Chapter 1 Chapter 1

That night, August returned home earlier than usual. He sat across from me and asked casually as he ate, “How was work today?”“It was alright.” I lowered my head, but my voice was a little choked up. He said nothing and did not even notice that I was feeling down today. I looked at him in silence for a few seconds before I decided to test the waters. “Honey, the heater broke down. Do you still have a bit of the money I gave you? Let’s get someone to fix it.” A painfully forced look of distress appeared on his face. He dug around in his pocket and said, “I’m sorry, dear. I used that money to pay off my debt. I don’t have anything left.” Liar! I shut my eyes, like they were too heavy to keep open. All I could picture was him slipping a generous tip to some waiter in a restaurant. I pursed my lips, held back my emotions, and said, “That’s okay. I’ll think of something.” He caressed my face and said gently, “By the way, Ivy has been feeling sick lately. The doctor asked her to eat more nutritious food.” Then, he took out a descaled, deboned fish, and the air was instantly filled with a fishy stench. “She’s been craving some fish soup lately. Could you make some for her?” Hope shone in his loving eyes. I suddenly remembered August telling me once that he hated the smell of seafood. He hated the smell of blood and fish. I clenched my fists, and my nails dug into my palms. He once said that he never ate meat or fish because the smell of blood made him want to puke. But he was holding up a fish for Ivy and had completely forgotten that I could not tolerate fishy smells because of my pregnancy. A strong fishy smell assaulted my nose, and my stomach churned. “What’s wrong, Casey?” I gagged, stood up, and ran to the bathroom. As I knelt in front of the toilet, tears streamed down my face. I loved August so much that I could give up everything for him. But it was at this moment that I finally understood how insignificant I was in this relationship. From behind me, August said in concern, “Are you alright, dear? Does your stomach hurt?” My back was turned to him as my tears fell. He stared at me and seemed very worried. “Are you okay?”“I’m fine,” I said coldly with a lowered head. As a show of consideration, he handed me some medicine for my stomach before leaving the bathroom. “Casey, make some soup for Ivy after you take the medicine. If you feel really sick, you can make it tomorrow.” My back was still turned toward him, and I did not answer. He did not care. He just put on his shoes and left. “I have a job interview later. If I’m back late, don’t stay up. Go to bed.” His footsteps faded away. I took out my phone and made an appointment for an abortion. Then, I booked a train ticket to a city far away so that I could begin a new life there. I no longer wanted to be in a relationship full of lies and deceit. I hoped that we would never meet again.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

The abortion was scheduled a week later. Over the past few days, I worked nonstop as a cab driver to earn some money. A man got into my cab. He reeked of alcohol. I instinctively covered my nose. Ever since I got pregnant, I had become really sensitive to strong smells. The man glared at me. “Are you implying that I stink? You’re just a cab driver. What’s so impressive about that? You dare look down on me?!” I did not respond and only reminded him to fasten his seatbelt. Halfway through, he suddenly got handsy. “Girl, you look good. Why are you driving a cab? “Why not be with me? I’ll give you a life full of luxury.” As I focused on driving, I avoided his touches. My expression darkened. “Sir, please show some respect.”“Respect? You’re just a cab driver! I’m already showing you plenty of respect by giving you some attention!” He dragged me back to my seat in disdain. “Do you really think you’re some rich lady? To think that you’re asking me not to touch you!” I gritted my teeth and said nothing. When he saw that I was no longer fighting back, he got even handsier. “Stop pretending to be all high-and-mighty. I’m going to sleep with you tonight, and you won’t be able to do anything about it.” He put his rough hands on my waist, and I slammed on the brakes as I trembled. Then, I shoved him away and ran out of the car. “What are you doing?! How dare you push me, you piece of trash?!” His face twisted in anger as he grabbed an iced cola beside him to throw at me. The cold liquid slid down my forehead, and goosebumps broke out all over my skin. Right then, I looked up and saw that August’s company was right across from me. The huge LED screen showed August celebrating Ivy’s birthday. He slid a necklace worth eight figures around her neck and doted on her, as if she was the center of his life. Ivy smiled like a princess as he gently wiped off the cake from the corner of her mouth. I glared at the screen so hard that my eyes stung, and I almost started crying again. The man sized me up in disdain. “Why are you staring at that? He’s a mafia boss! The woman beside him is his childhood friend. Stop dreaming about living that sort of life, you pleb!”“Happy birthday, Ivy!” On the screen, he wished Ivy a happy birthday. Suddenly, my attention was pulled elsewhere. I saw a familiar figure in front of a large floor-to-ceiling window. Just as the person wanted to walk over, someone else dragged him away. My heart leapt to my throat before I looked down and tried to convince myself that I was mistaken. For some reason, I suddenly remembered what August had said when we first got together. “I will always protect you, Casey.” In hindsight, everything seemed like a joke. Tears streamed down my face, and I ran away with a lowered head, feeling utterly pathetic. When I got back, I was drenched. It was so cold that I shivered. The moment I opened the door, I saw that August had decorated the place for a party. He looked surprised when he saw me. “Casey, why are you back so early?”“I…” Before I could say more, I sneezed. “Are you sick?” He reached out to check my temperature. I avoided him instinctively. “I’m fine.” I looked down and asked coldly, “What are you doing?”“It’s Ivy’s birthday today, and I’m throwing her a party.” His tone was gentle, and he looked very eager. I pursed my lips and said nothing. He did not seem to have noticed anything wrong and continued, “Casey, will you attend the party too?”“I’m feeling sick and want to rest.” Ivy walked out of a room right then. “Come on, Casey! It’ll only be fun if everyone joins in.” August and her friends stood behind her. They sized me up in disdain. I had never understood the way they looked at me before, but I finally did. They were all from rich families, while I was just an ordinary person. I was reaching far above my station by dating August. That was why they always looked down on me. “You’re joining the party while dressed like that?!”“That’s right. Remember your standing.” August gave me a look, then shot them a warning stare to shut them up. The next moment, he stepped in to calm things down. “Casey, why don’t you make a cake for Ivy? You’re always so good with your hands. I already bought the ingredients.”“August, I’m sick. I want to—” He interrupted me. “Do it for me, please?” His voice was gentle, but it was clear that he was not going to take no for an answer. I did not agree to it. When Ivy saw this, she pretended to smooth things over. “Forget it, August. Maybe Casey’s in a bad mood today. We shouldn’t make things difficult for her. “I know that Casey has never considered me her friend…” As she spoke, she started tearing up. I lowered my head and wanted to return to my room. Just then, I suddenly saw a few baby clothes in a corner. They were used as rags. I sewed the baby clothes by hand for my first baby, who died because of August. Even those clothes were not spared. I teared up. “What’s that?” August looked over and asked in puzzlement, “Just some rags. What’s wrong?”“Rags?!” I gritted my teeth, and my voice trembled. “How could you…? I made those clothes for the baby!” August picked up the baby clothes in panic and glared at the others. “Who did this?!” Ivy said pitifully, “August, Casey, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that those clothes were important. “I just couldn’t find anything suitable to be used as rags, so I used those. I didn’t think it’d make you so angry. “I’ll buy a few new ones to make it up to you. Please don’t be mad.” August glared at her and tried to comfort me. “It’s okay. Don’t be sad. Ivy didn’t know. I’ll buy a few new ones later. “Don’t worry. Our baby will have plenty of clothes to wear.” Ivy shot me a smug grin, tore off the clothes, and shrugged, as if she was challenging me! “You…” I glared at her and clenched my fists. I trembled in rage. The clothes were the only memento I had left of my first baby. She died before she could even see the world. For countless nights, I held the clothes close to remember her. But Ivy had trampled all over my only solace! When August saw me crying, he wiped my tears away to comfort me before telling Ivy to come over. “Calm down, dear. Ivy, come over here and apologize!” Ivy teared up immediately. “I’m sorry, Casey. I was wrong. If you’re still upset, you can slap me a few times.” James, Ivy’s friend, laughed. “Ivy already apologized. Here’s some money. It’s enough for you to buy some baby clothes. Why are you creating a scene for something so small? You’re so petty!” He took out a wad of cash from his wallet and threw it at me. “Is that enough? If it isn’t, I’ll give you more.” I trembled. With rage-filled eyes, I smacked the cash away. “Get out!” I glared at them and screamed, “Get the hell out of my house!” August was displeased. “Casey, why are you yelling at our guests? “Even if you were mistreated outside, you shouldn’t bring your anger back home!” I was stunned, and I felt a chill run down my spine. “How did you know I was mistreated?” He had seen me get molested. The person I had seen at the window was August. He had not even tried to help me. Instead, he was blaming me for losing my temper after everything I had been through. I was very disappointed and felt my world spin. In the next second, I collapsed. The last thing I saw was August’s anxious face before I lost consciousness. “Casey!”

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

In my unconscious state, I felt as if I was floating in a chaotic whirlpool. I heard August and Ivy arguing. “It’s all your fault!” August sounded angry. “If you hadn’t asked me to pretend to be a poor jerk and a gambler to test her love for me, Casey wouldn’t have worked as a cab driver, and she wouldn’t have gotten molested. She even fainted!”“How was I supposed to know she’d be that weak?” Ivy grumbled in displeasure. “Besides, if you had gone to help her when that man threw the iced cola on her, she would’ve found out that you were following her and observing her in secret. “August, I’m helping you test your love! I’m helping you pick a wife who won’t leave your side regardless of how much money you have!”“I went overboard. I saw that man was mistreating her, but I didn’t even help. I’m not a good boyfriend!” August sounded regretful. “You did nothing wrong. Think about it. Your previous girlfriends all dated you because of your money. They spent your money, cheated on you, and got themselves some sugar babies! “Have you forgotten your last girlfriend? When you two were about to get married, I told you to lie to her and say that you went bankrupt. She comforted you and said that she would stay by your side, but she took your last remaining money and ran away to another country without even saying goodbye!” August sat beside my bed and held my hand gently. “Even when I pretend to be poor and a good-for-nothing, Casey’s willing to stay by my side and have my baby. I think she really loves me. “I don’t want to test her anymore. I can tell that she really loves me! “I’m going to tell Casey about who I really am and give her lots of money to make it up for the years I lied to her!”“August, wait a little longer. I’m going to test her one last time. If she passes, you can tell her about your real identity.” I woke up and was unsure how much time had passed. Right when I opened my eyes, I saw August sitting at my bedside. He looked exhausted and worried. When he saw me wake up, he sighed in relief. “Casey, you’re finally awake.” I said nothing and just stared at him indifferently. He seemed to have noticed that something was off about me and said in a panic. “Casey, listen. About that day, I—”“There’s no need for that.” I interrupted him and said coldly, “August, let’s break up.” He was stunned and did not seem to register my words. Right then, Ivy walked in. “What are you saying, Casey? Why are you breaking up with August?” She had a fake smile plastered on her face, and she said mockingly, “Are you dumping August because he’s poor? You want to find someone richer?”“Stop running your mouth, Ivy!” August’s face turned red with rage as he glared at her. The next moment, he looked at me. “Casey, are you… really looking down on me because I’m poor?” I lowered my head and smiled bitterly. “If I say that’s not true, will you even believe me?” August looked conflicted. After all, he knew how hard I had worked for our relationship over the years, and how much I loved him. In the end, he smiled in relief and hugged me. “I’m sorry, Casey. I shouldn’t have doubted you. If you really wanted to break up just because of money, you wouldn’t have—” But Ivy interrupted him before he could finish. “Don’t fall for it, August! She’s putting on that pitiful act to get your sympathy! “Have you forgotten? One of your previous girlfriends did just that!” While she spoke, she looked at me challengingly as though she knew August would definitely believe her. I teared up and looked at August. ‘August, do you really think I’m someone who would put up such an act to deceive you?’ I thought. In the end, August’s eyes shone with anger and disappointment. “Casey, you shouldn’t have done that! I’m disappointed in you!” In the end, he chose to believe Ivy and stormed off. When he vanished from the room, I shut my eyes and let my tears fall freely. The next morning, a nurse told me to get ready for surgery. I searched for August’s name in my call log and decided to give him one last call. I wanted to ask him whether he was hiding anything from me. After all, we had been in love for years. If he was willing to tell me the truth, then I was willing to give him a chance. The phone rang for a long time before it finally connected, but it was Ivy who answered. “Oh, it’s you, Casey. What is it?” She sounded smug. “If you’re looking for August, he has no time for you right now. We’re busy drinking.” She did not bother hiding her scorn anymore. “August is the heir of the Smith Gang. If you know your place, I suggest you leave! “A pleb like you isn’t worthy of him!” I chuckled wryly. Indeed… I would never be able to become a part of their circle. “Alright.” I wiped away my tears and turned my phone off before walking into the operating room. The surgery would take three hours. After that, I would finally leave the city that broke my heart. I hoped I would never meet August ever again.