My words were swallowed by the sound of the door clicking shut behind Kael. Just then, my phone rang. It was my best friend, Elowen, "Iris, the full moon is in three days. I'll come to bring you back to the Underworld."

"Okay, I'll be ready on time." I replied.

In just three days, I could leave Kael forever, severing all ties with him once and for all.

The next morning, Luna didn't show up for my daily massage at the usual time. When I wheeled myself into the living room, she was lounging on the sofa like the lady of the mansion, a plate of fresh fruit resting in front of her.

"Iris, you're up? I'm so sorry. I hurt my wrist yesterday, so Kael specifically gave me the day off to rest at home."

I didn't bother sparing her a response. I simply wheeled past her straight to the fridge to get some water.

Luna's face darkened. She deliberately raised her voice, "Iris, could you pour me a glass of water? I'm a bit thirsty, but the doctor said…I need to avoid walking around during the early stages of pregnancy."

She enunciated the word "pregnancy" with extra clarity. I knew this was her provocation, but I felt my body stiffened as I slowly turned around. Unlike the fury and breakdown Luna was expecting, I stared at her calmly, my expression as still as a frozen lake.

"Luna, you are just a maid hired to take care of me. How dare you order me around?"

Luna shot to her feet, her face flushing red, "Iris! Do you really think you're still some noble queen? Do you honestly believe Kael still loves you?"

Her voice was shrill and piercing, but I stopped looking at her and prepared to return to my room. Unexpectedly, Luna chased after me and shoved me hard from behind. I didn't have time to brake. I tumbled down the stairs, my head slamming heavily against the steps. Dizziness washed over me, followed by a blinding wave of pain.

In the last second before losing consciousness, my vision was blurred by blood. I saw the front door burst open. Kael ran toward me in hurry, "Iris, what happened to you?"

But the moment Luna stumbled into his line of sight, Kael abandoned me and rushed toward her instead. I gave a bitter smile and closed my eyes, my consciousness plunging into complete darkness.

When I woke up again, I was in the hospital and my wounds had already been treated. Kael was keeping vigil by my bedside.

Seeing me open my eyes, he hurriedly turned off his phone and leaned in, "Iris, you're awake. How do you feel right now?"

His tone was urgent, and his expression looked sincere. Had I not known about his affair with Luna, I might even have fallen for his words.

I turned my head away without a word. Kael frowned, "Are you still angry with Luna? I'll call her over to apologize to you right now." He immediately made the call.

Ten minutes later, Luna appeared in the ward with red-rimmed eyes. Her apology was as quiet as a mosquito's buzz, "Iris, I'm sorry…I shouldn't have pushed you. I was just… impulsive."

Although Luna was saying sorry to Iris, her eyes kept darting toward Kael all the time.

Kael waved a hand dismissively. "You may leave."

"Iris, she has apologized and has been punished. Just don't hold a grudge against her anymore, okay?"

I stared at him quietly for a long pause, then suddenly asked, "What was her punishment?"

Kael was clearly stunned, not expecting my question. He answered awkwardly, "I…I deducted one-day salary."

The air in the hospital room seemed to freeze for a few seconds. I stared at him, and then let out a scoff of self-mockery, "Just one-day salary?"

I suddenly remembered a banquet a few years ago, where I was mocked for being an ordinary person with no background. Kael had immediately banned the offender's entire family from doing business. In front of everyone, he had held me close and declared, "Iris is the light that dispelled the darkness in my life. I will not allow anyone to disrespect or harm her.” He pointed at the offender, “If anyone dares next time, here is the example."

But now, Luna had nearly killed me, and the price she paid was merely a few hundred bucks. The loss of his love was painfully obvious. I just thought Kael’s love was far too cheap.

I offered a desolate and sorrowful smile that sent a visible chill down Kael's spine.

"Iris, what's wrong? What are you laughing at?"

I shook my head, my voice heavy with exhaustion, "Nothing. Just go. I want to rest."

My unnatural calmness made Kael vaguely uneasy, yet he still did as he was told. Driven by guilt, Kael personally took care of everything. He was fetching medicine and listening to the physician’s instructions, and even insisting on taking me home himself, despite the urgent family matters waiting for him.

After Kael wheeled me back into the bedroom, exhaustion quickly dragged me into a deep slumber. I didn't know how much time had passed when a sharp, piercing pain jolted me awake. I opened my eyes to see Luna's face hovering above mine, a bizarre smile playing on her lips.

My hands and feet were bound. The gauze on my forehead had fallen off. I found a long surgical needle was being driven into my body.

"What are you doing?"

"Wake up?" Luna said softly, and then pushed the needle half an inch deeper with a sickening crunch.

"Don't move around, okay? I'm stitching up your wounds. You're so badly injured. You need to recover properly."

I felt a spasm of agony, trying to struggle, but Luna had my limbs tied down tight.

"Let me go!" I hissed through gritted teeth.

"How can I do that?" Luna sneered. "Iris. You said I was hired specifically to take care of you. What I’m doing now is my duty."

The piercing pain came in waves. My arms, torso, and even my neck, were all punctured and bloody. Finally seeming satisfied, Luna stood up and wiped the blood off her hands. She took a piece of painkiller, pried open my mouth, and shoved it in. Then, humming a cheerful tune, she left.

Hearing the door click shut, I let out a ragged sigh of relief. Just when I thought Luna's torture was finally over, the painkiller box carelessly tossed on the floor caught my eye. It was Aspirin, the very drug I was severely allergic to.

Almost instantly, my throat began to tighten. My breathing grew difficult, my chest feeling as if it were being crushed by a boulder. Every breath required every ounce of my strength. I tried to crawl out for help, but no one responded.

The last trace of color almost drained from my pale face. I could only muster all my remaining strength to cry out, "Help…Kael…help…help me."

My voice grew fainter, my throat gradually swelling until I rendered mute. My consciousness began to blur, and I had to stop trying to crawl outward. I felt my body getting lighter, as if my soul was about to detach from this broken body. I thought I was going to die right then and there. And I did.

When consciousness returned, I heard the doctor talking about my conditions with Kael. I realized I had been rushed to the hospital at the very last moment. If help had arrived just a few minutes later, I would have died.

Kael merely sighed. Seeing the doctor out, he turned his head and said, "Are you satisfied now?"

I thought Kael was talking to me. I was about to open her eyes when Luna’s voice sounded in my ears and freezing me in place. I could almost hear the sound of something precious shattering in my heart.

"Mhm! I'm not angry anymore, Kael." Her sickeningly sweet voice cooed.

"Are you feeling better now, Luna? Don't be like this. It's not good for our baby.”

"Iris is fine…so can you go shopping with this afternoon? I want to buy some clothes for the baby."

"But today…" Kael hesitated, words catching in his throat.

I knew what he was struggling with. Today was our fifth wedding anniversary. Yet, his silence stretched on, agonizing moment before Kael finally wrapped his arm around Luna's shoulders.

"Alright, I'll go with you." They left, leaving me alone in the ward.

A familiar and chilling flash of light filled the ward. I opened my eyes and saw Elowen.

"I'm here to take you back."

I nodded and struggled to sit up. Then, Elowe gently drew my soul from my body. I knew what was left with my corpse was nothing but the love I had held for Kael over the past five years. My soul followed Elowe toward the door, and I took one last look at the dead body left on the bed.

At that exact moment, the vital signs on the monitor suddenly turned into a straight line.