Breanna quietly stared at Todd and at Darlean standing behind him.

All the memories from the past tangled in Breanna’s chest.

Before her father died, he taught her—by example—that she should be a good person and do good things.

But why… why did doing good only ever lead her to betrayal?

She suddenly remembered bringing Todd home for dinner back in high school.

Back then, he was just the Lannisters’s illegitimate child—alone and unwanted.

Her father had said, “From now on, this will be his home.”

After her father passed, she finished his mission and ended up with severe PTSD.

She couldn’t sleep, so Todd stayed up with her all night.

She couldn’t eat, so he learned how to cook just to coax her into smiling…

He told her, “From today onward, I’ll be your home.”

A single tear of despair slid from the corner of her eye.

He never—never—was her home.

All the injustice and bitterness clogged her throat until she couldn’t force out a single word.

She tilted her head back with a broken laugh, her voice hoarse.

“How could you hurt me this much?”

Todd lowered his gaze, hiding the flicker of guilt in his eyes. Then he turned to Darlean.

“You go first.”

He crouched down and gently tried to soothe Breanna.

“She didn’t mean it. I know these photos mean a lot to you. I’ll find someone to restore them for you.

“And besides, with how advanced technology is now, I’m sure your family has digital copies…”

Breanna slowly shook her head.

Her and her father’s identities had always been classified.

Afraid of dragging Todd and his family into danger, she never told him.

Her father was an undercover narcotics officer; he lived in the shadows and never dared keep photos of his family on his phone.

That torn photo… was the last existing proof of his face in this world.

Todd wiped her tears. “Don’t cry.”

His voice was rough, carrying a hint of a pain he tried to hide.

The next second, Darlean—who had just stepped outside—let out a soft cry.

“Todd… my belly… It hurts…”

Her legs buckled, and she was about to fall.

Todd didn’t hesitate for even a second. He spun around, caught her in his arms, and lifted her up. Then, he strode away without looking back.

Breanna’s vision blurred.

She drifted into a long dream.

In the dream, eighteen-year-old Todd had returned to the dangerous Lannister’s place just for her. He held her hand, his smile sincere and unwavering.

“From now on, let me protect you.”

When his uncles deliberately caused a car accident, he shielded her with his body and ended up in the ICU for three days and nights.

After he got out, he acted like a storm, dragging his uncles in front of her and forcing them to apologize.

Back then, he told her, “Anyone who hurts you deserves to die... including me.”

In her dream, Breanna broke down crying and threw herself into his arms.

Then the scene suddenly shifted to reality.

Todd shielding Darlean.

“Stop acting crazy.”

She struggled awake, the sting of disinfectant filling her nose.

It was late at night.

Todd pushed the door open and yanked her up from her hospital bed, his whole expression cold.

“Where did your people take Darlean?”

Before she could speak, he tapped his phone.

Darlean’s trembling, tear-soaked voice played through the speaker:

“I’m sorry, Breanna… Please, I’m begging you, let me go! Ahh! Help—”

Her scream cut off abruptly.

Breanna’s heart clenched.

“You’re doubting me because of that recording?”

Impatience, suspicion, and anger flickered in Todd’s eyes.

“If it wasn’t you, then who was it? If I hadn’t stopped you earlier, you might’ve killed her!”

“Yes. I do want her dead.” Breanna rasped. “But I didn’t order anyone to kidnap her! So whatever she says, you just take it as truth, huh?”

Todd stared at her, growing more agitated.

Seconds ticked by.

Finally, he lost his patience and grabbed her wrist hard—painfully hard.

“Why can’t you tolerate her? She was your best friend. How could you become so vicious, ruining her reputation by hiring someone to set her up?”

Breanna’s face went pale. She let out a cold laugh.

“My best friend? You mean your lover? I already told you it wasn’t me! You can investigate all you want!”

Todd’s gaze turned razor-sharp.

“I’m not in that kind of relationship with her.”

He released her and said coldly, “You better pray she’s safe. If anything happens to her…”

He strode out, already dialing someone.

“Search the entire city if you have to. Find Darlean.”

‘If not… what?’

A mocking smile tugged at Breanna’s lips.

But as she smiled, tears fell anyway.

Todd was now threatening her for another woman.

So this was “forever”—just ten years.

At three in the morning, half-asleep and dazed, Breanna suddenly felt someone approach and jab a syringe into her.

She barely had time to struggle before everything went black.

When she woke again, she was stuffed inside a burlap sack, completely weak, unable to move or even speak.

She was at a dock by the sea. Through the tiny gaps in the sack, she saw Todd holding Darlean tightly in his arms, his voice cold and heavy.

“Hit her. Don’t stop until Darlean’s satisfied.”

The moment he finished speaking, clubs rained down on Breanna like a torrential storm.

She struggled desperately, wanting to call out his name, but only faint whimpers escaped her throat.

It felt like every bone in her body was being shattered. She didn’t know how long the beating lasted before it finally stopped.

Using every ounce of her strength, she forced out one word. “Todd…”

The next second, someone kicked her straight into the sea.

Ice-cold water flooded her lungs; she had no chance to brace for it.

Right as she was about to black out, someone hauled the sack back up, only to hurl her into the ocean again.

Once.

Twice.

Three times…

The suffocating pressure tightened around her neck like a noose. Her consciousness faded in and out.

Before losing awareness, she heard Todd’s voice, cold and emotionless.

“Let her experience what it feels like to live wishing she were dead.”

“Todd, that’s enough, okay? I suddenly feel a bit cold. Can you get me my jacket from the car?”

After he walked off, Darlean crouched down beside the sack, her voice dripping with smugness.

“Bitch, did you see that? He only has room for me in his heart.”

Breanna trembled violently from the cold. The sack was ripped open, and Darlean yanked off the safety charm around her neck. Her voice turned vicious.

“Your dad’s ashes are here, too, right? I’ll send you both to hell together!”

Right in front of her, she tossed the charm into the sea.

Before Todd returned, she tied the sack back up and kicked Breanna into the water again.

Just before sinking into the depths, she heard Darlean put on a pitiful, overly sweet tone.

“Todd, she cursed at me… I got scared and pushed her...”

“Don’t worry,” Todd said. “I’ll take care of it.”

The drug finally started wearing off. Breanna screamed his name, her voice raw, “Todd!”

Up on the dock, Todd suddenly clutched his chest, about to turn around.

But Darlean collapsed into his arms, and he panicked instantly.

“Hurry up! Take her to the hospital!”

When Breanna woke again, she was on a fishing boat.

The fishermen who were out at sea had accidentally rescued her. She grabbed her phone; thankfully, it still worked.

There were three messages.

The first was from the private investigator.

[Ma’am, I’ve sent the evidence of Todd’s affair to your email. I also added a little bonus for you.]

She opened the email and saw Todd’s medical report along with details about Darlean’s past. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

She scheduled the files to be sent to major media outlets the next day. She couldn’t wait to see his reaction.

The second message was from her organization.

[Breanna, send us your location. We’ll dispatch someone to retrieve you.]

After confirming where the fishing boat would dock, she shared her location.

She could finally leave.

The third message was from Todd.

[Babe, tomorrow’s my birthday and our anniversary. How do you want to celebrate it?]

At that moment, she understood—everything was probably orchestrated by Darlean.

Her fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before typing.

[I prepared a surprise for you. It’s in the master bedroom closet.]

After getting off the boat, she removed the button from her clothes—where her recording device was—and transferred all the evidence onto a flash drive.

When she was done, she booked a courier to deliver it to the Lannisters’ estate at noon the next day.

Then, she called the police.

“Hello, I want to report a crime. Darlean Hewey intentionally assaulted someone. The evidence is solid.”

Just then, a black car pulled up in front of her. The window rolled down, revealing an unbelievably handsome man behind the wheel.

“Get in. Your old identity has been erased.”

After she got in, the man handed her a passport and new identification.

“This is your new identity—Dixie Adler, the youngest daughter of the biggest company in America. I’m your partner… and your fiancé. Nice to meet you, Breanna.”