"Why?"

I gripped the sheets.

Deep down, I already knew the answer.

And sure enough—

"Because the County Clerk's Office was fake. The marriage certificate was fake. The parents were fake. The relatives at the wedding were fake too.

"I arranged all of it. So tell me, how exactly are you going to sue me?"

She sounded like we were discussing lunch plans.

My heart sank even lower.

How could this be the same girl who'd begged every neighbor in our building for half a tablet of ibuprofen when I got sick during the outbreak?

The same girl who spent three years caring for my hospitalized mother?

The same girl who always gave me the sweetest slice of watermelon?

Who stayed by my side through depression?

Who folded the pages of my books ahead of time so I wouldn't have to see pictures of snakes and bugs?

And now she was telling me—

None of it had been real.

"Fine. Then I'll leave. I'll stay as far away from you as possible for the rest of my life. That works, right?"

Leah stared at me for a long moment.

Then she suddenly grabbed my collar.

Before I could react, she crashed her lips against mine.

The kiss was fierce.

Desperate.

Like she wanted to force me to stay.

I shoved at her, but she wouldn't let go.

Not until a knock sounded at the door.

"Mr. Fulton is awake."

Leah finally pulled back.

"Mm."

I raised my hand.

For a second, I wanted to slap her.

But under her steady gaze, I forced myself to stop.

A faint smile touched her lips.

Her eyes were red.

She kissed my palm. "What happened between us stays between us.

"Don't tell Shawn. You can't handle the consequences."

Then she added,

"He wants you there tomorrow for our anniversary photos. Be good and go. If you don't, he'll be upset."

Every word sounded like an order.

She straightened her clothes and walked out.

Bodyguards stood outside the door.

A moment later, my phone buzzed.

[Bank Transfer Received: $200,000]

Once upon a time, that amount would've been unimaginable to me.

Now it was nothing more than pocket change she used to keep Shawn happy.

***

The next morning, I was taken to a photo studio.

The second I walked in, I saw Leah sitting on Shawn's lap, rubbing his stomach while the staff looked away, embarrassed.

I froze.

A long time ago, she'd spent days watching videos and learning massage techniques for me.

Every night, she'd rub my temples and shoulders whenever my headaches got bad.

Back then, I thought that tenderness belonged to me.

I thought we'd grow old together.

I never imagined I'd end up standing here like the other man, watching her love someone else right in front of me.

The pressure in my chest made it hard to breathe.

I lowered my head.

My eyes burned.

"Mr. Wren!" Shawn waved me over. "You're finally here. Help me out. Which set should we shoot?"

I pointed at a random photo in the album.

Shawn frowned.

"Huh? You like this one? I prefer another set."

The moment he said that, Leah took the album.

Rip.

She tore the photo out without hesitation.

Then she leaned over and kissed his neck. "It's okay. What he thinks doesn't matter. What matters is what you like.

"Now let him choose again."

Shawn grinned and pushed the album back toward me.

Waiting.

Expecting.

I looked down at the photos.

Slowly, I raised my hand.

'What he thinks doesn't matter.'

The words echoed in my head.

My feelings didn't matter.

That's why Leah could lie to me for seven years.

Why she could order me to accept it.

Why she never cared whether it hurt.

In her eyes, she'd always been above me.

And I'd never really had a choice.

Shawn went to change clothes.

I sat on the couch and watched the shoot.

Leah kissed his forehead while he smiled at the camera.

She lifted his hand and proudly showed off their wedding rings.

She wore cute outfits she'd never worn around me and played along with all his ridiculous poses.

The studio was full of laughter.

Flash after flash.

And suddenly, I remembered my own wedding photos with Leah.

There weren't many.

Just a few pictures taken on a phone.

I wore a cheap coat.

She wore an inexpensive veil.

We stood outside in the cold, shivering while our breath fogged the air.

And she looked happier than I'd ever seen her.

Snow landed in our hair.

For one perfect, stupid moment, I thought we'd grow old together.

Back then, that was enough.

That was happiness.

But now, the dream I'd held onto for seven years had finally shattered.

"Mr. Wren, come take a look. Which one looks better?"

Shawn called me over again.

Leah's gaze followed me quietly.

My legs felt stiff and numb, but I forced myself to walk into the fitting room.

Only Shawn and I were inside.

"Mr. Wren, how does it feel watching us take wedding photos?"

I blinked. "What?"

"Nothing."

His smile never changed.

Then his arm brushed the clothing rack. The entire row of suits crashed down.

Heavy metal bars slammed into my back. Pain exploded through me.

Shawn stumbled back and shouted for help.

"Help! Somebody help!"

Everyone outside rushed over.

"Shawn!"

"Leah, I'm here! Help me!"

Leah ran in immediately.

The first thing she did was pull Shawn into her arms.

Just as she was about to call the bodyguards to help me, Shawn grabbed his stomach.

"Leah... it hurts..."

Then he collapsed.

Without hesitation, Leah helped him up and headed out.

A sharp pain tore through my back.

It felt like something had stabbed into me.

Desperate, I reached toward her.

"Leah..."

I used every bit of strength I had left.

She froze.

I knew she heard me.

But she never looked back.

Blood spread across my shirt.

Somewhere, something shattered.

Suddenly, my wrist felt empty.

Then everything went black.

***

I jolted awake.

Shawn's smiling face was the first thing I saw.

Just like last time.

Only this time, there was no warmth in his eyes.

"Leah won't have a child because of you. Did you really think I'd let you stay?"

Then he held up a handful of broken pieces.

My breath caught.

A watch.

My watch.

My hand flew to my wrist.

"You knew... The watch... my watch..."

Seven years ago, when my mother died, she'd left me that watch.

It was the only thing I had left of her.

And now it was gone.

Shattered.

"Give it back! Give me my watch!"

Tears blurred my vision.

Shawn calmly closed his eyes. "Shh.

"Not enough."

Holding the broken watch, Shawn lightly dragged a sharp edge across his own neck and shot me a triumphant smile.

The next second, he cried out.

The door flew open.

Leah walked in carrying the seafood chowder he'd asked for and rushed straight to him.

"Shawn! What happened?"

Shawn instantly put on a frightened expression. "Mr. Wren said I broke his watch. He tricked me into coming closer and wanted me to pay with my life.

"I'm sorry, Leah. I didn't mean to."

Leah looked up.

Her gaze landed on me, cold and unforgiving. "You couldn't even keep track of your own belongings, and you're blaming Shawn?"

She didn't hesitate. "Take him to Velour Noir."

"No! Leah, this has nothing to do with you! You have no right to do this!"

Everyone in Seavora knew what Velour Noir was.

The city's biggest den of vice.

People auctioned off there were either destroyed by sickos or tortured to death.

Before I could fight back, the bodyguards locked my arms.

Leah's voice was icy. "Tell Velour Noir his starting bid is one dollar. And no bidders except disabled casino debtors."

"No! Don't! Leah, let me go! I'm not your husband! What gives you the right? I won't go! I don't want that watch anymore! I don't want you eith—"

A hand clamped over my mouth.

"Mmph! Mmph!"

The bodyguards dragged me toward the elevator.

One of them leaned in and whispered, "Mr. Wren, don't worry. Ms. Lambert already arranged a substitute for you. Calling this a misunderstanding is our last resort. We'll protect you the entire time. You won't be hurt."

The elevator doors slid shut.

Then—

Several groans echoed through the elevator.

The bodyguards dropped one after another.

Panic surged through me.

Another group rushed in and shoved me into a sack. "Mr. Fulton knew Ms. Lambert would have a backup plan. He had us waiting here. Accept your fate."

Despair swallowed me whole.

I closed my eyes.

Before the elevator reached the first floor, the doors creaked open.

Someone stood outside in the shadows.

Sharp clicks of high heels echoed through the silence.

"You... How is this possible...?"

They sounded like they'd seen a ghost, fumbling for their phones.

I looked at that blurry figure.

Then darkness swallowed me again.

Whether I live or die this time—

Leah,

I never want to see you again.