Chapter 1

Before her wedding, Jillian Reyes knew she was marrying a man who was both rough and wild. But it wasn't until their wedding night that she realized just how much more intimidating he was than she had imagined.

He had just stepped out of the shower, wearing only a black tank top that clung to his body, highlighting the sculpted outline of his abs. His muscular arms exuded strength.

Jillian hesitated, her gaze lingering on him. As thoughts of what lay ahead flooded her mind, she instinctively gripped the hem of her dress. Her palms grew damp, and unease settled over her.

"Tired after a long day?" His deep, magnetic voice broke the silence. "Shall we sleep early?"

"I... I'm not tired."

"You'll be tired soon enough," he teased in a low voice.

Her heart raced, her nerves tightening with every second. If not for her mother's desperate need for stability within the Reyes family, she would never have agreed to marry this man in her younger sister's place.

She needed financial security and work, and the Reyes family offered both—but at the cost of her happiness.

Jillian closed her eyes, a wave of sadness washing over her.

"Do you want to freshen up?" he asked, his voice breaking through her thoughts again. Hesitantly, she accepted the towel he offered and tried to stand. But as she did, a sharp pain gripped her lower abdomen, and she felt dampness spreading.

"Ah!" she gasped, leaping to her feet as if struck by lightning.

It was already too late. The pale blue bed sheets bore a faint trace of red.

Jillian froze, her face flushing with mortification. It felt as though her entire body was burning, the heat creeping up to her ears. She couldn't meet his gaze.

He narrowed his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips as something darker flickered in his expression.

In truth, he had never planned to touch her. This marriage was born out of necessity, and both of them entered it for their own reasons. How long they would remain together was anyone's guess.

He was certain he would leave her one day, and he had no intention of tying her to him in ways that couldn't be undone. But her timing… It was almost too perfect.

Consumed with embarrassment, Jillian hurried to lift the sheets, intending to take them to the bathroom. In her panic, she tripped over the fabric.

A strong arm caught her mid-fall before she could hit the ground, pulling her close.

She froze. The man effortlessly held her with one arm, pressing her to his chest. Through the thin material of his tank top, she could feel the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat.

Her ears turned pink as she leaned against his firm chest.

The dim light cast an intimate glow, making the air between them heavy and charged.

His hand began to slide downward slowly.

Jillian squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the heat of his touch even through the fabric of her nightgown as though his touch was igniting her skin.

"I-I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't expect my period to come early. We really can't do this tonight."

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. She waited for a response, but all she could hear was the frantic thrum of her own heartbeat.

Finally, she opened her eyes just a crack, only to meet his dark, intense gaze. Before she could react, he scooped her into his arms, carrying her like a child, and walked into the next room. The bed sheets were now in his hands.

"The water's cold," he murmured. "I'll wash the sheets."

Chapter 2

He was not a man of many words.

Before Jillian could fully process what was happening, he had already found a clean t-shirt, effortlessly tore it into strips, and handed them to her along with a packet of tissues.

"Just make do with this tonight. We'll buy some tampons tomorrow."

"This..." Jillian stared at the makeshift supplies, still in a daze.

He then turned and left without waiting for her to finish, casually closing the door behind him.

She felt like she was in a dream. The only thing keeping her grounded was the persistent pain in her lower abdomen.

Once she took care of herself, she curled up on the small couch. The room didn't have a bed. It felt more like a storage space. The walls were stained, and old sandbags and boxing gloves were piled up in one corner.

Jillian gazed out at the inky sky, her mind restless. Perhaps it was the physical discomfort, but her mood was incredibly low, and she felt an urge to cry.

Her mind flickered back to the times before her marriage to Sebastian Shaw.

Yes, her husband's name was Sebastian, the only son left in the Shaw family. The Shaw and Reyes families had agreed for their children to be married to each other, but the Shaw family fell from grace. They had moved from a villa to an apartment, and now they were in this run-down, cramped building.

The Shaw family was gone, leaving only Sebastian. Perhaps because he had been too spoiled as a child, he couldn't adapt to the family's fall from grace. Sebastian began to go astray, getting into fights and even serving time in prison.

Earlier, she had noticed a large scar on his back and calluses on his hands. She wondered if it hurt when he hit people.

Jillian sighed deeply, the bitterness of her uncertainty about the future making a lump form in her throat.

Her situation wasn't much better than Sebastian's. She hadn't always been a Reyes; her mother had remarried and brought her to the Reyes family. Hence, she had been bullied ever since she was a child.

The Reyes family's household staff called her an "unwanted child". They gave her spoiled fruits to eat, while the meals she took to school were always rotten.

Her mother, Lucy Collins, was frail in health and meek in character. She always told Jillian to endure it, so Jillian quietly bore it all to avoid worrying Lucy.

She endured until she grew up. Through her mother's persistent persuasion, her stepfather, Hayden Reyes, reluctantly agreed to let her work at Reyes Group.

However, she had to start from the bottom. She would always successfully complete projects, but Hayden always gave the credit to her two stepbrothers.

Finally, unable to take it anymore, Jillian tried to stand up for herself, but Hayden silenced her with a single sentence. "Do you know how much money I spent on your mother's medical bills over the years?"

It was then that she realized Hayden had no affection for Lucy. If he loved her, he wouldn't have quibbled over the cost of a single bottle of IV fluids. But if he didn't love her, then why had he married her in the first place?

"We have a marriage agreement with the Shaw family. Everyone in our circle knows, and they're watching us. But with how the Shaw family is now, I really can't let your sister marry into that family."

Hayden began laying down conditions. "If you marry Sebastian, I'll wipe the slate clean. I'll even continue paying for your mother's treatment. What say you?

"If you don't agree, don't blame me if something happens to your mother!"

......

And so Jillian ended up marrying Sebastian. There was no wedding, no celebration. It was as if their union was something to be hidden, an embarrassing secret.

As for Sebastian's comment about being tired, maybe he was referring to her dragging her luggage through multiple bus and subway transfers to reach this apartment.

She was indeed exhausted, and before long, she fell asleep.

When Jillian woke up the next morning, Sebastian was already gone. She wandered through the two-room apartment until she found a balcony.

The bed sheets had already been washed and hung on the balcony to dry. Jillian froze for a moment, her face flushing as she remembered last night. She quickly looked away.

The balcony wasn't large, but it was filled with sunlight and faced the street. If she tidied up, she could sit there, sipping coffee and enjoying the view—just like in the TV dramas.

She smiled to herself. Since she was here now, perhaps she could spruce up this place.

"Why are you standing there and smiling?"

Chapter 3

Jillian was startled. She turned around and was met with Sebastian's deep eyes.

She studied him quietly. In the daylight, his appearance seemed a little different from last night.

Last night, he had been like a lone wolf, prowling under the cover of darkness. This morning, he resembled a lion running through the sunlit field.

He must have just finished his morning workout, seeing that he was drenched in sweat and wearing a sleeveless shirt and shorts. His shirt clung to his body, revealing a hint of his abs.

Jillian lowered her gaze and handed him a towel.

Sebastian placed the bag he had in his hand on the table. The aroma of pancakes filled the air.

"I went for a run, and I picked up breakfast on the way," he said, his face expressionless. "Come, eat."

"Oh..." Jillian responded, about to sit down when she noticed another large bag in his hand.

Her eyes widened, and her ears began to burn with embarrassment. The bag was large and transparent, filled with various brands of tampons.

"Sebastian, this..."

"For you," he said without looking at her. "Did I buy the wrong ones?"

Jillian forced a smile. They were tampons, alright; it was just that he seemed to have bought a whole store's worth!

Moreover, he had carried it all the way back home in that clear plastic bag! Now, everyone on the street would know that his wife had her period on their wedding night!

She wanted the ground to open up and swallow her.

Sebastian noticed her silence and her strange expression but couldn't figure out what was wrong.

He had gone out early to buy the tampons, not caring about what others might think. He wasn't embarrassed; he just didn't want to interact with the neighbors. So, he had simply grabbed whatever was on the shelf. Even the cashier had given him a funny look when he paid.

He looked up at Jillian. It was the same funny look the cashier had given him. What had he done wrong?

Jillian blushed, her voice small. "You didn't need to buy so much. I'll buy it myself next time. Also, don't use a transparent bag. It should be in a black bag so no one can see."

"Why?" he asked.

"Huh?" she wondered if he deliberately tried to embarrass her. But his innocent, unknowing gaze made her realize he wasn't.

With a resigned smile, she quickly changed the subject. "I need to go out and buy some things today. Do you want to come with me?"

Sebastian froze, glancing at the large bag of tampons. What else would she need to buy? Didn't she just get all of this?

"I only have three days off," Jillian continued. "I need to get some things for the house and maybe clean up a bit... Since we'll be living together, it should at least feel like a home, don't you think?"

Sebastian paused. Hearing her mention "home" and "living together" stirred something inside him.

He glanced at her again. She looked so thin, almost like a stray kitten. The large suitcase she had brought seemed disproportionate to her petite frame.

Besides her suitcase, she hadn't brought anything of value, let alone a trousseau. Was this how the Reyes family treated their daughters? He felt a pang in his chest.

He couldn't help but wonder what a typical wedding was like. Didn't the groom usually give gifts? He had heard of them giving jewelry, or at the very least, a bridal gown and shoes. These were things he should have bought for her.

Sebastian clenched his fists and continued to eat without a word.

After breakfast, he grabbed the dishes from her hand and said expressionlessly, "The water's cold. I'll wash them."

Jillian felt a warmth in her heart. No one in the Reyes family had ever cared about things like not letting her touch cold water when she had her period. Yet Sebastian, who had only known her for a day, remembered the little details.

...

Jillian hadn't really planned for him to go shopping with her. She had made a list of things she needed for the house, and she could manage on her own.

However, Sebastian followed her wordlessly. With his cold expression and imposing figure, he attracted the attention of everyone they passed.

Jillian glanced back at him several times but couldn't figure him out, so she decided not to say anything.

Since it was still early and she had the day off, she wanted to visit the mall. When they reached the jewelry store, she stood before the display case and stared at the diamonds and gold jewelry, which sparkled brilliantly. After a few seconds, she turned to leave, not even daring to look at the prices.

Sebastian watched her hurry away, a rare smile tugging at his lips. He glanced at the small gold jewelry piece that she had stared at. It was less than 3,000 dollars.

He was about to buy it for her when he heard a sharp voice from the luxury store opposite the jewelry store.

"Ah, it's really you, Jillian! I heard you got married. Congratulations! Why isn't your husband with you?"

Chapter 4

Jillian froze for a moment.

The sales assistant was Cherry Osborne, the best friend of her younger sister—Maddie Reyes. Since they were young, Cherry had been like a shadow, always following Maddie around and acting as her lackey.

Maddie looked down on Jillian, and Cherry mirrored her disdain, if not surpassing it. When Cherry heard that Jillian had married a spendthrift in dire straits, Cherry couldn't resist the urge to take a jab at her.

"Jillian, are you here to buy shoes? These shoes aren't cheap. Are you sure you want to buy them?" Cherry said in a mocking tone.

Jillian glanced at her. As she walked past the store, she had been drawn to a pair of high heels.

The shoes were displayed on a high shelf, bathed in the soft glow of the spotlight, their sparkling crystals catching the light. The design was simple yet elegant, with delicate crystals adorning the edges. They looked like something a princess in a fairy tale would wear.

Every girl had probably dreamed of being a princess once in her life. When Jillian saw those shoes, she couldn't help but step inside the store. She wanted to look at them a little longer, to indulge in the fantasy for a bit.

She never expected to run into Cherry here.

Before Jillian entered, Cherry had been helping a customer try on shoes. She was kneeling on the floor, her knees aching, but she still forced a smile as she endured the customer's critical gaze and rude behavior.

The wealthy lady was a VIP customer at the luxury store, and she had demanded Cherry to serve her this way. Cherry couldn't afford to offend her.

But Cherry didn't feel the same way about Jillian. In fact, she was eager to tell Maddie how she humiliated Jillian. So, Cherry took out all her frustration on Jillian without scruples.

"Jillian," she said, her eyes scanning her from head to toe with a sneer. "Want to try these shoes on?"

Jillian didn't catch the hidden meaning in her words and smiled politely. "Alright, could you bring them out for me to try on?"

"Are you sure you want to buy them?" Cherry asked.

"I—"

"Can you even afford them?" Cherry interrupted, crossing her arms. She scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Jillian, let me be honest with you. These shoes are a limited edition from our brand. The price... Well, I doubt someone like you could afford them!

"If you're serious about buying them, I'll get them for you to try on. But if you're not actually going to buy them, then I'd just be wasting my time running around!" Cherry said.

"Well, isn't that your job?" Jillian frowned. "Business transactions are based on mutual agreement. If customers don't try the shoes, how would they know whether they want to buy them?"

Jillian wasn't really planning to buy the shoes, but whether or not she bought them was one thing. The attitude of the sales assistant was another matter entirely.

"You don't need to know. I can tell just by looking at you that you won't buy them!" Cherry's voice was sharp as she sneered.

"You married that lowlife who didn't even give you a betrothal gift. Do you really think he'll let you buy these shoes? If you do buy them, I bet he'll beat you up when you get home!"

Now Jillian understood. Cherry's seemingly warm smile had been laced with hidden malice from the moment she entered.

Though the luxury store wasn't crowded, the few customers there immediately turned their attention to Jillian. Some whispered and gossiped.

Jillian's face darkened. She was soft-hearted but wouldn't let anyone walk all over her.

She remembered when Cherry would follow Maddie around, acting arrogantly. She had hoped that after all these years, they would have grown up and matured.

However, she was wrong. People like Cherry never changed.

Jillian stared at Cherry coldly. Her voice was calm, but each word cut through the tension. "What my husband is like is none of your business! If you have so much time to judge others, you should spend it looking for a job that allows you to stand up! Have you forgotten what it feels like to stand after kneeling on the ground for so long?"

Chapter 5

"You…" Cherry faltered, but she wasn't about to back down so easily. She shot Jillian a sarcastic glance. "What's there for you to be so proud of? You married a worthless man, but somehow, you think you're superior? Who gave you the courage to visit a luxury shoe store?"

Cherry added, "Jillian, I heard your husband is always getting into fights and going to jail. It sounds like he has quite an exciting life. By the way, does your husband even know you're shopping at such an expensive place?"

Jillian didn't want to waste time on her. She turned to leave, only to collide with a solid chest before she could even make it out of the entrance. A warm hand caught hers, steadying her.

She froze. Shortly after, she heard Sebastian's deep voice. "Is this how you talk to my wife? Does your manager know about this?"

Cherry jumped in surprise.

Sebastian stepped forward, positioning himself between Jillian and the hostility like a human shield. Jillian suddenly felt at ease; the warmth of his hand radiated comfort to her heart.

"Which pair do you like?" Sebastian's voice softened as he bent slightly to speak to Jillian, who barely reached his shoulder. "If you like them, buy them. Every bride should have a pair of wedding shoes."

"There's no need. Let's look around elsewhere…"

"Is it that pair?" Sebastian pointed to the high shelf.

The shoes were elegant and dignified, perfect for a bride. Jillian had good taste.

However, Jillian tugged at him and gave him a look, trying to pull him toward the door.

"Let's get those." Sebastian moved slightly to the side, and it was then that Jillian noticed a man in a suit standing behind him.

The man's name tag read "Manager, Jimmy Canfield". His attitude was completely different from Cherry's—always polite, smiling, and answering questions with ease. His manner was comfortable but never overbearing.

Jillian hadn't noticed when Sebastian had called the manager over. She glanced at Cherry, whose face had gone pale. Her eyes darted back and forth as she tried to figure out how to explain this to her superior.

"Sir, ma'am," Jimmy said, respectfully passing the shoes. "I've been selling shoes for many years, and I can tell these should be the perfect size for the lady. Please try them on, and if they don't fit, I'll immediately arrange for another pair."

"Do we have to buy them just to try them on?" Sebastian looked at him coldly.

Jimmy quickly responded, "There's no such rule in our store!"

"I'll buy the shoes only if my wife likes them and not because you've set some arbitrary rule," Sebastian said firmly.

"Yes, of course," Jimmy replied.

Sebastian turned to Jillian. "Go ahead and try them on."

Jillian sat on the couch to try on the shoes. With a glance from Sebastian, Jimmy immediately understood and nudged Cherry forward.

Reluctantly, Cherry shuffled toward Jillian, still attempting to charm Jimmy in hopes of escaping this situation. "Mr. Canfield…"

"Don't cause me more trouble!" Jimmy glared at her, his voice low. "You'd better serve them well today, or I'll have you leave!"

"Why? They're just a poor couple. They don't—"

"They are your customers!" Jimmy gritted his teeth. "Go!"

Cherry bit her lip and reluctantly approached Jillian. She threw the high heels onto the ground, but just as she was about to stand up, a chilling voice rang out behind her.

"When the other lady came in earlier to buy shoes, I remember this sales assistant was kneeling to help her try them on. Why are you standing when it comes to my wife?"

Chapter 6

Cherry's face turned even paler, and she ground her teeth in frustration. However, when she turned and met Jimmy's furious gaze, she had no choice but to kneel. Wearing a pair of gloves, she began untying Jillian's shoelaces.

...

After leaving the luxury store, Jillian was mad. The shoes in her hand felt like a ticking time bomb, shattering her heart with each step.

It was 30 thousand dollars for a pair of shoes! Her monthly salary was only six thousand dollars. That amount alone could cover their living expenses for six months, but Sebastian had bought them without a second thought. He…

Jillian glanced at him, growing more frustrated the longer she looked. She should have realized from the time he bought the tampons that he wasn't good with money.

They were going to spend their lives together from now on. Could they really survive if he kept spending so recklessly?

And what was he doing for work now? If he didn't have a job, didn't that mean he needed to look for one? But with his background, what kind of job could he even get?

He was a man. Couldn't he at least take on some of the responsibilities?

Walking beside her, Sebastian was confused by the look in her eyes. He could sense the rising tension in her, but he didn't understand. Had he done something wrong by defending her?

If he hadn't heard her stand up for him in the store, he would never have risked exposing his identity and asking to see the manager.

Unable to contain his curiosity, he turned to her and asked, "What's wrong?"

Jillian had been holding back her frustration, but the moment their eyes met, she felt like all the air had been let out of her.

"From now on, no more wasting money," she said, though the words came out softer than she had intended. "Also, you paid for it using your credit card, right?"

Sebastian froze for a moment. He had used his black card, but still, he nodded.

Jillian sighed in relief. At least with installment payments, the pressure wouldn't be as overwhelming. "I'll handle the payments. We just need to save up a bit over the next few months. It should be fine.

"Sebastian, we might not be rich, but as long as we both work hard, things will get better," she continued.

Sebastian blinked in surprise. Moments ago, he had sensed anger in her gaze, but now, her smile was warm and sincere, like a ray of sunlight breaking through storm clouds.

He stared at her, a strange feeling welling up in his chest.

"I'm going to the supermarket to get some food," Jillian said, handing him the shoes. "Wait here for me. I'll be quick."

Sebastian nodded and found a shaded spot to stand. Just then, his phone rang. His expression grew cold as he brought it to his ear.

"Sir, the investigation in Jedstone is almost complete. The person who spiked your drink is exactly who we suspected. It seems that other matters are also linked to him."

"Keep investigating," Sebastian replied, his eyes glinting with cunning. "He's just a scapegoat. Someone else is behind this."

"Got it." The person on the other end paused. "When do you plan to return to Jedstone? We've already heard reports that you're in Aquaville."

Sebastian was silent for a moment before responding in a low voice, "I'm not going back to Jedstone for now. Let them spread whatever rumors they want."

"Take care of yourself, sir."

The call ended, and Sebastian couldn't help but smile confidently. The more confusion there was, the better for him. The more people speculated, the more restless those who wanted to harm him would become.

At that moment, Jillian hurried out of the supermarket, shoving two large bags of groceries into his hands. "Take these home first. I have something else to do."

"But…"

Chapter 7

Before Sebastian could finish speaking, Jillian had hailed a cab and left without looking back.

He glanced down at the things she had bought. She was quite the practical woman, having thought of everything. Among the items, he noticed a few cans of beer, presumably for him.

Sebastian couldn't help but smile, but soon, a hint of worry crept into his expression. Why was she in such a rush? Where was she going? If she were to encounter someone like the sales assistant from earlier again, would she be able to handle it?

...

Jillian stood outside the Reyes residence's gate under the scorching sun for what felt like an eternity until a household staff leisurely walked over to unlock the gate.

This was how they always treated her—she had to press the doorbell dozens of times and stand outside for over half an hour. Only after they had had a good laugh at her did they finally let her in.

That was why Jillian had lived in a school dormitory since middle school. Although it was cramped, with six people in one room, no one had barred her from entering. But here, in the vast expanse of the Reyes residence, there wasn't a single inch of space she could truly call her own.

But today, she had no choice but to return. She had come for one reason—her mother.

Earlier, while shopping for groceries, she had received a call from Lucy.

Lucy had cried on the other end, asking her why she had married someone like Sebastian, why she had kept it a secret, and why she had made such a major decision while she had been away in the hospital.

"Jillian, you're throwing your whole life away! I'd rather die than let you be with someone like him! Come home!"

Jillian felt a lump in her throat. How could she let her mother die? Even if it meant jumping into a fire, she would do it.

However, after spending a few days with Sebastian, she didn't believe he was as terrible as her mother feared. She assured her mother that they would find a way through this. She convinced her that she had married the right man while assuring her that her health would improve.

Just then, she overheard a nurse on the phone. "Ms. Collins' medical fees are overdue by over two weeks. You need to resolve this soon. The medication can't be stopped!"

Jillian's heart sank, and she rushed to the hospital. She felt a sharp pain in her chest, seeing her mother suffering from the illness.

She should have known that her stepfather was unreliable, but she had foolishly held onto hope, thinking that by sacrificing her marriage, she could somehow save her mother.

At the hospital, Jillian ran into Maria Jules, the only household staff member who had ever treated her and her mother with respect.

"Ms. Jillian, actually, your aunt did give you a wedding gift," Maria said, hesitating. "Although she's been living abroad for years and never comes back, she still cares about you.

"She felt that you were unjustly compelled to marry into the Shaw family, so she gave you a wedding gift of 300 thousand dollars. She doesn't know your account number, so she asked your stepbrothers to give it to you.

"Ms. Jillian, why don't you get the money from them and use it for your mother's medical fees?"

...

Jillian took a deep breath, ignoring the disdainful looks from the household staff, and stepped through the Reyes residence's gate.

Inside, she saw a new car parked in the yard. A flashy, bright red model gleamed in the sunlight as if shouting its expensive price tag.

Her older stepbrother, Xander Reyes and younger stepbrother, Hade Reyes, were sitting in the living room. When they saw her, they didn't even glance up, treating her like she was invisible.

Jillian approached them and said without hesitation, "I'm here to ask for my wedding gift."

Only then did Hade look at her, his gaze filled with hostility and disdain. He was probably the one who hated her the most in the family. Xander had inherited their father's hypocritical nature. Although he disliked Jillian, he would occasionally put on a façade.

On the other hand, Hade couldn't be bothered with pretense. Ever since they were children, he had found joy in bullying his stepmother's daughter. Beatings and insults were common.

Once, during a snowstorm, he dragged Jillian outside. He forced her to stand in the snow in only a thin shirt, refusing to let her inside.

That time, she developed a high fever and pneumonia, almost losing her life. She still suffered from the aftereffects.

"Wedding gift?" Hade sneered. "What wedding gift? Do you know about this, Xander?"

Chapter 8

Xander wasn't interested in getting involved and pretended not to hear.

"It was from my Aunt Lydia. A total of 300 thousand dollars," Jillian said, clearly enunciating each word. "I need that money urgently. Please return it to me now."

Hade slammed his hand on the table and stood up, glaring at her as if she were an enemy. "Watch what you say. That's our aunt. Since when did she become your aunt?

"300 thousand dollars? Over the years, the Reyes family has spent more than that to raise you. And now you want this money? Have you lost your mind?"

"You're the ones who've lost your minds!" Jillian wasn't afraid. "That's the wedding gift she gave me, and you were supposed to hand it over. You can't keep it for yourselves!

"I married Sebastian for Maddie, someone she didn't want to marry and did things she didn't want to do, just so my mom could have it easier in this family!

"But how have you treated her and me? My mom is lying in the hospital with two weeks' worth of unpaid medical bills! You've kept my wedding gift; if I hadn't gone to the hospital today, I would still be in the dark!"

"Jillian." Xander stood up, a faint smile in his sharp eyes. "I think you've misunderstood something.

"Don't listen to rumors. Some of the older household staff here just can't stand seeing the family at peace, so they stir up trouble.

"Aunt Lydia did give us money, but it wasn't your wedding gift. It was for all of us. I've kept your share for you."

With that, he took out an envelope he had prepared earlier, which contained a few bills inside.

"Here. This is for you," Xander said with a smile. "A little something from Aunt Lydia."

Jillian stood still, unmoving. As Xander let go, the envelope fell to the floor.

The bills spilled out, revealing a total of 500 dollars.

At that moment, it felt like a heavy stone had lodged in Jillian's chest. She couldn't breathe, and she trembled.

"You..." Her voice shook, but she tried her best to remain calm. "I'm begging you. My mom is waiting for the medical fees. She really can't hold on much longer.

"Yes, the Reyes family has spent a lot of money to raise me over the years, but I've worked hard for the company. The credits for the projects I've completed all went to you!"

"That's not the way to put it," Xander replied and stuck his hands into his pockets. "We gave you projects to train you.

"You should be grateful to the Reyes family. The money Aunt Lydia gave us? If we give it to you, it's already considered us doing you a favor. We're not obligated to give it to you. You can't expect too much!"

"Exactly!" Hade laughed, clearly enjoying the moment. "You can take the 500 dollars if you want. If not, I'll buy some meat and feed it to the dog!"

"Hey, Jillian's back?" At that moment, a bright voice came from upstairs.

Jillian turned toward the sound and saw Maddie, dressed in a striking casual outfit, skipping down the stairs. She waved cheerfully before running toward the yard.

"Jillie, sorry, I can't hang out with you today. I need to take my new car for a spin and show it off to my friends!"

"New car?" Jillian froze.

"Yes, I just picked it up today. It cost 300 thousand dollars!" Maddie pointed toward the yard.

It was the car Jillian had seen when she arrived. Its headlights were like a pair of mocking eyes smiling at her.

It felt as though her foot had slipped off the edge of a cliff, and her heart nearly stopped beating.

So, it wasn't enough that she married into the Shaw family for Maddie's sake; even her wedding gift had been used to fund Maddie's new car. The money meant to save Lucy's life had become Maddie's means of flaunting her wealth.

Chapter 9

Jillian bit down on her lip so hard that it started bleeding. The taste of blood filled her mouth, and the sense of injustice that had been choking her spilled out in the form of tears.

...

She wasn't sure how she walked out of the Reyes residence. She wandered the streets aimlessly, like a lost soul with nowhere to go.

When she finally looked up, she realized she was standing in front of her apartment building.

Taking a deep breath, she remembered that Sebastian was still at home. She quickly collected herself and went upstairs.

Once inside, she went straight to the kitchen like nothing had happened.

Sebastian had unceremoniously shoved all the groceries she had bought into the fridge. She felt a mix of amusement and frustration but didn't say anything. She took each item out individually, sorted them, and then placed them back into the fridge again.

She made dinner quietly, but her mind flashed back to Hade's words when she saw meat. "You can take the 500 dollars if you want. If not, I'll buy some meat and feed it to the dog."

In her daze, her hand brushed against the pot's side and was instantly burned.

"Are you okay?" During dinner, Sebastian noticed the burn on her hand. He looked up and saw her pale face.

Jillian didn't want to negatively affect his mood, so she forced a smile. "I'm fine."

Sebastian's expression darkened slightly. He had his sources in Aquaville, so he knew a little about what had happened at the Reyes residence today.

He had expected her to come back crying, blaming him for the misfortune she had suffered because she married him. But to his surprise, she returned as though nothing was wrong, keeping everything bottled up inside.

As she ate her meal in small bites, he suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to comfort her. He reached out to pat her shoulder, but his hand hovered mid-air briefly before he pulled it back again.

"Is there anything I can help with?" he asked.

"Huh?" Jillian was taken aback.

Her expression dimmed almost immediately. What could he possibly help with? He was already struggling with his own issues. It would be a relief if he didn't add to her troubles.

Besides, this was her family's matter. She should handle it on her own. But...

Jillian looked up, her mind racing. There was still one thing she could talk to him about. "Sebastian, I..."

"You can tell me," Sebastian said calmly. "We're married now. If there's a problem, we should face it together."

Jillian seemed to steel herself, her words deliberate and slow. "Those shoes, can I return them?"

Sebastian fell silent.

That was the only solution Jillian had come up with during her walk home. Since she hadn't worn the shoes, she could return them and get back 30 thousand dollars. It wouldn't cover the entire medical bill, but it would help.

She had initially planned to return them secretly, but since Sebastian had bought them for her, she felt it wouldn't be right to hide the deed from him.

"I-I thought about it, and I really feel those shoes are too expensive," she said hesitantly, observing his reaction. "I know you meant well, and the wedding shoes are special, but I just can't afford such an expensive pair.

"Sebastian, I'm... I'm sorry."

The more she spoke, the lower her head dropped. Her face turned a deep shade of red.

This apology wasn't just for the shoes but also for their wedding night.

She waited for what felt like an eternity but heard only the frantic pounding of her own heart. When she finally looked up, she saw that he had gathered the dishes and walked toward the kitchen.

His broad back seemed like a mountain, strong and unyielding. His voice was low and firm as he said, "What I bought for you is yours. You can do whatever you want with it. There's no need to discuss it with me."

"But..."

"Leave the dishes there after you've finished eating. I'll wash them."

His tone was impassive, but the more neutral he seemed, the more Jillian worried. He must be angry.

If she had spent so much money buying a gift for someone, and they wanted to return it, even saying it to her face, she would be upset too.

Jillian shook her head, torn between her thoughts.

Just then, she heard the sound of a door slamming. Sebastian had entered the bedroom and firmly closed the door behind him.

Chapter 10

Jillian stared blankly at the tightly closed bedroom door, completely unaware that the man inside was quietly making a phone call.

"Cale," Sebastian's voice was low, "Do you have any contacts at the hospital in Aquaville?"

There was a slight pause on the other end before Cale Frey asked nervously, "You're in Aquaville now? Are you hurt? Is it serious?"

"It's not me..." Sebastian hesitated, unsure how to start explaining things.

No one in his family knew that he had gotten married in Aquaville, let alone that he was hiding behind this "Sebastian Shaw" identity.

The marriage had been a twist of fate, but using Sebastian's identity provided him with an excellent cover.

"It's for a friend," he worded his explanation carefully. "Her mother is sick and hospitalized, but she's struggling financially and can't afford the medical bills."

Cale sighed in relief. "I thought it was something serious. So, it's for your friend?"

"Yes."

"What's the specific illness?"

"I'll send you the details of her mother's condition later. Please look into it," Sebastian said, glancing cautiously toward the door. "Cale, I can't explain much right now. Just do me this favor, and I'll definitely repay you in the future."

"There's no need for such formalities between us!" Cale laughed. "Don't worry, leave it to me."

Sebastian smiled slightly. "There's one more thing. Help me investigate someone named Hayden Reyes."

"Hayden Reyes?"

"See if there's any irregularity in his financial records. It doesn't need to be too serious—just a 300-thousand-dollar discrepancy is enough. Then, use that to put pressure on him."

There was silence on the other end for a moment before Cale chuckled helplessly. "Sebastian, I'm just a doctor. Do you think I'm some kind of all-powerful mastermind?"

"You're no ordinary doctor," Sebastian replied confidently. "The people who come to you for treatment aren't exactly average."

"Well..."

"I know that even the chairman of Aquaville's largest real estate group, Brogan Realtors, once went all the way to Jedstone to see you. His wife had a rare disease, and if it weren't for you, she wouldn't have made it!"

The man on the other end let out a helpless chuckle.

"He's always wanted to repay you, but you're so incorruptible you refuse to accept anything," Sebastian said with a soft laugh. "Now's the perfect time for him to show his gratitude!"

"Sebastian, you're..." Cale's expertise lay in medicine, not in words. He knew he couldn't outtalk Sebastian.

"Cale, debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay and the most uncomfortable to carry," Sebastian pressed on. "Give the chairman a chance to put his mind at ease!"

…

That night, Jillian tossed and turned on her bed. She was unable to fall asleep.

She got up several times and quietly approached the door of the small room, peeking in to see what was going on or to say a few words to Sebastian.

But there was no light from the crack in the door, and her heart sank into the same darkness. In the two days since their marriage, Sebastian had been relatively kind to her.

He washed the bedsheets and made her bed, gave her the only bedroom, and even chose to sleep in the messy little room himself.

Though he wasn't much of a cook and lacked experience in household matters, he didn't let her touch a drop of cold water and insisted on handling the chores himself.

He seemed to be trying his best to make their life together work. Jillian felt a pang in her chest. Well, wasn't she also hoping to make their life together work?

Returning the wedding heels was a helpless decision on her end. Once their circumstances improved, she would find a way to make it up to him.

With this thought in mind, she quietly returned to her room and managed to sleep a little before dawn broke. She quickly got up, prepared herself, and grabbed the heels before quietly leaving the house.

Jillian was the first customer to arrive at the mall that morning. The same manager, Jimmy Canfield, who had previously served her, greeted her.

Jimmy seemed unsurprised by her decision to return the heels. If anything, he treated her with even more enthusiasm.

Jillian couldn't help but feel impressed. People who could reach such leadership positions always had a certain perspective—they weren't petty and judgmental like Cherry.

"Ma'am."

Jimmy's voice snapped Jillian out of her thoughts. She looked up and met Jimmy's smiling eyes as he respectfully handed her the heels with both hands.

"What's wrong?" Jillian was startled. "Can't I return them?"

"That's correct, ma'am," Jimmy replied with a smile. "These heels have a defect, so they can't be returned."

Chapter 11

"That's impossible!" Jillian panicked. "I've never worn these heels, not even once. There's no way they're defective!"

As she spoke, she moved to open the shoebox to show Jimmy, but Jimmy gently stopped her. He continued speaking respectfully, "I'm truly sorry, ma'am. The defect wasn't caused by you—it's something inherent to the heels themselves."

"Wha... What?" Jillian's heart felt like it was on a rollercoaster, rising and falling dramatically.

"These heels are a limited edition piece handcrafted by a designer," Jimmy explained with a smile.

"When something is handcrafted, perfection isn't always guaranteed. Well... As you know, ma'am, our brand has always pursued perfection. If a finished product has a defect, it absolutely doesn't meet our brand's culture or standards!"

Jillian's eyes widened as Jimmy opened the shoebox and pointed to a spot on the heel. No matter how hard she looked, she still couldn't spot the issue.

Jimmy then helpfully handed her a magnifying glass at just the right moment.

Only then did Jillian see it—a minuscule imperfection so slight that even machine-produced heels might have such tiny flaws.

If this could be considered a defect, then the definition of a defect needed to be rewritten.

Jillian was thoroughly confused. It was almost as if she were dreaming as she listened to Jimmy continue saying, "Because of this minor flaw, we cannot take the heels back. However, as a gesture of goodwill, we will still refund you!"

"Huh? That's..."

Jillian could hardly believe it, but the unmistakable sound of a notification from her banking app confirmed it. She checked her phone and saw that 30 thousand dollars had been refunded to her account.

"Sir, my husband bought these heels using his credit card. You should refund the money to his card."

"Oh, ma'am, you must be joking." Jimmy's smile stretched from ear to ear. "Your husband's card is your card, isn't it? Does it really matter who gets the refund?"

"But..."

"As compensation, this bag is our gift to you."

Jimmy waved his hand, and an attendant behind him immediately stepped forward with a beautifully packaged box. Inside was a small handbag with a stunningly unique design, and it was even sparkling like a diamond.

Jillian was dumbfounded. Even as she walked out of the store, she felt like she was sleepwalking.

She looked down at what she was holding. She had come with a bag to return the heels, but not only did she fail to return them, she now had another bag in her hand.

Plus, she came out 30 thousand dollars richer! Jillian felt as if she'd been struck dizzy by a pie falling straight from the sky.

She then glanced back at the store. Its black-and-gold luxury décor was still radiating elegance and grandeur, and the glittering brand name above the entrance seemed as unapproachable and dignified as ever.

Meanwhile, Jimmy stood at the door, grinning in a way that seemed oddly unprofessional for such a prestigious brand. It made Jillian feel like she'd entered a fake luxury store.

Was this really how high-end brands treated their customers?

It seemed those viral videos of snobbish sales associates were far too one-sided. Jillian chuckled to herself and was about to leave the mall when a familiar face appeared before her.

"Why, is that you, Jillie? Shopping again? You're married now; it's time to learn how to live more frugally. How much money does your spendthrift husband have to let you waste it like this?"

Jillian frowned. In fact, Cherry seemed like she was in a predicament herself while standing in front of her.

She was holding a large cardboard box filled with personal belongings. Her work uniform was gone, and her name badge was removed. The whole air about her was deflated.

Yet the moment Cherry saw Jillian, it was as though she'd been injected with adrenaline. She straightened her posture and got ready to spar a few more rounds.

"Jillie, you're not here to return those heels, are you? Ha..." Cherry rolled her eyes so dramatically they might as well have touched the ceiling.

"I knew it. Heels like that aren't for people like you. Your husband was throwing money around, and you didn't even stop him. Those heels probably cost you two half a year's savings, didn't they? You—"

Cherry suddenly stopped mid-sentence. Her gaze locked on the other bag in Jillian's hand, and her eyes widened in disbelief.

How could this be possible? First, Jillian got designer heels, and now a limited-edition handbag?

Even if Jillian won the lottery, she wouldn't have been able to splurge like this!

"Sorry to disappoint you," Jillian said with a calm smile. "I didn't return the heels today. Instead, I gained a bag. And as for my husband's and my financial situation? You don't need to worry about it. We're capable of working, earning, and spending as we please."

She paused, then added with a sly smile, "As for you... Should I be congratulating you?"

"W-What are you talking about?"

"Looks like you finally found a job where you can stand on your own two feet. No more kneeling behind the counter at this store, right?"

"You—" Cherry's face turned red with fury. However, her hands were occupied holding the box, leaving her unable to lash out. All she could do was stomp her foot angrily.

"Haven't you finished your paperwork yet? Do I really need to wait for you?" An impatient voice called from down the corridor.

Cherry instantly perked up as if she'd found her savior. She smirked at Jillian before turning to the sound of approaching high heels, her demeanor changing in an instant.

"Maddie! You've got to stand up for me! Your sister is bullying me here. Isn't that like slapping you in the face?"