Chapter 1

On the night of my wedding, my best friend's younger brother wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked me, “It’s a little big. Can you handle it?”

I stared at his perfectly defined abs, my mind going completely blank. “What?”

He repeated, “Can you handle it?”

My voice jumped an octave from my panic. “Aren't we supposed to take things slow? Isn’t this way too fast?”

That night, the sound-activated lights in the house flickered on and off until dawn.

Meanwhile, my ex-husband was squatting downstairs. His eyes were swollen red from crying, but I did not even spare him a thought.

Back then, when I agreed to let him proceed with a fake wedding with his childhood sweetheart, Miles Carter thought our cold war was over.

When he explained things to me, he said, “Vivian and I will only be married on paper. The ceremony is just to satisfy my mom. I swear, when this is over, we’ll live as a real couple.”

I remained silent. I just stared at the countdown on my phone, counting the days until I could finally leave. He did not know that the moment he tricked me into signing the divorce papers, our marriage had already ceased to exist.

Chapter 1

After Miles Carter’s mother became bedridden and tore up their marriage certificate for the ninth time this year, Wendy Yanes felt utterly exhausted.

She looked down at the torn certificate in her hands. It was stained with the soup Belinda Howard had thrown earlier.

Every time Belinda lost her temper, their marriage certificate seemed to be the first she reached out for.

“What are you staring at?” Belinda leaned against the hospital bed. Her voice was sharp. “If it weren’t for you, would I even be lying here in this damn bed?”

Wendy quietly picked up the pieces from the floor. Her fingers were cut by the sharp edges of the paper.

She kept silent, merely brushing the soup stains from her white dress.

“Stop playing the victim!” Belinda grabbed the water cup from the bedside, ready to throw it. “Get out! Just seeing you annoys me!”

The cup whizzed past Wendy’s ear and smashed against the wall, shattering into pieces.

She slowly stepped out of the room, gently closed the door behind her, and leaned against the corridor wall, taking a deep breath.

The smell of disinfectant stung her nose, bringing back memories of countless nights spent in hospitals over the past two years.

She pulled out her phone and sent a message to Miles: [Honey, how about hiring a caregiver for Mother? She’s acting up again today…]

The message was marked as read, but no reply came.

Wendy stared at the screen for ten minutes before locking her phone’s screen. She decided to go to the civil affairs office to replace the torn marriage certificate.

The office was not crowded. Wendy handed the damaged certificate to the clerk, who examined it, checked the system, and frowned.

“Ms. Yanes, there are still seven days before your divorce is finalized. We can’t reissue your marriage certificate.”

“What divorce?” Wendy thought she had misheard.

The clerk turned the screen toward her. “The system shows your husband filed for divorce. It's currently being processed."

Wendy's fingers gripped the edge of the counter so tightly that her knuckles went white.

She suddenly remembered the papers Miles had handed her to sign a couple of weeks ago. He had said it was the hospital bill, and in her rush to care for Belinda, she did not even look before signing.

The clerk gave her a sympathetic look. “Do you want to cancel the divorce application?”

People in line behind her began whispering to each other, “Isn’t that the Carter family’s daughter-in-law? I heard she clings to Mr. Carter."

“Yeah, if it weren’t for her, his mother’s leg would still be treatable.”

Wendy lowered her gaze to the ring on her finger. Her heart was stabbing with pain.

“It’s okay. I can get the divorce certificate after seven days, right?” asked Wendy in a soft tone.

After receiving a confirming nod, Wendy left the civil affairs office as though she were fleeing. She stepped into the scorching sun but felt chilled to the bone.

She hailed a cab back to the hospital. While she was on her way back, Miles finally replied: [Busy at work, we’ll talk tonight.]

She opened the chat repeatedly, wanting to argue with him, but sent nothing.

The hospital corridor was eerily quiet. She reached her mother-in-law’s room and heard bursts of laughter from inside.

She gently pushed the door open just a crack, frozen at the scene before her.

Belinda was standing by the bed. She stood firmly on her own two feet, holding a fork and eating fruit.

Vivian Lowe sat nearby, peeling an apple, while Miles, the person who had claimed to be busy, was gently massaging Belinda's shoulders.

“That stunt of pretending to be paralyzed is absolutely brilliant,” Belinda said proudly, “That woman would never have guessed I could walk all along.”

“Belinda, please don’t say that,” Vivian replied coquettishly, “It hasn’t been easy for Wendy to take care of you.”

Belinda snorted, “She owes me! If she hadn’t stopped Miles from answering calls, would I have had to lie here in the hospital for so long?”

Wendy’s hands clutched the doorframe as she looked at Miles. His expression was complicated, but he made no attempt to argue with his mother.

“The divorce papers are already signed. Why hasn’t she left yet?” Belinda suddenly asked.

Miles replied in a low voice, “The process is still ongoing, and…”

“And what?” Belinda cut him off sharply, “You’re not still attached, are you? What has Wendy that Vivian doesn’t?”

“Mom!” Miles’s voice shot up. “I have my own considerations regarding the divorce. You just leave it be.”

Belinda waved dismissively. “Fine, fine. Do whatever you want. The marriage is over anyway. If she wants to be a free caregiver, let her.”

Wendy slowly stepped back. Tears blurred her vision.

So she was the last to know about her own divorce.

She turned around and left as laughter continued from the room.

Wendy stood by the window, pulled out her phone and dialed a long-forgotten number.

“Hey, it’s me.” Her voice was unusually calm. “Please help me get out of here. The sooner, the better.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “You’ve really thought this through?”

“Yes.” Wendy watched the sycamore leaves sway gently in the wind outside the window. “It’s been two years. What I owe to that family should finally be settled.”

She hung up, glancing once at Belinda’s room.

The laughter continued, joyful and full of warmth. They were just like a happy family.

Yet Wendy had never truly belonged there.

Chapter 2

Wendy did not go back to the hospital. She left and took a cab home.

By the time Miles pushed open the door that evening, Wendy had just finished packing her suitcase.

She did not look up. “Belinda broke three bowls again today. She said I’m not as thoughtful as Vivian.”

Miles loosened his tie. His voice was tinged with impatience. “She’s been bedridden for two years. Of course her temper’s foul. Just give her some space—what’s the big deal?”

“Space?” Wendy suddenly chuckled. She grabbed the dress stained with soup from earlier. “She did that on purpose this morning.”

“Enough!” Miles snatched the dress from her and tossed it onto the bed. “Wendy, you weren’t like this before!”

“Like what?” Wendy sprang to her feet. Her eyes burned with emotion. “Like getting up at five every morning to make breakfast for your mother? Or kneeling on the floor, scrubbing, while she called me a curse?”

Miles swallowed hard, turning his face away. “You know why my mother ended up bedridden.”

The room went silent.

Wendy’s fingers dug into her palms.

That phone call.

Two years ago that evening, barely moments after they had been together in bed, Miles’ mother called.

“Don’t answer it.” Wendy stood barefoot on the carpet, arms wrapped around his waist. “It’s our wedding anniversary tonight…”

Miles hesitated for a moment, then leaned down and kissed her. “Just for a minute.”

“You always say that!” snapped Wendy, grabbing the phone and throwing it to the floor. “How many times has she pretended to be sick? If you answer this call tonight, we’re done!”

She remembered the look in his eyes then. There was shock, helplessness, and finally, compromise.

He let out a sigh, picked up the phone, set it aside, and held her in his arms. “Okay. I won’t answer.”

However, the next day, they found out that Belinda had a sudden cerebral hemorrhage that night. No one answered her call, so the treatment was delayed, and she ended up paralyzed.

“Yes, I owe her,” Wendy admitted in a hoarse voice. “That’s why I’ve worked myself to the bone for the past two years. Do I deserve to have food thrown on me, and deserve to be treated like a servant by Vivian?”

Miles ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Vivian’s moving in tomorrow.”

“What?”

“My mom likes her.” Miles' tone softened, like he was coaxing a child. “Just for a few months, until her condition stabilizes, then Vivian will move out.”

Wendy interrupted in a soft voice, “Miles, I went to the civil affairs office today.”

His body stiffened.

“The staff told me we still have seven days left before our divorce is finalized.” She stared at his frozen expression. “The papers you had me sign a month ago were actually a divorce agreement?”

“So you know!” Miles grabbed her wrist. “But my mother forced me into it. I'm only doing it to keep her happy for now!”

“Without even telling me?” Wendy yanked her hand free. “Seven years together, and I didn’t even have the right to know?”

Miles flew into a rage. “Can you stop being so aggressive? Do you know how hard it is to be stuck in the middle?”

Wendy froze for a moment.

She remembered the first time he had brought her home to meet his family. His mother had thrown soup on her in front of him. “The Carter family’s daughter-in-law will only ever be Vivian.”

That night, Miles held her in his arms on the balcony and apologized. “My mom has a bad temper. Please bear with her. It’s hard for me to be in the middle.”

Later, when Belinda refused to attend the wedding, he held her hand and said, “She just can’t accept it yet. Let’s give her some time.”

When Belinda became paralyzed, he knelt and begged her to quit her job and take care of her. “Wendy, you’re the only one who can help me now.”

Each time, she gave in.

“Miles.” Wendy suddenly felt exhausted. “Do you still love me?”

Miles hesitated for a moment, then blurted out, “Of course I do!”

“Please don’t put me in a difficult position, Wendy.”

Wendy let out a sigh. Only seven days left anyway, she would just let it be.

She nodded silently.

“Vivian will sleep in the guest room,” Miles awkwardly changed the subject, “You should get some rest.”

Once the door was closed, Wendy sank onto the bed.

Moonlight streamed through the curtains, and she noticed the dusty photo frame on the nightstand.

In the photo, Miles was carrying her on the beach. Waves splashed her skirt as he turned and smiled, “Hold on tight, Mrs. Carter!”

Seven years of love were just like a bubble.

She pulled out her phone and sent a message: [Pick me up in seven days, as planned.]

No sooner had she pressed send than a deafening bang echoed from downstairs.

Chapter 3

Wendy went downstairs and saw Belinda seated in a wheelchair as Vivian pushed her inside, followed by a whole group of people carrying boxes and luggage.

“Well, look who finally decided to come downstairs.” Belinda lifted her eyelids with a cold smirk. “I thought you were planning to hide in your room for the rest of your life.”

Vivian stood beside her, holding a cup of tea. She said gently, “Belinda has just finished rehab. The doctor said she needs to walk around more.”

“Rehab?” Wendy’s gaze dropped to her legs.

Belinda patted her knees smugly. “Surprised? The doctor says I’m recovering well. Give it a little more time and I’ll be fully healed.”

She pointed upstairs. “Vivian will be living here from today on. It’ll be more convenient for her to take care of me. Whether you agree or not doesn’t matter.”

Wendy said nothing. She put on a faint smile and looked toward Miles.

He pursed his lips and said in a low voice, “Wendy has already agreed.”

Belinda froze for a moment, then let out a snort. “She finally learned to behave.”

Vivian immediately smiled and looped her arm affectionately through his mother’s.

“Belinda, let me help move the luggage upstairs.”

Belinda patted her hand. “Go ahead. Pick whichever room you like.”

Vivian’s eyes lit up. She hurried upstairs, and before long, there was a loud crash from above.

Wendy looked up and saw Vivian directing the house staff to take down the decorative painting in the hallway.

That painting was something she and Miles had chosen together. It was a painting of the ocean from their very first date.

“This painting is way too tacky. It doesn’t match the current décor anymore.” Vivian smiled cheerfully, tossing it aside. Then, she pointed at the photos on the wall. “Take these down too. They’re an eyesore.”

One by one, the photos were removed. One of them was their wedding portrait.

Miles stood at the foot of the stairs. His brows were furrowed as though he wanted to say something. Eventually, he only looked at Wendy. “Let them mess around for now. We can hang them back up later.”

Wendy smiled but said nothing.

Vivian poked her head out from upstairs, speaking in a sweet and soft tone, “Miles, I’d like to have the main bedroom! It’s closer to Belinda’s room, so it’ll be easier to take care of her.”

Belinda immediately nodded. “Yes, yes, that’s very thoughtful of you.”

Miles instinctively looked at Wendy like he was waiting for her to object.

However, Wendy simply nodded calmly. “That’s fine. I’ll move to the guest room.”

She turned around to go upstairs. Miles grabbed her wrist. “Something’s wrong with you.”

Wendy turned back to him. “What’s wrong? Wasn’t this what all of you wanted?”

“But you…” Miles frowned deeply. “You wouldn't have acted like this before.”

“Before?” Wendy let out a soft chuckle. “Isn’t this exactly what you want?”

She shook his hand off and walked straight into the master bedroom, beginning to pack her things.

Miles followed her in and stood by the door, watching as she folded her clothes and placed them into the suitcase, one by one. Finally, he could not help asking,

“What’s going on with you?”

Wendy replied while looking up, “I'm making room for you.”

Miles swallowed hard. In the end, he said nothing.

At seven that evening, Wendy went downstairs for dinner.

In the dining room, Belinda, Vivian, and Miles were already seated. The table was filled with dishes.

Vivian picked up a piece of fish and placed it into Belinda’s bowl. Her eyes curved into happy slits. “Vivian’s the thoughtful one, as always.”

Miles looked up and saw Wendy. He waved to her. “Come on over and eat.”

Wendy walked over and sat down. Her gaze swept across the table and suddenly stopped.

Every dish on the table was something she could not eat.

There was seafood, mangoes, peanuts… Every single one was something she was allergic to.

She lifted her eyes and met Belinda’s smile that did not reach her eyes.

Miles seemed completely unaware. He picked up a shrimp and put it into Vivian’s plate. “Try this. It’s your favorite.”

Vivian gave him a sweet smile. “Thank you, Miles.”

He then ladled a bowl of soup for his mother. When he turned to Wendy and saw she had not touched anything, he frowned. “Stop sulking. You need to eat.”

Wendy was stunned for a moment.

He did not remember.

She had a seafood allergy. Once, just a single accidental bite of shrimp had sent her to the hospital in the middle of the night.

That night, Miles stayed by her bedside the entire time. His eyes were red, and he said, “I’ll make sure to pick out everything you’re allergic to from now on.”

Now, he was serving shrimp to Vivian, soup to his mother, yet he could not remember a single thing she could not eat.

She lowered her eyes, picked up her cutlery, and slowly chewed on some plain greens.

Suddenly, Belinda said, “Miles, Vivian’s been with you for all this time and never asked for a thing. She only wants a wedding. What do you think?”

Miles paused for a moment, instinctively glancing at Wendy.

Vivian immediately replied, sounding aggrieved, “Belinda, don’t make things hard for Miles. I-I’m fine, really.”

Belinda patted her hand. “That won’t do. I can’t let you stay with him with no status to your name.”

The dining table fell silent for a few seconds.

Miles hesitated, then said in a low voice, “I’ll talk it over with Wendy.”

“No need,” Wendy suddenly said.

Everyone looked at her.

She set down her cutlery and said calmly, “That’s fine. Go ahead and have the wedding.”

Chapter 4

The entire room fell silent.

Belinda’s eyes widened. Miles snapped his head up. “What did you just say?”

Wendy rose to her feet. “I’m done eating. You guys go ahead.”

She turned around and walked upstairs, and behind her Belinda muttered, “What’s wrong with her?”

Just as she reached the staircase, Miles chased after her and grabbed her wrist.

“What did you mean by that?”

Wendy looked back at him. “Wasn’t this what you wanted? A wedding? I agreed.”

His brows furrowed. “That was just for show! My mom just got out of the hospital. I didn’t want to upset her.”

“Yeah.” She nodded lightly. “Just do whatever you want.”

Miles studied her eyes, as though he was trying to read something in them. Finally, he replied in a low voice, “Don’t worry. I’ll withdraw the divorce application before the process is finalized.”

Wendy smiled. “All right.”

He let out a sigh of relief and reached out to touch her hair. “Good.”

Wendy tilted her head, dodged his hand, and gave him a faint smirk before turning back upstairs.

Miles stood rooted to the spot, watching her from behind. A strange unease rose in his chest.

The following day, Miles had gone to the office, and only then did Wendy emerge from the guest room.

Downstairs, Belinda was already sitting at the dining table, impatiently drumming her fingers. When she saw Wendy come down, she immediately said in a cold voice, “What are you doing? Hurry up and help me wash up!”

Normally, Wendy would have immediately gone to pour warm water, grab a towel, kneel to wash her face, brush her hair, and even put on her shoes.

Today, she merely glanced at her mother-in-law, then walked straight to the kitchen, poured herself a glass of milk, and slowly toasted a slice of bread.

Belinda’s expression darkened instantly. “Are you deaf?”

Vivian quickly interjected with a gentle voice, “Belinda, let me take care of you.”

She knelt down, awkwardly wiping her face as a faint crease slightly formed between her brows.

Wendy sat at the dining table, watching coldly, and suddenly realized how foolish she had been.

She had served Belinda for two years. She poured tea, prepared meals, cleaned up for her even when she deliberately threw food on her. Yet she had to smile while tidying everything.

Now, Vivian’s expression had already shown a trace of impatience when she was only cleaning her face.

Yet Belinda remained blissfully unaware, patting Vivian’s hand fondly. “See? Vivian’s the thoughtful one.”

After breakfast, Belinda suddenly said she wanted to go outside and get some sun.

“Wendy, push the wheelchair,” instructed Belinda.

Wendy set down her cup and replied nonchalantly, “Isn’t Vivian good at taking care of you? Let her do it.”

Belinda’s face froze. Vivian was stunned for a moment too.

“You…” Belinda was about to snap, but Vivian quickly smiled apologetically. “Belinda, I’ll push you.”

Belinda let out a cold snort, reluctantly agreeing.

The three of them went outside. Vivian pushed the wheelchair while Wendy walked beside them.

As they reached a downhill corner, Vivian suddenly cried out and slipped, shoving Wendy hard.

Wendy was caught off guard, stumbling forward. Her elbow hit the wheelchair.

The wheelchair went out of control, hurtling down the slope!

“Mother!” Wendy’s pupils dilated. She lunged instinctively, trying to grab the handle.

However, at the exact moment she reached it, Belinda suddenly spun around and shoved her!

“Get away!”

Wendy stumbled backward and fell straight into the middle of the road.

Screeching brakes pierced the air. Her body was slammed violently, crashing hard onto the pavement.

In the last agonizing second, she saw Vivian standing on the roadside, supporting Belinda with a cold smirk on her face.

Chapter 5

“Are you awake?” Miles’ voice came from beside her.

Wendy turned her head with effort and saw him sitting on the edge of the bed with his brows furrowed. A flicker of concern in his eyes was quickly replaced by anger.

“Do you realize you’ve fractured a bone?” His voice was low and tense. “The doctor said if it had been even slightly worse, you could have died!”

Wendy’s throat felt dry as she opened her mouth. “It was Vivian who pushed me.”

Miles’ expression darkened instantly. “At this point, you’re still blaming someone else?”

“I’m not!” Wendy struggled to sit up. “It was your mother who shoved me into traffic!”

“That’s enough!” Miles jumped to his feet. Fury flashed across his eyes. “My mom just woke up and said you pushed her! Vivian saw with her own eyes that you hit the wheelchair!”

Wendy stared at him. “Check the security cameras.”

“Check the cameras?” Miles grabbed her wrist. His voice was tight with anger. “Do you know who my mother is? Vivian is such a gentle person. What reason would she have to hurt her?!”

Wendy suddenly laughed until her eyes were red.

He believed everyone except her.

She reached for the call button on the bedside.

When the nurse arrived, Wendy said directly, “Call the police.”

Miles’ face went pale. “Are you out of your mind?”

…

The police soon arrived. When they asked questions, Miles cut them off with a cold expression, “She’s mentally unstable. She has depression and often thinks people are out to get her.”

One of the officers looked at Wendy skeptically.

Wendy said in a calm voice, “I want the traffic camera footage from the intersection.”

Miles lowered his voice and said, “I’m sorry, she’s been emotionally unstable recently. I’ll take her to a psychiatrist.”

The police hesitated for a moment, then left after taking a few notes.

Once the hospital room door was closed, Miles grabbed Wendy’s shoulder. His voice was cold as ice. “Do you have to make such a scene?”

Wendy looked up at him. “I just wanted the truth.”

Miles sneered, “The truth? You’ve been playing this act since yesterday, just to ruin my mother and frame Vivian today. Wendy, you’re ruthless.”

Wendy remained silent, simply staring at him.

His chest tightened at her gaze, but the next second, Vivian burst in. Her eyes were red as she spoke, “Miles, your mother has woken up! She said Wendy pushed her!”

Miles’ expression went stone cold.

“Of course.” He released Wendy’s arm and turned to the bodyguard at the door. “Take her to the electroshock room.”

Wendy was pinned to the bed with her limbs strapped down.

Miles stood at the doorway with furrowed brows. He seemed to hesitate for a moment.

Vivian stepped forward. Then, she said in a soft voice, “Miles, your mother said her emotions are unstable right now. What if she hurts herself again?”

Miles closed his eyes briefly and instructed with a cold voice, “Begin.”

The instant the current hit, searing pain surged through Wendy’s body like a tidal wave.

She bit her lip hard, tasting blood in her mouth as the agony spread.

“Did you push her?” the doctor asked.

She did not answer.

The current struck again. Her body convulsed uncontrollably, painful sobs escaping her throat.

Miles stood nearby. His fingers slightly trembled before finally shouting, “Enough!”

Vivian pressed a hand gently against his arm and chimed in with a gentle voice, “Miles, your mother said she won’t tell the truth unless she feels some pain.”

Miles clenched his fists and turned his face away.

By the third shock, Wendy finally broke. Her voice was hoarse as she admitted, “I did it. I pushed her.”

Miles snapped his head around. Pain flashed across his eyes but was quickly replaced by coldness.

“Why didn’t you admit it earlier?” He stepped forward, reaching for her face, but she turned her head away.

His fingers hung frozen for a moment before he finally pulled them back and said in a cold, sharp tone, “Lock her up for two days. Let her cool off.”

He turned around and left.

Vivian did not rush after him. Instead, she gave the doctor a meaningful glance.

Chapter 6

After being locked away for two days, the door swung open, and the harsh light flooded in. Wendy instinctively curled up, moving toward the corner to hide.

Miles stood at the doorway. He frowned.“What happened?”

The doctor was about to speak, but Vivian hurried in and said in a gentle tone, “Miles, Wendy’s been through enough. We should take her home quickly.”

She reached out to touch Wendy, but Wendy flinched sharply.

Wendy hung her head, long hair falling messily over her face. Her right wrist was still wrapped in bandages, and her fingertips trembled slightly.

Miles stared at her. Annoyance crept into his voice. “It’s just two days, and you’re acting like this?”

The doctor hesitated to speak, but Vivian was already holding Miles' arm, interrupting with a soft voice, “Her right hand is still injured. Of course, she’s uncomfortable.”

Miles frowned, stepped forward, and reached for Wendy’s hair. “Wendy, we’re going home.”

Wendy shuddered and instinctively drew back.

Miles’ hand hung frozen in the air.

On the way back, Wendy leaned against the car window. Her eyes were hollow as she stared at the scenery outside the window streamed by.

“It’s tomorrow.” Miles suddenly spoke. His voice sounded a little hesitant. “It’s just a staged wedding between Vivian and me.”

Wendy said nothing.

“You know that. It’s just to make my mother happy.” He glanced at her from the side. “I’ll withdraw the divorce application. Nothing happened between Vivian and me.”

Still, Wendy remained silent.

Vivian, in the passenger seat, looked back and asked with a gentle voice, “Wendy, would you like to come with me to pick out a wedding dress later?”

Miles frowned. “She’s still recovering.”

“But Wendy’s been married before. She knows what styles suit someone,” Vivian blinked her eyes and replied with an innocent tone, “I needed her advice.”

Miles hesitated for a moment, then looked at Wendy. “Will you come together?”

“Fine.”

At the bridal shop, Vivian reached out to touch a gown and gave Miles a sweet smile.

“Miles, this one’s beautiful. I like it.”

Wendy jerked her head up. It was her wedding dress.

Designed by her late mother, a top-tier bridal designer, it was the last piece her mother had crafted for her daughter—a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

After her wedding, it had been safely kept in this bridal shop.

“No.” Wendy’s voice trembled. “This is mine.”

Vivian looked at Miles with puppy-dog eyes. “But I really like it.”

Miles remained silent for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, “Wendy, it’s just a wedding dress. Let her have it.”

Wendy stared at him in disbelief. “You know what this means!”

That dress was her mother’s last gift to her.

Miles looked away and replied in an indifferent tone, “Then we’ll order another one.”

Vivian eagerly had the staff bring the gown down for her to try on. Wendy stood frozen, fingers digging into her palms, numb to the pain.

As Vivian walked out wearing the wedding dress, the staff could not help but gasp.

“It’s gorgeous! It looks like it was made just for her!”

Vivian twirled in the gown, grinning at Wendy. “What do you think, Wendy?”

Wendy’s gaze was fixed on her. Her throat felt blocked. She could barely speak.

Miles stood to the side, his gaze conflicted. Finally, he said, “It suits you.”

Vivian’s smile grew even brighter, but suddenly she yelped and tripped, falling hard to the ground.

The dress tore with a loud rip. Wendy’s mind went blank. She lunged forward like a madwoman, pushing Vivian aside and trembling as she scooped up the damaged gown. “You did this on purpose!”

Vivian fell forward into Miles’ arms. Her eyes reddened. “I didn’t! Wendy, why did you push me?”

Miles grabbed Wendy’s wrist. “Wendy! What are you doing?”

Tears fell onto the gown as Wendy looked up at him. “This was my mother’s last gift to me.”

Miles was stunned. For a moment, he seemed to waver. However, Vivian was already sobbing on his shoulder. “Miles, it hurts so much.”

He closed his eyes and said coldly, “Stop embarrassing yourself.”

Then, he turned around and left.

The staff exchanged uneasy glances with each other and whispered,

“So sad.

“I heard it’s all because of her that Mr. Carter's mother has been bedridden for two years.”

Wendy knelt on the floor, picking up scattered diamonds and torn tulle one by one. Tears fell onto her hands, burning with pain.

She broke down, crying heartbrokenly as she held the ruined gown.

It was just like her love story, which had once shone like diamonds, but now it was shattered and worthless.

Chapter 7

Wendy stood in the corner of the wedding hall. Her fingers dug into her palms.

Tomorrow was the day.

Tomorrow was the day their divorce was finalized. She could finally leave this place for good.

However, she had to watch Miles marry Vivian with her own eyes today.

The red carpet was lined with guests, and Belinda sat in her wheelchair, smiling brightly.

Music swelled, and Miles, sharp in a black suit, walked slowly down the aisle with Vivian’s arm in his.

Wendy’s mind drifted to her own wedding day.

The same hall. The same red carpet. Miles’s hands were sweaty with nerves, yet he gripped hers tightly and whispered in her ears, “Wendy, I finally get to marry you.”

Now, he walked with another woman, calmly tracing the path they had once walked together.

A tear fell before she could stop it. Wendy quickly wiped it away, but the murmurs of the guests reached her ears.

“Isn’t that Mr. Carter’s ex-wife? How dare she show her face here?”

“Isn't she mentally unstable? She nearly killed Mr. Carter's mother.”

“Tsk, how pathetic.”

Wendy barely registered the words. Her gaze was fixed on Miles on the stage.

For a moment, he seemed to feel something. His eyes searched the crowd, and then they landed on her tear-streaked face.

Miles paused for a moment. His expression was complicated, but he said nothing. He turned back to complete the ceremony.

‘Wendy, you’ll understand me, won’t you?’ he thought to himself.

After the wedding, the guests gradually left.

Wendy had just reached the main bedroom door when sounds from inside made her freeze.

“Easy, Miles.”

Vivian’s sultry voice stabbed straight into Wendy’s chest.

Her body tensed, fingers trembling, as she heard Miles’ low, heavy breathing.

“Shh.”

“What are you afraid of?” Vivian giggled. “She’s going to find out sooner or later anyway.”

“Shut your mouth.”

“Do you regret marrying her?” Vivian suddenly asked.

Wendy held her breath.

A few tense seconds passed before Miles’ irritated voice answered,

“Yes. I do.”

Those two words scorched her from the inside out.

She remembered that day at the altar, when he had solemnly promised he would never regret marrying her.

Yet he regretted it now.

She could not bear to hear more and stumbled back to the guest room, slamming the door and collapsing to the floor.

The sounds from next door lasted late into the night. The creaking bed, Vivian’s moans, and Miles’ low groans…

Finally, Belinda’s delighted voice rang out. “Have a baby soon! I’m waiting to hold my grandchild!”

Wendy leaned against the wall, tears streaming, but a bitter smile formed on her lips.

By morning, she had packed all her belongings. She glanced down at her phone.

Today was the last day.

From downstairs came laughter and chatter.

As she walked down the stairs, she saw Miles bending over to tie his mother’s scarf, and Vivian holding a delicate purse beside him. The three of them were smiling, looking every bit like a happy family.

“Well, up so early?” Belinda’s smile immediately turned cold when she spotted Wendy. “We’re going out. Remember to change the sheets in the master bedroom.”

Vivian pretended to be concerned. “Belinda, let the maids do it. Wendy’s hand is still injured.”

Only then did Miles notice Wendy. His brow furrowed. “Where are you going?”

“Today's the day our divorce is finalized.” Wendy stared him straight in the eyes. Her voice was eerily calm. “I’m going to the civil affairs office.”

Miles froze for a moment. “I promised to take Mom and Vivian to the hot springs hotel today.”

The air went still for a moment.

“Go cancel it.” He suddenly said, “Let me spend the next couple of days with them, and everything will be just like before.”

“Okay.” Wendy lowered her head and replied in a soft tone.

Miles let out a sigh of relief and went to help his mother. “Mom, let’s go.”

Wendy stayed still, watching the black Maybach slowly pull out of the driveway.

Only when it disappeared completely did she wipe the tears from her face, grab her suitcase, and walk to the front gate without looking back.

The official seal clicked lightly as the document closed.

“This is your divorce certificate. Please keep it safe.” The staff handed her a document. “The property division agreement has been signed by your ex-husband.”

Wendy did not even look at it. She shoved the divorce certificate into a courier envelope and filled in the address of the Carter residence.

“Please deliver to this address, cash on delivery.”

Outside the office, a car had arrived to pick her up. The driver waved when they saw her. “Here!”

Wendy opened the door and, as though remembering something, pulled the wedding ring from her pocket. It was the ring Miles had slipped onto her finger by the ocean. The inner band was engraved with ‘Forever.’

She stared at it for two seconds, then tossed it out the window.

It clinked onto the middle of the street, quickly crushed under the wheels of passing cars.

“Let’s go.” Wendy closed the door. “I’m never coming back.”