Rachel Sanchez had married her best friend's older brother.

Last night, after three years of marriage, she finally shared a bed with her distant husband, Sebastian Faulkner, for the first time.

When she casually brought it up with her best friend, Jodie Faulkner, Jodie's face went pale and her eyes turned red before she stormed off.

The next day, Rachel stumbled upon a scene that left her completely stunned.

Inside the house, a party was going on, but in a secluded corner of the garden, Sebastian had Jodie pressed up against the wall.

He, usually composed and proud, now looked desperate, his voice low and pleading. "Jodie, I was drunk that night..."

Jodie's eyes were misty as she snapped, "Keep those filthy hands off me—they've been all over another woman.

"And you don't owe me any explanations about your sex life. I'm just your adopted sister!"

Sebastian's face turned ghostly pale, and his jaw tightened.

"Then why are you acting like this? You were the one who told me to marry her. You knew this day would come. It's only natural for a married couple to have sex."

As the conversation started to get too intimate, Rachel frowned.

Moments later, the sound of muffled sobs came through.

"Don't cry," Sebastian said, voice softening. "What's done is done. It was my fault. Punish me however you want."

Jodie grabbed his wrist and sank her teeth hard into his forearm.

He let out a low grunt but didn't push her away.

A row of deep and bloody bite marks quickly appeared on his strong forearm—like a branded mark at a ranch, silently announcing to the world that he was hers.

Sebastian understood all too well how possessive a woman in love could be. His breath hitched. He couldn't hold back and kissed her.

Caught up in their uncontrollable passion, he whispered between breaths, "You knew it—I only slept with her that night because I thought she was you."

In that instant, everything became painfully clear to Rachel.

She stood frozen, eyes wide, face pale, trembling uncontrollably.

Sebastian loved his adopted sister—her best friend!

She stumbled away, barely holding herself together, tears streaming down her face as if something inside her had shattered.

So that was why he had suddenly proposed all those years ago...

***

Rachel and Jodie were classmates in college and both served on the student council.

They did many things together, from attending classes to joining team dinners.

And every time they hung out, the same sleek black Maybach was parked outside.

Inside sat a sharply dressed man with a cold face. His eyes flickered toward them from time to time.

Later, Rachel found out he was Jodie's older brother, Sebastian.

Out of concern for his sister, he always waited for her at every gathering.

At first, Rachel thought he was being paranoid and weird. But over time, they began exchanging greetings. Then came the occasional conversation. Without realizing it, she had fallen for him—a man overprotective of his sister.

At every gathering, she'd step outside for some fresh air—just to have a brief word with him.

And just like that, she quietly loved him for five years.

She knew he was out of her league and never dared to hope for anything more.

But then news broke that he was about to marry for business reasons. That night, Jodie, having noticed Rachel's feelings, encouraged her to make a move.

"I would rather my brother marry you than some spoiled heiress. You'd surely have my back. But if he married that woman, I'd suffer."

With Jodie's encouragement, Rachel finally decided to give it a try.

That day, Jodie arranged for Sebastian and Rachel to be alone.

The atmosphere was warm. With her head bowed, Rachel confessed the love she had quietly held for five years.

Sebastian didn't look surprised. He simply bit down on a cigarette, his eyes locked on Jodie and her friends walking ahead.

Rachel's heart sank at his answer; she knew it wasn't going to happen.

As she tried to say something to lighten the mood, he said, "Okay. And my family's been pushing me hard. How about we apply for the marriage license tomorrow?"

Joy overwhelmed her. She said yes without any hesitation.

Looking back now, she could finally tell that something was off.

Sebastian's parents were strict and conservative. They would never allow him to be with his adopted sister. So he would have to marry someone else.

He had chosen Rachel over some spoiled heiress simply because Rachel was from an ordinary family and easy to push around.

That way, he could keep protecting the woman he really loved.

Sebastian loved Jodie deeply.

After three years of marriage, he still refused to be with Rachel, out of faithfulness to Jodie.

Rain poured from the sky, soaking Rachel to the bone, but she didn't feel the cold at all.

As passersby looked on in surprise, she walked slowly back, heartbroken.

Later that night, she contacted a lawyer and had a divorce agreement drawn up.

Just as the papers arrived, Sebastian came home.

He saw Rachel sitting on the couch, pale and empty-eyed, but he didn't say anything. He just walked past her into the bedroom.

Rachel stood up, slipped the agreement into a stack of documents, and handed them to him.

"Please sign these," she said, her tone as calm as ever.

Sebastian ignored her and began unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his lean, well-toned torso.

Seeing the faint red marks, Rachel instinctively turned her head away.

"Now, you are shy? Knock it off. You left these," he said before grabbing a clean shirt and putting it on. "You forced yourself on me while I was drunk. Quite a move for Harvard's famous beauty. Do all your admirers know about this?"

"It was you..." Rachel trailed off, giving up on explaining that he was the one who initiated it. She knew he wouldn't believe her.

Sebastian didn't stop. "You love me so much that you tell Jodie about that night? What? You want the whole world to know I slept with you? Would that finally make you happy?

"Thanks to you, Jodie nearly misunderstood me."

Rachel's eyes welled with tears, her grip tightening around the folder in her hands.

"We're legally married! It's perfectly natural for us to have sex. Why on earth would your sister misunderstand anything?" she wanted to retort.

But all she did was hold out the papers and say, "I'm sorry. It won't happen again. These documents are urgent."

Sebastian signed them with a quick flick of his wrist and tossed the pen at her.

"If it happens again, get out of this house!" he warned before walking out.

As he disappeared into the distance, Rachel finally whispered, "This is the last time, Sebastian."

She clutched the divorce agreement in her hands, tears streaming down her face.

In two weeks, once she had wrapped everything up, she would be out of his life for good.

In the days that followed, Sebastian vanished along with Jodie.

For nearly a week, Jodie filled her social media feed with updates of someone braving the rain to buy her favorite strawberry cake from Chicago, a 50-carat pink diamond, photos of fireworks lighting up the sky over Disneyland, and a picture of someone kneeling to help her try on shoes.

Her caption read, "Since someone ditched billions worth of business to bring me strawberry cake in the rain, I guess I'll be merciful and forgive him just this once."

Their old college friends flooded the comments, swooning over her mysterious, oh-so-devoted boyfriend.

But Rachel only needed one glance at the hands that appeared in those photos to know exactly who that "someone" was—Sebastian.

Her vision dimmed. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deeply into her palms.

She remembered now—when he had suggested skipping the wedding ceremony and going straight to the marriage license application, she hadn't argued. The only thing she had asked for was a short honeymoon. Just a weekend in a nearby city, a soak in a hot spring, a little hiking—anything.

But Sebastian had shot her down, saying he was too busy with work.

Now she realized that he wasn't too busy. She just wasn't worth the time.

That night, she packed up everything he had ever given her—handbags, earrings, even the few rare photos they had taken together—and tossed them out. The room, once filled with her quiet efforts and careful touches, now felt hollow and bare.

It should have felt like a loss. Instead, it felt like freedom.

Just as she was taking the last box out, Sebastian appeared behind her.

His eyes landed on the trash bin, and his brows drew together.

"Why are you throwing all this away?"

"They're old. It's time to replace them," she said flatly.

He didn't press further. Loosening his tie, he exhaled as though relieved.

"Go change. I need you to attend a charity gala with me tonight."

"I'm not feeling well. You'll have to go without me," she replied. It was the first time she had ever said no to him.

He just nodded, then reached out to touch her forehead.

"There's no fever. Did you take any medicine?"

Before she could answer, a sweet, chirpy voice floated in from outside the door.

"Rachel, are you done with your makeup? What dress are you wearing tonight?"

It was Jodie.

Sebastian immediately pulled back and glanced toward the door.

Rachel lowered her eyes. Her head buzzed. She could still feel the warmth of his palm on her skin.

When she looked up, his gaze had turned intense.

She followed his line of sight. Jodie stood there in a strapless pink pleated gown, her hair pinned up to reveal soft, porcelain shoulders. Her big eyes sparkled, and her glossy lips curved into a playful smile.

Sebastian's tone turned sharp. "Go change. That dress is completely inappropriate."

Jodie pouted and bounced over to him. "Come on. Don't be so uptight. This is the latest trend. It's called the innocent-but-sexy look. Don't I look cute?"

She clung to his arm, eyes wide with mock innocence.

"Innocent-but-sexy?" Sebastian scoffed. "You'll just attract a bunch of spoiled heirs dressed like that."

"Geez. What are you so worried about? Everyone in New York knows I've got the ultimate overprotective brother watching over me. With you around, who would dare come near?" She giggled, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Please, I promise I'll stay by your side the whole night, okay? Rachel, help me out here?"

Rachel said nothing. She didn't need to. Jodie's little performance had already softened him completely.

Sebastian gently tapped her forehead with his finger. "You always push the limit because your sister-in-law's got your back. Just this once. And you're sticking with me the entire night. Don't wander off."

"Yes, sir!" Jodie winked, all charm and mischief.

Rachel had the exact same dress tucked away in her closet—a "best friend dress" Jodie had gifted her.

A few days ago, on their wedding anniversary, she had dressed up with hopeful anticipation—only for Sebastian to ignore her completely.

So, he could get jealous. Just not over her.

Suddenly, Jodie turned her focus back to Rachel and asked, "Rachel, why haven't you changed yet?"

"I'm really not feeling well. I think I'll stay in," she said.

"What? I'll be the only girl there then. Come on, Rachel. Go with me. Besides, this will be the first time you and Sebastian attend a public event as a couple. It's the perfect opportunity to make an impression on the other families, right, Sebastian?"

He nodded without hesitation. "Just come and sit for a bit. You won't have to stay long."

Watching his attitude shift in an instant, Rachel felt a sharp stab in her chest.

Every time Jodie asked for something, he always said yes.

Rachel let out a soft sigh and turned back to change into her gown without another word.

The moment the Maybach pulled up at the hotel entrance, the manager came out to greet them.

Sebastian, Jodie, and Rachel were escorted to the most prestigious table. Theodore Faulkner and Alena Leonard, along with a crowd of relatives, had already taken their seats.

Even before the dinner officially began, guests started approaching to offer toasts. A group of wealthy young men came over with their parents, seizing the opportunity to introduce themselves and show their faces.

A few of them tried to invite Jodie to dance, but before she could even respond, Sebastian turned them down without hesitation.

His aunt frowned and spoke to him earnestly. "Sebastian, Jodie isn't a child anymore. It's time she started socializing. There are plenty of fine young men here tonight. Why not take this chance to look around and find someone suitable? If we keep waiting, she really might end up alone."

Sebastian's expression darkened, though he tried to keep his tone even. "She's still young. A few more years won't hurt. When the time comes, I'll personally choose someone for her."

The relatives weren't having it. They started chiming in one after another.

"Sebastian, we know you've always cared deeply for your sister, but you're a grown man now, and she's a grown woman. It's time to move on. No brother should be clinging to his sister like this!"

"Exactly! Jodie is 26 now—same age as Rachel—she's not that young anymore! Watching her best friend build a life with you while she's still alone, of course, she wants to settle down and start a family of her own too!"

As the crowd got more worked up, Jodie looked increasingly uncomfortable.

Suddenly, Sebastian stood up, his voice laced with poorly disguised anger. "I said I'll take care of her marriage. The rest of you absolutely do not need to interfere."

Everyone was stunned. Sebastian, who was always calm and composed, had just snapped in front of a room full of elders.

At that moment, the music in the ballroom changed. Theodore gave Alena a subtle look. She instantly understood and gently nudged Sebastian and Rachel toward the dance floor.

"Sebastian, Rachel, why don't the two of you go share a dance? With all the work lately, you haven't had much time alone together. Take tonight as a little moment for just the two of you. Show the younger ones what a good marriage looks like."

Just as they were about to politely decline, a spotlight suddenly snapped on, landing squarely on them.

The crowd on the dance floor parted to make way.

Sebastian bent down in a formal gesture of invitation. Rachel kept her expression neutral and placed her hand in his.

"Wow! They are perfect together! The cold campus beauty and the powerful CEO—it's like a real-life power couple straight out of a movie!"

"They're picture perfect."

"Straight out of a romance novel."

Amid all the admiration and envy, the two of them silently played along, acting out the fairytale romance everyone else believed in.

In the dim light, Sebastian glanced at Rachel again.

She looked stunning today, but her beauty was nothing like Jodie's.

Hers was quiet and understated, radiating the grace and elegance of a mature woman.

His eyes darkened as a memory surfaced—her face, flushed and trembling beneath him in the dark, so alluring it had shattered all his self-control. That night, he had lost it four times.

Almost without thinking, he leaned down and brushed a kiss against her forehead.

Then, out of nowhere, he stopped dancing. Rachel, caught off guard, accidentally stepped on his foot.

A second later, he dropped her hand and stormed off through the crowd, visibly seething.

Off to the side of the ballroom, Jodie was being held by a man. She was struggling to pull away, leaning back as far as she could. The man, clearly drunk and with bad intentions, was pressing in, groping her shamelessly.

Without a word, Sebastian yanked the man away and threw a punch that sent him crashing to the ground.

"Was it this hand that touched her?" Sebastian grabbed a knife from the table, aiming it at the man's palm.

A wave of panicked screams erupted around them.

Rachel rushed over, lifting her dress as she pulled Sebastian back.

Just then, the frightened punk shoved over the nearby table in a panic, trying to block him. Dishes and hot food went flying into the crowd.

Instinctively, Sebastian shielded Jodie.

Rachel, on the other hand, didn't have time to react. She was hit squarely by the mess. Scalding soup splashed down her arm, and in seconds, red blisters bubbled up on her delicate skin.

She let out a muffled cry and collapsed to the ground, a shard of glass embedding itself deep into her palm.

The pain tore through her nerves like fire.

When Rachel opened her eyes again, she found herself lying in a hospital bed.

The first thing she saw was Jodie dozing off in a chair beside her.

Standing behind her was Sebastian. His gaze was fixed tenderly on her face. He slipped off his jacket and draped it gently over Jodie's shoulders. Just as he reached out to tuck her in, his eyes suddenly met Rachel's open ones.

His hand froze midair for a moment before he slowly drew it back without a word. Instead of offering an explanation, he simply turned and walked out to call the doctor.

Jodie stirred and sat up, her voice laced with sleep. "Rachel? You're awake? Are you okay?"

Rachel nodded weakly.

Jodie let out a breath of relief. "You scared me. You were bleeding so much last night. The cut was so deep, I could see the white fat underneath. My heart almost stopped.

"Ugh! It's all that punk's fault—always getting handsy and acting inappropriately! But honestly, none of this would have happened if Dad hadn't started pushing for marriage."

Rachel opened her mouth to speak, but Sebastian had already returned with the doctor.

The doctor stepped forward to check her injuries.

Just then, Jodie's phone rang. The screen lit up with one word—"Dad."

It was probably another call about her matchmaking progress.

Her face stiffened, and she threw a panicked glance at Sebastian.

He frowned deeply, took the phone from her, and left the room without a word. Jodie, worried something might be wrong, hurried after him.

Meanwhile, the doctor finished examining Rachel and handed her a slip for a full-body scan downstairs.

As she approached the stairwell, a familiar voice echoed down the hall.

"Jodie, I don't care what Mom and Dad think. I won't let you marry anyone. You're mine. Even if it means giving up everything from the Faulkner family, I don't care!"

"And what about Rachel?" Jodie's voice cracked with emotion. "She's your wife and my best friend. Can you really say you're being fair to her?"

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked at him.

Sebastian grabbed her shoulders. His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was hoarse and desperate as he said, "If you really cared about her, why did you force me to marry her? You knew that I've only ever loved you. Jodie, are you trying to drive me insane?"

His words came out raw, agonizing.

And then, like a lion finally giving in to its instincts, he kissed her fiercely.

Jodie stumbled back against the wall under the force of it, too shaken to resist, and then, gradually, she surrendered.

Muted moans and soft gasps followed.

Rachel turned and walked away.

***

It rained for three straight days in New York. Rachel stayed in the hospital the entire time.

On the day she was discharged, Sebastian came to pick her up himself.

He didn't get out of the car. The door opened automatically, and she quietly slid inside.

The man who had been all warmth and tenderness with Jodie was nowhere to be found now.

He glanced sideways at her and asked, almost perfunctorily, "Does it still hurt?"

She shook her head and didn't reply.

The engine roared to life, and the car sped forward. Silence filled the space between them until Sebastian finally spoke again. "We've been married for years. If something's bothering you, you can just say it."

He said it like a man negotiating a deal—detached and composed.

Rachel's heart had long since gone cold. She turned her face toward the window. "It's fine. Just focus on driving."

What was there left to talk about?

She had already seen the truth—he didn't love her.

That night, she lay awake for hours. It wasn't until dawn that she finally drifted into a light sleep.

When she woke again, sunlight was already pouring through the windows.

And standing at the edge of her bed was Sebastian's tall, sharp figure, facing the vanity.

In the reflection, she saw his cold profile, lips pressed together as he quietly sipped coffee and flipped through one of her poetry books.

A moment later, Sebastian finally noticed Rachel through the mirror.

"You're awake?" he said casually, his focus still on the poetry book. "I didn't expect you to be into this kind of stuff."

Maybe he had forgotten—or maybe his assistant had picked it out—but the book in his hands was actually a birthday gift he had given her back in college. Over the years, she had pored over it countless times, its pages now filled with her meticulous notes.

She changed the subject. "Are you not going to work today?"

"No." He strolled over at a leisurely pace, one hand in his pocket. "It's been hectic lately, and I haven't really had time for you. I thought we could take a break today and go to that amusement park you've mentioned before."

Rachel frowned slightly, uncertain of his intentions.

Before she could react, they were already outside the amusement park.

The manager rolled out the VIP treatment. Every ride was cleared for their use.

Sebastian held her hand as they rode the carousel and braved the roller coaster. On the drop tower, both of them instinctively squeezed their eyes shut. At some point, Rachel accidentally grabbed his hand. When she realized it, she quickly let go. Sebastian stared at his hand, his expression unreadable.

Their final stop was the Ferris wheel.

It rose slowly, distancing them from the ground below. The buildings and people all became tiny, like specks of dust. The evening sky was splashed with the colors of sunset, casting a golden glow on everything. Then, fireworks exploded in the distance, lighting up the skyline in bursts of color.

Sebastian snapped a photo, then started typing quickly on his phone.

The screen showed his chat with Jodie.

Attached was a photo of the Ferris wheel against the sunset and fireworks with a caption–"It's beautiful. I miss you."

Rachel bit back the sting in her chest and turned to look out the window.

As a child, she had heard that the Ferris wheel was also called the "wheel of happiness." If one rode it with someone they loved, happiness would follow.

For a long time, even during the three years of her marriage, riding a Ferris wheel with Sebastian had been a dream she stubbornly held onto.

But here she was, finally at the highest point in the sky, and still so far from happiness.

By the time they got off, night had fallen.

Sebastian had made a reservation at a Michelin-starred restaurant. On the way, he casually said, "Jodie is getting her nails done nearby. I figured I'd ask her to join us for dinner."

Whether it was really an afterthought or something he had planned all along, Rachel no longer cared enough to guess.

She gave a faint "okay," and not long after, Jodie walked in.

"Rachel, how did Sebastian do today?"

She forced a small smile. "He did fine."

"I knew you'd like it." Jodie beamed. "You've seemed really down lately, so I told him to spend more time with you. He's kind of cold and awkward. He never really gets what women are thinking. You'll have to be patient with him."

Rachel froze. So everything he had done today hadn't come from him at all. It was because Jodie asked.

Even the last bit of hope she had been holding onto crumbled.

The rest of the meal was tasteless, like chewing wax.

Later, the restaurant put on a flaming culinary show. Jodie was thrilled, dragging Sebastian to the front to watch. Feeling drained, Rachel excused herself and slipped away to the restroom.

When she came back out, the place was in chaos.

People were screaming, rushing toward the exits. Confused, she paused and then caught the thick, acrid scent of smoke.

"Fire! Somebody help!"

Her heart dropped. She turned to leave, but then remembered that Sebastian and Jodie were still in the private room.

Ignoring the danger, she pushed against the panicked crowd and fought her way back inside.

Just as she reached the door, she saw Sebastian shielding Jodie with his body, guiding her toward safety.

"Sebastian, Rachel is still in the restroom. She doesn't know about the fire! Go help her. I'll be fine on my own!"

"No! You're coming with me first."

His voice was strained, urgent. But Jodie wouldn't let up.

"I'll be okay. Get Rachel. She's your wife. If something happens to her tonight, how will you explain it to her parents?"

Sebastian stopped and looked at her, voice hoarse and sharp with desperation. "Jodie, listen to me. I don't care what happens to her or what her parents think. I just need you to be safe. If she makes it out, good for her. If not, it's not our problem. You're the only one I care about. Nothing else matters."

Every word cut into Rachel like a blade.

She bit down on her lip, fists clenched at her sides. She did not dare to make a sound.

She stood frozen until the two of them disappeared into the distance.

Then the rushing crowd surged forward, knocking her off her feet. She hit the ground hard, and before she could react, the panicked crowd trampled over her without a second thought.

A searing pain tore through her back, nearly knocking her unconscious.

The flames were closing in, creeping toward her.

She forced herself up, clutching her mouth and nose, steadying against the wall as she stumbled out.

By the time she made it outside, barely holding herself together, she saw Sebastian in the distance. He was kneeling on one knee, gently massaging Jodie's leg.

The sight made Rachel's nose sting as tears welled in her eyes.

She glanced down at the bruises covering her arm and let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

Rachel sent Sebastian a text message to let him know she was safe, then returned to the Faulkner family's residence alone.

The near-death experience changed both groups of people.

On one side were Sebastian and Jodie, who seemed more certain of each other and began brazenly flirting in public.

Years ago, New York's elite had been full of speculation about this pair of step-siblings.

The rumors only died down after Sebastian got married.

Now, because of their unusual behavior, the old wealthy family's scandalous secret was being dug up again.

Naturally, this news reached Rachel's ears too.

But after that fire, she had completely given up hope.

Every day, she turned a deaf ear to the outside world, focusing only on packing her belongings and managing her finances, planning her departure.

Her days passed in an orderly fashion.

That evening, the butler rushed in looking panicked and terrified.

"Mrs. Faulkner, please save Mr. Faulkner! His father is about to beat him to death!"

Rachel was slightly stunned, but still didn't stop what she was doing.

In the car, the butler tearfully explained what had happened.

Sebastian had gotten into a fight and nearly killed someone.

The other person was lying unconscious in the ICU, and his family had taken the matter online.

When they arrived at the old mansion, Sebastian was lying on the ground covered in blood, with Jodie crying and screaming beside him.

Crack! The bodyguard's whip struck Sebastian hard, leaving another bloody wound!

With the butler pushing her forward, Rachel walked over in a daze.

"Dad, stop hitting him. Let's talk things through."

Seeing Rachel plead for him, Theodore calmed down a bit.

"Rachel, I'm sorry to trouble you. You need to discipline this beast you call your husband more."

Then he pointed at Sebastian and cursed, "It's one thing for you to get married, but how could you be so reckless and say those things, ruining your sister's reputation?"

Only then did Rachel learn that a male student, believing the rumors, had questioned whether Sebastian and Jodie's relationship was real.

Sebastian, in his anger, had replied, "So what if it is? So what if it isn't?"

This response spread online and caused even more malicious interpretations.

After the punishment, Jodie was grounded, and Sebastian remained unconscious with a high fever.

Rachel took care of him alone.

At midnight, she sat by Sebastian's bedside, so tired she could barely keep her eyes open.

Every three hours, she changed his dressings and checked his condition.

Sebastian didn't wake up until the third night.

His face was pale, his lips cracked. Rachel was nodding off with her head propped up.

Sebastian stayed silent for a long time before shaking awake the dozing Rachel.

"Rachel, let's live a good life together, okay?"

Rachel was half-asleep but was shocked by these words. She bit her lip and didn't respond.

Everyone thought he had turned over a new leaf.

From that day on, Sebastian came home right after work, bringing roses and Cartier diamond necklaces, treating Rachel with extra tenderness and care.

The Faulkner family also struck while the iron was hot, pressuring them even harder to have children.

It seemed they absolutely had to use a baby to silence all the gossip.

They busily arranged 99 doses of traditional medicine for Rachel to regulate her body, replaced her regular meals with special nutritional ones, and even hired a yoga instructor to help her exercise.

She always remained silent.

That night, Rachel lay in bed. Half-asleep, she felt the bed dip down.

Then a large body pulled her into an embrace.

She instinctively struggled but was held tightly by strong, powerful arms.

"Rachel, it's me."

The voice came with warm breath against Rachel's ear.

"Rachel, you love me, don't you?" Sebastian's voice carried a hint of seduction and certainty.

For some reason, this question made Rachel's heart sink.

She shook her head in denial.

In the darkness, the man chuckled softly.

"Liar."

The next moment, she was pinned beneath Sebastian, covered with dense, intoxicated kisses.

It wasn't until his burning heat pressed against her cold skin that Rachel suddenly came fully awake.

"Sebastian, let me go!"

Seeing him continue to entangle her, Rachel struggled even more violently.

"Don't do this. I know you and Jodie..."

At the mention of that name, Sebastian froze, his grip tightening.

"What about me and her?" His voice also dropped lower. "Do you believe what the outsiders are saying, too?"

Rachel gritted her teeth, her eyes ice-cold to the extreme.

She didn't believe what outsiders were spreading—she had seen it with her own eyes.

"Rachel." Sebastian Faulkner suddenly rushed in. "You've disappointed me so much."

Sebastian lowered his head to sniff her slender neck, his movements becoming increasingly fierce.

The waves of sharp pain from below felt like tearing. Rachel clenched her teeth, refusing to make a single sound.

In their struggle, she suddenly remembered how Sebastian looked the first time she met him.

White shirt, black pants, surrounded by cigarette smoke, a pair of eternally lonely eyes gazing sadly at Jodie, who was laughing loudly in the crowd.

And then there was Rachel.

She had been foolish, not realizing that her feelings were one-sided, yet she stubbornly inserted herself into their love story.

***

Half an hour later, Sebastian walked out without saying a word.

Rachel's mind was completely blank as she forced herself to sit up.

She was about to go to the pharmacy for emergency contraceptives and painkillers, but as she passed Sebastian's study, she heard his voice.

"Yeah, it's already taken care of.

"Only did it once, don't worry, she can get pregnant. Didn't you get pregnant after just once, too?

"Mm, I didn't kiss her."

Then his voice dropped even lower.

"I've arranged all the procedures for going abroad. The environment there is good, and the medical conditions are excellent. You can rest assured and take care of the pregnancy there.

"Jodie, I've planned it all out. After Rachel's child is born, I'll have our child take its place, then find an excuse to divorce her. By then, our child will become the rightful heir of the Faulkner family, and we can continue to be together."

Rachel leaned against the cold wall, her body trembling uncontrollably.

So that was it!

It wasn't because he feared outside rumors, nor was Sebastian turning over a new leaf.

It was because Jodie was pregnant!

She, Rachel, had been nothing but a cover for their love from beginning to end.

He had even planned it all out—to use her completely and then abandon her entirely!

***

On the last day, Rachel sent her luggage to the airport by courier early in the morning.

Just as she was about to go downstairs and leave, she ran into Jodie.

She still greeted Rachel warmly, but Rachel had no mood to socialize with her.

Jodie's face turned pale as she asked anxiously, "Rachel, are you also believing those online rumors? None of that is true! We're friends, Sebastian is my brother—how could I possibly do such a thing?"

"Jodie!" Rachel said through gritted teeth. "From today on, we're no longer friends."

Rachel walked forward, and Jodie followed to explain, but her foot slipped and she tumbled down the stairs.

"Ah!" Jodie cried out.

In the moment of danger, she reached out and grabbed Rachel's arm.

Rachel lost her footing and fell directly onto Jodie.

Sebastian came running at the sound and saw what looked like Rachel elbowing Jodie.

"Jodie!" Sebastian rushed over and yanked Rachel away.

He held the unconscious Jodie in his arms, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Rachel.

"Rachel, you actually dared to push her?!"

"I didn't."

"You still dare to argue?!" Sebastian roared. "Take her downstairs and teach her a lesson."

***

With that, Sebastian carried Jodie away.

Rachel was roughly dragged away by the bodyguards.

Slap! Slap! Slap! One strike, then another.

Rachel curled up on the cold ground, blood soaking through her clothes.

She couldn't feel the pain anymore, only cold—bone-piercing cold.

After the bodyguards left, Rachel rested for a while, then endured the pain and escaped from the villa.

Every step away was particularly difficult.

But every step was also quite determined.

It wasn't until she boarded the plane and watched the city become tiny outside the window that Rachel finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She closed her eyes slightly and silently thought to herself.

"Sebastian, I'm done with this act."