Everyone in the Special Enforcement Department knew Liam Carter, the most skilled crisis negotiator, could dismantle anyone’s psychological defenses in life-or-death situations. But he was utterly helpless against Anya Vance’s tears. Everyone said he loved Anya Vance to his very core, that he’d give her the stars and the moon. Yet, only Anya Vance knew Liam Carter’s heart belonged to another—the woman he’d always carried a torch for. The day his first love returned to the country, Anya received news of his accident on a stormy night. Rushing out, she suffered a car crash, which led to the miscarriage of her four-month-old child. Liam Carter, fresh from his first love’s welcome party, rushed to her side, his voice trembling: “It was just a drunken fling, how could you take it seriously?” Her body and heart ached, and then she heard his forced calm voice: “Maybe it’s for the best we don’t have a child now… my job creates too many enemies. A child would only make us vulnerable to threats.” Anya’s heart was ripped to shreds, but she couldn’t argue. Ten days after his first love returned, Anya walked in on them in a room together, their gestures intimately close. Liam Carter gripped her hand, his eyes bloodshot as he promised: “Anya, you have to believe me. We’re just colleagues, discussing a case.” She didn’t make a scene. She simply turned and calmly walked away. Sixty days after his first love returned, a kidnapper held a knife to Anya’s throat, grinning maniacally at Liam Carter. “Negotiator Carter, you can only choose one: your wife or your lover!” Liam Carter’s gaze was filled with sorrow, but he spoke each word with chilling clarity: “Seraphina Thorne is a highly skilled professional, a returning scholar. The Department needs her.” Just like that, Anya Vance watched, helpless, as Seraphina Thorne threw herself into Liam Carter’s arms. The deranged kidnapper then stabbed Anya six times. She fell into a coma for two months. The first thing she did upon waking was to take her marriage certificate to the department, applying for a divorce. But she didn’t get the divorce papers; instead, she got a confused look from the clerk. “Ms. Vance, you and Mr. Carter… you were never married. Is this marriage certificate fake?” Anya Vance suspected she’d misheard. Her marriage certificate, cherished for six years—the marriage she’d believed was perfect—was a lie? “That’s impossible, please check again. We’ve been married for six years…” The clerk’s eyes held a complex expression. He checked the system anyway, confirming it repeatedly before he gravely told Anya Vance, “Ma’am, falsifying official documents is a crime. I’ll consider this a joke today.” Anya Vance’s mind went blank. She stared at the photo on the certificate, the two of them leaning together, smiling. It felt utterly absurd! Connecting this with Seraphina’s return, suddenly everything made chilling sense. Liam Carter had lied about their marriage, all to bide his time and cover his tracks, waiting for his first love. She had just returned to the hospital when Liam Carter, a look of worry on his face, walked towards her. “Anya, you’re not fully recovered, why are you running around?” Anya Vance brushed his hand away and walked straight past him. Liam Carter’s gaze froze. “Are you still mad at me? But you know, the moment I chose this profession, the interests of the country and its people came before everything else… Besides, Seraphina even got hurt trying to save you.” Anya Vance looked at the man she’d called her husband. Six years, day in and day out, and he felt like a complete stranger. Of course, she had never truly seen him before. “Yes, she got hurt. She’s a hero. And me? I’m just the ungrateful wretch who can’t appreciate a sacrifice.” Anya Vance tightened her grip on the marriage certificate in her pocket, her eyes stinging. Liam Carter, what was I to you then? Just a placeholder, a way to pass the time while you waited for Seraphina to come back? Anya Vance sidestepped him and returned to her room. She drifted into an exhausted sleep, waking up in the afternoon. Soon after, an officer from Liam Carter’s team brought her a meal. But the officer didn’t leave after placing the tray down. He stammered for a moment, then gritted his teeth: “Anya, you shouldn’t be angry with Liam. You just have a bias against us officers!” Anya Vance didn’t have time to speak before the officer grew agitated. “Even though Ms. Thorne made a major mistake during the rescue operation for your mother, we’re not infallible. We put our lives on the line, but we can’t guarantee 100% safety for hostages!” “You can’t hate her because of that. That’s prejudice! Besides, Ms. Thorne was severely disciplined and reassigned to an overseas post after that. She learned her lesson. She only returned after earning a major commendation.” In that instant, Anya Vance’s mind went blank. Six years ago, during a bank robbery, her mother was taken hostage. During negotiations with the kidnapper, a young female negotiator, letting her emotions get the better of her, enraged the kidnapper, which led to the hostage being killed… Later, Anya Vance heard that the negotiator had been punished, and her family received state compensation. It was after that incident that Liam Carter walked into her life. So… that negotiator was Seraphina Thorne! So, Liam Carter had been there to atone for someone else’s mistake. Anya Vance couldn’t hear anything else, not even when the officer left. She didn’t know how long she sat there in a daze, until she slowly dialed a number. When the other person picked up, she heard her own overly calm voice: “Anya Vance accepts the department’s transfer order. Ready for deployment at any time.” 2. The pungent smell of hospital disinfectant was unbearable for Anya Vance. She ignored the doctor’s advice and checked herself out early. Her phone vibrated wildly. She glanced at it; it was Liam Carter. She had no intention of answering, so she ignored the call and blocked his number. Back home, she searched through the entire house. The engagement ring they’d once exchanged lay in a velvet box. A custom-made music box featured a tiny couple in a suit and wedding gown. A thick diary held every word of their conversations during their courtship, and then there were the wedding photos on the wall… Anya Vance stared at them for a while, then swept them one by one into a box, and finally, tossed the whole box into the trash. It felt as if some old, deep-seated wound had finally been completely stripped away from her. She looked at the intimate photos on her phone, remembering the profound happiness in each one. One showed them in the kitchen, their faces dusted with flour. Another captured them kissing at the highest point of a Ferris wheel. Anya Vance scrolled through them, deleting each one, every swipe feeling like a knife twisting in her heart, repeatedly reminding her how beautiful, and how utterly fake, it had all been. The front door opened with a creak, and the next moment, Liam Carter strode in. His face was grim. The moment he saw Anya Vance, he seemed to let out a sigh of relief. “Anya, why didn’t you answer your phone?” His voice held a hint of menace. “I called you fifty-four times.” Anya Vance paused. She hadn’t answered because he was already blocked; naturally, she wouldn’t receive his calls. “Why did you check out of the hospital?” Liam Carter took a step forward and abruptly seized Anya Vance’s wrist. “Do you know how I felt when I couldn’t find you? I thought you…” He closed his eyes tightly, unable to finish. Anya Vance frowned deeply, her voice turning cold: “Let go of me, you’re hurting me.” But Liam Carter didn’t release her. He glanced at the empty wall, his eyes stormy. “Why did you throw away our wedding photos? I knew you were still angry! Anya, you used to understand me. I wasn’t doing it for myself; I was doing it for the country! We need Seraphina for a crucial operation right now, so nothing can happen to her…” “Enough,” Anya Vance sharply pulled her hand away. “I don’t want to hear your lies anymore.” The fake marriage certificate couldn’t fool anyone, and his concern for Seraphina couldn’t fool anyone either. Anya Vance wasn’t blind! Liam Carter’s eyes were filled with disappointment. “Anya, you’ve changed.” Anya Vance almost laughed. Yes, she had changed. Because she was finally no longer foolish. “But I just want you to understand, you’re the woman I love most. I can’t live without you, I can’t…” Liam Carter’s eyes slowly turned red. He suddenly took a large stride forward, swept Anya Vance into his arms. Ignoring her struggles, he tossed her onto the bed, then pulled out a pair of gleaming silver handcuffs from his pocket and cuffed her to the headboard! Anya Vance’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Liam Carter, are you insane?!” “I was losing my mind when I couldn’t find you!” Liam Carter pressed down on her, then, losing control, kissed her. “Anya, please don’t be angry with me…” The moment her breath was stolen, Anya Vance felt a wave of intense nausea. Using her unrestrained hand, she slapped him across the face— “SLAP!” Liam Carter stopped. Anya Vance gasped for breath, her eyes bloodshot. “Get out! Who gave you permission to touch me!” “I…” Before he could speak, his phone rang insistently. He picked it up, saw the contact, and his expression subtly changed. Liam Carter immediately stood up and hurried out. “Anya, wait for me. I have something urgent, I’ll be right back…” In a flash, he was gone. Only Anya Vance’s ragged breathing filled the room. She struggled, her wrists quickly chafing red against the metal. In her struggle, her unhealed wounds flared with intense pain. It took her a while to recover, then she bit her pale lip and wept silently. Dusk fell. The man who said he’d be right back was nowhere to be heard. Her phone lay on the sofa. Anya Vance tried using a bobby pin to pick the lock, tried dragging the bedpost to move, even tried prying open the headboard, but all failed. Worse, she started feeling dizzy. The pain from her wounds tormented her incessantly, and hunger became her constant companion. She curled up on the bed in agony. Day broke, then evening again. A whole day and night passed, and Liam Carter did not return. 3. In her semiconscious state, Anya Vance seemed to dream of the day Liam Carter proposed to her. Back then, Liam Carter’s eyes were full of tenderness. He looked at her earnestly, saying softly, “The most important rule for a negotiator is to always stay calm, but every day since I met you, I’ve been breaking that rule.” He slid the ring onto her finger, his touch so gentle, his kiss so precious. How could any of it have been fake? A spasm gripped her stomach. She drifted, caught between pain and consciousness, almost believing she was going to die right there… “BANG!” The door was violently flung open, followed by Liam Carter’s panicked voice. “Anya!” The handcuffs rattled several times in his haste before they finally sprang open. He scooped her into his arms and rushed out. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” Liam Carter’s voice seemed choked with tears. He carried Anya Vance into the car, panicking: “I didn’t mean to forget… Anya, please wake up…” … Anya Vance opened her eyes again, to the stark white lights of a hospital room. Three hospital visits in just a few months, all because of the man she had once deeply loved. He claimed to love her, yet constantly hurt her. Her head was splitting. Her fingers, resting nearby, twitched slightly, and then someone’s hand gripped hers. “Anya?” Liam Carter’s voice was hoarse, filled with worry. “Is there anything else bothering you?” The moment Anya Vance heard Liam Carter’s voice, she sharply pulled her hand away. The abrupt movement tugged at her wounds, and she gasped in pain. “Don’t move!” Liam Carter immediately reached forward and gripped her shoulders. Anya Vance saw his bloodshot eyes. Without thinking, she mustered all her strength and slapped Liam Carter across the face. She was still weak, so the blow was soft. But Liam Carter’s head still snapped to the side. “Good hit.” He turned back, a strange smile on his face, one side of it already red. “I deserved it.” “Hit me a few more times, if it’ll make you feel better…” Anya Vance’s voice was hoarse. “I don’t want to see you again.” Liam Carter’s smile froze. He frantically grabbed her hand, speaking gently: “Sweetheart, don’t say such things… It’s all my fault. An emergency mission came up suddenly, and I was negotiating for a whole day and night… Please forgive me?” Anya Vance closed her eyes. She wanted to say, she knew. Seraphina Thorne had called him. Just one phone call from that woman, and he’d left her, handcuffed to the bed, for a day and a night. How could she forgive him? Anya Vance raised her wrist. The marks from the handcuffs had turned a frightening purplish-blue. Her eyes welled up. “Liam Carter, you never used to treat me like this.” Liam Carter’s face changed. “…Because you’ve been angry with me about Seraphina these past few days. I was scared and angry then.” Anya Vance said softly, “Then why do you keep doing things that make me angry?” This time, he was silent for a long while. When he spoke again, his voice was filled with pain. “Anya, please don’t act on impulse, okay? We’re just colleagues, we have an important mission to execute together…” “Please leave. I want to rest.” “Okay, I’ll stay here with you.” Anya Vance was discharged the next day. Liam Carter remained by her side, never leaving her for a moment. For the following week, he was almost constantly present, personally changing her bandages and feeding her, enduring her coldness without complaint. But Anya Vance still noticed that he constantly snuck out to the balcony to make phone calls, a gentle smile always playing on his lips. She knew who was on the other end, and that made her heart ache even more. But on the third day after her return home from the hospital, Seraphina Thorne moved in, becoming their next-door neighbor. From then on, the meals Liam Carter personally cooked were divided into two portions. The other portion was taken next door, and each time, he would stay there to eat with Seraphina before returning. When he came back to Anya Vance, he always had the same explanation: “It’s an arrangement from the department. We just discussed the mission details.” Anya Vance looked at the happy smile that hadn’t quite faded from his lips, her heart twisting in agony. Liam Carter had always subtly avoided Anya Vance and Seraphina Thorne meeting, but one day, after dressing up, he suddenly announced: “Today is our wedding anniversary. I got tickets for a cruise and prepared a candlelight dinner for us tonight.” Anya Vance wanted to refuse, but he had already pulled her out the door. At the entrance, she saw Seraphina Thorne waiting. “Hi, Anya! You don’t mind me being a third wheel, do you?” She stuck out her tongue, looking lively and playful. Liam Carter smiled, then turned to explain: “Sera also wanted to experience a cruise, and since there was an extra ticket, we decided to all go together. Anya, you… you don’t mind, do you?” Anya Vance let out a mocking laugh. She lowered her eyes. “Of course not.” What right did she have to mind? Their marriage was nothing but a sham, a cruel illusion. 4. The day they boarded the cruise, the weather was clear. Liam Carter and Seraphina Thorne walked side by side, deep in conversation, making Anya Vance feel like an outsider. The cruise ship was decorated lavishly, as if for a grand celebration. In the evening, Liam Carter did indeed prepare a candlelight dinner. Anya Vance sat opposite him, taking a deep breath. “Perfect. Let’s use this opportunity to have a proper talk.” Liam Carter smiled. “Alright. Try this red wine steak; I specifically prepared it for you.” A hint of nostalgia touched his face. “I remember our first date, we had steak. But you didn’t like it medium-rare and made the waiter cook it well-done. I still remember the waiter’s face, haha.” Anya Vance mechanically cut her steak, put a piece in her mouth, her smile strained. She said softly, “Yes, I remember that day. You told me… you’d always protect me, keep me from any harm.” Liam Carter didn’t catch the bitterness in her tone. She quickly composed herself. “I have something to…” But halfway through her sentence, she suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. She saw Liam Carter across from her quickly stand up, catching her, his voice gentle: “Anya, you’re drunk.” Anya Vance’s heart plummeted. The small amount of red wine in the steak wouldn’t be enough to make her drunk. Had Liam Carter put something in it?! But before she could think clearly, she plunged into darkness. Anya Vance struggled to wake up from a daze, her head heavy and confused. As her memory returned, she was filled with an overwhelming rage. Liam Carter dared to drug her! This was a cabin on the cruise ship. Anya Vance took a moment to recover, then stumbled out. As soon as she reached the deck, she heard shouts of celebration. Not far away, under bright lights and candlelight, guests formed a circle. She recognized many familiar faces from the department, all gathered around two people in the center. Behind them, a giant illuminated sign read: “Happy Birthday, Sera.” Anya Vance felt her hands and feet grow cold. The crowd cheered. Liam Carter presented Seraphina with a gift, then they sang “Happy Birthday,” clinking glasses, everyone celebrating joyfully. She clearly read Liam Carter’s lips: “Make a wish, I’ll grant whatever you desire.” Anya Vance stumbled back, her legs weak, icy dread washing over her. So that was it… Liam Carter had booked the entire cruise, not for their anniversary, but to celebrate Seraphina’s birthday! He had even drugged her just to keep her out of the way! Anya Vance listened to the commotion outside until it slowly died down in the late hours of the night. Not long after, there was a knock on the door. She recognized the light footsteps that weren’t Liam Carter’s, so she looked up and saw Seraphina Thorne enter, carrying a slice of cake. “I know you’re awake, I saw you come out.” Seraphina Thorne gave a superior smile, placing the cake on the table. “Have some cake. You must be feeling awful right now, aren’t you?” She wanted to see anger or pain on Anya Vance’s face, but the woman sitting on the bed kept her back straight, her gaze calm and cold. “Take your cake and leave.” Seraphina Thorne’s expression changed. Her face hardened, and she said coldly: “Your husband is throwing such a huge birthday party for me. Don’t you understand what that means?” “What if I do?” Anya Vance made a dismissive gesture. “Don’t bother me. Whatever you two do has nothing to do with me. And you don’t need to come here to stake your claim. Liam Carter and I are already over.” She saw Seraphina Thorne out, whose face was not looking good, then Anya Vance lay back down to sleep. She expected not to sleep, but perhaps the drug was still active, for she quickly fell into a dream. In it, she remembered her first birthday after they got married. Liam Carter had blindfolded her and taken her to an island. He said: “This island is my gift to you. We’ll love each other forever, until the end of time.” Anya Vance shed tears in her dream. Vows were so easy, but truly loving each other, always, was so hard. The next morning, Liam Carter had already prepared breakfast. Roses adorned the table. He saw Anya Vance awake, a perfectly calibrated, helpless smile on his face. “Anya, just a red wine steak made you so drunk, it really scared me then.” Anya Vance said nothing, unable to even force a fake smile. Upon their return, she went to the department and obtained a certificate of single status. Then she went home and packed her bags. The things she could take were pitifully few. Almost every item carried shared memories, and she wanted none of them. While tidying a drawer, she found an old cell phone deep inside, one she’d replaced long ago. The phone actually powered on. She checked it, curious, and then discovered a text message sent from the phone itself. She still remembered the number; it belonged to her brother, whom she hadn’t contacted in years. [Don’t bother me and Liam anymore. Seeing you makes me sick.] Her heart plunged into an icy abyss. She hadn’t sent that. 5. Anya Vance’s father had died when she was very young. She, her mother, and her brother had relied on each other. But ever since her mother passed away and she married Liam Carter, her brother’s contact with her had dwindled. Later, he cut off all communication. Her brother was a detective, and they were often separated. She had asked Liam Carter to inquire about her brother’s whereabouts at the department, but only received one message. Liam Carter said: “Brandon said… Mom’s gone, so the family naturally drifted apart. There’s no need for us to keep in touch.” She resented her brother’s heartlessness, wanting to confront him in person, but she was always blocked, never even seeing his face. But on this phone… she scrolled up and saw several messages her brother had sent. [Anya, please call me back, okay?] [Aren’t you even coming for Mom and Dad’s death anniversary? Just for that Liam Carter?] [I won’t oppose you two anymore. I found some information about that negotiator from back then. Can you meet me?] But each message had received a cold, even abusive, reply from “her.” Anya Vance gripped the phone tightly, her knuckles white. All these years, Liam Carter had been using her name to hurt her brother, severing her last family ties! Anya Vance gritted her teeth, abruptly stood up, grabbed her car keys, and stormed out. She had to find Liam Carter and ask him why he would do such a thing! She found out Liam Carter was at the hospital and drove straight there. But as she reached the entrance, she saw Liam Carter suddenly pick up Seraphina Thorne and spin her around. His face was bright with a joyous smile, and his voice was cheerful. “I’m going to be a dad!” The world seemed to lose its sound in that instant. Anya Vance froze, her legs turning to jelly. Liam Carter’s voice was still painfully clear. “…Boy or girl, I’ll love them both. I’ll protect you two with my life!” Seraphina Thorne cooed playfully, “It’s only three months, you’re too eager.” Three months… that was the day Anya Vance had walked in on them. Every word was like a knife plunging into Anya Vance’s heart. She closed her eyes and let out a laugh that sounded eerily hollow. The exact same vow, she had heard Liam Carter say it the day she found out she was pregnant. But what was the result? The baby was gone, and all he’d said was – *it’s for the best, to avoid threats…* How utterly laughable. She didn’t step forward, didn’t demand answers in anger. She maintained a strange calmness, then turned and left. There was no need to ask. Whatever he said would only be another lie. Back home, Anya Vance wanted to contact her brother directly, but remembering those hurtful messages, her brother might still be very angry with her… She dialed a number, asking for information about her brother. Liam Carter became busier. Anya Vance deliberately avoided him. All she wanted was to see her brother, then wait for her transfer orders and leave. But Seraphina Thorne actively knocked on her door, deliberately showing off a necklace around her neck, and smiled: “Isn’t this necklace pretty? Liam got it for me because I liked it. You’re not going to be petty, are you?” The moment Anya Vance recognized the necklace, her pupils sharply contracted, and her voice suddenly rose: “Who gave you permission to touch that necklace?!” Seraphina Thorne’s challenging expression intensified. She suddenly flashed a radiant smile and deliberately said: “What’s wrong? Is it something your dead mom left you?” Her voice grew sharper. “Speaking of your mom, she really died at the wrong time. If it weren’t for her, why would I have been reprimanded and disciplined…” “You jerk!” Anya Vance, consumed by fury, slapped her across the face. “SLAP!” A crisp sound echoed. Anya Vance, her eyes red, rushed forward, grabbed the necklace, and shouted: “Give it back! That’s mine!” This was the only keepsake her mother had left her. Why was it on Seraphina Thorne?! Seraphina Thorne’s head snapped to the side from the blow, a sinister glint flashing in her eyes. Anya Vance snatched the necklace back, cradling it carefully in her hands, her entire body trembling. That necklace had always been in her jewelry box. Only she and Liam Carter had access to the house, so how it got into Seraphina Thorne’s hands was painfully clear! “You dared to hit me?” Seraphina Thorne shrieked. While Anya Vance was off guard, Seraphina Thorne actually pushed her down the stairs. Seraphina Thorne herself lost her footing and tumbled onto the steps. “Sera!” Anya Vance watched Liam Carter rush over, his face filled with panic, immediately pulling Seraphina Thorne into his arms. Anya Vance fell backward, her forehead hitting with a sharp pain. Warm blood trickled down her cheek. She tightly clutched the necklace in her hand, trembling, and dialed the emergency number. “I need to report an incident. Someone intentionally tried to kill me…” Liam Carter looked at her in disbelief, furious. “What are you doing? Are you trying to ruin Sera?” 6. Anya Vance looked at Liam Carter with cold indifference, as if he were an unreasonable stranger. “Liam Carter, she pushed me down.” Every part of her body ached now, and her vision swam with dizzy spells, yet the sharp pain in her heart kept her lucid. Liam Carter seemed to just then notice her bloodied head, and his face instantly filled with panic.
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