Everyone in the family knew I wasn't Mom and Dad's biological daughter.

I existed only to protect my brother, who was the heir, and to cover for their true daughter.

Dad ignored me, while Mom resented me for enjoying 18 years of prosperity in her daughter's place.

Only my brother doted on me endlessly.

Until the day my brother took over the group, I clutched two cufflinks tightly, wanting to secretly give them to him.

But outside the door, I heard Mom say to him, "Now that you've taken over the group, you can bring your sister back. As for Audrey, just make sure she disappears from our lives."

In a state of terror, I heard Malcolm Larsen—who had always loved me—say word by word, "Alright, I'll handle it."

At the cruise ship banquet that night, the Larsen Group publicly announced that I was the fake daughter.

After that, the cruise ship hit a reef and sank.

I faked my death and escaped.

But I never thought that three months later, when I was preparing to marry the man I loved, my brother gripped my jaw and said, "Who allowed you to get married privately without my permission?"

***

"Aubrey, I got accepted!"

A tall young man in a white shirt burst in, lifted me up joyfully, and spun me around.

I was startled at first, but seeing the happiness radiating from the corners of his eyes and brows, I couldn't help but laugh too, patting his hands helplessly.

He finally came to his senses, his face flushing with embarrassment. He quickly set me down, fidgeting awkwardly, and ended up grinning foolishly while scratching the back of his neck.

"Hey, I'll start working at Brightspire Capital next month. I can give you a better life now!"

I stood on tiptoe, smiling as I cupped his face. "Shawn is amazing!"

The man bashfully covered his eyes, the blush creeping down beneath his shirt.

Three years ago, I faked my death to escape the Larsen family, but I was almost kidnapped by human traffickers. It was Shawn Chavez who rescued me from that predicament and took me back to his home.

At that time, he had just been admitted to graduate school. His family also had a mother with impaired mobility, and their financial situation was quite tight.

On the first night I stayed at his house, he made do on the couch for the whole night.

Filled with guilt, I left the only valuable thing I had—a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet on my wrist—for him and quietly left.

Perhaps years of living in luxury had left me with no idea how to survive on my own.

Penniless, I struggled to get by in this society.

When I was framed by a restaurant owner for eating an extra bowl of pasta and he insisted on detaining me, Shawn appeared again like a hero and saved me.

Though he wasn't tall or strong, he still stood protectively in front of me.

At that moment, I had deeply realized for the first time that if you liked someone, you would never let her suffer the slightest grievance.

However, a long time ago, when I was bullied at school, my adoptive mother, Isabella Webb, and Malcolm only said coldly that the Larsen family valued their reputation extremely and would never argue with a child for my sake.

They told me to endure it for the time being.

And that endurance lasted throughout the entire junior high school years.

Standing behind Shawn, I tasted for the first time the sweetness of being cared for and cherished.

So this time, instead of choosing to leave, I followed him back home.

To repay his kindness, I started doing some simple chores.

A year ago, Shawn's mother's condition became critical. With her as our witness, we held a wedding ceremony. Yet we never shared a room.

He said, "Aubrey deserves to be a daughter of a wealthy family. As I am now, I really don't deserve you.

"Once I graduate from graduate school, find a better job, and can provide you with a more affluent life, I will definitely arrange a grand wedding for you! My heart will never change!"

He held my hand tightly, his eyes firm and clear, his words resolute and forceful.

Others might think these words were empty, but Shawn was nothing like that. He had always been a man of his word.

Shawn had been admitted to Brightspire Capital, which should have been a joyous occasion.

Yet I felt a faint unease, simply because Brightspire Capital was affiliated with the Larsen Group.

Three years prior, I had fallen into the sea and faked my death. In that same year, the real daughter, Natasha Larsen, had been taken back to the Larsen family.

When I learned this news, I was shopping for clothes with Shawn.

At first, I had only been momentarily dazed. But then I had been amused by Shawn's intense haggling and had bent over laughing.

However, the peaceful days did not last long. I actually saw the sky-high reward offered by Malcolm Larsen, the heir to the Larsen Group.

He had offered a reward of 15 million dollars, just to find me—dead or alive.

At that moment, I felt as if the world had fallen into darkness. I had never thought that they would go to such extremes to get rid of me.

I planned to find an excuse to leave, but Shawn found me first. He told me that he had the opportunity to go abroad as an exchange student and asked if I was willing to go with him.

Of course, I was more than happy to.

In this way, I hid abroad for three years.

Three years later, when Shawn returned to the country to work, I dared to show myself a little.

Shawn saw my worries, but mistook them for a young woman's trivial concerns.

On a night when fireworks blazed brilliantly, he swore to me against a sky full of fireworks. "I am bound to you and will never let you down."

I smiled and asked, "Even if I were a wanted criminal?

"Even if I were guilty of heinous crimes?

"Even if I... deceived you and lied to you?"

Shawn held my hand tightly and said, "If you really were a wanted criminal, I wouldn't protect you, but I would never abandon you either. I would stay by your side. If you live, I live. If you die, I die."

I smiled, hugged him, and called him a fool, but tears slid down involuntarily.

In the magnificent garden of the Larsen's residence, someone had once said the same thing, but he had ultimately broken his promise.

Shawn had performed exceptionally well in the interview and had successfully joined Brightspire Capital.

I had almost been able to foresee his bright future.

However, who would have expected that shortly after Shawn had joined the company? Natasha had also entered Brightspire Capital, and he had been assigned to mentor her.

When Shawn had told me about this, I had been momentarily distracted, and the kitchen knife had nearly cut my finger.

"Why is this happening?" I closed my eyes and thought to myself, "Why can't I get rid of her?"

Isabella had a strained relationship with my adoptive father, Tyler Larsen. To protect Malcolm and me, who were still young at the time, I was secretly sent to the Larsen family.

From a young age, Isabella hated me. Every time she saw me, she would mutter that it was me who ruined her life.

Malcolm knew I was not his biological sister and treated me coldly.

Back then, I didn't know my true identity. I only thought Malcolm had a cold temperament, and Isabella had a hard life.

So I went to great lengths to please them, taking the blame for Malcolm, and becoming a victim of the conflicts between Isabella and my father's mistress.

When Malcolm was in danger, I didn't hesitate to step forward and shield him from the steel bar that pierced through the car window.

That night, Malcolm held me tightly, begging me not to die.

That man, who was always so cold and aloof, showed such a vulnerable look for the first time.

It was only then that I realized Malcolm did care about me—at least a little.

That realization made me ecstatic—enough to forget the pain that cut deep into my bones.

But thinking about it now, Malcolm was probably just worried about losing such a useful "knife."

Therefore, even if he showed a lot of tenderness to me later, it was nothing more than to make me serve him more loyally.

On the first day Shawn came back from work, I was waiting for him on the couch.

The black suit made him look tall, lean, and extraordinarily handsome.

He took my hand and handed me a box of pizza from Pizzaria.

"Look what I brought you!"

Brightspire Capital is in the south of the city, and Pizzaria is in the north.

The pizza smelled delicious.

Naturally, they couldn't compare to the chefs at the Larsen family, but I loved this one alone.

Or rather, I loved this exclusive preference.

Shawn liked to tell me what he had done that day and what was going on in the company.

I liked having someone to talk to, so even though I didn't want to hear the tiniest bit about the Larsen family, I pretended to be very interested.

"The cherry blossoms in the park are in full bloom. I remember they're your favorite. I'll take you to see them later.

"Our boss has a cat, which roams freely in the park. They say it's extremely arrogant, but guess what? It came to act coquettishly with me as soon as it saw me today.

"And there's more..."

Shawn was enthusiastically telling me all the little things that had happened that day, only to notice my face growing pale.

"Aubrey? What's wrong?"

"You like cherry blossoms—how about I plant cherry blossoms all over the garden for you?"

"This cat is filthy. Audrey, don't touch it."

"Alright, if Audrey is willing to beg to me, I can help you hide this little cat."

"Audrey, once I take over the group, I will..."

***

Familiar words welled up in my mind one by one, finally turning into the cold, knife-like phrase, "I'll handle it."

Facing Shawn's concerned gaze, I forced a stiff smile.

"Nothing. I'm just a little tired."

Shawn stared at me for a long while, then suddenly pulled me into his arms.

"Aubrey, you're not happy.

"You haven't smiled much since we came here.

"Give me a little time. I'll ask for an overseas assignment from the higher-ups.

"If you don't like it here, we'll leave, okay?"

It felt as if I drew a little strength from his words, and I hugged him tightly in return.

"Shawn, Shawn."

On the third day of Shawn's work, he didn't come back until dawn.

I called him, and on the other end of the line, he hesitated and said he had to work overtime, but I could hear the continuous screams coming from there.

I was burning with anxiety. Yet I didn't dare to run directly to the company to find him, fearing that I would be discovered by members of the Larsen family and get him into trouble.

When the sky was faintly light, Shawn appeared at the door with a haggard face. The tears that had been welling up in my eyes finally fell.

Seeing this, Shawn hurriedly wiped away my tears.

"Aubrey, don't cry. Look, I'm back safe and sound.

"Look what I brought you—pizza!"

He comforted me while carefully trying to cheer me up, even though he was the one who had suffered and toiled.

"Did you have a bad day at work?"

At my words, Shawn smiled. "When is work ever enjoyable?"

He suddenly hugged me tightly and said, "Aubrey, I will never let you down. Never."

It was an abrupt, out-of-the-blue statement.

But the next day, there came an explanation.

The video of Natasha publicly confessing her love to Shawn went viral.

She went all out—an entire sea of roses was laid out at the entrance of the park.

The crowd in the video egged Shawn on, urging him to say yes.

But he turned her down firmly.

"Ms. Larsen, I already have a fiancée. I'm sorry, but I can't accept your feelings."

That response set off a storm. Everyone knew Natasha had spent years displaced, only recently welcomed back by the Larsen family. Now she was their precious gem, spoiled to the bone.

Furious, Madam Larsen marched straight to Shawn and offered him 5 million to call off his engagement and date her daughter. Otherwise, he could pack his things and get lost.

Fed up, Shawn handed in his resignation on the spot.

His stance was crystal clear. "I will never leave Aubrey."

That day, a young and powerful boss happened to be present.

He asked, "Your fiancée's name is Aubrey?"

"Yes."

After a moment of silence, Malcolm spoke slowly. "Since when did Brightspire Capital become a one-man dictatorship? You're talented. Stay."

Natasha cried and begged Shawn not to leave.

In the end, the whole mess blew over quietly.

When Shawn told me, he sighed. "I really thought, if even Mr. Larsen couldn't see straight and tried to force me into marrying Natasha, I would quit and take you back to Canada. I could find a lecturing job at a university, and it would be enough to give you a good life. I won't let you down, no matter what.

"Thankfully, Mr. Larsen was generous. He didn't fire me. He even gave me a raise."

When Malcolm asked for my name, I felt a jolt in my chest.

But when I heard Shawn talking about resigning, I panicked.

"Isn't it your dream to work at Brightspire Capital? Why are you still so impulsive, Shawn? If you really quit, what am I supposed to tell Mom during the holidays?"

He held my hand as I fumed. "Don't be mad, Aubrey. It was my fault. I promise, I'll talk to you first next time."

Under the lights, his gaze was so sincere.

I choked out a laugh through my tears. "Idiot. Where else would I ever find another dummy like you?"

The whole love triangle thing was left unresolved, but I knew Madam Larsen wouldn't let it go that easily.

Sure enough, a few days later, Brightspire Capital organized a retreat, and spouses were allowed.

Shawn had only just joined the company, so by all logic, he shouldn't have been invited to a retreat meant for senior executives.

This was a trap laid specifically for me.

So, I applied the palest foundation I could find, dusted my face until I looked ghostly, and faked being sick to get out of going.

To make it convincing, I even hired a makeup artist to paint red blotches on my face to mimic an allergic reaction.

Then I video-called Shawn, feigning weakness as I told him I probably wouldn't make it.

He was so worried, he nearly skipped the retreat to come home and take care of me.

I had to text him afterward and tell him I was faking. Only then did he calm down.

But the damage was done. Word spread that I was ugly.

And just like that, my habit of staying home became the perfect excuse—people said I was too ashamed to show my face.

When Shawn heard the rumors, he cupped my cheeks and said, "Those idiots don't know you're the most beautiful woman in the world."

I was about to tease him for being so cheesy, but then he placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Aubrey, will you marry me? I've saved enough for the wedding parade and gifts."

There was a gentle and warm smile in his eyes.

It was contagious.

And then I heard myself say, "Okay."

Shawn went to the office to request wedding leave, but he didn't come back.

That night, I stood outside with a flashlight when a low-profile Maybach pulled into our yard.

A few towering men in black got out of the car.

Then came an elderly man with a kind smile. He said, "Mrs. Chavez, Mr. Chavez is drunk. We've come to escort you to him."

I instinctively covered my face. "My husband never drinks much. Why would he suddenly get drunk this time?"

The old man chuckled oddly. "That I don't know. I only know that if you don't come with us, Mr. Chavez won't be coming back."

As he spoke, he pulled out a silver ring. It was the one I had given Shawn.

My body went stiff as I clutched the flashlight tightly in my hand.

After what felt like forever, I heard myself say, "Take me."

The Larsen family had long-standing connections in the underworld.

I couldn't risk Shawn losing his career, or worse, his life, just for me.

But the one who wanted to see me wasn't Madam Larsen. It was Natasha.

Her beauty was marred only by the innocent confusion in her eyes. When she saw me, she looked disappointed.

She didn't recognize me. She didn't recognize the person who had lived her life for 18 years.

"Just as I thought. You look normal. I really don't get what Shawn sees in you. Whatever. Get rid of her cleanly.

"Return the ring to him quietly. Don't let him find out."

A cloth was pressed over my nose and mouth. I was dragged out.

"What now?"

"Take her to the Larsen orchard on Northridge and bury her."

"We'll use the back entrance."

My eyes widened. Why was it always the same place? Was I really going back to where it all began?

"Wasn't the back entrance sealed?"

"That's what makes it discreet."

"Stop yapping. Let's move."

I stumbled and was dragged along.

"We're here."

"Hurry and get her out."

Just then, I felt a hand tighten around my neck.

My instincts kicked in, and I struggled. Whoever it was wasn't used to this kind of thing, as his grip slipped.

"Who's there?"

A familiar voice made me pause mid-escape, and I was pinned down again.

"What is Mr. Larsen doing here?"

"It's fine. He'll be gone soon. Just hold her down."

For a moment, I wavered—torn between screaming for help and staying silent.

Then I heard, "Mr. Larsen, I've picked the best cherry blossoms. Thank you."

The words jolted me. All the fear, pain, and humiliation surged at once.

I couldn't hold back anymore. I thrashed violently.

"Shawn! Help me!"

Malcolm's body tensed. He turned around, stunned.

But before Shawn's voice could reach me, another hoarse voice came first. "Audrey, is that you?"

That sentence snapped me out of it, and I trembled.

He recognized me.

What should I do?

Just as my mind spiraled into chaos, a warm hand wrapped around mine.

"Apologies, Mr. Larsen. My wife is easily frightened."

Shawn's calm voice brought me back to earth.

"Let her speak."

Malcolm's voice was calm, but I knew he was angry.