Just because my husband, Justin Garrett, suspected I was hiding his lover, Luciana Yvette, he locked our son in a remote, beast-ridden mountain cabin—as a threat to me.

I could hear my little boy crying in terror, but Justin remained unmoved. He just stared coldly at me and said, "Give Lucy back to me."

"I don't know where she is!" I shouted through tears, trying to rush toward him. But the bodyguards grabbed my shoulders and held me back.

By the time I got there to save my son, he had already been mauled to death by wild dogs.

At the funeral, Luciana smiled at me. "It was just a little game, and he's already eating out of my hand. Mrs. Garrett, it's time you gave up your spot."

I sneered. "Fine, Justin. Let's divorce. I hope you two grow old together... and never have a child."

***

Luciana disappeared.

After Justin turned New York upside down and still found nothing, he had Kathy Sanders "invited" to his office.

On the laptop in front of her, a video was playing.

The old wooden cabin was dark and broken. A three-year-old boy curled in the corner, crying, "Mommy."

That was her son—Mike Garrett.

It was his son too.

Hearing the boy's terrified cries, Justin acted like he didn't hear.

He just stared into Kathy's eyes and said, "Give Lucy back to me."

She tried to rush forward, but the bodyguards pinned her to the chair.

"Justin, he's your son!"

Kathy bit her lips until they bled just to force the words out.

"Return her, and you can take him home."

Justin's voice was cold like he was discussing a trivial deal.

"I don't know where she is."

Kathy dug her nails into her palm, forcing herself to stay calm.

She never cared about that pampered pet.

Even after countless nights alone, receiving all kinds of ambiguous or explicit messages and videos from a stranger on WhatsApp, she never responded.

No matter how far the provocations escalated, she stayed unmoved. So how could she suddenly kidnap someone?

But he didn't believe her.

The video shifted to the outside of the cabin.

Beast prints and droppings everywhere. The wooden door was rotting, barely standing.

Kathy sucked in a sharp breath. Her voice trembled.

"You're threatening me—with Mike's life?!"

Justin curled his lips, ignoring her question. "Two hours left until dark."

Kathy pulled out her phone, trying to locate her son through his tracker.

Justin tapped the table to get her attention.

"There's a signal blocker in the cabin."

His words were as cold as ice.

"Don't waste time doing nothing."

"You're insane!"

Kathy couldn't stop shaking.

"You hid her, so you should've known I'd lose my mind."

Justin was smiling, but it never reached his eyes.

His voice grew gentler, laced with poison.

"Kathy, want to bet how long that door can hold?"

A flash of clarity struck her, and Kathy blurted out, "Eternal Heart."

It was an island shaped exactly like a human heart.

Justin had found it among countless islands overseas, sparing no expense to turn it into a paradise. It was his engagement gift.

He made a promise—only one woman would ever set foot there.

That woman was Kathy.

Over the years, many women came and went around Justin. No matter how favored, none were allowed near that island.

To dethrone her as Mrs. Garrett, breaking the myth of being "the only one" was the key.

Luciana, growing bolder in Justin's heart, would inevitably desire it.

Kathy was gambling—on that pet's obvious ambition.

Justin stood up to leave.

As he passed her, she grabbed his sleeve.

"Where's Mike?!"

He raised a brow. The bodyguards stepped forward, prying her fingers off and straightening his wrinkled sleeve.

"When I'm sure, I'll tell you. Otherwise..."

His cruel words faded under his retreating footsteps, silent but deafening.

Kathy was locked in the conference room like a caged beast.

She tried again and again to locate her son by phone, only to get the same cold message, "Signal lost."

No matter how much she screamed, cried, cursed, or even tried to call the police, it was all useless.

Dusk fell outside the window. Each tick of the second hand tortured her nerves.

Suddenly, the door opened. Her phone lit up with a new message.

"Signal blocker disabled. Go find him."

No time to think—Kathy bolted out the door.

Signal back. The tracker pointed to the deep mountains outside the city.

It was rush hour.

Her car was stuck in traffic, barely moving.

She abandoned it and ran, calling the satellite phone on her son's smartwatch.

After an endless tone, a sobbing voice pierced her ears.

"Mommy, where are you? I'm scared!"

Kathy's heart broke. Gasping, she answered, "Don't be scared, baby. I'm coming."

She ran 20 kilometers to get past the jam.

She paid a huge sum to "snatch" a car and sped through countless red lights toward the outskirts.

With the pedal to the floor, she sped along a mountain road where the guardrail was broken.

She was about to turn when her phone suddenly picked up growls—drawing closer.

"Mommy, dogs..."

Before Mike could finish, a scream cut through.

"Ahhh! Mommy, they're biting me! It hurts!"

Kathy's soul nearly left her body.

Something slammed into the back of her car, ramming it toward the broken rail.

The impact turned her vision black. She faintly heard the sound of bones crushing, of flesh tearing—then everything went dark.

When she woke up, she was still inside the car.

Her phone screen had gone black. The silence was terrifying.

Stumbling out, she followed the tracker through the woods.

Two kilometers in, she saw a wooden cabin hidden among the trees.

The night wind picked up, carrying a strong stench of blood.

She went limp all over, stumbling with every step, almost crawling into the cabin on all fours.

With her phone's flashlight, she saw blood splattered everywhere, torn cloth, and scattered flesh and bones.

In the pool of blood, a watch still glowed blue—still in call mode, soaking in red.

Her throat moved, and an inhuman scream tore out, scattering every beast and bird lurking in the forest.

***

Kathy walked unsteadily, holding her coat in her arms.

Inside were all the fabric scraps, hair, and flesh she could gather.

Like a wandering ghost, she murmured softly, "Don't be scared, baby. I'm here."

Ding—a message alert came in.

Her phone had reconnected.

She pulled it out and dialed a long-silent number.

It connected quickly. No words, just quiet breathing.

Her numb expression cracked. Voice hoarse, barely audible, she whispered, "Sir, I was wrong."

A whole week passed.

Kathy barely had time to breathe and hardly slept at all.

She had to find a cemetery to bury Mike and prepare a research project.

Justin had acted recklessly—once deeply in love, now not even pretending. All because she was an orphan, raised in a welfare home.

She had no powerful backing, just his plaything.

Love kept her by his side, feeding his twisted need for control.

What he didn't know was that she was a prodigy, selected for the NYU youth program at 12, and a disciple of a top national academic master.

If not for meeting Justin—if not for falling for his relentless, desperate pursuit—she would've become a wife much later in life.

Today, the world's youngest academician title should've been hers.

Kathy's research focused on AI and biotech.

Her papers had once shaken the international academic community.

She was such a rare national talent. Higher powers concealed her identity for protection.

Even Justin, with all his influence, couldn't uncover it.

And yet—she gave it all up willingly, just to bear his child, cook for him, and live by his side.

There were romantic moments after the wedding.

The legend of the wife-obsessed Mr. Garrett still topped forums everywhere.

But it only lasted two years.

Then, other women appeared by his side.

He played with all kinds of women—curvy, slim, every type—yet coaxed her, "They were just flings. No one surpasses you."

From testing the waters to tearing away the last veil, Kathy's love for him was slowly chipped away, shattered.

Until Luciana appeared.

She had the same tragic start in life.

A gambling, abusive father, a frail, sick mother, and herself—a delicate girl eyed by her father. Yet she found footing at Justin's side.

She even had the nerve to step on Kathy and taunt her with a sweet smile.

It wasn't that she had no one to turn to. She just couldn't face them.

Back then, to marry Justin, Kathy knelt outside her teacher's house for three days and nights, waiting for the teacher's wife to utter one line through the door. That one line severed the bond between teacher and student.

So when he turned cold and heartless, she swallowed it again and again, forcing herself to cry out every drop of her foolishness.

Mike's death was the final straw.

The last of her love turned into overwhelming hate.

Step one in her quest for vengeance—she had to gain the power to rise above him.

On that call, her teacher's voice was brutally cold.

"You've been out too long. If you want back in, prove you're still worth pulling up."

The teacher who once treated her like a father now spoke only of gains and losses.

"I'll give you half a month. Turn in a project that satisfies me, or..."

The cold voice paused. "Then rot wherever you should rot."

Kathy steeled herself.

She buried herself in the library, day and night.

Her foundation was solid. Even after years of neglect, once past the initial struggle, she quickly found her rhythm again.

The tight schedule left no room for grief.

Only, her backpack now held a small white urn.

Everything she brought home that day had turned to ash in the furnace.

What she cradled in her arms was no longer a soft, fragrant little body, but a cold urn.

Kathy couldn't bear to leave Mike alone in the house.

Her son's last cries still rang in her ears.

"Mommy, they're biting me! It hurts!"

Every time the hallucination came, she bit her lip and sobbed, pounding her chest in silent agony.

The wound on her lip split, again and again, never healing.

A whole week passed. No word from Justin.

Kathy didn't care. In fact, she was relieved.

If they'd met the day it all happened, she might've fought him to the death.

She wanted him dead.

Or better yet—a life worse than death.

Every bit of pain Mike suffered, she'd repay a thousandfold. Even that wouldn't ease her guilt and hatred.

Eight days left. That's when she had to turn in her project.

Kathy went back to the villa to retrieve her long-hidden research.

Just as she stepped in, a shadow shot toward her and slammed into the door behind her.

Shards flew, one cutting her cheek.

"The butler said you've been gone a week. Where'd you go? Who did you meet?"

Justin leaned against the couch, sleeves rolled to his elbows.

His face was dark, eyes menacing.

Kathy ignored him and headed upstairs.

She froze when she saw Luciana walking down, wearing her nightgown, hair messy.

"Justin, I slept in Mrs. Garrett's bed. She won't be mad, right?"

She rubbed her eyes, but her gaze was sharp with provocation.

Then she pretended to notice Kathy and covered her mouth in mock shock.

"Mrs. Garrett, you're back? You... you heard that? Please don't blame Justin. He just pitied me, seeing how much I've suffered."

Justin's voice followed from behind.

"Lucy, it's not your fault. Why apologize? You're so kind—it's no wonder she kept pushing her luck!"

A tall figure passed by and wrapped the petite figure a few steps above in his arms, holding her tightly.

As if they were the ones truly in love, until death.

Kathy turned away, unwilling to spare them a single glance.

She could come back for the documents another day, but there was no way to wash her eyes clean after seeing this dirty stuff.

"Stop! Did I say you could leave?"

Justin's voice was cold and threatening.

"Kathy, did I spoil you so much that you forgot your place?"

He held Lucy, stepping down slowly. On the stairs, only two steps apart, he reached out and grabbed Kathy by the neck.

"Where's Mike, huh? You failed as a wife; now you can't even be a mother?

"Forget it. Take him to the house on the outskirts. Don't come back these days. Don't disturb Lucy's rest."

Before he finished, he flung her back.

Kathy staggered, barely grabbing the handrail before she fell down the stairs.

She steadied herself and took out the small urn from her bag.

Her clear eyes turned to ice as she stared him down.

"Mike is right here."

Justin's pupils shrank. He reached out.

However, Luciana suddenly cried out and rushed forward, slamming into Kathy's arms first.

"Mrs. Garrett, even if you're mad at Justin, you can't curse your own child!

"What did the kid do wrong? Why pretend he's gone for no reason?"

She tripped, and in a movement that looked like she was trying to regain balance, her hand smacked the urn.

It flew through the air, the lid falling off mid-spin. Ash-white powder burst out like mist. The urn hit the floor, shattering.

Kathy's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes only managed to follow the falling urn.

Her brain refused to process the crash. She went blank, frozen in place.

She couldn't speak, nor could she move.

Luciana acted like she'd just realized something shocking, covering her mouth in disbelief.

"No way... did I guess right? That urn's a prop to sell your lie? You're still Mike's mom. How could you do something so cruel?"

Her back to Justin, her voice trembled with fake guilt, but her eyes gleamed with wild glee.

She leaned close, pretending to help Kathy. In a whisper, fast and low—

"Mrs. Garrett, when your son was torn to pieces, his eyes were still open. Want to see?"

Thunder roared in Kathy's ears.

Her eyes turned blood-red as she lunged and wrapped her fingers around Luciana's throat.

"It was you! You planned it all! Do you want to die? Is that what you want?!"

Her grip tightened, using every ounce of strength.

Luciana's lips turned purple, eyes rolling back.

"Stop!"

A powerful force yanked Kathy's wrist.

Crack! She fell like a kite with its string cut, tumbling down the stairs.

Shards of the urn stabbed into her. Ash clung to her, quickly soaked with blood.

"Mike, it doesn't hurt. I'm here!"

Her wrist hung limp, clearly broken. But Kathy didn't feel it. She scooped up the ashes with one hand, carefully pouring them into the biggest shard.

"Kathy, have you lost your mind?!"

Justin shielded the weeping woman in his arms, glaring down with eyes like knives.

"You cursed Mike, slandered Lucy, and even tried to kill! If I hadn't been here, would you have killed someone today?

"Apologize to Lucy. Now!"

Kathy stared at him, her gaze tracing every line of his face.

The face she once loved deeply was now so unfamiliar, it felt like seeing it for the first time.

She suddenly remembered—there were cameras in the cabin.

That day, pain had numbed her brain. All she could think about was gathering up Mike's remains. She'd forgotten to retrieve the cameras.

"Luciana said she saw Mike's final moments. Does that mean Justin saw it too—just pretended he didn't?

"Or maybe he simply didn't care?"

As Kathy was lost in thought, Justin came down the stairs. He stared at her in silence—then suddenly kicked the white urn, still half full of ashes, across the room.

"Playing dumb? You think I'll let you get away with that?"

His kicks kept coming, scattering the ashes everywhere.

"Justin, you're not allowed to hurt Mike!"

Kathy snapped.

She threw herself to the floor, trying to gather the ashes with the only arm she could still move. But Justin stepped on her hand, grinding it down over and over again. The ashes flew further and further apart.

Luciana watched with a smug smile, savoring every second before finally walking down and gently taking Justin's arm.

"Justin, calm down. It's probably just plaster dust or something. You're dirtying up the whole house. Let the maid clean it up, okay?"

"No! Don't!"

Kathy shook her head in panic, desperately trying to gather what she could.

"Hold her down. Don't let her get in the way."

At his order, two bodyguards dragged her aside and pinned her down.

She could only watch as the maid came in with a broom and mop, sweeping up the shards and ashes like trash.

"Justin, that's Mike! You monster!"

Kathy thrashed like she'd lost her mind, ignoring the pain in her injured wrist.

But no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't break free.

Justin's eyes were cold, dark with contempt. He stared down at her without a flicker of emotion.

The last trace of ashes was mopped up and dumped into a filthy bucket.

Kathy felt something rise in her throat—then everything went black.

When she woke again, it was still dark.

The marble floor felt cold beneath her.

She pushed herself up slowly and realized where she was.

The staircase wasn't far.

They had left her right where she collapsed.

Upstairs, a sliver of light escaped from the master bedroom door. There were faint, intimate sounds inside.

But she didn't care.

Compared to the heartbreak of betrayal, compared to losing her child—that didn't matter anymore.

She turned on the living room lights and got down on the floor, searching carefully.

Finally, between the stairs and the floorboards, she brushed out a small handful of ashes.

It was just enough to fill a glass vial, no wider than a pinky finger.

Kathy clutched the tube to her chest, barely able to breathe under the weight of guilt.

In her heart, she swore, "I'll remember this. And one day, I'll make them pay."

The front door hung a giant couple's photo at its most prominent spot the following morning.

Luciana leaned into Justin's arms, smiling seductively in a sea of tulips.

As expected—she'd already stepped into Eternal Heart.

So moving in officially seemed like the natural next step.

Kathy gave it one glance, then looked away, dragging a box of documents down the stairs.

She'd called a moving company—everything was going to her temporary rental.

A loft, one bedroom, one living room, right by the library.

The movers had barely taken the boxes when she locked eyes with a gaze full of scorn.

Justin had left before dawn. Only Luciana was still in the house, "resting."

"Kathy, don't you have any shame?"

Luciana stood in a silk slip dress, making no effort to hide the kiss marks all over her body.

"Justin's tired of you, and you're still shamelessly clinging on? What—losing a son wasn't enough of a lesson for you?"

Kathy didn't bother arguing with her.

But when she thought of what Luciana had whispered in her ear last night, the fury surged up.

"You, the proud mistress who knowingly stepped in, don't you think you're shameless? As a legally married wife, I have nothing to be ashamed of.

"Without my signature, you'll always be a woman who can't be shown in public.

"Even if Justin treats you like royalty, spreading your legs every night still won't earn you a marriage certificate."

Kathy might be gentle by nature, but that didn't mean she didn't have fire.

Her tongue had been sharpened in years of school debate teams—every word cut straight to the heart.

Luciana's face turned ashen, then livid. She stood there, stunned.

Since Justin took her in, she had been experimenting with cautious provocations, but Kathy had never responded.

Over time, seeing her give way again and again, she assumed Kathy was just soft dough—easy to mold however she liked.

She never expected such a sharp counterattack. It nearly pierced her heart.

She steadied herself.

"So what if Kathy had a sharp tongue? She couldn't control her man," came the thought.

Thinking of Justin gave her confidence again.

"No rush. You eat a meal one bite at a time. You said no woman, but you ever set foot in Eternal Heart—well, I've been there. And on that three-meter-wide bed, Justin and I tangled for seven days straight."

Luciana traced the mottled kiss marks on her neck with her fingers, her smile cold and triumphant.

"While we were having sex, you were clutching a pile of shredded flesh—burning it into ashes—just waiting for me to scatter it, right?"

Smack!

Without hesitation, Kathy slapped her. Hard.

Luciana's head spun, but she didn't fall—she tumbled into a cold, fragrant embrace.

"Kathy, how dare you hit her in front of me?"

Justin narrowed his eyes, a storm brewing behind the shadow in his gaze.

The woman in his arms showed half her swollen face, smiling slyly and unrepentant.

She'd clearly heard his footsteps and staged it all.

She wanted him to see what Kathy had done.

Kathy knew it too.

But that slap had to be given.

Her son, her three-year-old Mike—died tragically, torn apart by beasts, because of Luciana's fake "kidnapping" and Justin's ruthless, inhuman revenge.

There wasn't even a body left to bury.

From that day on, Kathy hadn't had a single good night's sleep.

Every waking moment was spent thinking about how to shred those two into pieces.

Now Luciana dared to dance on her wound, using vile words to curse Mike?

Kathy wouldn't take it. And she wouldn't stay silent.

As for Justin's rebuke—she didn't even want to answer.

She simply shook off her hand and stared coldly at Luciana.

"Watch your mouth. I'm not sure I can hold back next time I have to tear you apart."

Kathy turned to leave, but someone seized her wrist and twisted it sharply behind her back.

Her wrist was already injured yesterday. She clenched her teeth and managed to pull her wrist back.

This yank twisted it out again.

"Apologize to Lucy!"

Justin was fiercely protective of his pet.

Her soft hand brushed his waist, making him shudder and instantly change his tone.

"I forgot—your mouth's tougher than your life. Fine, we'll do it differently."

He suddenly beckoned.

Several black-clad bodyguards grabbed two people, shoving them inside.

Kathy's breath caught. She stared blankly at the two people, stunned.

Then, as if realizing something, she snapped her gaze to Justin.

"You don't know how to apologize or back down? I'll teach you."

He walked slowly to the fireplace, pulled out a golf club from a bag, and handed it to Luciana.

"Hit them the same way she hit you. If anything goes wrong, I've got your back."

His fierce protectiveness sounded strangely tender.

Luciana blushed, but her eyes sparkled with eagerness.

"That's not right. If Mrs. Garrett makes a mistake, why let two old folks take the blame? If that leaks out, I'll get scolded."

Justin laughed arrogantly. "I want to see who dares to scold you."

His gaze swept over, cold as ice, gliding past Kathy as he teased, "Either kneel down and beg Lucy for forgiveness, or let these two old people take the blame.

"Your choice."

The two elders restrained were Kathy's weak spot.

She'd been abandoned at the orphanage door as a newborn.

Thanks to the orphanage director and her husband, Amira Lindsey, and Gauge Alvarado, she hadn't frozen to death that winter.

Of all the orphans there, Kathy was smarter than the others from early on.

And sensitive too.

Amira and Gauge patiently guided her out of her shell, helping her grow bright and confident.

They were the reason Kathy was who she was today.

She had no parents but was never lacking love from her elders.

Justin knew this well.

But to force her to apologize to Luciana, he wouldn't hesitate to drag innocent people into it.

Kathy suddenly smiled.

A faint smile blossomed, a shallow dimple on her lips.

Justin's eyes flickered, then darkened again.

He didn't know when she'd stopped ever smiling at him.

Coldness grew in his eyes.

He repressed a sudden surge of anger, clenching his teeth.

A disobedient woman must be tamed.

Break her wings, crush her pride, and she'll curl up in his arms and let him spoil her.

Luciana watched the silent fight in their eyes, feeling uneasy. She deliberately swung the golf club in her hand.

"Justin, forget it. I really can't bring myself to hit two elders.

"Besides, in Mrs. Garrett's eyes, I'm just a pet. She looks down on me. Forget about her lowering herself to apologize."

Anyone with ears could hear her fanning the flames.

But Justin always fell for it.

His face turned cold, lips curling in a mocking smile.

"If I respect her, she's Mrs. Garrett. If I don't, she's nothing.

"Hit her! I'm right here!"

Luciana was pleased, though she still said, "You're giving the word—if I don't hit, I'd be ungrateful."

Then she swung the golf club hard, whistling through the air.

A blur flashed by.

Kathy lunged forward, shielding the two elders.

The club struck her with a dull thud, and she collapsed into their arms with a gasp.

"Stop! I'll kneel!"

A man who could throw away his own son wouldn't hesitate to hurt unrelated elders.

Kathy couldn't let them suffer. She had no other choice.

"No, Kathy! You can't kneel!"

Amira struggled, but the guards held her tight.

Kathy lost focus for a second—someone kicked the back of her knees. She dropped to the ground.

"Where's the bowing? Just kneeling's not enough!"

A hand grabbed her hair, forcing her head down.

"You're so stubborn. That's not the way to ask for forgiveness.

"Relax. Tensing your neck will only hurt more.

"Apologize. What, cat got your tongue?"

With every line, Justin slammed her head into the ground.

The dull thuds made the elders cry. But Luciana beamed with joy.

She intentionally pouted and said, "Justin, be careful now. If you break her, I'll get blamed."

The first slam made stars dance in Kathy's vision.

She struggled instinctively, but Justin held her firm.

The second made her strangely clear-headed.

Each slam shattered whatever good still clung to the cracks in her heart, scattering to the ground in pieces.

By the third, whether from shock or numbness, Kathy didn't feel a thing.

After her husband's betrayal and her son's brutal death, nothing could hurt her anymore.

By the fifth, Justin finally let go.

Blood stained the floor. Her forehead was split open, her face smeared with blood, and she collapsed—motionless.

"Feel better, baby?"

Justin held Luciana close, gazing at her lovingly, as if she were a treasure and the one on the floor was trash.

Luciana giggled sweetly as he led her upstairs.

The freed elders helped Kathy up and rushed her to the hospital.

The scans showed surface injuries and a mild concussion. She had to stay for observation.

Before leaving, Amira gripped her hand, hesitating as she said, "Kathy, hard life is still a life. But if it really can't go on, then get divorced.

"If it comes to the worst, come home. Help Gauge and me—we'll make room for you."

Her eyes brimmed with pain, and her hand kept passing warmth into Kathy's.

But they never knew—it wasn't that Kathy didn't want to divorce. She couldn't.

Justin had suppressed his possessiveness while pursuing Kathy. But once they were together, it slowly began to show.

He quietly removed the men from her contacts, leaving mostly female friends.

If someone so much as looked at her the wrong way and he saw it, he'd find a quiet corner to pin her down and make love to her over and over again—forcing her to say, again and again, that she belonged only to him.

But why couldn't he belong only to her?

The first time she found out he cheated, her world collapsed.

She handed him divorce papers. He shoved them straight into the shredder without even a glance.

What did he say back then?

"Kathy, this life—you're mine. Your body, your heart.

"If you still don't learn, it's fine. I'll teach you."

And his way of "teaching" was parading woman after woman in front of her—trying to numb her.

Kathy had fought back.

But as an orphan with no one to rely on, she was always easy for Justin to control.

Back then, there was still love.

She clung to hope, thinking maybe he'd change.

Instead, she compromised again and again, then fell silent.

And he, emboldened by her silence, grew bolder.

Eventually, there was no love left—only control. And he reveled in it more and more.

She, on the other hand, had been pushed to the edge.

Kathy lowered her gaze, burying the emotions that hadn't stirred in a long time. She didn't want these messy memories to disturb the peaceful life of the two elderly.

She smiled gently and nodded. "Don't worry, Amira. I know what I'm doing. Life will only get better."

After one day in the hospital, Kathy signed herself out.

She hadn't forgotten—an important research topic was still in the works.

Only seven days remained until submission.

She went back to the house the past couple of days but got delayed by Luciana. Even reading was a struggle.

Kathy took a deep breath.

This topic was her way out—her breakthrough. It was the first crucial step in taking back what she was owed. Failure was not an option.

But life, as always, didn't go as planned.

She had just returned to her rented apartment and hadn't even unpacked when she got a call from Justin's assistant.

"Mrs. Garrett, Mr. Garrett has a dinner event tonight. He needs a plus one. Would 6 p.m. be convenient for pickup?"

"Tell him to take Luciana."

She hung up without hesitation.

In seven days, she'd leave that scumbag behind—and the old version of herself, too.

There was no need to keep playing this obedient wife act.

If Luciana wanted the spotlight, she'd get it soon enough.

A few minutes later, her phone rang again.

Justin's name flashed on the screen.

Kathy silenced it and placed it face down.

Her research was going well. She needed to go over the framework again.

The sooner she submitted, the sooner she'd be free.

She couldn't wait.

She was deep into reading when a knock came at the door.

The knock was slow, steady, and heavy with pressure.

Kathy's heart skipped. She licked her lips and stared at the door, knowing whoever was outside spelled trouble.

"Kathy, open up."

It was Justin's voice—low, rich, magnetic.

The kind that made young girls swoon.

And with his looks, power, and money, it was no surprise women threw themselves at him.

Falling for him wasn't strange.

But none of that mattered to her anymore.

Even so, Kathy opened the door.

Justin stood there. Behind him, his assistant held several boxes.

"Tonight's dinner is important. People are going to start making assumptions if you don't show. If that affects the Garrett Group, I can't say what I'll do."

It was a blatant threat—just like always.

Kathy wanted to refuse. But then she thought of what happened that morning.

She could endure humiliation and pain, but she couldn't drag innocent people into this.

Other than Mike, Amira, and Gauge were her only weaknesses.

Until she could guarantee their peace, she had no right to be reckless.

"Okay."

Kathy gave in.

But she stood in the doorway, not letting him in.

Justin blocked the entrance, tall enough to cast a shadow across the hall.

His eyes casually swept past her, taking in the apartment's simple layout.

Then he gave a mocking smile.

"Are you playing the runaway act again to get me home?

"Living so modestly now—trying to cut ties with my wealth and power? Trying to look detached, like you see money as dirt?"

Kathy listened quietly, feeling more and more that this man's arrogance had seeped into his bones.

His cheating had only shattered the illusion she'd been blind to.

From the start, they were never truly right for each other.

She took the boxes from the assistant—dresses and jewelry for the banquet.

Justin leaned forward to say more, but the door nearly slammed into his sharp nose.

He narrowed his eyes at the shut door, stared for a few seconds, then turned and left with heavy steps.

At six sharp, the assistant returned.

Kathy was dressed in fine clothes and jewelry, but her makeup was minimal.

To cover the wound on her forehead, she used heavy concealer and wore a forehead ornament with a crystal pendant.

Even dressed down, her naturally striking features still made her stand out—like the brightest star in the crowd.

Justin wasn't in the car. Kathy didn't ask, either.

She planned to show her face at the event, give him the appearance he wanted, and leave early with an excuse.

The research topic only needed a final round of sorting.

She could submit in two or three days.

The sea of suffering finally had a shore in sight.

As her car pulled up to the hotel, a familiar Maybach parked just ahead.

Kathy stepped out just in time to see Justin helping someone from the car.

Luciana.

Their eyes met. Luciana immediately clung to his arm, a silent claim of possession.

Kathy's expression didn't change. Instead, she lifted her left hand and slowly ran her fingers over the ring on her finger.

"So it's a game of disgust now? I can play that, too," she thought.

Their silent tug-of-war didn't escape Justin's notice.

He patted the back of Luciana's hand, then walked inside without sparing Kathy a glance.

The Garrett family was one of the top families in New York.

When Justin had married Kathy, the party had stunned even the most powerful circles.

Everyone knew she was the one he treasured.

But now, it seemed that treasure was being replaced.

The glances and whispers in the crowd didn't escape Kathy's eyes.

She suddenly understood what Justin was trying to do.

He was flaunting his mistress, slapping the wife in public—sending a clear message that without him, Kathy was nothing.

But did she even want what he had to offer?

A faint sneer flickered in her eyes.

Every step Justin took to push her into the mud would one day come back like a boomerang—and strike him right where it hurt.

She straightened her back and walked alone into the banquet hall, graceful and proud.

The entire night, Luciana stuck to Justin like a butterfly among flowers.

Plenty of people were thinking the same thing. "Is he planning to make the mistress official?"

Some got curious and tried to sound Kathy out.

Yet, every single one hit a wall.

Justin never once looked her way, but his peripheral vision never left her.

A low, bitter fire burned slowly inside him.

How could she be so calm?

No matter how he flaunted Luciana, her gaze remained cool, even disdainful.

She never used to be like this.

She used to look at him with warmth, shyness, and a flicker of vulnerability.

When had that smile and light vanished from her eyes?

Justin grew restless.

Women should be gentle and obedient—stay home and wait to be loved.

As long as her position was secure, what did it matter if he played around outside?

Clearly, he hadn't taught Kathy well enough. Hadn't broken her pride. Hadn't crushed her spirit into dust.

And now, she was rebelling—moving out of the house.

Butterfly or swan, if those wings were meant to flee from him, he'd have no problem tearing them off, one feather at a time.

Lost in thought, he didn't notice until his arm was tugged.

"Justin, dance with me again, will you?"

Luciana's sweet tone was calculated.

She'd had the opening dance with him.

At an event like this, that meant everything.

He was about to refuse but saw Kathy glance over and change his mind.

"Sure. Just don't tire yourself out—I'd feel bad."

His fingers brushed a stray hair behind her ear, voice low and tender.

Luciana was drunk.

Kathy felt nauseous.

These images that once tore her heart apart and kept her awake at night, now seem so trivial.

When I truly didn't care, I could withstand any hardship without being affected.

As the banquet was drawing to a close, Kathy prepared to leave.

Tonight's banquet can be considered a success.

Justin's ambition, Luciana's vanity, and their own active cooperation should not be faulted.

She walked to the dining table, holding a glass of wine.

The final dance music started playing, and Luciana was spun around by Justin, moving closer towards this side.

Looking at Kathy's graceful figure, a glint of intelligence flashed in her eyes.

With the momentum provided by Justin, she bumped into Kathy.

Next to the dining table was a champagne tower nearly ten layers high.

She had calculated the distance perfectly, but after two laps, Kathy's shadow was nowhere to be seen.

Luciana, feeling surprised, tripped and stumbled headfirst into the champagne tower.

The collapsed wine glass, along with the champagne inside, spilled out and buried her completely.

As the waiter pulled the person out of the wreckage, Luciana, covered in wine stains, immediately buried herself in Justin's arms.

"Justin, I know tonight was not supposed to be me by your side, it should have been Mrs. Garrett's place."

But even if she was angry, she shouldn't have pushed me. If I had been unlucky with those pieces of glass just now, I would have been disfigured.

Maybe I should just leave. If I provoke her again, I'm afraid I won't survive.

After singing and reciting for a while, Kathy nodded frequently.

No wonder Luciana was able to rise to the top.

She could easily deceive others with sweet talk, but when it came to lying and cheating, she was truly unmatched.

Kathy was watching excitedly when she suddenly caught sight of Justin gently pushing Luciana aside and striding over.

With a slap, he hit her across the face.

"What are you so proud of?"

Kathy was a little confused.

Luciana spun around, wanting to knock her down.

She got so drunk that she plunged into the champagne tower, and not once did she touch a finger of her own.

And as for the so-called pride, she didn't even raise the corners of her lips, how did Justin see that she was proud?

The corners of the eyes gradually turned red.

Not being wronged, but being steamed by the rising anger.

That slap silenced the entire banquet hall.

Kathy could even imagine what would trend later.

President Lu was so angry that he slapped his "beloved wife" in order to uphold justice.

The love affair of the wealthy family changed, Cinderella's dream shattered at the banquet, only the laughter of the new person was heard, leaving the old person to cry.

It was strange that even though she was publicly slapped in the face by Justin, she still had the presence of mind to think about this and that.

Anger was real, but there was not a single bit of the painful feeling.

I really didn't love anymore.

Justin looked at Kathy's eyes, which were tinged with red, and nodded in satisfaction.

It should be like this; her pride can only be pulled out by herself.

As soon as the finger moved, wanting to touch that touch of red, the hand was held by someone.

"Justin, forget it. It's not good to have so many people watching."

Luciana bit her lip, looking pitiful, but the smile in her eyes couldn't be suppressed.

The slap in private was always harsh, but no one witnessed it.

Unlike now, it used to make Kathy's face hurt more.

Her self-proclaimed status as the original wife was only able to be arrogant with the help of Justin.

Now, still being tricked by myself, just stepping on it.

"Fight with me? Hmph, I'll let you taste the humiliation of being publicly shamed."

If eyes could speak, Luciana's eyes were conveying such a message.

It was just a case of a villain getting his way.

Kathy pressed her tongue against her left cheek, feeling a hot, radiating pain and a slight numbness.

Justin's hand was strong, I reckon his face will be swollen again.

In the little book of grudges in my heart, another grudge is added.

The sudden slap gave Kathy an excuse to leave.

She remained silent, not uttering a single word of defense for herself.

She straightened her back and walked quickly towards the entrance of the banquet hall.

Justin's eyes flashed with cold light, and he tried to use the same trick to grab her wrist again, but Kathy dodged to the side.

"Mr. Garrett, do you believe that I will call the police, and have you arrested for using violence in public?"

Her beautiful eyes flickered, shining brightly after being washed by anger.

The cold gaze then swept towards the woman hiding behind Justin, watching the show.

"Anyway, it's all about calling the police. Some people twist the truth and slander, but they can't escape. It's just a casual thing. Why don't you two go together?"

Justin's breath became heavier.

The throat rolled, the eyes fierce.

"I let you get away with everything, didn't I, Kathy Sanders?"

This was the first time in their long-standing relationship that Justin called her by her full name.

Kathy smiled, but there was a cold emptiness in her eyes.

"Besides the time when we had just been married for two years, Mr. Garrett, have you ever indulged me? Did you indulge me, the bird, or yourself, Justin, you need to see clearly."

She stopped talking nonsense and gradually walked away in the dim and unclear eyes of Justin.

Over the next two days, Kathy didn't go out.

All the necessary information has been gathered, the only thing left is the final organization.

After pulling an all-nighter again, Kathy's face was a bit swollen and pale, with two obvious dark circles under her eyes.

The good news is that her new project has been fully organized and can be submitted to the teacher for review at any time.

As long as the review is approved, she will be able to leverage higher power to get rid of Justin!

The beautiful dream had only been half done when the door was knocked loudly, and even the doorbell was ringing urgently.

Through the peephole, Justin, with sweat all over his face, stood outside the door.

Kathy really wanted to pretend that no one was home, but after a moment of hesitation, she decided to open the door.

"Lucy got into trouble, come with me!"

Justin grabbed Kathy's hand and pulled her away, completely ignoring the fact that she was only wearing a thin nightgown.

Seeing her struggling hard, he simply lifted her onto his shoulders and carried her away.

The black Maybach headed straight to the hospital.

It wasn't until the needle was about to touch Kathy's vein that Justin said to her, "Lucy had a miscarriage and is at risk of hemorrhaging. You have universal O-type blood, so I'll need your help."

Kathy felt like she was in an ice cave and suddenly tried to get up.

"Justin, did you want to donate blood to the hospital but couldn't afford it?"

"Lucy has always been nourished by your blood, so it's only natural for her to draw from you."

The words that Justin blurted out caused Kathy's mind to go blank for a moment.

What was he saying?

Did her blood sustain Luciana?

The words have been spoken, like water spilled cannot be gathered up.

Justin decided to come clean.

"Lucy suffered from severe anemia, losing a lot of blood after each menstrual period. It was thanks to your monthly donation of 300cc of blood that she was able to safely get through each menstrual cycle."

Every word he said, Kathy heard clearly, but when put together, they just couldn't be connected into understandable sentences.

There was a sharp pain between the elbows.

When she was distracted, the needle for blood collection couldn't wait and pierced in.

She was pressed on the shoulders, held around the waist, and forcibly fixed on the table to have her blood drawn.

The doctor recommended 200-400cc, but Justin was afraid it wouldn't be enough. He insisted on extracting 600-800cc, but the hospital was worried about the responsibility and reluctantly took 600cc.

When she came down from the platform, Kathy fainted directly.

Upon waking up again, I had already returned to my own apartment.

She gritted her teeth, endured the spinning dizziness, and almost crawled to get the computer.

The well-organized topic was packaged and compressed, then sent to the teacher's email, as if all her energy had been exhausted.

Kathy trembled as she pressed the number that rolled off her tongue backwards. Before she could speak, she was plunged back into darkness.

She couldn't wait to get divorced and leave that man.