My Marriage Was Built on Lies

For five years of marriage, Sophie Lane had always believed her husband, Daniel Hart, was just an ordinary call center operator. He was busy with work, so she learned to handle everything at home on her own. His salary was low, so she stretched every dollar as far as it could go. It wasn’t until she was hospitalized during a difficult labor and ran into Daniel accompanying his fallen comrade’s widow, Clara Bailey, that she finally learned the truth. Daniel had never been a call center operator at all; he was a commanding officer in an elite unit. To give all the privileges of a commander’s wife to his childhood sweetheart, Clara, he had hidden his identity from Sophie for five years. When Clara lost her child, and to spare her the pain, he had even made Sophie give her own baby to her. Sophie’s heart went completely cold. After recovering in the hospital, she went alone to audition for an out-of-town performing arts company. With the offer letter in hand, she petitioned the court for divorce. She was going to end this marriage built on lies. And leave Daniel forever. Chapter 1 After losing her baby during a traumatic delivery, the neighbors all started saying Sophie Lane wasn’t the same anymore. On the first day, she cooked herself three eggs. She no longer set aside the best cuts of meat and fresh eggs for Daniel Hart, no longer living off scraps and cheap starches herself. On the second day, she went to a boutique and bought herself a quilted floral coat. She no longer kept stitching up her worn-out jacket, no longer scraping and saving for months just to buy Daniel extra gear. On the third day, she accompanied her neighbor, Joanne, to the hospital and bought a course of postpartum medicine, only to be stopped in the lobby by his aide. “Mrs. Hart! Captain Hart was injured during a mission. He’s been calling your name. You should go see him!” Sophie looked at her quietly, not a trace of worry in her expression. “Are you sure he was calling for Sophie, and not Clara?” She smiled faintly. “You should go find Clara Bailey. The one your captain wants to see will only be her. She lives at the far west end of the military housing compound, a single-unit house. You’ll find her easily.” With that, she took Joanne’s hand and moved to leave. A weak yet steady voice called out from behind her. “Sophie.” The aide sucked in a sharp breath. “Captain Hart, why did you come out yourself?!” Daniel Hart ignored her and walked straight to Sophie. His face was pale, but he forced a gentle smile, reaching out to touch her cheek. “The one I want to see is you, Sophie. What kind of husband, after getting hurt, goes to see another woman instead of his wife? Are you still upset about what happened the day you gave birth?” Sophie stepped back, avoiding his hand. “I’m not upset.” “Clara is your fallen comrade’s widow. As the team captain, it’s your duty to take care of her. Besides, she’s pregnant. As your wife, I should be understanding and accommodating. I know that.” Looking at his empty hand and her indifferent expression, a flicker of unease rose in Daniel’s chest. The Sophie he once knew would ache over every wound on his body, would treasure every second they spent together… She would never be this distant, like a stranger. He opened his mouth to say more, but Sophie had already taken Joanne and walked straight out of the hospital. Joanne, who had witnessed everything, lowered her voice in surprise. “Sophie, am I seeing things right? Wasn’t Daniel just a switchboard operator? Since when did he become captain? Congratulations! You finally made it!” A bitter taste rose in Sophie’s chest, and she let out a faint, helpless laugh. Daniel had never been a switchboard operator. From beginning to end, he had always been the powerful Captain Hart. Half a month ago, Sophie’s water had broken suddenly, and she was admitted to the hospital. Due to complications, she needed a C-section. She had only eight dollars on her. How was she supposed to afford the surgery? Just as despair set in, the captain’s aide pulled her into a ward. “Ma’am, our captain is willing to cover your surgery and pay for recovery. But he has one condition. You must hand the baby over to Clara Bailey to raise.” Sophie felt the blood in her body turn cold. The captain they were talking about… wasn’t he her switchboard-operator husband? Their eyes met, and Daniel frowned. “Sophie? Why is it you?” There was no panic on his face, only relief. “Since it’s you, then there’s nothing to discuss. Go for the C-section immediately. Clara and I grew up together. She’s carrying the child of my friend, Zack—his only legacy. If she wakes up and finds out the baby didn’t survive, she won’t be able to take it.” Sophie stared at him in disbelief. “For that woman, you lied to me for five years, pretending to be a switchboard operator? Because her child might die, you’re going to take mine? How can you be so heartless?” Daniel’s face hardened with impatience. “Enough. It’s just a child. We can have more in the future. Can you stop being so narrow-minded? As my wife, it’s your duty to understand and support me.” She was forcibly pressed onto the operating table. And when Clara suddenly woke and insisted on seeing the baby, before the anesthesia even took effect, Daniel ordered the doctors to cut her open. Sophie passed out from the pain. The moment she woke, her first thought was to take her child back. Daniel locked her inside the hospital room. On the first day, with a single phone call, Sophie’s closest friend was fired from her job at a restaurant. On the second day, he had her elderly father reassigned from a light warehouse job to the hardest manual labor. On the third day, with just a word from him, her uncle, who suffered from a chronic illness, could no longer get his medication. One by one, relatives and friends sent messages through others, begging Sophie to spare them. Daniel walked into the hospital room. “As long as you stop trying to take the child back, I’ll let them go.” Something inside Sophie went completely still. She didn’t ask why he had lied to her all these years. She didn’t cry or demand any kind of compensation. After recovering in the hospital, she went alone to audition for an out-of-town performing arts company. With the offer letter in hand, she petitioned the court for divorce. Once the approval came through, she would board a southbound train and put an end to this marriage built on lies. She would leave Daniel forever. Chapter 2 Not long after Sophie returned home, Daniel came back as well. He set a tin of expensive baby formula and a box of high-end supplements on the table, then pulled three hundred dollars from his coat pocket and pressed it into her hand. Sophie lifted her eyes, calm and distant. “What is this? Compensation?” Daniel was silent for a moment. “Yes.” “What happened to the child… I wronged you. I hid my identity because I was afraid you’d be upset knowing Clara shared the privileges of a captain’s wife. “But I had to take care of her. From now on, I’ll hand over all my pay. I’ll make sure you live as the most respected captain’s wife.” Sophie let out a faint, humorless smile, her chest hollow with grief. No amount of money could bring back her child, or the part of her that had died with it. Besides, in five years of marriage, what she had wanted was never his rank or pay. She still remembered the blizzard five years ago, when she had collapsed on the town road from the cold. Daniel took off his coat, wrapped it around her, and carried her out of the storm, like a beam of light cutting through her life. During that month of disaster relief, she brought him warm water every day, along with a scarf and gloves she had knitted by hand. Back then, she was young—just seeing him a little more was enough. She never expected that, when they were parting, an older man would notice her feelings and joke, asking if she wanted to marry Daniel and move to the city with him. Sophie blinked, then nodded. “I do.” The tent erupted in laughter. Daniel laughed too. “You don’t even know my name or what I do. What if I’m just a low-ranking operator?” Her face flushed as she lowered her head. “Then I’d still say yes.” For five years after their marriage, she believed he was just an operator. He was busy with work, so she learned to take care of everything at home. His pay was low, so she stretched every dollar as far as it could go. Daniel had shown his care in clumsy ways—taking care of her when she had a stomachache, giving her gifts on their anniversary, and taking the initiative to share household chores during his time off. She had foolishly believed that as long as there was love, life would get better, only to realize, in the end, that it had all been one-sided. From beginning to end, Daniel’s heart belonged to Clara alone. He was only good to her because Clara had a husband back then. Now that Clara’s husband was gone, he no longer bothered to pretend. Sophie said nothing. She slipped the money into a drawer and said quietly, “Let’s get some sleep.” “Sophie!” Daniel’s brows drew tight with irritation. He gave her everything—the title of a captain’s wife, money, compensation, even care. Why was she still making a fuss? Just then, there was a knock at the door, followed by the aide’s urgent voice. “Captain, Ms. Bailey says she wants that chicken soup your wife used to make!” Sophie’s heart jolted. In the past, every time Daniel returned to his unit, she would cook him a bowl of chicken soup to take with him. The ingredients were expensive. She had pinched and saved, never once keeping any for herself. She never imagined that something she treasured so dearly would be handed over to Clara so casually. Daniel turned to her, urgency in his voice. “We’ll talk later. Go make the soup. “I’ll buy you more of the ingredients. Just hurry, Clara just gave birth, she’s weak. Don’t keep her waiting.” He had completely forgotten that Sophie and Clara gave birth on the same day. That her body was just as weak. Sophie swallowed the bitterness rising in her chest and turned toward the kitchen. The coal stove took too long to catch. Daniel’s restless pacing behind her beat against her nerves, so she poured a little kerosene into the stove to speed things up. The moment she struck the match and brought it close… Boom! The flames exploded outward. The blast knocked her off her feet, her head slamming hard against the wall. Just as the fire was about to swallow her whole, a figure rushed forward and threw himself in front of her. “Sophie! Are you okay? Say something…” His eyes were red with panic, his voice breaking into a shout. He didn’t even notice the burns spreading across his back. Blood ran down the side of his neck, and through her fading vision, Sophie looked at him, but she no longer had the strength to respond. The world around her slowly dissolved into darkness. Chapter 3 After a rough, jarring ride, Sophie was rushed into the ER. The doctors took her stretcher at once and turned to send Daniel off for treatment for his burns. He shoved the nurse aside, panic breaking through his composure. “Forget about me, I’ll live. Treat my wife first! She has no pre-existing conditions. She just gave birth a month ago, type A blood!” Moments later, after examining Sophie, the doctor’s expression turned grim. “Captain Hart, your wife has lost too much blood. She needs a transfusion immediately, but our blood bank is empty. “It’ll take at least a week to get more in. She won’t last that long. You might have to… call in a favor and request blood from your unit’s emergency reserve. There’s still time.” But Daniel fell into a long silence. With what little strength she had left, Sophie forced her eyes open a fraction. She heard the aide lower his voice. “Captain, what are you waiting for? Look at her, she’s bleeding out. Just give the order!” Daniel closed his eyes, his voice low and strained. “How am I supposed to give that order? Have you forgotten—after I gave Sophie’s child to Clara, I already used my record to keep everyone at the hospital quiet?” “The paperwork for the baby isn’t even done yet. If I don’t keep control of this, what happens when the truth comes out? “Clara will find out everything. She’s already lost so much. How is she supposed to survive losing another child? I won’t let her take that risk. I can’t.” The words cut cold and deep, piercing straight through Sophie’s heart. “Daniel… how could you be this cruel…” She was hanging by a thread, and all he cared about was whether Clara might lose the child. What about her? Even before this, she had already lost two pregnancies. Her body had been too weak and malnourished. Each time, the moment she learned she was pregnant, it ended in blood. She was afraid he would blame himself, that it would affect his work, so she said nothing, swallowing all the pain and grief alone. And now, was she about to become just another pool of blood, dying before she could even leave? Sophie felt her blood slipping away, drop by drop, taking her warmth with it. Despair closed in, inch by inch. Just then, Clara rushed in. Without hesitation, she rolled up her sleeve. “Doctor, take my blood! I’m a match! I can save her!” Daniel’s brows knit together as he quickly pulled her back. “Clara, what are you doing?” “You just gave birth. You haven’t even recovered yet. You can’t donate blood!” Clara shook him off, her gaze unwavering. “Daniel, let me do this. She got hurt because she was making soup for me. When she’s in danger, I should be the one to step forward.” Daniel’s eyes reddened instantly, his expression full of pain. In that brief moment of hesitation, Clara had already followed the nurses, pushing Sophie’s stretcher into the emergency room. She glanced down at Sophie and gave her a gentle smile. “All these years, I’ve never forgotten how well Daniel’s treated me. Let me repay some of that to you.” The blood flowed through the tube, slowly entering Sophie’s body. She felt a faint return of strength, and a flicker of gratitude stirred in her chest. What Daniel had done was his choice; it had nothing to do with Clara. Sophie forced her eyes open, wanting to say thank you. But suddenly, a chill ran through her body. Her chest tightened as if a weight had been dropped onto it. Her face drained of color, and even breathing became difficult. The nurse yanked out the transfusion line and shouted, “Miss, did you lie about your blood type?! “Doctor! Doctor! The patient is having a hemolytic reaction. We need to resuscitate immediately!” As the nurse rushed out to call for help, Clara’s gentle expression vanished. A cold smile curled on her lips as she said, “Go. To. Hell.” “Only if you’re gone will Daniel belong to me alone.” Sophie’s eyes widened. Clara had done this on purpose. But she couldn’t speak. Her body convulsed, her vision went black, and she lost consciousness completely. Chapter 4 Sophie had no sense of how much time had passed when she woke, pain tearing through her body. “Water… someone…” She used every ounce of strength, but the sound that came out was barely more than a weak, breathless whisper. Just then, Clara’s muffled sobs drifted in from outside the door. “I’m sorry… Daniel, this is all my fault… “I remembered my blood type wrong. I almost got her killed… You should punish me… Whatever it is, I’ll accept it.” Through the narrow gap in the door, Sophie caught sight of Daniel’s face—soft and tender, enough to melt anything in its path. He reached out and gently touched Clara’s hair, his voice softer than Sophie had ever heard. “It’s alright. Don’t blame yourself. Sophie’s fine, isn’t she? You meant well. I could never punish you.” Something in Sophie’s chest twisted sharply. Of course. Even if she had nearly died, he wouldn’t let Clara be hurt, not even a little. As if something amused him, Daniel let out a quiet chuckle. “If I have to punish you, then you can hold little Leo through his shots.” Clara laughed. “You’re terrible, Daniel. You know he’s attached to you! And he’s gotten so chubby. I can barely carry him anymore.” With that, she looped her arm through his, the two of them leaving together, chatting and laughing as they went to take the baby for his vaccinations. Sophie trembled where she lay, a wave of aching bitterness crashing over her, nearly swallowing her whole. Leo was the name she chose. She remembered leaning against Daniel’s chest, suggesting it softly. “If it’s a boy, let’s call him Leo. He would grow up brave, just like you. What do you think?” Daniel had smiled then, gentle and warm. “Alright. And if it’s a girl, we’ll call her Lily. She would grow up to be just like you.” And now, all she could do was watch as Clara walked away with her husband, holding her child, calling him by the name she gave him. Each word cut deeper than any blade. She didn’t know how long she lay there alone. Just as sleep began to pull her under again, the door suddenly opened. Daniel froze for a second, then his face lit up. “Sophie! You’re finally awake!” He helped her sit up, carefully holding her as he gave her water, checking her temperature. Clara rushed in behind him, her face full of concern. “Are you feeling alright? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?” She bent down as if to tuck the blanket around Sophie, all soft concern on the surface, but when she leaned close, her voice dropped to a whisper. “If you tell Daniel I gave the wrong blood on purpose, you’ll regret it.” A bitter smile touched Sophie’s lips. Did Clara really think that if she spoke up, Daniel would believe her? He had already handed her child over to Clara. What wouldn’t he do for her? Sophie knew better than to humiliate herself. A sharp wail suddenly broke out from the hallway. The aide rushed in, carrying a crying infant, his face strained. “Captain… Mrs. Hart… Ms. Bailey, sorry to interrupt. I can’t calm him down…” Sophie’s heart clenched tight, tears spilling over before she could stop them. That was her child… Clara smiled as she took the baby and cradled him, gently soothing him. Once his crying eased, she looked up at Sophie. “You haven’t seen my son yet, have you? Then again, we gave birth the same day, and yours didn’t make it. Why don’t you hold him? Just to see how it feels.” Sophie instinctively nodded, then shook her head. She didn’t dare. Because if she held him once, she might never want to let go and try to take him back. And she knew Daniel would never allow it. Worse, he’d make her family pay the price. As expected, Daniel frowned, displeasure written all over his face. “Clara, stop it. Sophie’s still injured. She can’t hold a baby.” Clara ignored him, smiling as she pushed the baby toward Sophie. “What’s there to be afraid of? I just want her to feel it…” In the struggle, Clara suddenly let go. The baby slipped from her arms and hit the floor, his cry piercing the room. “Leo!” Clara scooped him up, sobbing, then turned and grabbed Sophie by the collar, dragging her off the bed. “If you have a problem, take it out on me! Why would you hurt my child?!” Chapter 5 Sophie collapsed to the floor. The surgical wound tore open, and blood spilled out at once. She looked up in panic. “I didn’t! Clara, I wasn’t trying to hurt the baby. You were the one who let go—” “Enough!” Daniel’s voice cut through the room, sharp and furious, his eyes cold. “Clara is his mother. No one loves that child more than she does. If it wasn’t you, then who was it? I never thought you could be this cruel to lay a hand on a baby.” Sophie stared at him, stunned. Cruel? More than anyone, he knew she was the child’s real mother. Even if she died, she would never harm him. Pain swallowed her whole. “I didn’t… I really didn’t…” But Daniel didn’t love her, so why would he believe her? His expression darkened as he ordered the aide to take Clara and the baby for a checkup. Then he turned back to Sophie, his gaze heavy, his voice low and chilling. “Sophie, I understand that you resent me for giving our child to Clara. That’s on me. I’ll make it up to you. But you crossed a line today. It seems you still haven’t come to your senses.” He slammed the door and walked out. As he stepped over the blood spreading from her body, he didn’t spare her a single glance. Sophie was pushed back into surgery to have her wound stitched up again. In the days that followed, Daniel never came. There wasn’t a single person by her side to take care of her. She had to get her own meals, collect her own medication, even make her way to the bathroom alone. Once, while hooked up to an IV, she fell asleep—when she woke, blood had flowed back into the line, filling half the tube, and no one had called a nurse for her. Just as she thought being left alone in the hospital was the extent of his punishment, Joanne came rushing in, breathless with panic. “Sophie! Your parents came into the city to see you… Your father… he was accused of groping a woman in a public restroom. They’ve taken him in. They’re saying they’re going to charge him with sexual assault!” Sophie’s mind went blank, her whole body turning cold. If the charge stuck, her father could be facing years in prison. Her father had spent his whole life being kind and honest. If he were branded like that, it would destroy him, drag the entire family down with him, leave them with no way to hold their heads up again. Sophie tore out her IV and ran barefoot toward the base. At the entrance, her mother sat on the steps, pale and worn, her face streaked with tears. Sophie’s chest tightened. “Mom…” Her mother scrambled to her feet, lost and shaken like a child. “Sophie, what’s going on? Daniel had someone pass word that you were in the hospital, told your father and me to come see you. “But on the way, a woman suddenly ran into your dad, fell to the ground, and started accusing him of touching her! “No matter how we explained, no one would listen. Your father’s already in poor health from all the hard labor, and now they’ve taken him. “How is he supposed to survive this…? Daniel was just here. I wanted to beg him for help, but he said he’d wait for you. Did you two have another fight?” Sophie froze. “Daniel told you to come?” A chill shot up her spine. Could it be… all of this was deliberate? The anger she had been holding back snapped. She turned and stormed into Daniel’s office. “You did this, didn’t you? You had someone set my father up, just because Clara said I hurt her child?!” She hadn’t expected Clara to be there. Clara looked at her and smiled, slow and mocking. “That’s right. I asked Daniel to stand up for me. You dared to hurt what’s mine, so now you get to see how it feels.” Daniel stood in the dim light, his expression unreadable, his gaze cold as it landed on her. “You refuse to admit your jealousy and resentment toward Clara. Without a lesson, how are you ever going to understand?” His voice dropped, quiet and chilling. “Sophie… don’t forget, an accusation like this can ruin a man’s life.” Chapter 6 Sophie’s heart, already battered beyond repair, felt nothing now, not even pain. She suddenly remembered five years ago, when Daniel brought her into the city to marry him and stood before her parents, making his promise. “Don’t worry. I may not have much now, but I’ll protect Sophie with everything I have. I’ll make something of myself. I’ll take care of both of you.” Her parents hadn’t looked down on him. They had been moved and overjoyed. Her father brought out the best food the family had been saving for months, and her mother pressed a pair of handmade shoes into his hands, stitched together late into the night. They gave him everything they could. And in five years, they received nothing in return. Now, her father’s life was being used as leverage, just to force her to bow her head. She should have understood long ago. In front of Clara, whether she was right or wrong, whether she explained herself or not, the truth had never mattered to Daniel. For the woman he loved, there was nothing he wouldn’t do. Sophie looked at Clara, steady and quiet, then bent at the waist in a deep bow. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been jealous of you. I shouldn’t have hurt your child. This is all my fault. “Please… let my father go. I’ll take responsibility for everything.” Clara nodded, satisfied. “At least you know your place. But words alone aren’t enough.” She slapped a sheet of paper down on the table, her eyes glinting. “Write me an apology in blood. Promise you’ll never harm my son again.” Daniel’s brow tightened. After the explosion, Sophie had already lost too much blood. He almost told her she was going too far, but Sophie had already broken the skin of her finger and begun writing, line by line, in blood. The rough paper scraped against her wound, her pale fingers quickly turning raw and torn. Because of the blood loss, the wound clotted too quickly, and she bit into a second finger. Daniel narrowed his eyes, a flicker of discomfort passing through him. But Sophie didn’t even flinch. She still looked as gentle and composed as ever, yet there was something in her eyes he could no longer understand. Daniel had a vague sense that Sophie was different from before. Was it because of the child, or because of her father? Had he gone too far? “Sophie…” A flicker of unease stirred in him, but before he could say more, Clara cut in. She took the apology Sophie had written. “Daniel, your wife seems sincere. I forgive her. “Your place was damaged in the explosion. You can’t stay there for now. I don’t mind her staying with me for a while. Can you come back with me and help get a room ready for her?” Daniel glanced at Sophie, her gaze lowered, then at Clara, her eyes full of expectation. In the end, he nodded. It could wait. He would make it up to Sophie later. With Daniel’s order, Sophie’s father was released soon after. Seeing her father, his hair gone gray overnight, his face drawn with exhaustion, Sophie felt a surge of guilt and pain, yet there was nothing she could do. She used the money Daniel gave her to buy her parents some clothes and supplements, then sent them back to the countryside. After that, Daniel’s aide brought her to Clara’s home. Standing at the doorway, Sophie looked inside. The small two-bedroom apartment was warmly decorated, and the sight struck her like a needle to the heart. Every detail in that home was something Daniel once promised her, but never gave. He said that when they had a place of their own, he would plant sunflowers for her himself. The sunflowers she imagined now stood neatly arranged on Clara’s balcony. He also said he would take her to a studio for a proper wedding photo, one they would hang proudly in their home. Now the walls were covered with pictures—of him and Clara, holding the baby, like a family of three. Daniel cleared his throat, his voice a little strained. “Sophie, I let Clara stay in our place before because she was grieving. Don’t take it to heart. I’ve already put in a request for another place…” Sophie pulled her gaze away and cut him off. “There’s no need.” She would be leaving soon. There would be no chance of ever living in his house again. Chapter 7 In the days that followed, Clara often claimed she wasn’t fully recovered and ordered Sophie to cook for her. She made Sophie carry her bag when she took the baby out for walks, and when she slipped out late to play cards, she left the baby behind and made Sophie watch him, warning her not to tell Daniel. Sophie didn’t want any more conflict. She did everything without protest. But every time she saw Clara with the baby, so close and content, her eyes still burned, until one night, Clara didn’t come home at all. After Sophie finally got the baby to sleep, she drifted off as well. Half-asleep, she was jolted awake when the door was kicked open. Daniel stormed in and grabbed her, dragging her toward the door without a word. “Daniel… let go of me!” The baby woke with a frightened cry. Sophie’s voice trembled with helpless frustration. “What are you doing? You woke him!” Daniel’s face was dark, fury barely contained in his eyes. “And you still have the nerve to talk about the baby?! “Just because you want him back, you teamed up with people who are after me. You let them think Clara was the captain’s wife, so they’d go after her. She’s been kidnapped because of you! “You thought if something happened to her, the baby would come back to you? Keep dreaming.” He handed the baby off to his aide, then turned back and dragged Sophie toward the car. “You’re my real wife. You’re coming with me! We’re trading you for Clara.” Sophie stared at him in shock. Kidnapped? By whom? She had no idea what he was talking about. She clung to the doorframe. “Daniel, calm down. Clara being kidnapped has nothing to do with me! I don’t know those people; I would never hurt her!” His eyes were bloodshot, burning with anger. “Stop lying. When I went to rescue her, Clara told me herself! You were the one who lured her out that night.” Sophie almost told him that Clara had snuck out on her own to play cards. But what was the point? Daniel had never believed her. Bitterness flooded her chest. She slowly loosened her grip on the doorframe and stopped resisting. “Take me, I’ll go in her place.” Daniel froze for a second. Why was Sophie being so compliant today? But Clara’s safety was all that mattered, and he didn’t have time to think about it. He shoved Sophie into the car, slammed his foot on the gas, and sped toward the abandoned graveyard where the kidnappers were waiting. When they arrived, the man was holding Clara at knifepoint. She was covered in blood, too terrified to even cry. The kidnapper let out a cold laugh when he saw Daniel. “Daniel Hart. You ended my career over a fight. My mother paid the price for it. Today, you’re going to cover her burial and settle what you owe me or I take your wife's life.” Daniel’s voice shook with tension. “Ryan Warren, calm down! You’ve got the wrong person! “The woman you’re holding is innocent. The one beside me is my wife. Let her go, take mine instead. I’ll consider what you’re asking.” When Ryan didn’t respond, Daniel stepped forward with Sophie, his voice tightening with urgency. “Stop!” Ryan shouted. “Don’t come any closer! Let your wife come over alone to make the exchange. Try anything, and don’t blame me for what happens!” With that, he slashed Clara’s arm. Daniel’s restraint snapped. He shoved Sophie forward. “Go. Now.” Chapter 8 The man was vicious. Sophie turned back, fear and despair written all over her face. But Daniel didn’t see her tears. He was frantic. “What are you waiting for? Go! Can’t you see Clara’s already hurt?” His voice dropped. “Sophie, you’re my wife. It’s your responsibility to look out for others. I’ve already arranged a rescue. Trust me. I won’t let anything happen to you. I’m the captain. I’ll make sure everyone makes it out alive.” Right. Even if he didn’t love her, he wouldn’t actually let her die, would he? There was no way out. Sophie clenched her teeth, shut her eyes, and walked straight toward Ryan. The moment Ryan grabbed her and released Clara, Daniel’s tone changed. “Ryan Warren, I’m telling you right now. Your demands are not happening. If you come to your senses, you might still walk away from this.” It hit Sophie like a bolt of lightning. Daniel had lied to her again. Ryan’s expression twisted instantly. “You bastard! You think you can play me? That woman is your wife, isn’t it? That’s why you were so worked up!” He raised the knife high, aiming straight for Sophie’s chest. “Then don’t blame me when she dies with me!” Just as the blade was about to plunge down— Bang. Daniel fired. The bullet struck Ryan’s wrist, knocking the knife free. A scream tore out of him as he collapsed to the ground. Security officers rushed in, swarming him and dragging him away. Only then did Daniel move, pulling Clara into his arms. “Clara, I’m sorry, I should’ve gotten there sooner. One bad shot and it could’ve hit you. I couldn’t take that risk. That’s on me.” From beginning to end, he never once looked at Sophie. She lay on the ground, her body trembling, a thin line of blood seeping from the cut across her cheek where the bullet had grazed her. Her tears had already run dry. She couldn’t say a word. Only then did she understand that Daniel could have shot from the start. He didn’t need to trade hostages at all. He chose to do it anyway, because he wasn’t sure he’d hit cleanly and couldn’t bear for Clara to take even the slightest risk. And her? What was she to him? Clara broke into tears, her voice trembling. “Daniel… I’m in so much pain. Before you got here, he lost patience and cut me… several times…” Daniel’s gaze dropped to the wounds on her body, his expression turning cold in an instant. “Someone!” His eyes burned with anger. “Count every cut on her and give Sophie ten times that! If she hadn’t colluded with him, made up that story, and delayed the exchange, Clara wouldn’t have been hurt!” Despair swallowed Sophie whole. Clara had been cut four times. Sophie was cut forty. Each slice carved into her like it was splitting her soul open. By the time they let her go, she was covered in blood, barely conscious. After lifting Clara into the car, Daniel’s voice drifted back, distant and cold. “Leave her here tonight. Let her think about what she’s done. We’ll come back for her tomorrow. And make sure she never tries anything funny with Clara or the child again.” The aide hesitated, his expression stiff. “Captain… is that really a good idea? This place is full of bodies. Wild dogs come here to feed. What if…” The car door slammed. “Then she brought it on herself.” The vehicles sped off, taking with them the last of the light and sound. In the distance, a pack of dogs began to howl. They had caught the scent of blood. Sophie’s whole body shook. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself up, staggering away from the burial ground with what little strength she had left. She hadn’t forgotten that today was the day her divorce would be finalized, the day she would leave with the troupe. Thankfully, her documents were still tucked inside her coat. Holding herself together, she picked up her divorce decree and without taking anything else, headed straight for the train station without looking back. Five years of marriage. Three lost children. All the betrayal and pain… It ended here. ... Early the next morning, the air was cool after a night of rain. Daniel had just gotten out of bed when a frantic knock sounded at the door. He clicked his tongue in irritation as he opened it, ready to snap at his aide for making noise and waking the baby, but the words died before they formed. “Captain, something’s wrong…” Daniel frowned. “What’s the rush? Speak clearly.” “S-she’s gone… your wife… she’s gone…” The aide’s voice shook, on the verge of breaking. “There’s no sign of her at the burial ground… just blood everywhere… bones…” His words tumbled over each other. “She… she was eaten by the dogs.”