The surroundings felt empty, missing the little furball who used to wag his tail and curl around me for affection. I closed my eyes, allowing the pain to seep in.

If I could turn back time, I would never have crossed paths with Maximiliano.

The man I always chased brought me nothing but endless sorrow. From start to finish, his heart held only Melany.

The Reyes and Turner families were old friends. Maximiliano and I grew up together, childhood companions without a hint of suspicion. Everyone expected Maximiliano's future wife would naturally be me. I secretly thought so too.

But that all shattered with Melany's arrival.

"Elisa, I've fallen for someone," he said.

It was the first time I saw Maximiliano smile with such genuine joy. His eyes were bright, locked onto the girl holding the camera. Melany, like Maximiliano, was part of the photography club. Their connection was immediate and spirited. According to Maximiliano, it was love at first sight, a soul-stirring experience.

"Elisa, you'll wish us well, won't you?"

I remember that day clearly: the sky was a perfect blue, with the scent of freshly baked gingerbread filling the air—a rare, beautiful day. My legs felt like they were made of lead as I stood there, staring at the perfect couple before me. The words in my heart transformed into a single phrase on my lips. "Congratulations."

For the next four years of college, I chose to fade from Maximiliano's life, only daring to watch from a distance at the happiness that wasn't mine. At that time, I thought I would always be alone.

But I hadn't foreseen Melany ending things with Maximiliano. She left abruptly for a study-abroad program, making a clean break. Maximiliano only found out after she had flown away. That was the first time I saw him completely lose control.

He caused a scene at the airport and was taken away by the police. The Reyes family was furious and decided to arrange a marriage for him immediately. And the bride they chose for him was me.

Marrying Maximiliano was something I was willing to do. At the time, I felt incredibly lucky. After all the twists and turns, I was still the one by his side.

But it was only later that I understood. Happiness that is borrowed isn't meant to last.

Due to my deep love for Maximiliano Reyes, I gave up my position as the heir to the Turner family and dedicated myself to being a supportive and loyal wife.

"Max, you've always looked after me; now it's my turn."

When we got married, Maximiliano seemed emotionally distant. When Melany Jackson left, it was as if she took his spirit with her. But I didn't mind; after our wedding, he was all I could see. I always believed that love would grow over time.

Just like now, when I said those words, Maximiliano didn't reply with words. Instead, his throat bobbed, and he pulled me into a warm embrace, carrying a faint coffee aroma—a scent I've always loved.

During that time, I was so happy that I even smiled in my sleep. I thought this happiness would last forever, especially after I accidentally discovered that I could share feelings with Snowball. I experienced all its emotions and its deep love for me. It seemed absurd—the idea of shared emotions between a human and an animal. But when I told Maximiliano about it, he was simply curious, not finding it odd.

My heart felt warm as I joked, "So, you'd better watch out when you pet him from now on; I can feel it all."

Maximiliano's eyes flickered, but he didn't respond. It wasn't until later that I realized he began using Snowball as a way to control me.

Melany came back in the second year of our marriage. It was then that I understood how powerful a past love can be. Despite all my efforts to win his heart for over a year, one tear from her was enough for Maximiliano to walk away from me. It was the first time I lost my cool with him.

"If you go to see her, I'll tell your grandfather!"

The Reyes family was dead set against Melany due to past events. I thought I had found Maximiliano's weak spot, but I only ended up making him furious.

"Elisabeth Turner, don't think I don't know that your family had its own motives when I married you!"

His expression turned icy, and as I stood there stunned, he grabbed the sleeping Snowball. In the next moment, it felt like a heavy weight pressed down on me. Maximiliano choked Snowball, and the suffocating feeling was transferred directly to me. Clutching my throat, I crumpled to the floor.

Seeing this, Maximiliano seemed satisfied. "Remember, this is what you get for threatening me."

He let go, tossing Snowball aside. "Please, don’t...please don’t go..." I gasped, reaching out in desperation, as everything faded to black and I passed out.

Maximiliano had finally left.

With Fluffy around, he'd become even more brazen. He even brought someone into our home. The moment Melany saw me, she warmly took my hand.

“It’s been so long, Elisabeth. You’ve been looking after Max so well. Thank you.”

Loving someone is like tending a garden—a fact she personified perfectly. Even after years, she was still as vibrant and captivating as ever. Every glance and smile commanded attention, unlike me, my hands now rough and calloused.

“Miss Jackson, isn’t it just expected that I take care of my husband?” I couldn't help but retort.

But in the next second, Maximiliano shoved me out of the room with a firm hand, pulling Melany into his arms, his eyes cold.

“Leave, and don’t make me repeat myself.”

A man bringing another woman home and then throwing his wife out—it sounds ridiculous.

When I was forced out, I was only wearing a simple housecoat, with no phone. The night was chilly, and soon, a light drizzle began. Shivering in the cold, I knocked on the door, hoping for a bit of warmth, even just a warmer piece of clothing. But then it hit me—the door was soundproof, and no one inside could hear me.

Just as I was about to pull my hand back, I glanced inside and saw the dim glow of a lamp in the living room. Melany was sitting on Maximiliano’s lap, the two of them locked in a tender embrace, sharing a kiss. On such a cold night, it was unbelievably cozy.

My entire body froze, my blood turning to ice. I didn’t know how much time had passed before they finally broke apart. Melany, looking shy, blushed and snuggled back into Maximiliano’s arms. His hand gently stroked her back, soothingly, over and over.

That warmth was something I only dreamed of having.

The door suddenly creaked open, and there stood Maximiliano. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. The red marks on his neck were glaringly obvious, painfully obvious. His gaze towards me was intensely indifferent.

“Melany’s hungry. Go cook.”

I laughed.

“Maximiliano, what do you take me for?”

He looked slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting me to talk back. But it lasted just a moment. His expression quickly hardened again.

“Do you want to feel that again?”

He was referring to the torment of Fluffy. Because of the Reyes family, Maximiliano wouldn’t lay a hand on me, but he tormented Fluffy, making my life a living hell in the process.

For the first time, the man I had loved so deeply felt like a complete stranger.