Chapter 1

I saw my husband, Winston Lawson, jerking it off to his robot butler, and it made me sick to my stomach. I held back my disgust and sent that robot to the factory for disposal.

To my shock, Winston slammed his foot on the gas and chased after it like his life depended on it. On the way, he got into a terrible car accident and was declared dead at the scene. From that day on, the elite circle branded me a jealous, vicious woman.

Five years had gone by. For countless nights, I blamed myself. I kept wondering whether Winston would still be alive if I had not been so fixated on a mere object.

One day, when I was going to a private club for business talks, I walked by a VIP lounge with its door ajar. Winston's buddies were joking around inside. "How long are you going to drag this fake death out for, Winston?"

The voice that came out next was something I was very familiar with. It was deep, relaxed, and painfully familiar.

"After Jessica has her baby. If that woman hadn't been so crazy as to send the butler to the factory for disposal, Jessica wouldn't have to pretend that the system short-circuited to get away. I wouldn't have to fake my death to help with her perfect escape."

His buddy clicked his tongue. "Can't believe you had Jessica wear that custom-made bionic skin and pretend to be a robot so you could cheat with her right under your wife's nose. That's some kinky stuff."

He faked his death? And the butler was Jessica Gold? So Winston was still alive. And the robot he had been so obsessed with was never a robot at all. It had been my best friend, hidden inside a suit.

A waiter passed by and bumped into me. His tray crashed to the floor, and the conversation inside the lounge stopped.

Winston turned around, and our eyes met.

Chapter 1 Threats

Winston Lawson looked at me calmly, but his body shifted slightly, shielding the pregnant woman beside him. That woman was in an oversized dress, and she raised her head. It was Jessica Gold, the woman I thought was my best friend.

Five years ago, she squeezed me during the funeral as she cried until she fainted.

I felt my breathing stop, and I leaned on the doorframe, while my fingers clenched it tightly. My voice shook. "You're not dead."

Winston looked at me, amused. "You heard everything."

I stared at his face. It was the same face I had been seeing for five years. The portrait, my dreams, my hallucinations borne from severe depression.

For three whole years, I barely slept because I missed him so much. I could hardly eat under the weight of my guilt, and at one point, I became so thin I barely recognized myself.

I had truly believed my obsession killed him.

Now I raised my hand and slapped him with as much strength as I could muster. His head tilted away.

His lip split open, and blood trickled down his chin. "Done?" he said coldly.

"Why?" I glared. My tears spilled uncontrollably and seeped into the carpet. "Why did you lie to me? You gave up your life and faked your death for five years just for her?"

Winston stepped forward, closing the distance between us. "Because you're mad. You knew Jessica was in that bionic suit, but you still sent her off for disposal! You wanted to incinerate her!"

I froze, and my mind was blank. "I didn't know she was…" I shook my head fervently. "I thought that was a robot! I didn't know someone was in there!"

"You're lying," Winston interrupted. "The disposal team told me you told them to set the temperature to the maximum. You've always been jealous of Jessica, Wendy! You knew the robot was a fake! You wanted to burn her in the name of disposal!"

I did not. Five years ago, I had not even known Jessica had returned. I saw my husband jerking it to a butler made out of silicon. It disgusted and scared me, so I sent it away.

My eyes never left him, but I realized no explanation would suffice, not when he did not trust me. Not when he was so sure I was a murderer.

Jessica held Winston's sleeve, the edges of her eyes red. "It's not her fault. I was the one who wanted to see you. I couldn't hold back my feelings. I wore that bionic suit. Of course she wanted to see me burn. This is my sin."

Winston immediately turned back to her and held her carefully. "Get in. It's windy here, and you're pregnant." His voice was painfully gentle.

Five years ago, I was bleeding during my pregnancy, so I called him at midnight. He said he was busy and had me get a ride to the hospital myself. That night, I lost our child in the emergency room. And he had been at home, watching a movie with that so-called robot.

"Why did you lie to me? You watched me cry for you. For him! And you laughed at me from where I couldn't see you!" I looked at them slowly. "You disgust me."

Winston's face fell.

I took my phone out. "You're still alive. The police will want to hear about this. Getting a death certificate through deception is fraud."

Winston did not stop me. Instead, he smiled. Then, he walked to the couch, sat down, and crossed his legs. "Call them, and your father won't survive for long."

Chapter 2 It's Different Now

My finger froze above the screen. The light from my phone suddenly felt blinding. "What?" My voice was hoarse.

"You don't know this, but I had someone pay your father's hospital bills all this time." He was looking at me like I was a clown. "Birchwood Group's been bankrupt for three years. You barely make enough for his ventilator for a day. Call the police, and the moment they arrive, that money stops."

Everything inside me went cold. Three years ago, my dad had a sudden cerebral hemorrhage, and the company fell. I sold the house and everything I had just to pay the hospital bills. All this time, I thought the hospital's foundation was paying for my father. It turned out that was never true.

Winston had been holding my weakness in his hands all along, using my gratitude against me. I glowered at him. "He's your father-in-law. He sponsored your business when you had nothing. You begged him in the rain. You begged him to give my hand to you in marriage. You swore to protect me with your life!"

For a brief moment, the light in Winston's eyes dimmed. Then, his expression turned cold again. "That's why I've spared his life all these years. It's repayment."

He stood up and approached me. "I owe your family nothing anymore, Wendy."

Jessica let out a painful gasp. "Winston, my stomach feels tight."

Winston quickly turned around and held her nervously. "Is it the baby? I'll take you to the hospital."

He did not look at me again.

As he passed by, he said, "There's an event tomorrow. Show up and tell everyone you lost your mind after being overstimulated. Tell them you imagined being my wife.

"Tomorrow, I'll make sure everyone knows Jessica is my one and only. Do it, and your father lives. Fail, and he dies."

The door swung shut, leaving me alone in the corridor. It was silent here. I crouched and buried my face in my hands, but no tears came.

I had already cried every tear I had over the past five years. Five years ago, Jessica cried more than me at the funeral. She hugged me, and I felt her tears spilling all over my shoulder. She kept saying, "You still have me. I'll stay with you, just like he did."

Back then, I felt grateful for her. Later, she went abroad to study and occasionally sent me postcards. I thought she was working hard overseas. I never imagined she was building a love nest with Winston.

I went to the hospital the next morning. The payment department's supervisor told me my father's account was frozen. If I could not pay a hundred grand, they would have to pull out life support.

I stood outside the room, staring at my father. He lay there quietly, frail and still, surrounded by machines that kept him alive.

Then, I texted Winston, "I'll go."

That afternoon, a gown was delivered to the basement room I rented. It was a size larger than what I wore. I recognized that gown. It was in a magazine last month. Jessica wore it to an event overseas.

A card fell out. It was Winston's handwriting. "Jessica thinks this fits you. Wear it. Don't embarrass me."

I looked in the mirror. Then I found a needle and thread and took in the waist a little. Back then, he failed his business venture and could not even buy a decent suit.

I was the one who painstakingly modified his old suit, sitting in the tiny place we rented, using nothing but street lamps as illumination. He hugged me, his eyes red. "When I make it big, I'll get you the most expensive gown in the world. I won't let you suffer."

Now, he could afford that gown, but he had bought it only to humiliate me.

Chapter 3 Release

The event was held at the most extravagant hotel in the city center. When I came in, everyone's eyes fell on me. I felt mockery and disdain. Everyone only wanted to be entertained.

Winston was in the center of the hall, wearing a crisp black suit. Jessica held his arm, smiling brightly beside him. They looked like the real couple of the evening.

Jessica tugged on Winston's sleeve. "She's here, Winston."

He turned. His gaze landed on my waist, where I had altered the gown to fit. A hint of imperceptible frustration flickered across his eyes. "Come." He raised his chin at me.

I trudged over to him.

The big screen lit up, and it showed the wedding photo of Winston and Jessica. They had registered their marriage overseas five years ago.

"There's something I'd like to clarify tonight." Winston spoke into the mic. "The car crash was real, but I didn't die. I was severely injured and was recovering overseas."

A pause later, he added, "Ms. Birchwood's mental health took a great toll and inflicted her delusions. She deluded herself into thinking we were married, and now, she's been harassing my wife."

Everyone gasped and looked at me like I was mad.

"She's a nutcase."

"That explains her madness. I feel sorry for the girl."

"Mr. Lawson's kind enough not to chuck her into a mental asylum."

I remained rooted to the ground, my nails digging into my palms. It was painful, but I forced myself to stay standing.

Jessica took the mic, and her eyes were filled with tears. "I'm not mad at Wendy. She's just sick. Her madness was why she tried to shove me into the incinerator."

That turned the discussion up a notch.

"That's attempted murder! Why is she not in prison?"

My eyes were on Jessica. Her performance was flawless.

Jessica continued, "If she apologizes to me right in front of everyone, I'll let bygones be bygones." She turned to me. Her eyes gleamed with quiet victory.

Winston looked at me and said in a low voice, "Apologize, and my men will pay the bills right away."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, then I said, "I'm sorry. I was mad back then."

Everyone jeered, and Jessica smiled. She grabbed a glass of liquor that had 60% alcohol. "An apology must go with alcohol. Drink it." She handed me the glass.

I stared at it. I had a severe stomach ulcer. Years ago, in order to secure investments for Winston, I had forced myself through endless business dinners until my body finally gave out. I had spent an entire day in emergency care afterward.

Back then, Winston stayed with me for three days and slapped himself dozens of times. He swore he would never let me drink again.

Now, I looked at Winston, but he said nothing.

"You won't drink it?" Jessica looked at him like a hurt kitten. "She's still not going to forgive me?"

"Drink it," said Winston coldly. "And the money goes through right away."

That killed my hesitation. I took the glass and drained it. The scalding liquor slid down my throat and hit my stomach. I coughed violently, and a splash of blood hit my white gown. The sight startled everyone, and gasps filled the hall.

My legs gave out, and I fell to the ground. Winston looked worried.

He stepped forth and extended his arm toward me. "Wendy…"

Jessica clutched her stomach and screamed. "My stomach! I think I see blood, Winston!"

Winston's arm froze in midair. He swiveled and saw the red mark on the hem of Jessica's gown. After that, he never looked at me again. He picked Jessica up and rushed out of the hall. "Call an ambulance!"

His voice was filled with a fear I had never heard before. I lay on the cold, marble ground as I watched him leave. My sight went blurry. At last, I no longer had to wonder. At last, I could finally let go.

Chapter 4 Jump Off

I woke up in the hospital's corridor. There were no wards or beds for me. I was lying on a cold bench outside the emergency room, covered only by an old jacket a kind nurse had placed over me.

"You're awake." The janitor looked at me. "Your husband left after sending you here. Said he's going to OBGYN. Another pregnant woman was waiting for him."

I said nothing as I pushed myself back up. My stomach was still in pain, and I took my phone out. There was an unread message from the hospital staff.

"Due to his outstanding balance, George Birchwood's medication is cut off. His time of death is 2:14 AM. Cause of death: Heart failure. Family members are requested to assist with the necessary procedures as soon as possible."

My hand shook, and the phone fell to the ground. Two in the morning. At that time, I had been collapsing after drinking the liquor at the event.

Winston grabbed Jessica and left. He did not pay the bills. He threatened me with my father's life, made me bow, ruined my reputation, and watched him die.

Everything inside me turned cold. But not a single tear fell.

-

I saw Winston again in the hospital corridor.

Hurried, chaotic footsteps suddenly came from the corridor. A group of influencers and reporters came in, while Winston was shielding Jessica. Their cameras and phones turned to my face.

"Wendy, you faked coughing blood and pushed Jessica! She nearly had a miscarriage!" Winston stood in front of me, his voice stern and merciless. "Apologize to Jessica right now."

The reporters pointed fingers at me, but I ignored the noise and stared at Winston. "My dad died at two in the morning. You cut off his meds."

Winston frowned. "You're going to drag that out? I've checked the records. Don't try to get away from this with that excuse!"

Jessica leaned on his chest and said timidly, "You shouldn't use your father as a shield. Tell them you hurt me out of jealousy, and I won't sue you."

The cameras kept flashing. Everyone was forcing me to confess to crimes I had never committed. I stood up. Then I grabbed a phone from one of the reporters. It was livestreaming.

Winston's face fell, and he tried to take the phone back. "What are you doing?"

I turned around swiftly, shoved the emergency escape door open and locked it. Then I ran up the stairs all the way to the rooftop.

The wind was fierce. Cold air tore at my face as I stepped into the open. I walked to the edge and vaulted over the guardrail, then I stood atop the concrete platform that jutted out of the edge.

As I raised the phone high, I saw the comments calling me a murderer and madwoman. Then I spoke with a dead voice. "I'm Wendy Birchwood. My husband, Winston Lawson, did not die.

"Five years ago, he faked a car crash to escape our wedding so he could gain a death certificate through deception and transfer his assets."

The comments paused for a moment before they started coming in droves again. I continued, "Jessica Gold was my best friend. Five years ago, she got into a bionic suit and pretended to be our robot butler while having an affair with Winston under my nose.

"I didn't go mad. Last night, Winston threatened me to pull back his payment for my father's medical bills and forced me to confess my fake madness. Two in the morning, he cut off payments for my father, and my father died."

Behind me, the rooftop door crashed open. "Get down here, Wendy!" Winston's voice traveled across the metal, and it carried rage underneath.

I looked at the screen and said my last. "I'll jump off this building and prove my innocence. I request the police to investigate Winston's white-collar crime of faking his death and transferring his assets."

With a loud crash, Winston forced the door open and rushed onto the rooftop. When he saw where I stood, he froze.

Then, he reached out a hand. His voice trembled. "Stay there, Wendy. Don't move! Come down here, and I'll pay your father's bill right now! I'll take you to where he is!"

My father was dead, and still he was lying to me.

I looked at him, and I neither smiled nor cried. Then, I let go of my hand, and the phone fell to the ground. I arched my head back and fell backward.