I left the window open—let the triad boss hear me with other men all night. Morning came. His face darkened. "How many men? Room for one more?" I lay surrounded, coldly refusing. "Don’t you love your ‘little sister’?" He stood bloodshot, frozen. I’d fought ten years to build his empire. Yet he chose some college girl over me. His men protested: "Valerie carved this territory with you. Why marry another?" Caleb crushed his cigarette, thumbing the matching ring he wore with Helen. "Valerie? A bloodstained blade. Sleeping with her disgusts me." "What if she turns on you?" "This city is mine. Losing her means nothing." Outside the door, I listened. Dumped the medical supplies I’d brought him. Texted his enemy: "Caleb’s empire—and his life. Yours for the taking." 1 I was trying to arrange for a speedboat to get off the island when Caleb found me. “A big shipment is arriving the day after tomorrow. I need you to personally oversee the reception. And clear out your house. I have a use for it.” His voice was a low, serious command, but I just found it laughable. To marry Helen, he was willing to throw my life away. Even with Edman closing in, he wanted me to risk my neck to bring his little flower to the island. He really was a fool for love. A use for my house? What else could it be but a place for Helen to live? I gave a cold, “Okay.” My flat reaction seemed to displease him. He frowned. “What’s with the attitude now? The only reason I haven’t made our relationship public is because things are unstable. Edman is watching my every move. I can’t let the men get complacent because of one woman.” “Your most important job right now is to help me break Edman’s siege.” Caleb always had a way of twisting things, of making me feel small. I used to think it was his way of protecting me, so I fought even harder for him. Now, it just sounded ridiculous. I placed the boat requisition form in front of him, my voice flat. “I don’t have an attitude. I’m used to it.” He sensed something was off. A flicker of annoyance crossed his face, and his signature was so sharp it tore through the paper. “Valerie! What’s with the long face? I’m just asking for your house. Everything on this island is mine. Your life is mine. You think I can’t tell you what to do?” He threw the paper in my face. “And in the future, don’t bother me with trivial things like island procurement. I don’t have time for you.” I knew he had misunderstood, but I didn’t explain. I just gave a perfunctory nod and walked out. Seeing the speedboat requisition in my hand, I smiled, a genuine, relaxed smile. I had been with Caleb for ten years, fighting for his territory. We were childhood sweethearts, comrades who would die for each other, and even the most intimate of lovers. I had always dreamed of marrying him. He had hinted at it too, saying that once he had the whole city in his hands, he would give me what I wanted. But now I realized it was all just my own wishful thinking, a lie woven from his manipulation of my feelings. And now he was marrying someone else. That night, a team of heavily armed mercenaries escorted Helen to the island. She was a vision in a white dress, but her innocent eyes were filled with a smug, triumphant gleam. “You’ve worked so hard for Caleb for over a decade, sister. You’ve earned your rest.” “I’ll make sure he promotes you, and I’ll even send you a few male models. A woman’s personal life is important, after all.” “Unlike Caleb… he can’t wait a single moment. He’s marrying me tomorrow. Oh, it’s just…” I tightened my grip on my gun, barely restraining the urge to put a bullet in her. “Let’s go.” I gave her a cold glance and started to walk away. But Helen blocked my path, pulling a diary from her bag. “These are all the sweet nothings Caleb wrote to me over the years when he was thinking of me. It’s too heavy to carry. Would you mind throwing it away for me, sister?” With that, she swished her skirt and walked away. I stood there, the cold wind whipping off the rocks, and with trembling hands, I opened the diary. April 12, 2024. The day I fought my way through an ambush to save him. He had written, “Helen, if I make it out of this alive, I’ll marry you.” August 5, 2023. The day I heard he had been ambushed by Edman during a business trip. I had charged into the enemy camp with two machetes to rescue him. He had written, “Darling, you smelled so sweet today.” January 24, 2021. The day he was arrested, and I was about to take the fall for him. He had written, “If it were you, Helen, I would never let you suffer like this.” Every word in the diary was a knife to the heart, a slow, agonizing evisceration. How many times had I begged Caleb to marry me? He would always kiss my forehead and say, “Valerie, wait for me.” “I have too many enemies. I’m afraid I haven’t cleared the way for you yet. When I have the whole city, I’ll marry you, okay?” But my pleas were always met with empty promises. Finally, a message came back from the other side. Two simple words, but they were a final, definitive blow, a point of no return. “Deal.” I tapped the screen, a desperate need to confirm one more thing. I asked, “On August 5, 2023, you were the one who ambushed Caleb, right?” The reply was instant, each word a drop of blood. “I was framed!” “No way. So you’re the one who chased me for nine blocks with two machetes over that? It wasn’t me!” I laughed at myself, a bitter, hollow sound. So, in Caleb’s eyes, I was just a clown, a toy to be played with. If that was the case, why should I stick around for their amusement? I finalized the details with Edman and started back. But then I heard Caleb talking to his men by the yacht. “Boss, the bride’s dress has arrived. It’s the ten-billion-dollar gown from the royal auction, just like you requested.” “We’re just worried about Valerie. If she makes a scene and exposes our location, we could all be wiped out.” Caleb was unconcerned. “I love Helen, and she will be my only wife. Tomorrow’s wedding must go off without a hitch. I will not tolerate any accidents.” “Not even from Valerie. I’ll make sure she stays quiet.” “And another thing. Keep your men’s mouths shut. If anyone leaks a single word, I’ll feed him to the sharks.” Even though I had already decided to leave, hearing the man who had once loved me so fiercely lie and belittle me like this still sent a sharp, stabbing pain through my heart. Back in my room, I packed my things. Besides my ID, I looked around at the arsenal of weapons and realized Caleb had never given me anything else. He only ever threw weapons at me, telling me to protect him. I had asked for dresses and jewelry before, but he had just scoffed. “Valerie, even in a dress and necklace, you don’t look like a woman. Don’t waste them.” But Helen’s luggage contained a truckload of jewels and beautiful dresses. Why could she wear them, but not me? I rummaged through my closet and pulled out a red dress from the very back. I put on a pair of high heels and even did my makeup. Just then, Helen burst into my room without knocking. “Valerie, you’ve seen the diary. Caleb’s true love is…” Her words died in her throat. She saw me, transformed, stunningly beautiful, and her jaw dropped. When she recovered, she frowned. “I thought you had some shame. I thought when you knew Caleb didn’t love you, you’d just slink away.” “But you’re actually trying to seduce him? You shameless hussy! I’ll tear you apart!” She lunged at me, trying to scratch my face, but her clumsy attack was easily deflected. I slapped her. “Valerie! You dare hit me? Caleb will make you pay!” she shrieked. I crossed my arms and watched her tantrum. “Thanks for the compliment. I’m definitely prettier than you.” The next second, she dropped to her knees and started slapping herself. “Sister, I’m the worthless one. I shouldn't have married Caleb. As long as you don’t ruin the wedding, you can beat me to death!” I was confused. Suddenly, a foot came flying at me. “Valerie! Did you think my words were just empty threats? You dare bully Helen!” If Caleb’s furious kick had connected, I would have been half-dead. So, what was I to him? A hunting dog? A punching bag to be used and abused after I had served my purpose? I dodged just in time, but my high heel twisted my ankle. I winced, fighting back the pain as I looked at him. Caleb helped Helen to her feet, his cold eyes fixed on me. When he saw my face, his eyes lit up for a moment, but his words were still ice. “Valerie, no matter how beautiful you dress up, you’ll never be half as good as Helen in my eyes.” Helen sobbed, clinging to his arm. “Caleb, it was sister who forced it out of me. I didn’t mean to break my promise. I’m so sorry…” Caleb pulled her into his arms, his voice soft as water. “It’s a small thing. No one blames you.” I laughed bitterly. A moment ago, he was threatening his men with death to keep the wedding a secret. Now that Helen had blurted it out, it was just a “small thing.” She really could do no wrong in his eyes. He doted on her so much. So what was I? A fool? “So you’re really marrying her?” I stared at Caleb, my eyes burning. I desperately wanted to know how he would explain it to me. I thought he would at least be guilty, that he would panic, beg me to let it go, to let them be happy. But Caleb just frowned, unconcerned. “Yes. Tomorrow is the wedding. You can come, but you can’t make a scene. Valerie, don’t force my hand.” In that instant, my last shred of hope for Caleb shattered. It wasn't that the time wasn't right to marry me. It was that the person wasn't right. With Helen, the tight security, the siege, none of it mattered anymore. He could even be so brazen as to benevolently allow me to attend their wedding. How could a person be so cruel? I fought back the tears, my voice a low, pained growl. “Get… out.” But Helen pushed her luck. “Caleb, I don’t know many people here. I was hoping sister could be our bridesmaid, but I’m afraid of offending her…” Seeing his beloved so timid and pleading, Caleb’s heart softened. He ordered me, “Valerie, since you already know we’re getting married, being a bridesmaid is a small thing. You wouldn’t mind, would you?” “I don’t want to see either of you. Get out!” My anger finally exploded. I grabbed a nearby club and chased them out. “Get out!” I slammed the door shut and collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. A single tear of despair escaped my eye. Just then, my phone lit up. It was a message from Edman. I opened it, annoyed, but my face instantly flushed. “The red dress suits you. You look beautiful.” “Take off the heels. Put some medicine on your ankle.” I was surprised he knew about my ankle. But medicine? Just as I was thinking, a drone flew up to my window, carrying a small box. I opened it. Inside was another red dress and a tube of liniment. So he had found Caleb’s stronghold long ago. He just hadn't made a move. I really had chosen the right ally. I had just applied the medicine and was about to get ready for bed when Caleb came back. He lifted me into his arms and gently placed me on the bed. He was holding a bottle of bruise ointment. “Shh, don’t be afraid. I’ll put it on for you.” It seemed to be raining outside. Caleb was soaked, but he carefully dried his hands before gently applying the ointment to my ankle. I was terrified of pain. When I first started fighting with Caleb, even a small scrape would make me cry uncontrollably. Every time I got hurt, Caleb, no matter how bruised he was himself, would stay by my side and let me bite his arm to bear the pain. Those years were hard, but I felt safe. But then, one day, his presence by my bedside disappeared. I had countless near-death experiences after that, countless scars, big and small, and he never gave me a second glance. But now that I wasn't afraid of pain anymore, he was suddenly here to take care of me. A sudden pang of conscience? Caleb’s apologetic voice drifted over. “Valerie, you’ve lost weight. I’ve been neglecting you lately. I’m sorry.” “I didn’t tell you about the wedding because I was afraid you’d overthink it. Helen saved my life, and she was targeted because of me. I have to protect her.” “But don’t worry, I won’t touch her. I only love you. As soon as I deal with Edman, I’ll divorce her and marry you. Okay?” He massaged my ankle, but my eyes were fixed on the wedding ring on his finger. I looked at him, my gaze filled with a desolate sorrow. “Caleb, in all these years, did you ever love me?” He froze for a moment, then knelt beside me, pulling me into his arms, his voice thick with emotion. “Yes. I only love you, Valerie.” Then, he handed me a glass of milk, his eyes full of a soft, lingering affection. “Here, drink some milk. Get some sleep. You can go to the wedding tomorrow if you want. I won’t stop you.” But I could taste it. The milk was drugged. Enough to make me sleep through the entire next day. My throat tightened, and I could barely breathe. He was still lying to me. All for Helen, so she could marry him without a hitch. So this was his way of making me “stay quiet.” I drank all the milk, a single tear rolling down my cheek. My heart was dead. But Caleb smiled, a brilliant, dazzling smile. I closed my eyes under his gentle gaze. He didn't know that after years of fighting for him, I had developed a tolerance to sleeping pills. A short while later, I heard Helen’s soft moans by my ear. “Caleb, you were gone so long, I thought you were staying here tonight.” Caleb kissed her passionately. “Of course not. She’s just a human shield for me. I’m still being watched by Edman. I need to keep her around to use her.” “Edman is wary of her. He won’t make a fatal move against me.” Helen giggled. “Where are your hands going? Naughty~” “Mmm, my favorite…” Caleb’s voice was a low, hoarse growl. The sound of rustling fabric grew louder. They were locked in a passionate kiss. My heart felt like it had been ripped open, a tearing, agonizing pain. With Caleb, I had always been unconditionally submissive. He had never been this doting, this crazed with me. “Valerie, can you take the fall for me?” “Valerie, I’m in a shootout with Edman. I need you.” And I would always agree, even if it cost me my life. Finally, they left. I lay awake the entire night.
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