For the ninety-seventh time, Joziah asked me to clean up a mess for Mia, his childhood friend. I was nursing a painful stomach and replied, my face pale, "I really can't go this time."

He hesitated for a moment, then gently pulled me into a hug, murmuring softly, "Aurora, think of it as me cashing in one of the gratitude tokens you gave me. Once this is over, I promise I'll make it up to you."

I stiffened in his embrace, feeling a coldness seep into my bones, but eventually, I nodded slightly.

Five years ago, a drunk guy hassled me on the street, and Joziah came to my rescue. In gratitude, I crafted a hundred gratitude tokens just for him. At first, he treasured them, not wanting to spend even one.

But once Mia joined the company, those tokens seemed to vanish quickly—whether it was fetching coffee and parcels for her, rushing design drafts, or taking the blame for her plagiarism.

This time, she had offended a key partner, and Joziah ordered me to drink and apologize in her place.

I drank until my stomach perforated, ended up being rushed to the hospital, and had to undergo surgery to remove a portion of my stomach.

Lying on the hospital bed, Joziah only commented, "You've been through a lot. Consider this another token used. Rest up and get well."

In his eyes, I was nothing more than a tool to be commanded at will.

Staring at the remaining three tokens, I managed a bitter smile—freedom was near.

---

Today was the day of the jewelry launch I had prepared as the chief designer, just my second day out of the hospital post-surgery.

But when Mia crashed into the jewelry display, damaging several priceless pieces, Joziah's first reaction was to protect her and instruct me, "Aurora, apologize to the guests and clients immediately."

I stood there, frozen, disbelief washing over me.

Our partner, eyebrows furrowed and face full of anger, said, "Mr. Carlson, I let Mia's previous mistake with the proposal slide, but now she's ruined the launch. Are you going to make Aurora clean up this mess again and deceive us?"

Mia's eyes filled with tears as she clung to Joziah's sleeve pitifully, looking utterly wronged.

Joziah instinctively put her behind him, hastily explaining, "Please, Mr. Gonzalez, calm down. It was an accident, and we'll surely provide a satisfactory solution."

"Aurora Wells, why are you just standing there? Kneel and apologize to Mr. Gonzalez immediately! And this time, hand over all your design copyrights to him for free!"

He completely disregarded the fact that I had just been discharged from the hospital, still recovering, and the effort and dreams I had poured into this work.

The media, colleagues, and guests at the launch were whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with sympathy for me.

Everyone knew it wasn't my fault and that Joziah was determined to protect Mia.

Just as I was about to refuse, Joziah approached me, whispering just three words: "Gratitude token."

Five years ago, when a drunk harassed me on the street, Joziah appeared and saved me from despair. To repay his kindness, I meticulously made a hundred gratitude tokens.

At first, he cherished them, not using even one. But everything changed after Mia joined the company.

This marked the ninety-eighth time he used a token to have me clean up Mia's mess.

My fingers turned white from gripping my dress tightly as I walked step-by-step towards our partner, kneeling down.

"Mr. Gonzalez, it was our mistake. Please show kindness."

He frowned, asking me to rise quickly, but I remained rooted to the ground, unable to move.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Joziah holding Mia around her waist, gazing at her with adoration. "You little scatterbrain, I'll give you a proper talking to tonight."

Mia nestled into his embrace, teasingly replied, "Yes, Mr. Carlson, I'm at your mercy."

Anyone could discern what his "punishment" entailed.

The eyes cast upon me, the supposed wife of the president, were filled with even more compassion.

Internally, I smiled wryly, reassuring myself that it was okay... Freedom was near.

After the partner left, I struggled to stand. My legs were numb and without feeling, and I instinctively reached out to steady myself on Joziah.

But he pushed me away disdainfully, scolding with a frown, "What are you doing?"

"I’ve told you countless times not to cling in public; can't you be more discreet? Aren't you embarrassed?"

He seemed to have completely forgotten why I was in such distress—a moment ago embracing Mia intimately, only for a reflexive attempt to steady myself to become a shameful affair.

His undisguised disdain cut like a sharp knife, piercing straight through my heart.

Previously, I would have explained, feeling wronged, that it wasn't intentional—I just lost balance with my numb leg. Or I'd have broken down and questioned, why should I kneel and apologize for Mia? Wasn't losing half my stomach enough?

But this time, I merely dusted off my knees and spoke quietly, "Sorry, I was out of line."

Joziah’s initial disdainful impatience froze momentarily, a flash of surprise crossing his face.

"Aurora, you..."

Just as I was about to finish talking, Mia approached us.

"Joziah, I'm feeling a bit under the weather," she said.

Immediately, Joziah took off his jacket and placed it gently over her shoulders. "Are you catching a cold?" he asked, concerned.

He glanced my way, looking somewhat sheepish. "Aurora, don't read too much into this. Mia and I grew up together, and I promised her parents I'd look out for her."

I forced a smile and nodded. "I understand."

Trying to put him at ease, I added, "You're just using another one of your 'appreciation tokens,' right? I'm fine with that."

Joziah hesitated, about to speak, but Mia sniffled, her eyes welling up.

"Let's head over to the clinic so you can get checked," he suggested.

With that, he led Mia away, leaving me to watch them disappear into the crowd. The once lively atmosphere now felt inexplicably chilly.

After the gathering ended, I went back to my office and opened the bottom drawer. Inside was a wooden box containing those 'appreciation tokens.' I stared at the 98th token, memories rushing back, but I tore it up without a second thought.

Feeling calmer, I dialed my lawyer friend.

"Reece, I need you to draft a separation agreement."

"Separation? Did Joziah do something? Why the sudden decision?"

"Our marriage was a mistake from the start," I replied bitterly.

Reece didn't ask for more details, instead saying, "When do you need it?"

Looking out the window, I answered firmly, "In the next couple of days."

Right then, the office door swung open.

"Who were you talking to?" Joziah asked, stepping in with a gift bag in hand.

I hung up and replied coolly, "Just discussing a separation with Reece."

Joziah's expression fell as he came over quickly. "Separation? Who's separating?"

"I'm just consulting for a friend."

With visible relief, Joziah handed me the gift bag. In the past, whenever he'd upset me, he'd apologize with gifts, stay late to work with me, and bring pastries, urging me to go home early so I wouldn’t be overtired.

Sometimes I felt sorry for him and told him to take a break.

But Joziah would always say, "Aurora, I can't stand being apart from you, not even for a moment. I can't sleep without you next to me."

Seeing the bag labeled "Astra," a warmth spread through me. It was my favorite designer brand.

I took the bag, smiling without realizing it. "How did you know I—"

Opening it, I stopped, frozen. "What is this?"

Stunned, I looked back at him.

Instead of gifts, it held a stack of documents.

Joziah shifted uncomfortably under my gaze.

"Mia's illness is serious, and she needs a month's rest, but her major projects can't be left hanging."

"Could you wrap them up for her? It'll stop any bad rumors about her at the firm."

He added casually, "If needed, I'll use another token. There are plenty left, so don't be too picky."

A sharp pain pierced my heart.

I wanted to tell him.

Joziah, after this, there's only one 'appreciation token' left.

But instead, I closed the folder quietly.

I had once given him everything, committed fully to every task. Now, I was just a convenient tool, fulfilling Mia's duties for free.

Looking back, I realized how blind I'd been.