At the dinner table, my wife's best friend suddenly speaks to her in Lytian.

"Three years ago, you married Julian in a grand wedding just to help Jace get Julian's letter of forgiveness. Over the years, I've seen Julian fall more and more deeply in love with you. Yet, you're still lying to him.

"You gave him sterilization pills but passed them off as his depression medication. Aren't you afraid that he'll fall apart if he finds out the truth?"

My wife, Erica Inman, briefly shows a conflicted expression on her face.

She then gives a bitter smile and says, "A child unwanted by their mother has no reason to be born. As long as Julian doesn't stand in the way of Jace's happiness, I will keep my promise and stay by his side for the rest of his life."

No one knows that I've learned Lytian to keep up with Erica.

I stand in the living room and look at the fresh kiss mark on my neck. As I glance at the medication I take regularly for my depression, my whole body turns cold.

It turns out that all of Erica's affection toward me was fake. What I thought was my salvation turns out to be nothing but a carefully planned deception.

Since that's the case, I'll do my part to make sure they all get what they want.

The voices around the dinner table kept going.

Tori Glover couldn't bear it any longer.

"Forget the medication," she said. "Three years ago, Jace jumped into the river to take his own life. Julian's father did everything he could to save him, but Jace went berserk and shoved him under the water until he drowned.

"Come on, Erica. Anyone who saw that video would think he did it on purpose. It made perfect sense for Julian to sue him for murder."

She paused for a bit before continuing in a measured voice, "But to keep Jace out of prison, you deliberately became Julian's legal guardian. Then, you signed a letter of forgiveness behind his back.

"Jace walked away scot-free, alright. But Julian was left with severe depression. He's been blaming himself every single day. If he ever finds out the truth, he'll break."

Erica Inman frowned in frustration, but her tone was cold and resolute. "Jace didn't do it on purpose. He was drowning! Those movements were unintended. Kenneth died trying to save him, and Jace regrets it deeply.

"I hid the letter well. Julian will never know the truth. I'll treat him right and spend the rest of my life making it up to him. I'll give him a home. He'll forget the pain, and he'll heal."

Tori let out a long sigh. "Don't be mad. I just feel sorry for Julian. You were there for him when he was at his lowest, and he started falling for you. But the one you've always truly loved is Jace. Whatever. I hope you can keep this hidden forever. And I hope you won't regret it."

Erica finished her coffee and said, slowly and firmly, "I won't regret it."

Her resolute words shattered whatever strength I had left. I fled my house, which had been the sanctuary I once saw as my salvation.

The next day was New Year's Eve, and the streets were bustling with a cheerful energy.

That very morning, Erica had held me tight after making love to me with passion. She'd whispered over and over that she loved me.

Now, each one of her proclamations of love was like a knife that plunged deep into my chest, stabbing me until I was a bloody mess.

I ran to the park and collapsed onto a bench. My eyes burned, and I clenched my jaw hard, struggling to contain the storm inside me.

Buried memories began to resurface alongside the dissipating feelings of love and adoration.

The day I got engaged to my girlfriend, Sabrina Levitt, Jace couldn't take it. He was deeply and madly in love with her. So, he left behind a suicide note and jumped into the river to drown himself.

He was an excellent swimmer, and although he was actually my mother's illegitimate son, my father, Kenneth Swenson, still dove in to save him.

Many people captured the scene on video. I saw Dad doing his best to lift Jace toward the surface. But Jace pressed down on his shoulders, stomped on his head, and shoved him deeper into the water.

Tragically, Dad drowned.

When I rushed over, Jace's eyes were filled with tears as he sobbed pitifully, "I-I just… lost control of myself for a moment. Please don't blame me for this, Julian. When Dad saved me, I'm sure all he wanted was for me to live…"

I broke down and screamed at him. He could swim! So why would he push Dad under like that?

Still, he kept repeating that it wasn't intentional.

I filed charges for attempted murder.

Out of nowhere, Sabrina called off our engagement… and married Jace.

Sabrina said, "I won't let you hurt Jace."

Soon after, conspiracy theories filled the internet. People claimed I was using Dad's death to gain sympathy, attract attention, and make money from it.

They said I was blowing things out of proportion and that I was jealous of my younger half-brother. People believed that was why my soon-to-be fiancee left me.

The overwhelming public opinion suffocated me. I suffered a mental breakdown and was diagnosed with severe depression.

But even then, I didn't give up on seeking justice for Dad. He had cared for me and protected me for 23 years. How could I call it quits so easily?

It was around that time that Erica began pursuing me intensely. She was meticulous in caring for me, and she constantly stayed by my side.

I thought she was an angel sent by the heavens and agreed to marry her.

Shortly after our wedding, the court ruled that Jace was not guilty.

I tried to let go of the past and to get better. I wanted to have a child with Erica and build a happy family with her. But what I thought was my salvation turned out to be nothing but proof of how deeply she loved Jace.

At some point, Erica walked up to me with an umbrella. Her brows that had been knitted in worry relaxed slightly the moment she saw me. A flicker of concern flashed in her eyes.

She said, "You left so suddenly. Why didn't you tell me you were going out? I was so worried. The weather's getting colder, and work is crazy at the end of the year. If you get sick, how am I supposed to take care of you?"

I wasn't surprised that Erica had found me. She'd installed a tracking app on my phone.

The reason she gave was that she was afraid my depression would spiral, causing me to lose control and harm myself unknowingly. She wanted to be there for me at all times.

I believed her.

But now I knew the truth. Erica was afraid I'd go after Jace. That was the real reason why she kept tabs on me.

My gaze dimmed. My nose reddened as I stared blankly at the snowflakes drifting from the sky.

I murmured, "I heard if you make a wish during the first snowfall, it's especially potent. So, I came out here to make one."

My first wish was to divorce Erica smoothly.

My second was that once the divorce was finalized, I'd never have to see her again.

My third wish was that I hoped Dad wouldn't hate me. I prayed he wouldn't hate me for falling in love with someone who did all she could to shield the man responsible for his death and for wanting to have a child with her.

Erica draped her coat over my shoulders and touched my face gently.

In a tender voice, she said, "Then you should put on more clothes. Look at your hands. They're freezing. By the way, what did you wish for just now?"

I stared at her blankly as she continued playing the role of a devoted wife.

"I made some wishes for us… and for my father," I replied.

Erica's expression stiffened, and she looked at me for a long moment before she started preaching.

"Jace is your half-brother, after all. You are family. He's heartbroken that Kenneth's gone too. You're each other's only family now. It's been three years already. Maybe it's time—"

"I understand," I cut her off. "I won't make trouble anymore."

I'd already gone to court, and Jace wasn't convicted. I didn't appeal back then. Even if I withdrew the letter of forgiveness now, it wouldn't change anything.

Erica quietly let out a breath of air she'd been unconsciously holding. She smiled and visibly relaxed.

"It's so good that you're finally letting go, Julian. New year, new beginnings. From now on, let's live well together. We'll be so very happy. I just know we will," Erica rambled.

I listened quietly without saying a word and went home with her.

Tori had already left. Erica said she had some work to do in the study room.

I sat in silence as emotions surged violently through me until I finished printing the divorce agreement.

Without hesitation, I signed it and headed straight for the study.

To my surprise, I found the door half open, but no one was inside.

It was the first time I had entered Erica's study. It was tidy and clean. On the desk was a photo of Jace. On the corner of the desk lay several pieces of paper, on which she had written his name over and over.

Each careful pen stroke spelled out a deep-seated crush.

I thought I would be able to face the truth calmly by now. But it turned out that I had overestimated myself. I felt a suffocating ache in my chest that threatened to tear me apart.

It hurt so much that I could barely breathe.

On the desk, there was an exquisite velvet box that housed a stunning sapphire watch. I knew at a glance that it was a priceless piece that one might not even be able to buy, no matter how much one was willing to pay.

I had always loved sapphires because I was drawn to their cool, aloof beauty. But Erica had only ever given me ties and brooches.

She always said, "Accessories like brooches are more distinguished. Besides, they make your striking appearance look even more refined."

I believed her sweet flattery back then.

Instinctively, I took the sapphire watch out of the box to look at it. It was beautiful, dazzling even. The sapphire at the center was about the size of a thumb, surrounded by tiny diamonds that sparkled with every slight movement.

I flipped it over and saw the engraving on the back—JS.

One name immediately came to my mind… Jace Swenson.

My breath caught in my throat, and I felt dizzy. Enduring the searing pain, I fled the prison of love she had built for me.

Enough was enough. I needed to get as far away as possible.

I contacted a covert agency that provided fake-death services and made all the arrangements.

All that remained was to retrieve the letter of forgiveness from the police. The same one that Erica had kept hidden from me for the past three years.

Erica didn't come home that night.

The next day, she greeted me with a wide smile when she returned.

She said happily, "Julian, tomorrow is Jace's birthday, and it's also New Year's Eve! Let's all spend the evening together, okay? I've already invited him to dinner under your name. You two have been at odds for so long. It's time to mend things, don't you think? Can you please just do this for me?"

I looked at Erica.

She was coaxing me in a low, soft voice. Her bright eyes brimmed with tenderness and sincerity.

For some reason, I suddenly recalled that darkest year of my life. She had looked at me the same way back then, when she wrestled the knife from my hand and saved me from ending it all.

"Alright, I'll go."

If that was what she wanted, I would grant her wish. Let this be my way of repaying her for those years when she pulled me from the brink every time my depression took over.

On New Year's Eve, Erica booked out an entire restaurant.

Jace arrived wearing a custom dark gray suit that was tailored to fit his body to a tee. He looked like a model stepping out of a fashion magazine.

Erica immediately let go of my hand and walked straight to him. "Happy birthday, Jace. Here's my gift for you."

I looked over and saw that it was that familiar velvet box with the same sapphire watch inside it.

Of course, it was for Jace.

Realizing that I was still present, Erica forced a stiff smile and added, "Your brother and I picked it out together."

Jace raised an eyebrow. "Thank you. I like it a lot."

After Erica headed out to place our order, Jace's expression turned to one of scorn as he walked over to me.

"Wow. So you still remember you have a brother, huh? Don't you know that your wife is just a backup I didn't want? Surely you knew that, right?" Jace mocked.

I glanced at him and sat down. "Did you come to brag?"

Jace seemed taken aback by my lack of reaction.

He paused for a second, then sneered. "Of course not. You gave me a gift. I've got one for you too."

He pulled out a green brooch and tossed it in front of me like it was garbage.

When I got a good look at it, my face went pale.

It was the brooch that had been placed inside Dad's urn. Why did Jace have it?

I lunged forward and grabbed his arm. "Where did you get this brooch? Answer me!"

Jace gave me a taunting smile. "Where else? I dug up that old bastard's ashes to get it. Aren't I thoughtful? I even remembered to save the brooch so that I could give it back to you.

"If Kenneth hadn't refused to divorce my mom back then, my dad wouldn't have died of his depression in that hospital. Your father got what he deserved! He didn't deserve a proper burial. So, I scattered his ashes into the sewer. That's where he should end up!"

A surge of fury erupted deep within me. My eyes turned bloodshot with rage. I lunged and clamped my hands around his damned throat!