Seven years ago, Brandon was betrayed by a trusted associate during a shipment run, losing both the cargo and being kidnapped. In Harbor City's underworld, everyone knew who was behind it.

They were jealous of Brandon's meteoric rise as a "newcomer" in the business and had conspired to set him up. To humiliate Brandon, they said they would release him if I entertained their boss. We had just gotten married then and were deeply in love.

Murder might end a life, but this was designed to destroy the soul.

I was terrified. In the video they sent, he was covered in blood, having gone two days and nights without water, looking frighteningly pale.

Eventually, I approached his enemies on my own. I knew what I would endure, but I would do anything as long as Brandon could live.

Two days later, I was delivered to the hospital, barely clothed. They released Brandon as promised, but they had despicably recorded videos of everything. In the footage, I was on my knees, actively begging while enduring multiple men's brutality. They even sent a backup copy to Brandon.

He only saw the thumbnail before going berserk.

It was the first time I'd ever seen him cry, and we huddled together, sleepless for many nights. He swore that those who violated me would pay the price and that he would kill them with his own hands. Later, he did exactly that, consuming all their territories.

Afterward, Brandon desperately begged all those who knew to keep silent about the incident. He paid with both money and his dignity. But at some point, he began to change. Young, "pure" girls started appearing around him one after another. I suddenly realized that people's hearts do change.

...

Brandon stood on the balcony smoking when his phone suddenly rang. He irritably hung up, but the caller persisted.

Finally, Brandon answered. The girl's soft crying came through, but I couldn't understand what she said. He cursed under his breath, "What a nuisance."

Then, he turned to me and said, "There's an issue at the port that I need to handle. You should rest first."

After that, he hurried out, not returning all night. He knew exactly where my boundaries lay. After going through so much together, I could accept everything about him.

I wasn't fond of sex, so I didn't care how many women he sought for release. However, I couldn't accept him truly falling in love with another woman and letting her get pregnant.

He felt sorry that I had suffered so much for him, becoming "unrecognizable". So, when he saw Luna, who resembled my younger self so much, he couldn't help but soften, wanting to protect her.

Yet, the person who had suffered alongside him was right beside him, so why care about a mere shadow? In the decade we shared, the last eight as husband and wife, I had lived almost entirely for Brandon's sake. Now I just felt so tired, so exhausted. I could not help but think I just wanted to be Carmelia again.

After waking up at noon, I calculated my available funds and shares. I contacted my private lawyer and drafted divorce papers. When love had run dry, substantial financial compensation became necessary—this was what he owed me, what I deserved.

Brandon and I were required to attend an afternoon bidding for a crucial company project. However, he never showed up, and his phone was unreachable.

Harbor City's hundred-acre development project—the biggest in our company's history—and he was absent. His driver hemmed and hawed for a long time before finally giving me an address—Mercy Hospital. I was so angry I wanted to laugh.

After the meeting ended, I went straight to the hospital. Luna was lying alone in a VIP room.

She looked at me innocently and said, "Cami, why are you here?"

"Where's Brandon?" I asked.

"Bran went to pay the bill," she said as she tilted her head to reveal faint hickeys on her neck. "He was too rough yesterday. My body couldn't handle it, and the doctor just told me I should keep him under control."

I removed my cufflinks, rolled up my sleeve, and reached toward her stomach, which scared her into scrambling up into a sitting position. I mocked, "If you know enough to be scared, then shut up!"

What a stupid girl.

Luna scoffed, "Do you know why Bran insisted on coming to me yesterday? I told him I was wearing my school uniform, and he came right away. He loves doing it with me so much. He hasn't touched you in a long time, has he? We did it four times last night—once in the car, once in the bathroom, once on the balcony, and once..."

I cut her off, "Have some dignity. How is this any different from streaming porn?"

I looked at her with pity and added, "You actually believe what men say in bed? If he truly loved you, he wouldn't have sent you to the hospital while you're pregnant."

After all, love meant restraint.

However, Luna was a bit indignant and took out her phone to play me a video. The angle was discreet, as if secretly recorded. In the video, she was hugging Brandon from behind while crying, "I don't want anything else, I just want you. Please, let me keep this baby, okay?"

Brandon pushed her away, "I'm not going to get divorced."

"Is it because of responsibility? You clearly love me, so why are you lying? Was your promise to protect me for life also a lie?"

Brandon handed her a bank card and said, "There's enough money here to last you a lifetime. Get rid of the baby."

"It's not about comparing with Cami. I just don't desire her, but she's the most important person to me. I won't divorce her."

Luna threw the bank card away, "I don't want it! I told you I don't want money! I only want you. Please. I won't be a burden to you. I'll try very, very hard. Trust me, okay?"

Brandon paused for a moment, staring at Luna's face as if in a trance. Then, he kissed her as if he'd gone mad.

The video abruptly ended, and I tossed the phone back to her, feeling bitter inside. I asked, "He already said he won't divorce me, so what are you gloating about?"

My calmness infuriated her, "Carmelia Sanders! He's not leaving you because of guilt, not love! I don't believe this guilt can last a lifetime! Every time he gets drunk, he holds me and tells me you're so dirty."

My mind buzzed, and I felt my heart beating frighteningly fast. I stared at her intensely, "What did Brandon tell you?"

Luna looked at me triumphantly, "Yes, he told me everything. I've seen the video too. I never would have thought that someone who looks as cold as you would kneel and beg men, with such a big appetite—three men..."

She continued, "Whenever he can't get aroused, he uses your video as background, and it works immediately. He says every time he thinks about you begging other men, he feels disgusted and humiliated..."

Blood instantly rushed to my head. I stepped forward, grabbed her by the hair, and yanked her off the bed.