Everyone in the Special Police Unit knew that Jacob Stinson was the most professional crisis negotiator. He could dismantle someone's psychological defenses in a life-or-death standoff. But when faced with Allison Eslinger's tears, he was completely helpless.

People often said he loved Allison so deeply, like he wanted to give her the moon and stars.

But only Allison knew his heart had always belonged to someone else.

The day that his beloved crush returned to the States, Allison got the news of his accident on a stormy night. Panicked, she rushed out into the rain, only to be caught in a crash halfway there, losing the baby she'd carried for four months.

Jacob arrived in a panic, straight from his beloved crush's welcome party. His voice shook as he said, "It was just a drunk joke. Why did you take it seriously?"

Even though she was hurting badly, he added in a serious tone, "Maybe it's better this way. You know how dangerous my job is. I've made enemies. If they found out about the baby, they'd use it against me."

The words cut through Allison like a blade, but she couldn't find the words to argue back.

Ten days after his beloved crush had returned, she caught them in a room together, behaving intimately.

Jacob held her hand and, with tears in his eyes, said, "Allison, you have to believe me. We're just colleagues, talking over a case, that's all."

She didn't say anything. She simply turned and walked away.

Sixty days after that woman came back, a kidnapper put a blade to Allison's neck and laughed at Jacob.

"Mr. Stinson, you can only save one, your wife or your mistress!"

Jacob looked upset, but he spoke slowly and clearly, "Sadie is a tech expert who just returned from studying abroad. We need her on the police unit."

Just like that, Allison saw Sadie Lawler rush into his arms while the kidnapper lost control and stabbed her six times.

She barely survived. After lying unconscious for two months, the first thing she did when she woke up was bring their marriage certificate to the courthouse and apply for a divorce.

But she never got to the cooling-off period. Instead, the staff looked puzzled and asked her, "Ms. Eslinger, you and Mr. Stinson... have never been legally married. Is this marriage certificate fake?"

Allison thought she was hearing things. The marriage certificate she had cherished for six years, the marriage she thought was real, turned out to be fake.

"No way. Please check again... we've been married for six years..."

The staff looked a bit uncomfortable but still double-checked the records. After going over it a few times, he looked at Allison seriously and said, "Ms. Eslinger, faking a legal document is against the law. I'll just pretend I didn't see this today."

She stood there in a daze, her eyes fixed on the names printed on the marriage certificate. Suddenly, it all felt like a joke.

Now that Sadie had come back, everything made sense.

To keep things hidden while waiting for his beloved crush, Jacob had faked a marriage with her.

When she returned to the hospital, Jacob walked towards her with concern on his face. "Allison, you're still recovering. Why did you leave your room?"

She pulled her arm away and walked past him without saying a word.

He stood there in shock. "Are you still upset with me? You know, ever since I chose this job, I've had to put the country and public safety before everything else... Besides, Sadie ended up hurt because she was trying to protect you."

She stared at the man she had shared her life with for six long years. Somehow, he felt like a total stranger.

Yes, it all made sense now. She had never really known who he was at all.

"Yeah, she got hurt, she's a brave person, and I'm just someone who doesn't appreciate anything."

Allison gripped the marriage certificate hidden in her pocket, her eyes stinging.

She thought to herself, "Jacob, what do I even mean to you? Just a way to pass the time while you wait for Sadie to come back?"

Without looking back, Allison turned away and headed back to her hospital room.

She drifted off into a deep sleep from exhaustion and didn't wake until late in the day. Not long after, an officer who had come with Jacob brought her some food.

But instead of leaving right away, the officer stood awkwardly by the door. After a while, he finally spoke, clenching his jaw, "Allison, you shouldn't be mad at Jacob. You've always had a bias against us police officers!"

Before she could respond, he got even more emotional.

"Yes, Ms. Lawler made a serious mistake during the mission to rescue your mother, but we're not superheroes. We put ourselves in danger to help, but we can't guarantee every hostage will come out safe!

"You can't hold it all against her because of that one tragedy. That's unfair. And after what happened, Ms. Lawler was severely disciplined and sent abroad. She worked hard to fix her mistake. She only got to return after she made a great contribution."

Allison's head suddenly felt like it was spinning.

Six years ago, her mother had been caught in a bank robbery and held hostage.

During the conversation with the robber, a young female negotiator acted impulsively and made the robber angry, leading to her mother's death...

Later on, Allison found out that the young negotiator had been disciplined, and the government had given her family money as compensation. It was around that time when Jacob suddenly showed up in her life.

So... Sadie was the negotiator from back then.

And all along, Jacob was trying to make up for someone else's mistake.

Allison couldn't process anything anymore. She didn't even notice when the officer had left the hospital room.

She didn't know how long she'd been sitting there, completely lost in thought. Eventually, she picked up her phone and called someone.

When the person answered, her voice was steady, almost too calm.

"I accepted the transfer order. I'm ready to move out at any time."

The strong disinfectant scent in the hospital made Allison feel sick. Ignoring the doctor's advice, she signed the discharge document and left early.

Her phone buzzed over and over. When she checked, it was Jacob calling.

She didn't feel like talking to him, so she ended the call and blocked his number right away.

Once she returned home, she began searching the entire house.

She found their engagement ring inside a velvet box, a personalized music box decorated with tiny bride and groom figurines, a thick diary full of their old messages, and wedding photos still hanging on the wall.

Allison stood silently for a moment, then placed everything into the box. After that, she tossed it all in the trash.

It felt like a burden she had carried for years had finally been lifted.

She scrolled through the sweet photos on her phone, each one capturing moments filled with joy.

They had flour on their faces while baking together, kissed at the top of a Ferris wheel—scenes full of laughter and love.

Looking at the photos, she began deleting them one at a time. With each swipe, it felt like a sharp pain in her chest. A cruel reminder that the more beautiful it once was, the more fake it all turned out to be.

Suddenly, she heard the front door creak open. Jacob came in quickly, his expression tense.

When his eyes met hers, he let out a breath of relief.

"Allison, why didn't you pick up?" I called you 54 times," he asked, his voice low and intense.

She froze for a second. She hadn't picked up the call simply because his number was already blocked. There was no way she could've answered it.

"Why did you leave the hospital?" Jacob marched toward her and grabbed her wrist roughly. "Do you know how scared I was when you were gone? I thought you..."

He stopped himself and closed his eyes tightly.

Allison's brows pulled together, and she spoke with a cold tone, "Let go. You're hurting me."

But Jacob didn't release her. His eyes flicked toward the empty wall, and a storm of emotions flashed across his face.

"Why did you take down our wedding photos? You're still upset, aren't you? Allison, you knew what kind of person I was. I didn't do this for myself. I did it for the country! We need Sadie right now, she can't be caught up in problems..."

"That's enough. I'm tired of your excuses." Allison pulled her arm away.

A fake marriage certificate wouldn't fool anyone. Neither would his fake concern for Sadie. She wasn't that naive anymore.

Jacob looked at her, disappointment filling his eyes. "Allison, you've changed."

Allison almost laughed. Yes, she had changed because she had finally stopped being foolish.

"But I need you to know that you're the one I love the most. I don't know how to live without you, I can't..." Jacob's eyes turned red with emotion. Without warning, he rushed forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Allison.

She struggled to break free, but he ignored her completely. Suddenly, he shoved her onto the bed and pulled out a pair of silver handcuffs from his pocket, locking her wrist to the headboard!

Allison's eyes went wide with shock. "Jacob, have you lost your mind?!"

He shot back, "The only time I lose my mind is when I can't find you!"

Jacob leaned in closer and suddenly kissed her irrationally. "Allison, please don't be mad at me..."

The moment he touched her, Allison felt her stomach turn with disgust.

She swung her free hand and slapped him hard across the face.

Smack!

Jacob froze in place. Allison was breathing hard, her eyes red. "Get out! Who gave you permission to touch me?"

"I..."

Before he could finish, his phone rang loudly. He looked at the screen, and his expression shifted instantly.

Without another word, Jacob got up and rushed out of the room.

"Allison, wait for me. I've got something urgent. I'll be right back..."

And just like that, he disappeared.

The room was left in silence except for Allison's shaky breathing. She tried to move, but the handcuffs dug into her wrists, turning them red.

The movement reopened some of the unhealed wounds on her body, causing a sharp pain to shoot through her. It took her a while to catch her breath again. Her lips trembled, and tears rolled down without a sound.

As the sky darkened, the man who said he'd return soon never came. Her phone was still lying on the sofa.

Allison tried to pick the lock with a hairpin, attempted to drag the bedpost, and even tried to break the headboard, but nothing worked.

Even worse, she began to feel dizzy, the pain from her wounds tortured her, and she couldn't stop feeling hungry. She lay in bed, hurting and weak.

Time passed, day turned to night, and back to day again.

Jacob never returned, not even after an entire day and night had passed.

While unconscious, Allison had a dream about the day Jacob proposed to her.

Back then, his eyes were full of warmth. He stared into her eyes and said in a low voice, "A negotiator's main rule is to stay calm, but ever since I got to know you, I break that rule all the time."

He slipped the ring onto her hand with care, his actions full of love, and kissed her as if she meant the world to him.

Could it all really have been a lie?

A sudden spasm twisted through her stomach. Her mind blurred, drifting in and out between agony and consciousness, and for a fleeting moment, she truly thought her end was near...

Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang, and Jacob's panicked voice filled the air. "Allison!"

The handcuffs clattered as he rushed to undo them. Soon, she was in his arms, and he carried her out, his steps frantic.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry!"

His voice was shaky, like he was crying. As he placed Allison in the car, he said in fear, "I didn't mean to forget... Allison, please wake up..."

***

When Allison opened her eyes again, the soft white lights of the hospital greeted her.

It was her third time in the hospital within a few short months. All because of the man she had once loved with all her heart.

He always claimed he loved her, yet he kept causing her pain.

Her head throbbed badly, and the moment she barely moved her fingers, someone quickly held onto them.

"Allison? Are you feeling unwell anywhere else?" Jacob's voice sounded rough and full of concern.

As soon as she heard his voice, she yanked her hand away, but the sudden motion tugged at her wound, making her gasp in pain.

"Don't move!"

Jacob instantly reached out to steady her shoulders, and she noticed his bloodshot eyes.

Without a second thought, Allison raised her hand and slapped him with all her strength.

Sadly, she was too weak to make the slap very strong.

Still, her hand landed on his head.

"Nice hit." He turned back toward her with a slight smile, one side of his face turning pink. "I deserve that.

"You can hit me more, as long as it helps you feel better..."

Allison's voice was dry and raspy. "I don't want to see you again."

Jacob's expression froze. He quickly grabbed her hand and spoke gently, "Please don't say that... I was wrong. I had to take on an urgent mission, and the negotiations ran for a full day and night. Can you forgive me?"

Allison closed her eyes. What she wanted to say was that she saw the truth—it was Sadie who had called. And because of that one call, he had left her behind and chained her to the bed for an entire day and night.

How could she possibly forgive that?

Allison lifted her arm and saw that the marks from the handcuffs had turned a deep purple, looking awful.

Her eyes filled with tears. "Jacob, you've never treated me like this before."

His expression shifted. "Lately, you've been upset with me because of Sadie. I was frustrated and scared."

Allison asked quietly, "Then why do you keep doing things that make me upset?"

He didn't reply right away. After a while, his voice sounded heavy with emotion. "Allison, please don't let your emotions cloud everything. We're just colleagues, and we've got an important mission to complete..."

"You can go now. I want to sleep," she cut in, her voice flat.

He responded, "Alright, I'll stay nearby in case you need anything."

The next day, she was discharged from the hospital, and Jacob remained close to her the whole time. For the next seven days, he barely left, helping her with her bandages and meals, never once losing his temper, even when she ignored him.

Still, Allison noticed he often stepped out onto the balcony to talk on the phone. His face always lit up with a soft smile.

She already knew who he was speaking to, which only made her heart hurt even more.

Three days after she came back home, Sadie moved in, right next door.

After that, Jacob began splitting the food he made into two servings—one for her and one for Sadie. And every time, he stayed to eat with Sadie, never leaving until she'd finished.

Every time he came home and saw Allison, he would say, "Just following orders. We were reviewing the mission plan."

But the joyful expression on his face, the one he hadn't managed to hide yet, made Allison's heart sink.

Jacob had always tried, whether on purpose or not, to keep her from bumping into Sadie. But that day, he dressed neatly and suddenly said, "Today's our anniversary. I got cruise tickets and prepared a candlelight dinner."

Allison wanted to turn him down, but he dragged her outside, where Sadie was already waiting.

"Hi, Allison! You don't mind me being a third wheel, do you?"

Sadie grinned playfully, sticking out her tongue with a cute look.

Jacob chuckled and said, "Sadie wants to experience a cruise for the first time. We happened to have an extra ticket, so why not all go together? Allison, you don't mind... do you?"

Allison let out a cold laugh and lowered her gaze. "Of course not."

What right did she have to mind?

Their marriage was just a lie, a carefully constructed scam.