After leaving the hospital, I said goodbye to my parents and turned back inside. As I neared the hospital room's door, I was about to knock when I overheard Clayton's voice from within.

"Arabella, you're finally awake. I was so scared you might never wake up."

"Clayton, don't be sad anymore. Look, I'm awake now, you silly."

"Yes, yes, you're awake. We won't ever be apart again."

Through the glass window, I saw Clayton holding Arabella tightly. My husband and my sister. The scene hit me like a jolt of electricity. I pushed the door open, my rationale left at the threshold.

Hearing the noise, Arabella looked at me, not with shame, but with a joy that bordered on triumph. "Liana, let me introduce you. This is Clayton, my boyfriend."

Clayton's gaze was tender on Arabella, but when he looked at me, his eyes turned cold, the warmth replaced by a chilly warning. He was signaling me to stay quiet.

But what could I say? He was my husband.

"Liana? Why are you staring at Clayton like that? Is something wrong?"

Clayton gently stroked Arabella's head, speaking softly, "Maybe Liana is still overcome with emotion. You just woke up; you shouldn't overdo it. Come, lie down and rest."

"But I want to talk a bit more."

"Be good and take a nap. I'll come back soon to keep you company."

"Alright, then." After calming Arabella, the tenderness vanished from Clayton's face. His expression darkened as he walked toward me and murmured, "Come with me."

I glanced at Arabella lying there, choking back my tears.

In the stairwell, Clayton grabbed my arm and pushed me against the wall. Pain shot through my back, and a soft hiss escaped my lips.

Clayton leaned against the wall, effectively pinning me in place.

"Liana, you know what you need to know. In front of Arabella, I don't want you to reveal our relationship."

"Even if I don't, she'll figure it out eventually."

We were husband and wife. It could be hidden for a while but not indefinitely.

Clayton's brows knitted, his eyes heavy with contemplation.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke. "Then we'll get divorced, the sooner the better."

I scoffed, laughing bitterly. "Divorce? You think you’ve hurt me, and I’ll just let you hurt my sister too? You want a divorce? No way."

Three years of marriage, and I finally realized the kind of man Clayton truly was.

---

The next day felt bleak despite the bright autumn skies. Leaves crunched underfoot as I walked along the path lined with Victorian-style houses. I couldn't help but think back to the Thanksgivings when Arabella and I laughed over spiced honey cake and coffee. Such a stark contrast to the coldness between Clayton and me now.

As I reached my car, I glanced at my phone, half-expecting a message on WhatsApp from Clayton, but there was nothing. Perhaps it was better this way, I thought, as I drove towards my friend Elise's house, hoping to find some comfort.

Three years ago, Clayton Olson saved Arabella and me, and I've always been grateful to him. So much so that when he pursued me, I agreed without a second thought. However, the bliss of marriage was short-lived. My once gentle husband turned volatile. He never touched me, yet regularly brought different women home.

At first, I would argue with him, but he slapped me in front of those women. When I demanded a divorce, he hissed menacingly in my ear, "If you dare divorce me, I'll destroy your entire family."

Clayton is a devil, showing his true colors without any disguise. I raised my gnarled hands, my eyes red. "Do you remember how my hands ended up like this?" Clayton's expression shifted, but he showed no remorse.

Choking back tears, I said, "When I went to speak to the staff, I overheard your conversation. These hands—I lost them because of you. Clayton Olson, tell me why? What did I ever do to earn such hatred from you?"

Back then, the piano lid fell, and the doctor told me I would never play again. While searching for an explanation, I went backstage looking for the staff. Instead, I ran into someone who shouldn't have been there.

Half of Clayton's face was hidden in darkness, his demeanor cold, voice demonic. "Rest assured, I won't let her hold you responsible, but you'd better take this secret to your grave."

"Of course, of course, no one else will know you asked me to loosen the piano lid."

I was thunderstruck, unable to process it all. Infidelity aside, he knew the piano was my life's passion, yet he destroyed my hands.

Clayton sneered, mocking me, "It's just a pair of hands. Compared to what Arabella went through, it's nothing."

I stared at him, wide-eyed, in shock. He suddenly leaned close, murmuring in my ear, "Liana Olson, you should be grateful I didn't have you gang-raped."

Something inside me shattered. In that moment, Clayton was a devil straight from hell. His slender fingers brushed my face as he spoke words laced with venom.

"Now that Arabella is awake, my revenge is over. Liana Olson, you're left to wallow in your misery alone. Arabella and I won't be joining you."

Without a backward glance, Clayton left, leaving me stunned and alone.

Revenge?

These past three years have been nothing but his way of getting back at me.

He holds me responsible. He blames me for what happened to Arabella, and marrying me was just part of his payback.

I've never felt such profound pain as I did at that moment.

I've asked countless times, why treat me like this?

But Clayton would only look at me intently and say quietly, "One day, you'll understand, Liana. I hope that day comes soon."

Now that Arabella has come out of her coma, Clayton's revenge has come to an end, too.

But what about all that I went through? Why was all the suffering mine alone to bear?

I felt tears on my cheeks and lifted my hand to wipe them away.

"Pathetic," I muttered to myself.

I dried my tears and turned to head back to my hospital room.

Does Clayton want to walk away unscathed? Not a chance!

Through the glass, I watched as Clayton gently offered Arabella some coffee, tenderly wiping her mouth.

When Arabella smiled, the eternal ice in his eyes seemed to melt, and his smile was even brighter than hers.

"Still thirsty? Want a little more?"

"No more, I'm practically a camel now."

"Even if you are a camel, you're the most beautiful one in the world."

Such a loving scene, and yet, how could Clayton possibly deserve my amazing sister?

I took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

My arrival completely wiped the smile off Clayton's face.

His smile froze, then disappeared within seconds.

His eyes were filled with disdain as he looked at me.

Arabella, however, seemed happy to see me. She leaned against the headboard and smiled, "Sis, come have a seat."

I glanced at her, then turned my gaze to Clayton, smiling as I said, "It's getting late, honey. Let's head home."