Chapter 1 Marriage, A Scam

Anneliese Claude's friend had claimed she saw Zacharias Shaw walking into a hotel with the other woman, the two of them acting far too close. Anneliese had simply laughed it off. "That's got to be a mistake." Zacharias? Cheat on her? They had grown up side by side. Thirteen years of history, loyalty, and a bond so deep it felt unshakable. Just last month, he had rented out the biggest digital screen in Oceaton for her birthday. His love declaration played on a loop for the entire city. That kind of devotion didn't just vanish. Besides, they were trying to have a baby now. She had just gotten her pre-pregnancy test results. Everything looked good. The second she saw the report, she headed straight to his office to share the good news. She stepped out of the elevator that led straight to the top floor. But someone was already standing there, blocking her path. "You can't be up here without an appointment!" the girl snapped, her chin slightly lifted. She wore a bright yellow dress. She looked young, sharp, and a little too confident. Her face seemed vaguely familiar. She stood with both hands out, clearly trying to keep Anneliese from getting past. "Coral, this is Ms. Claude. She's also Mr. Shaw's wife." Jackie rushed over, his tone tight. "Apologize." Coral looked stunned for a moment, then straightened her spine and said with a sugary tone, "Good afternoon, Ms. Claude. I'm Coral Slenderidge. Mr. Shaw is sponsoring my studies. "I'm lucky he let me intern here. I didn't get any message about a guest, so I followed procedure. I hope you understand." She sounded polite, but there was an edge in her voice. A quiet kind of challenge. Anneliese didn't respond. Her eyes dropped to Coral's hands. "Nice polish," she replied, flat and calm. That dusty blue shimmer was the same shade she'd seen on Zacharias' pinky last night while they were cooking. She had asked about it. He said it was ink. She hadn't thought much of it then. Now, Coral quickly tucked her hands behind her back. She turned her head slightly, but not fast enough. Anneliese saw it. A dark, deep mark was pressed into the skin behind her ear. A hickey. With faint bite marks around it. She knew that spot. Zacharias always kissed her there. He buried his face behind her ear when he couldn't hold back. His voice would get low, thick with want. "Honey… when will you finally be ready? I want you so bad it hurts…" Her body had been through so much. She had suffered serious damage years ago, and doctors told her getting pregnant would be nearly impossible. Zacharias said he was allergic to condoms. They were always too busy, too tired. They had been married for two years, and still had never gone all the way. Each time he went to cool off in the shower, she had felt torn—guilty, touched, and thankful. So, when he asked for a baby, when he gently told her to quit her job and focus on her health, she agreed without hesitation. For six months, she endured the endless checkups. But deep down, she had looked forward to it. Tonight was supposed to be their real wedding night. She had even gone out and bought lingerie—something she would never normally wear. But now she knew the truth. Zacharias hadn't been cherishing her. He had already gone to someone else for what she couldn't give. Her friend's warning, her blind trust, everything hit her all at once like a brick to the chest. She stood still as stone. "Ms. Claude, Mr. Shaw is with Mr. White. You can go in," Jackie said softly as he pulled Coral aside. Anneliese walked forward, her heels tapping steadily against the polished floor. She reached the office door and pushed it open just enough to hear. A man was speaking inside. "Having a lookalike is fine, but keeping her so close is just asking for trouble. What if Anneliese finds out?" It was Christopher White's voice. Anneliese froze. Her fingers turned ice-cold against the doorknob. Zacharias' betrayal was real. And Christopher—her own brother—already knew. Zacharias replied. His voice was low and calm, steady as always. "Don't worry. Anne trusts me. She loves me. She's obedient. She won't leave. She's focused on getting pregnant. She won't notice a thing." Each word cut deeper than the last. Christopher's voice returned. "Let's not forget, Selina paid someone to hurt her. Anneliese got stabbed twice. Her uterus was nearly destroyed. Everyone in Oceaton knows she can't have kids. "If you hadn't proposed, whisked her out of the country, and kept her happy, we wouldn't have had time to clean up after Selina. "If Selina had gone to prison because of her, her life would've been over. You really went the extra mile for her. "Selina's proud. She doesn't like competition. She's nothing like Anneliese. If she finds out you found a stand-in who looks just like her, she'll lose her mind.""It's just a fling. Selina's coming back soon. I'll get rid of the stand-in before then.""Alright. Just handle it right." Anneliese's hand trembled. Her legs felt weak. Her vision blurred as the pain crushed her chest. It felt like her heart was being torn apart, like fingers were digging in, squeezing, ripping it into pieces. Her back curled from the weight of it. Her breath came short. Her knees nearly buckled under her. She was the true daughter of the Whites, yet they didn't bring her home until she turned seventeen. No matter how polite or thoughtful she was, no matter how hard she tried to please them, her parents and her older brothers always favored the fake—Selina White. The only person who truly cared for her was Grandma. When Anneliese turned eighteen, Grandma gave her the family's heirloom bracelet. Selina couldn't stand it. She cried and screamed nonstop until their parents gave her a fifty-million-dollar mansion just to calm her down. Not long after that, Anneliese was heading home one night when a group of thugs cornered her. They yanked her into a dark alley. She fought back with everything she had, but they stabbed her twice. She lay there bleeding, her clothes soaked. When the attackers ran off, she crawled toward the street alone, dragging herself out of that alley for help. She was rushed to the hospital, barely hanging on. The doctors almost had to take her uterus. The story exploded online and on every news outlet. "Did you hear? The real White daughter got gangbanged and lost her uterus!""She's useless now. Can’t have kids. She was already crude—now she's totally ruined. Who'd want her?""How many guys went at her? If I were her, I'd have jumped in a river by now." The mockery spread like wildfire. The shame never let up. And through it all, Zacharias was the only one who stood by her side. While the whole city tore her apart, he stepped forward and said he loved her. Right after her eighteenth birthday, he got down on one knee and proposed in front of everyone. He took her on a trip. He stayed close and helped her heal. She had almost drowned as a child, and it was Zacharias who had jumped in to save her. After that, she stuck to him like a shadow. She already had feelings for him, and after that, she gave him her heart completely. Even when her family disapproved, she stayed by his side. He had nothing, but she didn't care. She worked with him through the hardest years—through the tiny basement they lived in, through all the sleepless nights. She didn't complain once. Two years later, they finally got married. Even after that, he stayed gentle. Their love stayed strong. They began planning for a baby. Everything felt like a dream. Anneliese thought Zacharias was her light, her miracle, the beautiful answer to all the pain life had thrown her. But then she saw the truth—Zacharias had always loved Selina. That was why Coral's face had felt so familiar. She had that soft, fragile look Selina wore so well. So, the love confession, the public proposal, the marriage—none of it was for Anneliese. It was all to shield Selina. To serve her. To protect her. How noble of him. And what did that make Anneliese? A sacrifice for their love story? A stand-in for the girl they worshipped? Should she thank them for wrapping her up in this pretty little lie? A voice broke through from behind the door. "Who's there?" Zacharias spoke, his voice low and cold. He pushed back from the desk and walked to the door, his eyes dark and sharp. He flung the heavy doors open and looked around with a tense glare, but the hallway outside was empty. His brow furrowed. Jackie came jogging down the corridor. "Who just passed through here?" Zacharias' voice was tight. Jackie froze under his stare, unsure what had happened. He didn't dare lie. "Mr. Shaw, the madam came by. She bumped into Coral. Looked like she got upset. You didn't see her?""Anneliese was here?" Christopher stepped forward, his expression tightening. Zacharias' jaw locked. A sudden unease shot through his chest. His tone turned cold. "Check the security footage. Now."

Chapter 2 Divorce And Goodbye

"What are you all standing around for?" Her voice rang out from the terrace. Soft. Clear. Familiar. Anneliese stepped through the glass doors with her phone in her hand. Her eyes were calm. Her face gave nothing away. Zacharias and Christopher exchanged a quick glance. Their shoulders relaxed. They knew how much Anneliese valued her family. If she had heard what they said, she wouldn't be this quiet. She would have been sobbing, shouting, falling apart. Zacharias smiled faintly and walked over to take her bag. "It's nothing. Why didn't you come in right away?" He looked sharp and effortlessly put-together, dressed in a dark gray bespoke suit that hugged his tall frame just right. His presence commanded attention, not because he tried, but because success had settled into his every move. Clauderias Tech had skyrocketed in just a few years. Its value had passed ten billion, and Zacharias, not even twenty-seven, had already made a name for himself as one of the rising stars in Oceaton's tech scene. There was something magnetic about him. That quiet confidence. That polished charm. He didn't need to chase anyone. A little warmth, a soft smile, and most women folded easily. Anneliese's hands were trembling. Her skin felt cold to the touch, but Zacharias didn't seem to notice at all when his hand brushed past hers. What are you doing here, Anneliese? Why keep chasing something that's fake? Anneliese thought. She forced a smile. "I got a call. Thought I'd take it outside so I wouldn't interrupt you." Zacharias relaxed instantly. Christopher, still stiff with impatience, didn't hold back "If you're going to be a stay-at-home wife, then stay at home. Don't just show up here without notice. If you really have to come, book ahead. You're always careless. Your sister never acts like this." If it had been Selina, they would've welcomed her with open arms. No matter what she did, it was seen as thoughtful, graceful, perfect. Anneliese kept her voice even. "You're right." Christopher frowned. She used to talk back. She used to get defensive or do something dramatic just to prove she wasn't any less than Selina. But now she didn't argue. She didn't say much at all. That silence stung more than anything else. It made him feel like she didn't even see him. He decided she was just being her usual pitiful self—dull and forgettable. "You two haven't been home in a while," he added. "Come back for dinner tomorrow. Mom and Dad need to talk to you both." Zacharias nodded. "Alright. I'll bring Anne." Christopher turned and left without another glance. Zacharias guided her into his office and closed the door behind them. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "What's the occasion? Did my sweet wife miss me?" he said with a soft laugh. That familiar cedar scent clung to his skin. Anneliese pressed her hand lightly to his chest, her eyes falling on the bag he held. Inside was the test result she'd picked up that morning. It showed she was finally healthy enough to try for a baby. But now, there was no point in bringing it up. She leaned away without meaning to. Her body didn't lie. Zacharias frowned slightly. "What's going on with you?" She lifted her head. Part of her wanted to slap him. She wanted to rip away the lies, to break the pretty mask he wore. But violence wouldn't fix anything. She needed to walk away, to leave the Whites behind, the truth about what Selina had done to her, and most of all, justice. "Will I always be less than Selina?" she asked. Zacharias paused. So that was what she'd been holding in. He reached out and tapped her forehead. "You don't need to compare yourself to her." The words sounded gentle, but they split down the middle. He might have meant that she was incomparable or that she didn't even come close. Anneliese used to believe the first. Now, she knew better. She saw clearly now. Zacharias was an expert at making emptiness sound sweet. A knock echoed at the door. Coral stepped inside with two cups of coffee. Anneliese moved away from Zacharias and sat on the couch. Coral placed a cup on the table in front of her, then walked across the room and handed the second one to Zacharias. "Here's your coffee, Mr. Shaw," she said softly. As he reached for the cup, her fingers skimmed his palm. The gesture looked casual, but it wasn't. Her nails grazed lightly across his skin. "Ms. Slenderidge, right?" Anneliese said suddenly. Coral froze. The room felt like it dropped in temperature. Zacharias' jaw tightened. His fingers gripped the coffee cup harder than before. He looked at Anneliese, who gave him a slow, relaxed smile. "I just want juice. The medicine I'm taking isn't great with caffeine. That's all. Why do you both look so nervous?" Zacharias didn't hesitate. "Go get her some juice." His voice was calm, but the warning behind it was clear. He didn't even need to raise his tone. The look in his eyes said enough. Coral's face turned pale. She bit down on her lip and spoke quickly. "I'm sorry, Madam. I'll bring you juice right away." She grabbed the coffee and rushed out, heels tapping across the marble floor as she disappeared through the door. Anneliese watched her go, her eyes steady and unreadable. She didn't look away until Zacharias stepped into her line of sight and blocked it with his broad frame. She gave a small smile. "She can't even handle a simple drink order. Since when did you become so patient with interns?" Zacharias' face relaxed. A moment ago, he thought something was off. Now, hearing her talk like this, he decided she was just being petty. Just jealousy, nothing more. He leaned over, one hand pressed against the couch's backrest. His voice turned playful. "Getting jealous? She's a sponsored poor girl. She's still young and doesn't know any better. Why are you even bothered?" Young? Anneliese thought. Zacharias must have forgotten—Anneliese was only twenty-two herself. At eighteen, she was already standing beside him, helping him build everything from the ground up. Back then, Clauderias Tech was nothing more than a tiny team of fewer than ten people. She started as his assistant, worked long hours, solved endless problems, and by the time she resigned, she was heading the PR department on her own. She remembered one time when a client humiliated her during a pitch. She had run off to cry alone in a stairwell. Zacharias had found her and told her something without a flicker of sympathy. "Anneliese, you chose to step into the real world early. That means you better get used to being hit hard. No one's going to coddle your mistakes or moods." She used to think he was pushing her to grow. She thought maybe he cared in his own way. Now she knew the truth. He had always known how to be kind—he just never chose to be kind to her. ... When Anneliese stepped outside the building, the strength drained from her all at once. Her knees buckled, and she sank onto a bench near the curb. She dropped her head into her hands, breath caught in her throat. Her calm began to fall apart. Bit by bit, the hurt and anger took over, sinking into her chest like cold steel. Her heart, already cracked, felt like it was caving in. The sun slipped lower. Faded light scattered through the gray sky. A chill breeze swept through the street, carrying fine raindrops that clung to her skin. Dry leaves drifted down and scattered across the road. Cars rolled over them, grinding them into the wet pavement. They looked like everything she had clung to—love, family, pride—all crushed and dirty. She didn't know how long she sat there, shaking. Her body trembled until it began to still. She lifted her head and pulled out her phone. She didn't hesitate as she tapped a number and held the phone to her ear. The call connected after one ring, but no words came out of her mouth. A calm voice came through the line. "Anneliese? I'm here." That sound hit something deep in her. Familiar, but distant. Her chest tightened. "George, I'm sorry to bother you this late. I just wanted to ask... can I still join the Project eVTOL research lab?" Her voice was barely more than a whisper. Her cheeks flushed with shame. She had no idea if she even deserved to ask. She had entered Astoria University at fifteen as a gifted aeronautical student. By junior year, she had already made breakthroughs in sensor-fusion algorithms. Her designs helped drones avoid obstacles with higher accuracy and stability. She used that research for wildfire detection. The drone she designed became one of the most advanced search-and-rescue models of its time. Even the professors had been blown away. They filed a patent for her. They offered her a fast track into grad school. The department head took her on as his final disciple. Her future had been bright, solid, and already unfolding. She even launched Superbflight Aviation with her senior classmates, a startup focused on lightweight aerial cameras. But four years ago, she gave all of that up for Zacharias. She walked away from school, from the lab, from everything. Her professor hadn't forgotten her. Two years ago, he flew to Oceaton himself and personally invited her to join the eVTOL project. She said no again. Now, she regretted it. All of it. She bit her lip until she tasted blood, but George's voice remained just as warm. "Of course. I told you, if you ever wanted to come back, we'd be ready. When can you come? I'll book your flight. Would tomorrow be too soon?" Anneliese felt a strange warmth bloom in her chest. "What about Professor...""Oh, come on. You know how he is. Just show up. Give him a surprise. Once he sees you, he'll forget whatever grudge he's holding. And if he doesn't, cook him dinner. If that doesn't work, cook him two." She laughed through her tears. "I'll cook every day if I have to. I just need one month to sort out some things here. Is that okay?""Of course it is. We'll wait.""Thank you. Really." She ended the call and sat in silence. The weight pressing down on her chest finally lifted. One month. She would get a divorce. She would leave this city. She would return to the life that was hers all along. She looked up, her vision clear. At that moment, a black Bentley passed by on the road. The back window was cracked open. Inside, a young girl was straddling a man's lap. Her arms wrapped around him, and their kiss burned through the cold, as if autumn had nothing to do with them at all.

Chapter 3 Don't Even Think About It

If he had just turned his head, even for a second, he would've seen her—his wife, sitting alone at the edge of the sidewalk, drenched in the rain, shaking from the cold, her eyes completely empty. However, he didn't. He was too lost in the thrill. That young girl in his arms lit him up with something new. In that moment, he forgot he had a home, a wife, or a past. Anneliese watched the car fade into the city's neon blur. Then, she stood. She reached into her purse, pulled out the fertility report, and tore it apart piece by piece. Her fingers moved slow and steady. When she was done, she walked to a nearby trash bin and dropped the shreds in. Then, she turned and walked the other way. The night had deepened, and the misty rain still fell. Even the busy business district had gone quiet. At the corner, an old lady squatted on the curb. Her white hair clung to her skin under the streetlight, and rain misted across her thin coat. A few bunches of flowers rested by her feet. Life was hard. Love meant nothing. Anneliese slipped off her wedding ring. She stepped toward the old lady and gently took her hand. She placed the ring into her palm and folded her fingers over it. "It's raining. You should go home." The old lady said nothing. Anneliese didn't wait for a reply. She turned and walked away. … Two minutes later, a black Phantom pulled up to the curb. The driver's door opened, and a man stepped out. His leather shoes tapped the pavement, polished and narrow, catching the streetlight as he moved. His suit pants lifted slightly as he stepped forward, revealing dark socks and sharp, lean ankles. He stood tall. His frame filled the sidewalk as he opened a black umbrella and walked straight to the old lady. He reached down and steadied her as she tried to rise. Her voice wavered. "Don't be upset, Jonathan. I didn't expect the rain. I'm still healthy. A little water doesn't bother me." She explained that she had left a concert. On the way back, her driver had accidentally knocked down a flower seller. He took the girl to the hospital, so she waited here since the company building was nearby. She figured her grandson, the workaholic, could come get her. However, when she saw the chill in his eyes, her words slowed. Suddenly, she remembered the ring. She fumbled to push it into his hand. "A young woman gave this to me by mistake. She walked away before I could say anything. Quick, go after her! She went that way!" She pointed toward the street. Jonathan Fullbuster—the old lady's grandson—looked where she indicated and spotted a faint silhouette. A slim figure walked into the lights and fog, her form fading with each step. "Get in the car." He helped his grandmother into the back seat. He turned up the heat, spread out a blanket, and waited until she was settled. Then he shut the door and took off after the girl. His stride was steady, long, and determined. The figure ahead became clearer. She walked at a calm pace, straight into the rain. Her mist-blue coat clung to her back, soaked clean through. Her waist looked small, almost fragile. She held herself upright. Her whole presence felt distant, as if nothing in this noisy world could touch her. She turned the corner and disappeared into the night. By the time Jonathan caught up, she was gone. The long street stretched ahead, still and empty. Light reflected in the puddles, casting blurred shapes across the sidewalk. It felt like she had never been there at all. … Back in the car, the old lady leaned toward him. "Well?""I didn't catch her." She scowled. "You run an airline and pilot your own planes, and you couldn't catch one girl?""Grandma, your logic is a little off.""Don't get smart with me. I'm disappointed. That girl was beautiful and kind! Why didn't you show up five minutes earlier? You might've met her! You have no idea how perfect you two would be together!""She's married," he replied, holding up the ring. It looked like a wedding band. The old lady didn't take it. She shoved it back toward him. "So what? She took it off, didn't she? That means something. You'd better go find her and give it back." Jonathan turned the ring between his fingers. The soft pink diamond caught the dim light and glimmered like a secret. It feels weird… holding a stranger's wedding ring. His grandmother stared him down. He gave in and tossed the ring onto the center console and let out a quiet sigh. A faint smile tugged at the edge of his lips. His sharp profile looked softer in the dark. "Well, I appreciate your faith in me.""I don't care. That ring's worth at least a million. You're going to find that girl and return it. Got it?""Got it, Your Majesty." He answered without conviction, but his eyes still flicked to the ring. What a headache, he thought. ... Anneliese didn't check her phone until she was in the back of the cab. Only then did she see the message Zacharias had sent two hours ago. "Honey, something came up. Not coming home tonight. Sleep early." She didn't reply. She swiped away the pinned chat. Then she deleted the contact name "Hubby" and changed it to something else. The bedroom looked like it had been staged for a photo shoot. Roses covered the floor, their petals trailing from the doorway to the bed in a winding path of red. Anneliese had dressed the bed in her favorite silk set, a soft shade of yellow that reminded her of buttercups in early spring. She had gone all in. Every corner felt warm and full of promise. But now, it felt like a cruel joke. She stormed in and ripped the sheets off in one hard pull. Petals scattered across the floor, tumbling in every direction like confetti after a failed celebration. … The next morning, the doorbell kept ringing. The sound clawed at her skull. Her head throbbed, her temples pounding in sync with every buzz. She forced herself downstairs and opened the door. Jessica Sweeting stood there with fury all over her face. Before Anneliese could say a word, Jessica pulled her into a tight hug and started shouting. "That j*rk! *sshole! He can forget about becoming the richest man now! "He's got another woman in his heart, treats you like a stand-in, and still manages to fool everyone into thinking he's such a good guy. Dmn. That's some next-level manipulation. "What storm drain did he crawl out of? Who let him loose to wreck people's lives? "I swear, I hope he lives long enough to regret everything. May he stay infertile forever, and still have grandkids he doesn't deserve!" Jessica's mouth didn't stop. Each curse came harder than the last. Anneliese pulled her inside, guided her to the couch, and poured her a glass of water. Jessica downed it in one long gulp. When she looked at Anneliese again, she noticed the dark circles under her eyes and the tired slump in her shoulders. She stopped yelling and dug through her bag for a stack of photos. "Annie…" "I'm fine. Just show me what you've got." Anneliese gave her a weak smile and took the pictures. She had tried to prepare herself. But the moment her eyes landed on the photos, her chest went tight. Zacharias had Coral tucked away in a private villa just a few streets from his company. They walked around together like a couple on vacation, bold and casual, with their hands locked like they had nothing to hide. In one photo, taken just before dusk, Coral had her legs wrapped around his waist as he carried her into the villa. Her body pressed close. Her expression smug. On her private social account, Coral showed off designer bags—bags identical to the ones Zacharias had given Anneliese. In her latest post, Coral wore a diamond bracelet. Her fingers rested on a man's chest, her caption written like a claim—'His love is in the diamond. His heart is under my hand.' Anneliese clenched the photo. Her knuckles went pale, and her eyes burned. It wasn't about missing him. It wasn't even about heartbreak anymore. It was about everything she had poured into a man who gave her back nothing but lies. Jessica snatched the photos from her hand and hissed under her breath. "Thank God you never slept with him. Or you'd be at the doctor by now. And even if everything came back clean, you'd still be sick just thinking about it." Anneliese gave a tired laugh. "Yeah. Lucky me, right?" She stood up and headed upstairs. A few minutes later, she returned with two big bags and dropped them at Jessica's feet. "Help me sell all of it. And use the money to support some girls who actually need it. Someone who deserves a shot." The bags were full of expensive gifts—watches, perfumes, purses, and jewelry. Things Zacharias had given her over the years. But packing them made her realize something. None of it had ever meant anything. It was just money. Thoughtless, effortless spending. She used to treasure those things. Now she couldn't stand to look at them. Why keep them, just to risk running into Coral wearing the same purse? Jessica and Anneliese had grown up together in the same group home. Jessica now ran a small hustle with two friends—part-time detectives, fake girlfriends, side-job specialists. They did everything from catching cheaters to reselling luxury bags. Anything for a price. Jessica pulled the bags closer and gave a sharp whistle. "Don't worry. I'll flip this stuff and find a few broke, hot high school guys to mentor. Let Zacharias know women can do the same dmn thing." Sponsoring wasn't just a man's game. Anneliese smiled and shook her head. "No need. Let the stuff go to someone who needs it. Not every girl down on her luck turns into Coral. And Zacharias? He's garbage. But I'm not crawling in after him." Jessica let out a deep sigh and cursed Zacharias again under her breath. A hundred silent ways. He didn't deserve a woman like Anneliese. And once she was gone, he'd never find another. "What's your plan now? That *sshole's company is blowing up. Guys like him, the ones who came from nothing, they care more about image than anything. He'll never let go of that 'perfect husband' mask. He's probably not gonna make divorce easy…" Jessica didn't trust him. Not really. She had a bad feeling. Zacharias seemed obsessed, and part of her believed he hadn't let Anneliese go at all. ... Anneliese stayed home that day. She boxed up everything she owned, labeling each item, organizing what she needed to take when the time came. Her grandmother had left her a small apartment before she passed. Once the divorce went through, Anneliese planned to move in and start over. By evening, Anneliese sat at her vanity, brushing her hair under the soft, warm lights. Her reflection looked steady, but her chest felt tight. Zacharias had come to pick her up for dinner at the Whites' estate. He stepped behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. His gaze met hers in the mirror. "Someone looks beautiful," he said gently. Her lashes trembled. She turned to face him and tilted her chin up. "Zacharias, do you really love me?" He leaned closer and reached for her. "Why are you asking me that? Is it because I've been working too much? Not spending enough time with you?" His voice softened. "Once I get a break, we'll make up for it. We'll do the wedding, the honeymoon. You always wanted to see Bragg, right?" Anneliese leaned away just enough to keep out of his arms. Her voice stayed calm. "No thanks. If you don't love me, we can get a divorce. I don't need the title of Mrs. Shaw." They had known each other for thirteen years. Even without love, there should have been some sense of care between them. She wanted to give him a chance to be honest. She wanted to end things with dignity, but Zacharias' hand clamped around her jaw. His brow creased, and his voice dropped low and cold. "Divorce? Don't even think about it. Only death can break us apart!" That word hit her like a hammer. Her shoulders stiffened. Her face turned pale.

Chapter 4 He Tears It Up

Zacharias had clawed his way up from nothing. His rise had been fast, but not clean. He knew how to charm people. He also knew how to break them. Her mind flashed back to that round of venture capital funding. There had been another tech startup in the race, one with stronger tech and a better pitch. But just before the deal closed, the CEO had a sudden car accident. Zacharias had swooped in and claimed the win. It had seemed like bad luck for them. Now, it didn't feel like luck at all. "You really mean that?" she asked, her voice cracking. Her eyes turned glassy. A wave of chill crept up her spine. Zacharias thought she was moved. His smile returned. He gently touched her cheek. "Of course I do. We've spent thirteen years together. That's a lifetime. "If I didn't love you, would I have taken all that pressure just to be with you? "If I didn't love you, would I name my company after you? Anne, we're going to grow old together." She had never changed her last name after being found by the Whites. She still used her adoptive father's name, Claude. But Zacharias had branded his company with that same name, like it was a promise. He believed what he said. Selina had been his unreachable fantasy. The moment he decided to marry Anneliese, any chance they had to be a couple went up in smokes. Coral was just for fun. But the woman beside him, the one he married—he saw her as the one he'd grow old with. Zacharias was too handsome for his own good. And when he smiled, those soft eyes and that calm voice could cover every lie. If Anneliese hadn't overheard what she did, maybe she would still believe him now. She kept her tone steady. "Then, promise me something." He raised a brow and grinned. "Anything." She stepped back and pulled a few sheets of paper from the drawer beside her bed. Then she held them out. "If you're that sure you'd never betray me, sign this." He took them without hesitation. But the second he saw the title—Divorce Agreement—his face dropped. "Anneliese, what the hell is this?" His fingers tightened around the papers. The crisp pages buckled and creaked under the pressure. "If you're really that loyal, then sign it. Just to prove it. I'll believe you—" Zacharias cut her off. "Enough! This is because of that secretary, isn't it? You've been jumping to conclusions ever since I hired her! "Have I not treated you well all these years? Or are you just too used to playing my wife? "Marriage needs trust. And this is how you test me? I can't believe it. Don't ever let me see this again!" He didn't even glance at the terms. He ripped the papers in half, tore them again, then flung the shreds into the air. He turned and stormed out. The door slammed so hard the frame shuddered. Anneliese stood in the middle of the room. Her fists stayed clenched. Torn pieces of paper floated down around her, scattering across the floor like pale leaves. Her face didn't move. But her eyes burned like ice. Jessica had called it from the start. Zacharias was never going to hand her freedom over that easily. She had only tested him, but he reacted like she'd stabbed him in the back. If he had even a shred of affection left, he would've noticed how many of her things had vanished from the house. Instead, he cheated with both his body and his heart, yet still expected to keep her trapped in a marriage built on nothing but performance. A normal divorce wouldn't work. Not with him. She had to find another way out. … After the fight, the ride back to the Whites' estate felt like a tomb. Neither of them spoke. As the gates came into view, Zacharias finally reached for her hand. His voice dipped into something tender. "If you don't like me working with Coral, I'll move her to another department." He didn't think Anneliese really wanted to leave him. In his head, she was just too in love. Too jealous. Too wrapped around him. That thought made him feel smug. Like he still had control. He didn't mind humoring her a little if it meant keeping her calm. Sure, he could move Coral out. That was easy. But he also needed Anneliese to stay in her place. He couldn't keep tolerating every little outburst. So, he added, "Let's just forget this whole thing. But Anne, I won't always put up with you being unreasonable." Anneliese left her hand in his but didn't return the gesture. "That won't be necessary. I've probably been drinking too much medicine. Guess the bitterness got into my head." Zacharias looked at her with mock concern and ran a hand over her hair. "You've been through a lot. But hang in there, alright? For our future. For the baby. I even picked out names already." He leaned closer and whispered in her ear like he was building a dream they would never share. Anneliese lowered her eyes and let her disgust sink deep into her gut. She could bash his head in with that baby he wanted so badly. That image gave her a spark of joy. At the dinner table, dishes lined every inch of the table, steaming and untouched. But no one moved. Timothy White, Melanie Lawrence, Perseus White, and Christopher were all seated. Across from them, a massive screen showed a paused WhatsApp screen, waiting for Selina to answer from overseas. Anneliese picked up her fork. "Have fun waiting, you guys. I'm hungry." Timothy shot her a glare. "Put those down. Show some manners." She smirked. "So, starving the whole house just to wait for Selina counts as manners now?" They had begged her to come home when she never wanted to return. Now, they expected her to go hungry every night for someone who didn't even want to be here. The Whites had even shifted their entire dinner schedule to match the time zone in Agylae, just to fit Selina's convenience. Melanie frowned. "Anneliese, your sister is all alone out there. Her only wish is to video chat and have dinner with her family. Can't you wait for her?" Perseus chimed in, "We made all this just for you. Selina eats takeout every night. What else do you want?" Christopher let out a dry laugh. "Come on, when does she not make a scene? Selina left for college overseas just to avoid her. If she had even half of Selina's sense, this house wouldn't be such a mess all the time." Anneliese almost laughed. She said one sentence about being hungry, and they all came for her like wolves. Selina didn't even have to show her face. Her name alone made the whole family rally behind her, but none of it bothered Anneliese anymore. The only reason she came tonight was to see if her father, mother, and eldest brother had known the truth about the stabbing back then. If not for that, she wouldn't have stepped foot through the door. She ladled herself a bowl of soup and gave a bitter smile. "So, she moved abroad to avoid me? That's new. I thought she just failed her SAT and had to find another way out." She turned to Zacharias, her voice light but sharp. "Though I also heard she followed some airline captain out there. Not very proper, is it? Did she catch him in the end?" Zacharias stayed still, his face calm. But she saw the way his fingers clenched on his knee. What a joke. A man pining for a woman who barely gives him a second thought, Anneliese thought. Her appetite came roaring back. She leaned forward to take a bite, but before the spoon reached her lips, Christopher slammed his hand across the table and knocked the bowl straight into her chest. Soup splashed everywhere, soaking her blouse and burning her skin beneath. "You deaf or just ignoring us? What are you, a starving pig? You want to eat? I'll give you something to eat!" The burn stung, but no one moved to help. Christopher jabbed a finger in her face and kept yelling. "And what trash were you talking about just now? Selina's incredible. She got into college because she's talented. Cello, piano, painting—she's an artist!" Perseus added, "And what if she chased a guy? That shows confidence. That shows guts. She goes after what she wants. Unlike you. You've done nothing but embarrass this family from day one. We're lucky Zacharias still bothers with you." Anneliese stood up, her blouse clinging to her body. That was when Zacharias finally noticed the red patch spreading across her shirt. "Enough!" he snapped. "That's enough! She's hurt. Anne, let me see it." He reached for her, trying to check her burn, but Melanie just rolled her eyes. "The soup's barely hot. She'll live. Probably another one of her games. Zacharias, don't fall for it." Anneliese smacked his hand away, sneered, and grabbed the edge of her shirt. Then she yanked it up without a word.

Chapter 5 Go Fck Yourself, People

Anneliese pulled her shirt up and bared her stomach. The skin, once fair, was burned red. Two thick scars slashed across her lower belly like deep cuts on paper. The heat from the earlier spill had turned the skin around them even redder, making the scars look sharper, crueler. Four years had passed, but they still looked fresh. That was how badly she had been hurt. She hadn't just nearly lost her womb. If she hadn't crawled out of that alley soaked in blood and half-conscious, she would have lost her life too. She didn't look away as she turned to face her so-called family. She let them see it all. The room fell still. So quiet it could choke. "What's the matter?" Her voice came low and cold. "The burns are real. I'm still healing and getting ready for pregnancy. The doctor said I can't miss meals. Was it really too much to ask for a bowl of soup?" She studied their faces. Timothy's jaw locked. Melanie brought a hand to her mouth. Neither of them met her eyes. Their guilt slipped out through the cracks in their masks. Perseus glanced once, then looked away fast, his breath catching in his throat. They weren't shocked because they cared. That silence was fear. That was when Anneliese finally understood. It wasn't just Christopher and Zacharias who knew what Selina did to her. They all knew. Her parents. Her brothers. Every last one of them. They had all been part of it. "What are you doing? Put that down!" Zacharias rushed toward her and yanked the shirt back down. He didn't want anyone to see. Not the scars. Not the truth. Not the damage that wouldn't go away. Those marks weren't just wounds. They were reminders. Of a past he never wanted to deal with. He covered her up fast, so fast he didn't notice how the fabric stuck to the burn. Pain shot through her body. Anneliese winced, then slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me." Zacharias grabbed her wrist. "Come on. You need cold water." Right then, the TV lit up. The speakers rang out with a soft, cheerful voice. "Hi, Mommy! Hi, Daddy! Hi, my super handsome brothers! Good evening! Oh wow, Anne and Zach are there too? Did you miss me?" Selina's flawless face popped up on screen, all rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes. She wore a white hoodie with bunny ears and sat by a tall window with sunlight pouring in. A perfect breakfast tray rested on the table beside her. She smiled like sunshine. Her eyes sparkled with playfulness. Her wild brows gave her that "I'm sweet but don't mess with me" kind of charm. Selina. The golden one. The princess. She waved at the camera like nothing had happened here. The tension at the table cracked and crumbled. No one looked at Anneliese anymore. Not when Selina was smiling on screen. All eyes turned toward the television. "Morning, sweetheart.""Did you sleep okay, Selina?""That can't be all you're eating. Don't starve yourself, honey.""I checked the forecast. It's getting cold there. Make sure you dress warm." Even Zacharias let go of Anneliese's wrist. His gaze locked on the screen, focused and calm. Anneliese had never seen him look at anyone like that. She stood frozen. And she felt stupid. She had promised herself she didn't care anymore. That these people weren't worth it. But now, watching every single person she cared about turn their backs again, it felt like her chest had split open. The scars throbbed. Her body pulsed with rage. Her fists clenched so hard her nails dug into her palms. She wanted to smash that screen into a hundred pieces. She stared at Selina's fake smile with burning eyes. "Anne? Why are you just standing there?" Selina looked toward her, then turned to Zacharias. "Zach, did you make her mad again? You better be treating my sister right. If not, I'll fly home and teach you a lesson myself!" She raised her fist in a playful threat, all cutesy and bold. Zacharias chuckled and slid his arm around Anneliese's shoulder. "Of course not. We're doing great. Already trying for a baby, right, honey?" He looked down at her, all warmth and affection. Anneliese raised her chin and smiled. She slipped her arm through his and leaned closer with a bright, sugary tone. "Yeah. Next time you come back, our baby will be calling you Aunt Selina." Zacharias stiffened just slightly. On the screen, Selina's smile froze. Her eyes dimmed. She glanced at Zacharias, her face not as perfect anymore. Anneliese lowered her gaze and smirked. She knew Selina. Knew her too well. Selina had always been the shining one. The star. The one everyone loved. But that girl's pride ran deep. And so did her ego. Even if Selina didn't care about Zacharias, she would never want to see him belong to anyone else. Especially not Anneliese. And now? Now they were both breaking. "Zach, congrats to you and Anne." Selina's smile lit up her face, smooth and sweet like nothing had ever gone wrong. Zacharias stared at her. His throat shifted as he swallowed, and he gave a small nod. His voice came out quiet, almost forced. "Thanks." But the air changed. Something invisible passed between them and pulled everything tight. Anneliese felt her stomach turn. She slipped her hand out of Zacharias' grip and walked off without a word. She headed straight for the room that used to be hers. Behind her, the laughter started again. Light. Carefree. As if she had never been there. No one noticed she had left. No one cared about the sting on her skin or the burn under her shirt. But she cared. Her skin still burned, and she wasn't about to let another scar claim her body. She pushed open the door to her old bedroom. The space looked completely different. Her room had become a showroom full of model airplanes. Right across from the entrance, a photo of Selina hung on the wall. Selina wore a sharp flight suit and a pair of dark sunglasses. Her arms were crossed, her chin raised, her grin bold. The aviation school loomed behind her. Anneliese laughed under her breath, sharp and cold. "I forgot to tell you. We redid the room," Christopher said from behind her. He had followed her upstairs. "You're married now. You don't live here anymore. Use the guest room upstairs if you need to shower." He shut the door like her being there spoiled the place. Anneliese turned around. Her face was blank, but her eyes were ice. "What now? Since I'm married, I don't even get a servant's room anymore? When Selina gets married, are you going to strip her of her dance studio, piano room, painting studio, reading nook, and this little hangar of hers too?" Selina had an entire floor to herself. Anneliese had nothing. Not even a corner. They never meant to let her come back. But they always acted like she was the one who kept her distance. Like she was the one who didn't care. It was disgusting. Christopher met her stare, and for a split second, something guilty flickered in his expression. But it vanished, buried under a wave of irritation. "Anneliese, why do you keep comparing yourself to Selina? You can't dance. You don't play instruments. You don't paint. Why not try being a good daughter for once? Mom's birthday is coming. Selina's been working on a surprise for weeks. What about you? What have you done?" Anneliese let out a bitter laugh. Oh no, it wasn't as if she couldn't do those things. They just never bothered to ask. All they did was look at her once, and they decided Selina was the more talented of the two. Not that it mattered anymore. She bit her lip, eyes narrowing, and let out a small breath like she was trying not to cry. "I did prepare something. I'm giving Mom a house. That's why I came today. I need the ID. I'm transferring the deed to her. It's a surprise. Christopher, will you get it for me?" Her chest tightened. Her pulse kicked up. This was risky. But she had worn the role of the obedient fool so long that Christopher didn't even hesitate. He nodded, looking proud. "Now that's the spirit. Come on. I'll grab it for you." … Two minutes later, the ID was tucked neatly into her purse. That made it all worth it. She didn't want to stay another second. She turned and hurried down the stairs, ignoring Christopher's voice calling behind her. Her steps echoed down the staircase. Perseus came rushing from the dining room when he heard the commotion. He grabbed her by the arm. "Everyone's waiting on you for dinner. Where the hell do you think you're going?""Dinner?" Anneliese smiled, her voice sharp. "Sure. Let's eat." She turned around and headed toward the dining room. Perseus followed, thinking she'd calmed down. But as soon as she reached the long table, Anneliese gripped the tablecloth and yanked it hard. Plates flew through the air. Bowls flipped and shattered on the floor. Food splattered across the tile. Glass cracked beneath their feet. Melanie screamed. Timothy jumped up, shouting in rage. Anneliese didn't flinch. She stood still and looked over the mess. "You dragged me back here for dinner, and there isn't a single dish I like. If I'm supposed to be miserable, then let's all be miserable." She turned and walked out. They could protect Selina all they wanted. Let them choose sides. She was done pretending she belonged. "What is wrong with her now?" Melanie's voice trembled as she turned to Christopher. He threw up his hands. "How should I know? She flips out over nothing. That's what happens when you let her get away with everything.""This is too much," Timothy growled, his face pale with fury. Zacharias stood off to the side. His brow furrowed. "She really did get burned earlier. She must still be in pain. I'm sorry, you two. I'll bring her back another time to apologize." He turned and hurried out the door.

Chapter 6 She Cornered That Man Like a Storm

Zacharias pulled up behind her and laid on the horn. Once. Twice. A third time. Anneliese didn't even look back. She kept walking, head low, her steps fast and steady like she was trying to outrun something. He hit the brakes hard and got out. He caught up to her in just a few strides. "Get in the car.""I get carsick. I feel like throwing up. I just want to walk." Anneliese kept moving, her arms swinging hard at her sides like she was trying to shake off every name and every face in that house. Being the family punching bag had worn her out. The looks Zacharias and Selina had shared over dinner still made Anneliese sick. Those quick glances, the silent messages passed between them—everyone at that table saw it. No one said a thing. How could people talk about letting go like it was easy? Like you could just switch off everything you felt? She told herself to be strong. She told herself to move on, but her heart dragged behind like a tired animal too scared to let go of a dying thing. She was trying. She was fighting to heal, but why couldn't he just leave her alone? "Let me go! Don't touch me!" she yelled, wrenching her arm free. However, before she could step back, her feet left the ground. Zacharias scooped her up without a word. He carried her to the car, shoved her into the passenger seat, buckled her in, and slammed the door shut. Inside, everything went still except the rough sound of their breathing. "Anne, what are you even doing right now?" His voice finally broke through the silence. Anneliese didn't answer. She kept her face turned toward the window and stared outside. His fingers clenched around the wheel. His knuckles stood out. His jaw tightened. She didn't flinch. Zacharias ripped off his tie, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her closer. "Anneliese!" She turned her head. His breath hitched. Her face had gone pale. Her skin looked paper-thin under the soft lights. Her eyes were wide and dark, but blurred by tears she hadn't let fall. The edges of her lashes were red. Her cheeks held a fragile flush, like she was one blink away from breaking. And somehow, Zacharias felt like she already had. Something squeezed in his chest. His whole face shifted with guilt. Anneliese tried to pull away. "Let go of me! What am I doing? I'm hurt. My whole body's in pain, and I can't even lose my temper?" She stared right at him. "Zacharias, ask yourself this—do you even care about me anymore?" The look in his eyes shifted. His guilt turned desperate. He reached over and rubbed her back. "I'm sorry, honey. I'm so sorry. It's my fault. I didn't know the soup was that hot. Let me take a look at the burn, alright?" He reached for the hem of her shirt. She slapped his hand away. He didn't snap. His voice stayed soft. "Okay. Okay. Let's go to the hospital." He leaned in to kiss her forehead. She turned her head and let it miss. He gave her hair a light ruffle and started the engine. They hadn't made it far before his phone started going off again and again. He ignored the first call, then the second. After a third, he slipped in his earpiece and picked up. His face shifted in a flash. The worry vanished, replaced by a polite, tight smile. "I've got an emergency at work. Can you get out here for a bit?" Anneliese didn't say anything. She opened the door and climbed out. Then, she slammed it shut behind her. "I'll have Jackie pick you up right away. Just wait right here, okay?" he said through the window. She didn't respond. She stood in the wind with her arms at her sides, her dress billowing softly. Her face looked like a calm sheet of glass. Zacharias stared at her. Something in him faltered. She looked like she was already gone. He hesitated, but Coral's crying voice filled his mind. He remembered the accident she mentioned. He remembered how Anneliese had followed him since she was nine. He remembered her at eighteen, walking away from the Whites just to live with him in that damp basement. He remembered how much she used to love him. He stepped on the gas and drove off. She loved him. He'd always be her world. He'd make it up to her someday. Anneliese stood where he left her and watched the luxury car disappear into the road ahead. Her lips curved into a thin smile. Zacharias, no one stays in the same place forever, she thought. You think a moment of 'genuine love' can keep someone around forever? The Whites' estate sat high in a gated neighborhood built into the hills. The air was still. The road was clean. There wasn't a cab in sight. She called Jessica, then started walking downhill alone. When she rounded a corner, she saw three kids gathered under a tall tree, jumping and shouting. One of them, a boy no older than ten, was halfway up the trunk. "Hey! That's dangerous! Get down from there!" The tree stood right beside the edge of an artificial lake. The boy lost his grip and slipped sideways, tipping toward the slope near the water. Anneliese bolted. Her feet hit the ground hard. She had to reach him in time. "No, we have to climb up! Our drone's stuck in the tree! Can you help us get it down?" A little girl with two bouncy buns clung to Anneliese's sleeve, her voice high with urgency. She couldn't have been more than five. She looked like a puff of snow with huge blinking eyes that shimmered with worry. Anneliese crouched down and gave her a gentle pat on the head. "I'm not great at climbing trees, honey." The girl puffed her cheeks and frowned. Anneliese pointed at the controller she held in her hands. "But I'm really good at flying drones. How about you hand me that and I'll try to fly it down?" The boys crowded over, voices piling on top of each other. "No way! It's stuck! You'll never get it out!""Pfft, I've been flying drones since before you were out of preschool. I already tried a hundred times. If you can't climb, then back off and quit making things worse." The boy in the tree had his chin up and a smirk across his face. Anneliese laughed softly. "Alright, let's make a deal. If I can't get it down, I'll buy you a new one. But if I do, you have to shout, real loud, 'Miss, you're the best!' Deal?""You're on! You're gonna regret this! Lemon, give her the controller!""No, you're the one who's about to eat your words. Watch this." Anneliese took one glance at the drone, locked onto its position, and moved the control stick without flinching. The boy scoffed, arms crossed, waiting for it to slam into a branch. But his smug look vanished in a heartbeat. The drone, which had been jammed tight in the branches like a bug in a jar, suddenly buzzed to life. It twitched once, then zipped through the leaves with a clean break, slicing through the gaps like a silver arrow. It shot out of the tree with a sharp tilt, climbing fast as it soared into the open sky. "Whoa!""It's flying!""She really did it!" Anneliese stepped back and guided the drone into smooth dives and turns, racing it just above the lake's surface before pulling it back up toward the clouds. The kids cheered behind her, clapping and yelling like they had front-row seats at an air show. Anneliese tilted her head back and watched it glide. With every loop, something heavy inside her felt a little lighter. She stepped back again, her smile easy and wide, her lips parted as the wind touched her face. Then, she bumped into something. It wasn't cold like a wall. It was warm. And it breathed. She turned fast, startled, just as warm breath brushed past her ear. It wasn't a wall. It was a man. Her panic made her twist away, but she lost her footing and pitched backward. She crashed straight into him, knocking them both back a step. His back hit the stone wall behind them. Anneliese reached for anything to keep from falling. Her fingers clutched his tie and pulled it tight. They froze like that, bodies close, her hand still gripping the silk knot at his chest. She looked up and saw the sharp line of his jaw, pale skin framed by the collar of a crisp white shirt. His Adam's apple shifted slightly. A small mole just beneath it moved with the motion, subtle but distracting. A deep sound rumbled from his chest. Anneliese blinked, realizing she still had him by the tie and had practically yanked it into his neck. A thin red line marked the edge of his collar. She let go fast and took a step back. Then came the kids' shouts. "It's crashing! It's going down!" Her heart jumped. The drone! She looked down at the controller, fingers frozen. She had no idea what command to use. She looked up, squinting through the branches… Then a warm hand slid over hers. His fingers wrapped around hers and pushed gently on the stick. The drone came spiraling down, spinning toward the treetops. But just before it hit, it twisted sharply and rose again, scraping past the branches in a clean sweep. The limbs shook, and golden blossoms rained down, fluttering through the air like gold snowflakes. Lights flicked on around them, one by one, washing the yard in soft amber. In the fading light and the scent of crushed petals, Anneliese looked up and met his eyes. They were deep and still, dark as the ocean at night.

Chapter 7 Wedding Night Firelight

He stood tall, one shoulder against the wall, head tilted just slightly down. The glow behind him caught the edge of his face, leaving the rest in shadow. He didn't need to speak to be felt. His presence filled the space, heavy and sharp, like something dangerous wrapped in silk. Anneliese stood frozen, too stunned to react. He powered down the drone, let go of her hand, and raised a brow. His voice was low and easy, carrying a trace of dry amusement. "Are you waiting for me to say... 'Miss, you're the best?' before you let go?" His breath drifted across her skin, warm and close. Anneliese snapped back to reality. Her fingers were still tangled in his tie. She jumped back, dropped her eyes, and stared at the ground, her cheeks burning. Thankfully, the kids ran back over and swarmed around Anneliese like a pack of excited puppies. "Miss, that was incredible!""Can you show me how to do that spin move?""I wanna fly it super low over the lake like you did. That was so sick!""Miss, you're the best pilot ever!" Anneliese nearly groaned. Did they all have to keep calling her "Miss"? Where was this politeness earlier when they were yelling over each other? She gave a quick smile and tried to shake off the awkwardness. "It's getting pretty dark. You should be going home, kids." … Right on cue, a few parents appeared in the distance, calling their kids. The group scattered in every direction like startled ducklings. When she turned back, she spotted the little girl from earlier holding tightly onto the tall man's leg. She was still staring at Anneliese, eyes wide with curiosity. Their gazes met, and the girl gave a shy, toothy smile. "Miss, you saved Snow Eagle. How am I supposed to thank you?" Her soft, sweet voice warmed Anneliese's chest. Anneliese bent down with a gentle grin. "So, your drone has a name? Snow Eagle? That's pretty awesome. And you don't need to thank me. Your dad's just as capable. I bet he could've flown it down without me." She glanced over at the man beside her, remembering the collision from before. "I'm really sorry about earlier. I didn't see you standing there and walked right into you." The embarrassment hit hard. She didn't even lift her head. Her eyes stuck to the man's wrinkled tie, the very one she'd yanked. His white dress shirt now had a dark stain from the soup she spilled. The mess stood out against the clean fabric. His tie looked completely crushed. She felt her stomach twist. She let out a dry laugh, pulled out her phone, and held it out. "Can I get your contact info?" He didn't reach for it. One hand stayed in his pants pocket, the other rested lightly on the girl's shoulder. "Hm?" Anneliese immediately realized how that must've sounded. She waved her hand. "No, no, it's not like that. I just feel bad for ruining your shirt. If you give me your info, I'll send you a new one." Trying to be polite, she looked up to meet his eyes—and froze. His features were sharp and clean. Strong brows, high nose bridge, and big eyes, deep-set with a striking edge. Even with his gaze lowered, the air around him felt heavy, like he carried weight without speaking a word. Her heart gave a strange little stutter. She chalked it up to guilt. "Did you learn how to fly drones professionally?" He didn't comment on the shirt. Didn't even glance at her phone. That question was all he cared about. Anneliese had done far more than learn. She had studied aircraft design. She could take apart a drone and rebuild it blindfolded. That used to be her world. Her dream. Something she gave up, but now, she wanted it back. She was only twenty-two. She still had time. Something lit up behind her eyes. She smiled softly. "I've studied a bit. Anyway, about the shirt—""It's alright. You were helping the girl." His voice was calm, his hand still tucked in his pocket. Anneliese stopped pressing. It felt wrong to insist, especially since the man clearly had a family. Offering to replace his shirt now felt like too much. She gave a small bow, then reached into her bag and pulled out a wrapped candy. She handed it to the girl. "Thanks for letting me help. Here, a little treat for you." The girl's face lit up. "Thank you, miss." Anneliese gave her a quick wave and turned to walk down the hill, but after a few steps, she stopped and looked back at the man. "I don't mean to overstep, but even with the good security here, it's probably best not to leave little kids unsupervised near the water." The thought of them climbing trees that close to the lake still made her uneasy. She said it gently, then turned and walked away without waiting for a reply. Behind her, she heard his voice, low and steady. "Don't go near the water again. Got it?" He tapped the girl on the forehead with his finger, and she giggled softly. The little girl covered her forehead, her round face wrinkling with a pout. "That really hurt, Jonathan!" Jonathan bent down and scooped her up with one arm like it was nothing. "Jonathan." Lemon tilted her head and blinked up at him. "That pretty lady thought you were my dad. Why didn't you tell her the truth?""Why would I explain myself to someone I don't even know?""But she's so pretty, and she's nice, and she's super cool! If you'd just told her, maybe added her on WhatsApp, you wouldn't be single anymore! Then, Penelope would stop calling you useless every day!" She puffed out her cheeks. "I'm telling Penelope! You missed a great chance. You're not serious about getting a wife. That's a problem with your attitude!" Jonathan let out a low laugh. Even at four years old, Lemon was already playing matchmaker. "What do you call me?""Old man.""And what do you call her?""Pretty lady.""There's a whole generation gap between us. That doesn't sound right, does it?" Lemon's eyes grew wide. "Wait… really?" Something didn't sit right, but she couldn't figure out what. She gave a tiny huff. "But she's so, so pretty! I wanna look just like her when I grow up…" Jonathan didn't answer. He turned his head and glanced down the mountain trail. The woman was already gone. Her silhouette faded into the soft yellow glow of the streetlights. Her figure was slim and graceful, distant but striking. There was something familiar about her. ... After picking up the ID, Anneliese felt good for once. She went to bed early and actually managed a solid night's sleep. However, something rustled in the dark, and she stirred. A cold touch slid across her stomach, pulling her halfway out of her dreams. She cracked her eyes open and saw a dark figure crouched beside her bed. One knee rested on the mattress. He leaned over her with one hand on her stomach. Her pajama top was pushed up, and the chill air hit her bare skin. Goosebumps spread across her belly. Her chest tightened. "Hey!" She screamed and kicked with all her strength. Her foot hit him square in the side, and his body slammed onto the floor with a sharp thud. "Anneliese! Are you insane?" Zacharias groaned, clutching his ribs where he'd hit the floor. His voice was low and angry. Anneliese jolted upright and flicked on the bedside lamp. The sight of him sprawled out beside the bed made her face twist with rage. "Are you out of your mind? What the hell are you doing creeping around in my room in the middle of the night?" Her heart was pounding. Had he taken out some giant life insurance policy on her? Zacharias stood up slowly and stared down at her. His jaw was tight, his eyes cold, and his whole body gave off the kind of chill that sank straight through the skin. "I was putting burn ointment on you." He waited. Waited for her to realize he was trying to help. Waited for her to feel guilty. He thought she would sit up and throw her arms around him like she used to, whisper something soft and grateful. She used to be easy to please. Just a little concern was enough. But Anneliese rolled her eyes and turned her back. She pulled the blanket over her head and shut her eyes. Ointment? She almost laughed. It had been at least five or six hours since she got burned. Even if her skin were rubber, it would've been ruined by now. Zacharias stood frozen beside the bed, staring at her covered figure. She didn't move. She wasn't sulking. She wasn't teasing him. She was done. His chest tightened with frustration. A flicker of panic mixed with anger. He climbed back onto the bed, straddled her, and yanked the blanket away. His hand locked around her wrist. "Don't be mad, honey. I swear it was a work emergency. I didn't mean to blow you off. I told Jackie to take you to the hospital. Why did you go by yourself and shut off your phone? I was going crazy trying to reach you." Anneliese didn't say anything right away. She just kept her eyes closed and waited for him to finish talking. Then, she opened them. Her voice was calm. Her gaze was flat. "Thanks for worrying. And for caring. I understand your concern. Now, can I go back to sleep?" It was the right thing to say. It was polite, but something about it felt like a slap to the chest. Zacharias stared at her, feeling like someone had carved up his insides with glass. There was no grip left on anything. His voice dropped lower. "You're feeling better now, right? Let's make up for our wedding night. I want you. I don't want to wait anymore." He leaned down and kissed her without giving her a chance to answer.

Chapter 8 Deleting ID

Anneliese's eyes flew open. Her whole body froze. She couldn't believe it. He had spent the night with another woman. Then, he came home and tried to sleep with her like none of it mattered. Was Coral not enough for his appetite? She stayed frozen for a second, stunned. Then, she felt his lips press against hers. They were warm and soft. His breath was familiar. It should've meant something, but it didn't. No heat. No pull. Just emptiness. "Get off me! Let go!" She thrashed under him, tried to shove him away. When he didn't move, she sank her teeth into his lip with everything she had. The metallic scent of blood lingered in the room as Zacharias finally lifted his head. "Anneliese… are you pushing me away?" His voice shook with anger and disbelief. He stared straight at her, eyes stormy and accusing, while his hand clenched tight on her shoulder. Then his gaze dropped, and he seized her wrist. "Where's your wedding ring?" He had noticed. Anneliese tried to pull her hand free. "I… I lost it by accident.""You lost it? Where?" Zacharias didn't believe her. Something felt off. He wondered if she'd found something out. She had been distant for days, and that ring had never left her finger, not even in sleep, but now, her hand was bare, with only a faint pale band showing where the ring used to be. Anneliese met his eyes and felt her stomach tighten. "I told you, I lost it. If I knew where, it wouldn't be lost. You're hurting me…" His fingers dug in. Her long hair spilled across the pillow like a tangled mess. Her eyes, already bright, began to blur as tears gathered. Her lashes clumped, her cheeks flushed with pain and fear. And then the tears spilled over. She looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes, fragile and frightened. She looked like a flower beaten by rain—beautiful, helpless, and breaking. Zacharias thought she was crying over the ring, which only made him want her more. The heat in him surged, thick and unrelenting. "Anne… Honey, let me take care of you. Just once, alright?" His hair was messy, his lips swollen from her bite. His eyes, usually so calm, were full of hunger and need. Even now, with that cut on his lip, he looked almost unreal. Too perfect. Too polished. The injury only made him more dangerous. Anneliese saw the want in him, but all she felt was disgust. Fear crawled through her veins like ice. Her eyes drifted to his chest. In their struggle, his shirt had come undone, and his collar now hung open. There, against his skin, was a line of lipstick marks. They were faint but obvious. Her breath caught. Her stomach turned. She wanted to scream, to spit the truth in his face. She wanted to run to the kitchen, grab a cleaver, and cut that pathetic junk of his off. Then, she'd split it in half. Hand one piece to Coral and mail the other to Selina. He was disgusting. But she knew Zacharias too well. He was obsessive, relentless. If she confronted him now, he would dig in his heels. He wouldn't let go of her. So, instead, she let the pain pour out. "You're hurting me! My burn still stings! You heartless b*stard! My body's not even healed, and you're trying to get me pregnant just to lose it?" Her voice cracked and shook as the tears ran down. Anneliese had never been one to cry easily. She grew up in an orphanage. Her adoptive parents died young. She took care of her sick adoptive grandmother alone. She learned how to carry pain without letting it show. Yes, not even to him. Even with him, she almost never let her guard down. Zacharias still remembered the day she was rushed into surgery when she was eighteen. He had sat by her bed, gripping her cold hand, eyes burning red. When she woke up, she gave him that crooked smile. "Zacharias, are you crying? Look, I'm okay. I can still laugh." Sometimes, he hated how strong she was. She never leaned on him the way he wanted. Never needed him the way he needed her. He wanted to strip that strength away. He wanted her small, dependent, fragile—his. But now, seeing her cry like this, something cracked in him. He quickly climbed off her and sat at the edge of the bed. Guilt sank deep into his chest. He reached over and wiped her cheeks, his hands gentle now. "Anne, don't cry. It's my fault. I shouldn't have hurt you. Hit me if it'll help, alright?" He took her hand and lifted it toward himself. However, Anneliese pulled her hand back. "Don't touch me. Get out. I don't want to see you." Zacharias froze. He didn't want to leave. He wanted to hold her, to fix it. But she looked broken. And the worst part—she didn't even want to lash out at him. That quiet rejection hit harder than anything else. He let her go and slowly stood. "Okay. Get some sleep. I'll stay in the guest room tonight. I'll find the ring. Don't be upset." … As Zacharias stepped out, he bent over and picked up the pajama pants that had been torn from Anneliese the night before. He didn't leave them behind. He took them with him. He had always made his desire clear, but he wrapped it in tenderness, cloaking it as love. Anneliese used to think it was sweet. It made her feel wanted. Safe. Now it made her sick. She got out of bed, wiped her face dry, and stumbled into the bathroom. She grabbed her toothbrush and scrubbed until her gums stung and her mouth felt raw. The taste of toothpaste didn't help. Nothing did. When she finally came back to bed, she wrapped the blanket around her body like armor and lay there without moving. … By the time she got up the next morning, Zacharias was gone. Downstairs, Zoey greeted her with a warm smile and a bowl of black herbal tonic. "Good morning, madam. Here's your medicine. I just finished boiling it. Let it cool a little, then drink it after breakfast." Anneliese looked at the bowl. Usually, she forced it down with her nose pinched shut. But today, just smelling it made her stomach churn. The bitterness seemed to rise from her gut, filling her throat and tightening her chest. "Leave it there," she said. "Sir made breakfast himself today. He even left a note for you. He really cares about—""I need you to buy something for me," Anneliese interrupted, handing her some cash. She didn't want to hear another word. Just then, Jessica arrived. The food was already there. They might as well eat it. Throwing it away felt like admitting defeat. So, Anneliese pulled Jessica to the table and shared breakfast with her. Afterward, she poured the entire bowl of medicine down the sink and walked out. In the car, she slouched against the seat. Jessica glanced at her. "Rough night?" Anneliese had barely slept. Every creak in the floorboards made her flinch. She kept imagining Zacharias bursting through the door. Her thoughts had twisted into a heavy fog, filled with memories she couldn't shake off. She shook her head. She didn't want to talk. Jessica respected that. "Get some rest. I'll wake you when we get there." Anneliese leaned to one side, and within minutes, she was out. They spent the morning at the Sinoria Postal Services, handling the paperwork to change her address. Everything went smoothly. When they walked out, it was official. She was no longer a resident of the White estate. Her new address was the apartment her grandmother left her. Jessica wrapped an arm around her and grinned. "You're finally free. Let that pack of blind fools keep worshipping that fake b*tch. One day, they'll all choke on that rotten cherry." She grinned wider. "Come on. Time to celebrate. Big meal. My treat." They had just gotten into the car when Anneliese's phone buzzed. She opened the text from an unknown number—it was a photo. The image showed a dim car interior. A woman sat straddling a man's lap, her tight skirt pulled halfway up her thighs. His hand was shoved under the fabric. A dark stain bloomed across his pants. And on his ring finger was a familiar gold band. Then, another message came through—'He's amazing. Two fingers and I'm shaking.' Anneliese stared at the screen. Her stomach flipped. That hand—the one buried between someone else's legs—had made her breakfast this morning. She shoved open the car door, covered her mouth, and rushed toward a trash bin. Jessica chased after her, patting her back. "Annie? Are you okay?" Anneliese wiped her mouth and muttered, "Breakfast… Zacharias made it." Jessica paused. Her expression changed. Then, she clamped a hand over her mouth, bent over, and threw up beside her. … They didn't speak for ten minutes. Once they made it back inside the car, Jessica slammed the door and sat back, fuming. "Who is this trashy side chick? She thinks being the other woman is some kind of prize? Her mom must've given birth to her in parts and forgot to pop out the brain. How can someone be that proud of being cheap?" Anneliese stayed quiet. But she was calm now. Focused. She saved the photo and screenshot the message. "The ones you helped me take before? They're not enough in court, but this one is. I should be thanking her." She opened her messages and typed quickly. 'Wow. He's so good, he made you lose bladder control and brain function at the same time. I know it's you, Coral. Bluestar Cafe. One hour. If you don't show up, I'll send this to Zacharias myself.'

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The elevator doors slid open to the top floor of Clauderias Tech, and I stepped out, clutching the fertility report that proved I could finally have a child. My heels clicked against the polished marble as a young woman in a yellow dress blocked my path. 'You can't be up here without an appointment,' she said, chin lifted, eyes sharp with challenge. Jackie, the assistant, rushed over. 'Coral, this is Ms. Claude. Mr. Shaw's wife.'

I didn't respond. My gaze dropped to her hands—dusty blue nail polish, the same shade I'd seen on Zacharias' pinky last night. He'd said it was ink.

Now, she tucked her fingers behind her back, too late. I saw it—the dark hickey behind her ear. The same spot Zacharias always kissed me, whispering, 'Honey… when will you finally be ready?'

My body had been broken years ago. Doctors said pregnancy was nearly impossible. Zacharias claimed he was allergic to condoms. We’d never consummated our marriage. And yet, he’d already taken what I couldn’t give—to someone who looked just like the sister who tried to destroy me.

Jackie pulled Coral aside. 'Ms. Claude, Mr. Shaw is with Mr. White. You can go in.'

I walked forward, heart pounding. As I reached the office door, I heard Christopher’s voice: 'Having a lookalike is fine, but keeping her so close is just asking for trouble. What if Anneliese finds out?'

Then Zacharias: 'Don’t worry. Anne trusts me. She loves me. She’s obedient. She won’t leave.'

Each word carved into me. My fingers turned ice-cold on the doorknob. My breath came in shallow gasps. The man who saved me from drowning was the one who’d been suffocating me all along.

A beat of silence. Then—'Who's there?' Zacharias’ voice, cold and sharp.

I stepped back, vanishing into the hallway shadows just as the door flung open. He scanned the empty corridor, jaw tight. 'Jackie, who just passed through here?'

Jackie hesitated. 'The madam came by. She bumped into Coral. Looked upset. You didn’t see her?'

Zacharias’ eyes darkened. 'Check the security footage. Now.'

I stood frozen in the stairwell, the report trembling in my hand. They thought I was blind. They thought I was weak.

But I had just awakened.