Milena Campbell bet on a dart competition that she could hit an apple placed on someone's head without opening her eyes. Her dart missed the target and she left the room feeling embarrassed without looking back.

Meanwhile, the off-coursing dart hit Hazel Wright’s sister; severed the carotid artery. The girl collapsed on the spot, bleeding.

When the news reached the family, Hazel’s father was furious and vowed to take Milena to court. However, on his way to meet his lawyer, he was kidnapped and disappeared without a trace.

Hazel sat next to her unconscious sister, desperate.

The person behind all this was none other than her husband of three years, Vincent Clarke.

As the richest man in Rivendale, Vincent was known for being cruel and decisive. Hazel was the only woman in his life.

However, since Milena returned to the country, Vincent had repeatedly violated his principles for her sake.

That night, after finishing his work, Vincent came to the hospital to force Hazel to sign a letter of apology. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his dark eyes turned cold.

“If you agree not to pursue this matter and let Milena go, I will arrange for the best doctor for your sister and bring your father back safely,” he said. “You have three minutes to decide,” he said cruelly.

Hazel stared at Vincent in disbelief.

“Is she that important to you?” her lips trembled.

Since the accident that happened to her sister, Hazel had been so depressed that she refused to eat and drink. Her eyes were red after two days and nights staying in the hospital room.

Seeing her poor condition and how thin she looked, Vincent felt pity. He softened, explaining in a gentle tone, “Milena saved my life before, I owe her. I have to protect her.”

However, to Hazel, those words sounded like irony.

“So, you think it's okay to pay your debt to Milena with the lives of my family?” she asked weakly.

“My sister is dying, my father is missing and you expect me to let it go forgive the woman who caused it all?”

Ignoring Hazel's outburst, Vincent looked down at his Rolex. His patience was wearing thin.

“You have one minute left.” His voice went cold again.

“If you don’t make a decision immediately, your father may never come back.”

As Vincent spoke, the assistant standing behind him stepped forward, handing Hazel a tablet with a video playing.

In the recording, Hazel’s sixty-year-old father was confined to a corner of a cold storage room, his body stiff. If it weren't for his slight movement and the faint snoring, anyone would have thought he was already dead.

Hazel's face was turning pale.

Vincent curled his lips and smiled.

"Do you know what the temperature is in that cold storage room? It's kept at minus thirty degrees all year round. A healthy person locked up in that place for twenty-four hours could lose their vital signs.”

“Let alone your father, who is old, weak and has many health problems."

The world seemed to collapse around Hazel. She couldn’t believe Vincent could be so cruel.

Five years ago, her father brought Vincent -- his star student, home to the Wright Family.

Vincent fell in love with her at first sight and from that moment on, he pursued her relentlessly.

He spent three million dollars to launch a 9,999 drone and fireworks show on the riverside for her. Even on her birthday, Vincent bought a small island in Britain and named it after her as a birthday present.

Moved by his devotion, Hazel agreed to date him.

However, Hazel never imagined that just three years into their marriage, everything would change drastically.

She sighed deeply. Before Vincent could declare time was up, she resignedly said, “All right, I'll sign it. But you have to arrange for my sister's surgery and release my father immediately.”

Her hand trembled as she signed the letter of apology.

Watching her, Vincent exhaled with relief. He pulled out his phone, ready to call the specialist for surgery. But suddenly, his cell phone rang.

He answered it and immediately heard Milena's voice, crying. “Vincent, my finger is bleeding. It hurts so much.”

Vincent's focus shifted instantly and he immediately barked orders to his men to find Milena.

But Hazel pleaded, grabbing his arm. “At least arrange a doctor first before you go!”

Unfortunately, all she received was a ruthless refusal from Vincent.

“Milena has a rare blood condition. Her blood couldn't coagulate properly. Even a small amount of bleeding could be dangerous for her. I have to leave now!” he snapped.

“About your sister's surgery... we'll talk about it tomorrow.” With that, Vincent left without looking back.

Hazel stood frozen as his figure move further and further away. Her heart broke to pieces.

Five years of love and devotion all turned to ashes that night.

Half an hour later, Milena posted a new update online.

[It’s just a tiny scratch from my manicure, but someone panicked so badly he almost crashed racing over to see me.]

Hazel laughed out loud.

Milena’s pinky finger with a barely visible cut. A wound that small could make Vincent Clarke, the man known for his calm and control, lose his composure. Yet when her own sister was dying, he hadn’t even looked her way.

The difference between being loved and not loved had never been so cruelly clear.

Lost in thought, Hazel accidentally tapped the “like” button. Almost instantly, her phone rang. Vincent called.

“I was the one who wanted to come back to see Milena,” Vincent said sharply. Why are you so angry? Don't make things difficult for her."

Hazel smiled bitterly. He was furious over a ‘like’ button?

When she didn’t respond, Vincent’s tone softened, realizing he’d sounded harsh.

He took the initiative to soothe her, “Hazel, don’t overthink. I already brought your father out of the cold room — he’s awake now. As for your sister’s surgery, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow. There’s a storm tonight and Milena’s terrified of thunder. I can’t leave her alone.”

Hazel lowered her eyes to hide her disappointment.

“I see. If that’s all, I’ll hang up now.”

She ended the call and let her tears fall freely.

When Vincent ignored her, she didn’t cry.

When he broke their promises, she also didn’t cry. Even when Milena used Vincent’s affection to bully her, she endured in silence.

But watching her family suffer because of that woman — that broke something inside.

Hazel cried for a long time before regaining her composure.

Then, she picked up her phone and called a man she hadn’t spoken to in years — David Federer, Vincent’s long-time rival and the man who had once pursued her endlessly.

“You once said you’d wait for me. Does that offer still count?”

“I’ll be with you. But I need your help to fake my death and leave this place.”

Seven days from now, there would be a grand cruise gala. She’d take her family and leave Vincent once and for all. Because with his obsessive, possessive nature, she knew he’d never agree to a normal divorce.

Once David agreed, Hazel hung up the call.

Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over her. She uncontrollably retched a few times.

A bad premonition washed over her.

Looking pale, she went straight to the hospital for a pregnancy test.

When she saw the result, she froze.

She was three months pregnant. Completely unaware until now!

Without a second of hesitation, she turned to the doctor. “Schedule an abortion. Immediately.”

Yeah, she couldn't keep this child.

The doctor looked startled. “Your baby’s perfectly healthy — actually, there’s a high chance it’s twins. Are you sure you want to end them?”

Tears spilled down Hazel’s cheeks; she turned her face away, hiding them. She wanted these children — more than anyone else. But Vincent had changed. He didn’t even care about her father—his own mentor. So how could he possibly care about the babies growing inside her?

“I’m sure,” she whispered. “Do it today.”

The moment she was wheeled onto the cold operating table, her body went cold.

Until the anesthetic took effect, her world went dark.

When she woke, her hands instinctively went to her stomach. The life that had once been there was gone. And though her heart shattered, she told herself—this was the only way.

Dragging her exhausted body, Hazel returned to her sister’s hospital room. Her sister lay there, skin pale as paper and covered in IV tubes.

Hazel’s will hardened. She had done the right thing. Ending the pregnancy and planning her escape.

Still in her clothes, she lay down beside her sister and fell into a restless sleep.

The next morning, Hazel drove back to the Clarke mansion to pick up her father. But when she opened the door, she froze — the sight before her made her blood run cold.

Her father—a man in his fifties with graying hair, was being forced to his knees by a group of bodyguards.

And on his back sat Milena, cracking a whip against him as if training a dog.

“C’mon, old man, crawl! You can’t even crawl, then what good are you?”

Hazel’s blood boiled. Without hesitation, she rushed over and pulled Milena down.

Then she slapped her hard.

"How dare you hit me? Do you know what you're doing?"

Milena was stunned, staring at Hazel in disbelief.

But Hazel ignored her and distressed, helped her father to his feet, “I’m sorry, Dad. I should’ve come sooner.”

Just then, the door opened. Vincent walked in, carrying breakfast he’d personally made for Milena.

The moment Milena saw him, she ran to him like a wounded child. “Vincent! Look what that horrible woman did to me! My face hurts so much.”

Milena’s skin was fair — too fair. The slap Hazel had given her wasn’t even that hard, yet it was still extremely red and swollen.

Vincent’s face darkened instantly.

He ordered someone to hold Hazel down, then turned and had Milena return the slap herself.

He ignored Hazel’s explanations and said coldly, "No one can bully Milena in my territory."

Hearing this, Milena approached Hazel with even greater pride.

One slap, two slaps... She slapped her ten times before finally stopping, satisfied.

Hazel who had initially struggled, finally became numb.

Her entire face was red and swollen and blood was flowing from the corner of her mouth.

But Vincent didn’t even flinch.

Instead, he took Milena’s hand and gently massaged it. “You hit her so hard,” he murmured. “Don't you feel any pain?"

Seeing this, Hazel's already broken heart began to ache uncontrollably again.

So did her father. He struggled against the guards, desperate to reach her, but it was useless.

Milena wasn’t done. She demanded an even harsher punishment. But Vincent was unable to persuade her, so he had no choice but to cruelly order Hazel to be thrown into the basement.

“If she wants to be Mrs. Clarke, she’d better learn to act like one. Keep her there for two days so she can reflect on her behavior.”

Hazel was thrown like she was trash into the cold, damp basement.

For an entire day, no one brought her food or water.

When she thought she might actually starve to death, the door creaked open.

Milena stepped inside, crouching down with a tray of spoiled leftovers.

“Hi, Hazel, I brought you dinner. You must be starving,” Milena said in a sing-song tone. “Want me to feed you?”

Humiliation flooded Hazel’s chest. She used her last bit of strength to refuse. “I’d rather die than eat garbage.”

Milena’s expression twisted into something cruel. She grabbed Hazel’s chin, pried her mouth open by force and shoved the rotten food in.

Hazel who was furious, pushed Milena away. Then she grabbed the plate and smashed it over that woman’s head. Not only that, she also picked up a shard of glass and stepped toward her.

Blood trickled down Milena’s forehead. Terrified, she screamed — staring at Hazel like she had seen a devil.

Vincent rushed over once he heard the noise. By the time he burst into the room, he saw Hazel dragging the shard of glass toward Milena’s face.

His expression darkened instantly. Without hesitation, he kicked Hazel hard in the gut, sending her flying across the room.

“Call the hospital. Tell them to stop all treatment for her sister.”

“While for Hazel, keep locking her down here. No food. No water. No one opens that door unless I say so.”

Hazel froze. “No—Vincent, please!” she cried weakly. “You can punish me however you want, but don’t stop my sister’s treatment! Please!”

He didn’t even look at her.

Still holding Milena, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

The heavy door slammed shut, cutting off all light.

In the darkness, Hazel felt the warm blood spreading beneath her. Her vision blurred, her strength fading away — until everything went black.