Chapter 1

Maya Coleman looked at the huge wedding portrait hanging on the wall.

Jason Reid stood in an impeccable suit, looking devastatingly handsome. Meanwhile, Maya stood beside him in a priceless wedding gown, her smile gentle and captivating.

"It's been three years…" she murmured, her fingertips lightly tracing the picture frame. "It's finally coming to an end."

Three years earlier, the marriage alliance between the Reids and Colemans had caused a global sensation. Maya's twin sister, Victoria Coleman, had been the Reids' chosen bride.

But on the eve of the wedding, Victoria had fled, leaving behind only a letter.

"Mom, Dad, I don't want to be bound by an arranged marriage, but I know it's my responsibility. Give me three years to find my freedom. After three years, I'll come back."

To preserve the partnership between the two families, the Coleman couple had no choice but to bring back their other daughter overnight—the one they had sent to the countryside as a child.

Maya, who had grown up in the rural countryside and wasn't even qualified to attend family gatherings, became a stand-in bride, posing as Victoria.

"Jason doesn't love your sister. He loves the scholarship student his family sponsored," Maya's mother, Margaret Bennett, had warned her coldly the night before the wedding.

"Your life won't be easy after you marry him, but all I ask is that you behave and endure these three years in your sister's place."

Maya remembered simply nodding obediently at the time. Of course, she knew who Jason was. He was a regular feature in financial magazines, the most prestigious scion in elite circles, and the object of countless socialites' desires.

She had also heard about his story with Sophia Page.

Sophia was the scholarship student the Reids had sponsored. She had earned her way into prestigious universities through academic merit.

Jason loved her deeply and was willing to defy his family to be with her, but Sophia was proud and principled.

Refusing to accept a relationship that no one approved of, she chose to break up and leave the country. The Reids were overjoyed by her departure, and they immediately arranged a marriage alliance for Jason.

Married life had turned out even harder than Maya had imagined.

Jason's study was filled with photos of Sophia, and he flew to Montclaire every week to see her in secret. Meanwhile, Maya, his own wife, wasn't even allowed into the master bedroom. She could only sleep in the guest room at the end of the hallway.

She was cautious and meticulous, working hard to play Victoria's role perfectly. To avoid jeopardizing the partnership between their families, she spent these three years caring for Jason with almost desperate devotion.

When he worked late, she left the foyer light on all night, waiting for him. When his stomach troubled him, she woke up at 5:00 am every morning to make him herbal broth. When he preferred silence, she made herself the quietest presence in the house.

Gradually, rumors began circulating in their social circle that she was madly in love with him, and Jason's gaze toward her seemed to carry subtle changes.

Sophia's photos disappeared from his study, and the weekly Montclaire trips stopped. He remembered her birthday, came home early when she caught a cold, and even shared intimate moments with her.

Maya almost believed that genuine feelings had bloomed in their marriage.

Then Sophia returned three months ago. And everything went back to how it had been.

Jason's heart was once again filled with Sophia. He began staying out all night, and Sophia's photos returned to the study.

Everyone treated Maya as a joke, mocking her. But she only smiled quietly, neither arguing nor making a scene.

After all, she had never loved Jason.

She had simply stayed by his side for the money and freedom her parents had promised. His love would make her life easier, but if he didn't love her, she didn't mind either.

No one knew that although Maya and Victoria were twins, their fates had been completely different.

Margaret had bled so severely during Maya's birth and nearly died. From that moment on, she looked at Maya with disgust. While their father, Henry Coleman, who doted on his wife, saw Maya as a curse. They had sent her away to live with a nanny, Olivia Goode, in the countryside.

She remembered that winter when she was five. Olivia's heater had stopped working. Maya had shivered from the cold, without even a thick winter coat to keep her warm.

Meanwhile, Victoria was in their warm mansion, wearing expensive wool dresses, treasured and adored by their parents. 18 years of unequal treatment had long since worn away any expectations she had for familial love.

Now, in just one month, she would receive 30 million dollars for playing Victoria for the past three years. She would finally leave this city and live a life on her own terms.

Just as her spirits lifted, her phone suddenly vibrated, displaying an incoming call. It was Jason.

She took a deep breath and answered. "Hello?"

"Bring some feminine products to Midnight Lounge in 20 minutes. Get the overnight kind." Jason's voice was cold as ice.

The call ended abruptly. Maya held her phone, instantly understanding who these were for. Jason remembered Sophia's cycle more clearly than his company's quarterly reports.

Rain poured outside. The drive from the Reid residence to Midnight Lounge would normally take at least 40 minutes. Still, Maya grabbed an umbrella and headed out.

Halfway there, traffic came to a complete standstill. She checked her watch and realized she had 12 minutes left. Gritting her teeth, she opened the car door and ran into the downpour.

Rain soaked her clothes instantly. Her high heels slipped repeatedly on the wet pavement. She stumbled and fell hard into a puddle, her knees burning with pain.

But she didn't have time for that. She picked herself up and kept running, finally reaching the club with one minute to spare.

Laughter erupted from inside the private room just as she was about to knock on the door.

"Jason, seriously? You made your wife drive out in this storm to deliver pads? This place has got to be at least 40 minutes from yours."

"Sophia's in pain," Jason said flatly. "She'll figure it out."

"Well, yeah. Everyone knows how crazy she is about you. Three years of you pining for someone else, and she's never complained once."

Someone else laughed. "But come on, Jason. A gorgeous woman was devoted to you for three years. You're seriously telling me you never felt anything? Not even once?"

The private room suddenly fell quiet.

Maya held her breath.

The pause lasted for several seconds before Jason said, "If it's between Sophia and her, I'll always choose Sophia. No matter what."

Such ruthless words didn't sadden Maya. Instead, she was relieved. She waited for them to finish talking before knocking. When she opened the door, everyone stared at her in shock.

"Holy shit! Right on time!"

"My God, Victoria… Why are you soaked?"

Jason stood up, his brow furrowed. "What happened to you?"

Maya handed over the carefully protected sanitary pads. "You said 20 minutes, didn't you? I was worried you were in a hurry, so I got out of the car and ran."

She didn't mention falling or that her knees were now trembling with pain.

Jason's expression shifted. He suddenly took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around her. "Put this on."

Then he pointed to the products in her hand. "Take that to the ladies' room."

Maya nodded and obediently walked toward the restroom. When she knocked, she heard Sophia's delicate voice from inside. "Who is it?"

"Delivery."

There was silence for a few seconds, then the door opened a crack. Maya handed the items through and turned to leave immediately.

Once she got home, she took a hot shower. The wound on her knee throbbed dully.

As she lay in bed, she felt an indescribable sense of relief when she thought about how she'd soon be completely free.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, her bedroom door was suddenly kicked open with tremendous force. Jason burst in and grabbed her wrist. "Get up!"

Before Maya could react, she was roughly dragged from bed. She stumbled as he pulled her to the staircase. "Jason? What are you—"

Her words were cut short as he violently shoved her. She fell backward, the back of her head slamming hard against the steps as she tumbled down the entire staircase.

Excruciating pain shot through her entire body. She lay at the bottom of the stairs, vision blurring as warm liquid trickled from her forehead.

"Why…" She struggled to prop herself up. "Why are you… doing this to me?"

Jason stood at the top of the stairs, his face obscured by shadow, but his voice was ice-cold. "Did you push Sophia?"

Maya looked up in confusion. "What?"

"Stop pretending!" He descended the stairs step by step. "You've been playing the magnanimous wife all this time, just waiting for today, haven't you?

"Do you have any idea what you've done? Sophia has fractures all over her body. She nearly died after you pushed her off that ledge!"

"I didn't…" Maya shook her head weakly, but the movement aggravated her head injury, causing a wave of dizziness.

Jason crouched and grabbed her chin roughly. "Victoria, did my kindness over the years give you some kind of delusions? Let me make this clear. Our marriage was arranged. There were never any feelings involved."

He leaned close to her ear, saying each word icily, "The love you want from me? I will never, ever give it to you!"

Maya's vision went black from the pain, and she suddenly felt like laughing. It was just that… She had never wanted his love at all.

Chapter 2

Maya was about to speak when Jason grabbed her arm with a cold expression and yanked her to her feet.

"Drop the act." His voice was ice-cold. "Sophia fell from the fifth floor. You just tumbled down from the second. Get up. We're going to the hospital so you can apologize."

He dragged her outside mercilessly, completely ignoring the blood trailing down her forehead and the reopened wound on her knee. Every step sent pain shooting through her body.

Jason shoved her into the car, and she remained silent during the drive. She watched the scenery blur past the window, thinking to herself, "Just hold on a little longer. Soon, I'll be free."

In the hospital room, Sophia lay weakly against the headboard, her face pale and her wrists wrapped in bandages. The moment she saw Maya, she immediately shrank back, her eyes instantly welling with tears.

"Jason…" Her voice trembled. "I… I don't want to see her…"

Jason immediately stepped forward, gently taking her hand. "Don't be scared. I'm here. No one's going to hurt you."

Then he turned to Maya with a cold stare. "What are you standing there for? Apologize."

Maya looked exhausted but strangely calm. She stared directly at Sophia and asked softly, "Ms. Page, when you fell from that ledge, was it really me who pushed you?"

Sophia's lashes fluttered, and tears immediately slid down her face. "If you don't want to apologize, Ms. Coleman, that's fine. I never intended to cause you any trouble."

She sobbed, her voice filled with grievance. "I know Jason has been spending time with me these past few days, so it's natural that you'd be upset.

"But your marriage was just for convenience. He doesn't love you. If we hadn't come from different backgrounds, you never would've had him in the first place."

The more she spoke, the harder she cried, and Jason's expression grew increasingly dark.

"Victoria!" he snapped. "I brought you here to apologize, not to upset Sophia further! Are you going to apologize or not?"

Maya closed her eyes. She knew Sophia was framing her. But she was about to leave soon anyway.

She couldn't let anything jeopardize the partnership between the two families. Otherwise, she wouldn't get the 30 million dollars or her freedom.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "It was my fault."

Then, she turned to leave.

"Stop." Jason's cold voice halted her. "Since you pushed her, you'll stay here and take care of her until she's discharged."

Maya's hands curled slightly, but eventually, she nodded. "Alright."

For the following days, Maya stayed by Sophia's side in the hospital room without leaving. Jason practically moved into the hospital as well, abandoning all company affairs to care for Sophia. He fed her soup, wiped her hands, and put her to bed every night.

Things he had never done for Maya.

However, Maya never felt jealous. She simply sat quietly nearby, taking care of Sophia with a calm expression. It was as if none of it concerned her.

The nurses gossiped among themselves.

"My God, I've never seen a wife this generous!"

"You don't get it. This is the ultimate form of love," another nurse said with a sigh. "She loves Mr. Reid so much that she's even willing to take care of the woman he loves, just hoping he'll spare her a glance. It's really heartbreaking."

Jason happened to overhear their conversation as he walked by. He paused, his gaze unconsciously falling on the slender figure in the hospital room.

Maya was bent over, carefully peeling an apple, her profile quiet and gentle. Something stirred uneasily in his chest.

On the day of Sophia's discharge, Jason told Maya, "I'm taking Sophia on a trip for the next few days. Don't contact me unless it's urgent."

Maya simply nodded. "Okay."

She watched him leave with his arm around Sophia and felt a strange sense of relief. Finally, she wouldn't have to face them anymore.

Back home, she began packing her belongings, preparing for her departure.

A few days later, she came across Sophia's social media posts. Jason had taken her to Maldoria, bid on items at an auction for her, and spent a fortune on jewelry she liked.

Maya glanced at it once and calmly scrolled past.

She didn't care. She never had.

Chapter 3

A week later, the Reid family's monthly dinner arrived as scheduled. With Jason absent, Maya had to attend alone.

The moment Jason's mother, Anna Wales, saw her, her expression darkened. "Where's Jason?"

Maya lowered her gaze. "He's busy. He couldn't make it."

Anna scoffed. She was about to speak when the butler hurried over, handing her an entertainment magazine. The headline featured a photo of Jason and Sophia kissing on a yacht.

Anna slammed her spoon against the table, her fury erupting. "Victoria! Come to the study with me!"

Once in the study, Anna commanded sharply, "Kneel!"

Maya silently dropped to her knees.

"You're useless! You can't even keep your husband in line!" Anna shouted, trembling with rage. "I'm giving you two choices. Either call him back immediately, or face the consequences!"

Maya's lashes trembled slightly. She knew that even if she called, Jason wouldn't return. And she couldn't disturb him during his time with Sophia. If he got angry, it could jeopardize the partnership between their families.

"I'll face the consequences," she said quietly.

Anna's face twisted with fury. "What did you just say?"

"I'll face the consequences." Maya raised her head, her gaze steady. "Do whatever you want."

Anna's face turned ashen with rage. She grabbed the riding crop from the wall and lashed it across Maya's back.

"Will you call him now?" she demanded after each lashing. "Will you call him?"

Maya bit her lip hard, her back burning with pain, but she continued shaking her head. Finally, the agony made her vision go black, and she passed out.

When she came to, she was lying face down on a hospital bed, her back wrapped in bandages. Jason sat beside her bed, his brow furrowed deeply.

"Why didn't you call me when my mother was punishing you?" he asked coldly.

Maya smiled weakly. "I didn't want to interrupt your time with Ms. Page."

Jason froze. He stared at her pale face, suddenly remembering what the nurse had said.

"She loves Mr. Reid so much that she's even willing to take care of the woman he loves…"

Did she really love him that much? Enough to endure punishment rather than disturb him?

That strange feeling in his chest grew heavier.

Over the next few days, Jason unexpectedly stayed at the hospital to take care of her. Maya told him it wasn't necessary, but he didn't leave anyway.

However, on the day of her discharge, Jason received an urgent call about a company emergency requiring his immediate attention.

"Go home by yourself."

That was all he said before turning to leave.

Maya nodded and slowly walked out of the hospital. Just as she stepped down from the entrance, she accidentally bumped into someone.

"Watch where you're going!" the woman snapped. "Do you know how expensive this outfit is? God, look at what you're wearing! Can you even afford to pay for mine?"

Maya was about to apologize when a cold, sharp voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Get lost."

Jason had somehow gotten out of his car, and he threw a stack of cash in the woman's face. "Is that enough?"

The woman was about to argue, but seeing Jason's expensive attire and intimidating presence, she quickly retreated.

Jason glanced at Maya coldly. "Victoria, don't the Colemans and Reids provide for you? Why do you look like this?"

Maya remained silent. The Colemans had never given her money, and while the Reids had provided credit cards, she never used them since she wasn't the real Mrs. Reid.

Seeing her stay silent, Jason felt inexplicably irritated. He then dragged her to the car. "We're going shopping."

At the mall, Jason picked out several designer outfits for her, each worth a small fortune. Maya quietly went along, like an emotionless doll.

But just as they were leaving the mall, a trembling voice called out. "Jason?"

Maya looked up to see Sophia standing not far away, still wearing her part-time server's uniform. Her eyes were red as she stared at them in disbelief.

"Didn't you say you were in a company meeting?"

"Sophia…" Jason's expression shifted.

"You don't have to love me…" Tears streamed down Sophia's face. "But how could you lie to me? I never should've come back. I'm just getting in the way of your marriage."

With that, she turned and ran.

"Sophia!" Jason shouted and immediately chased after her.

Maya stood there, watching his retreating figure with complete calm.

But in the next second, a thunderous sound echoed through the mall. Glass from high above suddenly shattered, falling directly onto Sophia.

She didn't even make a sound before collapsing in a pool of blood.

Chapter 4

Jason's expression changed drastically. He rushed forward, scooped up the unconscious Sophia, and ran toward the hospital without looking back.

Maya stood there, her fingers curling slightly, but eventually followed.

Under the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor, the operating room remained illuminated. Jason stood outside the doors, Sophia's blood still staining his suit. His usually composed face showed rare signs of anxiety.

Maya sat quietly nearby, saying nothing.

Suddenly, the operating room doors burst open, and a doctor rushed out.

"We have an emergency! The patient is hemorrhaging and needs an immediate transfusion. But she has O-negative blood, and our supply is critically low!"

Jason's brow furrowed. He was about to speak, but Maya had already stood up. "I'm O-negative. I can donate to her."

Jason whipped around to look at her, shock flashing in his eyes. Maya met his gaze calmly. "Saving her life comes first."

She followed the nurse for the blood draw. As a pint of blood slowly drained from her body, her face grew increasingly pale, but her expression remained serene.

Jason stood nearby, staring at the needle in her slender arm. That strange feeling in his chest was growing stronger. Just how much did she care for him?

After the donation, Maya pressed gauze to her arm and walked out to find Jason still standing motionless outside the operating room. She hesitated, then approached him softly.

"Don't worry. She'll be fine."

Jason looked up at her, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Why haven't you left yet?"

Maya shook her head. "Ms. Page had the wrong idea about us. When she wakes up, I need to clear things up with her."

Jason stared at her pale face and suddenly asked, "Do you really care about me that much?"

Maya froze. Just as she was about to respond, the operating room doors opened and the doctor emerged.

"The surgery was successful. The patient will wake up once the anesthesia wears off."

Jason's tense shoulders finally relaxed. Maya quietly stepped aside, saying nothing more.

…

A few hours later, Sophia woke up. The moment she opened her eyes and saw Maya standing by her bed, her eyes immediately welled with tears.

"Jason, did you bring her here so I'd give up on you?"

Maya quickly stepped forward, explaining softly, "Ms. Page, you've misunderstood. Jason really did have a meeting that day. He only took me shopping because it was convenient. It wasn't a date. He didn't lie to you."

Jason nodded as well. "This is just an arranged marriage. There are no feelings involved."

Sophia bit her lip as tears fell. "Then prove it. Prove you don't have any feelings for her whatsoever."

Jason frowned. "What do you want me to prove?"

Sophia thought for a moment, then suddenly pointed toward the window. "Throw her into the icy lake."

Jason's expression shifted. "Sophia…"

"You're hesitating?" Sophia's voice trembled. "You do have feelings for her!"

Jason remained silent for several seconds before sighing and gesturing to his bodyguards. "Throw her in the lake."

Maya's pupils contracted. She knew Jason would do anything for Sophia, but she hadn't expected him to be this ruthless.

But she couldn't resist. She had to endure it.

The bodyguards dragged her outside while Jason remained motionless, his expression unreadable.

The lake's water was freezing. The moment Maya was pushed in, she nearly suffocated. Freezing water flooded her nose, numbing her limbs.

She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay afloat, but her body still sank. The bodyguards on the shore watched indifferently. Not one extended a hand to help.

Maya's consciousness gradually faded. In that moment, she seemed to see herself as a child, abandoned by her parents in the countryside. She was shivering in winter without warm clothes, curled up in Olivia's woodshed.

Her entire life, she had never truly mattered to anyone.

After what felt like an eternity, Maya was finally pulled from the water. Her body was ice-cold, her lips blue, and she had lost consciousness.

In her haze, she felt someone wiping her body with warm towels, the movements surprisingly gentle. She instinctively grasped that hand, murmuring, "Just hold on a little longer… I can leave soon…"

The next moment, that hand gripped hers tightly, with enough force to almost crush her bones.

"What do you mean leave?" Jason's voice was icy.

Chapter 5

Maya opened her eyes in pain to find herself back at the Reid residence. Jason sat beside her bed, his gaze dark as he stared at her. "What did you mean by 'leaving'?"

Maya's heart missed a beat. She played dumb, her voice hoarse as she said, "Leaving? I must have been delirious from the fever and was talking nonsense…"

Jason studied her for a long moment, seemingly convinced, and released his grip. "Why didn't you mention you were on your period? You were even in that lake for so long."

Maya smiled weakly. "If throwing me in would make her forgive you, I'd rather not say anything."

Jason's expression grew complicated, and he asked again, "Do you really care about me this much?"

Maya lowered her eyes. She didn't care about him. She was just maintaining the relationship for the sake of their families. Once Victoria returned, she could disappear forever.

The door swung open, and Sophia walked in. "Jason, when are we leaving for the fishing trip?"

Seeing Maya awake, she feigned surprise. "Ms. Coleman, are you feeling better?"

Without waiting for Maya's answer, she continued with a smile, "I was just angry when I made Jason throw you into the icy lake. I never thought he'd actually do it. I'm so sorry.

"I heard you even donated blood for me? Why don't you join us on the fishing trip? Consider it my way of making amends."

Maya was about to refuse, but Sophia had already grabbed her hand affectionately. "Don't say no! I already discussed this with Jason."

Jason glanced at her, signaling her not to spoil the mood. Maya could only nod in the end.

…

On the luxury yacht, the sea breeze carried a hint of salt. Sophia stayed glued to Jason's side the entire time, giggling as she asked him to feed her fruit, apply sunscreen, and even playfully demanded he carry her to see the ocean view.

Maya stood on the deck, quietly watching the horizon, as if none of it concerned her. It wasn't until Jason stepped away to take a phone call that Sophia suddenly approached her.

"Sometimes, I really don't understand you," she said.

Maya turned to look at her.

Sophia narrowed her eyes. "Everyone in our circle says you're crazy about Jason, that you'd do anything for him. But isn't love supposed to be possessive?

"I framed you, made you apologize, but you showed no emotion. He threw you into that icy lake, yet you didn't react. Even now, watching him and me being intimate, and still… nothing."

She leaned closer to Maya, lowering her voice. "Do you even like him?"

Maya's lips curved slightly. Sophia was right. She truly didn't like Jason.

Before she could say anything, a massive wave suddenly crashed over them. They lost their footing and were swept into the sea.

The freezing seawater swallowed them instantly. The yacht's metal edge slashed long wounds across their arms, and blood immediately spread through the water.

"Someone's overboard! Help them! Quick!"

The deck erupted into chaos. Rescue divers immediately jumped in, but quickly resurfaced with grim expressions.

"Mr. Reid, their blood will attract sharks fast! And they fell in opposite directions. For safety, we can only save one first!"

Jason's face went ashen as his gaze frantically searched the ocean surface. On one side, Sophia struggled desperately. On the other, Maya was being pushed farther away by the waves.

"Save Sophia first!" He practically roared the words.

When Maya heard this, she had already swallowed several mouthfuls of seawater. She watched the rescuer swim toward Sophia, watched Jason's anxious face, and smiled bitterly before slowly closing her eyes.

She should have known all along. In his heart, she would always be the one who could be abandoned.

Seawater flooded her lungs as her consciousness gradually faded. In her delirium, she saw a dark shadow rapidly approaching.

A shark!

Sharp pain shot through her leg. Her final memory was of the brilliant blue water being stained red with blood, bit by bit.