I deliberately left the window open, letting the crime boss hear me with someone else all night long. The next morning, he asked me with a gloomy face, “Can I join in?” But I just embraced others, coldly refusing. “Don’t you like your little sister the most?” The man’s eyes turned bloodshot, but he didn’t dare to take a step closer. Only because as his woman, I had helped him expand his business for ten years. In the end, he’d rather marry a college girl than fulfill his promise to marry me. His subordinates couldn’t understand and started protesting on my behalf. “Boss, Aria has helped you build your empire. She’s a valuable asset. Didn’t you used to dote on her? Why are you marrying someone else now?” Ethan stubbed out his cigarette, fiddling with the couple’s ring he shared with Lily. “Aria? A woman with blood on her hands. Every time I think about sleeping with her, it gives me the creeps. How can she compare to my darling?” “But Aria is so clever. What if she finds out and turns against you?” Ethan frowned and sneered, “The whole city is already mine. Without her, I’m not afraid of losing anything.” Little did he know, I had heard everything from outside the door. I threw the medicine I was going to give him in the trash and sent a SnapChat to his arch-enemy Xavier. “Want Ethan’s territory and life? I’ll give them to you!”
As I was preparing to get a speedboat to leave the island, Ethan came to find me. “There’s a big shipment coming to the island the day after tomorrow. Send some men to receive it personally, and clear out your house. I need it!” He commanded sternly, but I just found it laughable. To marry Lily, he really didn’t care about my life. Even if Xavier attacked his base, he still wanted me to risk my life to bring back his little flower. He was truly lovesick. Need the house? Wasn’t it just for Lily to live in? I coldly replied with an “Oh.” Seeing my flat reaction, Ethan frowned in displeasure. “What are you sulking about now? I’m not making our relationship public because the situation is unstable. Xavier is watching closely. I can’t let the men lower their guard just because of you.” “Your most important task now is to help me fend off Xavier’s attacks.” Ethan always tried to manipulate me like this. Before, I thought this was his way of protecting me, so I worked even harder for him, fighting and scheming. But now I just found it absurd. I put the boat rental form in front of him and said flatly, “I’m not sulking. I’m used to it.” Ethan sensed something unusual. Impatience flashed in his eyes, and his signature even tore through the paper. “Aria! What’s with the attitude? I’m just asking for your house. Everything on this island is mine, including your life. Can’t I even use you anymore?” He threw the paper in my face. “From now on, don’t come to me for trivial things like going off the island for supplies. I don’t have time for you…” Knowing he misunderstood, I didn’t explain. I nodded perfunctorily and left, feeling relieved as I looked at the speedboat I was about to get. I had helped Ethan expand his business for ten years. We were childhood sweethearts, brothers who could trust each other with our lives, and even the most intimate lovers. I had always hoped to marry him, and he had hinted that once he had the whole city in his hands, he would give me what I wanted. But now I realized. That was just my own wishful thinking and his lies woven to use my feelings. Now he was going to marry someone else. That night, a team of heavily armed mercenaries escorted Lily onto the island. She was in a white dress, her naive eyes full of smug pride. “Sister has worked hard for Ethan for over ten years, with great merit.” “I’ll definitely get him to promote you, and send you some male models. We can’t let sister’s personal life suffer.” “Unlike Ethan, who can’t wait another moment. He’s marrying me tomorrow, oh my…” I tightened my grip on the gun handle, barely restraining the urge to shoot her. “Let’s go.” I coldly glanced at her and was about to leave. But Lily stopped me, taking out a diary from her bag and saying slyly: “These are the love notes Ethan wrote when he missed me all these years. It’s too heavy to carry, so I’ll trouble sister to throw it away for me.” With that, she swayed her skirt and left. Facing the cold wind blowing against the rocks, I trembled as I opened the diary. April 12, 2024, when I protected him as we broke through an encirclement, he said “Lily, if I can survive this, I’ll marry you.” August 5, 2023, when I heard he was ambushed by Xavier during a business trip. I took two machetes and single-handedly broke into the enemy camp to rescue him. He said: “Baby, you smell so good today.” January 24, 2021, when he was arrested, I decided to take the blame for him, and he said: “If it were you, I would never let you suffer like this.” Every word in the diary stabbed into my heart, as painful as if my heart was being carved out. How many times had I begged Ethan to marry me, and he always kissed my forehead and said: “Aria, wait for me.” “I have too many enemies. I’m always afraid I haven’t cleared the obstacles for you. When I have the whole city under control, I’ll marry you, okay?” But my countless urgings were only met with perfunctory responses. On SnapChat, a reply finally came. The short two words were forceful, leaving me no way to turn back. “Deal!” I still couldn’t help wanting to confirm something, so I asked: “On August 5, 2024, you ambushed Ethan, right?” The reply came instantly, each word dripping with blood: “I’m completely innocent!” “No way? So that’s why you chased me for nine blocks with two machetes? It really wasn’t me!” I laughed bitterly. So in Ethan’s eyes, I was just a clown to be toyed with at will. If so, why should I stay for them to mock?
After arranging the details with Xavier, I walked back, but overheard Ethan talking to his subordinates by the yacht. “Boss, the bride’s wedding dress has arrived. It’s the billion-dollar dress you requested from the royal auction.” “But we’re worried about Aria. If she makes a scene and exposes our location, we might all be caught…” Ethan was unconcerned: “I love Lily and will only marry her as my wife. Tomorrow’s wedding must go smoothly. I won’t allow any accidents.” “Not even Aria. I’ll make sure she stays quiet.” “And keep your men’s mouths shut. If anyone leaks even half a word, I’ll feed them to the sharks!” Although I had decided to leave, hearing the man who once loved me so deeply deceive and belittle me like this still made my heart ache. Back in my room, I packed the luggage I wanted to take. Besides ID documents, looking at the weapons all over the room, I realized Ethan had never really given me anything. He would only throw various weapons at me, telling me to protect him well. I had once asked him for dresses and jewelry, but he said: “Aria, even in a dress and necklace, you don’t look like a woman. Don’t waste them.” But Lily’s luggage had a whole truckload of jewelry and pretty clothes. Why could she wear them but not me? I searched the wardrobe and found a red dress at the bottom. I put it on with high heels and even did my makeup. Just then, Lily barged into my room. “Aria, you’ve read the diary, right? Ethan’s most beloved…” Her words stopped halfway as she saw how alluring and beautiful I looked after dressing up. She was dumbfounded. When she recovered, she frowned and sneered: “I thought you’d at least have some self-respect and leave quietly knowing Ethan doesn’t love you.” “But you’re still trying to seduce him, you shameless vixen! I’ll tear you apart!” She lunged at me to scratch my face, but her skills were so poor that I ended up slapping her instead. “Aria! How dare you hit me, Ethan will make you pay!” Lily screeched angrily. I crossed my arms and watched her jump around. “Thanks for the compliment. I’m definitely prettier than you.” A second after I spoke, she suddenly knelt down and started slapping herself: “Sister, I’m the despicable one, marrying Ethan so thoughtlessly. You can beat me to death as long as you don’t ruin the wedding!” I was confused, when suddenly a kick came flying at me. “Aria! Are you treating my words as wind in your ears? You dare bully Lily!” Ethan’s furious kick would have taken half my life if it had landed. So, what was I to him after all? A hunting dog he raised? A punching bag he could beat and scold at will after using me up? I barely dodged, but twisted my ankle in the high heels. I winced in pain, forcing myself to look at him. Ethan helped Lily up, his cold eyes looking at me. Until he saw my face clearly, his eyes lit up for a moment, but his words were still icy. “Aria, no matter how pretty you dress up, in my eyes you’re not half as good as Lily.” Lily sobbed and grabbed Ethan’s hand: “Ethan, sister forced me to tell her. I couldn’t keep the secret, I’m sorry…” Ethan held her in his arms, full of tenderness: “It’s just a small matter, no one blames you.” I smiled bitterly. He had just threatened his men with their lives to keep the wedding a secret, but when Lily blabbed to me it became a small matter. She really had no restrictions with him, so pampered. So what was I? Just a fool? “So you’re really going to marry her?” I stared hard at Ethan. I cared too much about how he would explain to me. I thought he would at least feel guilty, panic, beg me to let go of the past and give them his blessing. But Ethan just frowned slightly, unconcerned: “Yes, the wedding is tomorrow. I’ll allow you to attend, but don’t cause trouble. Aria, don’t force me to deal with you.” In an instant, my last hope for Ethan was shattered. It wasn’t the right time to marry me, just because it was me. When it came to Lily, all the dangers and threats suddenly weren’t obstacles anymore. He could even brazenly offer to let me attend their wedding. How could someone be so heartless? I held back tears, gritting my teeth: “Get out…” But Lily pushed further: “Ethan, I don’t know many people here. I want sister to be our bridesmaid, but I’m afraid of offending her…” Seeing his beloved girl plead so carefully, Ethan softened and ordered me: “Aria, since you know we’re getting married, being a bridesmaid shouldn’t be a problem, right?” “I don’t want to see you two, get out!” My anger finally exploded. I picked up a stick from the corner and chased them out. “Get out!” With a bang, I slammed the door shut and collapsed on the floor, gasping for air. A tear of despair leaked from the corner of my eye. As I was grieving, my phone suddenly lit up with a message from Xavier.
I opened it irritably, but suddenly blushed when I saw it. “The red dress suits you. You look beautiful.” “Take off those heels and apply some medicine.” I was surprised he knew my ankle was swollen. But medicine? As I was thinking, a drone flew to the window with a box attached. I opened it to find a red dress and some ointment inside. So he had discovered Ethan’s hideout long ago, but just hadn’t made a move. I really found the right ally. I had just applied the medicine according to the instructions and was about to wash up for bed when Ethan came back. He picked me up and gently placed me on the bed, holding some bruise ointment. “Be good, don’t be afraid. I’ll apply the medicine for you.” It seemed to be raining outside. Ethan was soaked, but he still dried his hands carefully before gently applying the medicine. I was very afraid of pain. When I first started fighting alongside Ethan, I would cry uncontrollably even from just a scratch. Every time I was injured, no matter how battered he was, Ethan would always stay by my side, letting me bite his arm to endure the pain. Those years were tough, but I felt secure. But it seemed that one day, he disappeared from my bedside. Later, countless times I was on the verge of death, with scars big and small, and he never spared me a glance. But now I’m not afraid of pain anymore, yet he’s rushing to take care of me. Has his conscience awakened? Ethan’s apologetic voice came: “Aria, you’ve lost weight. I’ve been neglecting you lately, I’m sorry.” “About the marriage, I was afraid you’d overthink it so I didn’t tell you. Lily saved my life and was targeted for assassination because of me. I have to protect her.” “But don’t worry, I won’t touch her. I only love you. Once I deal with Xavier, I’ll definitely divorce her and marry you properly, okay?” He massaged my ankle, while my gaze fixed on the wedding ring on his finger. I looked at Ethan, my eyes full of sorrow, and asked: “Ethan, all these years, have you ever loved me?” He was stunned for a moment, then knelt on one knee and held me in his arms, full of deep affection: “I love you, I only love you, Aria.” Then, he hand-fed me the milk he brought, his eyes full of tenderness: “Here, drink some milk and go to sleep early. You can come to the wedding tomorrow if you want, I won’t stop you.” But I tasted that the milk was laced with sleeping pills. Enough to make me sleep through the whole day tomorrow. My throat felt constricted, almost suffocating me. He was still deceiving me, just so Lily could marry him smoothly tomorrow. So this was how he planned to keep me quiet. I drank all the milk, a tear falling. My heart felt dead. But Ethan smiled, smiled so brightly, gazing at me tenderly as I closed my eyes. But he didn’t know that after years of fighting for him, I had trouble sleeping every night and had built up a tolerance to sleeping pills. After a while, Lily’s coquettish moans sounded in my ear: “Ethan, you were gone so long, I thought you were staying here!” Ethan embraced her passionately: “How could I? She’s just a human shield to take bullets for me. I’m still being watched by Xavier, so I need to keep her close to use her.” “Xavier is wary of her, so he won’t go all out against me.” Lily pouted: “Where are you touching? Naughty~” “Mm, I’m the naughtiest…” Ethan’s voice was low and husky. The sound of clothes rustling grew more intense as they kissed fervently. My heart felt like it had been stabbed, the pain tearing me apart. To Ethan, I had always submitted unconditionally. He had never been so doting and passionate with me. “Aria, can you take the blame for me?” “Aria, I’m in a firefight with Xavier, come help me.” And I would always agree to his requests, even at the cost of my life. Finally, they left, and I couldn’t sleep all night. Early in the morning, I left with my backpack. Half the island was empty, everyone preparing for the wedding. I handed the rental form to the dock guard: “I need a speedboat.” The man looked surprised: “Aria, things are tense out there. What if you get caught?” “Boss told us not to let you leave the island alone. And with you gone, who will manage things here? We’re worried something might happen.” Ethan had once promised me that as soon as he took over the city, he would marry me as Mrs. Qin. To marry him sooner, I led raids at night and handled island affairs during the day, splitting myself in two. But if Ethan truly loved me, how could he let me work so hard and ignore my efforts? He didn’t love me, so everything I did was in vain. “Does the boss know you’re leaving the island?” He was one of the few who knew our true relationship and how much Ethan valued me. Although Ethan never showed any special treatment towards me in front of his men, nor did he ever cross any lines with me. He even beat me half to death in public to establish his authority. But the man still asked repeatedly, because I was leaving on Ethan’s wedding day. He felt uneasy. “He knows. He signed the form himself.” The man hesitated, but under my urging, he still gave me the speedboat. Driving the boat, the salty cold wind blew all the way before I finally felt the reality of leaving. This counts as completely betraying Ethan, right? After all, I’m taking secrets to his archenemy Xavier. I wonder what expression he’ll have when he finds out? I can only think so maliciously. As I passed an area of sea, a huge yacht was stopped, holding a wedding ceremony on deck. A helicopter scattered rose petals from above, covering the nearby sea. The sound system was so loud I could hear it from far away. It was Ethan pouring his heart out to Lily. “Lily, you once said people in our line of work shouldn’t have loved ones. So I hid all my love for you in my heart, afraid you’d become my weakness, afraid you’d get hurt.” “But now, I want to tell you, you are my weakness, and also my armor!” “To be able to marry you, I waited 7 years, planning for so long. Now my wish has finally come true…” Yes, he loves her, so he hid it from everyone, including me. All his love for Lily now makes his promises to me in the past into a joke. I turned my head to look in the distance, glimpsing the silhouettes of a man and woman standing together on the deck, pure and romantic. Ethan’s gaze seemed to meet mine from afar. He froze: “Aria?” My heart clenched painfully. He seemed to be overwhelmed by a strong sense of unease, as if about to lose something most important. Lily held his hand, giggling and comforting him: “Ethan, you must be seeing things. Sister drank the drugged milk you gave her. She’s still sleeping now.” The doubt on Ethan’s face gradually faded, but he silently decided to comfort me well when he got back. Even if it took the rest of his life to make up for it. Little did he know, I was already driving the speedboat further and further away from him. “Mr. Ethan, do you take Miss Lily to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better or…” The priest’s solemn vows were suddenly interrupted. “Boss, something’s wrong!” A subordinate came running in panic, shouting: “Boss, Aria… Aria is gone!”
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