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!

"You killed Dad, Jace! It was you! I'll kill you!" I shouted furiously.

Jace struggled against me, laughing maniacally. "Do you have any proof that I killed him? Your ex-fiancee loves me. Your wife loves me. They both believe I'm innocent and kind. They're on my side. What can you do about it?"

His words only fueled my rage. But after years of being ill, my body was so weak that I couldn't muster enough strength to strangle him.

Instead, Jace shoved me away violently and exclaimed, "Do you hate me that much, Julian? I'm sorry for everything. Please stop hitting me…"

"What's going on?" Erica rushed over upon hearing the commotion.

She glared at me in fury and slapped me hard across the face with eyes full of disappointment.

Erica started yelling at me. "Julian, he's your brother! How could you strangle him? Are you insane?"

Jace shook his head pitifully. "Please don't get mad at Julian. This is all my fault. I'm the one who got Kenneth killed."

I ignored the stinging pain in my cheek and stared at Erica with bloodshot eyes. "Only you and I knew where Dad's grave was. Was it you who took him there to dig up Dad's ashes?"

"What are you talking about?" Erica was stunned. "Jace went to pay his respects. How can you assume that he'd do something so terrible?"

She had once promised to keep her feelings for Jace hidden in front of me. But the moment things got turbulent, she exposed herself completely without even realizing it.

I looked at her, trembling in anger. And then, I started to laugh.

"Erica, if you're going to protect him, then protect him all the way. Never stop. Even if I die tonight, don't you ever change. Because if you do, I'm afraid you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Without waiting for my reply, Erica left with Jace.

As they walked away, Jace turned back and gave me a mocking smirk.

I stared after him, frozen in place with my hands trembling, barely able to breathe. A flood of overwhelming emotion surged through me, and I collapsed to the floor in despair.

I knew what was happening to me. This was a somatization episode.

My phone rang over and over again, but I didn't even have the strength to pick it up. After a long while, I finally answered the call.

"Mr. Swenson, I'm calling from the Jeston Police Department on North Street. We've retrieved the letter of forgiveness you requested. It's already been mailed to your home. Please keep an eye out for it."

"T-Thank you," I said, struggling to steady my voice.

My body felt like it was falling apart as I left the restaurant.

I deleted all of Erica's contact information and tossed my old SIM card away.

From that moment on, I was done with Erica. There was nothing left between us.

Later that night, while Erica was driving Jace home, her phone suddenly rang. She answered, only to hear something that chilled her to the bone.

"Hello, this is the Jeston Police Department. We've recovered the body of a man who drowned in the river, along with a suicide note and a letter of forgiveness.

"The letter of forgiveness was written by you for Jace Swenson. We have verified the suicide note. It was written by your husband, Julian Swenson. We need you to come and identify the body."