Chapter 1 Chapter 1

When my husband, Jaxon Wilde, brought his hundredth mistress home on our wedding anniversary, I calmly declared, "Let's get a divorce, Jaxon." … For a moment, there was silence before laughter erupted all around us, as if I'd just told the joke of the year. "Ha! Mr. Wilde, how many times has she said that now?""Must be the hundredth by now, right? Shall we throw a party to celebrate?" Jaxon's cold stare turned to scorn. He stepped closer and gripped my chin so hard that I thought my bones would crush. A scoff escaped his lips as he said, "Divorce? Still playing this same act after ten years, Scarlett? What right do you have to talk about divorce when you had your mom drug me and forced your way into my bed? "Without me footing your bill, your mom would be dead tomorrow!" Sure enough, he was talking about the same old accusation. Even after ten years, he clung to the belief that I'd orchestrated Mom to drug him and tear him from his first love, Aveline Rose. He took my silence for guilt and released my chin with a sneer. The woman beside him, Elowen Faye—who was also Aveline's lookalike—dutifully handed him a napkin. He ruthlessly wiped his fingers as if he'd touched filth and said, "Ellie's tired. She needs the best room and something nice to wear." "Sure. How about the guest room next to ours, the same as the last 99 stayed in?" I said. His brows furrowed with an expression I knew all too well. Whenever I strayed from the script where I was expected to break down, that familiar, disgusted look of "This woman's putting on an act again" would appear on his face. He gave a cold laugh and pulled Elowen into his arms. "Suit yourself. Just make sure Ellie likes it. She didn't pack anything decent, so bring her those new limited-edition dresses in your closet, and the blue diamond set in your jewelry box." He paused as his eyes flicked to the dress I was wearing, gleaming with malice. "Also, take this off now. Ellie likes it." All the jeering laughter in the room died abruptly at his words. As if taking my clothes and jewelry wasn't humiliating enough, now he wanted to strip this meaningful dress off my back, right in front of everyone. This was a trampling of my dignity into the mud beneath his feet! Elowen, playing her part, shyly bit her lip and faked an eager look. She brushed her fingers across the hem of my dress. "Alright," I said coolly before slipping my hand under the strap. With a sharp rip, the silk tore clean through. Gasps filled the room as I reached for the clasp on my back. "Enough!" he suddenly roared and grabbed my wrist. "Have you no shame? Go change now!" With that, he flung me aside and sent me crashing into the champagne tower. Cold champagne and broken glass cut into my skin, burning painfully. I shut my eyes, and when I opened them again, all that was left inside me was a hollow calm. "Fine," I said. Sure enough, I could hear the stifled chuckles ripple through the well-dressed guests. "Alas… She'd do anything for money, yet she has the guts to talk about divorce? That's some impressive courage!" "Mrs. Wilde? I think she can't even compare to a housekeeper!" "I heard her mom practically lives at the hospital and relies entirely on Mr. Wilde. No wonder she puts up with this…" Their whispers sliced at my ears like knives. They'd never know that, although this was the hundredth time I'd asked for a divorce, tonight was the first time I had enough savings to leave with Mom for good. … That night, muffled groans drifted from the master bedroom as I stood outside and listened. Jaxon had a rule that if his new mistresses needed guidance, I was the one who had to teach. That meant I'd taught the last 99 mistresses myself. Jaxon sounded pleased as he called out, "You're so soft, Ellie… Scarlett! Bring me that box from the closet!" I stood outside the door, feeling a chill run down my spine at hearing the words. Then, I pushed the door open and walked to the closet, all the while looking straight ahead. Elowen was dressed in my silk nightgown and casting me a taunting smile. Meanwhile, Jaxon lounged at the head of the bed with a cigarette between his fingers and a mocking look in his eyes. I opened the drawer, and there it was, exactly what he'd demanded. Feeling resigned, I reached for it. My fingers barely brushed against the edge when my phone, tucked in my pocket, started buzzing violently. The screen flashed with the jarring words "Pinecrest Hospital Emergency Call". A chill spread through my veins as I answered the call with trembling hands. An urgent voice blasted through the phone. "You need to come now, Ms. Emberlyn! Mrs. Emberlyn has gone into multiple organ failure, and three adrenaline injections didn't work!" "Mom!" My eyes widened sharply at the words. Forgetting all about dignity, I dropped to my knees and clutched Jaxon's sleeve. "Jaxon, p-please have the driver take me to Pinecrest Hospital! Please, i-it's my mom! T-The doctor said she's dying!" I begged incoherently as tears streamed down my face. Fear gripped me so hard that I was shaking uncontrollably. "Oh? Another final goodbye act?" He sneered and yanked his arm away. "You've got plenty of performances today, Scarlett. There was a divorce act this morning, and now it's a tragedy show. You'd even curse your dying mother to get my attention, huh?" "It's real! Just listen to the phone!" I grabbed the buzzing phone on the ground and scrambled to get up on my feet. "Please, Jaxon. Just give me the keys, and I'll go myself!" Startled by my desperation, Elowen shrank back into his arms. Jaxon wrapped an arm around her and patted her shoulder reassuringly. When he looked back at me, there was nothing but disgust in his eyes. "Enough. Done playing yet? Ruining my mood is what you're after tonight, isn't it? That's honestly pathetic." "Winston!" he shouted. When the butler, Winston Graves, rushed in, he instructed, "Lock her in the basement so she can calm down! Don't let her out unless I say so!"

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

The basement was damp and freezing. My whole body was trembling from fear as I pressed myself against the cold iron door. "Let me out! My mom's dying!" I pounded on the door with all my strength until my fists were raw and bloody. Slowly, I sank to the floor and cried my heart out. My phone had died and run out of battery in my pocket, and the doctor's words—"one last chance to say goodbye"—kept ringing in my head. I'd promised Mom that once I had enough saved, I'd let go of Jaxon and leave. I'd take her somewhere warm and quiet to heal. So, why did it have to be today? Why did Jaxon refuse to check if my words were true? In the darkness, memories crashed over me in waves. … Back in high school, I painted sunflower petals blue in the art studio. When my classmates laughed at me for being color-blind, only Jaxon, passing by, paused at my easel. "A sunflower that lives under moonlight? Do you like 'The Clockwork Dawn' too? There's a lonely beauty to it, just like the one painting it." He tapped on the blue paint and looked at me, smiling as the sunlight cast over his face. That flutter of the heart was the beginning of the ten-year nightmare. Next came the Wilde family's dinner party, where I woke up in his bed, covered in bruises. His hand closed around my throat as he snarled, "You and your mom are one disgusting pair! How dare you drug me?" It was only later that I learned the Wildes had slipped that glass of wine to Mom. They needed an obedient puppet for a daughter-in-law, and as the one who'd trailed after Jaxon since high school, I was the best candidate. I lay curled on the basement floor as memories flooded my mind. I started losing track of time. After what felt like an hour—or maybe the whole night—the basement door swung open with a click, and sunlight spilled in. Jaxon, standing bathed in the sunlight, snapped, "Had enough?" Elowen clung to his arm and giggled sweetly. "Don't be mad, Mr. Wilde. Some people just love playing the victim." He looked down at me and mockingly continued, "Everything's fine over at the hospital. Winston said he didn't get any wailing phone calls last night." My head snapped up. No calls meant the worst had happened. This time, I didn't shrink back and rush to patch things up or beg for his forgiveness just like before. Instead, I slowly lowered my hands from my eyes. As they adjusted to the light, I finally had a good look at him. Our eyes met. My dress was stained with dust and spilled champagne, no longer a trace of what was once my wedding gown. Streaks of tears had dried on my cheeks, and the look in my eyes was calm and empty like stagnant water. Jaxon frowned and annoyedly snapped, "What are you standing there for? Get over here!" I braced against the wall and forced my numb, aching legs to stand. Pins and needles stabbed my calves with every step. As I passed him, I didn't stop and murmured in a raspy voice, "Keys.""What game are you playing now?" He grabbed my arm. "Car keys," I said without looking back. "Give me the keys. I'm going to the hospital." Behind him, Elowen softly whispered, "She's still so stubborn, Mr. Wilde…""Let her." Jaxon snorted and let me go. "Follow her, Winston." Winston sped all the way to the hospital. Once we arrived, I stumbled out and staggered my way into the ICU. A nurse had tears welling up in her eyes when she saw me. "You're finally here, Ms. Emberlyn. She held on all night and kept calling your name, reaching for the door…" My teeth chattered, and my voice cracked as I forced out the words "Take me… to her". The morgue was cold and bathed in white light. As they lifted the sheet, Mom's pale face entered my sight. Just two days ago, we watched a video of a seaside cottage together. She laughed and said that once she got out of the hospital, she'd make my favorite soup. But now, her eyes were shut tight, and her lips were purple. Her brows were furrowed tightly, and it was clear she'd died worrying about me. "What time?" I asked in a trembling whisper. "4:23 am. We called again and again…" the nurse murmured. It was right when I was locked in that basement and sobbing myself hoarse. As I smoothed out the deep lines on Mom's forehead, I bent down and pressed a kiss to her cold forehead. "Wait for me just a little longer, Mom. We'll soon be free," I promised.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

When I got back to the villa, I could hear the sounds of pillow-talk upstairs. Elowen's giggles were mixed with Jaxon's low, ragged breaths, muffled grunts, and pleas. I went up and entered the bedroom to grab my passport and bank cards. Then, I changed into a new set of clean clothes. When I came down with a suitcase, I ran right into Jaxon and Elowen stepping out of the master bedroom. "Oh, Scarlett's back. Why is she leaving right after coming back?" Elowen asked, feigning surprise. Jaxon's eyes were fixed on my suitcase. "Where are you going?""Leaving," I said, heading straight for the door. He grabbed my arm hard. "Stop! Does your mom know you—""She's dead," I cut him off flatly. "She died last night while you locked me up." Elowen gave a shrill laugh. "Gosh! You'd even curse your mom just for a show!" Jaxon's gaze darkened at my words. "Scarlett, you—""Move!" I snapped and yanked my arm free. "Oh, don't be mad, Mr. Wilde," Elowen interrupted as she stepped right in front of me with a gloating grin. "Scarlett, even if your mom did die, it's for the best. She leeched off Mr. Wilde for so long and raised a daughter who drugs men and crawls into their beds, so good riddance!""Shut up! You have no right to speak of her!" I turned and gave her a sharp, cold glare. "And why not?" Elowen's voice rose as she jabbed her finger so close to my face. "Your mom was just a filthy old woman who pimped out her daughter, a pathetic creature who fakes tears and plays victim just to get money from men—" A slap rang out clean and sharp. While she clutched her face, Elowen's eyes bulged in shock. That shock soon settled and twisted into hate as she screamed, "How dare you hit me! You filthy whore!" I stepped back and swung my arm. She stumbled from the force and sprained her ankle, crashing into the cabinet beside her. There was an ugly tearing sound as her arm tore across the cabinet's sharp edge and instantly split her flesh. Blood splattered the wallpaper and carpet in a grotesque arc. "Help! It hurts! My arm!" she screamed and collapsed, clutching the wound. Jaxon immediately pulled her behind him and glared at me. "Feeling guilty now that your dirty secrets are out? Can't stand being exposed?" I stared him down and flatly replied, "I didn't push her." However, he ignored every word as rage swallowed his last shred of sense. He turned on Winston and the housekeepers who'd just rushed in and roared, "Burn everything in her room! If she wants to leave, fine! She doesn't get to take a single thing from this house!" I watched in silence as the flames swallowed the last photograph we ever took together. All I could feel was freedom and relief from having ten years of our youth burned to ash. "Now, apologize!" Jaxon snarled and gripped my chin, only to freeze when he saw my eyes. I slapped his hand away hard and turned to walk toward the door. Behind me, he roared, "Scarlett! Walk out that door and don't come back!" I clenched the flight ticket in my fist and didn't look back. … Three days later, Jaxon returned from the hospital with Elowen, whose arm was wrapped in layers of plaster cast. The moment he stepped through the door, something felt off. Usually, even if he came home late, the kitchen light would instantly flick on, and warm coffee would be readily served to sober him up. But now, there was an eerie silence. A few housekeepers peeked out from corners and quickly shrank back. Elowen purred and leaned close. "Mr. Wilde, sit down, will you? You must be so tired. Let me—""Winston!" Jaxon annoyedly snapped, cutting her off. "Where's Scarlett? Tell her to get down here!" Winston rushed over and calmly reported. "Mrs. Wilde isn't home, Mr. Wilde.""Not here? Did she really run away? Call her and tell her to crawl back here now!" Jaxon frowned. "We couldn't reach her. She left her phone on her desk when she left two days back," Winston said as his voice dipped lower with every word. Then, he paused and added, "There's also a set of signed divorce papers." A cold glint flashed in Jaxon's eyes. He stormed upstairs and kicked the bedroom door open. It was empty, and only the desk remained. The divorce papers were beside the old phone with my name, "Scarlett Emberlyn", signed at the bottom. "Ha! So she thinks she's grown a backbone?" His cold laugh came out strangled, while his rage flared hotter by the second. He furiously kicked the desk drawer, and the locked compartment flew open with a crack, revealing an old diary inside. He grabbed it on reflex and was ready to hurl it into the trash can, but the words on the cover made him pause. He started flipping through the entries. "May 20th, 2010—Sunny. It's funny. As the perfect student, he hates fights. But when they picked on me, he'd always throw a punch. I asked him why, and he said it's just because he liked my blue sunflowers. When I gave him the painting, he simply smiled when the paint smudged his sleeves.""March 12th, 2015—Overcast. We're together! He says it's just to deal with blind dates from his family, but I'm still so happy.""March 15th—Light rain. He's still cold three days after the wedding. I understand that he can't let Aveline go, but I believe my efforts and genuine concern will eventually melt him.""September 3rd, 2020—Stormy. His stomach hurt again tonight. He wouldn't let the housekeepers in, so I left a bowl of warm soup outside the study. Though he called me a pathetic bitch, he did drink a little of the soup.""September 10th, 2021. This is the third 'Aveline' he's brought home and had me teach how to please him. After he did, he said I was smart.""December 25th, 2022—Snow. He got drunk on Christmas and held me as he called out Aveline's name. I pretended not to hear and made him some hangover soup. When he threw up all over me, I had to clean until dawn. "Mom coughed blood again, and there was another hospital bill… How much longer can I keep this up, Jaxon? "October 8th, 2025—Cloudy. This marks the tenth year, and Mom's getting worse. The doctor says it won't be long now. "He brought back another 'Aveline' who looks more like her than any of the others. "Just hang in there a little longer. The savings are almost enough, and everything's going to be okay once I take Mom out of here." The last page was dated three days ago. "October 10th, 2025. Let's not meet again.""No way!" Jaxon yelled. Jaxon felt his heart clench. For the first time, panic overwhelmed him as he slammed the diary shut and shouted, "Get the car! We're going to Pinecrest Hospital! I'm sure she wouldn't dare abandon her mom!" Winston stepped in with a notice from the hospital and announced in a trembling voice, "M-Ms. Emberlyn's mom is dead!" Jaxon was stunned. "What?"