They say no one escapes the seven-year itch in marriage, but Aubrey and Julian Davies’ loving days only lasted five. After five years, Julian fell for someone else. To force Aubrey to donate her bone marrow, he even kidnapped her only living family member. When Aubrey arrived, her younger brother, Liam, was already beaten and covered in blood. Guards had him pinned down, roughly forcing bottle after bottle of alcohol down his throat. Julian looked at her, a smirk playing on his lips. “Here are ten bottles of hard liquor. Every minute, I’ll force one down his throat. But I don’t quite remember which one is poisoned.” “Will you watch your brother drink himself to death, or will you sign the bone marrow donation agreement?” Aubrey’s tears streamed down her face as she looked at Liam, covered in blood. “No!” She shrieked at Julian, “He’s my only brother, my only family! How – how could you do this to him?!” Julian calmly swirled the wine in his glass, his gaze empty of any pity. Instead, he simply raised a hand, signaling the guards to pry Liam’s mouth open and continue forcing the liquor down. Julian pointed to the remaining bottles. “One of these is poisoned!” “Care to guess which one?” Aubrey’s heart pounded, threatening to burst from her chest. Julian stood before her, his eyes lowered, radiating a chilling aura. “Aubrey, your blood type matches Serena’s. Donating a bit of bone marrow won’t affect you at all.” Julian gripped her chin, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Or are you thinking Liam won’t feel any pain if he drinks this poison after getting drunk? Is that why you’re so unconcerned?” Aubrey bit her lip so hard the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. Her parents were gone; Liam was all she had left. After she got together with Julian, he had spoiled Liam even more than she did. Yet now, for another woman, he was threatening her with her brother’s life. Seeing her hesitation, Julian grew impatient. “Are you truly willing to watch your brother die right in front of you?” Julian’s eyes hardened. He picked up another bottle and handed it to a guard. “Only one left.” “Julian Davies!” Aubrey screamed, utterly heartbroken. “Are you really going to kill my brother for your lover?!” “Her health is important, but what about mine? Do I deserve to die?!” Julian raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips as he wiped a smudge from her cheek. “Of course not. It’s just a bone marrow donation.” “Or are you afraid Serena will take your place? Don’t worry, no one will ever shake your position as Mrs. Davies.” “Serena is very obedient, just like you used to be. She listens to everything I say.” The moment Serena’s name was mentioned, Julian’s eyes gleamed with the satisfaction of someone who had found a perfect acquisition. Aubrey remembered. She was orphaned in middle school. With nowhere else to turn, a twist of fate led her to be taken in by the Davies family. Back then, Julian’s parents were often away on business, and the nannies didn’t care much for him. He was malnourished, scrawny. That’s why Mr. Davies Sr. used to call him a scrawny kid who couldn’t even stand up for himself. Caught in a cycle of extreme verbal abuse and emotional distress, he spiraled into depression. It was Aubrey who quietly stayed by his side, learning to cook to nurse him back to health. She stopped him from attempting suicide, comforting and caring for his emotional well-being. She stayed with him until he became the celebrated CEO of Davies Corporation. Through countless days and nights spent together, a silent affection blossomed between them. At a Davies family gala, someone had called her a charity case trying to marry into wealth, warning the family to be careful not to be seduced by her. The very next day, Julian had systematically crushed that person’s company, issuing a chilling warning to everyone: no one was to speak ill of Aubrey ever again. He had made her feel completely safe and cherished. … They had walked hand-in-hand through life, Julian’s boundless favoritism protecting her from ridicule and disdain. He had given her and Liam a home, a sanctuary. At their wedding, Julian had declared that only she, Aubrey, would ever be Mrs. Davies. He had kept his word, yet his heart now belonged to another woman. Aubrey clutched the lapel of Julian’s jacket until her knuckles turned white. Fighting back tears, she choked out, “Julian, is Serena truly that important to you?” Julian paused for a moment. “Important, yes. I can’t live without her.” “Serena lacks a sense of security. You should give her half of your shares too.” Every word he spoke was like a knife, twisting deeper into Aubrey’s heart. Those shares had been given to her by Mrs. Davies; they were rightfully hers. Why should she give them to Serena? It was her fault, she had let a viper into her home. When she first met Serena, she was a fresh college graduate, struggling to find work. She had pulled some strings, asking Aubrey for help. Thinking she seemed nice enough, Aubrey hired Serena as her personal assistant. She never expected her to be so impulsive and a law unto herself. Serena constantly disrupted her plans and interfered with her schedule. Aubrey had gotten into trouble with Mr. Davies Sr. more times than she could count because of her. When she finally fired Serena, Serena still believed she’d done nothing wrong. She’d claimed Aubrey was just using her position as Mrs. Davies to lord it over people. Serena swore that once she reached Aubrey’s position, she would make sure Aubrey suffered. Aubrey had dismissed them as empty threats, paying them no mind. But she never imagined Serena would turn around and start an affair with Julian. Still, she didn’t take it seriously. Julian had many lovers; they were always just flings. She was wrong. Things slowly spiraled out of control. Serena was different. Julian was completely obsessed with her, madly in love with her. The thought sent a wave of agonizing pain through Aubrey. She struggled to compose herself. “There are so many people who could be a match for her. Why does it have to be me?” Julian replied, “Because I don’t trust anyone else. But you’re absolutely clean, no diseases.” “You’re holding the position of Mrs. Davies. What more could you be unsatisfied with? It’s just bone marrow. Don’t be so petty.” Aubrey froze. He spoke as if this were some grand favor bestowed upon her. Did receiving these things mean she had to give up her life? Her body was already haggard and frail. After undergoing surgery, she might not make it off the table. Seeing her continued refusal, Julian’s patience ran out. He warned, “Aubrey, don’t forget, without me, you and your brother would be beggars.” “Just as I gave you everything, I can take it all away.” Aubrey fell silent, her eyes filled with a soul-crushing agony. Everything she had done was to stand proudly beside Julian. Yet everyone saw her efforts, everyone but Julian, who, deep down, only ever looked down on her. The young man who, full of vigor, declared his love to him in the rain. The Julian who confessed his love under the spotlight and swore to love only her. He was long gone. Aubrey stubbornly lifted her head. “What if I refuse to donate?” Julian frowned in displeasure, sighing softly before prying Liam’s mouth open again. She panicked, quickly saying, “I’ll find someone else for you, absolutely clean and healthy!” “Three…” “Julian, there are other options! It doesn’t have to be me!” “Two… Aubrey, do you really think your brother isn’t as important as your bone marrow?” His voice was bone-chillingly cold, and the indifference in his eyes tore her in two. “Fine, I agree. I’ll give you my bone marrow.” The words tasted bitter in her mouth. “Good girl. That’s my Aubrey.” Julian took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, his arm around her firm and warm. He signaled the guards to release Liam, who crumpled to the ground like a broken rag doll. A cold fear bloomed in Aubrey’s heart. Julian had always seen her as an object. Like a helmsman who could steer her emotions at will. She couldn’t endure this life of sharing one man with countless other women. She had to take Liam and leave. She had to get a divorce.
Aubrey shoved Julian away and rushed to the unconscious Liam. She shrieked at Julian, “Quick! Get him to a hospital!” Julian frowned. Just as he was about to call for someone to take Liam to the hospital, His phone suddenly rang. He looked at the screen—it was Serena. The moment he answered, her weeping voice came through. “Julian, my chest hurts so much! I feel like I can’t hold on!” Julian grew anxious, hearing Serena’s cries. He tried to comfort her. “I’m coming right away. Just wait for me.” Seeing him about to leave, Aubrey grabbed his jacket. “Julian, Julian, please, I’m begging you! Get Liam to the hospital first, he’s dying!” Julian’s brows furrowed deeply. He yanked his jacket free. “Call an ambulance yourself. Serena said her condition worsened.” “I have to go take care of her first!” She tried to argue, but he ignored her. Aubrey placed her last hope on the ambulance. When she finally found her phone, it was shattered, utterly unusable. In the end, it was one of the guards, with a pang of conscience, who called for an ambulance. All the way to the hospital, she kept asking the doctors if Liam would be okay. But they couldn’t make any promises. After Liam was wheeled into the emergency room, Aubrey stood outside, pacing anxiously. Less than half an hour after the doctors went in, they suddenly rushed out, looking utterly frantic. She frowned, stepping forward and gripping a doctor’s wrist tightly. “Where are you going? How is the person inside?” The doctor, frantic, explained, “A patient named Serena has had an emergency. The hospital just called us all over.” “We’ll be back here very soon.” Aubrey held the doctor’s arm even tighter, refusing to let go. “No! If you leave, my brother will have no one to save him!” “So many doctors are going. It won’t matter if one of you stays!” Aubrey cried and knelt, pleading with the doctor to stay, but he was torn. If he didn’t go, he could kiss his career at the hospital goodbye. After a moment of agonizing deliberation, the doctor. Still, he pulled his wrist free from Aubrey’s grasp, guilt etched on his face. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.” With that, he abandoned her and left. She peered into the operating room, seeing Liam lying alone on the hospital bed. His breathing grew shallow. Aubrey gritted her teeth and rushed to another emergency room, where she saw Julian standing outside, his face etched with worry. “Did you call all the doctors away?” Julian looked up. “Serena’s situation is critical.” The operating room was packed with doctors. Aubrey cried out in fury, “You don’t need this many! Just give me a few doctors, please!” Aubrey’s eyes were red-rimmed as she tugged at Julian’s sleeve, begging him. But he was unmoved, rejecting her with a stone-cold expression. “Stop making a scene. If anything happens to Serena, I couldn’t bear it.” “It’ll be quick. Just wait a little longer.” Aubrey snatched her hand away and screamed at him, “Liam is really dying! I’ll kneel for you, okay?!” Finally, she knelt down in front of everyone. Julian’s face instantly changed. He pulled her up. His voice laced with impatience, “I just praised you for being obedient, and now you’re going to upset me again?” Aubrey softened her tone, tears streaming down her face. “Liam really can’t wait.” Julian, with a cold look, cupped her face and began to soothe her. “It was just a few drinks. How could anything happen?” “I didn’t put any poison in that alcohol. I knew you were trying to trick me into coming over with Liam.” “This isn’t the time for jealousy. Be a good girl. Serena’s situation is much more serious than Liam’s.” Aubrey could no longer hide her collapsing emotions. She screamed at Julian, “No! I’m not being jealous!” Julian’s brows furrowed slightly, his expression displeased. “Enough. Stop being so disobedient. Once Serena’s surgery is over, they’ll go to Liam.” Seeing that she couldn’t reason with Julian, she decided to transfer Liam to another hospital. Just as she was about to arrange the transfer, the door to Serena’s operating room suddenly opened. Serena’s face was pale, and her eyes, red-rimmed, looked at Julian with an expression that made her appear utterly pitiful. “Julian, I thought I’d never wake up again.” Julian comforted her with a pained expression, his voice full of tenderness. “It’s okay. I’m here. Nothing bad will happen to you.” Aubrey stood to the side, watching the two of them embrace. She felt like a hysterical madwoman. Julian used to cherish her, treating her like a precious treasure. Knowing she was afraid of pain, he had all the sharp furniture and wall corners in their home rounded. If she ever got a scratch or a bump, he would panic as if the world were about to explode. When she faced difficulties, he was always the first to appear by her side. But then, this relationship started to sour. Looking back, it seemed to be from the moment she stopped obeying his every command. After the doctors emerged from Serena’s operating room, they immediately went to Liam’s. Who knew how much time had passed? The doctor came out and shook his head at Aubrey. “It’s too late. If you had brought him a few minutes earlier, he might have been saved.” “Now, he’s in a vegetative state. As for when he’ll wake up, that’s an unknown.” Aubrey’s legs gave out when she heard the news. He was alive, but what was the difference between this and being dead? She walked to his side, gently stroking his pale face. Just a few minutes. If Julian hadn’t called all the doctors away, her brother would be waking up right now! Aubrey collapsed beside Liam, no longer able to hold back her emotions, and cried out loud. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t fallen in love with Julian, you wouldn’t be like this.” “If I had agreed to give Julian my bone marrow earlier, he wouldn’t have been so cruel to you!” If the old Liam had heard her crying, he would have long since wiped away her tears and sought out whoever had made her cry to settle the score. But now, he lay motionless on the bed. Finally, Aubrey coughed up a mouthful of blood, staining the hospital floor.
When she woke again, a doctor stood over her, frowning at her test results. “Your body is very weak. You need to rest properly.” Aubrey smiled faintly. “Doctor, will I die?” “No, but if you keep pushing yourself, you won’t have many days left.” After saying this, the doctor sighed, leaving her with a simple instruction to take care of herself before departing. Ever since Liam became a vegetable, Aubrey had dedicated all her energy to him. One day, the elevator broke, forcing her to climb five flights of stairs. But by the third floor, she was breathless, her chest tight, her legs weak. By the time she reached Liam’s side, she was drenched in sweat. That’s when she realized just how frail her body was. If she went into surgery like this, it would surely be a gamble with her life. She needed to recover properly. After several days of rest and treatment in the hospital, her body finally started to regain some strength. She planned to go home to pick up some things, then rent a room near the hospital so she could better care for Liam. Standing at the door, she overheard words that shattered her heart. “Do you think our baby will be a boy or a girl?” Serena asked, her face full of anticipation. Julian, with a doting expression, replied, “Boy or girl, they’re my child.” A child? A sudden, sharp pain pierced Aubrey’s heart, an unspeakable ache spreading through her entire body. They had been together for five years and never conceived. He and Serena got pregnant in less than half a year? Just then, Serena suddenly began to sob. “Maybe I should just get rid of this baby?” Julian’s grip on Serena’s hand tightened abruptly, his eyes wide with panic. “Why?!” “My body… I can’t carry a baby. Julian, I really want to be a mother, but I…” Julian frowned, his thin lips parting. “It’s okay. I found a bone marrow match for you, and Aubrey has agreed.” Aubrey’s heart clenched in the hallway. The world began to spin. The metallic tang in her throat constantly reminded her that her body was no longer healthy. If she didn’t make it off the operating table this time, what would happen to Liam? What would he do, alone? Aubrey knocked on the door. The two in the living room immediately turned to the entrance. Only then did they realize Aubrey had been listening the whole time. Julian frowned. “What are you doing here?” Aubrey walked over to them. “Can I… can I get my body stronger first… before I donate?” Serena clutched her stomach, tears wetting her sleeves. “But I can’t wait! The doctor said the surgery needs to be done as soon as possible.” “Julian, if Aubrey isn’t willing, then… we won’t have the baby.” Serena said this with a sob in her voice. With just one sentence, she shifted all the blame onto Aubrey. Julian frowned, his voice low and firm, laced with an undeniable command. “You just heard, Serena is pregnant.” “Aubrey, you promised to donate your bone marrow. Or do you want your brother to keep drinking?” Aubrey responded, “It’s not that I won’t donate. It’s just that my body right now…” “Aubrey! You used to agree to everything I said. Why are you constantly refusing me now?!” Julian’s voice was icy, radiating a deep, cold indifference. “Serena and the baby can’t wait.” Aubrey knew she couldn’t escape. So, if that was the case, she would fight for something for herself. “Alright, but I need a sum of money.” Julian was pleased by Aubrey’s sudden obedience, his mood brightening considerably. “I need sixty million.” Julian didn’t bat an eye, nodding. “I’ll have Mr. Sterling transfer it to you.” But Serena, sitting beside him, wasn’t happy. “Why so much money?” “What are you going to do with it?” Aubrey frowned. This mistress, acting like the lady of the house, interrogating her. “It’s just sixty million,” Julian said. Serena pouted. “That sixty million would be so much better for our baby.” Aubrey looked anxiously at Julian. She was terrified he would actually listen to Serena and take the money back. This was the amount she’d calculated for Liam’s future medical expenses. She immediately explained, “No, Liam is in a vegetative state. I need this money.” Julian looked disbelieving. “How is that possible? He just had a few drinks. That wouldn’t put him in a vegetative state, would it?” “I’m really not lying to you.” He let out a cold laugh. “Alright, if you want money in the future, just ask me directly. No need to lie about Liam being in a vegetative state.” “You’re Mrs. Davies. It’s only right that I give you money.” Aubrey opened her mouth, but no words came out. Serena, however, shot Aubrey a venomous look, as if wishing her dead. Just then, she touched her belly, as if an idea had struck her. “Julian, since I’m pregnant now, shouldn’t we find someone to care for me during my pregnancy?” Julian said, “I’ll immediately have someone find a maternity nurse for you.” Serena stopped Julian and looked at Aubrey. “I don’t think that’s necessary. Couldn’t Aubrey just take care of me?” “I only trust family.”
Julian, hearing this, smiled. “That’s a good idea. She’s excellent at taking care of people.” Aubrey’s face drained of color. Her throat felt dry. “Excellent at taking care of people.” Was he talking about how she had acted like a nanny to him throughout their youth? His words made all her sacrifices during her youth feel like a cruel joke. Julian picked up a strand of her hair, twisting it between his fingers. “You’ll agree, won’t you?” Aubrey’s eyes welled up. After they announced their relationship, Julian had never let her do any housework. Now, he was asking her to care for his pregnant mistress. Her mouth opened slightly, but she couldn’t utter a refusal. She could only nod. She couldn’t go against Julian yet. She hadn’t received the divorce papers, and the money hadn’t been transferred to her account. Serena, seeing Aubrey’s humiliated expression, brightened considerably. Just then, Julian’s phone rang. He gave Serena a doting look. “I’ll take this call.” As soon as he stepped out, the pitiful innocence in Serena’s eyes vanished. It was replaced by malice and calculation. “Well, does it hurt to see how much Julian loves me?” Serena looked triumphant, her chin slightly raised, a victor’s pose. “I found out. You were just a beggar picking through trash on the streets. After getting help from the Davies family, you transformed into Mrs. Davies.” “If you can marry Julian, so can I.” Saying this, Serena grabbed Aubrey’s wrist. “I advise you to leave Julian on your own. Otherwise, once I start playing games, you won’t be able to handle it.” Aubrey didn’t take Serena’s threats seriously. She sneered. “Oh really? Then why don’t you just tell him you want him to divorce me?” “Do you know why he loves you so much, yet still hasn’t divorced me?” “Because, to him, you’re nothing but a mistress.” Aubrey’s words hit home, crushing Serena’s pride. “You!” Serena pointed a furious finger at her, barely restraining herself from striking Aubrey. “Don’t get cocky. The position of Mrs. Davies will be mine eventually.” With that, Serena violently shoved the table, spilling a cup of hot water. Then she let out a piercing scream. “Ah!” Julian, hearing Serena’s shriek, burst through the door and saw Serena’s scalded, red hand. He rushed over and pulled her into his arms. “What happened?!” Serena leaned into Julian’s embrace, tears welling in her eyes. She sniffled as she cried. She looked utterly pathetic. “Julian, I don’t know what I said wrong to anger Aubrey.” “She suddenly threw hot water on me.” As she spoke, she clutched her stomach, crying even harder. “Thankfully, I protected my belly. If anything happened to the baby, what would I do?!” Julian’s deep, inky eyes blazed with fury. He let out a sudden roar that made Aubrey flinch. “Aubrey!” “Don’t you know she’s pregnant?! How could you be so vicious?!” It was the first time Aubrey had seen Julian so enraged. She tried to explain, “There are security cameras in the living room. You can check them to see if I did it.” She had been kidnapped once before, and though she was rescued safely, it had left Julian with intense psychological trauma. He’d had cameras installed in every corner of the house. A flicker of panic crossed Serena’s face. She quickly said, “Aubrey, I know you want to say I framed you, but I would never endanger Julian’s baby just to frame you!” Julian held Serena tightly, his heart aching. He looked at her tear-filled eyes and her scalded, red hand. “No need to check. I believe Serena.” “Aubrey, I never thought you could become so malicious.” Aubrey tried to explain again. “I never…” “Aubrey!” His roar was so loud, it made her heart pound. Even Serena flinched at the sound, forgetting to cry. Julian, seeing Serena startled, immediately comforted her. “Don’t be scared. I’m not yelling at you!” Tears spilled from Aubrey’s eyes, uncontrollable. If she had cried before, Julian would have frantically fumbled to comfort her. But now, he was busy soothing another woman. Julian looked up, frowning. “Why are you crying? I guess you don’t understand pain until it happens to you.” He gave a look to the guards, who immediately understood. They grabbed Aubrey’s arms, pulling her towards the basement. Looking at the pitch-black basement, Aubrey immediately struggled. “I’m begging you! I’m scared!” “Don’t do this, Julian Davies! You know I can’t be in confined spaces, you know it!” No matter how much Aubrey pleaded, he ignored her. The basement was just a storage room, not very large. The lights there had broken a long time ago and hadn’t been fixed. Once the door closed, nothing could be seen. In that sealed, narrow space, her fear magnified infinitely. Aubrey couldn’t take it anymore. She hammered on the door, shouting, “Let me out! Please, let me out!” No one paid any attention to her cries for help. Gradually, she felt her breathing grow ragged, and her entire being was consumed by extreme terror. When she finally saw light again, it was three days later. For those three days, she hadn’t eaten or drunk anything. Julian looked at her, covered in dirt, and wrinkled his nose in disgust. Serena, hiding behind him, looked smug. Julian sneered, “If you had just been a good girl and listened, none of this would have happened!” She had no strength left and slowly closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Julian sitting by her bedside. He held a glass of water out to her. “Drink some water.” His voice was incredibly gentle, making her believe the young Julian from years ago had returned. But then she looked up and saw the hickeys on his neck, instantly snapping her back to reality. Julian placed the water glass aside. “Are you worried Serena’s child will steal your inheritance?”
“Once Serena’s surgery is done, we’ll have a child of our own. That way, you’ll feel more secure, won’t you?” Aubrey thought she had misheard him. She looked up at the man she had loved for over a decade. He now seemed utterly foreign to her. She suppressed her nausea and replied, “Understood.” “Then rest well. I’m leaving.” After Julian left, Aubrey rushed to the bathroom and vomited violently into the toilet. A child? If a child were born into this environment, it would be irresponsible of her. She couldn’t continue like this. Aubrey went to Julian’s office door. Julian barely looked up when he saw her. “What do you need?” “This is the contract for an apartment I bought. Liam needs to be hospitalized, so I’ll live near the hospital to take care of him.” Julian took the contract from her hand and read it carefully. When he flipped to the divorce agreement page, Aubrey’s heart tightened. She quickly reached out to cover the content, pointing to the signature line. “Just sign here.” Julian looked up at her, then, without much thought, signed the document. “Take good care of Serena. She’s in a critical period right now.” Aubrey nodded and left the office. Looking at Julian’s signature on the divorce agreement, the reality finally sank in: she was truly divorced from Julian. Next, she would go to the law firm to divide their assets. Mrs. Davies had given her a substantial amount of shares after they married. Once she converted those into cash, it would be enough for her and Liam to live comfortably for the rest of their lives. As she was at home brewing herbal medicine, her phone suddenly rang. It was Julian. The moment she answered, his anxious voice came through. “Where are you right now?” Aubrey frowned. “I’m home.” Julian said, “I’m coming back to pick you up now.” About ten minutes after the call ended, he appeared at her house. Without a word, he pulled her into the car. On the way, Aubrey couldn’t help but ask, “Where are you taking me?” Julian frowned. “Serena fainted. She needs emergency surgery.” Aubrey flinched. Her body wasn’t ready for surgery yet. Her health and weight weren’t up to par. If she donated now, what would happen to her? “Not today. Let me get my strength back…” “Enough!” Julian slammed on the horn, glaring into the rearview mirror. “You just don’t want to donate, so you’re making excuses!” “Don’t you know myelodysplastic syndrome can be fatal? If you don’t donate today, Serena and the baby will be in danger.” Upon arriving at the hospital, Julian pushed her directly to a doctor. “Her bone marrow is a match. Take hers.” “No! You can’t! I’ll die! Doctor, please tell him!” Aubrey looked at the doctor, her face etched with despair. She placed all her hope in him. The doctor frowned. The person before him was skeletal, far from meeting donation standards. He was about to object. Julian’s voice cut in, a warning. “If you don’t want this hospital to go under, then draw her blood!” The doctor’s words were swallowed back down. He could only lead Aubrey into the operating room. Aubrey grabbed Julian’s jacket, crying out, “Julian Davies! What if I really die?!” Her desperate plea made everyone present wince in pain. Julian, however, was unfazed. He gripped her chin. “I’ve looked into it. Bone marrow donation won’t kill you. Stop being dramatic.” “What are you all looking at? Get her in there!” Fearing repercussions, the doctors could only take her arms and pull her towards the operating room. Despite her desperate struggles, she couldn’t resist a single anesthesia injection. The operating lamp switched on, its white glare painfully bright. Then, gradually, she lost consciousness. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Serena clinging to Julian’s waist, her face tear-stained. “Julian, do you know how close I came to never seeing you again?” Julian frantically wiped away her tears, comforting her. “I’m here with you. Don’t be afraid.” In contrast, Aubrey lay unattended. She tried to push herself up to reach the water glass on her bedside table. But her hands were too weak. She couldn’t hold the full glass. The loud crash of the glass hitting the floor seemed to startle Serena, who flinched in Julian’s arms. She cried even louder. Julian let her tears soak his clothes. He looked at Aubrey with an accusing glare. He had severe germaphobia. In the past, if Aubrey accidentally touched his hand with sand, he would wash his hands several times with soap. But now, Serena’s tears were soaking his collar, and he didn’t seem annoyed at all. Julian soothed Serena, then angrily turned to Aubrey.
“What are you whining about? Don’t you know Serena just had surgery and can’t handle being startled?!” Aubrey could only silently endure his accusations. For some reason, her incision was hurting excruciatingly. She was gasping for breath, and she turned to Julian. “Please, call a doctor for me!” Serena, at that moment, said, “Let’s switch rooms. I want a private room.” Julian’s attention was entirely focused on Serena. He’d completely forgotten what Aubrey had said. “Understood! I’ll arrange it right away!” Julian carried Serena away, leaving Aubrey alone in the room. Later, a nurse doing rounds discovered Aubrey had fainted. Acute kidney failure. After the doctors’ efforts, she barely survived. A week later, Serena and Julian reappeared in her hospital room. Looking at Aubrey’s pale face, Serena said, “The doctor told me the technology is mature now. Bone marrow donation has no risks at all.” “Aubrey, even if you want to get Julian’s attention, you don’t need to fake it so badly.” With that, she stepped forward and pinched Aubrey’s face hard, until it turned red. She turned to Julian and said, “See how pale her face is? It’s all makeup.” Aubrey’s body hadn’t fully recovered. Hearing Serena’s words, she coughed fiercely. Julian frowned. “Aubrey, you’re really disappointing me more and more!” “The doctor said you need another surgery. Get ready.” Aubrey looked up, her eyes filled with despair. “What did you say?” “What, you put on such a good act, and now you can’t handle donating a second time?” “Do you know Serena gets a headache if she feels even a slight draft? It’s because you kept delaying the donation, and it left her with lingering issues!” Tears silently streamed down Aubrey’s face. She had barely returned from the brink of death, and now he wanted to push her back in again. “I won’t donate,” Aubrey gritted out. Julian frowned. “What did you say?” Aubrey repeated, “I won’t donate. I’d rather die than sacrifice my life for her.” Julian was about to say something when a nurse suddenly entered. “Aubrey, one dialysis session, and then you’ll recover with medication!” Dialysis? Julian frowned, about to ask what was going on. Serena, beside him, immediately grabbed his arm. “Julian, I suddenly feel so dizzy. Did I not get enough rest?” Julian, hearing Serena hadn’t rested well, quickly supported her, his face filled with concern. “Let’s go rest now.” As for Aubrey, Julian didn’t ask another word. The nurse helped Aubrey out of bed. “Was that your family just now? Why didn’t you ask him to accompany you for dialysis?” Aubrey’s face was numb. “Not family. I can do it alone.” She received treatment at the hospital for half a month. During that time, she had no one to talk to, only watching TV to pass the time. The news lately was all about Julian and Serena. At a new product launch, Serena was dressed elegantly, sitting beside Julian. She greeted everyone like the lady of the Davies household. At a charity gala, reporters asked Julian about their relationship, and he generously admitted they were a couple. He gave Serena all the security she needed, and even the media’s headlines for the three of them were: “The unloved one is the mistress.” Julian’s doting on Serena was known to all: hot air balloon confessions, starting a company for her, gifting her luxury cars and mansions. Seeing these scenes, people couldn’t help but remember that Julian’s pursuit of Aubrey hadn’t been nearly as grand. Everyone was saying Serena was Julian’s true love. Aubrey felt no emotion from seeing these things anymore. All she wanted now was to take what belonged to her and leave with her brother. As far away as possible. When she was well enough to be discharged, her first priority was to find Liam. She hadn’t been around for so long; she wondered how her brother was doing. As she pushed open the door, she saw a group of men in black ransacking the room, throwing things everywhere. They were even trying to rip Liam’s oxygen tube out. Aubrey saw this and rushed forward, using all her strength to push the burly guard to the ground. “What are you doing?! Who told you to touch him?!” Serena, arms crossed, walked out from a short distance away, looking at the unconscious man on the bed. “What’s the point of keeping a living corpse here?” “It’s just a waste of resources!” The term “living corpse” pierced Aubrey’s heart. She broke free from the guard and screamed at Serena, “My brother will wake up! He will!” “He’s not a living corpse!” Serena, seeing her frantic state, raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused. She gestured to the guards. “What are you waiting for? Get him out of here!” With that, the guards moved towards Liam. As their hands were about to touch him, Aubrey lunged forward and bit one of them on the arm, biting so hard she nearly tore off a chunk of flesh. The guard shrieked and recoiled, looking at the crazed Aubrey, daring not to approach. He turned to Serena, embarrassed. “No, she’s too wild! We can’t get near her!” Serena cursed, “You useless fools!” With that, she kicked Liam’s hospital bed. Liam tumbled to the floor with a loud thud. His head hit the ground and began to bleed profusely. Liam was Aubrey’s breaking point. After their parents died, Liam knew she was too proud to beg for food. But dishwashing jobs couldn’t support both of them. In the dead of winter, ten-year-old Liam, who should have been a child pampered in his parents’ arms, instead crouched in the snow, begging. When he returned, his face was chapped and bleeding from the bitter cold, yet he smiled and said they had warmth for the winter. From that day on, she swore she would never let him suffer any harm, but she hadn’t been able to prevent any of it. Aubrey rushed forward, desperate to press down on Liam’s bleeding wound, her eyes blurred with tears. Looking at the motionless Liam, she felt an overwhelming sense of injustice, and her tears flowed uncontrollably.
Serena’s voice rang out, “What are you just standing there for? Get her away from him!” “Throw this useless thing out! Half-dead, wasting money here!” Hearing those words, Aubrey couldn’t take it anymore. She sprang up, rushed to Serena, and slapped her hard across the face. Serena clutched her face, utterly stunned. Then, Aubrey’s next slap landed. “You’re crazy! How dare you hit me!” Serena, holding her face, pointed at Aubrey, seething with rage. “Fine, you just wait!” After Serena left, Aubrey called for a doctor. She breathed a sigh of relief when she learned Liam was okay. Only after he was stable did she return to her apartment. As she opened the door, she heard Julian’s voice from inside. “Grab her.” No sooner had he spoken than a bodyguard emerged from the shadows behind her, grabbing her by the shoulders. He pushed her in front of Julian, while Serena, seeing her, looked utterly heartbroken. She leaned into Julian’s embrace, sniffing as she cried. “Aubrey, I just went to the hospital to give you this gift, hoping we could get along better.” “But you hit me and insulted me. Julian, what did I do wrong?” Serena felt even more wronged, crying louder. Aubrey tried to explain, “That’s not true! She…” *Slap!* Julian’s hand landed cleanly on her face. He didn’t even give her a chance to explain. Julian’s eyes grew cold. “Aubrey, I’ve indulged you in every way, but you cannot touch Serena.” He then looked at Serena. “How do you want to get even?” Serena glanced at Aubrey, then pretended to shrink into Julian’s arms, feigning fear. “I don’t dare say. What if Aubrey holds a grudge?” “Who knows how she’ll torment me later.” “She wouldn’t dare!” “Then… just a few slaps,” Serena said timidly. “Serena, you’re too kind. A few slaps aren’t enough.” Julian raised a hand, gesturing to a bodyguard. “One hundred. Don’t stop until they’re all done.” As soon as he spoke, the bodyguard’s palm slammed across her face. The blow made her ears ring. In an instant, she felt dizzy and disoriented. Before she could recover, the next slap followed. A warm trickle flowed from her nose, blood splattering on the floor. Her vision blurred crimson. Julian stood before her, watching emotionlessly. It wasn’t until Serena grew bored of the spectacle that she whined to Julian, “It’s too bloody, Julian. I think that’s enough.” “No, this is a lesson for her, so she won’t bully you, right?” Serena was touched by Julian’s words. She pressed a kiss to his lips. “Thank you. You’re so good to me.” Julian smiled, wrapping his arm around Serena’s slender waist, and leaned in to kiss her again. As they embraced, Serena shot Aubrey a triumphant glance. She thought this would anger her. But Aubrey had long since given up on Julian. Only after they finished their intimate display did he walk over to her and warn her. “Aubrey, you’re still Mrs. Davies, after all. Don’t do such shameful things again.” Serena, standing nearby, flinched, then looked at Aubrey with utter hostility. *Again*? Did Julian not intend to divorce her? Serena’s eyes darted around, then she looked at Julian. “You go first. I have a few words to say to Aubrey.” Julian didn’t ask any questions, smiling as he agreed. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.” Serena nodded. Once he left, her face instantly changed. She reached out, disdainfully lifting Aubrey’s chin, and frowned. “This is only a few slaps, and you’re already like this? Tsk, tsk, tsk.” “How did you feel when you saw Julian kiss me? If Mrs. Davies doesn’t want to be tortured to death, then give up your position.” Aubrey’s ears were still ringing, and she couldn’t make out what Serena was saying to her. Seeing she still wouldn’t budge, Serena’s face darkened, and she slapped Aubrey again. “Still won’t give in?!” “I’ll just have to see whose mouth is harder, yours or your bones!” She sneered, then looked at the bodyguards. “Hit her hard! If any of you slack off, you’ll regret it!” After the beating, all Aubrey saw was red, and her consciousness slowly blurred. Until she couldn’t bear it anymore and passed out. When she opened her eyes again, Aubrey found herself in an abandoned building. Serena, seeing she was awake, gave her a sinister smile. “You’re awake?” With that, she grabbed Aubrey by the collar and pulled her to a window with no railing. Looking down, it was at least a dozen stories high. She instantly panicked, her voice trembling. “You’re crazy! Why are we suddenly here?” “You’re the one who refused to give up the position of Mrs. Davies! You forced me to do this!” Aubrey was drenched in sweat from fear. “Let me go! I’ll give you the position! It’s just Mrs. Davies, right? I’ll give you whatever you want!” But Serena wasn’t pleased by this. She screamed at Aubrey, “Do you think I’ll believe you? You’re just saying that because you don’t want me to push you out the window!” “I’m going to make you commit a huge mistake, a mistake that Julian won’t be able to forgive.” “That way, he’ll definitely divorce you and be with me.” With that, Serena’s face grew increasingly distorted, terrifying Aubrey. No sooner had she spoken than several cars pulled up below. Julian got out of his car and looked up, seeing Aubrey pushing Serena. He shouted furiously, “Let her go immediately!” Aubrey, hearing this, also began to struggle. “Let go of me!” But Serena held Aubrey’s hands tightly, waiting until Julian reached the staircase. Then she screamed, “Aubrey, I know you’re unhappy seeing me and Julian together!” “But you can’t try to kill me! I’m carrying Julian’s child!” Aubrey tried to pull her hands back, but Serena held them with all her might. Seeing this, Aubrey shouted at Serena, “What are you doing? Hurry up and…” Before she could finish her sentence, Serena pulled Aubrey’s hands and lunged towards the window. The next second, as she hit the ground, she could hear the sound of her bones shattering, a tearing pain consuming her entire body. 8
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