On Sophia Williams's 999th trip to the bar to beg Alexander Brown to come home, she accidentally overheard a conversation between his close friends outside the private room.

"Alexander, you've got tricks, faking amnesia from a car accident, so you can play around outside, and Sophia can't do anything about it even if she doesn't want to."

"Now you've got one at home and one outside, living the good life."

"I just wonder if that silly Sophia can find out?"

Hearing the last sentence, Alexander's expression finally changed a bit, and he put down the glass he'd been rubbing.

"What?"

"Feel sorry for her?"

"Or... want her?"

With just a look from him, the underling who'd been joking around immediately knelt on the ground, trembling as he explained.

"Alexander, I... I didn't mean that, how dare I touch your woman..."

"If you like her, take her and play with her however you want."

Alexander sat on the sofa, his gaze cold. His tone when dismissing Sophia was as casual as if he were conducting a routine transaction.

Outside the door, Sophia felt her body go numb. Her heart clenched with a violent sense of loss.

"Playing with a woman for nearly ten years, it's time to get bored."

"I'm still willing to fake amnesia, giving her a way out; she'll eventually can't stand it and divorce me."

Sophia didn't have the courage to listen to what Alexander said next.

She ran all the way home in one breath, vomiting into the toilet for a long time, only stopping when tears blurred her vision.

She never thought the person she'd loved for so many years was such a scumbag.

Since he could fake amnesia and deceive her feelings, she knew it was time to leave with dignity.

Sophia took out her phone, called a professional fake death agency, and straightforwardly confirmed her request with them.

"Ms. Williams, your fake death service will take effect in two weeks; please give us a five-star review after it's done."

After hanging up, Sophia sat in the living room, looking closely at her and Alexander's wedding home for the first time.

As soon as Sophia agreed to Alexander's proposal, he immediately spent a fortune to hire a French designer, working overtime to decorate the wedding home.

Every detail was tailored to Sophia's preferences.

Even now, Sophia remembers how Alexander meticulously thought of everything.

"Sophia, from now on, this will be ours—a home for just you and me."

It felt like their beautiful moments were still vivid in her mind.

But only a few months later, the man who treasured her like a jewel actually said to give her away to be played with.

Before Sophia could snap out of her emotions, she heard the sound of unlocking at the door.

Alexander was cuddling a young girl in his arms, occasionally lowering his head to tease her.

As if he couldn't see Sophia in the living room.

Until when the young girl Emma Walker saw Sophia and got startled, Alexander lazily lifted his eyelids to glance at her.

At the appearance of a strange woman, Emma broke free from Alexander's arms and questioned him.

"Alexander, aren't you single?"

"Then who is this woman in your house at midnight?"

Sophia also stood there, just wanting to know what status Alexander would give her.

The man sandwiched between them pinched the bridge of his nose:

"Just an arranged marriage partner chosen by my family, holding the title of Mrs. Brown."

"Why bother with her? She's not worthy of comparison to you. You're the only one I truly love."

As he spoke, he tried to touch Emma.

Though she'd known the answer, hearing it aloud still felt like a physical blow.

Sophia bitterly mocked herself inside—ten years together meant nothing to Alexander, eclipsed by some newcomer.

Emma slapped his hand away, shattering the intimate atmosphere:

"Mr. Brown, since you have a wife, I won't be the homewrecker and destroy your family."

"Let's not meet again."

"And I refuse to let your wife get hurt because of me."

Without giving Alexander a chance to respond, she turned and left.

Only Alexander and Sophia were left at home, staring at each other.

Alexander irritably ran his fingers through his hair:

"From today on, you're not allowed to set foot in this house again."

Sophia, unwilling to accept this, began to plead with the man before her, trying to awaken his last bit of love:

"Alexander, this is our marital home, designed specifically for me. Why can't I be here?"

"Do you really not remember anything?"

She emphasized the word 'really', but you can never wake someone who's pretending to be asleep.

"Who do you think you are?

Get out now."

"Because of you, Emma is mad at me. You have to win her back for me."

"You can only leave when Emma becomes the lady of this house again."

Sophia felt a pang of distress in her chest. The man who used to only make her laugh was now making her win over another woman at midnight.

Her heart felt like it was being squeezed, leaving her speechless.

Alexander, seeing her unmoved, took out his phone and played a live surveillance video.

In the video, Sophia's parents were tied to chairs, their mouths covered with tape.

The elderly couple struggled but couldn't make a sound.

Guards stood around them, and upon closer look, a bomb with a countdown timer was tied to the chair.

The moment she saw the bomb, Sophia went crazy, crawling to Alexander and kneeling before him, pleading tearfully:

"I beg you, don't hurt my parents."

"We're married, they're your parents too. Don't be so heartless..."

Alexander lifted her chin, forcing Sophia to look him in the eye:

"My parents are prominent figures in the business elite circle."

"Where did these country bumpkins come from? They don't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as my parents."

Sophia's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, remembering when Alexander was pursuing her, holding her hand:

"Sophia, once we're married, we'll bring your parents to live with us."

"Thanks to them for giving me such a wonderful wife."

It turned out he had never respected her.

With only three hours left before the bomb exploded, the numbers on the timer kept decreasing.

Sophia's heart grew more and more anxious.

"Still not willing to win Emma back?"

"Your parents have less than three hours left. If anything happens, it'll be your fault."

Sophia knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly to Alexander, trying to awaken his last shred of conscience:

"They're the people I care about most. Please don't hurt them, okay?"

Because she had been crying for so long, she could barely catch her breath as she spoke.

Alexander stepped on Sophia's shoulder with his leather shoe, looking down at her disdainfully:

"Emma is also the person I care about most."

"Win her back, and your parents will be safe. Be good."

Alexander's words were like arsenic coated in sugar.

After pretending to have amnesia from the car accident for so long, the first kind words Alexander said to Sophia were still to win another woman back.

Sophia lowered her head and smiled self-deprecatingly, then the phone screen appeared before her:

"If you hesitate any longer, your parents won't hold on."

The veiled threat in his words was unmistakable. Begging him here was pointless; going straight to Emma was the better move.

Sophia pushed herself up from the floor, wiping the tears streaked her face. She grabbed her car keys, got in the car, and took off.

One call to her private investigator later, Emma's address popped up on her phone.

Sophia stared at the upscale apartment complex, suddenly remembering Alexander had mentioned buying a place a few days ago—specifically to grow rare chrysanthemums.

Turned out, the "rare chrysanthemum" was Emma.

In his heart, Emma was pure and flawless.

Sophia wasted no time. When she appeared before Emma, the woman was too stunned to speak.

No time for explanations. Sophia grabbed Emma's arm and pulled her downstairs.

Emma struggled violently, her voice sharp with rage:

"Are you helping your husband find a mistress?

"Are you really this shameless?

This disgusting?"

Sophia's heart clenched at the words.

Emma yanked her arm free.

"I'd never be the homewrecker—some rich man's plaything for kicks.

"My upbringing forbids such behavior."

She finished with a contemptuous sweep of her eyes over Sophia.

Sophia pulled up the signed divorce agreement on her phone, pleading:

"I'm divorcing Alexander immediately. Our marriage has been dead for years.

"Once we're divorced, you won't be the mistress. You'll be the rightful Mrs. Brown.

"Please, just come back with me now?"

Tears welled in Sophia's eyes.

Emma remained skeptical, thrusting her phone forward:

"Record a guarantee video. So you can't back out later and blame me for ruining your marriage.

"After all, I'm not that kind of woman."

Sophia checked the time—forty minutes left.

Getting home would take an hour even flooring the gas.

Without hesitation, she recorded a quick video selfie.

Before Emma could react, she was in Sophia's car.

The engine roared as they blew through red lights. Sophia screeched into the driveway right as Alexander's deadline hit.

Sophia sprinted to the security monitor—the bomb timer still showed her departure time.

Alexander lounged on the sofa, voice casual:

"Scared you, didn't I? I give you enough time to coax Emma.

"Otherwise she'd throw a fit."

After triple-checking her parents' safety, Sophia collapsed. All this pressure—just to appease Emma.

Alexander stepped over Sophia, heading straight for Emma.

Emma, despite earlier promises, now bristled with playful defiance:

"I haven't forgiven you! I only came because she begged.

"No divorce, no forgiveness."

Her words were sharp, but her tone held a girlish pout.

Alexander saw through it, patiently coaxing:

"As long as you’re happy, I’ll do anything.

"Divorce? Fine.

"Afterwards, you move in with me."

Emma swatted his arm. "You're awful!"

Alexander understood her feigned resistance. Eyes bloodshot with restrained desire, he swept her into his arms and strode straight toward the bridal suite he shared with Sophia.

Since marrying Alexander, Sophia had become all too familiar with what that particular look in his eyes meant.

Watching the pair enter the room locked in a passionate kiss, Sophia prepared to tactfully slip away.

But then, lost in the heat of the moment, Alexander emerged—stark naked.

"Who said you could leave?"

"Didn't you hear Emma say she hasn't forgiven me yet?

You kneel at our door, and when Emma is happy, you can leave."

Sophia was startled, hearing Alexander's words, her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife.

The man who once loved her so deeply now made her kneel before their wedding room, watching him and another woman revel every night.

Turning her head, Sophia was already in tears.

"Alexander, if you still care about our past marital bond, let me go."

The man in front heard his full name, his heart couldn't help but tremble; it seemed like the first time Sophia had called him that.

But in the end, he calmly said:

"Stop pretending, kneel properly."

"Emma inside can't wait any longer."

Sophia completely despaired, numbly walked over and knelt on the ground.

Alexander looked at the woman kneeling before him, suddenly feeling a bit reluctant.

But, from the bedroom, Emma's urging voice kept coming:

"Alexander, what are you doing out there?"

"I've been waiting for you for so long."

Seeing Alexander lingering at the door, Emma simply came out and pushed him into the bedroom.

Before entering the room, she didn't forget to leave a gap in the door.

Sophia looked up, just meeting Emma's provocative gaze.

Not long after entering the room, the man's panting and the woman's voice intertwined.

The gap left was enough for Sophia to hear everything clearly.

Through the gap, she could vaguely see the positions of the two on the bed.

The sounds lasted until late at night, Sophia only felt her head getting heavier, until she couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed.

Alexander in the room had just finished when he heard a dull thud outside the door.

He directly pushed away Emma who was snuggling in his arms, and rushed over recklessly.

When he saw Sophia lying quietly on the ground, his anxious look was just like when they were passionately in love.

He called out repeatedly:

"Sophia... Sophia..."

As if he wasn't the one who made Sophia like this.

Alexander didn't care about his messy clothes, shouting to have Sophia taken to the hospital.

He even insisted on personally staying by Sophia's side because he was worried.

He didn't notice Emma's gaze behind him at all.

When Sophia woke up again, she was already in the hospital.

Opening her eyes, she couldn't see Alexander, only vaguely seeing Emma.

Sophia struggled to sit up. Emma directly spoke, questioning her in a dissatisfied tone:

"Mrs. Brown, didn't you promise me last night that you would divorce Alexander?

Now you're putting on a show in front of him, pretending to faint to make him pity you?

I should have thought of it earlier, how could you easily give up the position of Mrs. Brown?"

Sophia vaguely remembered that Alexander brought her to the hospital when she fainted.

She just didn't know what Alexander really wanted, after all, since he faked amnesia by staging a car accident, he hadn't even touched her.

Sophia was about to explain when the hospital room door opened, and Alexander came in sideways.

As soon as he entered, he naturally took Emma's hand.

Emma put up token resistance but let Alexander hold her hand.

"You said you'd divorce her?"

"Now you're rushing her to the hospital and visiting her personally—you just can't let go!"

"How could I ever compete with a scheming woman like her?"

Emma cooed at Alexander like a girl in love.

The man simply responded with an indulgent smile:

"It’s bad luck to have someone die right in front of us. I didn’t want you to be frightened."

"I've asked lawyers to handle the divorce. Soon I'll marry you properly."

Emma's expression softened at his last words.

Alexander stroked her long hair, making no effort to lower his voice around Sophia.

Sophia bowed her head, consoling herself that divorce meant a clean break.

For several days after, Alexander took Emma to various gatherings.

It seemed deliberate—ensuring business partners met his future new wife.

Watching the news reports, Sophia felt a dull ache deep inside.

After confirming details with the fake death agency, Sophia rushed to settle her parents.

Using her connections, she moved them to a secluded nursing home, cutting off nearly all outside contact.

Only when seeing them safely settled did she feel somewhat at ease.

This way, Alexander would have fewer ways to threaten her.

Leaving the nursing home, Sophia returned to the marital home to pack.

She took only what belonged to her, leaving behind all gifts Alexander had given over the years.

Sophia collected every photo of herself, stubbornly cutting her own image from even their joint portraits.

Luggage in hand, she opened the door to find Alexander blocking her path.

"What's all this?"

He stepped closer, his expression unreadable.

Sophia's palms grew damp on the suitcase handle as she spoke calmly:

"Just clearing out unused items."

Alexander dismissed it, commanding:

"Compile the rules of the Brown family and everyone's preferences. Explain each to Emma thoroughly."

"I'm taking her to our manor soon."

Sophia's chest tightened—progress moved swiftly if they were meeting family already.

Only family members were brought to the ancestral home.

Alexander truly intended to marry Emma.

"Fine. I'll teach her step by step."

Emma insisted women needed privacy for discussions,

demanding to speak with Sophia alone.

Inside Sophia's room—merely a guest bedroom—Emma's eyes burned with envy at the limited-edition bags in the walk-in closet.

Sophia produced her well-used notebook documenting family habits.

"Ask if anything's unclear. I remember every detail."

The moment she offered it, Emma slapped it to the floor.

"Sophia, how many days has it been? When begging me to return, you never mentioned divorce would drag on!"

Emma's vicious tone contrasted sharply with her demeanor around Alexander.

"Alexander handles the divorce. Why not pressure him?"

"I'm more impatient than you."

Sophia met her gaze—she'd leave eventually, returning everything to Emma.

"Who knows if you're stalling for Alexander to change his mind?"

"I won't let you steal him from me!"

Emma's voice rose feverishly, agitation mounting.

Suddenly producing a lighter, she lit the notebook ablaze.

With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it onto the bed—linens catching fire instantly.

Within minutes, thick smoke billowed from the guest room.

Sophia stared at the unhinged woman, attempting escape before flames spread.

But Emma clutched her arm, refusing to let go.

Turning, Sophia saw death in Emma's eyes—a look demanding mutual destruction.

"You have to choose between me and Alexander today."

Sophia struggled twice, but Emma found another knife and made two deep cuts on her own arm.

Blood streamed down her arm as Emma moaned in pain and called for Alexander.

Perhaps due to the thick smoke, Alexander pushed the door open, barely glancing at Sophia who'd been dragged to the floor by Emma, now smoke-blackened by the flames.

Without hesitation, he carried Emma away.

Through the dense smoke, Sophia only saw Emma's triumphant eyes.

As the fire grew, Sophia crawled out inch by inch on her own.

Tears streamed from her choked lungs until she emerged, witnessing Alexander's concerned expression over Emma.

So Alexander could worry this much about someone else.

She was never the exception.

After confirming Emma wasn't seriously hurt and calling an ambulance, Alexander grabbed Sophia's hair, dragging her before Emma.

"Sophia, I never imagined you'd be this bold!"

Rage colored his voice as he stepped on her chest.

"I told you Emma matters to me. How dare you touch her."

Gasping under his foot, Sophia managed:

"Is what you saw really the truth?"

"Why only listen to Emma?"

Alexander glanced back at Emma, now curled into a ball with eyes red from crying. No one would question her now.

"The entire business elite circle answers to me. Who are you to lecture me?"

"You're just jealous of Emma, trying to take her down with you."

Before Sophia could defend herself, Alexander's palm struck her face hard.

The metallic taste of blood flooded her mouth instantly.

Alexander didn't stop, striking her face repeatedly.

Blood trailed from her lips, staining her clothes crimson.

The pain reminded her of years ago—when Alexander had insisted on being with her, but the Browns deemed her not worthy of their status, refusing her entry to their home.

Alexander had knelt, trading his inheritance to beg his father. Even when William Brown's strikes landed on his son's face, Alexander hadn't yielded.

"Love you," he'd gasped before passing out.

But now... Alexander, do you truly not remember me?

Or do you just not love me anymore...

When Sophia woke up, she was still lying on the floor.

The blood had dried on her face, giving off an unpleasant smell.

She struggled to get up and saw that her and Alexander's wedding room had been burned to ashes.

Just like their relationship.

Sophia took her things, cleaned herself up, and immediately found a lawyer to draft divorce papers.

She didn't dare waste a minute, taking the divorce papers straight to Alexander's company.

At the office door, she heard him and Emma's intimate sounds.

Sophia could clearly hear the man's ragged breathing outside the door.

After thinking it over, she still knocked.

Sophia remembered when she was with Alexander, she wasn't even allowed to eat in the office.

Just because he said the workplace should be serious.

Now it seemed it wasn't that it wasn't allowed, it was that she wasn't allowed.

Sophia opened the door and went in; the air was filled with cum's smell.

She took out the divorce papers, placed them on the desk, and said calmly:

"Sign them when you have time. Let's part on good terms."

Emma's eyes lit up when she saw the divorce papers, itching to rush over and sign for Alexander.

But she just fanned the flames from the side:

"Alexander, once you're divorced, let's have the biggest wedding in the business elite circle."

"Then, we'll be the real couple everyone envies."

Alexander wiped his hands, pinched Sophia's chin:

"Since when do you get to ask for a divorce?"

"When this relationship ends, I decide."

As he spoke, he threw the divorce papers into the shredder.

Behind Alexander's back, Emma couldn't keep up the act and dropped the pretense.

"Alexander, did you never really plan to marry me?"

"Your promises were all lies!"

"Then there's no need for us to be together anymore."

After saying that, she picked up the clothes scattered on the floor and left.

Seeing her leave, Alexander showed his true colors:

"Being Mrs. Brown isn't that easy."

"If we divorce, Brown Group's market value would drop by billions at least. Even if you die, you're still Alexander's wife."

Sophia knocked his hand away:

"If you stopped loving me long ago, why won't you let me go?"

"Being in front of you is torture for both of us."

"I beg you, let me leave."

The man in front of her seemed to suddenly change, his face full of tenderness:

"Sophia, I can't live without you. You know I love you most."

As he spoke, he leaned in to kiss her.

Sophia turned her head and avoided it.

For a moment, she was dazed. This was the first time Alexander had called her that since his amnesia.

Rejected, Alexander showed a hint of anger:

"You'll never get rid of me in this lifetime."

"Besides me, what man would dare touch you?"

Sophia was shoved away hard.

"You must be too tired lately. I'll find you a place to rest."

Alexander made a call and summoned several bodyguards.

Before Sophia could react, she was taken away and locked in a villa.

It sounded nice to say it was for her to rest, but with bodyguards guarding the door, it was clearly house arrest.

Sophia gave a self-mocking smile. So even at the last moment before leaving, she could still face a setback.

During her days staying at the villa, Alexander visited her almost daily.

But each time he came, he carried the distinct perfume fragrance of Emma.

It wasn't hard to guess he'd just been with Emma.

Confined by Alexander, Sophia had no choice but to behave obediently every day, hoping he'd release her soon.

After all, her scheduled fake death was approaching.

Sophia mimicked her past submissive behavior, catering to Alexander's every whim.

On the eve of the fake death, Alexander dismissed the bodyguards.

Sophia thought her prolonged humility had finally paid off.

But Alexander appeared behind her holding a revealing outfit:

"Sophie, Emma's upset. You need to help me cheer her up."

"I can't give her the title of Mrs. Brown. She's just a young girl throwing tantrums—be generous."

Sophia wondered inwardly:

"If she's angry, shouldn't you comfort her? Why send me?"

Perhaps sensing imminent freedom, Sophia spoke with newfound defiance.

"Emma wants to see you dance. I found you a partner. Change clothes and we'll begin."

Sophia glanced at the garment—barely covering essential parts.

Alexander's fingers trailed her neck:

"If your dancing amuses Emma, you might prove slightly useful."

He snapped his fingers, summoning a man:

"Practice well with Mrs. Brown. Don't embarrass me later."

A pole followed immediately, leaving no doubt about the dance type.

He demanded Sophia wear that outfit and perform with a stranger—all to entertain his mistress Emma.

Sophia responded without hesitation:

"Alexander, what did I ever do to deserve this humiliation?"

"You have countless ways to please Emma. Why torture me?"

Alexander's smirk vanished as he countered:

"So you refuse?"

Silence became Sophia's rebellion.

But Alexander's temper shifted like weather—cordial one moment, now yanking her hair onto the sofa.

"Seems I've been too lenient lately."

"Do you really think you're something?"

Pulling out his phone, he hissed:

"Refuse? Look at this."

Sophia glimpsed her parents—who should've been at the nursing home—bound with explosives again.

The countdown timer now raced faster.

Instantly, chills shot down her spine. No hiding place could escape Alexander's reach.

He shook the phone:

"You thought I didn't know your schemes?"

"One last chance. Will you?"

Sophia froze, terror-stricken.

"Still refusing?

Sophie…"

His warm breath against her ear felt icy.

Alexander pressed his screen. On video, her parents jolted as if electrocuted.

Sophia's final resistance shattered. Sobs wracked her body as tears blurred her vision.

"I'll go, I'll go dance..."

"I can definitely make Emma happy, I beg you, don't hurt my parents anymore."

Sophia knelt on the ground, pleading humbly, until she had no strength left.

Alexander looked at the teary woman before him, touched her face:

"As long as you behave, your parents will be fine."

"If you refuse me again, think about your parents more."

The bodyguard brought news that Emma had something urgent to see him, so Alexander finally stopped.

Sophia crawled over, tremblingly put on her clothes.

As night fell, Sophia was blindfolded and brought to the villa's banquet hall.

She vaguely sensed today's "audience" included more than just Alexander and Emma.

When the blindfold came off, the once brightly lit hall now lay in gloom.

Whispers rippled through the darkness.

"Is that Alexander's wife?

Reduced to stripping for entertainment now?"

"Alexander spoiled her before—she thought she was royalty. Without him, she's just a stray mutt."

"With that figure? If Alexander wanted her, he'd want anyone!"

...

The jeers swirled as Sophia realized this was Emma's plan.

Before, anyone who dared insult her would've been buried by Alexander before finishing their sentence.

Now he acted as if he hadn't heard, even holding Emma's hand while they pointed at her.

Sophia scanned the crowd—a sea of glittering gowns.

Only she wore scraps of fabric, displayed like a toy on stage.

Alexander snapped his fingers, and music flooded the hall.

Remembering her parents' faces from his phone, Sophia closed her eyes and danced with her male partner.

Her proudest skill had become a tool for others' amusement.

"She might as well sell herself after this."

"Who says she hasn't already?"

Their laughter scraped her nerves, but Sophia endured it all.

The dance ended; the party dispersed.

Her humiliation tonight seemed to fuel Alexander and Emma's passion.

They rushed to the bedroom, kissing hungrily.

The locked door ignored Sophia's pounding fists.

The bomb would detonate in minutes.

Even when she smashed a chair against the soundproof door, nothing stirred inside.

Sophia screamed herself raw outside.

"Alexander, I entertained them!

Release my parents now!

That bomb explodes soon—they'll die!"

"Please! I'm begging you!"

Her throat burned; tears blurred her vision.

A deafening blast shook the air.

Something tore inside Sophia's chest as she collapsed.

Too late.

Alexander never emerged, even after the explosion.

Now Sophia had nothing left.

She left the villa—finally free.

News reports revealed her parents' location. At the blast site, she found their charred remains.

After DNA confirmation at the police station, she brought them home.

No more hiding...

The fake death agency called: all procedures were complete. Sophia was now dead.

She gathered all her belongings, carrying her parents' ashes and a new self.

She boarded the plane bound for Italy.

Finally freed from Alexander, she could finally have her own freedom!