Chapter 1

On the 99th floor of the most luxurious apartment building in the capital city, my husband's sister was once again threatening to jump down the building for the 63rd time.

Dana realized she was getting tired all of a sudden.

She was even thinking of jumping down herself.

The police on the other side of the call couldn't say anything else except, "Mrs. Hill, how many times is this already…? Just deal with it yourself and let her do whatever she wants."

Chapter 1

For the past two years, Dana Sanchez had given in every time.

At first, Kelly Hill had made Dana wash her clothes by hand. Later, she had forced Dana to slap herself. She had even made her kneel at the entrance of the neighborhood for a full day and night. Each demand was more unreasonable and vicious than the last.

"This is all your fault, you witch! If you hadn't latched onto my brother, would I be depressed?!" Kelly shouted as she stood at the rooftop edge. "Hurry up! Burn every photo you have with my brother in front of me!"

"Not moving, are you?" Kelly suddenly put one foot over the edge. "Then I'll jump! Let's see just how you're going to explain everything to my brother!"

Dana closed her eyes in defeat as she said. "Don't move. I'll go get them."

She ran home and grabbed every photo she had with Gary upstairs, along with their marriage certificate. Under Kelly's gaze, she burned it all to ash in a metal bucket. Only then did Kelly leave, laughing in satisfaction.

Dana crouched on the ground with tears rolling down her face in silence as she stared at the remaining corner of her wedding photo. She pulled out her phone and texted Gary. "Honey, you should get Kelly to see a therapist. Today, she..."

The message showed as read, but no reply ever came.

Dana stared at the screen for a long time. In the end, she got up and went to the Clerk's Office to get her marriage certificate reissued.

There were only a few people in the lobby.

Dana opened the digital copy of her certificate for the clerk. After checking the system, the clerk frowned. "Um… Ms. Sanchez? Your status shows that you're already divorced."

"What?" Dana's mind went blank, her voice shaking. "I never filed for divorce..."

The clerk turned the monitor toward her. "The system shows that the paperwork was submitted and just completed a few days ago."

Dana gripped her phone so hard her fingers went numb, her hand trembling uncontrollably.

She suddenly remembered a month earlier, when Gary had handed her a document to sign, saying it was an insurance policy. Kelly had been smashing things in the next room, shrieking for Dana to come over. Dana had signed it without even giving it another look.

The line behind her started to grumble.

"If you can't do it, move. Stop wasting everybody's time!"

"What a moron. She got dumped and didn't even know. Serves her right..."

Dana did not know how she made it out of the building.

The July sun simmered the asphalt until it seemed to heat up, but she felt chilled down to the bone. She could even feel her teeth chattering.

She took a cab straight to the headquarters of Hill Holdings.

The door to the CEO's office was half open, and laughter drifted out. Dana stopped and instinctively held her breath. Through the opening, she saw Kelly, who supposedly had refused to leave home for two years because of depression, now sitting on a couch with a bright smile.

Sandy Miller sat close beside Gary, leaning in as she cut a piece of sirloin and put it into his bowl.

"Gary, did Dana come to complain again? That's all she can do, crying here, there, and everywhere," Kelly said in a smug tone. "Don't go soft and take her side, now!"

Sandy gently said, "Kelly… Dana has taken care of you for the past two years. It hasn't been easy for her."

"She deserved it!" Kelly snapped, her voice rising. "If she hadn't been haunting my brother like a ghost and stopped him from picking me up at school, would I have been kidnapped and abused by our enemies?!"

Dana's nails dug deep into her palm.

Gary frowned, and a complicated expression appeared on his face, but he still said nothing. In other words, he acknowledged it in silence.

"Gary," Kelly's tone shifted. "When are you going to tell her about the divorce and kick her out of our home?"

Gary's voice turned low. "Kelly, she has nowhere to go. Not to mention..."

Kelly cut him off in a shrill tone, "Don't tell me you're still hung up on her?! Look at Sandy! She's gorgeous and capable. She beats Dana by a mile!"

"Kelly," Gary's voice stayed quiet but firm. "Don't alert her yet. I have other plans."

Kelly gave a cold laugh, malice in her eyes. "Good. If she stays, I've got plenty of ways to mess with her. I haven't even used my best ideas yet."

"Don't go too far," Gary said softly, sounding more like he was pampering her than anything else.

Dana stumbled back, tears pouring down her face. So, not only was she divorced, but she was also the last one to know.

She walked out of the building and watched the cars zooming on the road in front of her, a faint smile on her lips.

She had watched this farce for two years. It was time to end it.

If she was always meant to be an outsider, then she would leave on her own.

Two years ago, she had cut off her family completely for Gary. She had even sworn she would rather die than accept the marriage her grandfather had arranged for her when she was little.

Now that the divorce was already done...

Fine.

She would go back and marry the man she should have married long ago.

Chapter 2

That night, Gary and Kelly came back home and switched on the light in the living room. They almost jumped when they saw someone sitting on the couch.

Kelly recovered first. "What's wrong with you, Dana?! Sitting here at night like some ghost, trying to scare us like that?!"

Dana looked at her and said, "I thought you were too afraid to go outside and socialize?"

There was a flicker in Kelly's eyes. "Where I go is none of your business!"

She then stormed upstairs without looking back.

Gary walked over, stiff and unnatural. "I took Kelly to see a therapist."

"You should. She went up to the roof again today, and she said she wants Sandy to be her sister-in-law," Dana said.

Gary frowned, impatient. "She's not well after what she went through. Just put up with it a little longer."

"Put up with it?" Dana got up to her feet. "How much more am I supposed to put up with? She orders me around, forces me to slap myself, makes me kneel and apologize to her, I..."

Gary's expression darkened as he cut her off with a sharp voice. "Enough! Who do you think made her like this?!"

Dana's nails dug into her palm.

-

Two years ago, they had just parked outside a restaurant when Kelly had messaged Gary and told him to pick her up from school.

Dana's fingers had been interlocked with his, and she leaned in and kissed his neck, her voice soft as she pleaded, "It's my birthday today. Can you stay with me... Until we are done?"

Gary hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."

Before they could even get out of the car, Kelly called again.

"I'll explain it to her," Gary said, reaching for his phone.

Dana suddenly snatched it and shut it off, furious. "She always has some reason to drag you away. She's already an adult. You don't need to watch her every second. She will always be more important than me in your heart, right?"

Gary looked at her and finally sighed. "Our parents died early. It's just the two of us now. Maybe… I'm too anxious when it comes to her."

They were halfway through dinner when the driver rushed in. "Sir! Ms. Hill has been kidnapped!"

Gary did not find Kelly until the next day in an abandoned warehouse.

She had been tortured all night by their family's enemy, covered in bruises and cuts, with her eyes unfocused.

-

"Yes, it's my fault she turned out like this..." Dana's voice was hoarse. "But for the past two years, I have worked myself to the bone taking care of her. She has already crushed my pride. Am I supposed to be tortured by her for the rest of my life?"

Gary fell quiet suddenly and wouldn't look at her. Then, his voice became unnaturally stiff as he said, "The therapist said Kelly needs some emotional support right now, so Sandy will be moving in tomorrow."

"What?" Dana stared at him in disbelief.

"When Kelly feels better, I'll have her move out," Gary said quickly.

Dana looked at him. "Gary, I went to the registry office today."

Gary froze, and his fingers tightened without thinking.

"They told me we are already divorced," Dana said with a smile, but tears rolled from the corners of her eyes. "You already had it planned. You were just waiting for me to make room for Sandy."

Gary rushed forward and grabbed her wrist, his tone nervous, "It's not what you think! Kelly threatened to kill herself. I had no choice. Don't worry, Dana. When she's more stable, we'll remarry. I will never let you suffer again, alright?"

"Threatened to kill herself?" Dana yanked her arm free, her voice rising. "How many times has she used that on us? She used that every time, and you always believed her!"

Gary snapped too, veins popping out at his temple. "She's my sister! The only family I have in this world! I can't gamble with her life! I cannot afford to!

"Dana, why are you always pushing me?! Don't you know how hard it is for me to get stuck between the two of you?! Can't you just be understanding for once?"

Dana looked into Gary's eyes and almost laughed. Had she not been understanding enough?

The first time she had met Kelly, Kelly had shoved her into the pool right in front of Gary. He had said, "Kelly is just a spoiled kid. Go easy on her."

On their wedding day, not only had Kelly not shown up, but she had even locked all the villa's doors. Dana had stood outside in her wedding dress, freezing for half an hour. In the end, they had to spend their wedding night in a hotel.

Gary had said then, "I'm sorry you were done dirty like this. Give it time. Kelly will accept you."

After Kelly was kidnapped, she took it out on Dana every day. If she could not see Dana, she would throw a fit.

Gary begged Dana with red eyes, "Help me. It won't be for long..."

Every time, Dana endured it.

But now, she did not want to anymore. "I'm tired, Gary."

Gary immediately pulled her into his arms. "Dana, I love you."

He tightened his hold, his voice almost pleading. "Do it for me. Just for a little longer, alright?"

Dana went stiff in his embrace, as if she had agreed.

They were already divorced anyway.

It did not matter.

Chapter 3

In the end, Gary let go of Dana and said awkwardly, "Get some rest. There is still work to do at the office, so I'm going back for some overtime."

After that, he left, almost as though something was chasing after him.

Dana watched him disappear out of the doorway, and her tears surged.

Back then, whenever she worked late, he would show up with something hot to pick her up. He remembered everything she liked. When she got sick, he stayed by her bedside all night…

Those real kindnesses once made her believe she would have a lifetime of happiness.

But seven years of love had ultimately come to an end.

Dana wiped her tears, pulled out her phone, made an appointment to reissue the divorce certificate, and bought a plane ticket that was scheduled to leave in three days.

-

Early the next morning, noises from downstairs woke her.

She went down and saw Sandy standing in the living room, several suitcases piled up beside her.

Kelly snaked her arm around Sandy's and said sweetly, "Sandy, you've finally made it!"

Sandy smiled and patted her hand, then turned to Gary as she said softly, "Gary, my mom is worried that I can't settle in, so she packed a lot of things for me. I'm sorry for this."

Gary replied easily, "We grew up together. Your mom has looked out for Kelly and me for years. You don't need to be courteous with me."

When Kelly noticed Dana, the smile on her face turned cold at once, her tone dripping with bitterness. "Why are you standing there with that nasty face? Sandy is living here to keep me company from now on!"

Sandy stepped forward, gentle and warm. "The psychologist said Kelly can't handle stress, so I came to stay with her so she can be happier."

Dana said nothing and just looked at them quietly.

Gary spoke in a low tone, "Dana already agreed to it."

"This is my house. Who cares if she agrees or not?" Kelly said with a sneer. "If she doesn't like it, she can move out."

Then she turned back to Sandy, her voice sweet again. "Let's go. I'll take you upstairs, and we can pick the best room."

Not long after, heavy thuds started coming from upstairs. Dana went up and found a disaster outside her bedroom. Her clothes and bags had been tossed onto the floor along with the bedside lamp, decorative paintings, and more.

Everything she and Gary had carefully chosen together had been dumped out like trash.

Kelly stood in the middle of the bedroom with her hands on her hips, directing the house staff as they moved things around.

Sandy lingered by the doorway and slowly said, "If I share a room with Kelly, I might disturb her rest. But if I stay too far away, I can't take care of her in time. This room is the closest to hers, so..."

Gary walked over, glanced at Dana, and was about to say something.

However, Dana cut in first with a calm voice, "It's fine. You can stay in whichever room you want."

She crouched down and started gathering her things.

"Dana," Gary looked down at her, guilt in his voice, "You'll have to stay in the guest room for now. After a while, we can redecorate the room..."

"You already let her move in. Where I sleep makes no difference," Dana said.

Gary fell silent, his gaze landing on a rabbit plush on the floor.

It was the prize they had won on their first date at an amusement park. He bent down to pick it up, his voice tense. "This was from our first trip to Dreamland, and we stood in line for half an hour just to win it. You don't want it anymore?"

Dana paused for a moment and eventually said, "Just throw it out. It's too old, anyway."

"Dana..." Gary held the plush and hurried after her. "What's going on with you? You weren't like this before..."

"It's nothing," Dana answered Gary, her voice carrying a faint, bitter tone. "I'm just making room for you two for Kelly's illness. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Gary opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Chapter 4

Dana was in the guest room putting away clothes when Kelly's voice rang out, sharp and impatient. "Dana, where are you? Get down here and make dinner!"

Dana went downstairs. Gary, Kelly, and Sandy were all sitting on the living room couch.

The moment Dana appeared, Kelly glared at her. "Why are you so slow? Just how lazy are you? Can't you see we're all hungry? Go make dinner!"

Dana's gaze swept over Sandy. "Ms. Miller is here now. Let her do it. You'll definitely like her cooking more, anyway."

Kelly snapped back at her, "Sandy's precious hands are for playing piano. How could you expect her to do chores?"

She then turned to Gary, acting all hurt. "Gary, look at her! She eats our food, lives in our house, and now, she won't even cook us a meal! Does she have any conscience at all?!"

Sandy put on a troubled expression, her voice still gentle. "Kelly, don't be upset. I have never cooked before, but I'm willing to try for you. I'm just afraid it won't taste good."

Gary's tone softened. "Sandy, just sit."

He then stood up and turned to Dana. "Dana, you go. Sandy has never done this before. She shouldn't be in the kitchen."

Dana's chest felt like it was being crushed by something, and she could feel the pain. She remembered when they were dating, Gary would hold her hands and look at her with tenderness. "Your hands are meant for painting. I'll never let you work hard."

But now?

It was as if Dana had been born to do chores, while it was suffering for Sandy to just step into the kitchen.

Gary seemed to realize his words were unfair, so he softened his tone. "If you're tired, have Mrs. Johnson help you."

Dana said nothing as she turned and walked into the kitchen. She said to Mrs. Johnson, "Please handle dinner today."

Then, she leaned against the kitchen door, making no move to do anything herself.

The next day at breakfast, Kelly suddenly set down her fork, her eyes glittering. "Gary, I never got to go to your wedding. What a shame... Why don't you have another wedding? Between you and Sandy? I want to be the bridesmaid."

Gary froze, his fork suspended in midair as he shot a quick look toward Dana. Then, he frowned at Kelly. "Kelly, stop it."

"I'm not joking." Kelly's lips quivered and her eyes reddened. "What if my depression acts up one day and I'm suddenly gone? I would regret never seeing my own brother's wedding! I would not be able to die in peace..."

Sandy reached out and gently patted Kelly's hand, sounding conflicted. "Kelly, don't say that. You'll get better. And... Dana... that would not be appropriate."

Kelly immediately turned on Dana. "Dana, you won't mind, right? I missed my brother's wedding before, and now, I want to watch him marry Sandy. You won't interfere and leave me with regrets for life, would you?"

Dana slowly set her fork and knife down, her tone calm. "It's fine. If you want to have a wedding, go ahead."

All three of them stared at her, stunned.

Gary's voice shot up, full of disbelief. "What did you say?!"

Chapter 5

Kelly froze for two seconds before clapping excitedly at the dinner table. "You said it yourself, Dana! Don't regret it later and go crying to my brother again!"

Dana stood up and calmly said that she wouldn't before walking toward the stairs. She had barely stepped onto the second floor when someone yanked her wrist hard. "Dana, do you even know what you're saying?"

"Wasn't it Kelly who brought it up?" Dana looked at Gary, who was visibly tense. "If you want to do it, then do it."

"That was only for Kelly's benefit." Gary hurried to explain. "It's just for show. If I refuse, she'll make a scene again, and I..."

"It's fine." Dana nodded lightly without rebuking him. "I have no objections."

Looking at her calmness only made Gary more uneasy, and he still did not let Dana go. After a few seconds, he softened his tone and made another promise. "Just give us a little more time, okay? When Kelly's doing better, I'll go with you to resubmit our marriage paperwork, alright?"

Dana smiled. "Alright."

Only then did Gary heave a sigh of relief as he subconsciously squeezed her hand. Dana quietly pulled her hand free and headed to the guest room.

Gary lowered his hand as a sense of unease crept over his heart, but he forced it down.

After breakfast, Gary left for work.

Near noon, Dana came out to get a glass of water.

Kelly was curled up on the sofa, scrolling through her phone with Sandy beside her. Without even looking up, Kelly said, "Dana, make me an iced Americano. Cut up some watermelon too."

In the past, Dana would have done it without a word.

Today, Dana did not answer.

Kelly's face darkened. "Are you deaf? I'm talking to you!"

Sandy quickly stepped in. "Kelly, don't get mad. I'll do it."

She went into the kitchen and made a cup of instant coffee.

Dana remembered how she had ground coffee beans and brewed it fresh for two years only to be scolded for not trying hard enough. But now, Kelly accepted that cup of instant coffee with a bright smile. "Sandy is the one who really gets me."

Dana turned around, wanting to head back upstairs

Kelly stopped her again. "I'm going for a walk in the garden. Bring my parasol. And wipe my white sneakers from yesterday clean."

"You like Ms. Miller," Dana said with an even voice. "Let her do it."

Kelly was about to explode but Sandy grabbed her arm. "I'll get the umbrella. Don't let this ruin your mood."

Kelly shot Dana a hard glare. "You're coming with us too. Stop hiding in your room and slacking off."

Dana wanted to refuse, but Kelly's expression made it clear that refusing meant another outburst. She had no choice but to nod.

The three of them went out with Sandy holding the umbrella over Kelly, and Dana followed behind. When they reached the arched bridge in the garden, Sandy suddenly slipped and pitched toward Kelly.

Dana lunged on instinct, grabbing Kelly's arm and pulling her toward the safer side.

Kelly whipped around and shoved Dana hard. "Watch where you're going! Are you trying to drag me down with you?"

Dana lost her footing completely and toppled over the railing, splashing into the river. She could not swim, and she flailed her hand around in panic as she choked on mouthfuls of water.

She fought to keep her head above the surface and saw Kelly and Sandy standing at the edge of the bridge, making no move to help.

As her vision blurred, she saw them smile as they turned around and slowly walked away. She swore they were skipping with excitement…

Chapter 6

When Dana woke up in the hospital, she found Gary sitting by her bed.

There was a hint of worry in his eyes, but it was quickly swallowed by anger as he frowned deeply. "You're finally awake! Do you know you almost died? If Sandy hadn't called the ambulance in time, you would be gone..."

Dana opened her mouth, and her voice was painfully hoarse. "It was Kelly. She pushed me in."

"You're still trying to pin it on her?" Gary's face darkened at once.

"She really pushed me..." Dana tried to sit up, wanting to tell the truth.

"Shut up!" Gary leaned forward, the fury in his eyes almost spilling over.

"They already told me everything. You tried to hurt Kelly, and Sandy stopped you. In the end, it was Sandy who called for help, and that is the only reason you were saved."

"You can check the cameras..."

"Check the cameras?" Gary cut her off, his tone full of disappointment and anger. "I watched Kelly growing up. Do you think I don't know what she's like? Sandy is gentle and kind! You're the one who has always held a grudge against Kelly, and now you actually tried to hurt her! Dana, when did you become so petty and cruel?"

Every word he hurled at her was like a cold blade driving deep into her heart.

She stared at the man who had once promised to protect her for a lifetime. Now, he was using the harshest words to condemn her, refusing to listen to a single explanation and unwilling to offer even the smallest bit of trust.

Dana closed her eyes and pressed the call button by the bed. "I want to call the police."

"Are you out of your mind?! Do you need the police over something like this?" Before the nurse could come in, Gary stepped out first and said, "She just woke up. Her emotions are unstable, and she hit the button by mistake."

When he came back into the ward, his face was cold. "If you don't want to rest here, then we'll go home."

He did not give her a choice and forced Dana to go back to the villa.

The villa was very quiet that night.

As soon as Kelly saw Dana, she hid behind Sandy, her voice shaking. "Gary! She tried to hurt me! She wanted to push me into the river!"

Gary soothed her gently. "It's alright. I'll keep an eye on her, and I won't let her get near you again."

He reached for Dana, intending to take her upstairs to the guest room, but Kelly clung to his sleeve and would not let go. "No! She'll sneak out in the middle of the night and hurt me!"

Sandy stood to the side, looking troubled.

"Gary, Kelly is already emotionally unstable. If she gets frightened again..."

Gary was silent for a moment, then said, "Lock her in the basement."

"You have no right to lock me up!" Dana screamed as she was dragged down into the damp, cold basement.

In the darkness, she leaned against the wall for a long time as she calmed herself down. Then, she suddenly remembered the house staff mentioning that the outdoor well's pipe was connected to the basement.

Feeling her way along the wall in the dark, Dana finally found the pipe and climbed up through it.

She went back to her room and used her spare phone to dial 911, her hands shaking.

The police arrived soon.

Gary looked helpless. "Officers, I'm really sorry. My wife hasn't been feeling well mentally. That's why she made the call."

Dana grabbed one officer's arm in a panic. "I'm not sick! He locked me in the basement..."

She was cut off by Gary before she could finish. His tone was full of concern. "Something happened at home recently, and she keeps imagining that I wanted to hurt her. I was just about to take her to a psychiatrist."

When the police saw that it was a family dispute and Gary sounded sincere, they had no choice but to advise them to communicate properly before leaving, as they had no evidence either.

The moment they were gone, Gary's anger exploded. "Dana, are you done causing more problems now?!"

Kelly cried out, her eyes red, "Gary! She'll definitely sneak out and hurt me! She even called the police! Who knows what else she will do?!"

Sandy sounded worried as she said, "Gary, she knows this villa too well. As long as she still has any strength left, she'll get out sooner or later. When that happens, Kelly is..."

"I did not!" Dana cut them off, her voice shaking but stubborn. "I never wanted to hurt Kelly! The two of them are in this together! They are framing me on purpose!"

Gary looked at how unapologetic Dana was and shouted at the house staff, "Drag her back to the basement!"

There was already a wooden barrel about half as tall as a person prepared in the basement, and it was packed full of water and ice. The freezing water rose to Dana's chest in an instant as she was thrown inside, the cold making her whole body shiver.

There was a hint of hesitation in Gary's mind, and he was just about to say something when Sandy stepped to his side. "Gary, Kelly just had a nightmare. She was crying that Dana was going to hurt her..."

Gary swallowed hard and said coldly to the staff, "Begin!"

"Say it! Did you try to push Ms. Miller into the river?!"

Dana shook from head to toe, but she still shook her head. The house staff grabbed her by the back of her neck and pushed her in. The freezing water immediately flooded over her mouth and nose as panic crushed her chest. She thrashed blindly until her vision went dark and her consciousness was starting to fade, and only then did they haul her up.

Dana coughed wildly as she collapsed against the rim of the barrel, gasping for air with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Gary's nails dug deep into his palm, and he could not stop himself from saying, "That's enough..."

"Gary..." Sandy's voice was tight with anxious concern. "If Kelly isn't satisfied with this, her depression will only get worse. What if she does something stupid later?"

Gary closed his eyes and turned away, refusing to look at Dana again.

With his silent consent, the house staff grabbed her and forced her under the water once more.

Her hair clung to her pale face. Her limbs were so weak she could barely struggle, and she could only shiver.

"Will you admit it?"

The house staff's voice kept echoing beside her ear, testing her endurance again and again.

After several rounds, Dana finally broke, and she used the last of her strength to shout,

"I admit it..."

Only then did Gary turn around, his eyes red. "If you had admitted it earlier, you wouldn't have had to suffer."

He stepped forward and reached out, wanting to lift her out of the barrel.

Dana flinched away like a frightened cat, jerking out of his reach.

Gary's hand froze in midair. His face then hardened and turned cold. "Get her out of there. Lock her up down here for the night so she remembers tonight."

Then, he turned and walked away.

He never saw the look Sandy gave the house staff.

Chapter 7

Early the next morning, when the house staff escorted Dana out of the basement, her arms and legs were so weak that she was practically limping. Her skin had been soaked in cold water for so long that the slightest touch made her whole body tremble with pain.

After they got her back to the guest room, she swallowed the fever medicine the servant handed her and sank into a groggy sleep almost immediately.

Only when a hand gently shook her shoulder did she wake up, startled, and she saw Gary standing by the bed. His gaze fell on her bare forearm, where the skin was still wrinkled from being soaked too long. He frowned tightly, and his voice held a hint of confusion. "You were in the water for less than ten minutes yesterday, so how did you end up like this?"

Dana pulled her arm back under the blanket and turned her eyes away. Gary reached out wanting to feel her forehead.

However, Sandy's voice came from outside the doorway. "Gary, the dresses for tomorrow just arrived. Shall we go downstairs together and pick one?"

Gary's hand stopped in midair as he hurried to explain to Dana, his tone meant to soothe her. "The wedding for Sandy and me tomorrow is just for show. We're just doing this for Kelly."

Before he could finish, Sandy opened the door and entered. "Dana, you have been married before. Why don't you come downstairs and give some advice?"

Gary frowned and glanced at Dana's pale face. "She doesn't look well. Forget it."

"That's exactly why she should come down and get some fresh air," Sandy said as she hooked her arm through his, her voice soft. "I'm a little nervous, and I want to get some tips from Dana. If something goes wrong tomorrow, Kelly will worry again, right?"

Gary hesitated before saying, "Then… You should go take a look. Just sit for a moment."

Dana remained silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

When she reached the living room, most of the dresses had already been tried on. Sandy was standing there trying on some necklaces.

She tried several, but she didn't like any of the ones that she tried.

Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, and her tone became sweet. "Right, Dana, I remember when you and Gary got married, you wore a pearl necklace. It looked beautiful. Why don't you bring it down and let me try it?"

"No." Dana snapped her head up, her eyes full of wariness.

Sandy turned to Gary with a gentle smile. "Gary, I just want to try it."

Gary said quietly, "Let her try it. It's only a necklace."

"Gary, you know exactly what that necklace means to me." Dana's body trembled from how upset she was.

Even so, he still told the house staff, "Go get the pearl necklace."

"Gary!" Dana tried to stop the house staff, but the fever had left her with no strength. "You can't do this!"

Gary's voice carried a hint of impatience. "Enough with the drama. It's just a necklace. I'll buy you a better one."

The house staff soon came back with it. Sandy put it on and smiled at herself in the mirror. "It looks amazing. It has more class than anything they have in the shops."

Dana did not say anything. She simply stared at the necklace without blinking.

Seeing that, Sandy let out a little sigh that sounded almost regretful. "I know it matters to you. I won't take what belongs to you."

She took the necklace off and reached out as if to hand it back, but before Dana could touch it, the necklace slipped from Sandy's fingers. It hit the floor with a sharp crack, and the pearls scattered everywhere.

Dana rushed over like a person gone mad and grabbed Sandy's arm. "You did that on purpose!"

Sandy let herself fall, tears spilling at once. "You were the one who didn't catch it! How can you blame me?"

Gary hurried over and helped Sandy up. "Enough! She was handing it to you. You're the one who dropped it."

Dana stared at him with red eyes, and in a hoarse voice, she said, "That's the only thing my parents left me!"

Gary froze for a moment, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. Sandy suddenly slipped into his arms, crying, "Gary, my foot hurts so much…!"

Gary immediately picked her up, his tone cold. "Stop making a scene! I know you just don't want us to have this wedding, but nothing will change tomorrow."

He then carried Sandy away.

Dana crouched on the floor, crying as she picked up the scattered pearls one by one. She finally understood that love was like a broken necklace.

It could never be put back together once broken.

Chapter 8

Only when the living room lights came on did Dana finish gathering every pearl.

She held on to the couch and pushed herself up, then dragged herself up the stairs. Just as she reached the end of the stairs, faint sounds drifted from the master bedroom.

A woman's soft moans, tangled with a man's rough panting, struck right into Dana's heart. All the blood in her body seemed to freeze as her fingertips turned cold, and she leaned against the wall.

"Gary, be gentle..."

"Keep your voice down."

"We're getting married tomorrow, anyway. What's there to be afraid of?"

In the sharp rhythm of bodies clashing against the bed, Sandy asked in a hoarse voice, "When are we going to the Clerk's Office to get our marriage certificate?"

"In a few days."

The pain in Dana's chest and stomach was twisting and turning, making her almost want to puke.

He had said the wedding was just for show, yet he had already slept with Sandy.

He had promised she would be the only woman in his life, but that promise had become a lie.

Dana clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, and she walked back to the guest room one slow step at a time.

The moment she closed the door, her tears were finally free to roll down.

But the sounds from the master bedroom felt like a demon's murmur. They seeped through the door and went on all night, keeping her staring at the ceiling until morning.

-

Early next morning, noises came from downstairs.

Dana stepped out of her room and saw Gary in a groom's suit, carefully helping Sandy in a white dress down the stairs.

Kelly, dressed in pink as the bridesmaid, bounced around them. "You're finally getting married! Gary, Sandy, I hope you stay happy forever!"

Dana watched them go down the stairs together, the man's gentle gaze, the woman's shy smile, and the young woman's excited expression formed a dazzling picture that shut her completely out.

Tears rolled down without warning and fell on the cold floor without a sound.

Gary suddenly turned around, as if he could feel it, and saw Dana with tears streaming down her face. His eyes narrowed, and a sharp pain flickered in his eyes.

The next second, he suddenly let go of Sandy, ignoring the looks behind him as he ran upstairs and stopped in front of Dana. His voice edged with a trace of panic as he asked her, "Are you going out?"

"To the Clerk's Office." Dana's voice was hoarse.

Gary froze. He clearly did not expect that answer. Then, he frowned. "You're going to the Clerk's Office to apply for remarriage?"

Dana stayed silent, her eyes lowered.

He then said in a casual tone, "Submit the documents first for today. When I get back, we'll go pick up the certificate."

Dana nodded.

Gary let out a breath and even showed a rare smile. When he turned to go back to Sandy, he could not help looking at Dana one more time.

The warmth in his eyes felt especially mocking to her.

He swept Sandy up into his arms and carried her toward the bridal car at the entrance.

Sandy lifted her head as she lay resting in Gary's arms. She then glanced at Dana on purpose and smiled in open triumph.

Dana stood where she was and watched them disappear. Then, she wiped the tears from her face and headed for the Clerk's Office.

She quickly received the reissued divorce certificate, the red seal on it looking especially bright.

Her fingertips brushed over her own name. Instead of the pain she had imagined, she felt a sense of freedom.

She slipped the divorce certificate into her purse and went straight to the airport.

As the plane lifted off, the city below grew smaller and smaller.

In her mind, Dana whispered, "Gary, we'll never meet ever again."