The Rose That Left His World

After seven years of marriage, Cecilia Summer inherited a fortune worth billions. But while handling the paperwork with her lawyer, she was told that her marriage certificate wasn’t real. She could only inherit the entire fortune in her own name. After digging further into the details, the lawyer mentioned a name she never expected to hear. “Mr. Leedon’s wife is listed as Lucy Garnett, not you. Miss Summer, you’re… unmarried.” Everyone in Summerville knew that she and Marcus Leedon had been engaged since childhood. She was his everything, his treasured possession. When they got married, Marcus gave her the wedding of the century. He made a public promise: “I, Marcus Leedon, will never betray Cecilia!” But the marriage certificate bearing Marcus Leedon’s and Lucy Garnett’s names was issued the day after the wedding. Chapter 1 Cecilia Summer forced back a bitter smile. It took her a long time to accept the truth. Then her phone buzzed. A message popped up: “Cecilia, I bought you that new GG bag you love. My plane just landed. I’ll stop by the office first, then come see you. Love you.” Today was the day for Marcus Leedon's return from his business trip. She was already waiting outside the airport for him. When she saw the couple walking out together, her fists clenched. Marcus slipped his phone into his coat pocket, wrapped an arm around Lucy Garnett’s neck, and planted a passionate kiss on her. Meanwhile, tears streamed down Cecilia’s face. How could Marcus say he loved her while kissing another woman at the same time? Her gaze stayed fixed on him from afar as memories rushed through her mind. They had grown up together, childhood sweethearts. Back in middle school, her parents had planned to send her abroad. When Marcus found out, he knelt outside her family’s home for seven days. Before fainting, he clung to her hand and whispered, “Cecilia, you can’t go. You’re mine. I won’t let you drift so far away.” They went through high school and beyond together. Everyone knew Cecilia was Marcus’s everything. When it came to applying for universities, the Leedon family suggested Marcus apply to top universities overseas. But he stayed in Summerville for her. “Where Cecilia is, that’s where I’ll be. When she turns twenty-two, we’ll get married for real.” They married that year, but she never imagined that Marcus, who loved her so deeply, would betray her so completely. Marcus was the one who told the lawyer to take care of the marriage certificate the day after their wedding, saying he felt bad that she’d been so exhausted on their wedding night. They had known each other since birth, inseparable for twenty-seven years. They had always believed they were meant to be together. Yet in the end, Marcus secretly married someone else. He had taken over her life, her entire world. And at that moment, Cecilia made a choice. She would rip apart half of herself if it meant wiping Marcus from her future completely. She didn’t go home. Instead, she rushed to the lawyer to handle her inheritance — all the assets under the name Cecilia Summer, including the shares of Leedon Group Marcus had transferred to her before their marriage. The lawyer confirmed again, “Miss Summer, are you sure you want to sell all your family’s assets?” “Yes. All the properties and businesses in Summerville, I don’t want any of them left.” Within just a few hours, Cecilia signed several contracts, selling off half of the Summer family’s assets. The other half already had buyers lined up. Many were from out of town and couldn’t come immediately, but they promised they would have the funds ready soon and would travel to Summerville to sign the papers. The lawyer said everything could be finalized within a week. All the betrayal and the pain Marcus caused would end in seven days. Chapter 2 Three hours later, Cecilia returned to the bedroom she shared with Marcus. His cold eyes locked onto her the moment she walked in. “Where have you been, Cecilia? I’ve been waiting for two hours and couldn’t get through to you. Do you have any idea how worried I was?” Cecilia looked at him again, her mind flashing back to the scene at the airport. Marcus had his arm around Lucy, leaning close as he kissed her. Once, she had loved Marcus’s kisses. Now they only made her feel sick. He didn’t wait for her answer. As he stepped closer, his gaze hardened. “You know I hate it when you disappear without telling me where you’re going. Wasn’t the last punishment enough?” Suddenly, Marcus’s large hand gripped her waist. Cecilia’s body stiffened. Her eyelids fluttered as her lashes trembled. Once, the scent of tobacco on him had been comforting. A place where she felt safe. Now it felt dangerous. She knew too well how possessive Marcus could be. His controlling nature. His need to have her entirely to himself. When she was twenty, they had an argument, and she ran off to the mountains with her friends. Marcus had nearly lost his mind. He sent helicopters across the city to search for her. When he finally found her, the first thing he did was lock her inside his apartment. For an entire month, he refused to let her leave, relentless and obsessive. She cried and begged him to stop, but he wouldn’t. Not until she pleaded again and again, promising she would never disappear like that again, never make him worry like that. After that, Cecilia had been afraid of him. She swore she would never vanish again, no matter what. Now Marcus lifted her chin with a slender finger. “Say something. Or do you want me to punish you for real?” A flicker of panic flashed through her eyes. If he found out she was planning to leave him forever, he would probably lose his mind. Trying to stay calm, she whispered, “I just went… to the hospital.” She was two months pregnant. The moment he heard the word ‘hospital’, his eyes darkened. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his voice low, almost a growl. “Cecilia, I know you still want to have my child. But your chances of getting pregnant are basically zero. We’ve tried for years. It’s enough. I only want you. As long as I have you, I won’t regret anything. “Don’t go to the hospital anymore. I don’t want you going through that pain again.” They had tried IVF nearly twenty times. Hormone shots left her arms swollen and bruised. Still nothing worked. No pregnancy. Not even a glimmer of hope. A moment later, Marcus’s phone rang. Cecilia watched his brows knit slightly. He reached out and ruffled her hair as he answered. “Baby, stop trying so hard to get pregnant. You’re my sweetheart. If we can’t have kids, we’ll just be a DINK couple. “I need to head out for a bit. Stay home, okay? Don’t go wandering off again. It makes me worry. “If you do… I’ll really be angry.” Without waiting for her reply, he was already walking out the door. Cecilia forced a bitter smile. So someone was waiting for him outside. Was he only here to make sure she was home? Half an hour later, she received a voice message from an unfamiliar number. “Marcus, is Lucy really pregnant?” “Yeah. Three months. “Cecilia can’t have kids, but our family needs an heir. My grandfather’s been pushing me.” “Marcus, you insisted on marrying Cecilia. Your grandfather only agreed to it after you agreed to have her take those sterilizing pills. And you can't register the marriage with her. What are you planning to do now? You said she was the one you loved most.” Cecilia’s face turned pale. Sterilizing pills? He cheated on her… And secretly took away her ability to have children? Her stomach twisted in pain. Her thoughts flashed back to their wedding night. Marcus had brought her a bottle of vitamins. “Here, Cecilia. My relatives sent these vitamins over. They’re supposed to boost your fertility and help you conceive.” She had blushed, shyly leaning into him as Marcus fed her the vitamin. So from the very beginning… He had never wanted her to have children. Marcus’s voice came through the message again. “Of course I love Cecilia. That’s exactly why I needed Lucy to get pregnant. “That’s why I even set aside the feud between our families. Just so I could stay with Cecilia.” He paused before continuing. “My parents died in a car accident because of Cecilia’s parents. “I’ve spent years trying to ignore it, treating her like a treasure. I just can't give her children and marriage. “But everything else? I can give her all of it. “Even the entire Leedon Group.” “Then what about Lucy?” the friend asked. “Just a tool to give you an heir?” Marcus fell silent for a long moment before answering. “Lucy is gentle and quiet. Being with her feels peaceful. “It’s a kind of comfort Cecilia could never give me.” “Marcus,” the friend said quietly, “you're too greedy.” Chapter 3 She couldn’t hold it in anymore. Cecilia shut off her phone and silently let the tears run down her face. It struck her like a bombshell—Marcus’s heart had never truly belonged to her. Not even once. Slowly, she wiped away her tears and tried to compose herself. The message on her phone had come from an unknown sender. Her trembling hand moved to her belly. She couldn’t have his child. And she certainly couldn’t deal with the child he had with someone else. Taking a deep breath, she dialed a number. “Cecilia? Hey.” “Randy, can you fit in an extra surgery for me at the hospital tomorrow morning?” “Sure. What kind? I’ll check with the chief doctor for you.” “…An abortion.” The next day, Cecilia went to the hospital alone. Last night, after Marcus left, Cecilia received only one message from him. “I won’t be back tonight. I drank too much. I’ll go straight to the office tomorrow morning and come home tonight.” But the man who claimed he’d be at work was actually here at the hospital. Marcus appeared on the maternity ward floor, holding Lucy in his arms. A small crowd had gathered nearby. Cecilia saw Marcus shielding Lucy in a corner. His commanding presence looked exactly like it had all those years ago—when he used to protect her. Lucy looked up at Marcus and smiled. “Marcus, I’m fine. It’s just a maternity ward. Don’t worry.” His voice was low, restrained. “I told you to go to a private hospital, but you insisted on coming here. What’s so special about this place?” Lucy lowered her gaze, her expression dimming. “Marcus, I’m just a housekeeper’s daughter. I’m plain and ordinary. I can’t compare to someone like Ms. Summer. Besides, public hospitals cost less. I don’t want to waste your money.” Marcus’s sharp profile softened with a mixture of tenderness and pain. “Cecilia only cares about owning the most expensive, one-of-a-kind things. One of her handbags alone could cover ten years of your salary. She’s never understood what truly matters.” As he spoke, Marcus wrapped his arms around Lucy and kissed her hair. Meanwhile, Cecilia stood rigid nearby, wearing a coat, hat, and mask. Her entire body felt cold. How ironic that word was—‘understood.’ She remembered how Marcus had transferred all his company shares to her right before their wedding. He had told her then, “Cecilia, I’ll only buy you the best and newest things. You’re my princess. You deserve to be spoiled.” She also remembered something he had said casually that day. “Woodsville Estate was my parents’ home. You’ll stay there when you give birth. I’ve already had a ring made from the green diamond at the Manelie auction—your wedding ring.” Her eyelashes trembled as tears instantly blurred her vision. That green diamond had come from Manelie. And she had been the one pestering Marcus to buy it. Because it was one of a kind. She had wanted it so badly back then. Marcus and Lucy's conversation brought me back to reality. “Does Ms. Summer like the bag I picked out?” Lucy asked. “Of course she does. My dear Lucy spent three hours choosing it. You did well.” Lucy gently caressed her belly, her face shadowed with pain. “Marcus, Ms. Summer will be the adopted mother of my child. Of course I’ll try to make her happy. Don’t worry.” Hearing that, Marcus’s expression darkened with emotion. “Lucy, I’m grateful you’re giving me this child. Only with this baby can I secure my position in the company. Everything I have will belong to my child.” Cecilia found the entire conversation absurd. So he arranged for Lucy to get pregnant… Just because she had always wanted a child? Was that the reason he cheated? Slowly, she walked toward the operating room. As she changed into her surgical gown, her phone buzzed. Marcus was calling. She answered. “Cecilia, are you awake? Are you still mad? “I’ve just sent you roses. They’ll be delivered to the villa soon. And breakfast from St. Antony’s—your favorite. “You really want a child that much? I’ll find one at an orphanage. If there’s a suitable baby, maybe we can adopt. In a year or so, I’ll make you a mother.” “No,” she said quietly. “I don’t want a child anymore.” Not her own. And she would never accept a child he had with another woman. His voice softened slightly. “Cecilia, be good. You’re my treasure. Our seventh anniversary is in three days. I’ve prepared a surprise for you.” Cecilia ended the call. She had a surprise prepared for Marcus as well. Lying on the cold operating table, she closed her eyes and waited for what would come next. Chapter 4 Cecilia’s senior, Randy Henderson, suddenly appeared. “Cecilia, if you lose this baby, you probably won’t be able to have children in the future. Have you thought about that?” he asked gently. She blinked away her tears and nodded. “I’ve made my decision, Randy.” This baby had been the most precious gift she had prepared for Marcus for their seventh wedding anniversary. But he didn’t want it. From the very beginning, he had been trying to stop it. She wasn’t going to give him what he didn't want. Cold medical instruments pierced her body, sending sharp pain shooting through her abdomen. And just like that, the last connection between her and Marcus was cut. She never expected that when she woke up after the surgery, the first message she would see would be from an unfamiliar number—forwarding the location of a bridal boutique. Still weak and aching, she forced herself into a car and headed there. As soon as she arrived, she saw Marcus and Lucy standing outside. Marcus was holding Lucy in his arms, looking helpless. “Lucy, you’re my wife. I can’t give you a proper wedding, but at least I want you to wear a wedding dress once.” “Marcus, I’m worried I’ll just be a burden. This must cost a lot too.” Marcus gently tapped Lucy’s nose, smiling at her with obvious affection. “You silly girl. I may not be able to give you an official title, but I’ll do my best to make sure you’re happy.” Sitting in the car, Cecilia listened to Marcus sweet-talk Lucy, her chest tightening with pain. Wife? Lucy was his wife. Then what was she? He wanted Lucy to be happy. But what about her? Watching him whisper tender words to Lucy felt like reliving her own past with him over and over again. At that moment, Cecilia finally realized something. She didn’t regret losing the baby. Because Marcus didn’t deserve to be the father of her child. When they got married, they had chosen their wedding dress right here at this shop. Luxury cars had lined both sides of the street. Their friends stepped out of the cars. She overheard their conversation. “Marcus is planning a surprise for his wife tonight. There’s going to be a small ceremony at the shop.” “Isn’t he worried Cecilia might find out?” “They say she’s infertile. Marcus even told everyone their marriage license isn’t real.” “Keep your voice down. Cecilia is still precious to him. This whole thing is just to make Lucy feel special. Besides, she’s the one carrying his child.” Cecilia’s blood ran cold. So everyone she had grown up with already knew Marcus had betrayed her. She had opened this bridal boutique herself back in college, simply out of boredom. Every gown in the store had been designed by her. Only the shop manager knew she was the owner. After everyone went inside, she quietly slipped in through the back door. She hid in a dark corner on the third floor and watched Marcus, dressed in a white suit, and Lucy, wearing a pure white wedding gown. That gown had been inspired by their very first fight. Back then, Marcus had been furious when Lucas Paterson brought her a birthday gift. In the university classroom, he had pinned her against the blackboard and kissed her fiercely. That had been their first kiss. Later that night, with the bittersweet memory of that first kiss still lingering, she designed a wedding dress. She named it ‘First Love’. Now Marcus and Lucy stood together on the stage. All the friends she had grown up with were gathered below, clapping, cheering, and offering their congratulations. “Marcus, your bride looks beautiful.” “Congratulations, Marcus. Time to exchange rings.” She watched as Marcus took out a ring box. He opened it. From where she stood, Cecilia could see clearly. The rings inside were identical to the wedding bands she and Marcus wore. Marcus’s ring was still the same classic men’s band. And Lucy’s matched Cecilia’s exactly. Even the rings had become a set of three. Suddenly, the lights snapped on with a loud click. Every stage light went dark— Except for a single spotlight shining directly down on her from above. Chapter 5 The moment Marcus saw Cecilia, his eyes darkened. Without another word, he abandoned Lucy and rushed up to the third floor, his eyes blazing. Everyone watched as his entire body trembled, his face drained of color. He was shaking so badly that when he reached Cecilia, he pulled her into his arms as if afraid she might collapse. “Cecilia, listen to me,” he said hoarsely. “This was just a scene for a short film. Don’t get the wrong idea. You know I designed this ring myself. You don’t like being in front of the camera, and Lucy’s hands look a lot like yours. I wanted to surprise you. Once the footage is edited, the whole city will see it as an advertisement.” His trembling hands hurriedly slid the ring onto Cecilia’s ring finger. But she immediately felt it was wrong. The ring didn’t fit. That wasn’t her size. Downstairs, Lucy’s face had gone pale. Tears welled in her eyes as she stared helplessly at Cecilia and Marcus. Marcus’s voice suddenly turned cold. “Miss Garnett, my wife is angry. You should explain yourself. If you don’t, you won’t need to come back to work at the Leedon Group.” Lucy’s voice trembled, humble and subdued. “Ms. Summer… this wedding was only for the commercial shoot. I was the planner. The campaign is for Mr. Leedon, and it will be broadcast across the city three days from now—on your anniversary.” Marcus smiled charmingly and wrapped his arms around Cecilia. “See, Cecilia? Everything I did was for you. I’ve always done everything for you. I love you, and that will never change. Cecilia, you’re the love of my life.” Every word Marcus spoke sounded like a vow Cecilia had trusted for twenty-seven years. She had never doubted his love. Yet now she suddenly realized something. Even after betraying her, Marcus could still declare his love in front of everyone as if nothing had happened—still gentle, still affectionate. Lucy froze when she heard those words. Only then did she seem to understand something. Tears streamed down her face as she forced out a trembling smile. “Ms. Summer… I wish you and Mr. Leedon a lifetime of happiness… growing old together… and having children.” The words **having children** pierced Cecilia’s heart like a blade. She looked toward Lucy. Lucy was crying so hard her entire body shook. Then she turned and ran without looking back. Marcus shouted after her, his voice raw with desperation. “Lucy!” Then he lost all composure and sprinted downstairs after her. Cecilia watched him push through the crowd, chasing after Lucy. In the next instant, a car screeched to a halt. With a violent crash, it slammed into Lucy and sent her flying. Cecilia stood frozen on the roadside as Marcus’s anguished scream tore through the air. “Lucy! No!” He lunged forward and caught Lucy before she hit the ground. Everyone saw what happened next. Lucy struggled to throw herself into Marcus’s arms, shielding him with her body. In that instant, her fragile body took the second impact of the car. There was a deafening crash. Blood splattered everywhere. Lucy kept coughing up blood, crimson pouring from her mouth. The ground beneath her was quickly soaked red. Marcus collapsed to his knees, trembling as he held her, tears filling his eyes. “Lucy, stay with me. I’ll take you to the hospital right now.” Blood streamed from Lucy’s lips as she weakly whispered, “Baby… Marcus… save our baby… please…” Cecilia saw Marcus slowly raise his head. His eyes were bloodshot as they locked onto hers. “I told you, Cecilia,” he snarled through clenched teeth. “Lucy and I never had anything. I told you it was just a scene. Why won’t you believe me? Why did you have to drive her and our child to death just to be satisfied?” In that moment, Cecilia saw pure hatred flicker in Marcus’s eyes. The crowd began murmuring. Donovan Mendes spoke first, his voice cold. “Cecilia, Marcus loves you so much. Even though he had to marry Lucy because of his grandfather’s arrangement, he still sent her abroad for nearly seven years—for your sake.” Others quickly joined in. “Exactly. Marcus was only protecting you. That’s why he let Lucy film the commercial today. He didn’t want you getting tired.” “Cecilia, you’re being too harsh. Lucy just loves Marcus. She’s never asked for anything in return. Such a kind girl… how can you be so unforgiving and leave her with no place at all?” Their words were filled with accusation and judgment. Chapter 6 Once, everyone said she and Marcus were the perfect match—the golden couple, made for each other. Friends had always believed they were destined to be together. But now those same people stood on their moral high ground, judging her. They accused her of ruining what was supposed to be a pure relationship. And somehow, they even blamed her for his seven-year deception. Lucy was rushed into surgery, and Cecilia followed behind. Marcus had only suffered minor scrapes, but he refused to let the doctor examine him. He insisted on waiting until Lucy was out of surgery. Lucy had lost too much blood. The baby didn’t survive. Because of the hemorrhaging, her uterus had to be removed. Marcus looked devastated, pain written all over his face. “Lucy, I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have sent you abroad for seven years. I shouldn’t have ignored you. And I shouldn’t have mistaken everything you did for me as something Cecilia had done. “I loved the wrong person. I thought she was the one.” Cecilia listened, stunned and confused. Did Marcus really believe Lucy had been the one doing all those things for him? Tears filled Cecilia’s eyes as she wiped them away with trembling fingers. But she had done so much for him over the years too—quietly, in the background. Since she was five years old, she had been his blood donor. Marcus had a rare condition that caused dangerously low platelet counts and required regular transfusions. As a child, she had been terrified he might die. Her parents tried to stop her, but she insisted on donating blood for him again and again. That was also why she had always been so sickly growing up, while Marcus gradually became stronger and healthier. Later, in middle school, her parents tried to force her to leave, afraid she would sacrifice her life for him. Marcus believed she had been allowed to stay because he knelt outside the Summer family’s house for seven days, begging them not to take her away. But the truth was different. She had threatened to kill herself if her parents separated them. Only then had they finally given up. Now she watched Marcus regretfully confess how cold he had been to Lucy—how he loved her and should never have ignored her. Cecilia suddenly wanted to tell him that she felt the same. If she had known their love would end in ruins like this, she would never have let it begin. She walked toward the elevator, tears blurring her vision. At that moment, Marcus suddenly collapsed onto the floor. This time, she made a different choice. She wasn’t going to save him anymore. Night fell quietly. Cecilia sat alone in her villa while her social media exploded with activity. Everyone she and Marcus knew was sharing the same video. In the clip, the bride’s face was hidden, while the groom slipped a ring onto her finger. But the captions all said the same thing: “Mr. Leedon and Mrs. Leedon’s seventh anniversary!” Cecilia’s lips curled into a cold sneer. Seventh anniversary… Marcus and Lucy’s anniversary too. Who exactly were these people celebrating? Someone had posted footage from their wedding online, and it had quickly spread across the internet. Everywhere, people were congratulating her. “So happy for Mrs. Leedon!” “Mr. Leedon and his wife are adorable. So sweet!” “Another fairytale romance!” Meanwhile, Marcus lay unconscious in the hospital, completely unaware of the storm brewing online. Her phone suddenly rang. She answered. “Cecilia, Marcus urgently needs a blood transfusion. You need to come to the hospital and donate.” Her eyes filled with tears—but they burned with cold fury. “I’m sorry, Mr. Leedon. I’m not his wife, or even his girlfriend. I have no obligation to save him. I’m not connected to him in any way.” “…You know everything?” Cecilia let out a cold laugh. “Thank you for what you did seven years ago. Because of you, I won’t have to deal with a divorce from Marcus now. “If he bleeds to death tonight, I won’t attend his funeral either. “I’m nothing to him.” The old man’s voice turned icy. “You, Cecilia, are just like your grandfather. “You will always be the person I hate the most.” Then he hung up. Cecilia didn’t sleep the entire night. Instead, she spent hours sorting through every memory she had with Marcus—holding tightly to the quiet, burning rage in her heart. Chapter 7 She grabbed a hammer and smashed every wedding photo, one after another. Glass shards scattered across the floor. All the clothes Marcus had bought for her, along with the jewelry and handbags, she packed up and sent off. By midnight, everything had been shipped to a second-hand auction house. She also destroyed the gifts they had exchanged since childhood—the stuffed bunny Marcus had bought to comfort her when she cried as a little girl, and the stacks of practice books for the college entrance exams that he had forced her to finish, tutoring her day after day. One by one, she carried everything out to the yard and set it on fire. Her phone buzzed again. A strange message appeared. “I never realized how much he loved me—he was even willing to risk his life for me.” Cecilia replied with a single line. “Lucy, congratulations. You’ve finally recycled my trash.” Three hours later, she heard that Marcus had woken up. At the Leedon family hospital, there had always been five bags of blood stored for him—just in case. For years, his health had been stable, and he had never been seriously injured. Even so, every six months, she had blood drawn and stored for him, just in case Marcus ever needed it. But after last night, those five bags of blood were probably gone within five hours. Just like that, the twenty-seven years between them had been used up completely. Bodyguards forced her to the hospital. When she pushed open the door to the ward, she saw Marcus holding Lucy in his arms. His eyes burned with anger. “Cecilia! You bribed the doctors so that Lucy lost her baby. And on top of that, you had them remove her womb.” She froze as Marcus accused her of causing Lucy’s miscarriage. A nearby doctor immediately said, “Mr. Leedon, it was Ms. Summer. She said that if I didn’t remove Mrs. Leedon’s womb, my entire family wouldn’t be able to survive in this city.” Marcus released Lucy and walked toward Cecilia. For the first time, he grabbed her by the throat. “How could you use money and power to hurt her like this? When did you become such a cruel person?” Cecilia’s eyes filled with tears as she looked up at him. The fury and anguish on his face were no longer meant for her. Pain tightened around her neck as Marcus’s grip grew stronger. She curled her lips into a faint smile. “Marcus, it’s just a womb. If money can buy her life, I’ll gladly pay for it.” His expression darkened with rage. Without warning, he slapped her hard. She fell to the ground, fragile and stunned. His voice was cold as steel. “Take her to the operating room. Remove her womb.” Two doctors stepped forward and restrained her. Cecilia stared at him in disbelief. “What are you saying? Marcus, what are you going to do to me?” His icy gaze locked onto hers. “You can’t owe someone forever, Cecilia. Since you owe Lucy, then pay her back. Once everything is settled, I’ll still take care of you the way I always have.” With a single glance from him, the two doctors quietly dragged her away. She tried to struggle, but a doctor pushed an anesthetic needle into her arm. Almost instantly, her vision began to blur. Through her fading consciousness, she saw Marcus pulling Lucy into his arms again. “Lucy, don’t cry. When you cry, it breaks my heart.” Her awareness slowly drifted away, memories from her youth flashing through her mind. She was twenty years old, crying in Marcus’s arms. Marcus smiled mischievously and whispered teasingly, “Cecilia, I love it when you cry. When you do, it really turns me on.” So that was what real heartbreak meant for him. When a woman cried for him, that was what made his heart ache. A sharp pain suddenly tore through her abdomen again. Through the haze of anesthesia, she faintly heard the voices of the doctors—and Marcus. “Mr. Leedon… Ms. Summer already had an uterine procedure earlier. Do you still want her uterus removed?” Chapter 8 “A uterine procedure?” Marcus’s voice was low, edged with confusion. The doctor explained, “It could be caused by uterine fibroids. Sometimes surgery is necessary.” Marcus’s expression darkened. “Remove Cecilia’s uterus and show it to Lucy. Her eyes are red and swollen from crying. She can’t keep crying like this. Do the surgery as soon as possible.” “It will have to be done until the anesthetic takes full effect,” the doctor said. Marcus shot him an impatient look, irritation creeping into his voice. “Cecilia is already unconscious. Just take it out now.” Tears slid silently from the corners of Cecilia’s eyes. They were going to remove her uterus just to stop Lucy from crying. Removal of the uterus caused massive blood loss. When Cecilia woke up again, two days had passed. Marcus’s cold eyes gleamed with a ruthless darkness. “You're awake.” Cecilia’s throat was dry. She barely managed to speak before Marcus’s icy voice cut her off. “You lost a lot of blood. Lucy donated blood to save you. Cecilia, you should be grateful. Do you understand?” Lucy sat beside the bed, quietly peeling an orange, looking shy but determined. “Marcus, I didn’t help Cecilia so she would thank me. I know how much you care about her. If giving half my blood could save her, I’d do it. I’d give everything I have—even if it meant dying.” Her words sounded sincere and heartfelt. Marcus’s next sentence, however, was cold and merciless. “Cecilia, what you owe Lucy—you’ll repay with your status.” Cecilia stared at him. There was no warmth left in his eyes. Suppressing the pain in her body, she forced herself to sit up. Marcus immediately strode over and grabbed her arm roughly. “What are you doing? You don’t care whether I live or die. You don’t care whether Lucy lives or dies. Cecilia, you owe us.” Her face was pale as death, but her gaze remained calm and icy. A faint, mocking smile curved her lips. “Marcus… is this really my debt to you?” Not far away, Lucy suddenly began to cry. “Marcus, I don’t want anything. I just want you and Cecilia to be happy. I’ll be fine. I’ll disappear and never see you again.” With those words, Lucy fainted. Marcus released Cecilia instantly and hurried to catch Lucy in his arms. His eyes flashed with anger. “Cecilia, not everyone will tolerate your temper. After Lucy donated blood to save you, she stayed by your bedside the entire time, afraid you wouldn’t wake up. “We never betrayed you. You should be grateful. “Your grandfather is gone. You don’t even have family here anymore.” At that moment, Cecilia suddenly realized how foolish her decision had been—to stay behind for Marcus instead of leaving with her parents back then. Marcus rushed out of the room carrying Lucy, leaving Cecilia alone with the pain. Cecilia endured the pain and left the hospital. She opened her phone to find numerous messages from the lawyer. “Miss Summer, the other buyers have arrived. They’re ready to sign the agreement.” She returned to the law firm and finalized the sale of the remaining Summer family assets. As for the shares Marcus had transferred to her before their marriage, she had already chosen the buyer—his greatest rival, Lucas Paterson. She sent Lucas a message. “Prepare 30 billion. I’m selling all my shares in the Leedon Group to you.” His reply came quickly. “Okay.” Originally, Cecilia had planned to return Marcus’s shares to him, even after discovering his affair. She wanted to preserve the last bit of dignity between them. But after everything that had happened, she had changed her mind. She would destroy the Leedon family. And she would destroy Marcus along with it. Just as he had destroyed her. She lifted her gaze toward the distant shopping mall. On the giant outdoor screen, Marcus’s public announcement was playing repeatedly. It showed Marcus standing beside Lucy, making a heartfelt declaration. “I would like to clarify something.” “There are rumors claiming that Cecilia Summer and I are married. That is a misunderstanding.” “Seven years ago, the woman I married was Lucy Garnett.” “Because I wanted to protect my wife, I asked my friend, Cecilia, to help me. That’s how the rumors started.” “Now that the truth is out, I want everyone to know—” “I, Marcus Leedon, have only ever been married to Lucy Garnett.” Chapter 9 Cecilia’s clear eyes showed no trace of emotion. Her phone rang. Marcus. Cecilia answered calmly. His voice was filled with anger. “Cecilia, I’m ordering you to go back to the hospital. Lucy isn’t doing well. You need to come and take care of her.” She stared at the screen silently before replying in a flat voice. “My uterus, wasn’t that already taken and repaid to her? Why would you want me to take care of her now?” His tone grew harsher. “Cecilia, you need to understand something. Lucy’s injuries are already serious enough. And it’s all your fault she lost her three-month-old baby. Do you even know what it feels like for a mother to lose her child?” Her chest tightened as a dull ache spread through her. She couldn’t forget the two children she had lost. After leaving the hospital, she had placed the tiny bodies in a frozen container and sent them to the restaurant where she and Marcus had celebrated their sixth anniversary. Every year on their anniversary, the restaurant manager would hand Marcus a “gift.” This year—the seventh and final year—was no different. “Marcus… I understand,” she said quietly. But his voice remained cold and commanding. “If you understand, then go take care of Lucy. I’ll forgive you. You’ll still stay with me, and you’ll stay with her. The three of us—we’ll live happily ever after. I’ll treat both of you evenly.” His words made her stomach churn. Marcus wanted everything. Both of them. Memories of his wedding vows flashed through her mind. ‘Cecilia, I love you. I will love only you for the rest of my life.’ And the teasing laughter of their childhood friends. “Marcus, what if you ever cheat on Cecilia?” “I’d jump off the top of Leedon Tower to make it right.” Those joking voices echoed painfully in her ears. She gathered the last of her strength. Her voice was calm, distant. “Marcus… we’re done. We’re breaking up.” They had never been legally married. Seven years of a so-called marriage ended with those words. She hung up and walked into a nearby coffee shop. There were still things she needed to handle. So she called her lawyer. “Hello, Miss Summer. What can I do for you?” “First, all the shares I hold in Mendes Group will go to Donovan Mendes’s older brother in the fight for the CEO position. Second, leak the news about Zander Corporation’s financial hole and sue Andy Zander to recover the five billion he owes me. Third, David Leedon murdered his own son and daughter-in-law. My grandfather left evidence of it in his estate. Hand it over to the police.” Marcus’s grandfather had forbidden him from interfering in the power struggle within the Mendes family. He had been furious, but powerless. It was Cecilia who begged her grandfather to secretly arrange for Marcus to help Donovan. That was the only reason Donovan had made it this far. She had known all along that Marcus’s grandfather was the one who killed his own son and daughter-in-law. Her grandfather knew the truth as well, but chose to endure the humiliation in silence. He never imagined that, in the end, everything would be blamed on their family. Marcus’s close friend Andy Zander had gotten himself tangled in a corruption scandal. Half a year earlier, Andy had quietly come to borrow money from her, begging her not to tell Marcus. She lent it to him. But in truth, everyone had been protecting Marcus, hiding the truth from her. She didn’t need their gratitude. Nor did she want to be taken advantage of or made a fool of. The very people she had helped had turned around and hurt her, standing on the opposite side. All the kindness she had given them was repaid with betrayal. The last person she met was Lucas. “Cecilia, you need this money urgently. I can only raise half of it within an hour. The rest will be transferred to your account within a week.” Her eyes remained cold and unreadable. Lucas’s voice turned serious. “Are you sure about this? If I buy the shares of Leedon Group, I’ll take control of the company. Marcus will be left with nothing.” Without hesitation, she picked up the pen and signed the transfer documents. Once everything was finished, Lucas personally drove her to the airport. “Cecilia… can’t you stay? Please.” She looked back at him but avoided answering. Instead, she said calmly, “Lucas, congratulations. From today on, the Paterson family will be the only one of the five great families left in this city.” Everyone would pay for what they had done. She turned and walked toward the boarding gate without looking back. From this moment on, Marcus and she would go their separate ways. And neither of them would ever look back.