Later that afternoon, Scarlett paid a visit to her old lecturer, Robin Olsen.

Just before leaving, Robin tugged her to the nearby chapel and told her that prayers that were made here were very often answered. Besides, the chapel gave out blessed amulets as well, and Robin wanted to get one for Scarlett.

When they arrived at the chapel, the priest Scarlett had never seen before suddenly called out her name in person quite accurately.

"Are you wondering why I know your full name?" the priest, Mike Cross, asked with a chuckle. "A year ago, someone named Joachim Davidson donated 80 million dollars to our chapel and seemed very earnest with his prayers.

"He got an amulet for you, for your health and safety, but he didn't bring it back with him. He just had us put your name on it and left it here so that we could bless you even more with our daily prayers and chanting."

Robin was overjoyed when he heard this. "Aww, look. Joe did so much to prove his love for you. I'm so happy to know that you're both still very loving in your relationship!"

Scarlett lowered her gaze. The warmth of the past was now mingling with the pain of betrayal in her heart, causing ripples in her heart that she'd long thought was dead.

"It was fate for you to visit us today. Since you're here now, you might as well bring the amulet back with you," Mike said.

Scarlett took the amulet from him. However, just as she was about to turn to leave, Mike called out to her again.

"Wait for a minute! Mr. Davidson also requested three other amulets at that time. You should also bring those back with you."

Scarlett accepted the three additional amulets. However, when she saw the names on them, she wanted nothing more in the world than to laugh out loud.

The three amulets bore Katrina's and her two children's names.

…

Joachim realized that Scarlett had gone to sleep alone after he came back home that night.

For the past few years, they had had a habit of waiting for the other to come home before going to sleep together, arm in arm.

However, this was the first time Scarlett did not wait up for him.

Joachim felt a sudden uneasy feeling in his chest. He hugged Scarlett and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"I missed you so much, Lettie. I know it's only been a few hours, but it felt like a few centuries to me. I'd never be able to live if you weren't by my side one day."

"Really?" Scarlett asked after a moment of hesitation.

"Oh, by the way, Lettie, there's something I need to talk to you about. It's about that island. So… I found it not good enough. But I bought another two more islands to make up for it! Is that okay?"

Scarlett closed her eyes and said, "Whatever you say."

Sensing the coldness and annoyance in her voice, Joachim felt even more uneasy. He asked carefully, "Lettie, did I do something to make you mad at me?"

"No. I'm just tired," she answered, taking a deep breath. "It's our wedding anniversary in a few days. I want to take the private jet out tomorrow afternoon to pick something up overseas. I bought something there, and I want to get it myself."

"But you're still pregnant. The flight can take more than half a day. It's too tiring for you. I'll make the trip instead."

Scarlett spoke in a slightly pleading voice, "No way. I want to go there myself."

Joachim felt his heart melt when he heard Scarlett softening her tone with him. He would probably hand over his soul on a silver platter if she asked for it in that voice.

"Okay. I'll do whatever you say."

The next morning, Joachim left after preparing breakfast. He told Scarlett that he had things to do at the office.

Scarlett started packing after he left.

She opened the closet door and took out every outfit that Joachim had personally tailored for her. She then destroyed them with a pair of scissors and threw them into the trash.

She then took all the jewelry Joachim had ever given her and gave them to their housekeepers.

Scarlett also had a total of 16 photo albums filled with photos and memories of her and Joachim. They had been saving the albums for three years and had agreed that they would keep them until they grew old together.

She threw them all into the fireplace.

Meanwhile, Joachim doubled back when he realized that he had left some important documents at home. That was when he caught sight of the photo albums in the fire.

He heard an explosion go off in his mind. Then, he lunged at the fire without further thought, reached in, and managed to retrieve just the last half of an album from being consumed by the fire.

"Lettie…"

Joachim turned to look at Scarlett. His voice was shaky. "Why did you burn them all?"

Scarlett smiled and said, "Nothing. I just thought that I looked really ugly in those photos and didn't want to keep them anymore."

She went over to him and tugged at his scorched hand. "We still have many years ahead of us. We can always capture new memories together. Why did you have to go and put your hand in the fire? Look at how badly you've hurt yourself. Get the doctor to have a proper look at the burn."

The flustered feeling in Joachim's chest gradually dissipated when he saw the genuine concern Scarlett had for him, which was showing in her eyes. He then pouted and said, "Lettie, can't you just blow and kiss the boo-boo away?"

If his subordinates at the office were to see him now, they would probably think that their usual stern and stoic-faced CEO was somehow possessed by a ghost.

"You're already an adult. Have you no shame?"

Scarlett then walked over to him, making sure to shield his view from the cut-up pieces of clothing in the trash can.

After retrieving his documents, Joachim kissed Scarlett on the forehead again. "I'm off to work now. I'll be back in the afternoon."

A short while after he left, Katrina sent Scarlett a new text message. "Come find your hubby at Grande Hotel. Get ready for a wonderful show!"

Scarlett remained silent. So, every time Joachim told her he was off to work, he was actually off to visit Katrina.

She knew very well that whatever she saw at the hotel would break her if she were to witness it, but she still chose to go.

As it turned out, it was the twins' birthday that day, and Joachim's parents and friends were all there to celebrate.

They were celebrating at the hotel with a huge ceremony. The waiters and waitresses on duty all addressed Katrina as "Mrs. Davidson", and Joachim never corrected them. He just exchanged glances with Katrina and smiled at her. His eyes were twinkling with warmth.

Joachim's parents were also smiling at Katrina in a way that Scarlett had never, ever seen before.

"If it weren't for Trina, I'd never be enjoying my life now like this," Amanda said. "Joachim, you're not allowed to make Trina sad, understand? You must always treat her well. Got it?"

Joachim smiled and nodded. "When have I ever mistreated her? I've given her everything Scarlett also has—designer clothing, jewelry sets, and all sorts of collectors' items. I always make sure to prepare two sets of everything!"

Scarlett initially thought that she would be able to accept whatever was thrown at her with a calm attitude, but when Joachim said that, she felt as though a bomb had gone off in her head. All the love she once had for him had been blown into smithereens, which cut deep into her heart. She was left with a bloody, gory aftermath.

So, everyone knew about this.

And, for a long time, what Scarlett always thought was exclusive to both of them was never the case after all.

Katrina had everything she had.

In fact, Katrina even had everything Scarlett never had.

Scarlett hid behind a pillar outside the banquet hall. However, she accidentally overheard a conversation between Joachim and his younger cousin, Riley Davidson.

"Say, Joe, are you really planning to live your life like this forever?" Riley asked with a frown. "You can't hide this your whole life. Even if you think you did a good job of keeping it a secret from her, Scarlett will still find out one day!"

Joachim smiled and said, "I love Scarlett, but Katrina gave birth to twins for me. I can't just abandon her like that. I'm fine living like this for the rest of my life."

"What if you can't hide it from her anymore? What would you do then?" Riley nagged. "You've been unfaithful in your marriage. You're not being fair to Scarlett."

"That day will never come. Hasn't this already been ongoing for two whole years?" Joachim asked, still feeling confident about himself. "I know that I'm letting Scarlett down, but I'll make it up to her. I'll be even better to her."

Riley gave him a hard, judgmental look and rolled her eyes. "You can't use materialistic things to replace your love just because you intend to make it up to her. I'm only warning you because we're related by blood, but Uncle Joel is coming back soon.

"You know how dogmatic he can be and how much he hates people like you who sleep around. You'd better properly hide your side chick from him. If he ever does find out, he's definitely going to expose you, and then some!"

Scarlett slid down to the floor. Her back was pressed to the pillar, and she was now sitting on the floor.

Her heart hurt so much that everything was turning numb. At that point, the only thing she felt was pure disgust.

Scarlett stumbled out of the hotel afterward.

However, the many blows she'd suffered over the events of the past few days finally got to her, and her vision suddenly blacked out, causing her to fall to the floor.

When she woke up again, she found herself in an unfamiliar bed. A man in an impeccable suit and tie was sitting on the couch next to the bed. He was wearing a pair of frameless glasses as well.

The man was going through a thick sheaf of documents in his hand. His expression was stoic, and yet, the look in his beautiful eyes was sharp, heavy, and overbearing.

Scarlett sat up at once. It wasn't until a few seconds later that she recognized the man.

He was Joachim's uncle, Joel Davidson.

Joel had a business overseas and seldom came back home. Scarlett had only seen him a handful of times. The only thing she knew was that Joachim was a little scared of Joel, who was only three years older than him.

The reason? Joachim had always been a cheeky kid since young, but his parents just couldn't bring themselves to discipline him. So, Joel would end up being the one hitting him and keeping him on his toes.

Joachim once described Joel as "Strict, stubborn, and dogmatic. And he's always enforcing his rules on other people."

"You're awake now?" Joel said while putting away the documents in his hand. "The doctor said that you fainted because you were too overwhelmed after your spontaneous abortion."

Joel then started walking toward Scarlett. "Joachim doesn't know that you lost the baby, does he? If he did, then he would have already lost his mind by now. He'd also never let you faint by the roadside."

Scarlett was quiet for a very long time. "Thanks for today, but please don't tell him about this."

Seeing that Joel didn't respond to her request, she repeated again in a low, pleading voice, "Please, I'm begging you."

Joel was stunned. He figured that something had to have gone wrong between the couple. By right, Joachim should immediately be informed of this incident.

However, for some reason, Joel felt his heart soften a little. Ultimately, he promised to keep it a secret from Joachim.

He then instructed his men to send Scarlett home.

Joachim got home a short while after Scarlett.

"Lettie! What would you like to have for lunch today? I'll make it for you!"

For the past few years, Joachim had always cooked for Scarlett thrice a day, even if they had help around the house. He often got worried that the chef wouldn't have made enough food or that the food made wouldn't be to Scarlett's liking, so he would still cook for her no matter how busy he was.

He then brought out a jewelry set. "The jewelry I ordered has finally arrived today. Lettie, want to have a look?"

Scarlett glanced briefly at the box. It was similar to the one she saw him giving to Katrina just earlier today.

She couldn't stop laughing out loud.

All this while, she had always thought that Joachim had showered all of his love on her. As it turned out, everything he gave her had already been halved and thus was worth next to nothing.

"Forget about it. I just want to go over to Glade Manor for a while."

Glade Manor was a whole manor and yard that Joachim had built especially for Scarlett five years ago, and they had created many precious memories there.

In fact, Joachim had successfully confessed to Scarlett there, on the 97th try, after being rejected 96 times.

They had also held hands there for the first time and even shared their first kiss there too.

Joachim even proposed to her there and promised her that she would be the only love of his life forever.

Still, Glade Manor was located on the outskirts of town. Since it was so far away, both Scarlett and Joachim seldom went back there after getting married.

It was now 12:00 pm. She would be leaving this life behind forever at 3:00 pm later that day. She just wanted to see Glade Manor for the last time and bid it a proper goodbye.

Joachim's body stiffened. He looked a little flustered. Katrina had been bugging him forever, asking that he let her stay at Glade Manor, so he'd given the key to her. Coincidentally, Katrina had just gone over today with the twins.

"Alright. We'll go there after lunch," he said. He then quickly snuck into the kitchen and texted Katrina, telling her to leave immediately.

…

Joachim and Scarlett arrived at Glade Manor at 1:00 pm.

As soon as she stepped into the manor, Scarlett immediately sensed that something was amiss.

The roses in the garden had all been replaced with lilies. The mint green curtains had been replaced with pastel pink ones. There was even a baby crib in the middle of the living room.

Obviously, someone else had been living here.

Scarlett pretended not to have noticed a single thing and went straight upstairs.

There were still a few photo albums of her and Joachim. She wanted to take those photos with her and burn them to ashes.

It was disgusting just thinking about leaving them intact in the manor.

However, when Scarlett opened the photo album, she was rooted to the ground at once.

The photo album was filled with photos of Joachim, Katrina, and the twins. There were photos of them in the lavender fields, under the Payris Tower, in a hot-air balloon… And Joachim had also brought Scarlett to every single place they'd been to, and they had left deep impressions in Scarlett's mind.

As it turned out, Joachim had also brought other women to all of their sacred places on those godforsaken nights, poisoning every last memory that had once belonged only to Joachim and herself.

When he saw that Scarlett's face was getting paler by the second, Joachim walked over and asked, "What's wrong, Lettie?"

Scarlett immediately slammed the photo album shut and smiled at him. "Nothing. I just miss home."

She then turned to go back downstairs. Suddenly, Joachim's phone rang for quite a while, and he turned anxious at once. "Lettie, I'm going to use the bathroom for a bit. Go down and wait for me, okay?"

Scarlett nodded and left the room.

However, a few seconds later, she headed back in and heard Joachim's frantic voice as she stood outside the bathroom.

"Didn't I tell you to leave the place with the kids? What are you still doing here?"

"I just wanted to do something more thrilling with you…" Katrina's saccharinely sweet voice oozed from the bathroom. "We've already done it on your bed right under your wedding photos. But now that she's actually downstairs, don't you think it's a lot more thrilling like this? Don't you think you can feel everything even more?"

Joachim's breath turned loud and heavy. "You… You little minx!"

Wet slapping sounds were soon heard, accompanied by a cacophony of loud, melodious moans.

Scarlett stood outside the bathroom door, and her heart was deathly calm. She just couldn't help wondering how her beloved husband ended up like this.

He was like a rotten flower blooming in the swamp—somewhat charming yet emitting a foul stench wherever he went.

Or, could it be that Joachim had always been this type of person, and she hadn't known about it until now?

Scarlett recalled the last time Joachim had introduced her to his elite inner circle of friends.

His friends had all wished them well on the surface, but called Joachim a fool behind his back for tying himself down to only one woman in his life. With how much money they were swimming in, they could afford to even play with ten women at once if they wanted to. It wouldn't have been a problem.

Back then, Joachim told her, "I'm not like them. I'll only love you forever."

As it turned out, he was exactly like them. He was just as stinky and rotten as his friends. It had only been a matter of time.

Scarlett chuckled and made her way down the stairs quietly.

…

Scarlett had come from a poor village in the mountains. Her mother, Darla Meyer, had been sold into the village. As Darla was unable to give birth to a boy, Doug had made sure that both Darla's and Scarlett's lives were made a living hell. He often beat them up.

When Scarlett was 13 years old, she had run away from the mountains, and the first thing she did after that was to send her father to jail.

Doug kept yelling curses at her the whole time. And yet, even though Darla had been set free from her husband's tyranny, she didn't feel grateful toward Scarlett at all.

That was because Scarlett was living, breathing proof of a dark, rotten streak in her life that she never wanted to revisit.

Because Scarlett had grown up in a broken and twisted family, she had learned to hide her heart away beneath walls of steel. She managed to keep a fair distance from everybody in her life.

However, when she was 18 years old, Joachim had barged into her life like a freight train. He was like a ball of fire, glowing brightly in her chest while melting away the layers of ice and steel guarding her fragile heart.

His warmth had comforted all of her pains and struggles. He had showered her with so much love that she gradually and eventually regained the energy to learn to love others in return.

Yet, just when she thought she couldn't be any happier in her life, Joachim had personally delivered the most fatal blow to her, hitting her exactly where it hurt the most.

And this time, the wound would never heal for the rest of her life.

A few minutes later, Joachim came out of the manor.

Scarlett looked at him silently. Suddenly, she raised her hand, showing him the bracelet around her wrist. "You personally made this bracelet for me. But I just realized that the colors have already faded away.

"Joachim, tell me, do you think your love for me will also fade away?"

"Definitely not!" Joachim answered at once. His eyes were sincere as he held Scarlett's hand in his and kissed the back of it as wholeheartedly as he could. "My love for you will only grow day by day."

Scarlett just laughed rather ambiguously.

If he still loved her, then why would he continue lying to her and playing her for a fool?

She had intended to leave quietly at first, but now, she'd changed her mind.

She wanted revenge on Joachim's unfaithfulness to her, which lasted two whole years.

She wanted revenge for the broken promises he'd made to her, leaving her to suffer alone in pain.

She wanted revenge for how much he had loved her—so deeply that it gave her a wound that would take forever to heal. It would leave a permanent scar.

Scarlett hugged him with both her arms and said, "I love you too, Joachim. So, you must wait for me, okay? Wait for me and our baby to come back so that we can celebrate our third wedding anniversary together.

"Oh, by the way…"

She took out a file folder and placed it in Joachim's hands with a serious expression on her face. "This is my gift to you. But, you're only allowed to open it two days from today."

Inside the file folder was a copy of her abortion slip from the hospital, along with screenshots of the videos Katrina had sent to her.

When Joachim heard news about her jet crash, he would definitely open this file folder, and then, he would realize that his cheating had caused her to give up on him, made him lose the baby he'd been looking forward to, and caused the death of his own beloved wife.

She wanted Joachim to live the rest of his life in regret.

"Okay. I'll wait," Joachim said. His eyes sparkled brightly with hope. "Lettie, I'll send you to the airport now."

Scarlett shook her head.

He had walked with her long enough throughout the journey of her life. She didn't want him next to her anymore while she was saying her final goodbyes.

"You don't have to send me there. I know you're a very busy person. I'm sure someone's going to be looking for you again very soon."

Joachim froze for a bit. Was he mistaken? Why did it feel as though Scarlett's words were laced with sarcasm?

The feeling of unease returned once more.

A split second later, his phone began ringing loudly again. It was a text message from Katrina.

"Joe, I bet you weren't satisfied with just that round earlier… Wanna come back for more after seeing your wifey off?"

Attached with the text was a photo of Katrina, posing in Scarlett's lingerie.

Joachim's breath caught in his throat. His breathing became quicker and heavier, and the feeling of unease was very quickly replaced with that of lust.

…

Actually, the first time he slept with Katrina had been orchestrated by his own parents when they got him drunk. At that time, Joachim had thought that he was now defiled and wanted nothing more than to take his own life.

However, Katrina had kneeled on the ground, her pride and dignity nonexistent, and begged him by saying, "I know you bankrupted my family, but I'm still in love with you. Joachim, I'll die without you. I'm willing to do anything as long as it makes you happy!"

True to her word, Katrina did everything Joachim wanted just to satisfy him. In fact, Joachim had done with Katrina everything he could think of, under the sky, whether or not he'd ever heard of it before.

Ultimately, Katrina had then put on Scarlett's clothes and said, "You can think of me as her stand-in puppet. Whatever you can't bear to do to her, you can do to me."

It was at that moment that Joachim's heart was completely set on fire.

He had been harboring many dirty, impure thoughts toward Scarlett, but every time he got close to her, he would suddenly feel ashamed of himself and give up on his fantasies at once. His love for her was pure and sincere, only that of worship and adoration.

However, when he was with Katrina, Joachim didn't even think twice. He made sure that every single one of his fantasies was fulfilled, using her body.

"Oh… If that's the case, I guess I won't be sending you to the airport, then. Drive safe."

Just before leaving, Scarlett turned and glanced at Joachim for the last time. But this time, she could only see his hurriedly retreating figure.

She said in a soft voice, "Joachim, this is goodbye… forever."

…

A few hours later, Joachim had Katrina all bundled up in his arms as they rolled in the sheets at Glade Manor over and over again. It was then that his personal assistant, Bertie Lawson, called.

"The sky had better be falling as we speak," Joachim growled, obviously dissatisfied at having been so rudely interrupted.

Bertie's voice was shaking. "Mr. Davidson… It's about Mrs. Davidson. She… Her plane had just left the national airspace before it lost altitude and crashed into the sea…"

Joachim's eye twitched. He could literally feel his blood freeze over.

"What did you just say?"