After I left, he begged me for forgiveness.

Honk. Honk. A silver-gray sedan stopped outside the gate. The window was half rolled down, and I saw Grant in the driver’s seat, waving at me. My heart leapt. For a moment, hope flooded through me, and I ran toward the gate. But before I could push it open, two bodyguards stepped out from the shadows. Expressionless, they seized me roughly, dragging me back inside like I was nothing more than cargo. I struggled with all my strength, but they forced me into the study. Brian sat behind his desk, his face cold and sharp, his long fingers tapping lightly against the wood. “So you really planned to leave?” he said calmly. I didn’t answer. I just stared at him, my eyes hollow. His faint smile disappeared, replaced by a dark, heavy chill. “If you’re that eager to go, then finish what you owe first.” Moments later, my hands were tied behind the chair. The metallic glint of the syringe caught the light, and a cold sensation spread through my veins. The doctor’s voice trembled. “Mr. Brian, your wife has a heart condition. Taking too much blood could be life-threatening. And though she and Miss Daisy share the same blood type, her blood pressure is dangerously low.” “Enough,” Brian said icily. “Do as I say. Daisy is pregnant. Nothing can happen to her.” A chill ran down my fingertips. I bit my lip hard, my breathing growing shallow. “Does it hurt?” He leaned close, his voice suddenly soft. “Endure it a little. It’ll be over soon.” I turned my head away, refusing to look at him. The dark red inside the syringe slowly filled, draining from me until the world began to spin. By the time they had taken 800cc of blood, I could barely speak. My lips were pale as paper, and my chest burned with tearing pain. Then, from the bedroom, came a faint cough. It was Daisy’s voice. Brian whipped around, his face changing instantly. “Take twice as much.” The doctor was drenched in sweat. “Sir, if we take more, she might—” “I said, take it.” His voice was sharp and cold as a blade. I lifted my head slowly, my voice weak but steady. “Do it… but afterward, you’ll let me go.” The doctor froze. Brian’s expression darkened, a storm flickering in his eyes. He looked at me, anger and something unspoken twisting inside his gaze. He opened his mouth as if to say something. But before he could, that familiar soft voice called from the bedroom. “Brian… I don’t feel well.” He turned immediately and left without another word. I watched him disappear behind the closing door. The syringe was still in my arm, my blood still flowing out slowly. I smiled, lips tinged with the pale color of blood. So, even my own blood didn’t belong to me. The curtains in the VIP ward were tightly drawn. The air smelled of disinfectant. When I woke, a needle was still in my arm. The steady drip of the IV mixed with the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. The weakness from the blood loss made even lifting my hand a battle. For the past few days, Brian had been unusually “gentle.” He fed me medicine, brought me food, even whispered softly before I fell asleep. “You scared me, Aurora.” “If something happened to you, I’d never forgive myself.” I turned my face away, avoiding the hand he reached toward me. That same hand had gripped my wrist not long ago and forced the blood out of my veins.

He sighed, his tone soft, almost tender. “I know you hate me. But Daisy’s condition is dangerous. I had to save her. You’re strong, you recover fast. I’ll make it up to you this time. Whatever you want—even leaving this villa—I’ll consider it.” I let out a cold laugh. “Consider it? Since when have you ever done anything I wanted?” Brian’s expression froze for a moment, then smoothed back into calm. “We’ll talk when you’re in a better mood,” he said quietly, tucking the blanket around me before turning to leave. When the door closed, I could almost hear my own trembling breath. Not long after, loud voices erupted outside the ward. I was about to get up when the door was suddenly slammed open. A few young men and women burst in, carrying champagne bottles and a portable speaker. Their laughter was sharp and grating. Leading them was Daisy, dressed in a pale pink dress that outlined her slightly swollen belly. A triumphant smile played on her lips. “Sister, I heard you woke up?” Her voice dripped with syrupy sweetness. “I was in such a good mood today, I just had to come see you. After all, your blood is flowing inside me.” I forced myself upright despite the dizziness, my voice hoarse. “This is a hospital. Get out.” “Oh, don’t be so fierce.” Daisy stepped closer, amusement glinting in her eyes like the edge of a knife. “I heard you’re pretty weak this time. The doctor said it’ll take half a year for you to recover? So tragic. Lost too much blood and still had to watch yourself save someone else’s life.” I bit down on my lip, the taste of blood spreading across my tongue. She kept talking, her tone light and mocking. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to cherish this life you gave me. After all, Brian said he’d never forgive himself if anything happened to me—even when you were almost dying.” Laughter burst around us as the group raised their glasses. “To Daisy—and to Aurora’s generous sacrifice!” My whole body trembled, my chest rising and falling violently as my blood seemed to boil. “Enough!” I screamed, my voice raw. “Get out!” But Daisy only smiled wider. “Why so angry? You can barely take care of yourself, and you still want to throw us out?” She leaned closer, her tone turning sickeningly sweet. “Did you know? Brian just came to see me. He even fed me soup himself. He said he owes me a life.” I reached out to push her away, but she slapped me across the face. The sound cracked through the air. I almost fell, my vision going dark. The next second, she grabbed my chin, leaned close, and whispered, “Now it’s fair, sister. Your blood saved me, but your man was always mine.” Smiling, she turned to the others. “Tie her up. I don’t want her fainting again from excitement.” They forced me down, strapping my wrists and ankles to the bed. I heard Daisy’s voice by my ear, soft as a lullaby. “Don’t worry. I won’t kill you. Brian still needs you alive—to give more blood.” I tried to scream, but no sound came out. Then footsteps echoed from the hallway. Brian was back. Daisy instantly softened her face, adopting that fragile look she wore so well. She walked toward him. “You’re back. Aurora’s exhausted. Let her rest. The doctor said she shouldn’t be upset. I’ll take care of her.” “You’re such a good girl,” Brian said, gently stroking her hair.

Daisy smiled sweetly and leaned into his arms, her voice soft and coy. “You know, every time I get close to you, I can feel Aurora’s blood flowing inside me… it’s such a strange feeling.” Brian said nothing. He only held her tighter. “Brian, you monster…” I clenched my jaw until it hurt, my fingers digging into the wooden cabinet. Splinters pierced my skin, and drops of blood slowly seeped out. Tears finally spilled down my face, blurring my vision. I could hear their laughter, their gasps, their whispered moans outside the cabinet— those same tones that once comforted me, now dripping with tenderness for another woman. So this was what I had been all along—a cover-up, a convenient disguise for his shame. His so-called “compassion,” “guilt,” “kindness”—all an act, a performance for the world to see. This way, he could hold her near the hospital bed without guilt, finding “redemption” in the arms of the woman who lived because of my blood. They laughed together, breathed together, right there beside me. The curtains were half drawn, the room dim, and my breath turned cold to the bone. I didn’t know how long it lasted, but at last, silence returned. The sound of a door closing made the air itself freeze. I struggled to push open the cabinet door. Cold air hit my face as I crawled out, leaning against the bed, gasping for breath. Marks still circled my wrists and ankles, my skin bruised and raw. “Brian… Daisy…” My voice was hoarse, shaking. “I’ll make you both pay for this—every single debt.” In the days before I was discharged, no one came to see me. The doctor said my recovery was slow and I should stay a few more days, but the room was as silent as a tomb. Brian never appeared again—not even a single word of concern. I signed the discharge papers myself, my right hand swollen and bruised from too many IVs. At the end of the corridor, the sunset cast a golden glow through the window. Just then, I overheard two nurses whispering nearby. “Look! Mr. Hudson posted new photos again—so romantic!” “A hot-air-balloon proposal! Daisy’s so lucky!” I lowered my head. On my phone screen, a notification flashed. A collage of nine photos filled the feed. Under the golden light, Brian was gently cupping Daisy’s face, kissing her deeply on a hot-air balloon high above the city. They were smiling so brightly, as if the whole world blessed their love. The caption read: “Forever my angel, forever my home.” My fingers hovered over the comment box for a long moment before I typed one line. 【Wishing you a lifetime of love, and a healthy, safe child.】 Ten minutes later, my phone rang. Brian’s familiar number flashed on the screen. I stared at it, then swiped it away. Half an hour later, I finished the discharge process. Carrying my luggage, I walked alone toward the lobby. As I passed the maternity ward, my steps faltered. From the corner ahead, a familiar figure appeared—Brian.

He was holding Daisy, one hand around her waist and the other carrying her test results. The young nurse at the reception desk smiled brightly. “Mrs. Hudson, your husband is so sweet. He comes with you every time and even warms the ultrasound gel so you won’t feel cold during the exam.” The other pregnant women around her all looked on with envy. My breath caught. Instinctively, I touched my arm—the place where the needle had pierced, where eight hundred milliliters of blood had been taken from me. That blood, once part of me, now flowed through her veins. I turned to leave, but Brian looked up. The moment our eyes met, his expression was as cold and blank as glass. He strode toward me, his tone clipped with authority. “Why are you here?” “I… I just got discharged,” I said quietly. “I didn’t mean to run into you. I’m sorry.” “Wait.” His brows drew together, voice dropping low. Daisy immediately tightened her hold on his arm, smiling sweetly. “Mrs. Aurora, thank you for your donation. Without you, my baby and I might not have survived. You’re truly our savior.” Then she turned to Brian with feigned innocence. “Darling, why don’t we give Mrs. Aurora a ride home? She needs to rest too.” Brian lowered his eyes, a gentle smile curving his lips. “Whatever you say, my angel.” I didn’t refuse. Because I knew—this car ride would be the last time we ever shared the same road. Inside the black sedan, the silence was suffocating. Daisy leaned against Brian’s shoulder, softly laughing while scrolling through her phone. I turned toward the window, hiding my expression. Suddenly, she gasped. “Oh my God, what’s this?” She pulled out a damp lace undergarment from between the seats. The air froze instantly. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Brian… didn’t you say you got rid of everything?” “I… must have forgotten,” he muttered, voice low, patting her back to soothe her. I didn’t react. My face remained expressionless, eyes fixed straight ahead. He noticed my calmness, his brow furrowing slightly. “You’ve been staring at your phone since you got in the car,” Brian said, his tone turning cold. “Who are you texting? Grant?” I locked my screen and replied evenly, “I was just reading the news.” He suddenly reached over and snatched my phone. “Password.” “Our wedding anniversary,” I said flatly. He tried several times. Each attempt failed. The screen flashed: 【Locked for five minutes】. The car fell into absolute silence. Only Daisy’s soft sigh broke the stillness as she nestled closer into his arms. And I, staring down at my pale fingertips, felt a strange, unfamiliar chill rising from within. When I returned to the estate that day, the first thing I did was erase every trace of Brian. Seven years of photos, ninety-nine love letters, and the journals we once filled together. The yellowed pages still bore his handwriting, full of hollow promises. I tossed them into the fireplace, one by one. The flames devoured the memories, the ashes drifting upward like fragments of a torn wedding gown. The scent of burning paper filled the room, thick and stifling. When I threw the last journal into the fire, I heard the sound of the front door opening.

Brian returned with Daisy and their twin children. He frowned, his voice cold. “Aurora, what are you doing?” Without changing my expression, I tossed the remaining pages into the fire. My voice was hoarse. “Burning things.” Brian’s face darkened as if he wanted to say something, but Daisy gently tugged at his arm. Her tone was soft, yet laced with pride. “Darling, don’t be angry. She’s just… reluctant to let go.” Brian pulled his arm away from her, his expression stiff as he turned toward me. “The children will be staying here for a while. Let them use the nursery.” I froze, my nails digging into my palm. “That room was meant for our child.” He hesitated, then spoke with icy calm. “They’re my children too.” I laughed, the sound sharp as a blade. “But they’ll never be mine.” The air froze. Daisy leaned into his arms and said sweetly, “Aurora, don’t be so bitter. I just want the kids to have a warm home.” I didn’t bother replying. I turned and went upstairs. Night fell. The room was silent, except for the glow of my phone lighting up again and again. It was Daisy. 【The necklace he gave you when you were rushed to the ER—it was just a leftover free gift I didn’t want.】 【Every time he said he was on a business trip, he was actually with me.】 【Now everyone knows I’m Mrs. Hudson. You’re nothing but a forgotten shadow.】 Photo after photo appeared on the screen— hotel rooms, lobbies, dinner tables— each stamped with clear dates, even one from last night. Only then did I realize that while I was drowning in pain, he had been smiling in her arms. My chest ached dully, but the pain quickly settled into silence. When pain lasts too long, even the tearing feels numb. Late that night, Brian pushed the door open. He carried a faint scent of jasmine—Daisy’s favorite perfume. On his neck were faint red marks. “I know what happened today was a bit harsh,” he said softly, standing before me, his tone gentle like soothing a pet. “But I’m helping you atone. Daisy has forgiven you. Just apologize to them tomorrow, and everything will be over.” I let out a low laugh, heavy with exhaustion. “I won’t apologize for something I didn’t do.” A crease formed between his brows. He was about to speak when his phone lit up. It was a photo from Daisy. She was wearing a sheer lace nightdress, her eyes full of invitation. A flicker of desire crossed his face before he quickly pocketed the phone. “Stop being difficult,” he said hastily. “Think about your mother’s medical bills. Just say what needs to be said tomorrow, and this will all end.” Without waiting for a reply, he left and slammed the door behind him. Ten minutes later, my own phone buzzed. A video began to play. On the screen, Brian was shirtless, bent over Daisy’s shoulder, their breathing tangled and heavy. I watched it quietly, then turned off the screen. No tears. No anger. Just silence. Morning in London. The sunlight filtered through the fog, falling softly across the windowsill. Aurora sat in the corner of a café, a sealed envelope resting beside her cup. It had already been sent—her final letter to the Hudson family. She lifted her gaze toward the red double-decker bus passing slowly along the street. For the first time in her life, she felt something close to peace.

Meanwhile, across the ocean, in another city. Brian and Daisy were walking side by side past the glittering windows of a luxury shopping mall. She held his arm, looking both obedient and proud. “Darling, which dress should I wear to the party tonight? Do you think this blue one is too flashy?” “You look beautiful in anything,” he said with a gentle smile, though his fingers in his pocket kept tracing the edges of his phone. On the screen was a single name: 【Aurora】. He stared at it for a long time. Lit a cigarette. Then another. Ash piled at the tip of his shoes, yet he never pressed “call.” Instead, he typed a message: 【Aurora, tomorrow is Grandfather’s eightieth birthday. I suggest you don’t make a scene at the party—don’t embarrass Daisy or the children.】 He hesitated for a few seconds before hitting send. The message went through, but there was no reply. He stared at the screen for a long time, until Daisy looped her arm through his again and asked softly, “Brian? What are you thinking about?” “Nothing,” he said flatly, crushing out his cigarette. “Let’s go.” The next day. Arnold Hudson’s eightieth birthday banquet was held with great splendor. Under golden chandeliers, the hall glittered with guests and flashing lights. Brian entered the room holding Daisy’s hand. He was immaculate in his suit, his smile perfectly measured. She wore a golden gown, her gently rounded belly visible—every inch the destined hostess. They stood together like a pair born to match. Until Arnold appeared. Only then did Brian release her hand and step forward to help the old man. “Brian, why didn’t Aurora come with you?” The old man’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough for everyone nearby to hear. Brian’s fingers stiffened, his gaze dropping slightly. “She’s been working on your birthday gift and got exhausted. I told her to rest. She’ll come later.” Arnold looked at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Good. I’d like to see what she’s prepared.” Two hours later, the celebration neared its end. It was time for the gifts. Soft murmurs rippled through the crowd. Brian’s phone buzzed several times in his pocket. He pulled it out—still no message from Aurora. He moved to a quiet corner and called her. “The number you have dialed is currently unavailable…” He called again. And again. The mechanical voice repeated endlessly, as if reminding him that she was truly gone. Just then, the doors of the banquet hall opened. A courier walked in, holding several packages with a nervous look. “Excuse me, is there an Arnold Hudson here? These deliveries are for you. The sender’s name is… Aurora Wilson.” The entire hall fell silent in shock. Arnold slowly stood and took the first package. When he opened it, inside was an embroidered silk tapestry. Threads of gold and silver intertwined to form a magnificent “Blessing of a Hundred Deities.” Each stitch was meticulous. It was Aurora’s most renowned craft and the piece she had once promised to make by hand as a blessing for the family elder. “This girl…” Arnold’s eyes reddened. “She put her heart into this.” He opened the second package. Inside was a box of old jewelry the heirloom pieces once worn by his late wife when she married into the Hudson family. The room grew utterly still. Everyone understood: a woman returning the family heirlooms meant she was severing ties completely. Brian’s face grew darker by the second. He stepped forward, his fingers trembling as he tore open the third package.