When I hear my boyfriend, Terence Bowen, is trapped in a house fire, I immediately rush back to save him.

However, after dragging him out with all my strength, I realize it's just a dummy.

Laughter erupts from the house next door.

"Ariana Brock is such a fool! She fell for it again!"

Through a half-open window, I spot Terence lounging on the couch, casually scrolling through his phone. He looks completely fine.

"That's the 47th prank we've pulled on her. Three more to go and we're done."

"Serves her right. She shouldn't have stolen Bethany Howard's scholarship. Bethany is the one Terence actually cares about. That's why he decided to fake a relationship with Ariana to get revenge 50 times over. Too bad the game will end soon."

I bend over, gasping for air.

All this time, the relationship I've worked so hard to protect is nothing but a game to them.

I stood outside the door, trembling uncontrollably.

Both of my arms were covered in burns from the fire. They hurt so badly I couldn't even lift them.

I stared at the dummy on the floor. The laughter coming from inside the room kept echoing in my ears.

"Ariana Brock is such a fool. Do you think she'll go back in for a second try? After all, she just dragged out a dummy."

"Of course she will. Remember when we told her Terence was trapped in the school? She broke into every locked room and ended up paying 80,000 dollars in damages."

"Exactly. A broke girl like her trying to play savior. What a joke."

Terence Bowen cut them off, his voice indifferent.

"That's enough. I already called the fire department. Don't let her die for real. We're not done having fun yet."

The words "Not done having fun" echoed in my ears like a curse, making my legs weak.

It wasn't until the paramedics lifted me onto a stretcher and put an oxygen mask over my face that I finally came back to my senses.

When my arms scraped against the edge of the stretcher, the sharp pain made me curl up instinctively.

An attentive medic noticed. She bent down and asked gently if I was in pain.

I felt like I'd found somewhere to finally let it all out. My eyes burned as I replied, "It hurts so much."

It wasn't just the physical pain. My heart ached too, and I couldn't take any of it.

I kept my voice even, but it felt like it took all my strength just to speak.

I closed my eyes as my consciousness gradually faded.

In my dream, I went back to the moment I first met Terence. He was like an angel who suddenly appeared in my life. He gave me love and taught me what love was.

Although he was an untouchable wealthy heir, he still felt for my past as an orphan and protected my fragile heart.

I did everything I could to keep some balance between us.

During my sophomore year, I went into debt saving him and ended up owing the school 80,000 dollars. However, my pride wouldn't let me tell him.

In the end, he found me at the hospital after I collapsed from working three jobs in one day. It hurt him to see me like this. He cried, and those tears scorched my heart.

Terence paid 80,000 dollars for me and said he couldn't live without me.

Back then, my heart was full of sweetness. I thought fate had finally taken pity on someone like me.

But when I opened my eyes, there was no sign of Terence. My best friend, Cecilia Glover, was the only one by my bedside.

She broke down the moment she saw me awake.

"You'll need at least two weeks to recover from this. Was Terence really worth it?"

I forced a smile and grabbed her hand.

"Then can you help me buy a train ticket after half a month? Anywhere is fine."

I just wanted to get away from Terence.

After confirming I only had a few scrapes, the hospital discharged me quickly.

Without hesitation, I called a cab straight to the office and handed in my resignation.

My manager, David Norris, looked troubled. He kept trying to persuade me to stay. But once he saw I was firm, he let out a sigh.

Just then, Terence called. He asked coldly, "Are you quitting?"

I was caught off guard. "How did you know?"

The truth clicked when I saw David rubbing his forehead.

"This company belongs to your family, doesn't it?"

I clenched my fists, and my head buzzed.

Everything I'd gone through in the company suddenly made sense.

No wonder they always assigned me the worst tasks. I never received a bonus, no matter how many big projects I completed or how often I ranked first in performance. Also, everyone looked at me with disdain and never included me in any company activities.

I'd been isolated for years, and I should've been used to it by now. I was honest and hardworking, just wanting a stable job. I figured I'd switch companies after I paid off my debts.

However, the thought that all of it was orchestrated by Terence chilled me to the bone. I could barely breathe.

Terence clicked his tongue when I didn't respond.

"I know I shouldn't have kept it from you, but you never let me help. That was why I had to pull strings behind your back. Don't be ungrateful."

I couldn't hold back and confronted him.

"So everyone in the company knows I only got in because of you. Did it ever occur to you what kind of life I've been living here?"

He didn't answer. That silence said everything.

"I'll explain it to everyone in the company. It's not a big deal."

I stood my ground and replied, "Forget it. I'm quitting."

Terence grew impatient. His voice rose as he snapped, "Why are you so hung up on that worthless pride of yours? If it weren't for me, do you think you'd be living this comfortably?"

A saccharine female voice rang out in the background, asking when he'd be ready.

Terence ended the call in a hurry. "Alright, I'll come find you later."

The line went dead with a beep.

I didn't care what he said. I packed up my desk and left without hesitation.

On my usual route home, a blond guy suddenly stepped out and whistled. "Hey, gorgeous, where are you headed?"

I recognized his voice. He was one of the guys mocking me before.

I gripped my bag tightly and turned to run. However, I barely got a few steps before I stopped short. There were people behind me too. I was surrounded.

Before I could react, a hand yanked my hair back hard. A leering laugh echoed above me.

"Don't be scared. We'll make sure you enjoy this…"

Ahead of me, a masked man stood under the dim streetlamp. The reek of alcohol coming off him made me dizzy. His hands roamed over me before locking tightly around my waist.

"Wow, you've got such a tiny waist."

I fought back the urge to throw up and kicked upward with all my strength. "Get off!"

The masked man grunted and let go of my waist.

The blond guy saw me struggle and grabbed me by the throat. He shouted at the guy on the ground.

"Strip her and get pictures while you're at it!"

The masked man recovered and slapped me hard across the face. "That's for kicking me!"

The two of them pinned me against the wall.

By the time my clothes were ripped down to my underwear, tears had already started falling.

Suddenly, the pressure on my body vanished. A jacket was thrown over me.

After the sound of fists landing hard subsided, I heard Terence speak coldly. "Get lost!"

I sat crouched by the wall.

Terence gently pulled the jacket off my face, lowering his head as he helped me get dressed. When he finally looked up, his eyes were red.

"I'm sorry. I was too late."

He reached out to carry me, but I shoved him away.

I braced myself against the wall and staggered to my feet, slowly walking forward.

Terence said nothing. He just followed behind me in silence.

But before long, everything went dark, and I passed out. I had no idea how much time had passed when I woke up in a daze. I heard Terence yelling at someone.

"You could've at least asked me before trying to rape her. She's still my woman!"

"Come on, we only did it because she yelled at you this afternoon. Don't tell me you actually like her now?"

Terence's voice suddenly rose. "Are you kidding me? I hate her more than anything!"

I heard a loud punch hitting the wall.

"From now on, don't act without my orders. Got it?"

Right after that, he walked in. I didn't have time to shut my eyes, and we locked eyes instantly.

His face instantly went pale.

"You heard everything?"

"What?" I feigned confusion.

Terence let out a breath of relief.

After that, I grew distant. I turned over and tried to sit up. "I'm going home if there's nothing else."

He grabbed my hand and pushed me gently back down by the shoulder. "Just rest here. This is my bedroom."

Of course I knew it was his bedroom. After all, a photo of him and Bethany Howard was on the table.

They were both in their high school uniforms, smiling brightly.

I'd been with Terence for five years, and not once had we taken a photo together. Any time I tried to sneak one for a keepsake, he snatched my phone away in anger.

"Don't take pictures of me again. I hate it."

Following my gaze, Terence darted over and flipped the photo facedown, his voice rushed with panic. "She's Bethany Howard, your college classmate and my cousin. Don't overthink it."

"Alright," I replied flatly.

Terence froze for a moment. He couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you going to ask anything else?"

I looked up and stared at him. My nails dug into my palm deeply.

A sliver of desperate hope flickered within me as I asked, "Do you have anything you'd like to explain?"

He opened his mouth, frustration clouding his face.

We both knew something had changed between us ever since that fire prank. I'd been too well-behaved.

If it had been the old me, I would've repeatedly asked why he took a photo with her but never with me.

Terence would most likely lose his temper and start a huge fight with me. In the end, we wouldn't take the photo, I would cry my eyes out, and he would storm off in frustration.

A heavy silence spread between us.

Just then, a female voice broke the stillness from not far away.

"Terence, I heard Ariana is here. I wanted to meet her!"

I didn't expect the next time I'd see Bethany would be in Terence's house.

She was even prettier than back in college. Dressed head-to-toe in designer brands, her dimples were showing as she smiled.

I was covered in cuts and bruises. I knew exactly how pathetic I must've seemed next to her.

I forced a smile and greeted her. "Hi Bethany, long time no see."

Before she could respond, Terence grabbed her hand and quickly led her out.

The walls weren't thick. I could still hear his voice from outside.

"What are you doing here? Didn't I say that you two shouldn't see each other?"

Bethany's aggrieved voice came through.

"But you haven't talked to me in 24 hours. They said you brought her home. You've never brought her here before! And didn't you say only I could sleep in your bed?"

I froze, unable to believe what I was hearing.

The sour sting returned to my eyes. My hands trembled as I covered my mouth.

Then I heard Terence scolding her quietly. "Keep your voice down! What if she hears you?"

Bethany paused. When she spoke again, her voice sounded even more aggrieved.

"Are you actually scolding me because of her?"

Their voices were barely audible. I had to strain to catch them. But somehow, the sound of Terence kissing her was deafening.

"Be good. Just wait for me a little longer, okay?"

Bethany sniffled.

After a pause, she said, "My birthday's in a few days. We're celebrating on the cruise. You have to stay with me the whole time, and she's coming too.

"I want to break her heart right there. Let her watch as the man she loves clings to me. Then I'll say something went wrong on the cruise and throw her into the little boat I've prepared."

Terence's voice turned cold. "What are you trying to do?"

Bethany let out a cold snort. "I want her completely out of our lives. Let her drift away on her own."

"She could get hurt!" Terence snapped.

Bethany instantly grew anxious. "Didn't you say you'd do anything for me? What's this now? Besides, she knows how to swim. What's there to be scared of?"

"Fine, fine, I'll do whatever you want. Don't be mad…" Terence coaxed her gently.

I heard their footsteps drawing closer and quickly got back into bed.

When the door opened, Bethany wore a bright smile. She hastened forward, a fleeting look of concern crossing her face before her words tumbled out impatiently.

"Ariana, I'm having a birthday party on the cruise in three days. You'll come too, right?"

Terence stood silently beside her, looking rather grim.

I smiled. "Sure. It's been a while since we saw each other anyway."

Since they wanted to watch me drift away in front of everyone, I'd give them exactly what they wanted.

Three days passed faster than I expected.

Bethany's birthday celebration was lavish. The cruise was filled with all kinds of guests.

Just like she planned, she made a glamorous entrance with Terence by her side, drawing praise as the perfect couple.

Every mocking stare landed on me. I heard sneers from all around.

I ignored them, just growing more impatient as I waited.

The party went on normally until someone suddenly shouted, "Fire!"

Panic erupted. People scattered in all directions.

I was swept up by the crowd and pushed onto the deck.

Bethany rushed over and grabbed my hand. Her expression was full of urgency as she said, "Ariana, jump onto that boat first!"

I looked at the small boat, so plainly prepared for me, and I dove in without a moment's pause.

A wave of dizziness hit me. Then, laughter erupted from the cruise.

"Everyone, look! That idiot Ariana really jumped!"

I looked up and stared at them in silence.

The deck was crowded, but every face shared the same mocking expression.

Bethany slowly raised a pair of scissors. Amid the jeering and my gaze, she snipped the rope linking the lifeboat to the cruise.

"Stupid woman. Drift away on your own."

The moment she spoke, I saw Terence rush over from behind.

He shoved through the crowd, trying to grab the rope that had fallen but missed.

"You're all insane! Ariana could really die! There's a bomb on that boat!"

At his words, I turned to the timer ticking down beside me and smiled faintly.

Even as the sea wind lashed at my hair, I was amused by Terence's frantic expression, which was seared into my memory.

After being fooled by him for so long, I finally got to trick him back right to his face once.

"Terence, are you satisfied with the 50th revenge?"

The wind swallowed most of my voice, but I knew he heard me.

He stood frozen in place.

As he stood there, stunned, a powerful blast ripped through the air. Flames erupted skyward, lighting up everything around.

"Goodbye, Terence."