Our fifth year of marriage. That’s when Julian Sterling fell madly in love with a college student. They said she was poor, but carried herself with a cool pride, refusing Julian’s black card with a defiant, “I won’t be anyone’s kept woman.” Just those words, I later learned, completely captivated him. He was utterly obsessed. His pursuit of her became the talk of the town, an open secret whispered in every corner. He chased her relentlessly, seemingly forgetting about me, the wife he’d spent ninety-nine love letters wooing and bringing home. I didn’t cry. I didn’t make a scene. Each time he hurt me for her sake, I simply burned a love letter. Ninety-nine letters. When the last one was gone, so would I be. The first letter vanished into flames on our wedding anniversary. He stood me up, choosing instead to spend the entire day at a coffee shop where she worked, just waiting for her shift to end. The thirty-sixth letter burned when he left me on a deserted highway, shivering with a 104-degree fever in a torrential downpour. He was rushing to comfort her, because she was scared of thunder. The seventy-second letter was ashes the day he took down our wedding photo from the living room, replacing it with a childish doodle she’d scribbled. All to make her smile. … The ninety-fifth letter burned during an auction. Julian was supposed to be there with me, to bid on my mother Eleanor’s cherished sapphire necklace – her last possession. But the moment the auction started, he spotted the college student, Willow Reed, working there as a caterer. She glanced at the necklace twice, and that was all it took. Julian didn’t just bid; he lit the sky with his offer, throwing out an astronomical sum, far beyond its worth, then presented it to her in front of everyone. “You liked it, so I bought it for you,” he said, his voice deep and tender. “Do you like it?” Wearing her server’s uniform, she pushed his hand away with righteous indignation. “Mr. Sterling, I’ve told you, I’m not interested in the elite, nor do I want to be your kept woman. Whatever you give me is useless. Please take the necklace back and don’t interrupt my work.” With that, she turned and walked away with an empty glass. Julian didn’t get angry. Instead, he let out a low chuckle, then abandoned everyone and chased after her. A sharp pang shot through my heart. I stood stunned for a couple of seconds before rushing out after them. On the windy yacht deck, Julian was still trying to talk to her. When she truly wouldn’t accept the necklace, he casually tossed it… The priceless sapphire necklace was thrown into the ocean with a flick of his wrist. “Since you don’t like it, I’ll find another,” he said, his voice ridiculously soft. “I’ll keep choosing until you’re satisfied.” Then, without a backward glance, he followed her away, completely oblivious… I had climbed over the railing and jumped, without hesitation, into the dark, freezing water. The moment the seawater flooded my nostrils, I suddenly remembered his proposal five years ago, on a similar yacht. He’d said, “Sera, from now on, even if you want the stars from the sky, I’ll pluck them for you.” Now, he could casually toss my mother’s last possession into the sea. It took me an entire night to crawl out of the icy water. The necklace was clutched in my hand, gleaming from the seawater, but my fingers were stiff with cold. On the way home, scrolling through my Ins feed, I saw his friends all posting the same thing… “Julian Sterling has really fallen for her this time, chasing a server and making such a fuss.” “He didn’t even make this much of a spectacle when he pursued his wife back then, did he?” My fingers paused, my heart squeezed tight by an invisible string. Yes, that was true. Back then, he wrote ninety-nine love letters and proposed ninety-nine times before I finally said yes. We’d been together since high school, from our uniforms to my wedding dress, and after we married, our life together had once been as sweet as honey, perfectly harmonious. Everyone said Julian was madly in love with me. Until our fifth year of marriage. He was in the hospital, getting an IV, when he encountered a clumsy intern. She fumbled the IV several times, leaving his hand bruised and swollen. He didn’t get angry; instead, he watched her panicked expression and smiled. Later, he showered her with money, cars, and even a house, wanting her to be his kept woman. But she, with a righteous face, refused: “Mr. Sterling, I’m not interested in the elite. Please respect yourself.” She even came to me and said, “Please control your husband, don’t let him harass me anymore.” With anyone else, Julian would have erupted. But for her, he not only wasn’t angry, but he chased her even more fiercely. When I confronted him, he casually said: “She’s interesting. I’m just playing around. When I’m tired of it, I’ll come back.” “Sera, I love you very much, but it’s too hard to love just one person your entire life. You need to allow me a little leeway, a moment to… wander.” Agony ripped through me, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave him. So, I found those ninety-nine love letters, deciding to give him ninety-nine chances… Each time he hurt me, I would burn one. The day the letters were all gone would be the day I truly let him go. Now, I lit the lighter and watched the ninety-fifth letter burn. As the flame consumed the paper, I thought, he only has four chances left. When the car arrived at the mansion, I walked through the door and saw Julian standing on the stairs, looking down at me. “You’re back? I need to talk to you.” I nodded, as I had countless times before, stepping onto the stairs without any guard. Who would have thought, as I reached him, he would suddenly extend his hand and shove me violently! “Ah…!” I tumbled down the stairs, my head hitting the steps with a sickening thud. Warm blood trickled from my temple, blurring my vision. I trembled with pain, looking at Julian in disbelief. He slowly walked down, crouched in front of me, and wiped the blood from my face. “Sera, just bear with it.” “Willow’s been looking for a nursing job recently… only if you’re injured will I have a reason to have her move in.” I never imagined Julian would go this far for Willow Reed. To pursue her, he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt his own wife. In the throbbing pain, I tried to speak, but my vision went black, and I passed out. When I next woke, a sharp pain pierced the back of my head. I struggled to open my eyes, seeing an unfamiliar ceiling, momentarily disoriented. “Mrs. Sterling, you’re awake.” A cool voice drifted over. I turned my head and saw Willow Reed standing by the bed, a medical kit in her hand. She wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans, her hair in a high ponytail, her face free of makeup, exuding a youthful freshness. “I’m your nurse, Willow Reed.” Her expression was calm, but her tone held a hint of aloofness. “Though I’ve moved in, please control Mr. Sterling. If he crosses the line again, I’ll leave immediately.” A sharp pain shot through my chest. How ironic. This young woman had moved into my home, yet she expected me, the mistress of the house, to “control my own husband.” “I want a different nurse,” I said, my voice hoarse. Willow seemed not to hear, calmly taking out a syringe. “Now I’ll give you an anti-inflammatory shot.” The first needle went in, missing the vein. The second went astray, and a small lump immediately swelled on my hand. The third time, she directly drew blood. “If you can’t do it, let someone else,” I said, my voice trembling from the pain. At that, Willow’s eyes instantly welled up. She said stubbornly, “What do you mean? Do you think I’d be here if my grandmother wasn’t seriously ill?” She reached for my hand again, and this time the needle sharply broke the skin, blood trickling down my fair wrist. I couldn’t take the pain anymore and shoved her away. “Enough! Don’t touch me!” Willow stumbled backward, knocking over the medicine tray, and glass bottles shattered on the floor. Just then, the door burst open, and Julian strode in. “What’s going on?” His gaze flitted between us, finally settling on Willow, who was sitting on the floor. His face changed instantly. “Since you don’t welcome me, I’ll leave!” Willow, her eyes red, scrambled up as if to rush out. Julian grabbed her arm. “Who said that?!” Willow struggled, shaking off his hand. “Your wife! I was kindly giving her a shot, and she pushed me! I’m just not skilled yet, wasn’t that clear from the start?” Julian immediately looked at my swollen hand. A flicker of pain clearly crossed his eyes, but it turned to compromise when he looked back at Willow. “What do you need to stay?” he asked, his voice soft and pleading. Willow lifted her chin. “I hate how superior you rich people act. I want her to apologize to me.” “Sera,” Julian turned to me, his tone brooking no argument. “Apologize.” I looked at him in disbelief. “She messed me up like this, and I have to apologize?” Julian’s eyes darkened. “If you don’t want to, think about your parents’ company.” A chill ran through me. “You’re threatening me… for her?!” “Sera, it’s just an apology,” Julian said, frowning in irritation. “It won’t kill you. Do you really want to watch your parents’ company go bankrupt?” In that moment, I felt as if a thousand arrows had pierced my heart. I bit my lower lip until I tasted blood. Seeing Julian’s expression grow colder, realizing he was serious, I had to struggle out of bed. Swallowing my humiliation, I bowed deeply to Willow. “I’m sorry.” Willow frowned. “Do you rich people apologize so quietly?” My nails dug into my palms. I bowed again, raising my voice. “I’M SORRY! Are you satisfied now?” Only when Willow reluctantly nodded did Julian’s expression soften. He carefully comforted her, leading her away to tend to her (non-existent) wounds. The moment the door closed, I couldn’t support myself anymore. I sank to the floor, weeping silently. I reached under my pillow and pulled out a yellowed love letter, trembling as I lit it. As the flame consumed the ninety-sixth letter, I remembered Julian at sixteen, writing this letter. Under the cherry blossom trees on our university campus, the young boy, his ears red, handed me the letter and said, “Sera, please be with me. I’ll be good to you my whole life.” Just as the flame was about to die out, the door suddenly opened. “What are you burning?” I clutched the remaining fragments of the letter in my hand, the lingering heat from the flames scorching my palm. “Nothing. Just burning some useless things.” Julian frowned at the remnants, finding them vaguely familiar, but before he could think deeper, Willow’s voice called from the doorway. “Mr. Sterling, are you going to the party or not? If you don’t leave now, I’m not going!” I looked up. “What party?” “I want to introduce her to my circle.” He paused. “But she said she’s your nurse, so she’ll only go if you go.” “Sera, please come with me.” My chest felt as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer. I gave a bitter laugh. “Julian Sterling, what exactly am I to you?” He seemed to flinch, then after a long moment, he said, “Sera, I’ve already explained. Before this, I’d never met a woman so difficult to conquer, so she interests me greatly. You don’t need to be jealous of her. Once I’ve won her over and grown tired, I’ll come back and we’ll live our lives properly.” I slowly closed my eyes. The part of my heart that used to feel pain seemed numb now. In the end, Julian dragged me to the party. In the car, Willow suddenly pulled out a few white pills from her bag. “Mrs. Sterling, these are anti-inflammatory pills. They’ll help you heal faster.” I stared at the pills, not reaching for them. “Are you sure these are anti-inflammatory pills?” Willow’s face changed. “If you don’t trust me, then I have nothing more to say.” “Sera,” Julian frowned, immediately protective of her. “Take the pills.” Under his cold gaze, a wave of exhaustion washed over me. I closed my eyes, then finally took the pills and swallowed them with water. Inside the club’s private room, Julian’s friends had been waiting for a long time. As we entered, they immediately started to cheer: “Julian Sterling finally brought Ms. Reed out!” “Is this the Ms. Reed who has Julian so captivated? She’s definitely special!” I sat in a corner, watching these people who had once cheered for Julian and me. My heart ached. “Ms. Reed, Julian truly loves you,” one of the socialites said, smiling. “Just ask, and he’ll pluck the stars from the sky for you!” Willow didn’t believe them. “Really?” She was half-sincere, half-doubting, so they egged her on to try. “Then… give him the most expensive car in your garage?” she said, pointing to one of his friends. Without a word, Julian threw the keys over, smiling. Everyone cheered. She tried a few more times, asking for watches and houses, and he indulged her every time. The atmosphere in the room reached a fever pitch: “See? Julian is serious about you. I think you should just give in and agree to be his kept woman!” Willow’s expression was stubborn. “No way! I will never be a kept woman! If you keep saying that, I’ll leave!” Afraid she would actually leave, everyone quickly changed the subject and started a game. In every round, they deliberately made Willow lose. The dares were either to sit on Julian’s lap or interlace fingers with him. The tenth time Willow lost, the dare was to kiss the person on her left for three minutes. Cheers erupted in the room. Julian was sitting directly to Willow’s left. Her expression froze instantly. She stood up abruptly. “Are you doing this on purpose? If you keep this up, I’m not playing.” “It’s just a game, don’t be so serious.” “Exactly! How could we cheat? Julian has billions, is he really that childish?” I gripped my wine glass tightly, watching the smirk on Julian’s face. How could he not be? To create opportunities for intimate contact with Willow, this man, worth billions, was stooping to such childish tricks with his friends. The last time I saw him like this was when he was pursuing me. My heart felt like it was being slowly carved with a dull knife, bleeding me dry. What made it worse was that my breathing was becoming increasingly difficult. I clutched my chest, struggling to breathe, and only then noticed the terrifying red rash that had inexplicably broken out on my arms. This was clearly an allergic reaction. But I was always so careful about what I ate. As I gasped for air, a hazy memory of the allergy pills Willow had given me flashed through my mind. Amidst the cheers, Willow quickly kissed Julian’s cheek. He was clearly not satisfied. He suddenly cupped the back of her head. “What kind of kiss is that? Let me show you what a real kiss is.” The next second, I watched in horror as their lips and tongues intertwined, his fingers tangling in her hair. He didn’t notice that the rash had spread to my neck, and my breathing was becoming more and more labored. “Julian…” I struggled to grab his arm. “Take me to the hospital… I’m having an allergic reaction…” “Stop it.” He pushed me away without looking, his other hand still gripping the back of Willow’s neck. “Please…” I tried to pull at his sleeve again, my voice already a raw whisper. This time, he simply shook me off, pressing Willow onto the sofa and deepening the kiss. The kiss grew more forceful, more addictive, more entwined. As he was engrossed in this game, my vision blurred. I stumbled and fell against a champagne tower. Amidst the sound of shattering glass, I finally heard Willow’s scream: “She’s fainted!” When I woke again, I found myself in a hospital bed. Willow’s sobs drifted from outside the door: “What do I do… I didn’t mean to mistake the anti-inflammatory pills for sleeping pills…” “If something serious happened, this would be a major medical malpractice…” Then came Julian’s gentle voice, soothing her: “Don’t be scared. I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.” “Even if they pursue it, I can sign a letter of understanding as her family member.” I bit my lip hard until I tasted blood. After what felt like an eternity, the hospital room door opened, and Julian walked in. “What happened to me?” I asked, trembling. “Why did I faint?” “Low blood sugar.” Hearing those three words from his own lips, I heard my heart shatter into a thousand pieces. I remembered when we first got married, a socialite at a party deliberately forced me to drink. The next day, Julian crashed her company’s stock. When that person knelt before me, apologizing, he had wrapped his arm around my waist and said, “Sera, with me here, no one can lay a finger on you.” Now, I was almost dying because of Willow’s mistake, and he was still protecting the culprit! Julian Sterling, how could you hurt me so deeply? I trembled with pain, but Julian didn’t notice my distress. Seeing that I was alright, he eagerly stood up. “Willow has been worried sick all night because of you. I’ll take her back first, then come back to be with you later.” But in the following days, I never saw him. I only saw on Ins that Julian had taken Willow to the beach, to concerts, to all the places we had promised to go to but never did. On the day I was discharged, Julian finally appeared. He stood by the car, holding a bouquet of chrysanthemums. When he saw me, he handed me the flowers: “The company has been busy lately, so I couldn’t be with you. Today is your mother’s death anniversary; I’ll go with you.” I silently took the flowers, only then noticing Willow was also in the car. Ignoring her, I got into the back seat, watching the scenery fly by outside the window, remembering my mother’s last words: “Sera, all Mom wants is for you to find someone who truly loves you.” I touched the three remaining love letters in my bag, thinking bitterly: Mom, I think I chose the wrong person. At the cemetery, before I could even pay my respects, I heard dreadful news. “We’re so sorry, Ms. Caldwell, but due to frequent rain and severe landslides recently, all the graves in this area need to be relocated…” I clutched my bag, my knuckles white. My mother loved peace and quiet in life, and now, even in death, she couldn’t rest. Julian appeared behind me at some point. He took the documents handed by the staff and signed his name with a flourish. “Sera, you go and retrieve the ashes first. I’ll handle the relocation procedures.” I nodded and turned to walk up the hill. The rain had dampened the steps. I dragged my weak body, each step feeling like I was treading on knife points. At my mother’s tombstone, the staff had already dug up the grave. I knelt on the muddy ground and personally lifted my mother’s urn. It was a simple sandalwood box, engraved with her name… Eleanor. “Aunt Eleanor must have been very beautiful,” Willow suddenly spoke, reaching out to help. “Mrs. Sterling, let me help you carry it.” “No need.” I shifted, avoiding her, carefully carrying the urn down the hill. But just then, Willow suddenly shrieked, “Ah! A bug!” In her panic, she abruptly bumped into me. Caught off guard, I tumbled down the steps. I clung desperately to the urn, my back hitting the stone steps hard, the pain making my vision black. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!” Willow scrambled down. “Let me pick it up for you!” She reached for the urn. Before I could stop her, Willow’s foot slipped… *Crash!* The urn hit the ground hard, shattering into pieces. The grayish-white ashes spilled everywhere, quickly soaking into the rain-drenched earth. “I’m so sorry! I—I’ll clean it up right away!” Willow fumbled, trying to scoop up the ashes, but only made a bigger mess. Washed by the rain, my mother’s ashes slowly dissolved into the mud. I trembled all over, unable to hold back any longer. I slapped her. “Enough! You did that on purpose, didn’t you?!” Willow covered her face, tears instantly streaming down. “I didn’t! I just wanted to help. I might be clumsy, but I had good intentions. How dare you hit me? I might not have money, but you can’t humiliate me like this!” “You just lost your mother’s ashes, but I lost my dignity!” Despair surged to my head. I raised my hand again, but it was caught by a strong grip. Julian appeared from nowhere, grabbing my wrist. “Sera Caldwell! What are you doing?!” Willow finally broke down, crying dramatically, “I was just kindly helping her carry the urn… and I accidentally spilled it… and she hit me…” “If you all can’t stand me, then I’ll just leave.” She took a step, but Julian pulled her into his arms. “Don’t leave. I’ll get justice for you.” Then, he coldly looked at me. “Apologize!” Rain streamed down my face, mixing with my tears. I watched Julian tenderly wipe away Willow’s tears with one hand, while with the other, he angrily told me to apologize. My heart felt as if a piece had been ripped out of me. I stared at him, my lips trembling. “Julian Sterling, did you hear me clearly? She shattered my mother’s ashes!” “That’s still no reason for you to lay a hand on her!” Julian’s voice was colder than the icy rain. He grabbed Willow’s wrist. “Don’t be afraid. Since she refuses to apologize, and she hit you, then you hit her back.” My pupils constricted. Before I could react, I saw Julian’s strong, well-defined fingers enclose Willow’s hand, bringing it down with the force of thunder. *Smack!* That slap was ten times harder than the one I’d given her! I stumbled backward, the entire world spinning. My lower back hit the hard tombstone, and my knees crashed onto the stone steps, a sharp pain exploding through every fiber of my being. But none of that compared to the pain in my heart, a tearing, suffocating anguish that split me in two. Julian didn’t even glance at me. He just bowed his head and used his thumb to wipe the rain from Willow’s face. “Do you feel better now?” Only when he heard her tearful “Yes,” did he let out a sigh of relief, wrapping his suit jacket around Willow and lifting her into his arms. As he turned, his leather shoes crushed the scattered ashes on the ground, leaving a trail of glaring footprints. I sat in the rain, my entire body trembling from the pain. I reached out a shaking hand, wanting to gather those grayish-white specks, but the rain washed them away too quickly, just like my years of feelings for Julian, impossible to hold onto. “Mom, I was wrong…” My voice choked. “I married the wrong man. I shouldn’t have married him…” After collecting the remaining ashes, I pulled out the ninety-seventh love letter from my bag and lit it with a trembling hand. As the flame consumed the paper, I remembered Julian’s promise to my sick mother that year: “Don’t worry, I will protect Sera with my life, and never let anyone bully her.” Julian Sterling, so this is how you protect me? By helping another woman hit me? I regretted it. Falling in love with you, I regretted it so deeply. I suffered a high fever all night. I dreamt I was submerged in icy water, my mother’s ashes swirling around me like snowflakes. I tried to grasp the grayish-white powder, but it slipped through my fingers. “Sera… Sera…” Someone was calling my name. I struggled to open my eyes, only to find myself not in bed, but in a speeding car. The scenery outside the window flew past. Julian gripped the steering wheel, his face terrifyingly grim. “Julian…” My throat was so dry. “Where are you taking me?” Julian didn’t look at me, only said coldly, “Willow has been kidnapped.” I froze, my muddled brain slowly clearing. “So?” “They specifically asked for you.” Julian finally turned to glance at me. “It’s Darian Thorne.” Darian Thorne. That name pierced my heart like a knife. The madman who had once relentlessly pursued me, and whom Julian had eventually driven out of town. “You… you’re going to use me to exchange for Willow Reed?” My voice trembled. Julian’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Darian used to like you. He won’t do anything to you.” I felt as if I’d fallen into an ice cave. I struggled to open the car door, only to find my hands were tied beneath the seatbelt. “Julian Sterling!” I screamed. “Are you insane?! You know what kind of person Darian is!” “Sera, calm down.” Julian’s voice was terrifyingly calm. “Once I drop Willow off, I’ll come back for you immediately.” The car stopped in front of a deserted warehouse. “I’ve brought the person,” Julian said, pushing me forward. “Where’s Willow?” Darian snapped his fingers, and two of his men brought Willow out. Her hair was disheveled, tears stained her face. Her eyes lit up when she saw Julian. “Mr. Sterling!” Julian immediately let go of me, striding forward to pull Willow into his arms. “It’s alright, don’t be scared, I’m here.” I stood rooted to the spot, a chill running through my body. I watched Julian check Willow for injuries, watched him gently wipe away her tears, watched him not spare me a single glance. “JULIAN STERLING!!!” I couldn’t hold back any longer and shrieked. Only then did Julian turn back, repeating, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back for you soon.” With that, he wrapped his arm around Willow and turned to leave, his back resolute. I tried to follow, but Darian grabbed my wrist. “Long time no see, Ms. Caldwell.” His breath on my ear made me shiver. Darian shoved me into a car and drove straight to a hotel. The moment the door closed, he threw me onto the bed. “Julian Sterling really doesn’t care,” he said, tearing off his tie. “To personally deliver a stunner like you to me.” I struggled desperately, but he easily overpowered me. He pinned me down, his fingers tracing my cheek. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted you?” “Let go of me…” My voice trembled. “Don’t touch me…” Seeing me trembling with fear, Darian suddenly smiled, his fingers caressing my face. “How about this? I’ll give you a chance. Call Julian. If he answers, I’ll let you go.” I trembled as I dialed Julian’s number. But, Once, twice, three times… Over a hundred calls, all went unanswered! “See, Sera Caldwell, to him, you’re worthless now.” “Come with me, and I’ll make you happy.” Darian leered, pressing down, tearing at my dress. Just as he was about to force himself on me, I finally snapped awake, grabbed the vase from the bedside table, and smashed it over Darian’s head. He grunted and collapsed. I seized the opportunity to escape. The night rain poured. I stumbled, soaked to the bone, with Darian’s bruises still on me, running home. The moment I pushed open the door, I saw Willow sobbing in Julian’s arms. “You really don’t care about your wife’s life, all for me?” Julian wiped her tears. “Yes, in my heart, you’re the most important.” Willow cried even harder. He helplessly cupped her face. “My little princess, didn’t I save you? Why are you still so scared?” “Anyone would be scared after being kidnapped…” Julian curved his lips. “I have a way to make you stop being scared.” “I don’t believe it…” “Want me to try?” he smiled. With that, Julian lowered his head and kissed Willow, pressing her onto the sofa. I watched this scene unfold, my chest aching as if it had been ripped open. I turned and walked away, the rain instantly drenching me again. I didn’t know how long I ran until I stood before our familiar old family house. This was where Julian and I grew up together. Our families were old friends, we were childhood sweethearts, living in adjacent mansions. Rain dripped from my hair. I walked to the old oak tree in the backyard. I remembered, when I was eighteen, Julian and I buried a time capsule here, promising to dig it up together ten years later. “Sera, in ten years, we’ll definitely be married,” young Julian had smiled brightly, placing a letter in the metal box. “I wrote a letter to my future self, telling him to love you forever.” I knelt on the muddy ground, digging up the soil by the tree roots with my bare hands. My nails broke, my fingertips bled, but I felt no pain. The metal box was rusted, but the letter inside was perfectly preserved. I trembled as I unfolded the letter, young Julian’s neat handwriting jumping off the page: *Julian Sterling, twenty-eight years old:* *If you dare not to love Sera, my eighteen-year-old self will never forgive you.* *Remember, she is your life.* Rain fell on the letter, blurring the ink. I pressed the letter to my chest, crying uncontrollably. How I missed that boy who would blush while writing me love letters, that Julian who swore to protect me forever. “He broke his promise… He broke his promise…” I cried out to the empty air, as if eighteen-year-old Julian could hear me. I sat under the tree for a long time, until the rain stopped. Then I took out the ninety-eighth love letter from my bag and lit it. “Sera!” Julian’s voice suddenly came from behind me. I turned around and saw him get out of his car, pulling me into a hug, his voice carrying a rare hint of panic: “Why didn’t you say anything after escaping Darian? And why didn’t you come home? Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you?” I leaned into his embrace, smelling Willow’s perfume still clinging to him. I said softly, “Do you still care if I live or die?” “How could I not care about you?” Julian tightened his arms. “I took Willow home and came straight to find you.” I wanted to laugh, but couldn’t. I held up the damp letter. “Do you remember this? The time capsule we buried when we were eighteen.” Julian frowned. “What time capsule? Did we bury something like that?” He looked at the sky. “Alright, let’s go home. The wind’s strong, you’ll get sick, and then Willow will have to take care of you.” In that moment, I smiled. And as I smiled, tears streamed down my face. The thing I cherished so deeply, He had forgotten. Sera, do you hear? He forgot a long time ago! In the following days, I recovered at home, watching Willow’s attitude towards Julian gradually soften. The jewelry and bags he sent, she began to accept with pleasure; When he came home late, she would wait in the living room; Sometimes, I even saw Willow secretly holding Julian’s hand. A week later, the three of us attended a business reception. Julian had to go socialize. Before he left, he instructed me, “Take care of Willow.” The socialites around us whispered. “Did you see that? He’s making his wife take care of his kept woman. Julian spoils her beyond belief.” “Not just that, the mistress is dressed more expensively than the wife. He must truly adore her.” “But I heard Mr. Sterling used to love Mrs. Sterling so much? How did it come to this?” “He loved her before, but now he’s met someone he loves more. True love, it changes in an instant.” I listened to all of this silently. Until Willow, apparently bored, impatiently said to me, “I’ll just look around by myself, Mrs. Sterling. You don’t need to follow me. I won’t cause trouble.” With that, before I could respond, she disappeared into the crowd with her champagne. But less than ten minutes later, I heard a familiar scream from nearby. I rushed over and saw a rich brat gripping Willow’s wrist. “You little bitch, stop playing innocent. There isn’t a woman in this entire city I can’t touch!” “Bastard, don’t touch me!” Willow struggled, her eyes red. “I’m poor, yes, but I have dignity. I won’t let you humiliate me like this!” I was about to step forward when I saw Willow pull a small, delicate knife from her clutch bag. A flash of cold light, and blood immediately appeared on the brat’s face. The brat raged, raising his hand to hit her. But just then, a dark figure rushed in. Julian’s fist landed heavily on the man’s face. I stood rooted, watching him, like a furious lion, punch again and again until the man’s face was covered in blood. “Mr. Sterling…” the brat begged, his face bloody. “Our two companies still have a partnership!” “Not anymore,” Julian announced coldly, looking at everyone. “Remember, from now on, anyone who dares to touch Willow Reed is an enemy of my entire Sterling Group!” “And he… is their consequence!” In the dead silence, Julian ordered the half-dead playboy to be dragged away. As he turned, I instinctively took half a step back. “Sera Caldwell!” The violence hadn’t faded from his eyes. “Is this how you take care of Willow?” I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. The light from the crystal chandelier was too harsh, making my eyes ache. I watched him carefully shield Willow in his arms and walk away. I suddenly remembered that on our wedding day, someone accidentally spilled red wine on my dress, and he had reacted just as furiously. Back then, he had said, “No one gets to bully my wife.” Now he said, “No one gets to bully my Willow.” They were right. True love, indeed, changes in an instant. After the reception, the three of us returned home together. A sudden, jarring phone ring broke the silence. “What?! Okay, I’ll be right there!” Willow hung up the phone, instantly bursting into tears. “Mr. Sterling, can you take me to the hospital first… My grandma… Grandma is critically ill…” Without a word, Julian sharply turned the steering wheel, making a U-turn. Amidst the screeching of tires, my forehead hit the car window hard, but he didn’t spare me a glance, only comforting Willow, who was sobbing hysterically in the passenger seat. “Don’t be scared,” he said, gripping the steering wheel with one hand and Willow’s trembling fingers with the other. “I’m here.” When we arrived at the hospital corridor, the doctor had just come out of the operating room. “The elderly lady’s liver is failing. A transplant might give her some time, but I personally don’t recommend it. She’s very old, and a liver source is hard to find right now.” “Do it! We must do the surgery!” Willow suddenly grabbed the doctor’s white coat, her nails almost digging into the fabric. “Whatever the cost!” Julian had already pulled out his phone. “I’ll have someone find a liver source immediately.” His back, as he made the call, was as straight as a pine tree, just like when my father had a sudden heart attack years ago, and he had swiftly called in the best specialists in the city. Only now, that decisiveness was for someone else. The assistant’s call came back quickly. I stood nearby, clearly seeing Julian’s brow furrow. “Who is it?” The voice on the other end stammered, then the assistant’s voice came through clearly: “It’s… Mrs. Sterling. A perfect match.” Willow’s head snapped towards me, tears still on her face, but she lunged forward, grabbing my hand. “Mrs. Sterling, please…” Her fingers were icy cold, slick with clammy sweat. I instinctively tried to pull my hand away, but Julian pressed it down. “Sera, just donate a part,” his voice was soft, coaxing gently. “You won’t die.” I looked up at him, a terrible coldness enveloping me. I had accepted the fact that in his heart now, I was less than Willow. But now, I couldn’t even compare to Willow’s grandmother, could I? “I refuse.” I sharply pulled my hand free. “I am not a living organ bank.” With that, I turned to leave. But the next second, a sharp pain shot through the back of my neck. Julian’s hand chop was swift and brutal. I collapsed before I could even react. My last conscious thought was of him carrying me horizontally, telling the doctor, “Prepare the operating room!” When I woke again, a soul-wrenching pain radiated from my abdomen. I trembled as I lifted my hospital gown, seeing blood seeping from the bandaged wound. “You just had a liver transplant. Don’t move around.” The nurse gently restrained my attempt to sit up. I bit my lip hard until I tasted blood. He actually… For Willow’s grandmother, he had forcibly transplanted my liver! The wound beneath my hospital gown throbbed, like someone was twisting a dull knife inside my organs. But how could this pain compare to a thousandth of the pain in my heart? I traced the jagged scar on my abdomen with trembling fingers. How laughable, the deepest scar on my body was left by the man I loved most. For the next few days, I lay in bed like a puppet, listening to the cheerful laughter coming from the room next door. “The old lady is so fortunate, to have such a filial granddaughter and grandson-in-law!” “Mr. Sterling is truly a man of loyalty and righteousness, always busy caring for his wife’s grandmother…” Wife? I wanted to laugh, but I didn’t even have the strength to twitch the corner of my mouth. I spent an entire half-month in the hospital. Every day, I heard Julian’s solicitous voice in the corridor, inquiring about Willow and her grandmother, but he never once stepped into my room. On the day I was discharged, I was packing my things to leave when I accidentally overheard Willow, her voice tearful, questioning Julian in the hallway. “Mr. Sterling, why do you keep doing so much for me even though I keep refusing you? Even… even transplanting your wife’s liver to save my grandmother?” I stood rooted, listening to Julian’s deep voice: “I’ve told you many times, because I like you, and I want to be with you. My darling, do you need me to dig out my entire heart before you’ll believe me?” After what felt like an eternity, Willow seemed to finally make up her mind. “I… I can agree to be with you, but I have a condition.” Julian’s heart surged with joy. He eagerly pulled her into his arms. “Tell me,” his voice was hoarse with emotion. “Whatever you say, I’ll agree to it.” “I won’t be a kept woman.” Willow said, word by word. “I want to be with you openly and honestly… on the condition that you divorce.” A deathly silence. I counted my heartbeats, one, two… On the seventeenth beat, I finally heard Julian’s voice: “Okay.” Just that one word, a light, airy word. I slid down the wall to the floor. The wound on my abdomen burned, but compared to the pain of my heart being savagely carved out, it was nothing. Back home, I burned the very last love letter. As the flame consumed the paper, I remembered Julian when he sent that letter. The spirited young man stood below my apartment, snowflakes clinging to his eyelashes, saying, “Sera, this is the ninety-ninth love letter. Please be with me. I’ll love you for my whole life.” Now, ninety-nine love letters had turned to ash. His “whole life” was only ten years. The letters were all burned. It was time for me to leave. I opened my suitcase, folding clothes one by one. When I was tidying up the study, Julian’s computer screen was still on. His SnapChat was open, with messages popping up: [Bro, heard Willow said yes, but wants you to divorce? You seriously considering divorcing Sera?] [Bro, you really need to think this through. Willow is just a kept woman, but Sera has been your childhood sweetheart for how many years?] [And if you really divorce, how heartbroken would Sera be? She’s not easy to coax!] [@Julian Sterling, Bro, what are you thinking? Say something!] I stood there, silently watching the messages scroll by, and then, I finally saw Julian’s reply: [I want both.] [But right now, I want Willow more.] The group chat went silent for a few seconds, then erupted. [Holy crap, did I read that right? What kind of charm does Willow Reed have that she’s got you actually considering divorce?] [You better think carefully. Sera has a stubborn temper. If you suggest divorce, you guys are probably done for.] [No, I have an idea, Bro. Draft a divorce agreement, and trick Sera into thinking it’s a property transfer. She trusts you so much, she won’t even look at it and just sign.] [As long as you keep her in the dark, she won’t make a fuss or leave. Whenever you get tired of Willow, you can just revoke the divorce agreement.] The group chat was filled with approvals for this “brilliant plan.” [Wow, that’s genius! That way, Bro can have his cake and eat it too.] And Julian replied with three words: [Good idea.] I slowly closed the laptop, my fingertips icy. So, in his eyes, I didn’t even deserve to know the truth. The next morning, as I finished breakfast, Julian returned. He was impeccably dressed in a suit, holding a document, just as I expected. “Sera, sign this.” His tone was as casual as if discussing the weather. “I’m transferring the villa in the east district to you.” I quietly looked at this man who had once shielded me from drinks, fought for me, and knelt in the snow to propose to me. This was the man I had loved for over a decade. “Okay,” I said, feigning ignorance, taking the pen without a glance and signing my name on the “property agreement.” Julian visibly relaxed. “I’ll be taking Willow on a trip for a while, so I won’t be back.” As he turned to leave, I quietly said, “Julian Sterling.” “Hmm?” He turned back. “Nothing. Have a good trip.” After he left, I took the agreement straight to the courthouse. The clerk confirmed repeatedly, “Ms. Caldwell, are you sure you want to proceed with the divorce? Once it’s done, it cannot be revoked.” “Absolutely sure.” The moment the seal stamped down, my heart felt strangely calm. So this is what it feels like to truly give up: no pain, no itch, like having a dead tooth extracted. The airport lobby was bustling with people. I clutched my one-way ticket, taking one last look at my phone. On SnapChat, Julian’s friend had posted a photo of him and Willow at the airport. The caption: [Congrats to Julian Sterling for finally winning his beauty!] I turned off my phone, threw away my SIM card, and strode towards the boarding gate. Congratulations to me too. For finding my freedom, for a new beginning. News of Sterling Group’s CEO, Julian Sterling, and his kept woman traveling together frequently topped the Ins trending list. People often spotted them in various places, turning into amateur gossip reporters, snapping photos of their affectionate moments and uploading them online, sparking widespread discussions.
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