Samuel had finished signing out of the hospital and came back with a gift box in his hand.

"Tania, I got you these vitamins. The doctor said you need to build your strength back up."

Tania did not take them, simply saying, "Let's head home."

When they got home, Tania stopped short in the living room. A bunch of strangers were huddled around her phone, trying to break into it.

Lucy was lounging on the couch with a coffee, looking like she did not have a care in the world. She even gave Tania a challenging look as she walked in.

"What's going on here?" Tania asked, her voice frosty.

Samuel came up behind her, dangling a necklace with a smile.

"Don't be upset, Tania. Lulu was worried you might have taken pictures of her, so she's just making sure. If there's nothing on your phone, they'll give it right back.”

"See, I even got you this necklace. It'll look great on you."

Tania avoided his motions to put the necklace on and fixed her eyes on Lucy. "Ms. Canfield, there are no pictures of you on my phone, just research data.”

"If you don't stop them now, I'll call the police to report you for stealing and leaking confidential information!"

Lucy set her coffee down and stood up, walking over amidst hushed voices.

"Call the police? Got any proof? Do you really think Samuel will take your word over mine?"

Samuel frowned and gently took Tania's hand. "Tania, please calm down. Lulu is just having it checked. If it's all good, you'll get it back."

Tania yanked her hand away and spun around to head for the door. "I'm going back to school.”

"You can't go!" Samuel caught her arm. "The doctor said you need to rest. Can't you just listen for once and not make things harder for me?"

"I’m making things harder?" Tania was so upset she started shaking. She was about to argue so she did not see Lucy sneak up behind her.

Lucy grabbed the vitamin bottle from the table and waved it about. "Samuel, it’s no wonder you two haven't had kids after three years. Tania's been popping birth control pills!"

Samuel's face went pale. He rushed over, grabbed the bottle, and when he looked at Tania again, his eyes were icy cold. "Tania, do you look down on me because of my genetic disease? You don't want to have a Ferguson baby, so you've been lying to me by using birth control?"

"That's not true!" Tania burst out. "Those are just vitamins. She's making it all up!"

"Making it up?" Lucy's eyes welled up with tears. "Samuel, why would I lie? I'm just looking out for you. I don't want her to fool you.”

"See? She's still denying it, not even sorry for what she's done!"

Samuel's anger flared up like wildfire.

Samuel had always felt like there was a sword of sickness hanging over his head, but he kept going, believing he could be cured. He thought Tania was the only one who got him, the only one who would want to start a family with him.

However, Lucy had spilled a secret: Tania had been lying.

She did not want to have kids with him at all.

With a loud smack, Samuel's hand struck Tania's cheek hard.

"You lied to me!"

He yanked her hair and dragged her to the basement, "I told you when we got married that we could beat my sickness and have kids. You said yes!”

"Tania, why did you break your promise? Why take birth control without telling me?”

"How long would you have kept this from me if Lulu hadn't found out?"

He shoved Tania into the basement and locked the door, not waiting for her to explain.

Tania sat against the cold metal door, holding her bleeding forehead, curled up tight.

Time passed, and then Lucy's voice sneaked through the door crack, "Feeling sorry for yourself? You knew what it meant to be a stand-in!”

"Samuel wouldn't look twice at someone as plain as you if you didn't look a bit like me.”

"I know you weren't taking birth control. That's just how strong a first love can be. I've been gone for five years, but I can still make Samuel do whatever I say!”

"Oh, and your phone? I've deleted almost everything and messed with some important stuff.”

"What do you think Samuel will do when he finds out his important medicine got messed up because of you? Do you think he'll hate you more?”

"And your baby? It's gone. However, it wasn't anything special anyway.”

"Do you really think having a baby will make you Mrs. Ferguson for real? That's just wishful thinking!"

Each word felt like a sharp jab to Tania's heart.

She slowly lifted her hand and pulled a voice recorder from her sleeve.

Recording important talks was something she started doing when she was doing science projects. She never thought it would be useful today.

Lucy's words from before were all saved on the recorder.

Tania had been stuck in the basement for three whole days.

In all that time, Samuel only came once to give her some bread and water. He did not even look at her, and just left the food and walked away.

On the fourth morning, the basement door finally opened.

Samuel stood there, looking at her. "Have you learned your lesson? If you have, come upstairs with me, act right, and maybe I'll forgive you."

Tania, leaning on the wall, slowly stood up and said firmly, "I did nothing wrong."

Samuel's face turned stormy. He lifted Tania up and carried her to the bedroom.

"It looks like you haven't learned your lesson yet."

He dropped Tania on the bed.

Tania smelled Lucy's perfume and saw the messy bed sheets and a torn lace undergarment on the floor.

It was not hers.

She could almost picture the awful things Samuel and Lucy must have done in that room while she was away.

She grabbed Samuel's arm tightly, trying to shove him away. "Don't you dare touch me!"

Samuel's eyes were red with anger, and he easily held her down. "You've been hiding and taking pills for three years so we wouldn't have a baby, and now I'm not allowed to touch you?”

"Stop acting like you're so pure. Didn't you have fun on the swing when we went camping?"

"I was pregnant, Samuel!" Tania cried, tears streaming down her pale face. "The baby's gone! It's all because of you and Lucy! Please, don't touch me..."

Samuel just laughed at her.

"Tania, you're always telling stories. You've been sneaking birth control pills for three years. How could you be pregnant? I must have been blind to think you were so precious!"

Without a second thought, he tore her nightgown open.

The sharp scent of blood filled the air.

Tania's belly ached sharply, and she was weak from not eating or drinking for three days. Coupled with her tailbone injury, she couldn’t even cry.

Right then, Lucy burst in, bubbling with excitement. "Samuel, Kingston University said yes to me joining the Rare Disease Research Institute!”

"It's for that project on the Ferguson family's genetic disease! I've got an interview tonight. Will you help me pick out an outfit?"

Seeing the blood beneath Tania, Samuel finally got scared.

He pointed at the stain, his voice shaking, "Lulu, call an ambulance!"

Lucy just glanced at it, made a face, and rolled her eyes. "It's just her period. Why call an ambulance? She can get up and clean herself.”

"I bet she's just pretending to be sad to make you feel sorry for her."

It was clear to anyone that this was no ordinary period.

However, Samuel hesitated, then actually listened to Lucy. He walked out with her, leaving behind a cold remark, "Don't play dead. Get up and clean yourself off."

The instant the door clicked shut, Tania felt the last trickle of warmth ebbing from her body.

Her gaze fixed on the ceiling as the room spun into darkness. She could not fight it anymore and passed out.

Coming to, Tania found herself on her bedroom bed, changed into fresh clothes, with her forehead wound neatly bandaged.

About to leave the bed, she noticed Samuel with a bowl of oatmeal in hand.

"Up and about? The doctor said you're weak, so I made you some oatmeal. Have it while it's warm."

Tania did not accept it, just gave him a frosty stare. "Where's my phone?"

Samuel's eyes darted away, setting the oatmeal on the nightstand, he reached to stroke her hair, but she avoided his touch.

"Have your oatmeal first, you need to get stronger. We'll talk about the phone later."

Tania stayed silent, her cool gaze unsettling Samuel.

He cleared his throat and went on.

"I was at Kingston University's Rare Disease Institute with Lulu. They're close to finishing the new drug for our family's genetic illness — there’s just one last set of data to go.”

"If I keep up with the meds, I'll live as long as anyone else.”

"Tania," he edged closer, "You can stop worrying, right? Once the drug's released, let's start a family, shall we?"

His voice carried a hint of a sneer.

"I tried to personally thank the institute's dean, but her staff said she was out. Acting all high and mighty, not even up for a thank-you lunch."

Tania watched him, her mind racing through many nights gone by.

For years, she came home from the lab, tired to the bone, and found Samuel waiting at the dinner table.

She never bragged about being the Dean or how she had worked through three whole nights to get her experiments right. She just said that she was "a little busy at the lab."

She now realized that he thought all her secret hard work was just someone else showing off.

Her voice was dry as she asked again, colder now, "Where's my phone?"

Samuel swallowed hard and handed her a shiny new phone.

"Your old one must've been broken, so I got you this," he said, trying to sound cheerful. "It's all set up. I even got your favorite games on it."

Tania barely smiled as she took the phone. Without looking at Samuel, she stepped out to the balcony and called the police.

"Hello, is this 110? I need to report a theft.”

"I've got drug research data worth billions that Lucy stole. I need to file a report and protect the evidence."

She had just hung up when she heard footsteps.

Suddenly, Samuel's arms were around her, just like they had been so many times before.

"Tania," he said, his voice close to her ear, "I know Lulu showing up has been tough on you.”

"She's so bright, so amazing. It's okay to feel a little jealous.”

"However, remember, you're Mrs. Ferguson."

He shifted the conversation, his voice growing serious, "Remember to act properly. Let's pretend that the last few days were just a bad dream, okay? From now on, we'll live happily."

Tania closed her eyes, and when she opened them, they were calm.

She whispered, "Okay."

She planned to forget everything about that place, including Samuel, once she left.

Samuel let out a sigh of relief, loosened his grip, and gave her shoulder a pat, "Go get dressed. I've had some new jewelry sent up for you.”

"There's a big party for Lulu tonight with lots of reporters. Don't make me look bad."

Tania went to her closet but ignored the fancy new jewelry and the dress Samuel had picked out.

Instead, she found a plain black dress and a simple silver necklace she had bought with her first paycheck before she married Samuel. It had nothing to do with him.

When she came out, Samuel was waiting on the couch.

He swallowed hard when he saw her, his eyes clouding over, his voice rougher than before.

"Tania, why aren't you wearing the new jewelry?"

"It's too flashy."

Her voice was cool as she glanced at him, "Tonight's about celebrating Lucy, right? I shouldn't outshine her."

Samuel missed the edge in her words and nodded to himself.

‘Lulu was right, spoiling women too much only made them start thinking they can do anything,’ he thought, ‘Tania's learned her lesson this time. She's much more agreeable now.’

The party was at the fanciest hotel in town, and as soon as Tania walked in, all the big names recognized her.

The brilliant young girl who had once dazzled Kingston University's Medical School, the Russell family's most exceptional heir in a hundred years.

Had she not married Samuel and chosen to step away from the spotlight, she would probably be a leading expert in rare diseases by now.

Even if she had remained at Kingston University, she would have been the youngest head of the research institute.

Everyone knew that she preferred to keep a low profile, so they acted as if they did not know her, feeling a bit of sadness when they saw her.

Lucy, on the other hand, was like a showy rose, wearing a sapphire blue gown that hugged her figure and sparkling diamond jewelry that made her stand out in every crowd.

Tania's heart skipped a beat when she saw that dress.

Just last month, Samuel had her try it on, promising a surprise. She had been secretly thrilled, not realizing she was only a stand-in for Lucy.

At the party, Lucy was the life of the party, and Samuel could not take his eyes off her.

Tania had convinced herself she would not be hurt by it, but seeing Samuel's gaze stick to Lucy like that made her heart feel sour.

The press conference was live. Lucy sat in the spotlight wearing Samuel's jacket, while Samuel sat with Tania, looking up at Lucy with such affection.

"Tania, our fourth anniversary is next month. I'm planning a special dinner, and the invites are being printed."

He suddenly said, "I'd like Lulu to be the bridesmaid. You're okay with that, right?"

"I'm okay with it."

Tania replied casually, standing up to head to the restroom. However, a sharp pain hit her suddenly, and she fell to the floor in darkness.

At that moment, the doors to the banquet hall burst open, and the police headed straight for Lucy.

"Lucy, you're accused of stealing research results. You need to come with us."

Lucy's face went white as she grabbed Samuel's arm, crying out, "Samuel, save me! I'm innocent!"

Tania was lying on the floor, her back drenched in cold sweat, feeling her consciousness slip away.

She saw Samuel rush to Lucy's side, not even glancing her way. Using the last of her strength, she reached out, "Samuel... call an ambulance..."

Samuel stood in front of Lucy, defending her, when he tripped on the carpet. His shiny, custom-made shoes came down hard on Tania's hand.

A sharp "snap" rang out, and a wave of pain from her broken fingers surged through her body. Tania's fingers curled, too weak to lift again.

She watched Samuel's back as he shielded Lucy, and the last flicker of hope in her eyes went dark.

Days later, Tania, with her hand in a cast, was in a hospital bed leading an online meeting. Her assistant looked serious as he said, "Ms. Russell, we found your phone. Ms. Canfield messed with the core data. It'll take three years to check everything again, and Mr. Ferguson can't wait."

Before she could respond, the door to her room burst open.

Samuel grabbed her tablet and threw a settlement agreement at her. "Sign this! Make a video saying you set Lucy up! Or else I'll..."

"Divorce me?" Tania cut in, her voice steady.

"In your dreams!" Samuel scoffed. "Do you think you can take the Ferguson family's money? You married into the Ferguson family, and you'll stay with us till the end!"

Tania picked up the settlement agreement and tossed it in the trash. "I won't sign it.”

"Lucy had it coming. You really should ask her what data she changed. If not, she won't be able to run away, and neither will you."

She was just laying out the facts, but Samuel heard the threatening tone, and the last bit of warmth in his eyes vanished, leaving only revulsion.

"Lulu is off-limits, you had no right to mess with her, and you certainly shouldn't threaten me."

He turned to walk away, but Tania stopped him. "Remember when Lucy hit me? You were worried about her hand because she needed it for her experiments. When you crushed my hand, didn't you think I might need it to work with delicate equipment?"

Samuel paused, a flicker of pain crossing his heart.

However, the pain was brief, and he turned back, his voice dripping with scorn, "You think you're on Lulu's level? Tania, even saying that is an insult to her."

He did not look back as he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

In the dead of night, the sound of breaking glass jolted Tania awake. Outside the hospital room, angry voices yelled, "Russell's mistress, come out and apologize!”

"Scheming Tania, just die!"

Shaking, she lit up her phone screen, and the top trending news was #SamuelClarifiesLucy'sInnocence#.

In the video, Samuel, in a suit, looked earnest. "I swear on the honor of the Ferguson family, Lucy is innocent. Tania's the one who secretly recorded Lucy's private moments, then cruelly edited the footage to blackmail her."

He paused, his face filled with remorse, "Marrying Tania was a mistake. She tricked me with drugs and a fake pregnancy test. The Ferguson family would never have let someone so manipulative through their doors otherwise."

As the man in the video kept twisting the truth, Tania's heart hurt so much she struggled to catch her breath.

For Lucy, he would do anything, even if it meant getting his hands dirty.

The hospital room door flew open with a loud crash. A crazed fan girl stormed in, yanked Tania's hair, and pulled her right off the bed.

The doctors and nurses could not hold back the wild fan. They could only watch as Tania was dragged out of the room and dumped at the end of the hallway.

Looking up, Tania saw Lucy smirking down at her with a winner's grin.

"Samuel only married you because of that mole by your eye, the one that looks like mine, didn't he? I won't stand for anyone looking like me."

With that, she nodded at her bodyguard. "Get rid of that mole."

The bodyguard pinned Tania down and cut off the mole with a small knife.

Tania stayed silent, not a cry or a fuss, as the blood slid down her cheek like a tear.

Once Lucy was gone, Tania called Samuel. "I'm leading the talk at the research institute next week. Will you be there?"

It was her final test for Samuel.

On the phone, Samuel's voice was distant and uninterested. "You're my wife, so yeah, I'll be there."