Three years after overcoming my depression, I applied to join a suicide prevention organization. On the day my internship was about to end, I received a call from a man: "Ma'am, I'm getting married tomorrow. But when I think about marrying a woman I don't love, I don't want to live anymore." I froze. My wedding was tomorrow too. But I was lucky—my fiancé loved me deeply. Just as I was about to comfort him, I heard urgent gasping and a woman's scream from the other end. The call was abruptly disconnected. My heart tightened. My colleague and I quickly located his position and rushed to the rescue. But when we broke down the presidential suite door at the hotel, what greeted us were two bodies entangled in intense intimacy. The scar on the man's arm was identical to the one my boyfriend got when he grabbed the knife to stop me from self-harming. The commotion of breaking down the door startled the two people inside. When they turned around, the last shred of hope in my heart completely shattered. One was my fiancé who treasured me like a precious gem. The other was my closest friend. But at this moment, they were naked, tightly pressed together. My brain buzzed. Pearson quickly pulled the blanket over himself and Ivy, coldly saying, "Get out!" My supervisor and colleagues never expected that after racing here at breakneck speed, our rescue mission would turn into catching adultery. My supervisor apologized frantically, then dragged me outside and gave me a harsh scolding. "Zoe Harper, what the hell are you doing? That's Mr. Pearson! Our organization's biggest sponsor! Your A-level suicide risk assessment—it was just Mr. Pearson being intimate with his lover? I think you've lost your mind chasing success! Don't even think about passing your probation!" The chance at permanent employment I'd hoped for over three whole months shattered into nothing. But when did my fiancé become the esteemed Mr. Pearson? Back when I finally got into college, my stepfather forced me to marry. In my despair, I was ready to end it all. But I was unexpectedly saved by Pearson, who was drowning in debt at the time. Later, I met Ivy, who was just as poor. The three of us supported each other, squeezed into a tiny rental apartment. Though our days were tight, we were happy enough. But I never knew that the boyfriend who worked day and night delivering food to scrape together money for my antidepressants was actually the CEO of Pearson Group. The best friend who ate bread for a whole month just to buy me a luxury sleep aid was actually my boyfriend's fiancée. Seeing my disbelief, my supervisor waved dismissively. "You don't know Mr. Pearson of Pearson Group? You don't know the heiress of the Ashford family? Their families arranged a business marriage when they were children—they're engaged for real." "Everyone in the circle knows Mr. Pearson always protects his own. You've offended Mr. Pearson and his lover—you can forget about staying in this field. Go pack your things and get lost!" With that, my supervisor stormed off with the team. Two streams of tears suddenly rolled down my face. I covered my face and broke down crying. I don't know how long I cried. Suddenly, someone handed me tissues. Pearson's expression was indifferent. "The floor is cold. Get up. Let's go inside and talk." I'd been crouching too long. When I stood up, I couldn't help stumbling. Pearson naturally reached out to steady me. I pushed his hand away and supported myself against the wall. As soon as I entered the room, the smell of sex made my stomach churn. The familiar contraceptives and lingerie scattered on the floor made my eyes sting. Just this morning, Ivy had pulled me into an adult products store, whispering with a mischievous smile, "Buy this whip—it feels so exciting. And this nightgown, Pearson definitely likes it." "For my bestie's sexual happiness, I'll eat bread for another half month just to get all of these for you. Consider it my wedding gift to you two!" Thinking back carefully, there had been signs all along. I bit my tongue hard until I tasted blood, forcing myself not to lose composure. I took a deep breath, suppressing the sob in my throat. "Mr. Pearson, Miss Ashford, don't you owe me an explanation?" Ivy's flushed face instantly turned pale. She opened her mouth and let out a tearful sound. "Zoe..." Pearson calmly blocked Ivy, frowning at me. "Then I'll tell you straight. I agreed to marry you only to force Ivy to see her own heart and marry me." "Because Ivy wanted to become a psychological counselor, I pretended to be poor with her and played this rescue game with you for three years."
During those dark days, Pearson had countless times snatched sharp objects from my hands, encouraging me to overcome my emotions and move toward a new life. Ivy stayed by my side constantly, eating and sleeping with me, using her gentle voice to untangle all my emotional knots. They healed me, and I loved them too. So when Pearson said he needed money to start a business, I sold my mother's bracelet without a second thought. When Ivy accidentally caused a counseling incident, I took all the blame without hesitation. But now I learned it was just a game the rich played with me. And my role was the clown. Ivy choked out, "Zoe, I know this is hard to accept right now. I can apologize to you." "It's just that we already registered our marriage today. If you can forgive me, I can give you the wedding ceremony! I'll even be your bridesmaid!" Give? I laughed bitterly. "No need. Unlike you two, I find a fake wedding disgusting." Pearson gripped my wrist hard, confused. "Zoe Harper, what exactly do you have to feel wronged about? Ivy and I lowered ourselves to squeeze into that rental eating noodles with you. We acted out love and friendship for you. Didn't you enjoy it yourself?" "Ivy was even afraid your wedding would be embarrassing, so she coaxed me into doing it a few more times before I agreed to the fake ceremony. We're giving you a way out. Don't be ungrateful." I shook off his hand and said word by word, "I don't need fake feelings!" I took off the diamond ring from my finger and threw it at Pearson. I went downstairs to the lobby. Outside the hotel entrance, a large crowd had gathered, noisy and chaotic. "Didn't they say someone was suicidal? Why did the emergency responders leave?" "I heard a female psychologist made a wrong diagnosis. She actually came to catch someone cheating!" "I hate homewreckers the most. When we beat up the mistress, I'll help." Ivy had been chasing after me, but seeing this scene, she stumbled back a few steps. Someone in the crowd immediately said, "I just went upstairs to look. The homewrecker is one of them!" Ivy hid behind Pearson, anxiously refuting, "It's not me. I already registered my marriage with Pearson. Zoe, help me explain." In an instant, everyone's eyes locked onto me. "Isn't that Zoe Harper from the news? The psychological counselor? The news reported she seduced a client who had a wife!" "That's her! During counseling, she even advised my wife to divorce me!" "How can a homewrecker be qualified to counsel others?" The accusations rushing at me made my heart tighten. Seducing a client was the boundary violation Ivy caused during her counseling internship. I was afraid she'd get in trouble, so I took the blame. Counselors rarely give advice, but when Ivy was playing with my phone, she jokingly advised clients seeking help to break up or divorce. Watching the crowd close in, I could only try to buy time waiting for security. "This is all a misunderstanding. Actually, actually..." But Pearson cut me off urgently. "Zoe Harper, you did all these things yourself. Who are you trying to slander? You have depression to begin with. You got married at 18 and ran away. With someone like you, nothing you do would be surprising!" As soon as he spoke, everyone's gaze became both curious and contemptuous. My heart raced and I gasped for air, trembling as I hugged myself. When I used to be too afraid to sleep, Pearson stayed by my bedside with a baseball bat for several nights. When I cried all night because of depression, Pearson held me and patiently told me over and over that it wasn't my fault. What I once thought was light had now become a piercing blade. Pearson's words enraged the crowd. An extreme man raised his mineral water bottle and threw it hard at me, but it missed and flew toward Ivy instead. Ivy grabbed me and used me as a shield. The rough plastic instantly sliced across half my face. Blood flowed with the sharp pain. At the sight of blood, the onlookers screamed in panic. "There's blood! Someone's killing people! Everyone run!" The crowd scattered. In the pushing and shoving, a strong force hit me. I was pushed down the steps. My abdomen slammed hard into a ground pillar. The pain made my vision go dark. I used all my strength to call for help, but when security arrived, they were stopped by Pearson. Watching Pearson and security protect Ivy as they left, I smiled bitterly and closed my eyes, letting my consciousness sink into the abyss.
When I woke up, both Pearson and Ivy were by my bedside. The side of my face was wrapped in gauze, and my abdomen ached with a dull pain. Pearson trembled as he held my hand, saying softly, "I'm sorry, Zoe. The doctor said your ovaries were damaged. You'll never be able to have children of your own." Pearson's words hit me like a blow to the head. I opened my mouth but didn't even have the strength to speak. Ivy's eyes were red as she hesitated. "It's all my fault for being afraid of blood. Pearson made a big deal out of it and insisted I get in the ambulance first. The doctor said if you'd come earlier, there would have been hope." Pearson disagreed. "You're pregnant. It's right to be careful." Ivy comforted me. "Zoe, you don't need to be too sad. The doctor said I'm pregnant. I'll let you be my baby's godmother, okay? Since you can never get pregnant again anyway, you can just come back to the villa with us and help me take care of—" Before she could finish, I slapped Ivy. Pearson grabbed my hand, furious. "Zoe Harper, are you crazy? Ivy was trying to comfort you, and you hurt her? Apologize to Ivy!" I said coldly, "Impossible." Pearson's grip became even more brutal, but even though the pain nearly crushed my wrist bone, I refused to back down. Pearson threw my hand away and suddenly sneered. "Zoe Harper, you really think I have no way to deal with you? Let's see just how stubborn you can be!" With that, Pearson took Ivy to find a nurse. I recovered from the pain, got up, changed clothes, and went to see my mom. My mom had a bad heart and was receiving long-term treatment at this hospital. Just as I was about to enter her room, someone covered my mouth with brute force and dragged me to the hallway. The person violently slapped me. I was knocked to the ground, followed by fists and feet raining down on me like hail. "Damn it, you little bitch hid pretty well. If it weren't for Mr. Pearson, I wouldn't have been able to catch you two!" "You've made quite a bit off men these years, haven't you? Spit it all out and go back to the village to get married. Try running again and I'll beat you to death!" Hearing my stepfather's curses, I instantly felt like I'd fallen into an ice cave, cold as death itself. I hugged my head and curled up numbly, taking the beating. Tears poured out in large drops. So the person who pulled you from the abyss also knows best how to push you into hell. My mom heard the commotion and tried to rush over to protect me, but my stepfather kicked her away. She had an acute attack. My stepfather tried to go after her again, but I desperately held onto his legs, refusing to let go no matter how much it hurt. Seeing Pearson watching coldly from the crowd, I finally broke down. "I was wrong. I'm sorry. Please, let my mom and me go!" Pearson waved his hand, and my stepfather was taken away. He sighed and helped me up. "Wouldn't it have been better to apologize earlier? Why make yourself so miserable?" "You hurt Ivy's feelings. Tomorrow's wedding will be mine and Ivy's now. Be a good bridesmaid and make amends." "Remember to hide your wounds. Don't scare her. I'll cover all the medical expenses for you and your mom." I clenched my fists but weakly nodded.
The next day at the wedding, the ceremony and banquet were countless times grander than what I'd originally planned. Ivy wore the wedding dress Pearson and I had designed together. I held up her train under the strange looks of the guests. Ivy was pregnant, so Pearson had me down glass after glass of champagne in her place. Behind me, people gossiped. "Wasn't Zoe Harper supposed to be the bride? How did she become the one holding the train?" "Getting cheated on and still being this pathetic—was Zoe Harper a turtle in her past life?" "If I had a friend like this, I'd die of shame. I should've said I was Ivy's friend instead." Pearson pulled me aside and handed me a box of stomach medicine. "Why didn't you tell me your stomach problem flared up? Ivy's being naughty, but you don't need to indulge her tantrums. Take the medicine. I don't have time to make you soup today." I ignored him. Pearson laughed coldly and threw the pills in the trash. Ivy glanced at me and pulled Pearson onto the stage. Just as they were about to exchange vows, Ivy suddenly said while holding the bouquet, "That lady down there is my best friend, Zoe Harper." "Zoe is very pitiful. Her father died when she was young. Her stepfather sexually abused and beat her for years, forcing her to marry at 18. She even developed depression because of it..." My past wounds were ripped open bloodily. My body went numb with cold. Everyone's gaze made me feel like I was being stripped naked and mounted on an operating table with nowhere to hide. Ivy's voice lifted. "On this happy day, I hope my best friend can get married with me." "All of Zoe's friends and family are here anyway. So whoever catches my bouquet, I'll marry Zoe to him right now!" Hearing this, quite a few lewd men in the crowd whistled and jeered. Before I could refuse, Ivy had already thrown the bouquet to a middle-aged man in his forties. The man grinned, showing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "Well, I was just worrying about finding a woman to give me children. Marry me and I'll definitely spoil you rotten!" Ivy's bridesmaids forcibly dragged me onto the stage. The man groped my waist with a lecherous smile. I looked pleadingly at Pearson. Pearson frowned, about to help me, but Ivy cut in. "Pearson, I just want to get married at the same time as my best friend. If she doesn't get married, then I won't either! It's fake anyway. Just satisfy this one little wish of mine." Pearson said helplessly, "A wedding is once in a lifetime. Since Ivy likes it, Zoe, just cooperate." My heart died. I took vows, exchanged rings, and was forced to kiss a strange man in front of everyone. Ivy waved her phone. "Zoe, marriage is a big deal that needs parental consent. I already sent this video to your mom!" I lunged to grab her phone, but it was too late. The phone rang like a death knell. "Ms. Harper, your mother had a sudden cardiac episode and died despite resuscitation efforts." Hearing this, my internal organs felt like they were being crushed by an invisible hand. The pain nearly suffocated me. I tried to rush at them like a madwoman for revenge, but Pearson grabbed me and said in a low voice, "This is my and Ivy's wedding. Stop making a scene. Whatever it is, I'll compensate you after the banquet ends." Then, like throwing out trash, he tossed me to a man. "Take her away and watch her!" The man chuckled and dragged me outside. I laughed through my tears. "I'd rather have never been saved by you. This life—I'm giving it back to you now." With that, I broke free from the man and, under everyone's shocked gaze, climbed out the window and jumped.
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