Chapter 1 A Wedding for the Woman He Loved

"Lily, you must marry that comatose man James in place of my daughter. This is what you owe the Ginger family! You—""I will." Lily’s reply made her foster mother gasp in disbelief. “What did you say?” Lily could understand her shock. After all, in this massive capital city, who didn’t know how madly she was in love with John Jones? She’d loved him so much she’d given up her future, her dignity—everything. She had refused her foster mother many times before, all because of John. Her foster mother clearly hadn’t expected her to actually agree this time—to marry a total stranger who lay in a vegetative state. Calm and numb, Lily repeated, “I’ll do it.” Once it was clear Lily was serious, her foster mother let out a breath of relief before snapping at her again. “One month from now, the Luke family will register your marriage with their eldest son. They have decided on that day, and it's final. Someone will come to pick you up for the wedding that day. I’ve already accepted the bride price from the Luke family. It’s what you owe the Ginger family, and I’m not giving it back. If you dare go back on your word or stir up trouble, I will...”“I won’t,” Lily cut her off coldly. “The Luke family is rich. I trust the bride price was generous. You took me in from the orphanage and raised me for sixteen years. Now I’ll take your daughter’s place and marry into the Luke family. That settles my debt to you and the Ginger family. From now on, we owe each other nothing.” With that, she hung up. Sitting quietly at the dining table, Lily couldn’t help but reopen the news article she’d just seen. It was everywhere—videos of John and Elsa Quinn’s wedding flooded the internet, dominating the trending charts. In the video, he and Elsa stood hand in hand, surrounded by their friends, vowing to spend their lives together. The entire internet was offering their blessings, rejoicing that the two had reunited and wishing them a lifetime of happiness. Everyone except Lily. Because John was her boyfriend—the man she had loved with all her heart. Four years ago, he’d been paralyzed in a car accident. The cold-hearted Jones family had abandoned him, and Elsa had gone abroad and married someone else. Back when Lily was being bullied, he was the one who had pulled her out of it. She had loved him in secret for so long. On that freezing, snowy night when he had tried to end it all, she brought him home. She did everything she could to take care of him, to lift him out of the darkness one step at a time. She’d heard about a hospital overseas that could help him walk again. To raise the money, she sold her blood, became a punching bag for rich people, ending up with three broken ribs… She suffered endlessly, but finally, two years ago, she scraped together enough for the surgery. It was a success. He could walk again. He kissed her and promised he would treat her well for the rest of his life, that he would never let her down. She had believed that everything they’d been through was finally behind them, and from then on, it would all be smooth sailing. She never expected things to fall apart the moment Elsa came back. Word had it Elsa was gravely ill and only had six months to live. Her last wish was to marry John. He couldn’t bear to see the woman he once loved suffer, so the wedding Lily had spent six painstaking months preparing became Elsa’s. The wedding dress Lily had sewn with her own hands—Elsa wore it. The diamond ring John had custom-ordered for her—Elsa wore it on her left ring finger. Through blurred vision, Lily saw a pendant around Elsa’s neck. She recognized it instantly. It was the keepsake her parents had left her. She had lost it while trying to save John. He had once told her he found it and would give it to her on her birthday. But now, just because Elsa had said she liked it… he gave it to her instead. Suddenly, Lily realized there was no point in loving someone like John. She didn’t call him. Didn’t beg him to come back. She simply lit the candle on her birthday cake and stared blankly as it slowly burned down. The whipped cream cake melted into a mess—just like her love for John, which had burned to ash overnight, leaving not a trace of warmth. It was nearly dawn when John finally came home. When he saw her sitting at the dining table with red eyes, clearly having stayed up all night, his brows furrowed tightly. “Why haven’t you gone to bed?” Lily ignored his question and said calmly, “John, let’s break up. And tell Elsa to return my parents’ keepsake as soon as possible.” John immediately understood—she must’ve seen the news about his wedding with Elsa and was feeling jealous. He didn’t like it when women got jealous over nothing, but he had never once thought of leaving her. So he softened his voice. “Don’t be mad. I didn’t forget your birthday. This is your gift.” He opened a sleek burgundy velvet jewelry box in front of her. Inside lay a pink diamond necklace. The exquisite gem shimmered under the light. The centerpiece—a pink diamond the size of a pigeon’s egg—sparkled brilliantly. It was far more expensive than the pendant her parents had left her. But it wasn’t what she wanted. Just like how she no longer wanted him. John knew better than anyone how deeply Lily loved him, how she couldn’t live without him. When she stayed quiet, he thought it meant she was done throwing a fit. He reached for the necklace, intending to put it on her. “I don’t want this necklace! I just want my parents’ keepsake!” Lily slapped the necklace away and said stubbornly, “That pendant was left to me by my parents. How could you give it to Elsa? I only want that pendant!” Still throwing a tantrum... John’s patience snapped. His chiseled face turned cold and hard, like it had been carved from ice, filled with a sharp, suffocating pressure. “Elsa really likes that pendant.”“She’s so sick—how much longer do you think she’ll even get to wear it? Why must you fight over something with someone who's already dying? Lily, when did you become so selfish and heartless?”

Chapter 2 She Bloomed Like a Rose and Entangled Him Without Mercy

Selfish. Cold-blooded. Fighting a dying woman over a pendant… But that pendant was hers—left to her by her parents. What was so wrong about wanting it back? Did he really expect her to keep sacrificing everything for him after being betrayed so completely? Was she supposed to grovel after being humiliated like that? She wasn’t that pathetic. Before she could even say a word, John’s phone rang shrilly. It was a call from Elsa. Her voice was weak and pained. “John, I just threw up blood. I feel awful… Can you come be with me?” John paused. He hadn’t even managed to calm Lily down yet. But he figured Lily would never really leave him, and Elsa was already seriously ill. So he made his decision. “Elsa, don’t cry. I’m on my way.” Hearing her choked sobs, he didn’t bother explaining to Lily anymore. He turned around and left the room without looking back. As the front door slammed shut, Lily let out a cold laugh and kicked the diamond necklace into a corner. It had been like this ever since Elsa came back a month ago. Every time Elsa felt a little uncomfortable or upset, he would drop everything to run to her. Rain or shine, day or night—he was always there for her. It was like all those sweet whispers he’d once murmured to Lily, all those promises of eternal love, had been nothing but a dream. But luckily, it was all about to end. In one month, she’d marry James. Then John could stop worrying about her clinging to him, and go be happy with his precious crush. What a perfect outcome. Funny thing was—her wedding day would be on John’s birthday. His birthday, her wedding. Two celebrations on the same day. Poetic, really. As far as Lily was concerned, once she broke up with John, he was no longer her boyfriend. She had no reason to stay in his villa. And it just so happened to be a Sunday. She spent the whole day packing everything she owned. She sold what she could, tossed the rest. She’d contacted the biggest luxury resale company in Capital City. The staff came straight to her door, and her used bags and jewelry sold for a total of twenty million. She didn’t transfer a cent to John. She kept it all. She earned that money. It was hers. As night fell, Lily shredded the last tie she’d ever made for John, threw it away, and returned to her room. She was just about to leave with her suitcase when she noticed the photo on her nightstand. In the picture, she leaned against John’s shoulder, smiling brightly. He was gazing down at her with what looked like affection. John had always hated taking photos. This one was taken on her birthday last year, after she begged and pestered him nonstop. It was the only photo they had together. She had treasured it like gold. As soon as it was printed, she placed it on her nightstand and looked at it every single day. Even on business trips, she would take it with her. Now, all she felt was mockery. She smashed the frame against the floor and tossed it in the trash. … By the time John came home, it was late at night. He parked in front of the main house and immediately noticed the living room was dark. The sight made him vaguely uncomfortable. He often came home late from social events. But no matter how late it was, Lily would always leave the lights on for him. That single light in the night had always guided him home. So before Elsa returned, he had never once stayed out all night. He figured Lily was still sulking. Knowing her, she was probably curled up on the couch waiting for him to coax her. “Lily.” He snapped out of his thoughts and walked quickly into the living room, flipping on the lights. To his surprise, she wasn’t there. She wasn’t dozing on the couch like usual, struggling to keep her eyes open after waiting so long, ready to stumble into the kitchen and make some ginger tea for him. The living room felt… emptier. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what was missing, but it felt cold. “Sir, you’re back.” Hearing him, Mandy rushed out of her room. “Did you drink, sir? I’ll make you some ginger tea.”“No need.” John wasn’t in the mood. He rushed upstairs and headed straight to Lily’s room. She wasn’t there. The room itself was empty. The potted plants by the windowsill were gone. Even her pillows and bedding had vanished. The space used to be so cozy—plush toys, crystal bead curtains, whimsical wall stickers… Now, it was nothing but cold black and white. The sterile atmosphere irritated him. He turned around and asked Mandy in a chilling voice, “Where’s Lily?” His presence was so cold, it made Mandy shiver. She drew in a deep breath before answering honestly, “Miss Lily said… she broke up with you. And that she’s not coming back.” John was stunned into laughter by the nonsense Lily had left behind. So she was still throwing a tantrum? Running away from home? She really thought she had guts now, huh? “Mandy, leave.” Once she was gone, John dialed his assistant Wayne, face still cold, and ordered him to find out what hotel Lily was staying in. She had no family in Capital City. In such a rush, she couldn’t possibly have found a proper place to live. Running away in anger—she could only have gone to a hotel. Wayne worked fast. It didn’t take long before he confirmed she was at Capital City First Hotel. “Lily, how long are you going to keep this up?” John typed the message into the chat app—but then he stopped. And deleted it. Because he realized the photo frame on the nightstand was gone. He knew better than anyone how much Lily had treasured that photo. Even if she was throwing a fit, she must have taken it with her. No way she’d just walk out for good. He didn’t need to message her. Four years ago, the Ginger family kicked her out. Her biological parents had died when she was six. She’d had no home since then. If she didn’t come back to him—where else could she go? Since Elsa returned, they’d argued countless times. And every single time, she was the one who apologized first. This time would be no different. It was only a matter of time. … In the month since Elsa came back, Lily had been plagued by so many negative emotions that she hadn’t had a good night’s sleep. But now that she was free of that cage, she slept like a baby. Packing up the day before had drained her energy. Her calves were sore and aching—she really wanted to stay in bed. But it was a weekday. She had to go resign from Jones Corp. All those years with John, she’d built her life around him. When he was struggling, she worked herself to the bone to pay for his treatment. After he became successful, she became his personal assistant and cared for him in every detail. Now that she was done with him, there was no reason to keep that job either. She wanted to chase her childhood dream—to become a great voice actress. “Lily, my stomach hurts so bad, I can’t hold it anymore!” Lily had just arrived at the secretarial department when the new girl, Yulia Xander, ran up to her in a panic. Yulia looked absolutely pitiful. “Mr. John needs this file urgently. Can you please bring it to the CEO’s office for me?” She was clearly in crisis mode. Before Lily could even agree, Yulia had already dashed off toward the restroom in a very awkward pose. Lily didn’t want to see John. But it was obvious Yulia was desperate. She had a good impression of the girl and didn’t want her getting chewed out by the boss. So she took the file and headed for the CEO’s office. The door was slightly ajar. Lily raised her hand to knock—then froze. She heard Elsa’s coy, flirty voice. “John, my ankle suddenly hurts so much!” Her hand hovered over the door, then lightly pushed it open a crack. Through the narrow gap, she saw Elsa’s body suddenly go limp—and fall into John’s lap. “Elsa…” John seemed startled and instinctively grabbed her waist, probably afraid she’d get hurt. But even after regaining her balance, Elsa didn’t move. She hooked her arms around his neck, bright and alluring like a rose in full bloom. “John, I suddenly want to kiss you. What should I do?” As she spoke, her dewy red lips slowly pressed toward his— And John didn’t move away.

Chapter 3 Spiraling, Unraveling, Lost in Her Wake

"Lily..." Wayne Hunter had come to the CEO's office to give his report. Most employees at Jones Corp had no idea about Lily and John’s relationship. But Wayne, trusted by John for years, knew everything. Seeing Lily, he instinctively greeted her—only to catch sight of what was happening inside the office. He froze, horrified. Then quickly slapped a hand over his mouth. He looked at Lily, his eyes full of awkwardness and sympathy. "Elsa, I’m sorry." John had been momentarily distracted, stunned for a good ten seconds before he quickly pulled away from Elsa. "I'm not blaming you," Elsa said coyly, cheeks flushed. "My shoelace came undone." Hearing that, Lily’s dull gaze dropped to Elsa’s shoes. Elsa was stunning. Bright, bold, beautiful in an almost aggressive way. Today, she wore crisp designer white sneakers, paired with a white blouse and a pleated pink skirt. Youthful and radiant, she looked exactly like a campus sweetheart. John didn’t say anything. But his actions spoke louder. He gently lifted Elsa onto the desk, then knelt to tie her shoelace. His movements were so careful, they almost looked reverent. Watching his long, elegant fingers slowly and intently tie the lace, Lily couldn’t help but remember something. Back then, when their love was still new, he had once said to her, “Lily, meeting you is the happiest thing that’s ever happened to me. I’ll protect you, treasure you, never let you suffer. Never betray you.” She had believed him with all her heart, like a fool, thinking she was the luckiest girl in the world. One day, while they were walking hand in hand, they saw a guy bending to tie his girlfriend’s shoelace. She’d snuggled into John’s arms and teased, “Would you tie mine if it came undone?” He had answered that it was pointless to compare things like that—too childish. It was obvious what he meant: no, he wouldn’t. John was like a cold, distant mountain capped with snow. She thought his aloofness made sense—it wasn't in his nature to stoop for something so small. As long as she had a place in his heart, it was enough. But now, seeing him so tenderly kneeling for Elsa, Lily finally understood. Love could win anyone over if their love was with the right person. All his so-called principles, all his “can’ts,” were never about principle. He just didn’t love her. And that was fine. They would both start new lives. It was fine. She stood outside the door, quietly watching as he tied Elsa’s laces, then began to massage her ankle. Watching the way they looked at each other, the unspoken affection sparking between them... She watched as the boy she had once loved so deeply blurred into a vague, unfamiliar shadow. When Elsa threw herself into John’s arms again, Lily didn’t linger. She turned and walked quickly toward the stairwell. "Ms. Lily!" Wayne had seen everything Lily had done for John over the years. The moment she turned to leave, he ran after her, worried. Normally quick with words, he found himself at a loss. That scene just now had been too damning. He didn’t know what to say to comfort her. Pushing his gold-rimmed glasses up his nose, he finally spoke awkwardly. “Don’t… don’t read into it. Honestly, the boss still really loves you. The last time you two fought, he got drunk and kept calling your name. He—”“Wayne, I’ve already broken up with John.” Lily knew Wayne meant well, but she didn’t let him finish. Ignoring the shock in his eyes, she continued, “He loves me? He loves me, so he married Elsa on my birthday? He loves me, so he’s tangled up with her like that, unable to let go? That kind of love—I don’t want it. Wayne, I’ve already written my resignation. Please sign it when you have a moment.” Wayne was the head of the secretary department. Lily didn’t need John’s signature to quit—but she did need his. “You’re really sure about this? Does the boss know?” Wayne had always been loyal to John. He didn’t want John getting back together with Elsa, not after she abandoned him when he was at his lowest. But after Elsa came back, he saw how John had treated her, and he knew it wasn’t fair to Lily. Deep down, Wayne understood—leaving John might actually be the best thing for her. That night, John got drunk after arguing with Lily; he hadn’t just called her name. He’d insisted she was his wife. When Elsa came in, John had pushed her away. Wayne knew John felt guilty that Elsa was dying. But somewhere along the way, he’d fallen for Lily too. Still, not wanting to make a move without permission, Wayne decided to speak with John before signing anything. “Ms. Lily, you’re giving this directly to the boss? I’ll bring it to him. I’ll talk to him first. If he agrees, I’ll sign it.” Lily had wanted to finalize her resignation as soon as possible. But she didn’t want to make things difficult for Wayne. She handed over the file and returned to her office to wait. Even if John didn’t approve it, she wouldn’t be coming in tomorrow. She liked finishing what she started, but there was no point dragging out something that no longer mattered. … That afternoon, after confirming Elsa had left, Wayne went to John’s office. As soon as he stepped in, he saw John’s face was thunderous. “Boss…”“Who made this coffee?” John glared at the cup on his desk like it had personally offended him. Wayne instantly understood what was going on. He hadn’t signed Lily’s resignation yet—but she’d already given up and stopped working. The coffee John used to drink was always brewed by Lily herself. Wayne had tasted it before—so good that even top baristas would struggle to replicate it. Compared to hers, anyone else’s brew might as well have been sewage. Of course John hated it. Wayne swallowed hard and said honestly, “Boss, it wasn’t Ms. Lily. She just… she submitted her resignation. Should I sign it?” Resign? John’s expression darkened even further.

Chapter 4 They All Forced Lily to Apologize to Elsa

As if realizing something, John let out a cold laugh. So that’s what this was—Lily was throwing a tantrum and threatening him with a resignation. Playing hard to get, was she? He knew better than anyone how much she wanted to be his personal assistant. She’d buttered him up for days just to land that role. If he really approved her resignation, she’d be the first to panic. She needed a lesson—to understand she had gone too far this time. “Sign it.” After letting out that icy aura, John added coldly, “And when you do, tell her—if she resigns, she better never come back.” Wayne shrank his neck. He wanted to say Lily seemed completely determined this time, like she never intended to come back at all. But the killing intent radiating from John was too terrifying, so he kept quiet. He just nodded and respectfully went to sign off on her resignation. … Once Wayne signed, Lily quickly completed all her paperwork and left the company. Almost the moment she got back to the hotel, a message came in from John. “Come to Flora Club.” Flora Club—the place John always took his friends for drinks and parties. Lily had broken up with him. She had no intention of going. She was about to refuse when another message followed: “If you still want your parents’ keepsake, be in front of me in half an hour.” Lily desperately wanted to get that pendant back. She didn’t dare delay and rushed to Flora Club. Inside the private room, Elsa and several of John’s close friends were already there. When Lily pushed open the door, she immediately saw John seated in the center of a deep red leather couch, Elsa curled up beside him. Elsa lifted her chin proudly, striking and radiant as ever. John sat protectively at her side, every movement full of tenderness and care. Lily felt a sharp sting behind her eyes. But she had come for a reason. She swallowed the bitterness and stepped inside. “Apologize to Elsa!” The moment John saw her, he slammed his glass down at her feet. “How dare you send thugs after Elsa to steal the pendant? If Simon hadn’t happened to pass by and save her, she would've been assaulted by those animals!” His friends all jumped in, shouting their indignation. “Hey, you, that was too much!”“We get that you’re jealous of Elsa, but this? You can’t just send people to attack her!”“Apologize to Elsa now. Maybe if she lets it go, John will still forgive you!” Elsa… Lily stood frozen, face pale. She’d loved John so much. She had gone out of her way to be nice to his friends, always trying to fit in. But in all the years she was with John, not one of them ever called her by name. Their attitude had never even been respectful. She used to think they were just arrogant and blunt by nature. But hearing the way they now fawned over Elsa, she finally understood—they had never lacked manners. They simply knew John didn’t truly care about her. She wasn’t worth respecting. But Elsa—despite having betrayed John four years ago—was cradled in the palm of his hand. So now, they all worshiped her too. “Lily, apologize to Elsa!” John’s cold voice snapped in her ear. Lily snapped out of her daze. She hadn’t done anything. Of course she wouldn’t admit to something she didn’t do. “I didn’t send anyone to hurt Elsa. I—”“Those thugs said you were behind it. Elsa wouldn’t lie!” John cut her off without letting her finish. “I’ll say it one more time. Apologize.” Elsa wouldn’t lie… Lily almost laughed out loud. So if Elsa said something, it was the truth? But when I spoke, it was all lies? Even if he loved Elsa more, after four years together, shouldn’t he know what kind of person I was? Shouldn’t he trust me, just a little? Was it really that easy for him to condemn her? “I didn’t do anything wrong. I won’t apologize to Elsa.” Lily hated being falsely accused. Even as the cold in her chest turned to ice, she still stood up for herself. “If someone’s word is all it takes to convict a person, then what if I say Elsa’s a murderer? Should we send her to jail? I didn’t do this. I’m not admitting to it. Call the police if you want. If they find me guilty, fine—but they’ll need evidence. Elsa’s lies don’t count.”“John… I didn’t lie…” Elsa’s voice trembled, her eyes red. A proud, dazzling rose now looked soft and wounded. It only made her more lovable. John’s patience with Lily had completely run out. He pulled out the pendant and held it up like a weapon. “Apologize to Elsa, or you’ll never see this again.” Lily’s gaze dropped to the pendant. It had been handmade by her parents, after studying with a master craftsman. Delicate gold filigree, encircling a fine piece of Hetian jade—one of a kind. Just seeing it brought back memories. Four years ago, when John was cast out by the Jones family after the accident, his father’s illegitimate son had tried to kill him. That snowy night, Lily had shielded him with her own body, taking two stab wounds before the police arrived. That night, her pendant had been stolen by those hired thugs. She’d lost it while saving his life. Even if he didn’t love her. Even if his heart belonged to Elsa. Once he recovered it, he should’ve returned it to her. Not used it as leverage to hurt her. “John, don’t be so hard on Lily.” Elsa cast Lily a smug glance, then pretended to smooth things over. “I don’t care about the past.”“Why not have Lily drink a glass of wine? Let’s just call it even and move on.” Hearing this, John frowned slightly. But unable to say no to the sickly Elsa, he gave a cold nod. Lily kept telling herself—this man wasn’t worth her tears. But when she saw him nod, her eyes still turned red. He knew she couldn’t drink. Her stomach's not great; she once had bleeding from drinking too much. The doctor had warned her never to drink again. John had held her, eyes full of guilt, promising to get stronger, to protect her, to never let her suffer again. But now, for Elsa, he made her suffer over and over. “I’ll drink.” She didn’t explain. Explaining to someone who didn’t believe her was pointless. All she wanted was to get the pendant back and leave. She looked at the rows of hard liquor on the table and gave a bitter smile. “If I drink all of these, will you give it back?” John’s eyes darkened like a gathering storm. For some reason, Lily’s smile stabbed at him. She seemed so far away now. But he still believed—Lily could never truly leave him. Elsa was dying. Even if Lily had just sent thugs to get the pendant and not to hurt Elsa, the scare alone was enough. He wouldn’t let Elsa suffer in her final days. His voice turned cold. “Drink.” Lily exhaled slowly. So he meant it. Drink it all, and he’d return the pendant. They were all hard liquors. Her eyelids twitched. But she didn’t back down. She grabbed a bottle and began to chug. It burned all the way down. Like fire searing her mouth, her throat, her heart. So this was what it felt like—to love the wrong person. Like being skinned alive, crushed to ash. So she had to stop loving John. She had to move on. “Enough!” Seeing her flushed face, her swaying body, the way she reached for another bottle, John couldn’t bear it anymore. He snatched the bottle from her and smashed it on the floor. “Take your pendant and get out!”“John…” Elsa hated anyone taking what she wanted. Lily had taken John while she was abroad—she wouldn’t let her get away with it again. She knew that pendant was too important to Lily. She couldn’t let her have it. As John reached to hand it over, Elsa grabbed it first and threw herself into his arms. “My stomach… it hurts so much… John, am I dying? It hurts…” As she sobbed, she even spat out a bit of blood. “Elsa!” Panicked, John scooped her into his arms and rushed out of the room. “Hold on, Elsa. I won’t let anything happen to you!”“John—!” Lily staggered forward, desperate to get the pendant. But just as she reached him, Elsa lifted her leg—and her foot slammed right into Lily’s face. Lily was already unsteady. The kick sent her crashing to the ground. As luck would have it, she struck her temple against the sharp edge of the table. Blood immediately gushed down her face, blurring her vision. “Lily!” Hearing the thud, John turned in panic. When he saw her bleeding, her pale face stained with red, his dark eyes filled with alarm. “It hurts…” Elsa’s pained whimper brought him back to reality. Without another glance at Lily, he turned and ran. Lily was injured. But it was just a cut. She was strong. She could take care of herself. Elsa, on the other hand, was dying. She needed him. He couldn’t let her down.

Chapter 5 His Heart Raced—for Lily

After John carried Elsa out, his friends all rushed to the hospital after them, eager to show concern and help. Soon, the luxurious private room was left with only Lily and Simon. Simon was the only heir to the Bale family, one of Capital City’s top elite lineages. He and John had grown up like brothers, thick as thieves. He’d spent the past few years abroad. When John was cast out of the Jones family, they lost touch. It wasn’t until Simon returned six months ago that he found out what had happened. Unlike John’s other friends, who dismissed Lily because they sensed John didn’t care much for her, Simon disliked Lily for a different reason: he doted on Elsa, truly saw her as a little sister. When he was ten, he went with his father on a charity trip to the countryside and got caught in a terrible earthquake. He and Elsa were trapped in the rubble together. He had been gravely injured, unable even to speak. If not for Elsa comforting him and encouraging him the whole time, he wouldn’t have survived until rescue. Elsa was smart, radiant, noble—Capital City’s proud and untouchable red rose. Lily, aside from a prettier face, had nothing to compare. "Lily, you dared to send thugs to attack Lizzy? You deserve to die." Lily, still staring blankly in the direction John had gone, was stunned by Simon’s voice. Lizzy? Clearly, Simon meant Elsa. Funny… her childhood nickname had also been Lizzy. Only her now-deceased loved ones and the friend trapped with her in the rubble sixteen years ago had ever called her that. But that friend had never spoken. She never even knew his name. The pocket watch he gave her had been stolen years ago. There was no chance they’d ever meet again. Simon looked at her bloodied face and felt even more disgusted. To him, John being with her was rock bottom. His anger flared. Without thinking, he picked up a glass of liquor and threw it in her face. "Touch Lizzy again, and I’ll make your life worse than death.""I didn’t hurt Elsa!" The wound on her forehead flared with pain. The alcohol stung like acid, and her body trembled like a dead leaf in the wind. But her defiance refused to break. She pulled herself to her feet and, with every bit of strength she had left, slapped Simon across the face. "I’ll say it again—Elsa’s word alone doesn’t convict me!""Call the police if you want. Without real evidence, they can’t arrest me either.""And you? You have no right to throw anything at me.""Lily!" Simon stood frozen for half a minute before his voice returned. He was the Bale family’s heir, the golden boy of Capital City. People flattered and fawned over him. He couldn’t believe someone had just slapped him. Especially a woman he despised. If he weren’t the type to avoid hitting women, he would’ve snapped her neck on the spot. Lily caught the murderous gleam in his eyes. Her eyelid twitched. She could feel the danger. But she didn’t regret the slap. She stared at him with razor-sharp eyes, refusing to back down. "You hit me first. That slap? You earned it." Simon was so furious, he actually laughed. John really has no taste. He grabbed another glass. Lily looked scared, but still held herself tall. Blood still dripped from her temple. Her pale face was a mess of red and pain. But her eyes—those bright, almond-shaped eyes—blazed. Even filled with anger, they sparkled with life. Maybe it was the way her eyes caught the light, but Simon’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t throw the glass. Still, Elsa had been wronged. He couldn’t just let it slide. Instead, he smashed the glass at her feet. His voice was like a blade. "Don’t go near John again.""Marrying John was Lizzy’s final wish. If you interfere again, I’ll make you regret ever being born." With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. "Freak." Lily muttered to herself. Four years ago, it was Elsa who dumped John because he was paralyzed and broke. It wasn’t until after their breakup that Lily took John in. How was she the one interfering? Not that it mattered anymore. She and John were over. These people no longer meant anything to her. All she wanted… was her parents’ keepsake. The alcohol, the injury, the exhaustion—it all hit her. Her head felt unbearably heavy. She couldn’t drive like this. She slumped onto the couch, catching her breath for a long while, then ordered a car to the hospital to treat her injury. The ER was crowded that night. By the time she got stitched up, it was already deep into the night. The doctor prescribed her two ointments and reminded her to apply them on time. The wound wasn’t deep, and with proper care, it wouldn’t scar. As she walked out of the hospital, she noticed the snow had started falling. Through the curtain of snow, she saw John walking with Elsa on his back, a picture-perfect scene right out of a romance drama. Her eyes stung. She turned to walk in the opposite direction—until she heard Elsa’s teasing voice. "John, the doctor said I’m doing better. You don’t have to carry me.""Put me down, I can walk.""Don’t be silly," John replied, voice full of fondness and patience. "It’s too cold. Let me get you home." Elsa tightened her grip on his neck. With a bit of spoiled pride, she giggled, "Well, if you’re going to carry me… then you can only carry me from now on. If you carry another girl, I’ll get jealous!""Look! That bakery across the street! I want a strawberry cake. Go buy one for me?" Lily’s gaze followed Elsa’s voice toward the opposite sidewalk. It was that trendy 24-hour dessert shop, famous online. Despite the snow, the line outside was long. Not long ago, Lily had seen a video of it and wanted to try the strawberry cake. When they happened to pass by, she’d said she wanted some. John had frowned at the long line and told her, "Waiting in line that long for cake is a waste of time." But tonight, the line was even longer. And he gently tucked Elsa into the car, wrapping her in a blanket. "I’ll wait in line. You stay warm inside." The blanket… Lily had bought that blanket. "John…" Elsa didn’t let him go. She raised her leg—long, slender, wrapped in a scarlet heel—and curled it around his waist, dragging him into the backseat. Their breaths tangled, the air thick with heat and tension. Lily thought they’d be all over each other in seconds. But suddenly, John turned his head— And his eyes locked directly onto hers.

Chapter 6 Lily Left Him Breathless

Lily thought he’d seen her. But a moment later, he gently tucked the blanket tighter around Elsa. Clearly, he hadn’t noticed her at all. Lily’s lips curled in a cold, self-mocking smile. Whether a man loves you or not… it’s always painfully obvious. So obvious that Lily felt her wholehearted devotion had been the most ridiculous joke in the world. She would never be that foolish again. She didn’t look at John again—not at him gently letting go of Elsa, not at him walking across the street to line up for cake. She turned away without hesitation and walked in the opposite direction. Now that she’d left John, it was time to pursue her voice acting dream. She had always loved the anime Nirvana—especially the character “Siren.” That series had just announced an open casting for Siren’s voice actor. Lily had sent in a sample recording per their requirements and had been invited to audition at the studio the next day. From now on, she only wanted to shine in the field she loved. Who cared about chasing after some man? … The next morning, Lily arrived early at the studio for her audition. Siren was a massively popular character, and nearly fifty voice actors had come to audition. They were drawing lots to determine the order, and Lily drew the very last slot. She waited for over three hours before it was finally her turn. She was incredibly nervous. The director overseeing the auditions today was none other than Daniel Quinn, the lead director. Daniel was notoriously picky and sharp-tongued. One of Lily’s favorite veteran voice actors had just run out of the studio in tears. If someone of that caliber didn’t make the cut, Lily’s chances were practically nonexistent. But this was her dream. She couldn’t afford to back down now. As soon as she got Siren’s script, she sank into the scene. Her nerves vanished. It was as if she really were Siren—the mermaid princess shackled at the bottom of the sea, refusing to bow to her cruel fate, daring to challenge the heavens. "I’m not like you—cowering in the abyss, hiding like a turtle." Daniel had already listened to over forty voice actors that morning. Many of them were top-tier talents with flawless voices and skill. But something had always felt… off. He was tired and numb. He felt like continuing the auditions would just leave him more disappointed. He was about to end it early when Lily entered—and then he heard her voice. At first, he was reclining in his chair, eyes closed in boredom. But as soon as she spoke, his eyes snapped open. And he recognized her. She was John’s girlfriend. He was stunned. Everyone in their social circle said Lily was clingy and shallow, all looks and nothing else. Who would’ve guessed she had this kind of talent? Still reeling, he heard her say: "Heaven’s order? And what is that? Imprisoning the Merfolk in the abyss is justice? If justice is so cruel, I’ll defy it. I’ll overturn the heavens. I’ll rewrite the very laws of this world!" Lily had the face of a sweet girl—gentle, quiet, like a moonlit flower. Every time Daniel had seen her at parties, she’d been silent, well-behaved, sitting beside John like a soft little doll. He never imagined that once immersed in voice acting, she could be so powerful. Her voice carried Siren’s fierce pride as a mermaid princess, the stubborn elegance, and the enchanting grace that only a woman could possess. Daniel closed his eyes again, letting her voice wash over him. It felt like Siren herself had risen from the sea, tail sweeping, chin lifted, walking right toward him. She was the Siren he’d been searching for. “Sir, I’m finished.” Before the Ginger family bullied her into silence, Lily had been an astonishingly talented girl. At fifteen, she’d earned first place in both academics and performance to get into the top broadcasting university in Chrivaria. During her college years, her talent and hard work had earned her countless awards and applause. But after everything she’d gone through, and after being away from the industry for so long, she was no longer confident. Daniel hadn’t spoken. She gripped the script tighter in her hands, heart pounding as she waited. “Lily.” At last, Daniel spoke. Her palms were already slick with nervous sweat. “You did great. Come back after two o’clock to sign the contract. I look forward to working with you.” Lily stared at him, stunned. Then her eyes—those luminous, almond-shaped eyes—lit up like stars. She beamed. “Thank you, Director Quinn. I’ll cherish this opportunity and give it my best.”“Good.” His assistant looked just as shocked, eyes wide. Daniel was infamous for being ruthless. No one expected him to actually compliment someone. But this girl—her voice and expressiveness were clearly a gift from the heavens. He genuinely hoped she’d thrive in the voice acting world. The studio was far from Capital City First Hotel. Since she had to come back later to sign the contract, Lily didn’t bother going back to the hotel. She decided to grab a quick bite at the food street nearby and return early. She was floating on joy and pride—completely unaware that Elsa also had her eyes on the role of Siren. Elsa had been one year ahead of Lily in school. Before going abroad, she’d already made a name for herself in the voice acting scene. She believed in her talent—and she was John’s precious darling. To audition alongside a bunch of newcomers felt beneath her. Daniel was a mutual friend of hers and John’s. She knew how high his standards were, and she was certain none of today’s candidates could impress him. She’d planned to call him after the auditions, when he was struggling to find the right voice, and offer herself as a solution. That way, she could voice Siren and make him owe her a favor. She had several friends working at the animation company. Just as she was about to make that call, a message came in. The voice actor for Siren had been chosen. Lily. The moment she saw it, Elsa nearly crushed her phone in rage. Siren was a beloved character. Voicing her would guarantee tons of praise and fans. And that wretched Lily got the part? “John…” Elsa was in her hospital room. John was there with her. As soon as he finished his call and walked over, she reddened her eyes and clung sweetly to his arm. “I heard Daniel is casting for Siren,” she said softly. “You know how much I love her. I really, really want to voice her… I don’t have much time left. I don’t want to leave this world with regrets. John… can I be Siren?”

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The phone trembles in my hand, but my voice doesn't. "I will."

My foster mother goes silent. I don't blame her. Who would believe that Lily Ginger—the girl madly in love with John Jones—would agree to marry a man in a coma?

But I did.

Because yesterday, I watched the man I nursed back from paralysis kiss another woman at their wedding. I watched him give away the pendant my parents left me—the only thing I have left of them—because his dying ex said she liked it.

And today, I'm trading one prison for another.

One month from now, I'll walk down the aisle to James Luke, heir to the Luke fortune, who hasn't woken up in three years. They say he'll never open his eyes. They say he'll never know I'm there.

Good.

I don't want him to see the tears I refuse to shed. I don't want him to hear the scream trapped in my throat.

This marriage isn't love. It's payment. I take his name, and I erase my debt to the Gingers. No more sacrifices. No more begging.

As I hang up, I reopen the video of John and Elsa's vows. Their laughter echoes in my empty apartment.

I close it.

Then I pack my suitcase.

I'm done waiting for someone to choose me.

Now, I choose myself—even if it means marrying a ghost.