1 After three months in the asylum, Leo finally came for me. He stood in the sunlight, looking at me like a conqueror, his voice full of contempt. "Whitney, have you finally understood? I only made a mistake any man could make. It was not illegal, and it is not for you to judge. Accept it, and you remain Mrs. Moy. If not, we divorce." I studied his face, so familiar yet now a stranger. I remembered waking in the hospital three months earlier, after a failed suicide attempt, only to see my husband, Leo Moy, who was supposed to be dead. Casually, he told me that three years ago, another woman, Chloe, was pregnant, and her child needed a father. So he faked his death and left me. Now that the child was older, he saw no reason to keep hiding it. He even suggested Chloe and I could coexist peacefully. He would spend half the week with each of us. His words cut like knives over the scars covering my body, wounds I had made while grieving him. It turned all that pain into a cruel joke. I lost my mind, screaming hysterically, demanding to know why. He just had me sent to the asylum. Now, facing this cold, ruthless man, I stayed quiet a long time. Finally, I replied calmly, "Alright. Let us get divorced." The air hung still for a moment. A flicker of clear astonishment crossed Leo’s eyes. But just as quickly, he scoffed. “What, three months in the asylum, and now you’ve learned to play hard to get?” “Whitney Robinson, you’ve tried to kill yourself so many times for me over the years, loved me so much you’d throw your life away. There’s no way you’d be willing to divorce me!” “Cut the mind games. I’m not falling for it.” Gazing at the indifference on his face, I unconsciously curled my fingers. Yes, I had, indeed, loved Leo with my life. So much so that three years ago, upon learning he’d accidentally fallen into the sea and died while preparing a surprise for me, I immediately wanted to jump in and join him. If friends hadn’t stopped me, I would probably be dead already. From then on, every day was an endless agony. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and cried constantly. Before long, I developed severe depression, attempting suicide nineteen times. It was precisely because of this that I had completely broken down when I discovered everything had just been an elaborate lie he’d orchestrated for Chloe. But now… all the hurt and resentment had turned to numbness. “I’m not kidding, Leo. I’m tired. Let’s get divorced.” I repeated, my voice flat. The next second, Leo’s face darkened. He grabbed my wrist and practically shoved me into the passenger seat. He leaned over me, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Whitney, how much longer are you going to make a scene? Yes, I lied to you.” “But I compensated you, didn’t I?!” “Money, companionship—whatever you want, I can give it to you. Why can’t you just be obedient like Chloe?” With that, he pinched my chin and brutally kissed me. The next second, I smelled a sweet, cloying, girlish scent in the car that wasn't mine, and my stomach churned. I couldn't help but vomit. Leo's face twisted. “Whitney Robinson, are you really disgusted by me?” I wiped my mouth expressionlessly, offering no reply. But my calm demeanor only seemed to sting Leo more. He sneered, his tone suddenly sharper. “Don’t put on an act, Whitney. Three months ago, you were practically dying of jealousy because I pampered Chloe.” “Now you’re playing the heartbroken role, for who? You just want to force me to comfort you!” I paused, remembering three months ago, the day Leo first confessed everything to me. At the time, he completely ignored my pale face, ordering bodyguards to restrain my frantic struggles, and casually said, “Whitney, the reason I was late to our wedding registration was not because I worked late, but because the night before, I’d been with Chloe seven times.” “That day you went to try on your wedding dress, I made an excuse about company business, but actually, I was in the underground parking lot, making love with Chloe.” “You’re too rigid and boring, but Chloe is different. She’s vibrant, uninhibited. I really like that.” “These past three years away from you, every single day has been incredibly easy.” I felt as if my throat was stuffed with cotton, choking me. My eyes bloodshot, I asked him why he suddenly decided to tell me the truth. He said, “Because I’m tired. Why can’t I openly dote on the woman I like?” “I’ve accommodated your feelings for three years. Now, it’s your turn to be considerate of me, isn’t it?” I stumbled back several steps. He faked his death, tricked me, caused me to attempt suicide nineteen times, making me live like a zombie, and he called that accommodating my feelings? In that moment, all my rationality collapsed. I cursed Leo wildly, wishing him a terrible end, demanding he pay the price. But he, without mercy, locked me in the asylum, telling me to reflect. During those three months of darkness, I went from madness to dead calm, thought a lot, and let go of a lot. Perhaps promises really only count when love is present. I was tired; I wanted to let him go, and let myself go too. “Leo, I’m not acting.” I pushed Leo off me, my voice calm and firm. “Since you love her so much, I’m willing to step aside and give the woman you love a proper place.” “Once the divorce papers are drafted, send them to me.” Leo’s face was as dark as a brewing storm. He stared intently at me, as if searching for a hint of bluff on my face. But I remained perfectly calm, as if I no longer cared what he did. “Whitney…” Leo gritted his teeth, forcing a sarcastic smile. “You don’t really think your life will be better after we divorce, do you?” “Don’t forget you had a miscarriage and lost your ability to have children. Who else would want you besides me?!” Hearing that last sentence, my heart jolted, and I looked up, disbelieving. Years ago, Leo’s startup failed, leaving him deeply in debt. One day, when he wasn’t home, debt collectors came to our door. Unable to find him, they took their frustration out on me. They tormented me for an entire day and night, and the baby in my womb turned into a pool of blood. From then on, I lost my ability to conceive. I was afraid Leo would feel guilty, so I never told him the truth, only saying that the stress from work was too much, and I couldn't save the baby. At the time, Leo’s eyes were red with pain, and he swore to God he would take care of me for the rest of his life. But now, he was using my most painful nightmare to threaten me! Seeing my body tremble slightly, Leo mistakenly thought I was giving in. He lit a cigarette with a light laugh. “Actually, the reason I got together with Chloe was also because I saw how healthy she was, and that she could have my children.” “Whitney, since you can’t have children, you can’t expect me to let the Moy family line end, can you?” “Alright, stop making a fuss. It’s Chloe’s birthday today anyway. I’ll take you to meet her. You need to get along peacefully with her from now on.” With that, he didn’t wait for my response, and sped off to a nightclub. The moment I pushed open the private room door, countless gazes landed on me. Those men who had once universally comforted me over Leo’s “death” now wore sneering expressions. “Oh, isn’t it our most devoted Mrs. Moy!” “Hahaha, Leo, you’re something else! To have your wife so devoted she tried to kill herself so many times!” “She’s more loyal than my dog, Leo, how did you train her?” They uttered one humiliating remark after another, making me feel like a self-pitying clown. Leo, meanwhile, wore a faint smirk of triumph, never saying a word in my defense. My face grew increasingly pale. Just as I was about to speak, the private room door opened again. A young, beautiful woman walked in, accompanied by a small boy, three or four years old. It was Chloe. The moment I saw her face, the suppressed hatred surged within me. Years ago, it was Chloe’s mother who had climbed into my father’s bed, driving my own mother to a stroke. From then on, I was a child without a father, tormented and bullied at school. I mean, more than Julian’s infidelity, what I truly couldn’t accept was why his mistress had to be Chloe! At first, he had cursed Chloe with the most venomous words, again and again, for me. He had punished her time and again for my sake. But why, then, did he fake his death to deceive me for three years for her, and even have a child with her? “Whitney, long time no see.” Chloe met my hateful gaze, smiling sweetly as she offered me a glass of wine. “The grudges from back then are water under the bridge. Now we’re all Leo’s women. How about we bury the hatchet with a toast?” She spoke with an air of graciousness, as if there had never been any animosity between us. But the next second, I fiercely splashed the wine in her face! “Chloe, you and your mother are nothing but home-wrecking sluts!” “I will never forgive you!” “Ah—!” Chloe shrieked, the red wine streaming down her hair, her eyes instantly burning with anger. The little boy beside her began to cry, rushing over to hit me, calling me a bad woman for bullying his mommy. Everything happened so fast. By the time Leo snapped out of it, Chloe was already clinging to him, looking utterly pathetic. “Leo, it’s my birthday today! Whitney is humiliating me like this, aren’t you going to stand up for me?” “Waaah, are you just going to abandon me and our son now that she’s back…?” Leo sighed, quickly hugging her and gently comforting her. Then he turned to me, his face thunderous. “Whitney, you’ve gone too far.” “Apologize to Chloe, now!” I scoffed. “Apologize to a home-wrecker? Never!” “Leo, I told you, I agree to the divorce. Aren’t you helplessly in love with her? So what are you hesitating for?!” I don't know which words struck a nerve with Leo, but his expression instantly darkened. To my disbelief, he said coldly, “Whitney, it seems I’ve indulged you too much.” “Don’t forget, your mother is still in a hospital under the Moy Group!” My head snapped up, my eyes wide with shock. I never expected Leo to use my mother’s life to pressure me for Chloe’s sake! In that moment, my palms turned icy cold. I could barely connect the cold-faced man before me with the Leo I remembered! Leo and I both came from single-parent homes. His father, like mine, had an affair. More unfortunately than me, his mother committed suicide because she couldn't cope with the shock. In the beginning, we supported and encouraged each other. After we got together, he was so good to me he'd spend ninety-nine out of a hundred bucks on me. Even if he was suffering from heatstroke, he'd save on air conditioning costs to buy me gifts. When I was sick, he'd carry me on his back for ten kilometers through heavy snow to the hospital. Back then, we huddled in a cheap rental, believing love could conquer all. But when exactly did he become so utterly unrecognizable? “Leo…” With my mother’s safety at stake, I ultimately compromised, tears in my eyes, and apologized to Chloe. But she said I wasn't sincere, demanding I kneel and kowtow to her. At this, even Leo hesitated, his tone growing a little stern. “This is a bit much, Chloe, it’s not necessary.” Chloe’s eyes welled up. “Leo, do you really think I’m the kind of person who’d deliberately make things difficult for her?” “I’m actually just trying to stand up for you!” Chloe said, pulling a stack of photos from her bag and fiercely flinging them at my face. “Leo, I already found out. In those three years you faked your death, Whitney couldn’t stand the loneliness and was messing around with other men!” “She’s not that devoted at all. She’s just a cheap slut who sleeps with anyone!” I froze, looking at the photos. The next second, my pupils constricted, and a chill spread through me! Those were… photos of me being insulted repeatedly by Julian’s debt collectors, years ago! Where did Chloe get them?! “Leo, it’s not like that…” I instinctively started to explain, but before I could finish, a heavy slap landed on my face! “Whitney Robinson!” Leo’s eyes were bloodshot, his body trembling. He looked at me with utter disappointment. “Aren’t you cheap, aren’t you disgusting? Only three years, and you’ve already betrayed me?” “Even though I wasn’t there for you during those three years, I never left you wanting for food or clothes. Were you really that lonely?!” I fell to the ground from his blow, blood oozing from the corner of my mouth, yet I couldn't help but feel a pang of irony. How dare Leo, a man who had cheated countless times, still put on such a victimized act? I spat out a mouthful of blood, my suppressed emotions bursting forth like a broken dam. “Leo, you call me disgusting, but what about you?” “When you were reveling with Chloe, why didn’t you feel disgusted? You and your father, both of you are scumbags!” With a crash, Leo furiously smashed a dozen beer bottles on the table. He ordered someone to pin me down on the broken glass. Looking at the blood seeping from my knees, a twisted smile appeared on his face. “Whitney Robinson, since you’re so stubborn, then stay on your knees until you understand your mistake!” Excruciating pain flared. My face was ashen, but I gritted my teeth, not uttering a word. Chloe watched my pathetic state, her eyes full of amusement. She leaned over, whispering so only we could hear, “Whitney, your mother couldn’t beat my mother back then, and you’re no match for me now.” “Don’t worry, it won’t be long before I take everything from you, and make you…” “Regret fighting me!” With that, she pressed down hard on me. Sharp shards of glass instantly pierced my knees. I couldn't hold back any longer. I screamed and then passed out from the pain. In a daze, I felt like I was dreaming. I dreamt I was back to the best days of my relationship with Leo. He said he would love me forever, never leave me. But the next second, as the dream faded, a cold voice echoed in my ear. “Whitney, sign the divorce papers.” I turned blankly, seeing Leo looking down at me, his eyes full of disgust. “Someone as filthy as you doesn’t deserve to be my wife.” “I’ll give you five million. Take that money and get out of my sight forever!” I gave a sarcastic laugh. Without hesitation, I picked up the pen and signed. I didn't say a single extra word. Seeing my decisive action, Leo was stunned. He frowned, about to say something more, but then he saw me turn and leave the hospital room. I arranged for my mother’s transfer to another hospital. Since I was divorced from Leo, staying in a Moy Group hospital was no longer an option. But while I was doing the paperwork, a panicked nurse suddenly found me. “Ms. Robinson, your mother’s condition has suddenly worsened, it’s very critical!” I was startled, forgetting all my sadness, and rushed to my mother’s hospital room. But there, I saw Chloe, smiling, in my mother’s room! My mother’s eyes were wide, her breathing rapid, her face deathly pale. It looked as if she could pass away at any moment! “Chloe! What did you do to my mother?!” Chloe still wore that repulsive smile, slowly saying, “Nothing much, really. Just showed the old hag some… unflattering photos of you.” “And I told her, I’d post those photos online, so everyone would know…” “That her daughter, like her, was abandoned by a man, a promiscuous bitch!” “Chloe!” My eyes burned with fury, my body trembling, rage consuming all my rationality. I didn’t care about anything else. I lunged, straddling her, desperately hitting and scratching her. “Ah! Help, Leo, save me! Whitney is trying to kill me!” Chloe’s hysterical screams indeed drew Leo. Seeing this scene, Leo’s face instantly changed. He violently pushed me off Chloe. “Whitney Robinson!” He shielded Chloe behind him, glaring at me with furious eyes. “I knew it! You were just faking being calm, you never wanted the divorce at all!” “But Chloe is innocent! Take out your anger on me, why are you bullying her?!” “Get this straight, I will never be with a vicious, promiscuous woman like you!” I was so angry I could barely speak. Seeing my mother’s condition grow increasingly unstable, I didn’t bother to argue, frantically shouting, “Leo, my mom is dying! Call a doctor for her now—!” “Stop pretending!” Leo coldly cut me off. “You and your mother are cut from the same cloth, both liars. Do you think I’d believe you now?!” “Leo!” I screamed his name hysterically, my voice trembling uncontrollably. “Have you forgotten? When you were homeless, my mom took you in. She treated you like her own son, sewed your clothes, cooked your meals…” “Enough!” “Whitney, I don’t want to see you anymore. From now on, I will not allow any Moy Group doctors to treat your mother!” With that, Leo took Chloe’s hand and strode out. I rushed over, holding my mother’s body, crying and begging doctor after doctor to save her. But they all, constrained by Leo’s orders, refused to intervene. Ultimately, my mother died of an acute heart attack. Before she passed, a single, sorrowful tear fell from the corner of her eye. “Mom!!” I completely broke down, crying myself unconscious. Three days later, I handled all of my mother’s funeral arrangements. Like a zombie, I numbly packed all my belongings. I bought a plane ticket abroad, leaving this city that held all my pain behind. Leo. Love and hate, both too expensive. You don't deserve either. May we never meet again. … Meanwhile, elsewhere. Leo arrived at a luxuriously appointed club. Ever since his divorce, he’d felt inexplicably agitated. Every time he closed his eyes, he’d recall my desperate expression that day. He found himself drowning his sorrows in alcohol. But just as he was about to down a shot of whiskey, a rough, boastful voice suddenly cut through the air— “You know Ethan Vance, right? The richest man in the capital, CEO Vance?” “I’m not bragging, but when I ran a debt collection agency back in the day, that guy owed a mountain of money!” “And guess how that debt was settled? Hahaha, we slept with his wife to settle it!”
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