Chapter 1

　　“I'll marry him. Serena doesn't have to go.” I dropped the contract onto my father's desk. “My price is one billion, and a legal letter severing all ties between me and the Harvey family.”

　　My father's glass shattered against the floor. “A billion? You want to ruin us?”

　　A shard cut my ankle. I didn't flinch. I just smiled at my parents. “Isn't Serena worth it?”

　　He stared, suspicious. “Why agree now? I thought you loved Aaron.”

　　A laugh hurt my still-healing ribs. Two weeks ago, on my birthday, my ‘sister' Serena had me kidnapped. Her men broke three of my ribs, whipped my back, and locked me in a dark closet for a full day because they knew I was claustrophobic.

　　Aaron found me. His eyes were wet. “Stay with me, Louisa. We're almost there.” I clung to his scent until the hospital.

　　I woke in agony. Outside my door, I heard his assistant: “The kidnappers confessed. It was Miss Harvey who hired them.”

　　Then Aaron's voice, cold and mocking. “So Serena was telling the truth.”

　　“But sir, why did you pay to have her locked up another day? Her injuries were severe.”

　　“She loves playing victim. I gave her a real performance. I just told them to rough her up. She's fragile.”

　　Lying there, a chill swept through me. That was the truth. Serena had framed me, and Aaron believed her.

　　When I was eighteen and brought home, Aaron chose me over everyone's expectation that he'd pick Serena. He defended me fiercely then. That man was gone. That love was a lie.

　　I pushed the memory away. “Well? Have you decided?”

　　My parents exchanged a glance, thought of the monstrous Elliott heir, and finally nodded. They signed.

　　“You'll get the money in seven days,” my father said flatly. “The wedding happens. You tell no one.”

　　I took the paper and left. A tearing ache filled my chest. The final proof: they never loved me. Only Serena.

　　Fine.

　　Outside, I called a friend. “Find all security footage proving Serena set up my kidnapping. Then spread the rumor about the new tech project. Make Aaron invest heavily, then cut off the core technology for both the Cooke and Harvey companies.”

　　In seven days, I'd give them a wedding gift they'd never forget.

　　In my room, I gathered every photo of Aaron and me and set them on fire.

　　Watching the flames, I whispered, “This time, it's over for good.”

Chapter 2

　　As I carried my last suitcase out, Serena leaned against the railing, my engagement ring on her finger.

　　“Was the kidnapping fun, Louisa?” she smirked. “No one believes you. They only believe me.” Her smile widened. “Oh, Aaron paid the men to beat you. A punishment for making me sick with your drama.”

　　She laughed, then let the ring slip from her fingers. It clattered down the stairs.

　　“What did you do?!” I shouted, lunging forward.

　　As I passed her, she grabbed my hand, slammed it against her own shoulder, and with a piercing scream, threw herself down the stairs.

　　She lay at the bottom, sobbing. “It hurts!”

　　Footsteps thundered. Aaron and my parents rushed in. He saw me at the top, her at the bottom.

　　He stormed up and grabbed my arm. “Louisa! How could you push her?”

　　“I didn't! She jumped!”

　　My father's face turned red. “You're lying! You know how delicate she is!”

　　My mother shoved me. My back hit the railing, pain shooting through me.

　　On the floor, Serena clutched Aaron's pants. “Don't blame her… maybe I bumped her… just say I fell…”

　　Aaron's face darkened. He snatched the ring from my hand and hurled it to the floor. It shattered.

　　He turned on me, eyes blazing. “You hurt her again. Assault can land you in prison for years.”

　　I looked from the shards to his face, my heart twisting. He was choosing her side. Again.

　　A bitter smile touched my lips. “Call the police. Let them check the security footage.”

　　I shoved past him, walked down, and slapped Serena hard across the face. The crack echoed.

　　“See? That's me hitting her. At least accuse me of the right crime.”

　　Serena froze, hand to her cheek.

　　Aaron snapped. His palm struck my face. “You're barely out of the hospital and you're at it again? Cool off in a cell.” He nodded to his guards. “Take her.”

　　They dragged me away. He didn't look back, already comforting a sobbing Serena.

　　At the station, he threw a confession form at me. “Sign it.”

　　I picked up the pen and tore the paper to shreds. I looked up with a hollow laugh. “Why sign a lie? If you want me jailed, do it yourself. Let's see how far you'll go for her.”

　　He looked struck. His expression shifted before hardening. “Hold her until tonight. Then release her.”

　　He walked out without looking back. I watched him go, my heart shredding. His choice was never in doubt.

Chapter 3

　　After Aaron left, my parents arrived, their faces full of disappointment.

　　“Just apologize, Louisa,” my mother said coldly. “Then Aaron might let this go.”

　　I almost laughed. My life had been one long apology.

　　“Apologize for what?” I asked bitterly. “For not pushing her hard enough?”

　　My father slapped me. The sting was hot. I lifted my chin. “I get kidnapped, and you worry about her stress. She stages a fall, and you demand my confession. Am I just garbage you brought in?”

　　They looked at me like I was a rabid animal. “You are ungrateful. Stay here and rot,” my father hissed.

　　They left. Guards shoved me into a holding cell. The door clanged shut, plunging me into near-darkness.

　　My breath hitched. The walls pressed in. My claustrophobia choked me. I whispered Aaron's name. No answer. Just the dark.

　　I don't know how long I sat there before the door opened. Three hard-faced women walked in.

　　“This the one? The Harvey girl said to teach her a lesson.”

　　One cracked her knuckles. My heart dropped. I scrambled back, but another yanked my hair and threw me to the floor. Blows rained down—fists, kicks. My old injuries screamed. I was too weak to fight, so I curled tight, silent.

　　It only stopped when a guard barked, “That's enough!”

　　They left me on the cold floor, bleeding. I must have passed out.

　　A day and a night later, they dumped me outside. Sunlight blinded me. I staggered up and limped toward the hospital.

　　After a nurse bandaged me, I turned to leave and almost walked into Aaron and Serena, arm in arm. He froze, eyes widening at the sight of me.

　　“Louisa… what happened to you?” he asked, a flicker of pain in his eyes.

　　He reached for me. I stepped back.

　　Serena clung to his arm, her face a mask of fake worry. “Louisa! Aaron had you released yesterday! Where have you been? Don't be angry with her, Aaron. She probably just… needed attention.”

　　Just like that, the pain in his eyes vanished, replaced by cold suspicion. He glared at me. “You're hurting yourself for attention again? Your lies are pathetic.”

　　I didn't argue. I just stared, memorizing the face I'd once loved.

　　He turned to Serena, his voice gentle. “If you're well enough to mutilate yourself, you're well enough to walk home.” He glanced at a guard. “Make sure she walks the whole way. No shortcuts.”

　　They left. Step by agonizing step, I walked. Each one seared a new truth into my soul.

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