The year Ethan broke his leg, I disappeared. But he didn't know that for five years, I was trafficked and violated while trying to raise money for his wheelchair. His "perfect girl," Sophia, framed me for prostitution and got me thrown in jail for two years. After I got out, I cried and begged Ethan to listen to my explanation. He just coldly crushed my life-saving pills under his foot. "Chloe, your sob stories are pathetic." But he didn't know those were my last two pills. So, on the day of his wedding, I died in the apartment we used to share. 1 "Renowned dancer Ethan set to marry dance partner Sophia. Ethan has won consecutive global championships in the past two years, becoming the youngest dance..." I was taking shelter from the snow in a convenience store. Hearing Ethan's name made me freeze. Then, hearing "wedding," I whipped my head around to look at the clerk. The clerk was watching news on his phone. I snatched his phone, my eyes glued to the screen. "Are you nuts? Give me back my phone! This is a new model, can you even afford to replace it?!" The clerk's angry voice buzzed in my ear, but I couldn't hear him. I just kept staring at the news headline. "Oh, so you're stealing phones now, huh? Tank, come here and deal with her!" The phone was suddenly ripped from my grasp, and the guy called Tank roughly shoved me out of the convenience store. "Is this woman crazy? She just grabbed my phone and wouldn't let go!" I coughed a couple of times, struggling to my feet. The snow was so cold, it made my heart ache. Ethan was going to marry my enemy... I couldn't believe that in the five years I was gone, he had fallen in love with the woman who had ruined my life. I knelt in the snow, a terrifying cold seeping into my heart. My hands trembled uncontrollably as I tried to stand. But my weak legs gave out, and I stumbled. The clerk and Tank came out. Just as they were about to rough me up, a sweet voice called out. "Ethan, is that Chloe?" 2. Hearing that voice, my mind instantly flashed back to the darkness of five years ago, the despair of two years ago. Five years ago, Sophia tricked me into going to a shady agency. She told me she knew the owner there. That they could get the best and cheapest wheelchair for Ethan. I was broke back then, so I believed her. But she tricked me and had me taken to a remote place in the mountains. I was trapped there for three years. Three years later, the police found the place. I thought I was finally free, but then I heard Sophia accusing me of voluntarily prostituting myself. I spent another two years in jail. Enduring the pain of my illness flaring up, I went to see Sophia. She was affectionately clinging to Ethan's arm. Ethan was standing. His leg was healed. I got up, wanting to hug him, but was met with his cold, indifferent gaze. "Chloe, have you really stooped this low?" "You look disgusting." I froze, staring at him, dumbfounded. "Ethan, I'm back. Do you know these past five..." Before I could finish, Sophia interrupted me. "Chloe, honey, I shouldn't have told you back then that Ethan's leg wouldn't heal. Otherwise, you wouldn't have gone abroad." Abroad? What abroad? I rushed forward to grab Ethan. "Ethan, I didn't go abroad! I... I was trafficked by Sophia!" I glared at Sophia, but she remained perfectly composed. Ethan touched my hand, and for a moment, I thought he believed me. But then he yanked his hand away. His voice was so cold it made me shiver. "Chloe, are you really capable of making up such vicious lies now?" 3. "I didn't... I really was trafficked by Sophia, Ethan!" "Trafficked, or were you doing that kind of thing overseas?" I stared at him, stunned. He thought I'd been selling myself abroad. Ethan's eyes were as cold as a stranger's. I unconsciously took two steps back. Sophia walked over and put her hand on my arm. "Chloe, honey, I know you had a tough time abroad these past few years, but Ethan hasn't had it easy either. You have no idea what he..." "Sophia, don't waste your breath on her!" Sophia. What an intimate way to call her. The moment Sophia got close, I started to tremble, just like five years ago when she stepped on my hand and said viciously, "Chloe, what do you think Ethan would do if I told him you ran off?" The fear of years of beatings was seared into my bones. I screamed in terror. "Please, let me go... Ah, please, Ethan, save me!" Seeing me like this, Ethan clenched his fists. "Chloe, your sob stories are pathetic." "I don't want to see you ever again." They left, disappearing into the snowy night. And I was abandoned by them in the snow. Trembling, curling up, screaming. Like a madwoman. 4. When I woke up, I saw two pairs of worried, curious eyes looking at me. It was the convenience store clerk and the guy named Tank. Seeing I was awake, they sighed and introduced themselves. "I'm Gus, and this is my younger brother, Tank." "Kiddo, I figured it out. You're a poor soul, aren't ya?" I looked at Gus silently. He patted my shoulder. "You were trafficked, weren't you? You don't look like the type to just abandon someone. Lord knows how you survived." For the first time since getting out of prison, I cried. I sobbed as I explained I didn't have a phone, I just wanted to see the news. And Gus was the first person to believe me. I wailed, wanting to cry out all the grievances of the past years. Gus and Tank kept comforting me. Before I left, they told me to come by and chat whenever I felt like it. I nodded, determined to find a job. I went back to the apartment Ethan and I used to rent. It had been bought now. I knew Ethan would despise this place. He wouldn't want to set foot in it. So I got the key from the old hiding spot and tidied up the apartment. After cleaning, I went looking for work. I went from place to place, trying my luck, but no one wanted me. I used to be Ethan's dance partner. We relied on each other, a win-win. It took so much effort to go from unknown to somewhat famous. Then Ethan unexpectedly injured his leg. I composed myself, trying not to dwell on the past. Seeing the last dance company on my list, I resolutely walked in. During the audition, I specifically performed the dance Ethan and I had done countless times. The judges' eyes showed an admiration that brought back the feeling of those old days. When I finished, the judges praised me one after another, saying I "still had it." "Congratulations, Ms. Chloe..." Suddenly, someone burst in and whispered something to the head judge. 5. I saw his expression gradually turn awkward, then icy. The judge who had initially praised me frowned and said, "Ms. Chloe, due to a stain on your personal character, we cannot offer you a position." I stared blankly as they left one by one, leaving me alone under the spotlight. A stain. One stain had ruined my life. I laughed hysterically. I turned to see Sophia's smug, triumphant smirk and Ethan's expressionless face as he watched. They walked over. "Chloe, honey, I didn't expect your 'stain' to be like this. Maybe I should have a word with them..." "Sophia, you don't need to be so kind. She deserves all of this." I lowered my head, listening to Ethan's piercing words. Every sentence stabbed at my heart. I slowly walked closer to Ethan, looking up at him. "Ethan, why don't you believe me?" He saw my tears but just tightened his grip on Sophia's hand. "How can I believe you, Chloe? Who was by my side for five years? It was Sophia. My Chloe died the day she ran off!" Tears streamed down my face as I tried to explain it wasn't like that, but Ethan had already left... I hate you, Ethan! A little while later, Sophia came back to find me. She held out a business card, her face feigning concern. "Chloe, honey, Ethan felt sorry for you and found you a job. He said this is the last time he'll help you." I looked at Sophia woodenly, as if she were a corpse. She seemed startled and loosened her grip. "Chloe, honey, why are you looking at me like that?" I took the business card, too drained to argue with Sophia. After I left, I could still hear Sophia shouting. "This is the last shred of dignity Ethan is giving you! Find a job and don't come back." 6. I stayed in the apartment for a few days. Looking at the familiar photos, the furniture, but the person who was once so close was no longer the same. Before Grandma died, she tearfully begged Ethan to take good care of me. I only remember him kneeling, kowtowing to my grandma so hard his forehead bled. He swore the most solemn oath to marry me. Only then did Grandma pass away in tears. Looking at that business card, I decided to give it a try. I went to a lounge based on the address on the card. A vague unease settled in my heart. I calmed my racing pulse and walked in. A manager bustled over, clearly busy. He said to me hurriedly, "You're the server Sophia recommended, right? Go, go, hurry up and change into your uniform, then go serve drinks." "Serve drinks?" "Yeah, quick, go." He rushed me, and I had no choice but to change into the server's uniform. But the outfit was strangely revealing. I nervously carried a tray, going from private room to private room delivering drinks. It seemed like an upscale, fancy lounge. The patrons were dressed impeccably. I delivered the drinks and left immediately. In the last private room, I walked in with my head down. I heard several men's flattering voices. "Mr. Hayes, could you see if you can let this young actress off the hook? She really didn't mean it." "I'll apologize to Sophia on her behalf. How about I drink three penalty shots?" Hearing the familiar name "Sophia," I jerked my head up and met Ethan's sharp, discerning eyes. "Server! Pour the drinks!" I flusteredly handed them the drinks, but one of the men grabbed my hand. I was scared and tried to pull away; the bottle suddenly shattered. "You bitch, what good can come from someone serving drinks here!" A sudden slap made my head ring. "Let go." Ethan spoke. He kicked the man away and forcefully pulled me out. He looked at my drink-stained clothes, his expression strained. "Chloe, are you really this cheap?" "What, wasn't doing that stuff abroad enough for you? Now you're back doing it here!" "Did a dog eat your damn dignity?" Tears welled in my eyes, and I shook my head repeatedly. "It's not like that. I just wanted a job." "I have no money. I need treatment..." I saw Ethan's eyes gradually redden. He angrily shook off my hand. "No money? All those years abroad, you must have made tens of thousands each time, right? And now you're talking about no money? You think I'll believe you?" He left again, leaving me there. "Ethan! I'll say it again, I, Chloe, have never lied to you!" He paused for a moment, then walked straight away. Endless pain gnawed at my heart, dense and overwhelming. Please, Ethan, don't go... 7. I went back to the apartment and picked up my last bottle of medication. Those five years had left me with severe depression. The doctor in prison only gave me one bottle of pills. This medicine was to alleviate the pain and impulses when my illness flared up. I looked at the last few pills. Maybe I really was going to die. But I still wanted to live, to see Ethan a little longer. I went to Ethan's dance studio. We used to practice here. Even when we were dirt poor, we never gave up. And now, it had become the place where he and Sophia danced together. I suppressed the pain in my heart, thumping my chest as if that could stop it. After one dance ended, I walked over. He saw me and frowned. "What are you doing here?" "Ethan, I want my grandma's bracelet back." He didn't speak, but I caught sight of the jade bracelet on Sophia's wrist. That... that was what my grandma gave me. How could it be on her hand? My eyes widened in disbelief as I looked at Ethan. He gave it to her, didn't he? I only ever gave the jade bracelet to him. I couldn't control my emotions and rushed forward, grabbing Sophia's hand. "That's my grandma's jade bracelet! Give it back to me, it's mine!" Sophia screamed in fear, "Chloe, honey, you're mistaken! Let go of me, it hurts!" Ethan quickly tried to pull me away. I desperately clawed at Sophia's hand and arm. Bloody scratches appeared. "It's my grandma's! Ethan, how could you give it to her!" I cried, questioning Ethan. He roared at me in a low voice, "Have you had enough, Chloe? Look at what you've become!" He shoved me away and helped Sophia up from the floor. Watching me lose control so calmly. The sudden force made my head throb, and the pain in my heart intensified, making me frantic. My medicine bottle was knocked to the ground by Ethan. "Medicine... give me my medicine!" But Ethan stepped on my medicine bottle, and the pills inside instantly turned to powder. My heart shattered along with them. "Chloe, you're a really great actress, aren't you? Is it fun trying to get sympathy?" My chest was so tight I couldn't breathe, and I coughed incessantly. A thousand voices screamed in my head, "Go die!" I collapsed to my knees, letting out a piercing shriek. And Ethan, holding Sophia, walked away. 8. I dragged my failing body back to the apartment. As soon as I entered, I stumbled and fell to the floor. "Ethan... Ethan, save me." My chest was tight, my heart pounded; I felt like I was being pushed into the ocean, sinking deeper and deeper. "Ethan! It was for you that I was trafficked for five years! Five years! How could you do this to me!" I cried and coughed, spitting up blood before passing out. I slept heavily. A day passed, and I was still on the floor. I had no strength to get up. The suicidal thoughts grew stronger. I fought to control myself. Ethan was still out there. I couldn't die. Just as I firmed my resolve, I suddenly heard a broadcast from outside the window. "Today is the grand wedding of renowned dancer Ethan and Sophia..." The last straw supporting my will broke. I couldn't take it anymore. I dragged my heavy body and reached for the knife on the table. Every cut drew blood, but there was no pain. I only felt relief. On the wedding day of the famous dancer Ethan, I died in the apartment we once shared.
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