Chapter 1

"Mom, Dad, my piece just won an award…"

After returning from a business trip, Phyllis Cole had gone to visit her parents. She froze at the sight before her. Her eyes widened, and her hand clenched the doorknob.

A wedding portrait was placed in the center of the living room, showing the faces of Nathan Frey and Patricia Cole.

Nathan was her husband, and Patricia was her twin sister.

Her parents were standing beside a baby cradle, holding rattles in their hands.

For a moment, her mind went completely blank.

Before she could even process it, Patricia suddenly scooped the baby into her arms, dropped to her knees with a thud, and looked up at her.

"I'm sorry, Phyllis..." Her eyes shimmered with tears, looking the very picture of innocence. "You can't give Nathan a child, but I was born with a fertile body, so—"

Before she could finish, Nathan stepped in, gently helping her up and saying calmly, "Lissy, my parents have always wanted a grandchild. Patricia was kind enough to sacrifice herself to give us one, so you should thank her instead of blaming her."

He pushed up the rimless glasses on his nose and pressed his lips into a thin line. The glare from the incandescent light reflected coldly off the lenses, making him seem distant and arrogant.

Aaron Cole and Sapphire Lawson quickly chimed in, "That's right. If Patricia hadn't been considerate enough to take your place, you'd never have a child in this lifetime. Don't be ungrateful when you're this lucky."

With every word, they pieced together a truth Phyllis had never known before. People always said words could cut deep, and it was only now that she knew just how true that was. Each sentence cut deeper than the last.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but a dull ache began to spread through her chest, like cotton stuffed inside that was impossible to swallow or spit out.

Tears blurred her vision.

She turned her gaze to the man she had loved for so many years. The more she looked, the more bitter the irony became.

Everyone knew she was infertile. Her narrow-minded parents despised her for her disability and had always favored Patricia. Even her classmates used it as an excuse to mock and bully her. Only Nathan had been different.

Among his generation of wealthy heirs, he was the most accomplished, singlehandedly raising his company's value to billions. He was every bit the ideal catch. He'd turned down every blind date his parents set up, brushed off rumors and criticism, and openly chased after her.

She dreamed of sweeping every major photography award, and he invested money, time, and even risked his life to follow her into war zones abroad.

When she was criticized for not being able to have children, he publicly announced they would remain childless and even had a vasectomy, just to give her security. He knew all her old wounds and patiently smoothed down every sharp edge she had.

He once told her, "Heaven thought you were too perfect, so it gave you a flaw. Whether you can have children or not, and whether you're an angel or a sinner, I'll only ever love you."

His love for her was no secret. It was so deep that even she had believed it with all her heart.

People said, "Phyllis is the first woman a wealthy heir ever really fell for."

She had accepted his proposal in a sea of flowers with the whole world watching, believing her happiness would last forever. But reality tore open that beautiful past.

She knew that no matter how much she tried to convince herself, this would always be a thorn lodged in her heart, festering until it rotted.

She let out a cold laugh, and her eyes were sharp with mockery. "Mom, Dad, this is the last time I'll call you that. You've always thought Patricia and Nathan were the real couple. Now that the baby's here, I wish the five of you all the happiness in the world."

With that, she walked out without looking back, ignoring the stunned faces around her.

Nathan frowned and instinctively tried to follow. But just then, Patricia clutched his sleeve with a pale face, crying out in pain.

She bit her lip. "Nathan, my stomach hurts so much. Can you rub it for me?"

He looked from the fading figure at the door to the frail woman before him, and in just a few seconds, he made his choice.

He rested his large hand over her belly with practiced ease, while Aaron and Sapphire rocked the baby to sleep.

...

After leaving her parents' house, Phyllis went straight to the visa office alone.

As part of a routine procedure, the staff asked why she was going abroad.

She sniffed, forcing a confident smile. "The work I shot just won the Pulitzer Prize. The organizers invited me to receive the award overseas in two weeks."

Her words drew murmurs of admiration from those nearby.

She thanked them one by one, submitted all her documents, and headed back to the apartment she shared with Nathan downtown.

While packing for her trip, a marriage certificate slipped out from between some papers.

The moment she saw the details, a wave of pain crashed over her. It was sharp and relentless, like a dull blade cutting into flesh again and again.

It turned out that during her business trip, Nathan had taken Patricia to the Republic of Westmere to get married.

He was now legally married to two women, one in Juville and one abroad.

He had forgotten the promise to love her for a lifetime. And yet, it had only been three years.

She couldn't help but think about how quickly his "forever" had ended.

So be it.

She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Her marriage might be rotting, but her career was climbing toward its peak.

From now on, she would pour herself into her dreams. Everything else no longer mattered.

Chapter 2

The next morning, a lawyer delivered a divorce agreement. "Ms. Cole, the terms are exactly as you requested. Once both parties sign, it'll take effect immediately. Please check if there's anything you want to amend."

Phyllis skimmed a few pages and said flatly, "It's fine. Just leave it as is, Mr. Milton. Your fee will be transferred shortly, so keep an eye out for it."

Luke Milton nodded, about to say something, when Nathan suddenly appeared in the doorway.

"Lissy, who is he?" His sharp gaze carried an oppressive weight, and his voice was laced with a frostiness that made it hard to meet his eyes.

Before he could press further, Luke, who was good at reading the room, quickly grabbed his briefcase and slipped out.

Phyllis didn't answer. She simply stood and headed upstairs, but as she walked past him, her slender wrist was yanked hard.

"Let go! You're hurting me." She frowned in pain, and her stunning eyes were full of nothing but disgust.

Nathan eased his grip slightly, but he then pulled her straight into his arms. "Lissy, are you still mad? Be good, and don't make a fuss, alright?"

His deep voice rumbled above Phyllis' head. His tone was gentle, but it carried a sickening undertone to her.

She'd rather deal with his harsh attitude than see him look at her with the same tender gaze he once had. He was the one who broke his promise, so why was he putting on a show now?

She didn't care to wonder why, didn't care to argue, and had no interest in pouring her heart out in tears.

"Nathan." She shoved him away, stumbling back a few steps. "Don't touch me. You're filthy."

The calm mask on his face cracked instantly. His tone sharpened. "Lissy, didn't I explain the other day? You're the only one I love."

He thought he had already done enough by announcing to the world they'd never have children and standing up to his parents for years.

But between the twin sisters, he found Patricia far more understanding, while Phyllis seemed unreasonable and quick-tempered.

He let out a soft sigh, his patience wearing thin and replaced by irritation. "What do I have to do before you're willing to talk to me properly?"

"I want a div—" Phyllis didn't finish. A phone rang, slicing through the moment.

Nathan glanced at the caller ID, then immediately picked up without hesitation.

"Patricia, what's wrong? Is the baby crying again?" His voice softened instinctively. The joy of new fatherhood was written all over his face.

On the other end, Patricia's pitiful tone traveled over. "Nathan, I heard there's going to be a hurricane later. Can you come stay with me and the baby?"

"Alright. Just wait for me with the baby. Don't be scared. I'll be right there."

As he hung up, a clap of thunder rolled outside. The curtains whipped violently in the wind, and through the window, a tree could be seen split in half.

He barely spared it a glance before saying firmly, "Lissy, I'm going to stay with Patricia and the baby. Lock the doors and windows yourself."

While he spoke, Phyllis' eyes flicked toward the table. She picked up the agreement and held it out.

"You can go to them, but you have to sign this first." She blocked the doorway with a determined expression, though her eyes glistened faintly.

He looked puzzled, about to flip through it, when his phone rang again. The urgent tone shattered his focus. Balancing the call with Patricia and a pen in hand, he scrawled his signature without a glance at the terms.

Seeing that it was done, Phyllis' lips curved into a faint, relieved smile. She even stepped aside to open the door for him. "Go on. Don't keep her waiting."

She watched Nathan drive away, then uncorked a bottle of wine and downed it in one go, treating it as a toast to her freedom.

Running her fingers over his signature, she murmured, "You say it's for the sake of carrying on the family line, but your actions tell me you love Patricia..."

The moment he braved a hurricane to go to Patricia and told Phyllis to lock the doors and windows herself, she'd known that Patricia mattered more to him.

That kind of difference didn't look anything like love.

She laughed bitterly, pressing her palm to her chest as if searching for the ache. But after a long moment, there was nothing. It was as if she were numb.

She wanted to ask him, "Who do you really love when you look at the same face?"

But on second thought, the question didn't matter anymore.

That night, Patricia sent her a message.

"Tomorrow is my second anniversary with Nathan, and it's also the baby's first birthday. The party will be at Briarwood Manor. Phyllis, you have to come."

Her eyes were fixed on the word "second". So she'd been kept in the dark for that long, sharing Nathan with someone else all along.

She had thought letting go would be easy. But when the pain hit, it knocked the wind out of her. Tears fell onto the screen, blurring the text.

She replied with a cold expression, "Fine. I'll be there."

There was no doubt that it hurt. But if Patricia wanted to provoke her, she had no reason not to go. She'd show up and walk away with her pride intact.

Chapter 3

At the reception in Briarwood Manor, Patricia carried the baby while moving through the guests with Nathan, soaking in the flattery and praise everywhere they walked under the shifting lights.

At first, she had put on a show of gentle humility, but she slowly began to grow smug from all the attention.

Nathan's mother, Lily Brown, held her hand with a sigh. "Patricia, you're a great contributor to our family. We should've had Nathan marry you from the start, but that spot was unfortunately taken by someone who couldn't have children."

In the past, whenever Nathan heard something like that, he would speak up to defend Phyllis. He'd even gone so far as to have shouting matches with his parents. But now, he just kept rocking the baby gently, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

His heart had quietly shifted a long time ago.

Someone familiar with the Freys chimed in, "Honestly, Phyllis is blessed. After all, not many people have a good sister like Patricia to help them and share their burdens. That's something to envy."

Hearing that, Patricia put on her usual shy act. "What you're saying is true, but please don't let Phyllis hear this, or she'd be upset..."

As she spoke, she dabbed away imaginary tears, looking like someone who had been treated unfairly but was staying strong.

Nathan immediately pulled her into his arms, saying softly, "Alright. Everyone knows you're a considerate, kind woman. If Phyllis ever bullies you again, you can just tell me."

The implication was clear. Whatever happened, he would take her side, even if it meant standing against his wife.

Phyllis stood not far away, watching it all and hearing every sneer and jab.

As for Nathan's behavior, she'd long stopped caring.

Even if her heart still throbbed painfully, she had no desire to dwell on it.

She'd come here to deliver a gift.

She strolled up slowly. "Ms. Lowe, you just said having a sister like this is my blessing. Well, how about I hand that blessing over to you? Do you want it?"

Cecilia Lowe's face immediately fell, but knowing she'd been caught bad-mouthing someone, she could only force an awkward smile.

"Phyllis, what nonsense are you talking about? Don't you know how to respect your elders?"

Aaron and Sapphire were ready to lecture her, but she simply unfolded a marriage certificate for everyone to see.

"Everyone, today isn't just the baby's first birthday. It's also Patricia and Nathan's wedding anniversary. But they were a bit careless and left their marriage certificate at home, so I brought it here for you all to have a good look..."

The guests crowded around. When they saw the official stamp and the names, a chorus of gasps rang out.

"Didn't Nathan say there was nothing between him and Patricia, and it was only for the sake of having a child? Why did he go all the way abroad to get married to her?"

Another voice cut in, "They must have started having an affair long ago. That 'passing on the family line' story was just a cover."

The murmurs grew louder, and the looks aimed at Nathan and Patricia became more and more disdainful. Some remained silent out of politeness, but deep down, they spat in disgust.

Patricia was the first to crack. She discreetly pinched the baby, and as the baby wailed, she said pitifully, "Phyllis, it was Nathan who wanted to give me a proper title. You already have everything, so why begrudge me this tiny bit I have?"

Her tears flowed nonstop, pushing all blame away from herself.

Her parents and Nathan's parents quickly defended her and called for security to throw Phyllis out.

Nathan went rigid. He took a deep breath, then raised his voice sharply. "Enough! All of you, shut up."

He stepped toward Phyllis and said in disappointment, "Do you have to embarrass Patricia in front of everyone? Is this the outcome you wanted?"

Before Phyllis could reply, the big screen behind them suddenly lit up, playing a dimly lit video.

Patricia appeared disheveled and bloodied, pleading into the camera. "Phyllis, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have liked Nathan. Please, don't hit me anymore. It hurts so much..."

Then came Phyllis' voice. "I can let this slide, but if you ever tell anyone, I'll make sure a dozen guys come after you. Let's see how long you can keep up that innocent act."

The video cut off there, and the crowd's eyes widened in shock, all directed at Phyllis.

Out of sight of the others, Patricia's lips curled in a subtle smile. She thought, "Phyllis, you're not the only one who came with a gift. I brought one for you, too."

It didn't matter whether the video was real or fake. What mattered was that Nathan already believed it was true.

Veins bulged on Nathan's temples, and his eyes looked furious and ready to spit fire. "Someone, come and lock her in the water tank! I want her to know what real pain feels like."

Phyllis thought only a second before realizing she'd been set up. Before she could explain or protest, two bodyguards appeared, grabbing her arms.

Like a rag doll, she was dragged and tossed into the water tank.

When the lid slammed shut over the top, her way out was completely sealed.

She pounded frantically on the sides of the tank, but gradually, water flooded her nose and lungs, choking her. The suffocating sensation spread through her body, and her limbs slowly grew weak and powerless.

In the haze of fading consciousness, she thought she saw Nathan's figure rushing toward her in a panic.

Chapter 4

When Phyllis woke from her coma, the first thing she saw was the hospital ceiling. The smell of disinfectant filled her nose.

Patricia quickly took her hand, putting on a show of generosity. "Phyllis, the doctor said you almost died. Please don't blame Nat. He only did it for me."

The words sounded apologetic, but every syllable was laced with provocation and mockery.

Looking at the face identical to her own, Phyllis felt a wave of absurdity.

It was said that twins had a special connection. Since they were little, they'd shared the same habits and tastes. It was hard to differentiate them unless one went close to them.

Now, they even shared the same husband.

Without a word, Phyllis quietly pulled her hand back and turned her head toward the view outside the window.

A hint of pity flashed in Nathan's eyes as he gently helped Patricia sit up.

Then, he turned to Phyllis with a gloomy expression. "Patricia's understanding enough to apologize to you. Besides, that matter was your fault to begin with. Shouldn't you take responsibility for your past mistakes?"

At that, she let out a short, mocking laugh and met his gaze head-on. "There was only my voice in the video, and you're already sure it's me. Was there no chance that the video could be fake?"

They had been together for so many years, and he didn't have an ounce of trust in her.

What a joke.

Nathan's lips moved, a flicker of guilt crossing his eyes, but in the end, he stayed silent and left the ward with Patricia.

After they left, Phyllis received a call from the visa office.

They told her that because she was the first woman in the country to win a Pulitzer Prize, they had expedited her application. It could be done as early as next week.

Which meant she only had to wait one more week.

One more week, and she could be free of everything about Nathan.

...

Two days later, Phyllis was discharged from the hospital alone. Nathan only sent her a text.

"Patricia says she's never experienced dating before. I'll be taking her out for the next few days. Take care of yourself until I come home."

When she read the message, she almost let out a bitter laugh edged with pain.

When they first got together, Nathan's career was on the rise, but he didn't hesitate to ditch a billion-dollar deal to come home for her birthday.

He had kissed her forehead and said, "I'm not just going to be with you on your birthday—I'm going to take you to do all the things couples do as well, so that you won't have the chance to envy others."

And he had kept that promise. Even as his business grew, he always made time for her. They went shopping and tried out new food together like any ordinary couple.

They had made a vow under the Tree of Love to never change. But now, that vow had rusted away.

Through Patricia's post on social media, Phyllis saw Nathan once again standing under the Tree of Love, but the person beside him was no longer her. Her fingers trembled around her phone. Wave after wave of pain crashed over her until night fell and she finally calmed down.

She took an album from her nightstand and discarded every record of their past into the fireplace until nothing was left. She also smashed the custom-made ring Nathan had flown overseas to get for her. Every item in the house tied to their memories was either thrown out, smashed, or burned.

She could accept betrayal, and she had the courage to face it. She didn't want these once-precious memories anymore.

Before long, the home that had once been warm and full of love was left in ruins, just like her relationship with Nathan.

Three days later, Nathan suddenly sent three bodyguards to her. Without a word, they forcibly took her away.

By the time she realized what was happening, she was standing at the door of an operating room.

A nurse handed her a thick family consent form. "If everything looks fine, please sign here."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Why do I need to sign?" she asked.

One of the bodyguards quickly answered, "Ms. Patricia burned her face during a date. Mr. Frey has decided to have his skin grafted to her. Since you're Mr. Frey's legal wife in Juville, your signature is required."

For a moment, she didn't know whether to laugh at the words "legal wife in Juville", point out that they were already divorced, or marvel at how deeply Nathan cared for Patricia.

In the end, under the bodyguards' urging, she signed her name in the family member section.

Chapter 5

After signing, Phyllis was about to leave when a swarm of reporters who had somehow gotten the news rushed toward her. They shoved microphones in her face, relentlessly throwing sharp questions at her.

"Ms. Cole, your husband is donating his skin to another woman. Aren't you upset or jealous? Or are you just keeping quiet because you don't want to lose money?"

"Are you going to keep living like this? Between you and Patricia, who's the real wife and who's the mistress? And when there's a child, who will they call 'Mom'?"

The lights were blinding. For a moment, Phyllis felt irritated, but she quickly pulled herself together and said calmly, "You should be asking Nathan and Patricia, not me."

The moment she said that, a male reporter sneered.

"If it weren't for Ms. Patricia getting pregnant and giving birth to a child, you'd have been kicked out by the Freys long ago. Don't act all high and mighty in front of the cameras. Behind the scenes, I bet you're begging and flattering Ms. Patricia for her favor."

At that, Phyllis narrowed her eyes and gave a composed smile. She took two deliberate steps closer and elegantly took the microphone.

"By your logic, I should be grateful to the mistress and maybe even fawn over her. But why? Am I automatically worthless just because I don't have a child? If I can't have children, does that mean I should accept my husband's betrayal?"

She wasn't here to explain herself, much less step into the trap of proving her innocence. She wanted to throw the questions back at them to make them think.

The male reporter stiffened, and after a pause, he muttered, "Women have always been expected to have children. A wife who can't have children should count herself lucky to even have a husband. You should be grateful we're giving you the chance to be on camera."

He grew more self-righteous the longer he spoke, spewing insult after insult.

Without a moment's hesitation, Phyllis picked up the microphone and hurled it at him.

While he clutched his face and cried out, she pulled five dollars from her wallet. "Here's your medical fee. That should be enough to buy a tube of super glue to seal your mouth, so you can stop spouting nonsense all day."

Facing the shocked stares around her, she casually smoothed back her loose hair and signaled to a nearby female reporter to start a livestream.

When the livestream started, she smiled faintly. "I know the public is curious about my marriage and the issue of children, and I'm well aware of both the pity and ridicule aimed at me.

"In society, people often say you need a child to carry on the family name or to take care of you when you grow old. But to me, marriage and children aren't everything. I've won numerous awards for my photography, and my career will define my legacy. Everything else is secondary.

"So please, stop speculating about my marriage and focus more on my accomplishments, as well as the achievements of other women, instead of thinking whether or not they can have children."

In the livestream, a ray of sunlight fell across her face, making her shine brightly.

Amid countless admiring glances, she walked out of the hospital with poise. From that day on, she tore off the label of "Mrs. Frey" for good and became a figure of admiration for countless women.

…

Patricia had just come out of surgery, planning to use this moment to flaunt how much Nathan loved her. But when she turned on her phone, she was met with a flood of livestreams about "Phyllis' powerful speech". Her face twisted with rage, and the freshly grafted skin on her right cheek looked uneven.

"I'm the one blessed with fertility. Ever since we were little, aside from grades, what did Phyllis have over me? They should be admiring me. Nathan and everything else should be mine!"

A deranged smile spread across her face as she reached out and knocked the mirror off her bedside table. The glass shattered into pieces. Ignoring the sting in her palm, she picked the sharpest shard and sliced her cheek without hesitation.

Blood streamed down her face as she slipped into the role of the victim, stumbling toward Nathan's ward.

"Nat…" Patricia whimpered pitifully, collapsing by his bed and making sure the cut on her face was visible.

Nathan's handsome features twisted in shock. "Patricia, what happened? Why is there so much blood?"

She wiped at her tears while keeping her head down, too scared to say anything.

After he pressed her repeatedly, she finally stammered, "It was Phyllis. She was jealous that you were willing to donate your skin to me, so she deliberately cut my face.

"She even said in her livestream that I'm a mistress. All those netizens are cursing me now. Nat, what am I supposed to do? I'm so scared…"