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My Husband Used My Body for His Lover's Exhibit
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Three months pregnant, I received an urgent text from my husband. Fearing something had happened to him, I hurried to find him, only to be struck from behind and lose consciousness. When I awoke, I wa...
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第1章
Three months pregnant, I received an urgent text from my husband. Fearing something had happened to him, I hurried to find him, only to be struck from behind and lose consciousness.
When I awoke, I was naked on an art exhibition platform, displayed as a nude model.
I was treated like an object, subjected to unbearable humiliation; even my unborn child was cut out and turned into part of the exhibit.
After the exhibition, I was condemned as shameless, while Selina Grant, the creator, was hailed as a brilliant female artist.
I rushed to confront Selina, only to overhear my husband and her confessing their love at the stairwell.
“Selina said only Clara Hart could inspire her, and that she was the ideal model. Besides, Clara grew up in an orphanage; her life was cheap, she often wore rags and even ate from trash bins, so posing nude is nothing.”
When speaking of Selina, Simon Carter’s voice softened.
“Selina comes from money, grew up abroad, and has true artistic talent. She’s precious, so of course I have to cherish her.”
“My days with Selina are full of passion and joy. Clara is dull; all she does is ask about meals and remind me to drink less. Being with her is tiring.”
Every word stabbed straight into my heart.
If that was how things were, then leaving was my only choice.
Simon didn’t know that the chief designer title I once surrendered for him was something I now intended to reclaim.
——
After locking herself out for the ninety-seventh time because she forgot her keys, Clara finally visited a neurologist.
The doctor told her that due to an incident at age ten, she had a lingering brain hemorrhage.
It was now dispersing, and within half a month, she was expected to awaken with no memories left, becoming a different person entirely.
Shaken by the news, Clara left the hospital in a trance, trembling as she dialed her husband Simon. “Simon, I need to tell you something, I—”
Beep beep… the call suddenly ended.
Soon, Simon texted: Selina Art Museum, Nanshan Road. I’ll be there in ten minutes.
She called again, but he didn’t answer.
Fearing something had happened to him, Clara rushed to the location, only to find no trace of Simon.
The next moment, she was struck from behind and blacked out.
When she regained consciousness, she found herself naked on a display platform, a yellow liquid pooling beneath her.
People surrounded her, whispering with disgust on their faces.
Clara was horrified.
She had wet herself—naked—in front of everyone!
Selina’s voice sounded at that moment.
“As you can see, this is a piece about women and childbirth.”
“After giving birth, a woman’s body loses charm, and some even suffer incontinence. Every mother is remarkable. I hope everyone respects women and treats all mothers with kindness.”
She finished and bowed deeply to the audience.
Thunderous applause followed; everyone praised the exhibit's message.
But Clara’s mind went blank—she had never given birth, and there was no childbirth injury.
She must have confused her with someone else. Yes, she had mistaken someone else for her—she wasn’t meant to be the model at all.
She tried to explain, but no sound came out.
She had clearly been drugged to silence her temporarily.
While panicking, she noticed a familiar figure in the crowd.
Her eyes widened—this man looked identical to her husband.
Sensing her gaze, the man merely glanced coldly at her before turning his attention to Selina.
His eyes were full of admiration, tenderness almost overflowing.
Clara froze, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Then Selina ran into his arms. They kissed openly, then walked away together.
As they left, Clara’s eyes dimmed.
Simon loved her deeply—how could he cheat, and even watch her being displayed like merchandise, naked and humiliated?
Fifteen years of knowing each other, ten years of love—she had never doubted him.
At age ten, he found her in a garbage dump and brought her to an orphanage, giving her a home and protecting her.
At fifteen, he fought thugs who assaulted her, was stabbed seven times, and nearly died.
At eighteen, she was stranded by a mudslide during fieldwork. He walked through the storm for over ten kilometers to find her, saying that if she died, he would die with her.
At twenty, he built a business for her, and in five years rose to the top of high society as a celebrated tech tycoon.
“Clara, I’ll love you forever, and I’ll do everything to give you the best life and make you the Mrs. Carter everyone envies.”
So how could the man who loved her so fiercely be the same man who had just abandoned her for someone else?
Tears welled up. Clara struggled with all her strength, but the drugs kept her from speaking or moving.
For two hours at the art exhibition, she was treated like an object, stared at, and inspected by everyone. Some men with bad intentions even took the chance to touch and grope her body.
When the exhibition finally ended, and the drugs wore off, Clara slowly stood to leave, but at the corner of the stairs, she heard that familiar, unforgettable voice.
“Being naked and incontinent for two hours, then being watched and touched—isn’t that a bit much for Clara?” Simon sounded indifferent. “Selina said only Clara can inspire her, and is the most suitable nude model for her exhibit. Besides, Clara grew up in an orphanage; her life was cheap, she often wore thin clothes as a child, and even ate from garbage cans. Being a nude model means nothing to her.”
When he mentioned Selina, Simon’s tone softened.
“Selina comes from a wealthy family and grew up abroad. She’s highly gifted in the arts, very precious, so naturally I have to cherish her.” His friend sighed quietly, “But I remember you built Hart Technology for Clara, climbing your way to where you are today.” Simon chuckled, not denying it. “At first, yes, it was because of Clara, but now I’m simply grateful that my status allowed me to meet Selina.”
“Selina is nothing like Clara. She plays piano, dances, and paints; she understands art and romance. With her, we can talk about philosophy and art all night long. But Clara—”
He paused, impatiently. “Clara is too mundane. Every day she just asks what I want to eat, if I feel cold, or other trivial things. You know, she even bargained over prices when we went to the supermarket.”
Clara heard the sound of her heart shattering. So it really was Simon; he had long fallen for someone else.
So this was how she ended up here, naked and displayed—everything orchestrated for another woman’s exhibit.
A worthless life.
To him, she had always been nothing but a worthless life.
Her heart felt like it was being crushed, the pain suffocating.
The voice continued.
“I fell for Selina. Having Clara pose nude was my idea. If she discovers it one day, let her hate me. It has nothing to do with Selina.”
He even distanced himself from Selina right away.
Clara trembled violently, as if someone had seized her throat.
“No one loves only one person forever. Clara and I just met too early. If I had met Selina first, everything would be different.”
“Being with Selina made me feel passion and joy. With Clara, it was too tiring.”
The other person asked, “If you love Selina, why not divorce Clara instead of holding her back?”
“Selina is firmly against marriage. We’ll never marry. Clara will remain Mrs. Carter and continue enjoying the title. That’s my compensation to her. It’s just that I won’t love her anymore.”
Every word stabbed into Clara’s heart.
He didn’t love her anymore.
He was the one who said he loved her first, and now he was the one saying he didn’t love her anymore.
Because he no longer loved her, he could strip her bare for others to see; because he no longer loved her, he could crush her dignity and turn her into another woman’s artwork.
When did his love become so cheap?
Tears streamed endlessly; Clara cried until her heart ached.
From age ten to twenty-five, she remembered everything Simon had done, and in return, she had given him all her love.
Her love for him had become instinctive.
Since he no longer deserved it, she would simply take it back.
Shaking, she opened her phone and bought a plane ticket to Italy, writing in her notes: “If one day you forget who you are, take this ticket and become someone new.”
She pulled the medical certificate from her pocket and tore it to pieces with her own hands.
“Simon, you and our past, disappear from my memory together.”
“What are you tearing?”
第2章
Simon frowned at the scraps of paper on the ground and bent down to pick them up.
But the moment his hand touched the pieces, Selina’s voice rang out from afar, “Simon, where are you?”
Simon instantly pulled his hand back, didn’t even look at Clara, and walked away without hesitation.
Clara watched his fading figure, suddenly smiling, yet tears streamed down her face as she smiled.
Just because Selina called, he walked away without looking back.
Did he love her that much?
Enough to abandon all his promises just to be with her.
Suddenly, heavy rain poured outside. Clara wandered for two hours in a daze before finally returning to the villa she shared with Simon.
That night, Simon never came home.
Under extreme physical and emotional strain, she developed a high fever that night, one that lasted three days.
In her delirium, she had a long dream. She dreamed of young Simon carrying her over mountains and rivers, saying he would carry her for the rest of his life.
When she opened her eyes again, she was alone in the room.
She was about to call the housekeeper for medicine when the door suddenly opened.
Clara instinctively looked up and saw the person she never wanted to see again—Selina.
“Miss Hart, we meet again.” The memory of the art exhibit hit Clara hard, her emotions surging.
“What are you doing here? This is my home. Please leave.” Selina took a drag from her cigarette and waved the keys in her hand. “Simon said what’s his is mine, so naturally I can come whenever I want.” Clara felt a sharp pain in her chest. She hadn’t expected Simon to open their home to Selina so easily.
Did he really love her that much?
“Miss Hart, I came to tell you something good.” Selina showed her phone, speaking proudly. “‘Woman Giving Birth’ has gained huge attention and was reposted by major media. In a week, I’ll bring it to an international exhibition. Then the whole world will see your beautiful body.” Clara froze. On the screen, she lay naked among the crowd, her lower body soaked in yellow liquid, her expression empty and broken.
A crushing wave of humiliation nearly drowned her. She trembled violently, almost biting her lip until it bled. Selina, still unsatisfied, pulled out more photos.
“Miss Hart, these are for my next exhibit. The theme is still you. I haven’t decided on a title yet—can you help me think of one?”
This time, the photos were intimate pictures of her, each taken by Simon during moments of passion.
He once swore no one else would ever see them, yet now they were in Selina’s hands.
Clara froze, her voice shaking. “Why do you have these photos?”
“Simon gave them to me, of course.” Selina crushed her cigarette, her tone gleefully cruel. “We artists aren’t that uptight. Simon knew I needed photos related to desire, so he gave them to me.”
“Oh, and he also said you’re even sexier in person!”
Clara shook violently, her teeth chattering, finally forcing out, “Give me back the photos!”
“No way! They’re materials for my next exhibition, and plenty of people are waiting to see them. Without them, what would they look at?”
No! She couldn’t let anyone see them. She’d rather die.
Clara lunged to grab the phone. In the struggle, Selina suddenly smirked and fell backward.
Just then, Simon pushed the door open and walked in.
Seeing the scene, his expression darkened. He seized Clara’s arm, pulled Selina into his embrace, and snapped, “Clara! What are you doing?”
“Simon, you’re finally here!”
Selina shrank into his arms, pretending to be wronged. “Simon, I don’t know why Miss Hart hates me. I only asked her about the title for my next exhibit, and she glared at me like she wanted me dead.”
Simon’s face darkened, and the look he gave Clara was filled with disgust.
“Clara, how did you become so vicious! Selina knew you were sick and even canceled her plans to visit you, shared her good news, and you actually attacked her!”
Good news?
Selina’s “good news” was treating her like an object, displayed naked for all to see?
Clara’s eyes dimmed, but she still asked, “Simon, those photos of me—did you give them to her?”
Simon frowned, answering coldly, “Don’t look at me like that. Those are art, not as dirty as you think.”
“Art?” Clara suddenly laughed, tears falling uncontrollably.
She raised her hand and slapped him across the face.
“Simon, you bastard!”
“If it’s art, why doesn’t Selina strip naked and let everyone see? Since she loves being a mistress so much, standing there bare might be a hit!”
Before she could finish, she was kicked hard in the chest.
Holding Selina, Simon looked grim.
“Hit me if you want, but who allowed you to insult Selina?”
“She made you the centerpiece of her work and gave you the chance to experience art because she admired you. I never thought you’d be so ungrateful. You really do have a lowly life.”
“Guards, lock Madam in the dark room. She is not to come out without my permission!”
第3章
Clara almost thought she heard something wrong. He knew very well she had claustrophobia and needed the lights on even while sleeping.
But now, for that woman, he was going to lock her himself in a dark, sunless room.
The bodyguards stepped forward and roughly dragged Clara toward the dark room.
Fear seized her, and Clara struggled with all her strength, pleading, "No! Don’t lock me in a place like that! No! Simon, have you forgotten kneeling before my parents’ graves, promising to treat me well for life?"
"Simon, do you really want me to hate you?"
Simon froze, fists tightening. He had once truly loved Clara.
The next moment, Selina suddenly hugged him and began to sob softly. Tears gathered in her eyes as she spoke.
"Simon, I came without notice and offended Miss Hart, but I’m not a mistress, really, I’m not."
In an instant, heartache crushed his hesitation, and Simon said in a deep voice, "Take Madam away now and lock the door! No one is allowed to open it without my permission."
The bodyguard shoved her into the small, dark room and slammed the door shut.
In an instant, Clara fell into endless darkness.
Terror overwhelmed her; she pounded on the doors and windows wildly, screaming with all her strength, "Let me out! Let me out!"
"I was wrong, don’t lock me in here, Simon, please, I’ll apologize, don’t leave me here, I’ll die." She screamed until drained, but the door stayed shut.
Clara was in despair. She curled into the corner, not…
She stopped trembling, and memories surged back.
She wasn’t actually an orphan. Fifteen years ago, she had a happy family; her parents were upright, incorruptible narcotics officers.
Until that night, drug dealers came with their men to retaliate. To protect her, her parents locked her inside a dark closet.
She witnessed her parents’ brutal deaths through that crack, staying inside for three days.
When the police found her, she was nearly broken from the trauma.
With a psychologist’s help, she underwent six months of treatment before recovering.
But ever since, she had claustrophobia, terrified of dark, enclosed spaces to the point she needed a light to sleep.
And she had told Simon everything.
She never imagined that, just to shield Selina, he would personally tear open her wounds.
Images of her parents’ deaths repeated endlessly in her mind. Clara felt as if she had gone back fifteen years, watching them die again and again.
The recurring pain tormented her nerves, and three days later, Clara finally broke.
Before losing consciousness, she faintly saw fifteen-year-old Simon under a cherry blossom tree, holding her tightly.
"Clara, from now on, I’ll protect you with my life. I’ll never let you suffer that again, never let you fall into darkness again."
For the next ten years, he kept that promise.
But now, he shattered it.
When she woke again, Clara found herself in a hospital.
Seeing her awake, Simon said softly, "Your body is fine, and Selina was worried, so she asked me to stay with you."
He reached to touch Clara’s hair, but she pulled away.
Seeing her wary gaze, Simon’s heart jolted. He frowned and said, "Why are you still acting up? This was your mistake, and you should be punished."
"Mistakes must be punished, Clara. You told me that when we were young. Have you forgotten?"
Clara slowly raised her head, calm, silent.
Looking at the face before her, she suddenly realized that not loving him wasn’t hard at all.
From now on, each second she would love him less.
Seeing her eyes, Simon felt she had changed. When did she stop looking at him with those burning eyes?
He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. Then he showed her his phone.
"Clara, I came to tell you that you misunderstood Selina. Her new art exhibit is a total success, praised by all. No one looks down on you."
Seeing her unflattering photos displayed in a gallery for everyone to see, Clara froze, struggling not to cry.
She closed her eyes slowly, turning away, unwilling to speak.
Out of patience, Simon stormed out, slamming the door with a deafening bang.
Where no one could see, Clara gripped her hands, letting her tears soak the pillow.
After crying enough, Clara stood up, dragging her weak body out of the hospital, heading for the orphanage where she grew up.
Since childhood, the director, like a mother, had been kind to her, and she had always thought of the orphanage as home.
She didn’t know when she would lose her memory, but before that, she wanted to help the orphanage.
But this time, the director who had treated her like a daughter refused to let her in.
"Leave. I saw the photos of you selling yourself as a nude model. You’re not welcome here." The director threw out her things, disappointed. "I raised you carefully, not for you to do something shameful! If this spreads, all the children here will be disgraced!"
"We don’t want a single cent of your donations, and money earned from your body is dirty!"
The director had actually seen those photos.
Clara bit her lip, explaining frantically, "No, I never took Selina’s money."
"You’re still lying! Miss Grant told me you needed money, so you agreed to be her model."
The director shook her head and slammed the door on her.
"Don’t come back. We don’t have a child like you."
Clara froze, slowly falling to her knees, crying hard.
Just like fifteen years ago, she was homeless again.
And this time, the one who made her homeless was Simon.
第4章
Returning to the villa in a daze, Clara took out her plane ticket to Italy.
With those private photos everywhere, she knew she couldn’t stay any longer, so she decided to leave ahead of time.
London had nothing left for her.
But as she packed, a sudden wave of nausea hit her.
Clara turned in panic, accidentally knocking over a cabinet in the bedroom.
A document slid out; picking it up, she saw it was a hospital diagnosis slip.
When she read the words, Clara’s eyes widened in shock.
It was a pregnancy test report, showing she was three months pregnant, the fetus was healthy, and the signatory was Simon.
She was pregnant!
Touching her lower abdomen in disbelief, she couldn’t accept that a small life was growing inside her.
She didn’t understand why Simon hid this report from her. He always knew how much she longed for a child.
She had always dreamed of having a child with him, but she never imagined the child would come at the worst moment.
A trace of confusion passed through Clara’s eyes. Reason told her she should abort the baby.
But for an orphan, nothing mattered more than blood.
She stroked her lower abdomen as tears poured down her face.
She wanted to keep the child.
Even if she hated Simon, she was determined to keep the baby, because it was her only family in this world.
"You saw it." Simon suddenly appeared behind her, his expression complicated.
Clara asked hoarsely, "Why didn’t you tell me?"
This was her child—why didn’t he tell her!
But to her shock, Simon slowly knelt, touching her flat stomach, looking at her with deep emotion, and said something that shattered her completely.
"Someone, remove the baby from Madam’s womb and give it to Selina."
Clara went white. "What did you say?"
"Simon, are you insane? It’s only just formed! Taking it out will kill it!"
Simon explained hoarsely, "Selina created a new art project and needs a newly formed fetus for her specimen exhibit. She said only you are her muse, and only your child can complete the piece."
"I originally planned to remove the baby secretly to spare you the grief, but I didn’t expect you to discover it."
Clara was stunned speechless. "What kind of art is this, cruel? This is violence! Simon, this is your child too, your blood!"
Simon’s voice was bitter. "Clara, I’m sorry, but Selina must finish this exhibition. After it ends, I’ll give you another child, alright? We’ll have more in the future."
"Simon, you’re insane! Truly insane!"
She never imagined he could say such a thing. Clara shook her head wildly and tried to run.
Simon grabbed her wrist, saying painfully, "Selina studied art abroad. Now that she’s back, she must achieve something."
"Clara, trust me, you’re sacrificing for art. Someone, take Madam to the operating room."
Several bodyguards rushed in and lifted her easily.
Clara never imagined Simon would kill his own child for Selina.
"No! Don’t hurt my baby! I have no family left, this is the only blood tied to me."
"No! Don’t—Simon, stop! Please!" Clara struggled wildly, but she was no match for them.
Until she was pinned to the operating table, feeling cold instruments invade her body, feeling the child inside her torn away bit by bit, she finally went limp.
Without anesthesia, blood soaked her lower body, sending waves of tearing pain.
Her vision blurred, and she seemed to hear young Simon’s voice.
"Clara, when we have a child, I hope she’s a daughter who looks like you. Then I’ll spoil her, and no one will hurt her."
Simon, did you ever think the one to hurt her would be you?
Simon, I regret it. I don’t need to wait until I forget— I already don’t love you.
The operating room lights were harsh. Clara screamed in agony and then lost consciousness completely.
When she woke again, her abdomen was flat. The child who had been part of her had been taken the moment she learned of it, as if it never existed.
Her tears had dried. Clara’s eyes were hollow; she didn’t even have the strength to mourn.
The bloodstains on her thighs were still wet. She slowly stood and packed her luggage.
She was leaving now, leaving Simon.
After settling everything, Clara walked into the heavy rain and took a taxi to the airport.
The scenery outside was beautiful, but her face was pale as she stared at the news on her phone.
The top trending topic was Selina’s name, followed by the word “explosive.”
【Renowned artist Selina’s work "Rebirth" spreads online, triggering heated debate.】
第5章
Under the entry, all the photos showed Selina’s performance art.
She placed the newly formed fetus on a plate, posing it in different ways, each paired with a lengthy explanation.
In the final picture, she even let a dog devour the fetus.
The comments were divided; some called it art, others said it violated human dignity.
The uproar grew worse. Clara shut off her phone, feeling completely drained.
Her own flesh and blood had become a piece of meat on a plate.
Closing her eyes in agony, Clara wished it was just a nightmare.
She wished she had never conceived this child.
Just then, the taxi stopped.
A group of men in black dragged Clara out, ignoring her struggles, blindfolding her, and forcing her inside.
Clara didn’t resist.
She would rather die now than keep living like this.
After an unknown time, the car halted, and Clara was pulled into a room.
The blindfold came off, a harsh spotlight hit her, and her vision went white.
Tears welled uncontrollably. The next moment, Simon’s voice reached her.
"Clara, it’s me."
Clara froze, eyes widening in disbelief.
Simon smothered his cigarette, his voice low and threatening.
"The novel New Life caused a massive uproar. People are attacking Selina online. She’s an artist; she can’t bear this stain."
His tone was chilling. "Go explain that the child was stillborn, and that you used Selina’s artist reputation to gain fame, so you gave it to her willingly."
Clara thought she had misheard. He kidnapped her just to clear Selina’s name.
"You’re delusional!"
Her voice shook as she slapped him hard. "You murderers deserve judgment. I’ll never take the blame for you."
The next second, the man gripped her chin firmly.
Pain shot through her bones. Clara endured it. "Simon, if you dare, kill me."
Simon released her, speaking coldly.
"If you refuse, then the orphanage doesn’t need to exist. The director cared for you like her own; will you just watch it disappear?"
Clara clutched his arm, lifting her head with effort, hatred burning. "Simon, are you mad? That’s where you grew up."
Simon’s gaze darkened, and he shut his eyes. "For Selina, I’d give up anything."
Give up anything?
Including her, including her child, even the orphanage.
She knew Simon never made empty threats.
Even if the director rejected her, she couldn’t let him destroy the orphanage.
Closing her eyes in despair, Clara whispered, "Fine, I’ll explain. Don’t touch the orphanage."
Once the camera pointed at her, the live stream started.
A metallic taste filled her mouth, and Clara forced herself to speak. "Regarding the ‘New Life’ exhibition..." Following Simon’s demands, she shouldered all the blame.
The live comments exploded instantly.
[I knew Selina was kind; how could she do something so vile? Turns out she was framed.]
[That was your own child! How could you be so heartless, you monster! You don’t deserve to be a mother!]
[Pretty face but rotten inside. No shame at all, just for fame!]
[Arrest her!] Watching the flood of insults, Clara’s eyes burned.
After finishing the last word, she rushed to the bathroom to vomit.
Disgusting, utterly disgusting.
She had helped the one who murdered her baby escape punishment.
Stumbling, she tried to flee, but bodyguards blocked her.
"Madam, Mr. Carter said you can’t leave until everything is settled."
He wouldn’t let her go until Selina was safe.
She let out a bitter smile and glanced at the clock.
The plane had already taken off; she missed her flight to Italy.
A sharp pain shot through her head. She forced a smile and walked back inside.
She knew Simon wouldn’t let her go easily. She only hoped her backup plan was already in motion.
第6章
She slept for a full day and night. When Clara woke up, it was already evening.
Seeing the calendar on the wall, she suddenly remembered that tomorrow was the anniversary of her parents’ death.
Although she hadn’t managed to fly to Italy, at least she could see her parents one last time.
In previous years, Simon would accompany her to pay their respects.
But from now on, she will go alone.
She opened her phone to order flowers for them, when several messages suddenly popped up on the screen.
[The wicked Clara is actually the orphan of a narcotics police officer.]
[The orphan of a martyr has no bottom line when it comes to hype; she’s utterly depraved!] Seeing these headlines, Clara froze completely.
Trembling, she clicked on the headline and found that her and her parents’ lives had been fully exposed.
It was all too detailed, so detailed that only Simon knew these things in the world.
The comments below were unbearable.
[The orphan of a martyr doing this kind of thing; it’s truly disgraceful.]
[People like her don’t deserve to live; she should just disappear.]
[Maybe she even caused her parents’ deaths; she’s a curse!] No one cared about Selina anymore; she became everyone’s target.
Clara staggered downstairs and saw Simon pressing Selina down, kissing her deeply.
Seeing her coming down, Selina leaned on his chest with a faint smile. “Thanks to Miss Hart, otherwise my artistic career would have been ruined.”
Clara didn’t look at her and simply questioned Simon: “You arranged for someone to leak information about my parents.”
It wasn’t a question but a statement.
Simon nodded, saying casually, “To calm things down, we need a more explosive topic to divert public anger; that’s the best way.”
So he sacrificed her again without hesitation.
Even using her long-dead parents to shield Selina?
Clara’s lips curved faintly as she stared at him, her eyes completely numb.
“Simon, the one thing I regret most is loving you.”
That look made Simon’s spine tense; a strange feeling flashed through his mind.
He stared at her for a while, about to speak, when Selina suddenly cried, “Simon, my stomach really hurts, can you check it for me?” Simon frowned.
He bent down, lifted Selina, and carried her back to the bedroom in front of Clara.
“I’m sorry.” The sounds of their intimacy followed soon after, while Clara stood quietly in place.
After a long while, she suddenly let out a soft laugh and murmured, “Simon, I always keep my word.”
“The thing I regret most in my life is loving you.”
The next day, Clara went downstairs and found Simon waiting.
As if nothing had happened, his tone was calm. “Today is your parents’ death anniversary. I said I’d visit them with you every year.”
Before she could respond, Selina spoke up.
“Simon, did you forget? You promised to attend my friend’s art exhibition.”
Her eyes glistened with tears. “It’s fine, Simon, go with Miss Hart. I can go alone. Back when I lived abroad, no one accompanied me; I always went alone.”
Hearing this, Simon didn’t even hesitate. “Selina, I’ll go with you.”
He then told Clara, “The anniversary comes every year; missing one won’t matter. You go by yourself.”
It was expected. No matter the situation, as long as Selina was there, Simon would always cast her aside.
Seeing Selina’s smug look, Clara remained emotionless and headed to the Martyrs’ Cemetery alone.
Standing before her parents’ tombstones, she placed her mother’s favorite blue roses.
“Mom, Dad, I’m sorry. Your daughter is unfilial; I’ve brought shame upon you.”
Tears fell uncontrollably. She bowed deeply and walked away in distress.
Suddenly, several threatening men approached and surrounded her.
Realizing the danger, Clara pulled out her phone to call the police, but her hand slipped, dialing her emergency contact—Simon. She had no time to change it.
Before she could say anything, she cried out, “Simon, save me!”
Before she finished speaking, the kidnappers struck her head violently.
Just before she fainted, she heard Selina’s mocking voice on the other end.
“Sorry, Miss Hart, Simon is showering and busy.”
When she woke again, Clara found herself hanging over a beach.
The leader of the drug dealers, holding a gun, sneered, “If not for the news, I never would’ve known the couple had a daughter alive. Impressive, you’ve survived this long.”
She understood instantly.
These were the criminals who murdered her parents fifteen years earlier. They always acted ruthlessly, and now they were here to kill her.
Recalling her parents’ deaths, Clara bit her lip until it bled.
“Kill me if you dare, or I’ll make sure you suffer.” The drug dealer laughed. “I won’t let you die yet. Let’s play a game. Call your first contact; if he pays ransom, maybe I’ll let you live.” Clara froze. Since she first had a phone, Simon was always her top contact.
Before she reacted, the dealer grabbed her phone and dialed Simon.
Soon, the sounds of bodies colliding came through the phone.
The drug dealer smirked and said, “Mr. Carter, stop fooling around. Your wife is with me.”
Silence followed, then Selina’s voice.
“Simon, why don’t you accompany Miss Hart? She must be upset you ignored her, so she’s joking like this.”
Simon’s voice turned icy. “Clara, what nonsense are you causing now? This joke isn’t funny.”
“Simon!”
Clara shouted. “What if I said I wasn’t joking? What if I really was kidnapped?”
Simon scoffed. “Being kidnapped isn’t something you just claim. Do you think people are idiots? Stop these childish tricks. You’re just jealous and dramatic. I already said the position of Mrs. Carter is yours, so stop acting up.”
Then he hung up.
Her last hope vanished. Clara shut her eyes in despair.
How pathetic. Just a single word from Selina made him dismiss her life.
The drug dealer sneered, “Miss Hart, how pitiful. Even at death’s door, your husband’s still cheating.”
Clara turned pale and whispered, “Did Selina send you?”
“How did you know?”
The dealer scoffed. “So you’re not that dumb. But even if you know, so what? In your next life, try being smarter.”
The rope was cut, and Clara plunged into the sea like a bird losing its wings.
The water was freezing cold, and the moment she sank, suffocation overwhelmed her.
Maybe this time, she really wouldn’t survive.
Images from the past flashed rapidly, and almost all of them had Simon in them.
“Clara, don’t be with anyone else, or I’ll go mad with jealousy.”
“Clara, I love you. I’ll love you forever and protect you with my life.”
“Clara, when we’re old, tell our story to our children.” Ten years passed in an instant, ending with the day he said he no longer loved her.
Simon, from this moment on, we will never be tied again, in life or in death.