After drinking the milk Adrian Foster handed her, Isabella Miller's eyelids grew heavy, and she felt blurred.

Before she knew it, she seemed to be in a strange place. A familiar voice echoed faintly in her ears.

“Adrian, are you crazy?

Are you really going to take Isabella's kidney for Ella Vance behind her back?”

It was Julian White, Adrian's childhood friend.

“She's the only one who's a match.”

Adrian's voice was frighteningly calm. “Ella is dying. We can't wait any longer.”

“As for Isabella… I'll make it up to her. Doesn't she want to marry me?

I'll propose to her after the surgery, and I'll never divorce her.”

Glass shattered on the floor as Julian practically roared, “Her kidney will be gone! What good is any of that!

I really don't get it. What kind of spell did Ella cast on you?

During the earthquake, you saved her and ended up crippling your legs, losing your inheritance. But she fell in love with another man right after!

During that time, it was Isabella who stayed by your side, who took care of you. To learn physical therapy for you, she practiced on herself until her own legs were black and blue!

She knelt outside that famous doctor's office for a month, begging for help!”

“And now Ella's back, clinging to you because you're successful again. When she found out Isabella was pregnant, she cried and threw a fit. And you—you snuck abortion pills into Isabella's food behind her back, making her miscarry your first baby! Isabella still thinks she accidentally lost the child. She was depressed for three whole months!!”

“And now, you're really going to take her kidney and give it to Ella?

!”

“Enough!”

Adrian's voice shot up. “I know Isabella loves me, enough to give me anything. And I know Ella is selfish and vain. But I just love Ella. I'm crazy about her!”

“Then what about Isabella?

What does that make her!”

“She's nothing!

My mind is made up. No one can stop me today. I'm taking her kidney!”

The moment he said that, Isabella felt a scalpel slice through her skin.

The anesthesiologist had clearly underestimated her tolerance; she could feel every inch of the pain.

But nothing hurt more than the agony tearing at her heart.

She had loved Adrian for ten years.

From sixteen to twenty-six, she had given him her youth, her love, her everything.

She had watched him love Ella, watched him go crazy for Ella, watched him fall apart after Ella abandoned him.

She had stayed with him through his darkest days after the accident, enduring his temper and his gloom. Even when he lost control and pushed her down, bruising her knees, she never once complained.

She thought that one day, he would finally see her.

But it turned out… in his eyes, she was nothing.

Ten years. A whole decade. After everything they had been through, he still only loved Ella.

Because of a single word from Ella, he had been cruel enough to get rid of their child!

Because Ella needed a kidney, he went to take her kidney secretly for her!

She didn't know how much time had passed before she felt something being violently torn from inside her body.

It was her kidney, and with it, all the love she had held for the past ten years.

When she woke up again, the smell of disinfectant stung my eyes.

"You're awake?"

A deep male voice came from the doorway. Isabella froze, slowly looking up.

Adrian stood in the doorway, backlit, his tall figure casting a stark silhouette.

He walked closer, his long, straight legs wrapped in black suit pants, each step feeling like it was landing on her heart.

He sat by the bed, reached out to brush her cheek, his fingertip wiping the tear at the corner of her eye. His brows furrowed slightly: "Does it hurt?"

Isabella looked at him. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand, the pain almost suffocating.

How could he still... ask her so gently if it hurt?

How could he, after taking her kidney and getting rid of her baby, sit in front of her as if nothing had happened, looking at her with such concern?

"What... happened to me?"

When she spoke, her voice was horribly hoarse.

Adrian's expression didn't change, his voice gentle. "You had appendicitis. The surgery is already over."

Appendicitis?

Isabella laughed, and the tears wouldn't stop falling.

He couldn't even be bothered to make up a decent lie.

Seeing her crying so hard, unable to wipe the tears away, he didn't notice anything was wrong and just thought she was in a lot of pain. He quickly said he'd get her a doctor and hurried out.

But he never came back.

Three hours later, a nurse came in to change her dressing, whispering with another—

"Adrian is so good to Ella. He didn't just stay with her all night. When he heard she was awake and wanted a cake, he immediately drove off to get it himself, even though it's pouring outside..."

Hearing this, Isabella couldn't hold back—tears burst out again.

So, that was why he never came back.

He even took it for granted that she loved him too much to be angry, so he couldn’t even be bothered to send a message to explain.

Adrian, am I, Isabella, such a cheap person? What makes you think I'll love you without any bottom line?

Isabella stared out the window, no tears left to cry.

After some time, when the nurse left, she fumbled for her phone. Her finger paused on the screen for a second, then she dialed a number.

The call connected, and a deep, lazy male voice came from the other end. "Isabella?"

Isabella took a deep breath. Her voice was soft, but clear. "Jared Rhodes, would you be interested... in marrying me?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

"Did you dial the wrong number?

I'm not Adrian."

"I know." Isabella clutched her phone, her knuckles turning white. "I'm asking you."

"I don't want to marry Adrian anymore."

Jared seemed intrigued, his tone slow and deliberate. "Oh?

And what makes you think... I'd marry you?"

Isabella closed her eyes, her voice calm. "Because you're Adrian's rival."

“And—” she paused, every word clear, “that profile photo on your desk. It's me.”

A dead silence.

After what felt like an eternity, the click of a lighter came from the other end of the line. Jared's voice, laced with the smell of tobacco, asked, "How did you know?"

Isabella stared at the stark white ceiling of the ward. The IV drip fell drop by drop, as if counting down the last of her foolish devotion.

"You just need to answer, yes or no."

The other end was silent for two seconds. Then, the man finally spoke, his tone tinged with an unreadable emotion, his breathing sounding a bit ragged.

"Come to me in seven days, and we'll get married."

"And—" he paused, "after you marry me, you can never have anything to do with Adrian again."

Isabella closed her eyes, her voice soft but firm. "I won't."

"In seven days, I will never see him again."

After hanging up, she immediately booked a flight to Denver for seven days later.

That was Jared's turf.

...

For the rest of the day, Adrian didn't show up again.

Only a nurse came in, saying respectfully, "Isabella, Adrian has been very busy with his company lately. He asked us to take care of you."

Isabella just hummed in response, not calling out the lie.

She knew Adrian wasn't busy. He was at Ella's bedside, not leaving her for a moment.

Adrian didn't finally show up until the day she was discharged.

He was in a sharp suit, a hint of weariness in his eyes, but he was still so handsome.

Seeing her standing at the ward door with her things packed, he hurried over and reached for her bag, his tone apologetic. "Sorry, Isabella. Work's been crazy lately, and... I was planning a surprise, so I couldn't be here with you."

Isabella dodged his hand and walked ahead. "What surprise?"

Adrian's lips curved up slightly, a rare softness in his eyes. "I'm taking you somewhere."

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a luxury hotel.

Isabella followed Adrian inside. The moment he pushed open the ballroom doors, her vision was filled with roses and candlelight—

It was a marriage proposal!

The guests all turned, their eyes focusing on her.

Adrian led her to the center, then got down on one knee and took a diamond ring from his pocket.

"Isabella."

He looked up at her, his voice deep and earnest. "Marry me, will you?"

Isabella stared at him, stunned, her heart feeling like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand.

How she had once longed for this moment.

But now, looking at the exquisite, dazzling diamond ring, Isabella found it incredibly ironic.

The proposal she had waited for so long was bought with her kidney!

Just as she was about to refuse, the ballroom doors were pushed open—

"Sorry, I'm late."

A soft, weak voice called out.

Isabella turned her head and saw Ella standing at the door in a white dress, her face pale and her eyes glistening with tears.

"Adrian, Isabella."

Ella walked over, her voice choked with sobs. "I was wrong about what happened back then, and I shouldn't have been clinging to Adrian recently. I messed with you two... so when I heard you were getting engaged, I came especially to give you my blessing."

As she spoke, she took two exquisite gift boxes from her bag and handed them to Adrian and Isabella.

"Congratulations...and best wishes to you both."

With that, she turned to leave, but after just two steps, she swayed and "collapsed" onto the floor.

"Ella!"

Adrian's expression changed instantly. He shot up, rushed over without hesitation, and held Ella into his arms.

He even forgot he was still kneeling in front of Isabella,

forgot the unoffered diamond ring was still clutched in his hand.

The guests erupted into murmurs, whispers spreading through the crowd—

"Tsk, tsk, same old story… The moment Adrian sees Ella, he has eyes for no one else."

"Isabella has been by his side for so many years, but she still can't compare to a single glance from Ella."

"He's only ever truly loved Ella."

Isabella stood frozen, her fingernails digging deep into her palm.

She watched Adrian's back as he hurried away with Ella, and saw Ella, in his arms, silently mouth to her—

"You'll never beat me."

Such terrible acting.

But Adrian didn't even question it. He just believed her.

That night, Adrian didn't come back.

Isabella sat in the bedroom, gathering everything related to Adrian—photos, gifts, a button he'd carelessly dropped but she had treasured—and threw it all into a cardboard box.

She tossed all the bits and pieces into the box until she saw a soft, cute pink baby outfit.

Clutching the soft fabric, she couldn't stop but sob.

When she first got pregnant, she had been so excited for the baby's arrival, looking forward to them getting married and spending their lives together.

But now, that three-month-old fetus had been personally destroyed by Adrian.

Isabella suppressed the sharp pain in her heart, carried the overflowing box, and threw it in the trash.

The stuff was gone.

And so was all her love for Adrian!

The next day, Isabella went straight to the Foster Group to quit.

Before, Adrian had been disabled, lost his inheritance, and his position was taken by an illegitimate son.

Later, after his legs recovered, the first thing he did was sign a high-stakes performance agreement. Only by doubling the company's revenue in three years could he get everything back.

To help him, Isabella worked as his secretary, went to business dinners with him, drank until her stomach bled, and worked late until she fainted.

She did it all for love.

But in the end, what did she get?

At least from now on, she wouldn't be so foolish again.

When they heard she was quitting, the office erupted, and almost everyone tried to get her to stay—

"Isabella, are you really quitting?

Can't you please stay?"

"We've been getting on so well with the work, haven't we?

Why are you quitting so suddenly?

"You trained all of us. What are we going to do without you? And Adrian, he definitely can't manage without you!"

He can't manage without her?

Isn't he doing just fine without her now?

Isabella gave a self-mocking smile.

"I'm really quitting. I've been so tired these past few years, I want to take a good long rest."

"No one is indispensable. You'll all be fine, and he... he'll be fine too."

After saying goodbye to everyone, Isabella left the company with a box of her personal belongings.

After she got home, Adrian called.

His voice held a rare note of shock. "You quit?"

Isabella said calmly, "Yes. I'm getting married. There's a lot to do, so I can't work."

Adrian didn't think much of it, just assuming she had accepted his proposal and was busy with wedding preparations.

His tone softened. "Sorry, Sorry, I have a project that requires a business trip. So I won't have time to help with the wedding."

Before Isabella could say anything, Ella's sweet, soft voice came from the other end of the line—

"Adrian, feed me..."

Adrian's voice became distant. "Don't mess around, I'm on the phone."

Ella whined, "Are you going to feed me or not? If you don't, I'll go find another man... Mmmph..."

The call was abruptly disconnected.

Isabella's heart ached as she tremblingly opened her social media feed.

Just as she expected, Ella had posted a photo. Adrian was personally feeding her fruit,

with the caption: [It feels so good to be spoiled.]

The provocation was obvious.

Isabella closed her eyes and turned off her phone screen.

...

Late that night, she was suddenly woken up by a frantic ringing of her phone.

Julian's panicked voice came through the receiver, "Isabella!

Adrian was stabbed over a dozen times trying to save Ella. He's lost too much blood, and the blood bank is low on Type B. Both you and Ella are a match, but Ella said she just had a kidney transplant and can't donate, so she just ran off... Can you come save him?"

At those words, Isabella's ears buzzed.

A bitter feeling instantly washed over her.

She was also missing a kidney, so how could she donate blood?

When she remained silent, the person on the other end of the line sounded extremely anxious, "Isabella, I'm begging you... If he doesn't get a transfusion soon, he's really going to die..."

"Ella is unreliable. You're the only one who can save him!"

He pleaded with her again and again.

She remained silent, her mind a complete mess.

After a long pause, Isabella still couldn't bring herself to let him die, so she threw on a coat and rushed to the hospital.

At the hospital, Isabella lay on a bed in the blood donation room, watching the dark red blood slowly drain from her body.

She was already weak, and as they drew more blood, her vision started to go black, and she eventually passed out.

When she woke up again, it was already noon the next day.

She pushed herself up to sit, wanting to leave the hospital and also check on Adrian's condition.

But just as she reached the outside of Adrian's ward, she heard him and Julian talking inside.

"Adrian, you got so badly hurt for Ella, and yet she abandoned you and ran off again!

If Isabella hadn't given you blood this time, you'd really be dead!

I'm begging you, can't you just see Ella for who she really is and treat Isabella right?"

Adrian was silent for a few seconds, his voice low, "Ella just had a kidney transplant. She's not well. It's normal that she didn't donate..."

Hearing this, Julian almost choked, "Ella's not well? You think Isabella is?

Look at what she's put herself through for you all these years!

You treat her so badly. Aren't you afraid that if she finds out, she'll leave you for good?"

Adrian's tone was certain. "She won't."

"Isabella loves me deeply, just like I love Ella."

"She would never leave me."

Isabella stood outside the room, listening to Adrian's confident words—

"She would never leave me."

Her heart felt like it was being crushed by a dull blade, the pain so intense she could barely breathe.

So this was what it meant to be the favored one, to always be fearless.

But Adrian, you're wrong.

I don't love you anymore.

So, this time, I'm going to leave you for good

She couldn't stay here any longer. As she turned to leave, she heard Adrian's phone ring inside the ward.

“Ella?”

His voice instantly softened. "What's wrong?"

Ella's tearful voice came from the other end, too muffled to make out the words, but Adrian's expression changed abruptly.

He threw off the covers and ripped the IV needle from the back of his hand. Blood immediately seeped out, but he acted as if he couldn't feel the pain, grabbing his jacket and heading for the door.

“Adrian!”

Julian grabbed him, his voice laced with anger. "What do you think you're doing?

You're not healed. The doctor said you can't leave the hospital!"

Adrian shook off his hand, his tone icy. "Ella's afraid of thunder. I have to go be with her."

Julian was furious. "Are you fucking crazy? You'd throw your life away for her?

And what about Isabella? She just gave you blood. Did you even think to ask about her?!"

Adrian paused for a moment, but he didn't turn back.

He didn't even take his jacket, just pushed the door open and left, not even noticing Isabella standing outside.

Isabella watched his back, silent for a long time, and finally just let out a soft laugh.

She should have been used to it by now.

The moment Ella cried, Adrian's world would fall apart.

But as for her, Isabella, he wouldn't spare her a second glance even if she bled dry.

Two days later, Adrian came back.

When he opened the door to their home, Isabella was on the sofa, organizing plane tickets and documents.

“Isabella.”

He walked over to her, his tone unusually gentle. "I heard you gave blood for me?

That was foolish of you."

Isabella calmly put the documents away without even looking up. "As long as you're okay."

Adrian didn't seem to notice her coldness. He just sat down next to her and took her hand.

"Ella interrupted the proposal last time. I've arranged a new party to make it up to you."

Isabella finally looked up at him and saw that his face was pale from the blood loss and his refusal to stay in the hospital.

"Never mind."

?

She said softly, "What if Ella faints again?"

Adrian frowned, his tone firm. "She won't this time. I didn't invite her."

Isabella smiled.

He didn't understand her sarcasm.

But she didn't say anything more, just nodded.

...

On the way to the party, Adrian drove while Isabella sat in the passenger seat, watching the scenery fly by outside the window.

Adrian's phone rang.

As soon as he answered, Ella's heart-wrenching sobs came through the receiver—

“Adrian!

I've been kidnapped!

They said they're going to kill me—”

Adrian's face went pale. He slammed on the brakes, pulled up a tracking app, and a blinking red dot immediately appeared on the screen.

"Hold on!"

?

He growled, wrenching the steering wheel. The car spun around and sped toward the outskirts of the city.

The force of the sharp turn threw Isabella against the car door. Her forehead slammed into the glass, and blood instantly trickled down from her brow.

But Adrian didn't even notice, his mind completely focused on Ella's safety.

The car weaved recklessly through traffic on the highway, finally stopping on an abandoned bridge.

The rain was heavy outside, Isabella couldn't even make out the figures ahead, only vaguely seeing a man holding a knife to Ella's throat, standing by the edge of the bridge.

"Adrian!

You're finally here!"

?

The man roared hysterically.

"You destroyed my company and drove my wife to jump off a building!

Now, I'm going to make you lose the person you love most!"

Adrian got out of the car. The rain soaked his suit, but he seemed not to feel the cold as he walked closer, step by step.

"You've got it wrong."

?

His voice was ice-cold. "The person I love most isn't her."

The man froze, the blade of his knife shifting slightly away from Ella's neck. "What?"

Adrian's tone was icy. "Didn't you do research? The one you kidnapped is my ex. She abandoned me when I was crippled, and I hate her for it."

Adrian sneered. "The person I love now is the one who's been by my side all these years."

With that, he turned to look at Isabella in the car, his gaze so full of love.

Isabella froze.

This was the first time Adrian had ever looked at her like that.

But of all times, it had to be now.

The man looked suspiciously at Isabella. Adrian seized the opportunity to continue, "Go ahead and take Ella if you want. Isabella and I have to go look at wedding dresses tomorrow. We don't have time to waste on you."

After he spoke, he even reached his hand out to Isabella, his voice gentle. "Isabella, let's go."

A chill ran through Isabella.

She finally understood.

Adrian was using her as a shield, trying to make the kidnapper switch targets and let Ella go!

The man was indeed swayed. He shoved Ella aside and charged straight for Isabella!

"You're the one he really loves!"

?

He grinned menacingly, grabbing a handful of Isabella's hair and dragging her back toward the edge of the bridge.

Adrian's pupils contracted. He lunged forward, but the first thing he did was grab Ella.

"Ella..."

And Isabella, dragged by the man, was thrown right off the bridge!

The wind howled in her ears. As the icy river water closed over her head, she vaguely heard Adrian's cold voice from the bridge—

"Get the kidnapper first. Don't let him get away."

"Send him to prison, so there's no future trouble."

"We can't let him hurt Ella again!"

Isabella wanted to laugh, but the water filling her lungs was so painful that her vision went black.

Before she lost consciousness completely, she finally understood.

In Adrian's heart, her life was worth less than even a kidnapper's!

When Isabella woke up in the hospital, she heard a doctor's serious voice.

"Isabella's health has deteriorated severely over the past few years. Chronic drinking, emotional exhaustion, and old injuries from the drug trials... this fall from the bridge has done major damage. She must rest and recover properly from now on, or else..."

Before the doctor could finish, Adrian noticed she was awake. He rushed to the bedside, his voice laced with a rare tension. "Isabella, you're awake?

How are you?

Does anything still hurt?"

Isabella looked at him, her eyes completely calm.

If he was really worried about her, how could he have chosen to save the kidnapper first without a second thought?

Seeing her silence, Adrian reached out to touch her face, but she turned her head away.

He paused, his voice low. "I was careless this time. I'll make it up to you."

Isabella's lips twitched, but she said nothing.

Adrian, you owe me too much.

It can never be repaid.

Perhaps out of guilt, Adrian stayed by her side in the hospital for two full days. As soon as she was discharged, he immediately took her to an auction, saying it was to "compensate" her.

Isabella tried to refuse several times to no avail, so she had to go with him.

As soon as they arrived at the auction, they ran into an old acquaintance.

Ella!

But this time, Adrian didn't glance at Ella once. Instead, he stayed glued to Isabella's side, occasionally whispering to ask if she was cold.

Isabella knew he was acting.

Who was he performing for?

Maybe he was performing for himself, to ease his own guilt and feel a little better.

Before the auction started, Adrian took a phone call and stepped away for a moment.

Isabella was standing alone by the champagne table when a man walked up, smiled, and asked for her contact information. "Miss, you're very beautiful. Can I get to know you?"

Before Isabella could speak, an arm reached out from behind, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her into an embrace.

"She's my fiancée."

Adrian's voice was as cold as ice, his eyes dark as he stared at the man.

The man's expression changed, and he quickly apologized and left.

Adrian looked down at her, his brow furrowed. "Isabella, that guy was hitting on you. Why didn't you turn him down?"

Isabella said lightly, "We're not married yet."

Adrian caressed her face, his tone filled with undeniable possessiveness. "We're getting married sooner or later."

"Who else would you marry besides me?"

He stared into her eyes and said, word by word, "I'm not marrying anyone but you."

Isabella looked at him and laughed.

How ironic.

He didn't even love her, but he dared to vow he'd marry no one else.

After the auction started, Adrian bought almost everything Isabella wanted, spending a fortune without a second thought.

Ella sat not far away, staring at them with a dark look in her eyes.

When Isabella went to the restroom, Ella followed her in.

She locked the door behind her and sneered, "Isabella, you must be feeling pretty proud of yourself today, huh?"

"Do I need to remind you? Adrian only feels guilty for you, he doesn't love you."

"He probably still doesn't know, does he? That time you were pregnant, the baby was already three months along. It was me, crying and throwing a fit, saying I couldn't stand to see another woman carry his child, so he gave you abortion pills without a second thought. And not long ago, when my kidneys were failing, he didn't hesitate to take your kidney for me."

"Not to mention that time on the bridge, he pretended to hate me, but it was actually to push you into danger."

"Whenever, wherever, as long as I need something, he'll give me everything."

Ella leaned in close, her voice sickly sweet, "Isabella, you've completely lost!"

Ella had thought that after saying all this, she would immediately see Isabella break down hysterically.

That sight would probably be so satisfying.

But to her surprise, Isabella's expression remained calm from beginning to end.

She turned off the faucet and looked up at her. "Are you done?"

Ella froze.

Isabella dried her hands, her tone calm. "I don't care."

Anyway, she was leaving soon.

Ella looked at her in disbelief. "How could you not care?

Isabella, you..."

Her accusation was cut short as her expression suddenly changed, and she raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the face!

"Smack!"

The crisp sound of the slap echoed through the restroom.

Before Isabella could react, Adrian had already rushed over and shoved her away. "Isabella!

What are you doing?

!"

Isabella stumbled back, her lower back slamming hard into the sharp corner of a decorative table. The pain made her vision go black, and blood trickled down from her temple.

But Adrian didn't even glance at her. He went straight to help Ella up, his voice ice-cold. "Didn't I already compensate you?

Why do you still have to bully Ella?"

Ella covered her face, tears streaming down. "Adrian, don't blame Isabella, it's all my fault..."

Adrian's face was grim. He scooped Ella up in his arms, turned, and walked away.

Resting in his arms, Ella looked back at Isabella with a triumphant smile.

Isabella was left alone, leaning against the restroom wall, laughing until tears streamed down her face.

Isabella.

Look at yourself.

This is what your ten years have gotten you.

What have you gotten out of all this?

...

That night, Adrian didn't come back.

Isabella didn't call him once.

Her heart was completely dead. She no longer worried about him, kept track of him, where he was, or what he was doing, like she used to.

With her departure imminent, she invited a group of her best friends and threw herself a farewell party at the most luxurious hotel in the city center.

Her friends drank too much, and with red eyes, they all cursed Adrian for being a piece of shit.

"You gave so much for him, what right does he have to treat you like this?!"

"Jared liked you back in school. It's much better to be with him!"

Isabella just smiled, drinking one glass after another.

After the party ended, she paid the bill and stood alone in the hallway to sober up.

She had been awake for a while and was just about to leave when she heard Adrian and Julian arguing at the end of the hall—

"You're getting more and more ridiculous for Ella!"

"Because of one thing she said, you made Isabella get an abortion."

"To save her, you took Isabella's kidney."

"And now, just because Ella said she wants a child, you're going to have one with her?!"

Adrian's voice was terrifyingly calm: "If I don't have a baby with her, she'll find someone else, and I can't stand that."

"Then what about Isabella?"

Julian practically roared, "How can you do this to her?!"

Adrian was silent for a moment, then said lightly, "I'm already planning to marry her, aren't I? Isn't that enough?"

Isabella stood frozen, her fingernails digging deep into her palm.

The argument was coming to an end. Julian, unable to persuade him, left in a rage.

Adrian turned and left as well.

On some strange impulse, she followed Adrian and watched him enter a suite.

The door wasn't fully closed. Through the crack, she saw Adrian pin Ella to the bed, unbuckling his belt as he leaned down to kiss her, his voice hoarse, "Ella, let's have a baby."

Ella giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Then what about Isabella?"

Adrian's movements paused for a second, then he said lightly, "She won't find out."

Isabella stood outside the door, quietly watching the entire scene, then raised her phone and recorded everything.

This time, she didn't even shed a tear.

Because when your heart is dead, you can't feel pain anymore.

The night before she left, it was dark and quiet.

Isabella was busy packing. Just as she folded the last piece of clothing into her suitcase, she heard the lock turn.

Adrian walked in, his suit jacket draped casually over his arm. His tie was loose, and he smelled faintly of alcohol.

He stood at the door, his eyes landing on her open suitcase. He asked casually, "What are you packing for?"

Isabella was about to say, "I'm leaving," but Adrian cut her off, his tone gentle. "Isabella, teach me how to make Mashed potatoes."

She froze, watching in surprise as he walked to the kitchen.

All these years, she had always been the one to take care of him. He had never cooked.

She was silent for a moment, then followed him.

In the kitchen, Adrian stood at the counter, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his well-defined forearms.

He was clumsily slicing ginger, his knife skills awkward. It was clear he'd never done this before.

Isabella stood to the side, quietly giving him instructions.

After the mashed potatoes were done, he took a bite, his brow relaxing. "Not bad."

But he didn't offer her any.

Adrian didn't notice her expression. He glanced at his watch and said, "Isabella, I'd be busy in the next few days. I'll spend time with you later."

With that, he took the food and left.

Isabella stood frozen, listening to the door close. She silently took out her phone and opened Ella's social media feed.

Sure enough, she saw a new post.

[Suddenly craving Mashed potatoes. Anyone willing to learn how to make them for me?]

Isabella turned off her phone and let out a soft laugh.

She had learned to make that dish especially for him years ago.

And now, the man who never entered the kitchen was starting to cook, all for Ella.

Love and not love—truly, it's a cycle.

On the morning of her departure, Isabella finished packing all her bags by herself.

Her flight was in a few hours. She put on a hat, went out alone, and visited a few places.

6 hours before leaving, she went to the high school she and Adrian had attended.

The playground was empty. She found the tree she used to love and ran her fingers over the crookedly carved words on the bark—

"Isabella loves Adrian."

She took out her key and scraped away the words, bit by bit, until they were illegible.

The wood shavings fell like pieces of her shattered youth.

5 hours before leaving, she went to the famous Love Lock fence.

The engraved padlock was still hanging on the railing, their names carved on its surface.

Years ago, she had pestered Adrian to come here, blushing as she said, "I heard if you hang one of these, you'll be together forever."

Adrian had just given a faint "hmm" and let her do as she pleased.

Thinking back now, he probably never took it seriously.

Isabella yanked it hard. The chain broke, and it fell into the river without even a splash.

4 hours before leaving, she went to the Prayer walls.

She had planned to take back her Prayer Ribbons, but from a distance, she saw Adrian and Ella standing there.

Someone asked Ella, "What are you praying for?"

Ella said in a sweet voice, "I'm praying for a baby to come to me soon~"

Adrian chuckled, his voice gentle. "I'm praying for the wish of the person beside me to come true."

They took the milagros, but found there was no empty space on the Prayer walls, nowhere to hang them.

Adrian frowned and said to a staff member, "I'll donate five million. Take all of these down."

The staff member hurried over, took down the milagros one by one, and asked, "What... should I do with these?"

Adrian didn't even look. "Throw them away."

Isabella, standing around the corner, silently walked over and picked up the large pile of discarded milagros.

They were all the wishes she had written over the years—

"May Adrian's legs recover."

"May Adrian be safe and happy."

"May I grow old with Adrian."

She smiled, her eyes stinging.

Well, that's fine. It saves me the trouble of throwing them away myself.

In the last hour, she rushed to the airport with her luggage.

After boarding, a flight attendant gently reminded her to turn off her phone.

The airport broadcast made the boarding announcement.

After boarding, a flight attendant gently reminded her to turn off her phone.

Isabella opened her photo album and found the video she had recorded that day.

The scene of Adrian and Ella being intimate.

She selected the video and pressed send.

Then, she typed, word by word—

"Adrian, you took my kidney for Ella. I know."

"When Ella threw a fit, you secretly aborted our child. I know."

"You want to have your own child with Ella. I know that too."

"Adrian, you got what you wanted. I don't want you anymore. I'm giving you back to Ella for good."

Tap send, block, delete, power off.

As the plane soared into the sky, Isabella gazed at the rolling sea of clouds outside her window and gently closed her eyes.

This time, she would never look back.