the rain fall on her. Her gaze into the distance showed relief.

"Yes, I am willing."

"Alright, we'll give you one week to sort things out. I'll have someone come pick you up then."

Catherine hung up the phone and walked into the living room.

When she looked at the underwear tossed on the floor, she seemed used to it. Her face looked numb as she went upstairs.

Everyone in their circle knew she was the most useless coward, and her husband, Alexander Flynn, switched women all the time.

He could sleep with any woman, just not his legal wife.

Catherine passed the main bedroom and heard moans inside. She glanced in without meaning to.

Her whole body went cold, and her eyes turned red at once.

She pushed the door open and saw her husband, shirtless, holding her sister, Genevieve Vaughn, tight and kissing her wildly like he wanted to melt into her.

Her palm bled from her nails digging into it. "Why?"

Alexander kissed the neck of the woman under him while looking at Catherine provocatively, his eyes full of hatred.

"Because I wanted you to suffer. This is the punishment you deserve."

Catherine went pale. Her body swayed, and she had to lean on the wall to steady herself. A bloody taste rose in her throat.

She and Alexander grew up together. They were the couple everyone envied on campus. Everyone thought they would happily walk into a wedding.

But three years ago, Catherine came to the Flynn's place and saw Alexander's mother, Jennifer Flynn, with a beggar in bed...

Even though Jennifer had a mental breakdown, she couldn't accept it when she was clear-headed. If the news got out, the whole Flynn family would become a joke in their circle.

After Catherine saw Jennifer, who was usually gentle and well-mannered, do such a shameful thing, she panicked and ran out of the house. She tried to drive away, but she hit Jennifer as Jennifer dashed out.

Jennifer was covered in blood but stopped Catherine from calling an ambulance. She said it would be better to die like this as she wouldn't suffer anymore, and asked Catherine to keep her secret.

Catherine looked at Jennifer's face twisted in pain and had no choice but to agree.

From then on, Catherine became the killer who caused Jennifer's death and destroyed her relationship with Alexander.

He couldn't accept it and kept asking if it was true.

To keep Jennifer's secret, Catherine could only stay silent.

So the love in Alexander's eyes was gone. Only bone-deep hate stayed.

He used his family's resources to crush the Vaughn family's company. Catherine's parents died in a car accident because of stress, and he forced Catherine to get married.

She thought after the wedding, her sincerity could ease the hatred in Alexander's heart.

She didn't expect his revenge had only begun.

He kept bringing different women home, saying he would rather sleep with a dog than touch her.

This painful marriage lasted three years. Alexander slept with every woman around her that she knew.

But why did he have to reach for Genevieve?

Genevieve was the only blood left of the Vaughn family after the car accident, and the sister Catherine put all her hopes on.

Catherine stared blankly at the scene in front of her. She felt like the world had collapsed.

When Genevieve saw her sister, her face changed. She tried to pull the sheet over herself. But Alexander seemed to be punishing Catherine on purpose, showing his shameless side in front of her.

As Genevieve couldn't resist the temptation, she fell deeper into it and stopped holding back as she climbed on top.

The room was filled with a decadent smell, and they went at it for a full half hour.

Catherine clenched her palm tight and let the blood flow.

When Alexander was satisfied, he threw his dirty clothes at Catherine. His face looked cold.

"Go wash these, and make some beef broth. Genevieve and I came three times. We're a little tired."

Catherine bit her lip. Her eyes turned red. She stood completely still.

Alexander's face changed. He grabbed her collar and turned feral.

"What are you upset about? When you ran over my mom, did you ever think of today? You're just getting what you deserve."

Catherine's mind flashed back to Jennifer's pained begging. Her tight fist slowly loosened. She lowered her head.

"Okay."

She took a deep look at her sister, who didn't dare meet her eyes, then slowly turned around, like she had lost all life and become a walking corpse.

She had seven days left. She would donate her heart to the Adams family in place of the Flynn family.

After that, she would be free.

Upstairs, they were at it again.

The panting was loud, and downstairs the kitchen steamed from a boiling pot.

Alexander still didn't seem satisfied. He dragged Genevieve into the hallway to enjoy her body while staring at the figure simmering soup.

Catherine was making Alexander's favorite beef broth. Her back looked calm.

Alexander didn't see the hysterical pain she used to show and found it boring.

He turned and cupped Genevieve's face. "Don't be ungrateful like your sister, or you'll get what's coming to you."

Catherine's whole body tensed. She looked down. At some point, the sharp knife had cut her palm.

Tears mixed with blood dripped into the soup, spreading out like a fading red flower.

After the frenzy, Alexander smashed the soup Catherine had worked so hard on into her face. He said one cold word, "Dirty," and ordered her to make it again.

Catherine squatted and quietly cleaned up the shards without a word.

Alexander yanked her collar and stared into her eyes, his face dark.

"You can't even handle this? My mom treated you so well. Why did you run her over, huh? Why?"

Catherine showed no expression and stayed silent, which angered Alexander more.

He stomped on Catherine's hand. The shards pierced her palm. The floor turned red. He gritted his teeth.

"Why won't you answer?"

Catherine's face went pale from the pain, but she didn't beg.

She lost too much blood until the world spun, and she fainted on the floor.

When she woke up, Catherine lay on a small bed in the storage room.

In this villa, even the pet dog had a big room. She was the only one who didn't deserve it.

She looked at her sister's awkward face. A trace of pain crossed her numb expression.

"Please, I'm begging you, leave him."

She was already ruined and about to give up her heart. She didn't have many days left. If not for her sister, she would have ended her life long ago.

Seeing Genevieve with the man she loved still hurt Catherine.

Genevieve, who had always been so obedient, didn't just refuse Catherine's request. She dropped to her knees.

"Cathy, I won't leave Alex. I fell in love with him long ago. Instead of you two suffering together, why not let me have him?"

Genevieve's words left Catherine dumbstruck, like a heavy hammer hit her heart.

"What did you say?"

Catherine shot up, grabbed her sister's hand, and rushed her outside like she had lost her mind.

She would rather take all the pain herself than let Alexander ruin Genevieve.

"Enough!"

Genevieve shoved Catherine to the ground. Her face was numb. "You're the one who should go. Alex clearly doesn't love you. You should disappear. Why are you hogging him?"

Catherine stared wide-eyed, full of disbelief.

Her sister sneered. "You caused Alex's mom's death and committed a huge crime. Our family became like this because of you. You were vain and shameless and stayed by Alex's side. You're the one who should get lost."

With a sharp smack, Catherine raised her hand and slapped her sister. Her lips trembled.

Genevieve covered her cheek. Her eyes grew cold.

"That slap ends everything between us. From now on, I'm not your sister."

She turned and walked into the living room.

Catherine stood frozen, clenching her fists tight as her tears poured out.

Her parents' tragic deaths, the family's collapse, and her sister turning on her. Catherine felt like she was in a bottomless abyss.

In that moment, she regretted keeping Jennifer's secret.

In that moment, she wanted to tell Alexander the truth.

But thinking about how the truth would destroy Alexander, she forced down the bloody taste in her throat and shut her eyes in pain.

Alexander leaned on the second-floor railing, watching the sisters fall out with a cold face.

Seeing Catherine look like she wished she could die, Alexander wore a cold smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Deep in his gaze, vague sadness and hatred churned.

"Let's get divorced."

In the few days she had left, she only wanted to breathe the air of freedom.

Three years in hell had been so tiring.

Alexander saw the despair in Catherine's eyes and felt a sudden panic. But thinking of his mother's tragic death, the hatred took over again.

"Dream on!"

Alexander rushed downstairs. Maybe the word divorce hit him hard.

His eyes turned red as he roared at Catherine, "What right do you have to ask for a divorce? You can never make up for my mom's death. Not in this lifetime.

"Looks like I treated you too well and made you think you could walk away."

A cold light flashed in Alexander's eyes.

Alexander yanked Catherine's hair and dragged her to the living room. He pulled a contract from the drawer and smashed it into her face.

"When we got married, we signed an agreement. To pay the debt, you can't ask for a divorce. If you do, you will be punished."

Alexander's face looked ice-cold. He gripped a large whip. His eyes burned with anger.

"Get down on your knees!"

The paper cut the skin on her forehead. Blood fell to the floor. Catherine's expression turned bitter.

Three years ago, to calm Alexander and with a tiny hope for happiness, she signed a very unfair agreement. One clause said she couldn't ask for a divorce. If she did, she would face whipping.

Facing Alexander's hatred, Catherine slowly got down on her knees and closed her eyes.

"This lash is for your ingratitude and killing my mom!

"This lash is for breaking your promise and trying to run away!

"This lash is for being cold and vain!

"... "

Each lash fell on her back. The sharp barbs tore into her skin. Her white dress turned red at once. Catherine took Alexander's rage without a sound.

After 50 lashes, blisters rose on Alexander's hand, and Catherine's mind turned fuzzy.

Alexander threw the whip to Genevieve and spoke with an unquestionable tone.

"Didn't you want to stay by my side? I'll give you a chance. There are 50 lashes left. You can do it."

Genevieve's face changed. She took the whip with shaking hands. Seeing her sister about to collapse, she hesitated.

But Alexander's words made her eyes turn cruel.

Genevieve gritted her teeth, raised her hand, and struck hard. Her blows were even heavier than Alexander's, and her curses were nastier.

Catherine turned her head, staring at her sister in disbelief. The one she loved most and never let suffer even a little struck her so cruelly, as if there was a blood connection between them.

In that moment, the pain in her body was nothing compared to the wound in her heart.

Catherine gave up. She stared blankly outside, her heart full of despair.

After one hundred lashes, Alexander still wasn't done. He took her unconscious body to his mother's grave and splashed cold water to wake her.

Catherine's lips were cracked. She looked at the black-and-white photo on the tombstone. In her mind, that night when Jennifer grabbed her hand and begged with a face that had given up on life appeared again.

"Catherine, did I ever do you wrong?"

It suddenly rained heavily. Alexander didn't hold an umbrella. He stood in the rain with Catherine, his voice hazy and cold.

"We loved each other so much. My mom treated you like her own daughter. And what did you do?"

Alexander's words stabbed into Catherine. The figure in the rain turned blurry, but his hatred didn't fade. It drowned the world like a storm.

"I really thought we could be happy for life, never part. Even if we hated each other, we'd still be stuck together forever.

"So don't you dare think of getting free. You'll stay in the Flynn family and pay for your debts for the rest of your life!"

Alexander's gaze was sharp, like a sword piercing her heart in the rain. Catherine clenched her fists. Blood slipped from the corner of her mouth. She gave a bitter smile.

Three years. She had done everything she could for Alexander, putting her dignity on the ground for him to trample. But it still couldn't erase his hatred.

The greater the love once was, the greater the hate now. Even a flood couldn't wash away the tie between them.

"Everything I do now is to make you suffer, suffer just like me!"

Alexander roared at Catherine, "Even if you die, you'll be a ghost of the Flynn family!"

Through his boundless hatred, Catherine dimly saw the two of them at 18, sharing their first kiss in the garden.

Her face had been shy as she hugged his neck and teased that he wasn't allowed to look at other women again.

That boy in a white shirt, as clean as a fresh spring, was gone. He turned into a stranger drowned by hate. A stranger who dragged Catherine into hell every night.

She had been wrong. She thought her true heart could heal the wound. It turned out to be just a dream.

Maybe only real death could make him forget everything.

Catherine spat blood and fell straight to the ground. Before she blacked out, she seemed to see panic on Alexander's face.

Did Alexander still care about her?

Catherine didn't care anymore. She slowly closed her eyes.

When she woke up, Catherine lay on a hospital bed. Outside the window, birds sang after the rain. The smell of flowers filled the air. It was a rare moment of relaxation.

Then the Adams family called.

"Ms. Vaughn, we will send you a voluntary donation agreement shortly. Once you sign it, the heart will no longer be yours."

"Send it over."

Soon Catherine received a text and signed as fast as she could.

"In six days, I will be able to leave... "

Catherine hung up and looked at the white clouds on the horizon. Her thin face showed relief.

"Leave what?"

The ward door opened. Alexander walked in, with a flash of barely visible panic on his face.

Catherine calmly looked at Alexander rushing in. That split-second panic made it seem like he still had feelings for her.

But what he said next made her laugh at herself.

"Only three years of paying the debt and you want to run? Keep dreaming. The agreement is clear. You're mine, alive or dead."

Alexander gave a cold laugh and turned to leave.

"It's Genny's birthday. She wants your cheesecake. Since you're still alive, get discharged."

Catherine let out a bitter smile. She thought he came to the hospital out of kindness. Turns out he just needed a maid.

"Genny is innocent."

As Alexander reached the door, Catherine got up, her voice pleading. "Since I married into the Flynn family, I never asked for anything. Please let Genny go..."

He slapped her and grabbed her collar. His eyes were bloody red.

"And who let me go? Who let my mom go? Catherine, you're the last person to make demands. Remember, all this pain is what you deserve."

He didn't give Catherine time to react and strode away.

Watching that resolute back, endless gloom pressed on her chest until she couldn't breathe.

She curled up and cried in pain.

In six days, she would be free.

She calmed down and went back to the villa to cook.

Catherine had been a famous designer, but after marriage she stayed home to atone for her sins. Those hands that once created beautiful designs had turned rough and scarred.

The kitchen was bustling with cooking. Laughter came from the living room. Alexander treated Genevieve differently from others. Before, he would send women away after a night, but Genevieve stayed openly in the villa.

Alexander and Genevieve showed off their love as if no one else was watching, kissing wildly whenever they felt like it.

Catherine numbly brought out the cheesecake. Alexander knocked it over and ordered her to get down on her knees and watch her husband be affectionate with someone else.

At first Genevieve felt shy, but as Alexander moved, her breathing became rapid, and a twisted sense of revenge rose in her.

Catherine was forced to stay on her knees, her eyes empty.

Alexander kept watching Catherine's face. His heart trembled. He didn't know why, but the thrill of revenge was gone.

He remembered the first time he brought a woman home. The shock and pain in Catherine's eyes had been clear. She had begged him not to do it.

After many betrayals, Catherine slowly accepted reality and turned into the numb person she was now.

Alexander lost interest at once and spoke impatiently. "Why keep that long face all day? It's nauseating." He dropped Genevieve and headed upstairs.

Genevieve's face turned ugly. Fire burned in her chest. She glared at Catherine with hatred and gritted her teeth.

"Why don't you just die? Why ruin my time with Alex?!"

Catherine stared at her sister in shock, stunned by the strong hatred she felt.

Genevieve kicked her to the floor in anger. "If it weren't for you, our parents wouldn't have died, our family wouldn't be ruined, and I'd still be a rich girl. Because of you, I lost everything. Did you really think your years of effort would move me?

"I'm a joke out there. Everything I suffered came from you. Now I finally have Alex's love. He can give me back what I lost. So my dear sister, if you really love me, you should give up your position."

Every word felt like a bullet through the heart. Catherine trembled with pain. She opened her mouth, but all the explanations she wanted to say vanished when she faced Genevieve's hateful face.

Catherine shut her eyes in pain. Her voice was hoarse. "Don't worry. In a few days, he's yours."

Genevieve shook her head, glanced upstairs, and her eyes turned cold.

"You love him so much that you won't even leave him even though you're in hell. How am I supposed to believe you? Let me help you."

She pulled out a bottle of pesticide and, right in front of Catherine, poured it into her mouth.

Alexander heard the screams and came downstairs, just in time to see Genevieve foaming at the mouth. He stared at Catherine with a dark look.

Genevieve trembled in pain. "Cathy, if you can't let go of Alex, I can leave. Why did you poison the cheesecake?"

Alexander's eyes went wide. He stared at Catherine in disbelief.

"You tried to poison your own sister?"

He hadn't expected Catherine to be so vicious. Thinking of his dead mother, things suddenly made sense to him.

"I've known you for so many years and never truly saw you. Good job, Catherine, good job. Not only did you kill my mom, but now you won't let Genevieve go either?"

His disappointed gaze felt like a spear running through her from head to toe.

Catherine didn't expose Genevieve's act. Maybe she knew explaining would be useless anyway.

Alexander was right. They had known each other for over 20 years. Didn't he know what kind of person she was?

His mind was set, and nothing could change it.

Since Jennifer's death, Alexander's hatred far outweighed his love. Maybe there was no love left now. Only she had foolishly believed sincerity could fix everything.

Catherine's silence snapped a string inside Alexander.

Expressionless, he took Genevieve to the hospital. The last bit of reluctance in his eyes vanished as he left, replaced by coldness.

Catherine stood up numbly, looked at the bottle on the floor, and gave a bitter smile.

If Alexander investigated carefully, he'd know she could never have poisoned the cheesecake.

While Genevieve was rushed into emergency for a stomach pump, the Flynn family's bodyguards dragged Catherine to the hospital and forced her to get down on her knees at the front door wearing a sign.

"Sister killer. Monster!"

The hospital square was bustling with people. Families of patients saw Catherine in her sorry state and showed contempt and disgust. Many spat at her, hit her, and cursed her for being a heartless monster.

Catherine endured it silently. Under the scorching sun, she grew dizzy as people pointed at her.

This was Alexander's punishment, turning her into a pariah.

Even when she fainted, no one came to help.

Genevieve was saved after emergency treatment. Because of her poisoning, Alexander's attitude changed a lot. He canceled several important meetings and took care of her himself at the hospital.

He booked an entire floor, called in every specialist, and insisted Genevieve must recover.

As for Catherine who was on her knees outside, he seemed to have forgotten her.

When Catherine woke up, hours had passed. She staggered to the ward and saw Alexander holding Genevieve, his face full of hurt for her.

His gentle comfort filled the room like a freezing wind.

Sunlight fell on the two of them, making them look so beautiful and happy. Catherine didn't disturb them. She left in silence.

She walked down the road, feeling completely hopeless.

The lover she once swore to protect now had only hatred and disgust for her.

The sister she once swore to protect betrayed her for wealth.

Catherine hurt so much she couldn't breathe.

But she had chosen this path and could only endure. Thankfully, in a few days she would leave and be free.

Catherine returned to the villa's storage room and packed.

She piled everything related to Alexander in the yard and set it on fire.

Expressionless, she watched the flames swallow the items, like years of devoted love turning to dust.

Fireworks lit up the city sky.

The fireworks formed Genevieve's name, glaringly bright.

Catherine stared quietly. She remembered Alexander's promise at 18. He said he would write her name in the sky so everyone would remember their eternal love.

The one who made the promise was still here, but the promise had rotted away.

Alexander gave his hatred to Catherine and his love to Genevieve.

Catherine lowered her head. Tears fell on the stone path, reflecting eyes that had given up on life.

She spent two days cleaning the villa, like always, hoping Alexander would feel warmth when he came home.

It was the last thing she could do before leaving.

When Alexander brought Genevieve back to the villa, the doting look in his eyes stabbed Catherine's heart like a knife.

The sky looked gloomy. The smile on Alexander's face was like a touch of spring blending into the yard, making it shine.

Catherine had seen how Alexander loved her, so she knew whether he loved the women he brought back.

Without exception, all the women before had been his revenge on her.

Only this time, the look he gave Genevieve carried a hint of a smile that stabbed Catherine.

Even a few days ago, Catherine still thought Genevieve had been fooled.

She instantly went cold all over and almost couldn't stand. Looking at the man walking closer, the love buried deep in her heart almost burst out.

Alexander helped Genevieve into the living room. He brushed past Catherine and chose to ignore her.

Catherine stood outside, numb, looking up at the sky. It felt like a boulder pressed on her chest, heavy and suffocating.

They had also brought back a box.

When Catherine saw the box, her face changed. She rushed up like crazy to grab it.

This was what she had hidden in the old house. It held many secrets. She couldn't let Alexander know.

Alexander pushed Catherine down and held the box tight. His eyes were full of sarcasm and hate.

"I know everything."

Catherine trembled all over. Her eyes widened as she hurried to explain. "You're mistaken. I didn't do this."

Alexander sneered with open disdain. "Of course you didn't. Genevieve did it for me. Now I finally understand that she's the one who cares about me most."

Catherine went blank, her mind empty.

What did he mean?

Alexander took a deep breath, held Genevieve's hand, eyes full of her, then opened the box and laid out the things inside one by one.

Genevieve stepped forward with deep love written on her face.

"Alex, this is a cross pendant I got for you two years ago. I went to St. Mary's Church and prayed every day for your safety, just wanted you to come home safe. Ended up tearing my knees apart and spent three months in the hospital—but it was worth it.

"These are the notes I wrote, over 6,400 of them, each one a little piece of my love for you.

"This is the bandage from when your enemy attacked you last year. I rushed in and took the knife for you. I'm willing to do anything for you.

"... "

Genevieve picked up each item and explained gently. Her loving eyes misted over.

Alexander bit his lip. His eyes reddened, deeply moved.

He hadn't expected that anyone in the world would do so much for him. Especially last year, when he thought he would die from an enemy's attack, someone had rushed in and blocked the fatal blow.

He hadn't seen the person's face clearly, and only now did he realize it had been Genevieve.

He couldn't describe what he felt. He just thought no one would ever care about him like Genevieve did.

Overcome, Alexander hugged her tight, tears in his eyes.

"Stop talking and kiss me!"

They lost themselves, almost melting into one.

"That's not true!"

Catherine couldn't hold back anymore. She smashed the box on the floor and glared at Genevieve. "Why did you steal my things?"

These were proofs of her deep love for Alexander. She had only told her sister about them.

Every time Alexander took revenge and she wanted to die from the pain, Catherine took out the things in the box and told herself that because of love, she could bear all of it.

But Genevieve took the credit for winning Alexander.

Last year when Alexander almost died from the knife, no one dared to rush in and save him. Catherine charged forward despite the danger and took a knife to the back. The wound still hadn't healed.

Going to St. Mary's Church for the cross pendant had been Catherine's wish for his peace. She'd knelt in the church for three days to pray for him. Her knees still ached.

She had planned to bury the things in the ground and never tell Alexander, afraid that if he knew the truth, it would ruin everything.

She never thought it would become someone else's glory.

Facing Catherine's question, Genevieve looked wronged, her face full of bitterness. "Cathy, you're right. You did all that. It has nothing to do with me.

"Since you're my sister, I will give you whatever you want."

She ran out the door in tears.

Catherine tried to explain to Alexander but got slapped hard.

Alexander looked indifferent, his eyes disappointed. "Catherine, I never thought you were this shameless. The thing I regret most is ever loving you."

Watching him leave, Catherine felt struck by lightning. All color drained from her face.

She knew she shouldn't go after him.

Alexander didn't love her anymore. When she donated her heart, he wouldn't be sad.

That's good.

But why did her heart still hurt so much? It felt like she was being torn apart from the inside.

She dropped to her knees, gasping for air as tears poured down.

Darkness closed in, like a bottomless hell.

Catherine almost couldn't hold on. She only wished the day would come faster. Maybe death was the best way to be free.

Alexander hadn't come home in two days.

The villa was quiet for once, but Catherine didn't relax. She looked drained.

Genevieve kept posting on Instagram to show off Alexander's love.

Catherine scrolled through the photos in a self-torturing manner.

These two days, Alexander gave Genevieve the best love.

Before, Alexander fooled around, but he never posted any woman's photo on Instagram. This time he posted a front-facing picture of Genevieve.

Under the photo were only two words. "My love."

All the comments were blessings. They congratulated Alexander on finding true love and asked when the wedding would be.

They seemed to forget Alexander wasn't divorced. But no one cared.

In Alexander's friends' eyes, Catherine was just an enemy hogging the wife title, waiting to be kicked out when he got bored.

The news was full of rumors about Alexander and Genevieve.

In the past, Alexander would use strong means to block it. Now he didn't cover it at all and even took her to events openly.

Catherine stared blankly at one photo.

In the photo, Alexander held Genevieve's arm. His face showed happiness she hadn't seen in three years.

Genevieve stood by his side shyly. She looked like a princess, with everyone's attention on her.

Catherine clenched her hands. This was what she wanted to see, so why did she feel empty and hurt so much?

She wanted Alexander to get over his hatred, let go of the past, and love again.

She made it happen, so why did it hurt?

In these two days, Alexander took Genevieve to Hawaii to kiss by the beach, went to Aspen and wrote their names in the snow, and visited an orphanage to spread love.

Every photo felt like a knife stabbing her.

These were all on the list of dreams Alexander made for them when they got together at 18, along with their honeymoon plans.

Now Alexander went on the honeymoon, but the woman next to him wasn't her.

Catherine put down her phone, curled up on the small bed in the storage room, and licked her wounds in silence.

The wound on her back festered. Sharp pain shot from her knees. These scars were proof of how much Catherine loved Alexander.

She couldn't tell Alexander the truth. She watched Genevieve take the credit and steal his love.

She could only endure it in silence until the day she died.

Catherine got a fever. Her mind went fuzzy, like she sensed death coming.

She thought she could make it through, but loneliness hit her. Without thinking, she dialed a number.

"Alexander, I'm dying. I wish you happiness..."

She hung up and passed out.

When she woke up, the sharp smell of disinfectant hit her nose. A face full of concern came into view.

When she saw who it was, Alexander's face turned cold again, full of disgust.

Catherine gave a bitter smile. She thought it was a hallucination.

Alexander was busy giving his love to Genevieve now. How could he care about her?

Seeing her wake up, Alexander didn't leave right away. He stared into her eyes, with a strange hope flickering inside.

"What happened that rainy night three years ago? How did my mom die?"

Alexander gripped Catherine's hand. His nails dug into her skin. His voice shook. He was far from calm inside.

Catherine trembled. She had a high fever and a fuzzy mind earlier. She might have called Alexander and said a lot of things.

She couldn't remember.

Facing his question, Catherine knew she could explain the misunderstanding if she spoke.

But she chose silence.

"Speak!"

Alexander shook her shoulders hard. Tears filled his eyes. He shouted, "Is there something you're not telling me? Catherine, do you know how much I've suffered these three years?

"I wished countless times that three years ago was a misunderstanding. That you didn't mean to run over my mom. Then at least I wouldn't hate you.

"Just say one word, and I'll forgive you!"

Faced with Alexander's roar that sounded almost like a confession, Catherine shook her head, her face cold.

"I killed your mom on purpose because she found my secret."

The hope in Alexander's eyes faded away. His face went white.

He gave Catherine a deep look. There was no love left in his eyes.

"Catherine, the thing I regret most in this life is loving you.

"Let's get divorced."

Alexander walked to the window and gazed at the distant mountains. In the quiet hospital room, a brief silence fell.

Catherine lowered her head, staring at the pristine white sheets, a deep ache rising in her heart.

"Isn't this what you've always wanted?"

Alexander turned around and looked at Catherine, who resembled a withered flower, no longer full of life as she once was.

"I'm letting you go, and letting myself go too."

Catherine was silent for a moment, then lifted her head and smiled faintly.

"Thank you."

She thought she could pretend to accept it calmly, but her voice trembled violently, and she couldn't even meet Alexander's eyes.

Wasn't this the outcome she had always wanted?

It's for the best.

Alexander didn't leave.

He kept staring at Catherine, as if waiting for something, his hand inside his sleeve clenched tightly, desperately trying to hide his panic.

He had always wanted an answer.

Catherine sensed Alexander's anticipation, her heart jolted, and she instinctively wanted to embrace him, to tell him that everything was a lie, that they could go back to how things were.

But she held herself back.

"Is there nothing you want to say?"

Alexander took a deep breath, his shoulders trembling slightly, his eyes reddening as he gritted his teeth.

"Not even a single word of explanation?"

Catherine shook her head and looked out the window.

The distant mountains seemed like the happiness of the past—clearly within sight, yet impossible to grasp.

She didn't know when Alexander left.

Catherine fought to control her collapsing emotions, checked the time, and quietly began to pack her things.

There was still one day left before the Adams family would come to pick her up.

After being discharged, Catherine didn't return to the villa, but went to the cemetery instead.

She knelt before her parents' graves, unable to hold back her emotions any longer, breaking down in tears and venting all the grievances she had endured over the past three years.

The secret she had guarded for three years had tormented her to the point of wishing for death. Tomorrow, she would no longer have the chance to protect Alexander.

Even though Alexander hated her so much and tormented her, Catherine still loved him.

Sadly, this love could never see the light of day and could only be hidden in her heart.

Catherine then went to Jennifer's grave, her expression dazed, murmuring to herself, "Auntie, I kept my promise, but this is the end. Alex agreed to the divorce, which means he's let go of his hatred. He will be happy."

She stayed in the cemetery until nightfall, speaking to the air, pouring out all the bitterness of these years.

When she finally got up to leave, her face was devoid of any expression, like a piece of decaying wood.

Catherine didn't return to the villa, but stayed at a hotel instead.

Years ago, the Adams family and the Flynn family had made a deal, which Jennifer had told her about. The agreement was in her own hands, and Alexander knew nothing about it.

The Flynn family owed the Adams family a life, and someone had to repay it. So Catherine planned to end things this way.

She spent the night at the hotel and didn't receive a call from Alexander.

In the past, to torment her, he would have locked her by his side, forcing her to witness unbearable scenes.

The next day, Catherine tidied herself up in front of the mirror, changing into a worn-out long dress—the same one she wore three years ago when they got their marriage certificate.

Alexander called, saying he was busy with work and that the divorce would have to wait.

Catherine saw on Genevieve's Instagram that Alexander wasn't busy at all; he was with her, boating on the lake, enjoying romance.

She didn't expose him, only feeling regret.

If Alexander ever wanted to remarry, it seemed he'd have to be widowed first.

Around noon, Catherine left the hotel and ran into Genevieve. She leaned against a brand-new sports car, looking down at Catherine with the gaze of a victor.

"Cathy, your parents left you something. Do you want to see it?"

Catherine was silent for a moment, then got into Genevieve's car.

"You two are getting divorced, so why are you still clinging to Alex?"

The car sped up, running through more than a dozen red lights. Genevieve's eyes grew wild.

Catherine's face changed dramatically, and she hurried to explain.

"He said he didn't have time..."

"So what? I've given so much, just to be with Alex openly, but you keep haunting him. If you don't die, Alex will never truly accept me."

"What are you doing?"

Genevieve slammed on the accelerator, and the sports car hurtled toward the roadside wall. With a loud crash, the car rolled over onto the sidewalk.

Both were rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Genevieve kept coughing up blood, staring at Catherine with eyes full of hatred.

Alexander arrived at the hospital, ignoring the bloodied Catherine, and threw himself onto Genevieve, crying his heart out.

Catherine had seen him sad before, remembering the cat that died when he was nineteen. Alexander had been just as heartbroken then, like a little white flower.

"Why did you hurt Genny?"

While Catherine lay in the hospital room, Alexander burst in and slapped her hard, his face furious. "Genny is hemorrhaging and her life is in danger. You must pay the price!"

Faced with Alexander's murderous expression, Catherine didn't offer any explanation.

"Mr. Flynn, her condition is critical. If we force a blood draw, it could..."

"Just do it. If anything happens to Genny, I want her buried with her!"

Alexander ordered the bodyguards to forcibly take Catherine to the emergency room and begin the blood draw immediately.

Catherine didn't resist, calmly watching the man's twisted face, letting them do as they pleased.

As her blood was drawn, the amount quickly exceeded 800cc, but it still wasn't enough.

Ignoring all objections, Alexander ordered them to continue.

Catherine's consciousness grew hazy, her body cold. Even as the machines sounded alarms, the blood draw didn't stop.

A total of 1600cc of blood was drawn.

Genevieve was saved, but Catherine lay quietly in the hospital.

All she could think of was the madness and hatred in Alexander's eyes before he left.

Alexander was busy caring for Genevieve, not sparing a thought for Catherine's life or death.

Catherine received a call from the Adams family.

Now unable to move, she gritted her teeth, forcibly pulled out the needle, and crawled step by step toward the door.

She couldn't die yet; she had to repay the Flynn family's debt, to die in Alexander's place. Even though Alexander hated her so much now, Catherine still loved him.

Down the long corridor, in the elevator, across the plaza, Catherine crawled, leaving a trail of crimson behind her.

She had returned from hell, only to enter another abyss.

Catherine finally crawled to the business van parked outside the hospital, where someone helped her into the vehicle.

She used up all her strength, as if she had walked the last stretch of her life.

Looking back at the hospital building, Catherine's eyes were filled with reluctance.

From now on, she would never have the chance to protect Alexander again. He would have to rely on himself for the days to come.

"Alexander, I love you, I really love you..."

The business van slowly drove away.

Catherine closed her eyes and disappeared into the night.