Ethan Hunt had a sex addiction. Whatever he wanted in bed, I did it. He wanted me in black stockings. I wore them. He wanted car sex in crowded places. I went along. He always said my body drove him crazy. But even so, he still got himself a mistress. Sabrina. "Vivian Gray is a dead fish in bed. How could she compare to you, baby?" He said Sabrina was wild in bed. That she knew how to please him. I stared at the intimate photos and pregnancy test results Sabrina had sent to my phone. I took a deep breath. I'd prepared the DNA paternity report long ago. I sent it to Ethan's mother and the board of directors. I also sent the recording of that conversation. I smiled and turned off my phone. You bastard. Now it's my turn to play with you. Vivian's POV In everyone else's eyes, Ethan Hunt was the cold, untouchable CEO of Hunt Corporation. Only I knew the truth. He had a sex addiction. Tonight, we went from the dining table to the couch, then to the bedroom. Three straight hours. He almost made me pass out several times. While I was barely conscious, Ethan was completely turned on, pounding into me nonstop. He leaned down, his voice low and rough. "Tired already? We've got a long night ahead." I was so tired I could barely open my eyes. I said nothing. Ethan chuckled softly and kissed my earlobe. "Sleep if you're tired, darling." Just as I was about to fall asleep with my eyes closed, Ethan's phone vibrated. Ethan probably didn't want to wake me, so he walked toward the balcony outside the bedroom. The door wasn't fully closed, and the conversation clearly reached my ears. I could tell it was his good friend and college roommate, Derek Shaw. "Ethan! What the hell is going on between you and Sabrina!" Derek's fury was palpable even through the phone. Ethan replied calmly, "You don't need to worry about this." Hearing Sabrina's name, my drowsiness vanished instantly. Sabrina Moore. The one who bullied Ethan in high school. She'd been expelled long ago. How was she involved with Ethan again? Derek grew even angrier. "I don't care about Sabrina! But how can you hurt Vivian? All these years, if it weren't for her staying by your side, helping you with treatment, could you have the good life you have today?" "Vivian won't know." "Sabrina's already pregnant with your child, and you tell me Vivian won't know!" Derek was practically shouting. My mind went blank. Ethan was silent for a moment. "Once Sabrina has the baby, I'll wait a couple of years. Then I'll tell Vivian the child is from an orphanage. That she's a sweet kid. Vivian's too kind. She'll take her in and love her like her own." "Ethan, don't go too far!" Derek's roar suddenly disappeared. Ethan had hung up. My whole body went cold, my head buzzing. The phone vibrated again. Ethan answered, and a woman's weak voice came through. "Ethan, my stomach hurts. Can you come over?" I recognized that voice. It was Sabrina. Ethan became unusually tense. "Don't be scared. I'm coming right away." He quickly got dressed and left. I opened my eyes as tears silently slid down, soaking the pillow. What just happened left my thoughts in chaos. I just felt like my chest had been hollowed out, the pain making it almost impossible to breathe. I closed my eyes, and memories flooded back like a tide. Ethan was the only son of the wealthy Hunt family in New York, but at three years old, he was kidnapped and sold to a couple. That couple were bad people. They either beat or scolded him, didn't let him eat his fill, and often kicked him out of the house. Ethan developed severe emotional disorder. He couldn't feel pain, couldn't feel love, and had no emotions. In high school, that couple moved near my house, and Ethan and I became schoolmates. At school, Ethan was isolated because of his withdrawn personality and unusual family background. He never spoke to anyone, but Sabrina in our class constantly bullied him. Sabrina put dead mice in his desk, insects in his water bottle, and deliberately pushed him down the stairs. Ethan showed no reaction, so the bullying only got worse. Finally, Sabrina locked him in the sports equipment room. The darkness and confinement triggered Ethan's claustrophobia, and he started self-harming. I happened to pass by and saved him, then reported it to the school. Sabrina was expelled. That couple didn't care about Ethan at all, so I brought him home with me. From then on, my mom and dad raised Ethan like their own son. To cure his emotional disorder, I deliberately majored in psychology in college. I accompanied him through psychological counseling, taught him to recognize emotions, and held his hand when he woke from nightmares to tell him not to be afraid. He couldn't smile, so every day I tried different ways to make him laugh, until he finally managed a smile. To raise money for Ethan's treatment, I attended classes during the day and worked three part-time jobs at night. After seven full years of treatment, Ethan was finally cured. Now, in front of others, Ethan was just a seemingly calm, normal person. Two years ago, the Hunt family found Ethan and brought him home. But Ethan's parents looked down on me from an ordinary family. They refused to let us be together no matter what, forcing Ethan to break up with me. Ethan refused. Ethan's mother finally agreed, saying that as long as I gave birth to a Hunt family child, I could marry Ethan. But Ethan told me, "I don't want children. I'm afraid a child would be like me, unable to feel love or pain." Hearing this, my heart ached so much that tears fell. I actively used contraception. Seeing that I never got pregnant, Ethan's mother's attitude became even worse. Afraid of affecting Ethan's position in the family, I didn't dare tell anyone about his history of emotional disorder. I silently endured his mother's difficulties and kept Ethan's secret. I never felt bitter, never thought of giving up. We'd survived the hardest days. As long as I was with Ethan, I wasn't afraid of anything. But now, I couldn't endure anymore. As daylight gradually brightened, my tears had long since dried up. I sat up in bed, my eyes severely swollen and red. I picked up my phone and dialed Ethan's mother's number. "I'm willing to accept the thirty million you offered and leave Ethan forever!"
Vivian's POV Ethan's mother froze, her voice rising. "What did you say?" I repeated, "I'm willing to accept the thirty million you offered and leave Ethan forever." She couldn't believe it. "Don't try any schemes! You're not good enough for Ethan! You can't bear children. Do you want him to have no heir?" I said coldly, "Don't worry, he won't be without an heir." Someone had already gotten pregnant with his child. Afraid I'd change my mind, she said, "Come over right now. We'll discuss this in person." Half an hour later, the car the Hunt family sent stopped downstairs. I got in the car and was taken to the Hunt family's villa. She had already prepared the agreement. "This money is enough for your family to live on for a lifetime, but after you receive it, you must leave Ethan forever. Don't drag him down anymore, understand?" I lowered my eyes and smiled self-mockingly. "I understand." I would leave Ethan forever. I never wanted to see him again. She pushed the agreement over. I took the pen and, without any hesitation, signed my name at the bottom. She put away the agreement, finally showing a satisfied expression. A notification appeared on my phone: thirty million dollars, not a cent less. I took a deep breath. "I need one more favor from you." She looked at me warily. "What favor?" "I need you to help arrange new identities for me and my parents. We'll leave the country and never return." She was completely reassured. "No problem. I guarantee Ethan won't be able to find you." Leaving the Hunt family villa, I didn't return to the home I shared with Ethan. Instead, I went to my parents' house. Mom was happy to see me. "What brings you here today?" I briefly explained the situation. "Ethan has a mistress. That mistress is even pregnant with his child. There's no future for us. I can only take you abroad with me." Her tears immediately fell. "What?! That scumbag! How dare he treat you like this!" The more she spoke, the angrier she got, raising her hand to wipe her tears. "If it weren't for you back then, he would've been tortured to death by those trash foster parents long ago! Our family exhausted all our resources to send him to school and pay for his treatment, and this is how he repays us?" My dad was silent for a long time before sighing. "We helped him because we pitied him. We don't want his repayment. Since he's changed his heart, then we'll just leave." My tears fell. "Mom, Dad, I'm sorry. Because of me, you have to leave with me..." He patted my shoulder. "As long as we're together, isn't everywhere home?" My eyes reddened, and I nodded forcefully. My mom wiped her tears, crying as she recalled the past. Back then, our family's circumstances were ordinary. My parents were regular people with modest salaries. With an extra person in the household, they simply couldn't afford it. To support Ethan, my parents worked part-time jobs after their regular work. But they never shortchanged Ethan. His food and clothing were no worse than mine, and they paid his college tuition. Yet now, Ethan was hurting me like this. I took my identification documents from home and went to apply for a visa that afternoon. While waiting in line, Ethan called. "Vivian, why aren't you home?" I answered calmly, "I went to my parents' house." Just then, the staff called my name. "Your visa materials have been approved. It will be ready in two weeks." Ethan paused on the other end. "What visa? Where are you?" I made up an excuse. "My parents want to travel abroad. I'm accompanying them to apply for visas." Ethan said, "Then I'll come pick you all up." "No need, we can get back ourselves." I refused directly. That evening, I returned to the home I shared with Ethan. As soon as I entered, Ethan strode forward. He wrapped his arms around my waist. "Why didn't you call me when you came home? I miss them too." I silently thought, You won't need to miss them anymore. I turned my head slightly, avoiding his movement. "You're busy. Next time." Ethan frowned and was about to hug me when my phone rang. It was a message from the high school alumni group. Classmates were discussing in the group that the day after tomorrow was the tenth anniversary of our graduation, and everyone wanted to have a reunion. I'd been student council president and had good relationships with everyone. After going abroad, I might never see these classmates again in my life. I replied in the group: "Sure, I'll definitely be there." Two days later, Ethan and I arrived at the reunion restaurant together. Quite a few people had already arrived in the private room. They were all happy to see us. "Vivian! Ethan! You two have been a couple since high school, when will you invite us to your wedding?" "Exactly! We're all waiting!" Ethan smiled in response. I said nothing. I knew very well that wedding would never happen. We were chatting when the door to the private room was pushed open. Sabrina walked in and sat directly next to Ethan, her eyes full of provocation as she looked at me. I immediately noticed the hickeys on her neck. I picked up my wine glass and silently took a sip. As soon as Sabrina entered, the atmosphere in the room instantly turned cold. She'd always liked bullying people in high school. The one she bullied most severely was Ethan. No one welcomed Sabrina: "Sabrina, we didn't invite you. What are you doing here?" "Exactly. After what you did back then, you still have the nerve to see us?" Ethan sat in his seat, frowning, saying nothing. Sabrina bit her lip, her eyes instantly reddening. The next second, she actually knelt on the floor. "I just came to see my classmates. I was young and made mistakes. I'm a sinner and I've been punished. If you think I was wrong, I apologize..." She choked up, tears sliding down her cheeks. "But you can't insult my dignity. I'm not a mistress!"
Vivian's POV Everyone in the room froze. No one expected her to kneel. For a moment, no one spoke. But I noticed that after Sabrina knelt, Ethan's body immediately tensed, his fists clenched tight. Sabrina blinked her tearful eyes, her voice trembling. "You still won't forgive me? Then I'll give you my life!" She grabbed a wine bottle and smashed it on the floor, picked up a shard, and forcefully dragged it across her wrist. Ethan could no longer control himself. He suddenly stood up and rushed over. Ethan lunged forward and actually grabbed the shard with his bare hand. "What are you doing!" He whipped his head around, his presence instantly fierce. "Anyone who dares hurt her can go die!" The classmates were all stunned by his expression. He gripped the shard too hard, and blood poured out. Seeing him bleed, I instinctively went to pull him away. But Ethan, who'd lost his rationality, didn't see who was coming. He raised his hand and pushed the person away hard. I was pushed heavily to the ground. Glass shards were everywhere on the floor. Sharp fragments pierced my palms, and blood quickly seeped out. I was in so much pain I almost passed out. Ethan didn't notice me at all. He was busy bending down to lift Sabrina in his arms. "I'll take you to the hospital!" With that, he rushed out of the room without looking back. Silence fell over the room. Several classmates snapped out of it and hurried over to help me up. "Vivian! Are you okay?" "Has Ethan gone crazy? What's going on between him and Sabrina?" "We were helping him. Why is he siding with Sabrina?" I forced a bitter smile. "It's exactly what you saw. So you probably won't get to attend any wedding." Several classmates froze and quickly changed the subject. "Don't talk about that. Let's get you to the hospital!" A few female classmates who were close to me supported me as we quickly headed out. When we reached the hospital emergency room, I saw Ethan. He was sitting in the blood collection room, letting a nurse draw his blood. The doctor stood nearby, frowning. "That patient's condition isn't critical. One person can donate a maximum of 400cc at a time. 400cc from you is enough. We can get the remaining 400cc from another hospital's blood bank." Ethan shook his head, his tone firm. "She's pregnant. She can't wait. She's in danger." The doctor hesitated but ultimately complied. My classmates watched this scene from afar, unable to believe it. Someone asked carefully, "Vivian, are you really okay?" I shook my head. "I already knew. Let's go." The female classmate next to me looked at me in shock. "How did you know?" I lowered my eyes. "He made a phone call in the middle of the night. I heard it." Everyone felt sorry for me. "It's good you saw that jerk's true colors early. Better than finding out after marriage!" "Ethan must be blind. You treated him so well, yet he... ugh!" I forced a smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine." When I got home, I sat alone on the couch in a daze. That night, Ethan didn't come home and didn't send any messages. Looking at my bandaged palm, I just felt empty inside. The next afternoon, the door lock suddenly rattled. Ethan pushed the door open, his face frighteningly dark. Without a word, he strode up to me, grabbed my arm, and dragged me outside. I stumbled several steps as he pulled me. "Where are you taking me?" Ethan didn't answer, only said coldly, "You'll know when we get there." He pulled hard, not noticing the bandage on my hand. I couldn't break free and could only follow him to the car. The car stopped in front of a high-end apartment building. The elevator reached the 16th floor. He took out a key and opened the door. The door opened to reveal a luxuriously decorated apartment. Sabrina wore a silk loungewear set and was sitting on the couch. Seeing us enter, she immediately stood up, her eyes reddening. I instantly understood. This was the house where Ethan kept his mistress. My heart ached so much I could barely breathe. Ethan stood next to Sabrina and looked at me. "Did you team up with those classmates to bully Sabrina?" I looked at Ethan in disbelief. I immediately understood that Sabrina had said something behind the scenes. And Ethan actually believed her. I laughed self-mockingly and pointed at Sabrina. "You think everyone likes bullying people the way she does?" Ethan's expression darkened further. "You're the student council president. They all listen to you. If it wasn't you, then who? Sabrina personally heard several of them planning how to bully her. Vivian, you know I hate people who bully others the most!" Hearing these words, my chest felt like someone had torn open a gash. When I rescued Ethan from the sports equipment room that year, his face was pale, blood flowing from his wrists. Back then, he barely communicated with anyone. If you weren't careful, he might self-harm. I called all the classmates together to care for him and cheer him up. No matter how hurtful his words were, the classmates didn't mind. They continued to patiently comfort him and help him emerge from the shadows. The pain back then was caused by Sabrina. But now, Ethan was protecting Sabrina while accusing me and the classmates who helped him. I held back my tears. "You hate bullying? Why do you hate bullying? Did we bully you back then?" Ethan was rendered speechless by my question. But when he turned and saw Sabrina's aggrieved face, he frowned again. His tone softened. "Regardless of the past, Vivian, just apologize to Sabrina, and we'll let this go." I closed my eyes. "What if I don't apologize?" Ethan's expression instantly turned cold. He stared at me and said sternly, "If you don't apologize, everyone who attended the reunion will lose their jobs tomorrow." I froze, because I knew Ethan could do it. With his current capability and position, making a few ordinary people lose their jobs was just a matter of one sentence. Those classmates were innocent. I couldn't drag them down.
Vivian's POV I took a deep breath and turned to face Sabrina. "I'm sorry, Miss Moore. Please forgive me." A flash of triumph crossed Sabrina's face, but she quickly replaced it with a pitiful expression. She wiped the corner of her eye and spoke softly, "Vivian, I don't blame you. What happened back then was indeed my fault, though because of your report, I've had a terrible life these years..." Her tears fell again. "But that's what I deserved. I actually really want to be friends with you. If you could..." She paused, her gaze falling on the bracelet on my wrist. "Give me that bracelet on your hand, I'd be so happy." I blurted out, "Impossible!" That bracelet was the only keepsake my grandmother left me. When I was young, my parents both worked and had no time to care for me. I was raised by my grandmother. In high school, Grandma was critically ill, but Ethan's condition was very unstable at the time. I stayed with him, not daring to leave. By the time Ethan's emotions stabilized, my mom brought news of Grandma's death. I never even saw Grandma one last time. I held the bracelet Grandma left behind and cried night after night. At that time, Ethan barely communicated with the outside world. But that day, he spoke his first complete sentence. He held my hand and said solemnly, "I will protect this bracelet for life, just as I will protect you." That was his first promise to me. I stared at Ethan, my voice trembling. "She wants my bracelet, Ethan?" Ethan turned his head, not daring to look at my eyes. "Vivian, the bracelet is a dead object. It's not as important as a living person." My eyes turned red as I stared at him intently. Ethan's brow furrowed deeply, as if hesitating. Just then, Sabrina's tears fell again. She said pitifully, "Forget it, I don't deserve it. Someone like me should live in the mud forever. How could I be qualified to be friends with you?" This sentence stung Ethan. He no longer hesitated and signaled to the bodyguard at the door. Two bodyguards immediately stepped forward. One pressed down on my shoulder while the other reached for my wrist. I struggled desperately. "Let go of me!" But how could I match the strength of two adult men? The bodyguard roughly tore the bracelet from my wrist and handed it to Sabrina. Tears instantly welled up. I glared at Ethan, my eyes full of disappointment and despair. Sabrina took the bracelet, a flash of triumph on her face. The next second, she loosened her hand, and the bracelet fell to the floor. The bracelet shattered into several pieces, fragments scattering everywhere. "Oops, I didn't mean to..." Sabrina covered her mouth, pretending to be panicked. I desperately broke free from the bodyguards' control, crouched on the ground, and picked up the fragments while crying. I clutched all the fragments in my palm, gripping them tightly. The edges of the bracelet were sharp. Combined with my already injured palm, blood seeped out. Ethan's face changed dramatically. He grabbed my hand. "Vivian, let go now!" I raised my head, tears blurring my vision. I laughed, my laughter full of mockery. "Are you satisfied now? Is your Sabrina satisfied? Can you leave everyone alone now?" Ethan immediately picked me up. "Don't talk. I'll take you to the hospital right away!" Behind us came Sabrina's call. "Ethan." Ethan didn't hear her at all and rushed out of the apartment. At the hospital emergency room, the doctor bandaged me. Seeing the wound, he frowned. "You just injured it two days ago, and now you've injured it again today? If you don't take care of it properly, the flexibility of this hand will be affected in the future. It may never recover to what it was." Ethan's face turned white. "How did it get injured the day before yesterday? Why didn't you tell me?" I stared woodenly out the window, my tone indifferent. "Isn't it thanks to you?" Ethan froze, apparently remembering the scene from the reunion that day. His tone became panicked. "Vivian, I didn't see. I-" I closed my eyes and shook my head. I didn't want to hear him speak. Ethan's words stuck in his throat, unable to come out. After the doctor rebandaged my wound and gave a long list of instructions. On the drive home from the hospital, I leaned against the car window with my eyes closed, not saying a word. Ethan hesitated for a long time before finally speaking. "I didn't expect it to turn out like this, Vivian." His voice was very low. "I just can't stand seeing many people bully one person. When Sabrina knelt on the ground that day, I remembered myself back then, so I lost control." I sneered inwardly. How was that the same? Sabrina knelt down voluntarily. No one forced her. No one invited her. She came on her own. Everyone present could see that Sabrina was deliberately acting. Only Ethan couldn't see it. Or rather, he didn't want to see it. I kept my eyes closed and said nothing. Seeing no response, Ethan grew more anxious. "I just wanted you to apologize to her today, wanted everyone to be okay. This outcome wasn't my intention." He continued, "I'll have someone restore the bracelet. I promised I would protect this bracelet for life, just as I would protect you. I won't go back on my word." Mentioning the bracelet made my heart ache again. I remembered when Grandma died, the way he held my hand and said those words. Back then, his eyes were sincere and serious. But now, he personally had someone take the bracelet and watched it shatter. I spent seven years transforming Ethan from someone who couldn't feel pain or love into a normal person who understood love and kindness. But he gave all his love and kindness to Sabrina. My heart hurt to the point of numbness. I still didn't speak. The car fell silent again. Looking at my pale face, Ethan's expression grew increasingly panicked. He took a deep breath. "Vivian, there's nothing between Sabrina and me. I just ran into her recently and saw her working as a waitress at a small restaurant, being bullied. She was pitiful." "Besides, I really was abnormal back then. I can't blame her for saying I was sick." Hearing that last sentence, I suddenly laughed. I opened my eyes, turned my head to look at Ethan, and laughed until tears came out. The person I worked so hard to save all these years actually thought he deserved to be bullied.
Vivian's POV The car stopped. I pushed the door open and walked away, not wanting to say another word to him. Ethan quickly caught up, reaching out to grab me. I sidestepped and shook off his hand. Ethan chased me to the doorway and grabbed my wrist again, saying frantically, "Vivian, the only person I love is you. I want to be with you forever. Believe me." I shook off his hand once more and entered the house expressionlessly. I didn't expose him, nor did I want to go along with him. Nothing he said mattered anymore. Over the next few days, Ethan didn't go anywhere. He stayed home the whole time. He was more diligent and considerate than before, barely letting me do anything. His phone rang countless times. Each time it rang, Ethan would frown and stare at the screen. His finger hovered over the answer button but never pressed it. Finally, he steeled himself and pressed reject. I took it all in. I said flatly, "Answer it. Maybe it's urgent." Ethan shook his head hastily. "Nothing's urgent. Nothing is more important than you." He was about to step forward and pull me into his arms. I stood up directly, avoiding his outstretched hand, turned, and went back to the bedroom. Two days later, the bracelet was repaired. Ethan came home with the box, happily presenting it to me. "Vivian, look, it's exactly like before." I took the box and opened it for a glance. The bracelet was indeed restored well. The cracks were concealed and couldn't be seen. But broken was broken. No amount of restoration would help. I closed the box without another look. I walked into the bedroom. Just then, my phone rang. I pressed the answer button. A voice came from the other end: "Miss Gray, all the materials for your visa have been approved. It will be ready in three to five days." "Okay, I understand. Please notify me when the visa is ready..." I replied. Ethan suddenly pushed the door open. "What visa? Vivian, you applied for a visa?" My expression was natural. "My parents' tourist visa. I told you last time." Ethan paused, relieved, and didn't ask further. Three days later was my birthday. Early in the morning, Ethan was busy in the kitchen. He even had Boston lobster, my favorite, shipped in. Before we started eating, the doorbell rang. Ethan went to open the door. Sabrina stood outside. She looked haggard, her eyes red and swollen, noticeably thinner. "I know today is Vivian's birthday. I'm not here to cause trouble.""Today's my birthday too. My parents are dead, and I'm alone in an empty house, scared to death. I just wanted someone by my side on my birthday." Ethan's brow furrowed deeply. He was silent for a long time without speaking. Sabrina raised her hand and touched her belly, her expression even more sorrowful. Without a word, Ethan stepped aside and let her in. At the table, the three of us sat down. Ethan wouldn't let me lift a finger. He skillfully began peeling shrimp. But he unconsciously placed the food onto Sabrina's plate without a second thought. He didn't even realize it himself. Triumph flashed in Sabrina's eyes as she raised her head to look at me. I calmly looked away and continued eating. My heart was already dead. It wouldn't hurt anymore. After a while, Ethan brought out the Boston lobster. The steaming hot Boston lobster was placed on the table, its aroma filling the air. Ethan picked one up and started peeling it for me. Sabrina watched this scene, jealousy surging in her eyes. She deliberately reached for a Boston lobster too. Ethan saw this and shouted sternly, "Don't touch that!" Sabrina's hand trembled in fright. Sabrina pouted her lips aggrievedly and lowered her head, silently eating the pasta on her plate. Not long after, she reached for the salmon. Ethan simply took all the salmon back to the kitchen. He explained to me, "This salmon isn't fresh. I'll buy you fresh salmon next time." I no longer had the desire to speak. The salmon he'd specially had flown in. How could it not be fresh? Clearly, Sabrina was pregnant and couldn't eat raw food. So he took all the salmon away. But he forgot that I loved salmon the most. After a while, Ethan brought out the birthday cake. Sabrina asked pitifully, "Can I make a wish too?" Ethan's expression remained serious, but he still said, "Yes." Sabrina immediately clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, looking very devout. "I hope every birthday from now on, I can spend it with my lover and child." Her eyes glistened with tears. Ethan still had a stern face, but his eyes unconsciously softened. I took all of this in. I put down my fork. "You two eat. I'm done." With that, I stood up and went upstairs. I really didn't want to watch these two people act anymore, didn't want to be involved in anything between them anymore.
Vivian's POV I went upstairs alone. Not long after, footsteps sounded in the hallway. Sabrina walked in, her face showing a triumphant and arrogant smile. She sat down on the edge of the bed and crossed her legs. "Vivian, your room is so shabby. But then again, no wonder. The Hunt family doesn't recognize you as Ethan's wife." I sat by the window, ignoring her. Sabrina continued, "Last time on your anniversary, Ethan said he had to work overtime and couldn't be with you. Actually, he took me to the Maldives." She pulled out her phone, scrolled through several photos, and thrust them in front of me. A beach at sunset. Ethan was half-kneeling on the ground, tying Sabrina's shoelaces. In another, he sat on a couch with Sabrina lying on his lap while he massaged her feet. "He cares about me so much. When I said my feet hurt, he immediately rubbed them. When I said I wanted strawberries from the farm, he went to buy them for me in the middle of the night." Sabrina's smile grew even more arrogant. "Remember that day when it was pouring rain and he told you to take a cab home yourself? That day he was at my place. We were in bed. How could he have time for you?" My fingers tightened slightly, but I still didn't acknowledge her. Seeing me remain silent, Sabrina became even more enthusiastic. She leaned close to me and lowered her voice. "He told me you just lie there like a dead fish in bed, that having sex with you is no fun at all. I'm the one who understands him, who knows what positions he likes." I finally raised my head and looked at her calmly. "Are you done?" Sabrina froze, probably not expecting me to react so coldly. She continued, "You really think he loves you? Vivian, he stopped loving you long ago. What he feels for you is responsibility, gratitude." "But your family shouldn't be too greedy. He's the Hunt heir now. You're not good enough for him. Leave on your own. Don't cling to him." My voice was flat. "Are you finished? If so, get out." Sabrina was enraged by my indifferent attitude. She suddenly stood up, looking down at me from above. "Did he tell you he doesn't want children? But I'm pregnant!" "Ethan personally promised that the child in my belly will be the Hunt heir. There won't be any other children. He watched you suffer the Hunt family's difficulties and still didn't want to have a child with you. What are you still doing here?" I lowered my eyes. That sentence did hurt. But I'd already decided to leave. I didn't want to think about these things anymore. Seeing me still silent, viciousness flashed in Sabrina's eyes. She grabbed me and dragged me toward the stairs. At the top of the stairs, Sabrina suddenly threw herself backward, rolling down the stairs. Her head hit the steps, and blood immediately gushed out. Not only that, blood also seeped between her legs. Sabrina lay at the bottom of the stairs, shrieking, "Why did you push me!" Ethan heard the sound and rushed over quickly. Seeing blood flowing from both Sabrina's forehead and legs, his pupils constricted sharply. "Sabrina, how are you?" Tears kept falling from Sabrina's eyes. "I told Vivian I was pregnant, and she pushed me. Ethan, save me, save my baby!" Ethan suddenly raised his head and glared at me. Ethan stared at me, his voice frighteningly cold. "When did you become so vicious!" I just found it laughable. Sabrina actually used such a crude method to frame me. I opened my mouth, about to say "I didn't push her, there are cameras." Before I could speak, Ethan slapped me across the face. After hitting me, he didn't look at me again. He picked up Sabrina and headed out. "Don't be afraid. We'll go to the hospital right away. The baby will be fine." Sabrina nestled in his arms, turned her head, and looked at me triumphantly. I stood there, my fingers lightly touching the side of my face that had been struck. I could barely feel the pain in my face. Because my heart hurt too much. I thought my heart had died long ago, gone numb, that it wouldn't hurt anymore. I didn't expect it to still hurt. Just then, my phone rang. The caller ID showed: Dad. I took a deep breath, suppressed all my emotions, and answered the call. "Dad-" I didn't even get to finish. My mom's panicked voice came through the phone. "Vivian, get to the hospital right away! Something happened to your father!"
Vivian's POV Hearing that Dad had an accident, I didn't care about anything else and rushed to the hospital in a panic. Outside the emergency room, my mom kept pacing back and forth. Seeing me arrive, she immediately rushed over and grabbed my hand, her lips trembling. "Vivian, something happened to your dad." I forced myself to calm down and helped Mom sit. "Mom, don't panic. Tell me slowly, what happened?" It turned out that Sabrina had also gone to our house today. Sabrina showed Mom and Dad the video from last time, when Ethan sent bodyguards to hold me down and take Grandma's bracelet. She also said many hurtful things. "You need to see clearly. Ethan treats Vivian like an enemy now." "With one word from the Hunt family, they could bankrupt you." Dad was very angry. Not long after Sabrina left, he suddenly clutched his chest and collapsed. After being rushed to the hospital, the doctor said he had a myocardial infarction and needed surgery immediately, or he wouldn't survive. But just now, all the cardiac surgeons in the hospital had been called away to treat Mr. Hunt's wife. No one could perform surgery on my dad. My mom wiped her tears. "They said Mr. Hunt. Who is that? How can they do things this way? They called all the doctors away. What about the other patients?" "Vivian, think of something to save your dad!" All the blood in my body froze. Mr. Hunt. That was Ethan. He'd called all the good doctors to treat Sabrina. My hands trembled as I dialed Ethan's number. The phone rang for a long time. No one answered. I called again. Still no answer. The third time, it was hung up directly. I grabbed a nurse's arm. "Where is Mr. Hunt? Please tell me!" The nurse was startled by me. "In the VIP section of the inpatient building, the innermost room on the third floor." I'd just reached the third floor when two bodyguards blocked me. The bodyguards recognized me, looking conflicted. "Miss Gray, Mr. Hunt said he's not seeing anyone today." I pleaded with red eyes, "My dad needs emergency surgery. Please let me in!" The bodyguard shook his head. "Don't waste your effort. Go find another doctor." I had no other doctors to find, and no time to find them. I shouted from the stairwell, "Ethan!" The bodyguard pressed down on my shoulder. "He can't hear you. This room is soundproof." I broke down. I shouted loudly, "Ethan! My dad is dying! Please! Give me back the doctors!" "Ethan! Come out! I'm begging you!" But there was no response from the room. My phone rang. It was Mom calling. I answered, and on the other end was Mom's anguished crying. "Vivian, stop looking. Your dad is dead." Mom and I buried Dad together. On the day of the funeral, I knelt in front of Dad's grave all day. It was all my fault. I let the wolf in the door and ultimately harmed Dad. Mom cried as she pulled me up. "Vivian, don't think like that. It's not your fault." "Before your dad collapsed, he kept telling me you need to look forward, you're still young." The two of us cried in front of the grave. Mom and I went home together. I sold the house at a low price and came back to pack up our things. Looking at this house, my eyes reddened again. When Ethan first came to our house, he didn't dare sit on the couch and always huddled in the corner. Dad moved a stool to sit beside him and talked to him. After Ethan slowly got better, he would voluntarily wipe the table and wash dishes. He always said, "I can never repay the kindness they've shown me in this lifetime." When the Hunt family took him back, Dad actually didn't agree with us continuing our relationship. "Ethan, you're the Hunt heir now. You and Vivian aren't from the same world. I don't want Vivian to be wronged in the future." Ethan knelt before Dad. "Vivian saved my life. In this life, I'll only marry Vivian. I'll only be good to her. I'll never let her suffer even a little." I thought, if I could choose again, that day I passed the sports equipment room, I wouldn't open that door again. My phone rang. "Miss Gray, the new identity has been arranged. The original identity can be deactivated at any time." Mom came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of pasta. "Vivian, eat a little. Your dad wanted us to look forward. We need to take care of ourselves." The two of us ate a few bites of pasta and packed up our luggage. I took Mom to a nearby hotel to stay temporarily, then returned to the home I shared with Ethan myself. I began packing my own luggage. Of my own belongings, except for necessities, I threw everything else away. The jewelry, bags, and clothes Ethan gave me, I left them all behind. The shirts, ties, and watches I bought for Ethan, I threw them all away. I also threw away all our photos together. On the table, I left a simple ring. That was what Ethan bought me with his first month's part-time job salary. I didn't want it anymore. During this time, Ethan didn't call once. Instead, my phone pushed a news notification: "Mysterious woman hospitalized for pregnancy preservation, Hunt Corporation CEO stays by her side day and night." I glanced at it and swiped it away. None of this had anything to do with me anymore. Finally, I came to the yard. There was an oak tree there, planted the year we moved in together. Ethan had said, "When we're old, we can sit in the shade under this tree. It will be a witness to our happy life together." I never expected it was all an illusion. Everything should end. I picked up an axe and chopped down that small tree, strike after strike. After packing everything, I got in the car without looking back, not sparing the house another glance. After picking up Mom from the hotel, we headed to the airport. Staff were already waiting at the airport. I took the new identity documents from him, pulled out my SIM card in front of him, broke it, and threw it in the trash. "Tell your boss that Vivian will never see Ethan again. Tell her not to worry." He nodded. Mom and I boarded the plane. Ethan, let's never see each other again in this lifetime.
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