On the one-year anniversary of our remarriage, I snuck into the hotel where my husband was staying for his business trip, planning to surprise him with flowers. Instead, I stumbled upon a lavish birthday party he was throwing for Serena Thorne, the woman he’d always adored, his “white moonlight.” He was carefully fastening the heirloom bracelet, meant only for the Caldwell family’s true daughter-in-law, onto her wrist. A clueless guest chimed in, “If Caleb truly loves Ms. Thorne, then when his affair with her first went public, and Layla was so furious she divorced him and walked away, wasn’t that exactly what he wanted? Why did he spend six months chasing her down, begging her to remarry him?” Someone quickly offered an explanation: “Chasing her down? Remarriage? Please. Serena was just playing games with Layla.” “When Layla first filed for divorce, it blew up online, and Serena got slammed by netizens for ages. Serena was furious, so she told Caleb to pretend to win Layla back. Layla was completely played, genuinely believing Caleb had a change of heart. She held out for only six months before agreeing to remarry him.” “And in this past year of their remarriage, Serena’s ‘fun’ with Layla has only escalated. Like making Caleb dress Layla in a cheap knock-off gown to a gala just to humiliate her, or tricking Layla, who can’t swim, into going diving, then sharing the video of her nearly drowning with their entire social circle just to laugh at. It’s truly ‘entertaining’.” “I heard today is Caleb and Layla’s one-year remarriage anniversary. I bet Serena has something even better planned for Layla later. I can’t wait.” I felt like I’d plunged into an ice cellar. But I didn’t rush out to cry or yell. Instead, I began to plan my own staged death. Caleb Caldwell, you’ve deceived me for so long. It’s time I returned the favor.
“Ms. Hayes, your ‘fake death’ protocol has been activated. In seven days, everything will proceed as planned.” Hearing the voice of the covert agency staff on the phone, I let out a long breath. In seven days, I would vanish completely from Caleb Caldwell’s world. I hung up and circled the date seven days from now on my calendar in red. The vivid crimson seemed to mock me for my foolishness over the past year and a half. When Caleb returned with a cake, I was still staring blankly at the calendar. He set the cake down, wrapping his arms around me as he always did, asking tenderly, “What are you doing? You look so lost in thought.” Feeling his warm chest against my back, a bitter sadness welled up inside me. Married for five years, remarried for one. I never knew Caleb was such a brilliant actor. So good that he made me believe he had truly let go of Serena and fallen in love with me. That he truly couldn’t live without me, which was why he relentlessly pursued me for six months after our divorce, determined to remarry. I shook my head. “Nothing much, just thinking.” His gaze fell on the circled date on the calendar. “Is seven days from now an important day?” “Yes.” I suppressed the bitterness in my heart, hinting, “It’s the day I’ll give you a surprise.” Caleb stroked my hair affectionately. “I’ll look forward to it, then.” “But let’s not worry about seven days from now. Layla, do you remember what day today is? It’s our one-year remarriage anniversary. I made this chocolate cake myself. Come on, try it.” My heart lurched as I looked at the cake he held out. I remembered Serena’s birthday party earlier today, someone laughing as they asked what ‘fun’ Serena had planned for me. She had casually scooped a handful of dirt from a flowerpot and sprinkled it onto a cake, laughing, “I’m happy today, so I’ll let Layla off easy. I’ll just live-stream her eating dirt.” And now, Caleb had actually brought back *that exact cake with dirt*, trying to pass it off as chocolate. My heart stung as if pierced by needles. After a long moment, I managed to whisper, “My stomach isn’t feeling well. I don’t want anything sweet.” Caleb’s smile faded slightly. “Your stomach’s bothering you again?” “Come on, Layla. This cake is my effort, after all. Just one bite, then I’ll make you some stomach-soothing soup, okay?” He scooped up a mouthful from the area with the most dirt and brought it to my lips. I met his eyes, searching for a hint of guilt from his deception. But there was none. His gaze was sincere, as if he genuinely didn’t want me to disappoint his efforts. Forcing back the wrenching pain in my chest, I nodded slightly. “Okay, I’ll eat it.” The dirt-filled cake landed in my mouth, grinding painfully against my gums. I knew that a hidden camera, somewhere unseen, was recording my humiliating moment of eating dirt. Serena, watching the live-stream, must have been utterly delighted. Caleb, satisfied, put the cake down and went to make me the stomach-soothing soup. Watching him disappear into the kitchen, a chill spread through my heart. Caleb knew my stomach condition was severe, yet to please Serena, he didn’t hesitate to make me eat a cake filled with dirt. He truly had no love left for me. I didn’t get to drink the soup Caleb was making. Instead, I was rushed to the hospital for a stomach pump due to severe stomach cramps. As my consciousness faded, I heard a gentle voice coaxing me, “Hang in there, Layla. The pain will be gone soon.” I couldn’t tell if I was dreaming, but when I awoke, I saw Caleb asleep, slumped beside my hospital bed. His face was drawn with exhaustion, looking like he’d been taking care of me for a long time. His phone vibrated continuously in his hand. I picked it up and opened it, seeing his friends’ messages in their SnapChat group: “Caleb, Layla eating dirt today was hilarious! I’ve rewatched the video ten times!” “Right? But why were you in such a hurry to send Layla to the hospital, Caleb? Did you feel bad?” Caleb had replied below: “Don’t joke around. It wouldn’t be good if Serena saw that.” “I was just playing the role perfectly. If I don’t soothe her now, how will I trick her into cooperating next time?” So, it was all an act again. I forced a bitter smile and put the phone back. Caleb woke up soon after, sighing in relief when he saw I was okay. “I’m so sorry, Layla. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have pushed you to eat that cake.” I said nothing, just looked at him silently. My gaze made him a little uncomfortable. He quickly grabbed his jacket and stood up. “Work things. I need to go back and handle them. I’ll come see you later.” The moment the door closed, I shut my eyes, and tears finally streamed down my face. Caleb, six more days.
I didn’t wait for Caleb to visit me again; I checked out of the hospital early. I took my marriage certificate to the relevant office, intending to file for divorce. But the clerk frowned after examining it. “Ms. Hayes, your marriage certificate is a fake. It holds no legal validity whatsoever, so you can’t file for divorce based on this.” I froze, then suddenly remembered the day we remarried. Caleb had said it was too crowded at the office, and waiting in line would be tiring. He’d arranged for a friend to handle the paperwork, telling me to just wait at home. Back then, I was touched by his thoughtfulness. Now I realized that this remarriage, from beginning to end, was nothing but a sham. I clutched the fake certificate, my fingertips white, but then I laughed aloud. Good. It saved me the trouble of divorcing. When I got home, Caleb was already waiting for me on the sofa. “Layla, why did you check out of the hospital alone? Why didn’t you wait for me to pick you up?” “Are you still upset about the cake? Can you forgive me? As an apology, how about I take you to an auction to buy you a present?” I didn’t want to go, but Caleb didn’t give me a choice, pulling me out the door. Once we arrived, I immediately spotted Serena Thorne in the crowd. She wore a striking red gown, the heirloom bracelet meant for the Caldwell family’s true daughter-in-law glistening on her wrist. Noticing my gaze on Serena, Caleb hastily explained, “Layla, I don’t know why Serena is here. I haven’t been in touch with her for a long time.” “If you’re unhappy, I’ll have someone remove her right now.” I forced a smile, too tired to expose his lies. “No need.” It was just an act for my benefit anyway. The auction soon began, and I was indifferent throughout. But Caleb acted as if he genuinely wanted to make it up to me. Whenever I so much as glanced at an item, he would immediately raise his paddle. In a short while, he had acquired many things. People around us cast envious glances, but a terrible premonition bloomed in my heart. My premonition soon came true. When the ruby necklace, the grand finale item, was brought out, Serena was the first to raise her paddle. “Ten million.” I thought Caleb wouldn’t dare bid against Serena, but he didn’t hesitate to raise his paddle. “Fifteen million.” Meeting my astonished gaze, he gave me an affectionate smile. “You didn’t like any of the other things we bid on. You’ll definitely love this final necklace, right?” I was about to shake my head, but he had already turned his attention back to bidding against Serena. After a tense bidding war, Caleb made a decisive gesture. “Sold!” Suddenly, the entire room erupted. Everyone’s gaze at me was no longer just envy. I felt a pang of agony. Turning my head, I met Serena’s knowing, mocking eyes, and my heart sank. Caleb ultimately won the bid for the ruby necklace. But when the auction ended and the staff came to collect payment, he was nowhere to be found. My face went pale at the astronomical sum. I tried calling him, but only heard the voicemail message saying his phone was off. The staff’s expression slowly changed. The looks from the people around me shifted from envy to mockery. “Caleb Caldwell’s wife, can she actually not afford it?” “I thought Caleb doted on his wife so much. Turns out it was all fake.” “Maybe this woman deliberately latched onto Caleb and came to the auction, wanting to show off and buy expensive jewelry, but Caleb didn’t indulge her at all. Now look, she’s totally humiliated.” The insulting words felt like a barrage of slaps, making me feel faint. The staff had completely lost their pleasant demeanor, sneering at me, “Mrs. Caldwell, can you pay or not? If not, there’s a breach of contract fee!” I opened my mouth, but finally, my voice rasped, “Alright, I’ll pay the penalty.” I didn’t have any money on me. I had no choice but to take off my necklace, my bracelet, and even my dress, to use as collateral for the penalty. The incident quickly went viral online. The hashtag #LaylaAuctionScam trended instantly. The comments were filled with ridicule and curses. I stared at the vicious words, my nails digging into my palms, but I couldn’t even cry. So this was Caleb’s true purpose in bringing me to the auction. He wanted me to become everyone’s laughingstock. I returned home, looking at the countdown on the calendar. Five more days.
I didn’t want to go out and face the mocking stares, but in two days, it was Grandma Vivian’s birthday gala, and I had no choice but to attend. The gala was held at the Caldwell family estate. As soon as Caleb and I arrived, I saw Serena Thorne holding Grandma Vivian’s arm, chatting intimately with her. She had the usually stern Grandma Vivian laughing heartily. They looked like a perfect family. I glanced at them, then turned to look at Caleb. I saw his eyes filled with tenderness, clearly moved by the heartwarming scene. Noticing my gaze, Caleb uncomfortably explained, “Serena is a guest Grandma Vivian wanted to invite. I couldn’t stop her.” “If you don’t want to see her, we can go upstairs and wait after we’ve given Grandma your gift.” I said nothing, but Caleb had already pulled me forward. After offering birthday wishes, he instructed a servant to bring over the gift. “Grandma, this is a birthday gift Layla spent six months meticulously preparing for you herself. It’s full of her heartfelt wishes for you, and I hope you like it.” Hearing this, Grandma Vivian shifted her gaze from Serena. She gave me a casual glance and said faintly, “You’re very thoughtful.” Seeing Grandma Vivian’s attitude, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. From the first time Caleb and I married, Grandma Vivian never liked me. After Caleb and I got divorced, and the Caldwell family and Serena were dragged onto social media, she disliked me even more. After our “remarriage,” to spare Caleb from being caught in the middle, I had spent six months carving a custom-made sculpture representing longevity and good fortune, intending it as a birthday gift to make her happy. I never imagined that before the gift was even presented, I would uncover the truth about our remarriage and prepare to leave. Before I could fully react, Grandma Vivian had already pulled back the red cloth covering the gift. A delicate urn was starkly revealed. Grandma Vivian’s face instantly darkened. She suppressed her anger, saying, “Is this the ‘heartfelt wish’ you spent six months preparing?” My heart leaped. Grandma Vivian was a traditional woman. Presenting her with an urn at her birthday gala was nothing short of a provocation. But how had my sculpture turned into an urn? I instinctively looked at Caleb. Before the gift presentation, he was the only one who had handled my gift. But I didn’t get an explanation from Caleb. Instead, I heard Serena’s gleeful voice: “Layla, why would you give such a gift? Are you unhappy with Grandma Vivian?” “Grandma Vivian, please don’t be angry. It’s not worth getting upset over someone so insignificant. Come see the gift I prepared for you.” She clapped her hands, and immediately someone brought over a gift. When it was opened, it was my meticulously carved sculpture. My heart sank. There was nothing left to misunderstand now. Clearly, Serena wanted to play another cruel joke on me, so she had Caleb switch out my birthday gift, making me offend Grandma Vivian. I squeezed my palms tightly, feeling only a chilling emptiness in my chest. I didn’t participate in the rest of the birthday gala. Instead, Serena and Caleb stood on either side of Grandma Vivian, chatting and laughing with guests, looking every bit like the Caldwell family’s daughter-in-law. My heart was bitter. With the heirloom bracelet meant for the family’s daughter-in-law on her wrist, she certainly seemed like the Caldwell’s daughter-in-law, didn’t she? Finally, the gala ended. Just as Caleb and I were about to leave, Grandma Vivian had Mr. Davies, the butler, stop me. Mr. Davies held up a whip and said, “Ms. Hayes, Grandma Vivian has decided not to dwell on the incredibly offensive ‘gift’ you brought. However, as a Caldwell daughter-in-law, you must learn respect. You will be disciplined according to family tradition to ensure you remember this lesson.” Seeing the whip covered in barbs, Caleb couldn’t help but frown. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he only said, “It’s just a few lashes, Layla. Endure it. Don’t make Grandma upset again.” I had long since abandoned any hope for Caleb. Hearing his words, I simply nodded, my voice hoarse. “Okay.” I was quickly led to the family shrine. Mr. Davies wielded the whip, lashing me again and again. The whip sliced through the air, striking me brutally. As it recoiled, its barbs tore away flesh. After nine lashes, I was covered in blood. Before I lost consciousness, I calculated the time. Two more days. The final two days.
When I woke again, I found myself in our familiar bedroom. Caleb was gently applying medicine to my wounds, a tenderness in his eyes he himself hadn’t noticed. He didn’t realize I was awake. After finishing the dressing and bandaging, he left the room. The door didn’t close tightly. Through the crack, I heard him on the phone with Serena Thorne. “Caleb, I have a new idea. Lots of people are into wilderness survival lately. I just found a remote mountain. How about you trick Layla into going there and abandon her for a couple of days?” “Just imagining her lost on a wild mountain, unable to find you, afraid to leave, forced to eat bark when she’s hungry and drink her own urine when she’s thirsty—I find it absolutely hilarious.” Caleb seemed to hesitate. “Layla just got whipped by Grandma Vivian over the birthday gift, and she’s still covered in injuries. Maybe we should wait on the wilderness survival thing?” Serena immediately grew displeased. “Are you feeling sorry for Layla? I knew it. All that talk about me being your true love was just lies.” Hearing Serena’s words, Caleb immediately caved. “How could it be a lie? I’ll do it.” Listening to Caleb’s voice, my heart felt utterly desolate. In the past, when Caleb loved me, he would be heartbroken if I so much as bumped into a table corner by accident. But now, at Serena’s behest, he had caused me to endure nine lashes. My wounds hadn’t even healed, and he was already planning to send me into the wilderness to fend for myself. If that’s the case, Caleb, let this wilderness survival trip be an unforgettable memory for you. I relayed the wilderness survival details to the fake death agency, and they quickly responded. After reading their reply, I deleted all records related to the agency from my phone. After a day of recovery, Caleb found me. “Layla, you’ve seemed a little unhappy lately. How about I take you out hiking to clear your head?” I nodded calmly. Caleb had expected me to resist, having prepared all his coaxing words, but he was surprised by my cooperation. He paused, a vague unease stirring within him. But he quickly suppressed it, smiling as he stroked my head. “Layla is so well-behaved today.” Feeling the familiar warmth on my head, I could no longer feel any joy. After lunch, Caleb and I left. The car drove on. While stopped at a red light, Caleb glanced at me several times, looking as if he wanted to say something. I asked him, “What’s wrong?” His gaze lingered on my injuries, but when he spoke, he said, “Nothing, I just remembered you mentioned you had a surprise for me, and the date was tomorrow, I think.” I forced a smile. “You remember? Don’t worry, it’ll be a surprise you’ll love.” Even though I was smiling, I felt my eyes welling up, and I quickly turned my head away. Caleb’s unease returned, stronger than before. The car soon reached the “wild mountain” Serena had mentioned. Looking at the mountain before me, a ripple of emotion still stirred in my heart. I knew this mountain. It had been in the news several times before for tiger attacks. Serena really knew how to pick a place. And Caleb? Did he know there were tigers in the mountains? As I turned to look at Caleb, a tiger’s roar echoed. Caleb heard the sound but only frowned. “Layla, I forgot something in the car. You go ahead and start up the mountain, and I’ll come find you after I get it.” With that, he walked back the way we came without looking back. Watching his retreating figure, the last shred of affection I held for Caleb completely dissipated. I truly followed Caleb’s words and ascended the mountain. By the time I reached the summit, the sun had already set. The tigers and wolves in the mountain roared again and again, but Caleb, who was supposed to retrieve something, never returned. When the appointed time came, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I simply jumped off the cliff. As Caleb drove back, the unease in his heart grew stronger. What was that sound just now? Leaving Layla alone, wouldn’t she be in danger? His mind instinctively replayed Layla’s recent calm yet sorrowful eyes, and his heart tightened. When he arrived at the place he’d arranged with Serena, he pushed open the door to find several friends already there. But he wasn’t in the mood to socialize. He immediately grabbed Serena’s hand and said, “That mountain you picked, it’s not dangerous, is it?” Serena impatiently pulled her hand away. “What danger could there be? If you’re so worried, go back and be with Layla.” Caleb quickly hugged Serena, trying to soothe her. Once he had calmed her down, he started talking to his friends. It was exactly what he always did. But today, Caleb felt a strange dread, as if something terrible was about to happen. Time ticked by. Caleb’s phone received several calls, but Serena hung up every single one for him. “It must be Layla trying to call you for help. Just ignore her.” Caleb didn’t intervene, but his heart was already filled with a growing sense of foreboding. After another urgent call rang, Caleb snatched the phone before Serena could. But it wasn’t Layla on the other end. It was an unfamiliar male voice. “Is this Ms. Layla Hayes’s husband? We’re the police. We just received an alarm from infrared sensors in the mountains. Ms. Hayes has committed suicide by jumping off a cliff.”
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