There was even the faintest imprint of teeth along its edge, a small, telling detail that made it painfully clear just how completely the person who left the mark had lost control in that instant.

Lindsay's stomach lurched.

She gently slipped out of Tyler's embrace, swallowing hard against the nausea rising in her throat. "I'm okay. I just feel really drained all of a sudden, and my head's a bit light… I've probably been under too much pressure lately, preparing for IVF."

"Sweetheart." Tyler instantly resumed that perfectly rehearsed gentleness, smoothing a hand over her hair. "We don't have to rush the baby plans. It'll happen in its own time. Your wellbeing matters more than anything."

Lindsay looked up, her eyes drifting past him toward Jenna.

Tonight, Jenna had on an off-white cashmere dress, something soft enough to make her appear fragile and demure.

"Jenna, you're here too? Did Tyler call you?" Lindsay managed a faint, strained smile. "It's already so late. Sorry you had to come all the way here."

Jenna stepped forward immediately, enclosing Lindsay's hand in both of hers, her fingers noticeably cool. "What do you mean? Tyler was worried sick about you. How could I stay home knowing that? You look terrible. I'll go heat up some milk for you."

As she spoke, she turned and made her way to the kitchen with familiarity, as though she were the one who truly belonged there.

Soon after, Jenna returned with a steaming mug and gently urged Lindsay to drink.

Lindsay accepted it and took slow sips. The warmth slid down her throat into the chill of her stomach, but it offered no real comfort.

Tyler lowered himself beside her, his tone soft. "Take it easy. Drink slowly, and then get some rest. Try not to think about anything."

At that moment, a flicker of jealousy passed through Jenna's eyes.

A wave of disdain swirled in Lindsay's chest.

Then, as though something had just occurred to him, Tyler's voice grew even more solicitous. "Oh! Your birthday's coming up, Linds. How about I host a birthday banquet for you this weekend at Cloudland's rooftop garden? We'll invite your closest friends and make a night of it."

Cloudland was the city's most exclusive rooftop garden hotel, both exorbitantly priced and nearly impossible to book, famed for its luxury and privacy.

Cradling the warm mug in both hands, Lindsay moved her eyes gradually from Tyler's soft smile to Jenna's face behind him, the corners of her mouth already beginning to drop. Then Lindsay squinted and smiled brightly at him.

"That sounds lovely. Thank you, honey. You're always so thoughtful."

Tyler returned the smile. "If I don't spoil my wife, who will?"

The remark made Lindsay's stomach twist all over again.

"Oh, and I had a diamond necklace custom-made for you," Tyler added, pulling a red velvet box from his pocket. He flipped it open to reveal a sparkling diamond necklace inside.

"Let me put it on you." Without waiting for her response, he leaned in and fastened it around her neck.

Taking a small step back, he looked at her with obvious satisfaction. "Perfect. It looks beautiful on you."

"I actually think the design feels a bit outdated," Jenna said before Lindsay could respond. "The newer styles are much nicer and probably more your style."

As she spoke, her fingertips brushed lightly against Tyler's hand before he had fully withdrawn it. Her expression remained innocent, but the challenge in her eyes was unmistakable.

Already losing her composure? Lindsay scoffed silently.

Tyler's face tightened slightly, a trace of warning flickering in his eyes.

Jenna acted as though she hadn't noticed. Then, all at once, she gasped softly and covered her mouth, adopting a look of exaggerated remorse. "Oh no, Lindsay, I completely forgot you're turning twenty-six this year. Maybe those younger styles wouldn't really suit you anymore. I'm so sorry."

Her lips curled upward again, and this time, the smug satisfaction in her smile was impossible to hide.

"I actually think," Lindsay replied, raising her eyes to meet Jenna's directly, "that many of those so-called trendy designs come across as superficial. Once you take a closer look, they don't really stand up, and the craftsmanship tends to feel subpar."

She let the words hang, her smile growing more pronounced. "But that kind of bold, eye-catching style really does complement you, Jenna. You should consider wearing it more often."

The pleasant little smile Jenna had been maintaining instantly stiffened.

She understood perfectly well what Lindsay meant. Lindsay had just labeled her a knockoff, someone who clung to passing fads, lost relevance quickly, and could never truly embody sophistication.

Jenna turned toward Tyler, her face changing into one of distress and confusion. Her eyes grew red almost instantly, tears welling up so fast that she appeared painfully vulnerable.

Tyler's arm remained draped around Lindsay. At her words, he simply dipped his head and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Lindsay's hair. "You're right, honey. When it comes to diamonds, timeless designs are always more polished. Chasing after whatever's trending…" He trailed off briefly, his tone calm but curt. "It comes off as a bit superficial. Not exactly graceful."

Jenna's eyes filled with tears almost at once. Her voice quivered, adding to the impression of vulnerability. "Y-You're right. I just don't understand these things well enough. How could I possibly compare to you, Lindsay? With Tyler taking such good care of you, anything would look beautiful on you. I'm sorry… I shouldn't have said anything."

Suppressing the nausea stirring in her stomach, Lindsay gave Jenna's hand a light pat. "You'll find a good man someday too. Actually, have you given any thought to what I mentioned last time? My friend is still waiting to hear back."

Jenna's smile faltered for the briefest second. "What are you talking about?"

"Introducing you to someone," Lindsay answered, her voice deliberately a little louder. "The Parker family's second son. He just returned from studying abroad. He's good-looking and well-mannered. I think you two would get along really well."

Tyler's brow creased slightly, and the arm around Lindsay slackened for a moment.

"Lindsay, I'm not really interested in dating right now…" Jenna said, forcing a polite smile. "I'd rather spend more time with you."

"That's sweet, but you'll need your own life eventually," Lindsay replied, her tone gentle, almost sisterly. "What, do you plan to never marry and just stay with Tyler and me forever?"

Jenna's complexion paled a little more, and her eyes flicked toward Tyler before she could stop it.

Tyler spoke at last. "Lindsay's right. Jenna, it's time you started thinking about your own future. I've met the Parker boy; he's a reliable choice."

Jenna's eyes turned red again immediately.

She bit her lower lip and looked at Tyler with resentment, as though silently accusing him.

Tyler didn't meet her eyes. Instead, he redirected his attention to Lindsay, his tone softening once more. "Honey, let's go choose a dress for you tomorrow."

"Alright," Lindsay replied, putting on a bright, cheerful smile.

Watching the color drain from Jenna's face, Lindsay felt nothing but cold disdain.

That fragile, injured act had fooled her more times than she could count, and behind that gentle exterior, Jenna had undermined her in ways she might not even be fully aware of yet.

"Lindsay, I…" Jenna began, her voice catching as though she wanted to say something more.

Lindsay didn't allow it. She let out a perfectly timed yawn. "Honey, I'm really tired. I want to go to bed."

"Okay. I'll take you upstairs," Tyler said.

Roughly thirty minutes later, after confirming that Lindsay had fallen asleep, Tyler gently eased his arm out from beneath her, rose from the bed with as little noise as possible, and quietly stepped out of the room.

Lindsay slowly opened her eyes, completely awake.

Barefoot against the cold floor, she moved silently toward the guest room door, which had been left slightly open.

Voices drifted out from the guest room.

"Tyler, how could you… try to push me onto that Parker guy?" Jenna's voice trembled, thick with tears and disbelief. "You're aware of how I feel about you…"

"Don't cry, sweetheart." Tyler's voice softened into the same gentle tone Lindsay was used to. "You know you're the only one who matters to me. I just said that to keep Lindsay satisfied. You know I never meant any of it. What's the point of getting upset over her? Once she's no longer of any use…"

Even through the half-closed door, the disdain and cold malice in his voice sent a chill through Lindsay's entire body.

Jenna's voice took a suggestive tilt, turning low and honeyed. "Tyler… I've missed you so much…"

Her voice trailed off into soft, intimate murmurs, accompanied by the faint sounds of kissing and unsteady breaths.

Lindsay remained in the dim hallway outside, her entire body frozen.

Her stomach twisted sharply, a wave of nausea climbing up her throat.

This was the man she had poured everything into.

This was the woman she had embraced as family, someone she had loved and protected wholeheartedly.

How disgusting and pitiful!

Her fingernails pressed into her palms. The sudden sting was what made her realize that she had been clenching her fists tightly enough to break the skin. A warm, damp sensation spread between her fingers—blood.

She had never been someone who backed down.

The Lindsay she used to be would have burst through the door immediately, dragged their betrayal into the open, signed the divorce papers, and left without a second glance.

But…

Lindsay shut her eyes, and the image of her mother asleep in that hospital room surfaced in her mind.

Back then, Tyler had convinced her to approve the patent transfer, withdraw from the company, and focus on preparing for IVF.

He'd told her that marriage meant unity and that her dividends and shares should be placed into a joint account he would oversee "to optimize returns."

Blinded by the devotion he had so carefully put on display, she had handed everything over without question.

Now that same trust had turned into a weapon aimed at her.

If she exposed everything now, there would be no way she'd recover her money, not against someone like Tyler. He would likely twist the situation to his advantage and leave her with nothing.

And how would she continue paying for her mother's treatment?

How would she manage the rest of the expenses?

The throbbing in her palm grounded her.

Lindsay pulled out her phone, eased it toward the gap in the door, and recorded the revolting scene inside.

Afterwards, she returned quietly to the bedroom and lay down.

Sometime later, the bedroom door opened without a sound.

Tyler walked in, noticed that she seemed to be asleep, and visibly let his guard down.

Afterward, he took a brief shower, got into bed, and draped an arm around her.

In the darkness, Lindsay kept her eyes closed and maintained a steady rhythm to her breathing, playing the part of someone deeply asleep.

Still, a soft, overly sweet trace of another woman's perfume lingered on him.

When she was certain he had drifted off, Lindsay slowly opened her eyes.

In the faint moonlight from the window, they were sharp and distant, completely devoid of sleep.

Her eyes settled on the marks left on Tyler's neck.

For a fleeting second, the thought crossed her mind to press a pillow over his face and finish everything.

Instead, she moved with care, rising without making the slightest sound.

She picked up Tyler's phone and slipped into the bathroom, quietly locking the door behind her.

Guided by the dim light of the screen, Lindsay keyed in the password she remembered.

It didn't work.

His previous passcode had been the date he became president of Hardy Group.

When had he changed it?

She pursed her lips, paused to think, and then entered Tyler's birthday. It was still incorrect.

At that moment, a notification banner slid across the top of the screen.

The message was from Jenna. "I love you, Tyler."

Several photos came with it.

Lindsay looked at the six-digit passcode field, a realization beginning to form.

Could it be…

She punched in Jenna's birthday.

The phone unlocked. A faint, chilling smile appeared at the corner of Lindsay's lips.

"So you really do care about her, Tyler."

Jenna's conversation sat pinned at the top, and Lindsay saw the highly suggestive photos she had just sent.

There were also numerous large, unaccounted-for transactions in his bank records—purchases of jewelry, expensive items, and other expenses that clearly had nothing to do with Lindsay.

Carefully and systematically, Lindsay collected all the proof and stored it.

She marked Jenna's most recent message as unread before returning Tyler's phone to its exact spot she picked it.

Tyler. Jenna. Every deception, every calculated move, and every humiliation they had put her through was carved into her memory.

Lindsay swore she would make sure they learned just how dangerous a "tool" could become when it had nothing left to lose.

...

Before long, the weekend arrived, and the birthday party proceeded as planned.

Bright lights filled the venue, designer outfits and polished smiles crowded the space, and the air buzzed with empty courtesies and artificial laughter.

Her hand linked through Tyler's arm, Lindsay stood on the second-floor balcony and surveyed the gathering until her focus locked onto a man standing in the dim corner below.

He had just entered quietly, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, and was already looking up at her.

Ashton.

At once, Lindsay dropped her gaze and fussed with the hem of her skirt, making it look like she was distracted so Ashton wouldn't catch her staring.

When she dared to look back up, he was gone.

For a second, she wondered if she'd imagined him, like a shadow created by the shifting lights.

So... what was Ashton really doing here?

The question coiled in her chest and refused to loosen, leaving her restless even as the celebration continued around her.

Tyler had spared no expense for Lindsay's birthday. The venue glittered with extravagance, and it seemed as though every prominent name in the city had shown up.

At his insistence, Lindsay wore a custom gown flown in from overseas, and earlier that evening, he had clasped a diamond necklace around her neck himself.

The diamonds rested cool and weighty against her collarbone. Instead of feeling like a gift, they felt almost like a chain.

It wasn't hard to notice the way people were looking at her. Some eyes held envy, others curiosity, but many carried open judgment.

"What was Tyler thinking, marrying someone like her? If I were in her place, I wouldn't even dare step outside."

"With her past, and he still treats her like royalty. What does he even see in her?"

"Maybe that's just his preference. Not everyone has the same standards, though."

Soft murmurs drifted through the room and wrapped around Lindsay from every direction.

Lindsay refused to react. With her shoulders squared and chin lifted, she acted as though none of it had reached her ears.

Not long after the celebration officially began, Tyler stepped forward and presented her with yet another lavish surprise. This time, it was a sapphire ring.

As soon as he lifted the lid of the velvet box, the crowd let out a collective gasp.

Lindsay offered a small smile. "Thank you," she said gently.

Jenna made her entrance noticeably late. Wrapped in a high end designer gown and layered in glittering jewels, she moved with practiced elegance. The moment she appeared, conversations stalled and eyes shifted toward her.

For a brief instant, it felt as though the spotlight had changed owners.

"My apologies for arriving late, Lindsay," Jenna said, her tone carefully sweet. "I brought something for your birthday as well. Why don't you open it and see if it suits you?"

A faint trace of satisfaction lingered in her expression.

"I appreciate it," Lindsay responded calmly as she accepted the box.

Inside lay a brooch.

The design was unmistakable. It mirrored the piece Lindsay had once admired on her first wedding anniversary with Tyler, a creation from an independent designer that symbolized perseverance and rebirth.

Locking eyes with Lindsay, Jenna added, "Someone gifted this to me. I was told it resembles the anniversary present you treasured most. Personally, I don't care much for the meaning behind those ginkgo leaves. It feels too simple for my taste, so I figured it might suit you better."

Still holding the brooch, Lindsay examined it with an unhurried expression. "I appreciate the gesture. But this doesn't really resemble the piece I selected."

Her gaze lifted and locked onto Jenna's face. "The one I chose had rare natural stones lining the edges of the leaves, and every leaf was uniquely crafted. This version..." A faint smile touched her lips. "It's an imitation. Nicely done, yes, but the stones are rhinestones. The weight and the shine aren't the same."

With deliberate care, she placed the brooch back into its box. "The original has been in my safe the entire time. It hasn't gone anywhere."

A hush fell over the surrounding guests. The color drained from Jenna's face.

Beside them, Tyler glanced at Jenna, a crease forming between his brows as irritation flickered in his eyes.

So he hadn't been aware of this little performance, Lindsay realized.

"I must've made a mistake..." Jenna muttered, forcing a strained smile.

"It's alright. Intent matters more than anything. Just make sure you examine things carefully next time, Jenna. Sometimes people pass off replicas as the real thing," Lindsay said, her voice gentle but firm, before the excuse could grow.

The message was clear enough. Jenna's expression nearly cracked under it.

Conversation gradually resumed around them, yet the air felt heavy to Lindsay. After a moment, she slipped away from the crowd and stepped into the garden for a breath of space.

Resting her hands on the railing, Lindsay inhaled slowly and lifted her glass for a measured sip of red wine.

Not long after, faint footsteps approached from behind.

She pivoted.

Jenna stood there, carrying herself with the confidence of someone who believed the game was already decided.

"Why are you hiding out here alone, Lindsay? Shouldn't the birthday girl be inside enjoying the spotlight?" Jenna asked softly, a wineglass balanced in her fingers.

Rather than respond, Lindsay shifted to pass her.

Before she could move away, Jenna tilted her glass and swirled the wine lazily. "Don't you want to know? About Tyler. About what your marriage really looks like."

In the next instant, her hand shot out and caught Lindsay's arm. The sudden movement sent red wine cascading forward. It splashed across the front of Lindsay's champagne gown, spreading into a dark stain over the fabric.

"Oh no, Lindsay. I'm so sorry!"

Jenna's cry rang out before Lindsay had the chance to speak. The volume was deliberate, loud enough to pull attention from the garden entrance.

Lindsay wrenched her arm free.

"Why would you push me, Lindsay..." Jenna stumbled back as if unsteady. The glass slipped from her grasp and shattered against the stone path.

In one fluid motion, she dropped with it. A fragment grazed her hand, and her eyes filled at once, turning red.

A rush of hurried steps broke the tension as people flooded into the garden.

Tyler reached them first, his eyes scanning the shattered glass, the stain on the gown, and Jenna on the ground. "What happened here?"

His expression darkened almost immediately. "Lindsay, why would you push her?"

Behind him, murmurs rose without restraint.

"Oh no, Miss Oliver fell so hard..."

"Mrs. Hardy really has a temper. It was only a splash of wine."

"Exactly. Miss Oliver didn't mean it, and now she's the one bleeding."

With Tyler steadying her, Jenna rose slowly, as if she might collapse again. Tears shimmered in her eyes. "Please don't be upset with Lindsay. I slipped on my own. It's unfortunate about her gown... and that glass of vintage wine..."

As she spoke, she lifted her injured hand just enough for everyone to notice the thin line of blood.

Tyler's gaze lingered on the cut before shifting to the dark stain spreading across Lindsay's dress. His voice lost its warmth. "It's only a dress. Jenna already said she was sorry. Lindsay, you crossed a line."

Facing him, Lindsay didn't raise her voice. "You're still just as quick to take her side," she said evenly, her calm so steady it almost startled her.

For a second, Tyler didn't move.

Without breaking her composure, Lindsay lifted a fresh glass of red wine from a server who had frozen mid-step. Every pair of eyes followed her as she turned and approached Jenna.

"You wouldn't..." Jenna's voice faltered as she caught on. Fear flickered across her face, and she instinctively shifted behind Tyler for cover.

Lindsay didn't hesitate.

With a smooth turn of her wrist, she tipped the glass. The deep red liquid spilled over Jenna's perfectly arranged hair, sliding down her stunned face and drenching her designer gown in one sweeping motion.

Silence fell so abruptly it felt unnatural. Then Jenna let out a piercing scream that cut through the garden.

Wine clung to her from head to toe.

No one spoke.

All the guests stood frozen, their expressions locked in disbelief at what had just unfolded.

Tyler remained rooted in place as well. His gaze jumped from Jenna, soaked and unraveling, to Lindsay, who stood there composed. His lips parted, yet no words came out.

Without a word, Lindsay placed the empty glass onto a nearby table.

Before anyone could react, she stepped forward and seized a handful of Jenna's soaked hair, pulling sharply until Jenna's wine drenched face tilted upward in shock.

Leaning close to her ear, Lindsay spoke in a voice so low it barely carried. "That last glass was meant for you. Make sure you savor it."

Tyler finally found his voice. "Lindsay! What are you doing? Have you completely lost it?"

She didn't answer him. Holding her posture straight and her expression steady, she moved through the stunned crowd. Guests instinctively stepped aside, clearing a path as she left the heavy air of the garden behind.

Moments later, she swiped her keycard and entered the private lounge.

The room was dim, lit only by faint ambient light. A sharp cedar scent lingered in the air, different from the hotel's usual fragrance, though she paid it little attention. All she wanted was to change out of the ruined dress.

She reached behind her and lowered the zipper. The silk gown slid down her body and settled around her feet.

Clad only in her undergarments, she bent to pick up a fresh outfit.

Before she could straighten, something collided with her from behind.

An arm wrapped tightly around her waist with sudden force, heat pressing against her back, while another hand clamped firmly over her mouth and cut off the cry rising in her throat.

A violent tug sent Lindsay stumbling backward until her spine collided with a bare, burning chest.

Heat pressed in from behind, and that sharp cedar scent wrapped around her, thick and overwhelming.

"Mmph—!"

The protest never made it past his hand.

Close to her ear, a man's voice dropped low, edged with danger. "Is this how you planned to tempt me?"

Upon hearing that voice, a face flashed through her mind—Ashton.

How had he gotten inside?

Before she could think—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

From the hallway, Tyler's voice cut through the wood, strained and barely contained. "Lindsay? I know you're inside. Open the door."

A sharp double beep sounded as a keycard struck the lock, followed by the faint mechanical click of it trying to grant access.