Gabriel Vance was probably the gentlest person I had ever met. I had been rejected twenty times because I talked too much. When we first met at a concert, I chatted his ear off for half an hour. I stopped only when I realized I was rambling, but he looked puzzled and smiled gently at me. "Keep going, I'm listening." I fell for him quickly, and we got married. Three months into our marriage, he spoke pitifully little. Whether I nearly burned down the house cooking or ended up in the police station for causing trouble, he remained calm and gentle, never speaking more than ten words at a time. But right now, he was losing control of his emotions in front of me because of another girl. 1 "Gwen, how many times have I told you? Safety comes first when you're out!" "You just came back, and you're already in the police station. You've really outdone yourself!" The girl was about to speak, but Gabriel interrupted immediately. "What? You want to talk back?" "What bad habits did you pick up abroad for all these years!" I sat aside, watching intently. He said four sentences in one breath. That face, usually so gentle and peaceful, was now full of anger. So he did have emotions, just not for me. The next second, Gabriel finally noticed me. He immediately returned to that expression and reached out to me. "You're here too?" I dodged his hand and walked out of the police station. I soon got Gwen Vance's file, and felt like I had fallen into an ice cellar. Gwen was the adopted daughter of the Vance family. Five years ago, she was forcibly sent abroad because of her improper relationship with Gabriel. The Vance family took this last resort to protect their reputation. But in the past five years, Gwen had staged over twenty suicide attempts to come back. The last time she was saved, Gabriel endured ninety-nine lashes of family discipline. Father Vance finally compromised and agreed to bring Gwen back. But the condition was that Gabriel must marry another woman to cut off Gwen's thoughts. So, I became Mrs. Vance, a fig leaf for their illicit relationship. And I was stupid enough to think it was all love. Gabriel's car was waiting outside the police station. I quickened my pace and went around it. He guessed I was angry, got out of the car, and followed me all the way home. The blisters from my high heels made it impossible for me to continue. I found a flower bed to sit on. Gabriel was one step ahead and spread his expensive jacket on the ground. Gwen immediately jumped out of the car and hugged Gabriel's arm. "Gabriel, I'll keep you company. It's all my fault for making sister-in-law angry. Let's be punished together!" In a few words, she painted me as a petty and jealous woman. I lowered my head and smiled sarcastically, pretending not to hear, and continued walking. Wearing those little leather shoes with only three-centimeter heels, she complained of foot pain after walking less than five hundred meters. "Gabriel, you guys are fighting, why am I the one suffering?" She pouted, her whole body almost sticking to Gabriel. His gaze fell on Gwen's slightly red instep, and his face became serious. "Get in the car!" Gwen shook her head and refused. "No! I want to be with you! Or... you get in the car too, stop walking! My heart aches for you!" Gabriel was silent for a moment, picked Gwen up, and stuffed her into the car. The Maybach sped away, leaving me alone with my head down, staring at my blistered and bleeding feet in a daze. An hour later, I finally opened the door to my home. Gabriel was treating the wound on Gwen's foot, his expression devout and serious. Gwen's foot rested unscrupulously on his thigh, and she didn't forget to pout and act coquettishly. "Gabriel, it hurts, blow on it for me." Gabriel blew on the wound, somewhat helpless, yet somewhat doting. I watched this scene and suddenly laughed out loud. Taking off my blood-stained high heels, I spoke calmly. "Gabriel, let's get a divorce." 2 The whole of Lion City knew how much I liked Gabriel Vance. So he just thought I was throwing a tantrum and joking. He paused for a moment, then perfunctorily said, "Go to bed early, there's an event tomorrow." He didn't take this sentence to heart, so naturally, he didn't know that I turned around and notified my parents of the divorce. Early the next morning, Father Vance's whip cracked loudly, while Gwen knelt on the ground, tears in her eyes. "I said, I won't marry!" Father Vance was full of anger. "Gwen, you have no right to negotiate with me! Don't forget who you are!" Gabriel stood aside, his eyes full of anxiety and distress. When the whip fell, it was Gabriel whose skin split open. He held Gwen tightly in his arms and took the whip for her. Gwen shed tears of heartache, grabbing Gabriel's hand and saying, "Gabriel, does it hurt?" "Don't worry, I absolutely won't marry anyone else, except you..." Father Vance's face changed suddenly, and he shouted to stop. "Shut up!" He looked at Gabriel with a gloomy face. "Don't forget that Lydia is your wife now. Are you doing right by her?" Gabriel's face stiffened for a moment, he looked up and suddenly met my eyes. His expression was momentarily dazed, then he frowned and called me to his side, whispering, "It was you, right?" I was a little confused, then heard him say, "You've gone too far!" I finally understood. Gabriel thought Father Vance came to force the marriage early in the morning because I snitched. Anger rose from my heart, and I immediately denied it. "It wasn't me! Yesterday's matter..." Before I could finish, Gabriel suddenly interrupted me with a kiss. This was our first kiss from dating to marriage. I froze in place, not understanding his intention. The next second, Gabriel said to Gwen, "Gwen, the husband Father chose for you... is very good." "Look at me and your sister-in-law now, we are also very happy." He tried his best to control his tense muscles and sad expression. And I once again became a tool he used to protect Gwen. Gwen screamed in breakdown, while Gabriel forcibly pressed me into his arms and deepened the kiss. This time, I really got a vivid Gabriel, but all his vividness was because of another woman. That night, I accompanied Gabriel to a banquet as usual. As hosts, Gabriel and I wore custom-made masks. As soon as I entered, I spotted Gwen. Her mask was extremely similar to mine, and she had Gabriel's most cherished bow tie tied around her wrist. Gabriel didn't notice. He raised his arm as usual, signaling me to hold it. I ignored it and stepped aside. He paused slightly, his tone somewhat helpless. "Still angry?" His attitude was like warm water boiling a frog, burning me again and again. I lowered my eyes, word by word. "Gabriel, I'm not joking with you." Saying that, I took out the divorce agreement and handed it to him. Just as he was about to take it, a cry erupted from the crowd. "Miss Vance! Are you okay?" Gabriel's face changed drastically. He turned to leave but was pulled back by me. "Sign it first." 3 He took a deep breath, seeming to disapprove of my untimeliness. After hastily signing his name, he ran towards the crowd without looking back. I looked at the divorce agreement and tried hard to suppress the dull pain in my heart. Soon, the party began. The gentlemen needed to find their female partners in the shuffled crowd. The fastest one would receive a gift from the Vance Group. Under the flickering lights, Gabriel walked towards me step by step. Those eyes, usually calm as water, were now rolling with heavy love. I was a little dazed. Suddenly the lights went out. When they came back on, Gabriel was passionately kissing Gwen under the gaze of everyone. They hugged each other tightly, breaths intertwined, looking incredibly happy. Envious voices erupted from the crowd. "President Vance and his wife really act like newlyweds, they look so loving!" "Yeah, they say Mrs. Vance is the one in love, but I think President Vance loves her very much!" The discussions pierced my heart like sharp blades. The lights went out again. Gwen turned her head and met my eyes. She raised her hand to wipe off the messy lipstick and mouthed word by word, "Admit! Defeat!" I smiled coldly, took off my mask, and walked over. I patted Gabriel without hesitation. "Did you mistake the person?" His face changed drastically. Just as he was about to speak, the lights came on, and the crowd stirred. I was pushed backward by the crowd and stepped on by countless people in the panic. My face turned pale with pain, but I saw Gwen always being carefully protected in his arms. Soon, the first couple to find each other stepped onto the center stage. The prize prepared by the Vance Group finally appeared. Amid the cheers of the audience, I saw a very familiar painting. That was my sister's work. To complete this painting, my sister gave her all. Shortly after completion, she passed away from overwork. This painting was clearly stored in my sister's studio. How could it appear here? "This painting is the final work of Master Ru Ting, with a market price as high as eight figures!" "Five years ago, after Ru Ting finished this painting, she completely disappeared and never showed up again." "But today, we are fortunate to have invited Master Ru Ting to personally present this painting to the champion!" The spotlight flickered and finally landed on the mask that looked exactly like mine! I was furious. My sister died years ago. How could it be Gwen? I lost control of my emotions, excitedly pushed through the crowd and rushed forward. "She is not..." But before I could finish my sentence, a sharp pain suddenly came from the back of my head! When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on the bed in the villa bedroom. Gabriel sat aside, dealing with official business. I threw off the quilt, didn't even care to put on shoes, and wanted to rush out. But the next second, Gabriel picked me up. "You have a fever." Gabriel frowned, whispering, "Calm down." I was put back on the bed, my face pale. "Gabriel, didn't you see? Gwen is impersonating Ru Ting! She is impersonating my deceased sister!" "That's my sister's work. What right does she have? I'm going to expose her—" I was furious, but suddenly froze when I met Gabriel's calm eyes. 4 In a flash, I suddenly understood something. After my sister passed away, I only took Gabriel to that studio. But Gabriel took the painting from there and let Gwen steal the honor that belonged to my sister! My heart was torn open, and the biting cold wind poured in, making my limbs cold and my whole body chilled. "It was you..." I finally murmured, "Why?" Gabriel's slender fingers combed the broken hair on my forehead, his voice helpless. "You have a fever." "I asked you why!" I suddenly exploded, staring at him with red eyes, almost gritting my teeth. "Gabriel, at the dance tonight—" "I saw everything!" Gabriel's face remained calm, and he said lightly, "Saw what?" He asked back, "You burned yourself into confusion and recognized the wrong person." Seeing me dazed, he took the opportunity to change the subject. "The painting, I'm very sorry." Gabriel took out a blank check from his pocket and handed me a pen. "Consider it bought by me." At this moment, I suddenly realized. Perhaps in Gabriel's eyes, I was also a commodity waiting to be sold. I couldn't help but smile miserably, took the check, and tore it in half. "Gabriel, I don't lack money." He frowned and tried to probe, "Then shares of the Vance family?" I remained silent. Gabriel was a little annoyed, but still patient. "Then what do you want?" I stared at him angrily, still not answering. He suddenly realized something and took a step back. "A child? Okay." His tone was calm and powerful, but with a trace of imperceptible compromise. "Don't you want a child?" Because of this sentence, the anger I had suppressed finally erupted uncontrollably. I had always wanted a child with Gabriel. But Gabriel was unwilling and always took contraceptive measures very well. Now, for Gwen, he agreed to have a child with me. How ridiculous! I trembled all over with anger and bit my lower lip until it bled. I took out the divorce agreement and smashed it into Gabriel's face. "Gabriel, are you kidding me?" I said word by word. "We are getting divorced! How could I still have a child for you?" Gabriel's face stiffened. Just as he was about to bend down to pick it up, The phone rang suddenly. It was a playful theme song from GG Bond. I suddenly remembered the GG Bond pendant on Gwen's phone and realized this was her exclusive ringtone. Whatever was said on the other end of the phone, Gabriel's expression changed instantly. Ignoring the papers scattered all over the floor, he turned and left without hesitation. I calmly picked up the divorce agreement and locked it in the drawer. Since he didn't even bother to look at it, he couldn't blame me. For the next few days, Gabriel didn't come home, but sent me gifts in various ways. Sometimes they were valuable limited editions, sometimes sports cars I liked but was reluctant to buy. He even sent three luxury houses in a row. During this time, Gabriel accompanied her every day to choose wedding dresses and rings. Busy as if he were the groom-to-be. That night, Gabriel finally came home. His steps were unusually hurried, and his always gentle face was a little gloomy. He grabbed my hand, his eyes full of anger. "Is it you?" Gabriel questioned, "Since Gwen returned, you have been tit-for-tat with her. You are her sister-in-law, can't you be a little more magnanimous?" This was the first time Gabriel said such a long sentence to me. So long that I couldn't even count how many words he said. Gabriel's eyes were shadowed. "Do you know that Gwen is now locked up in the detention center? She has been delicate since childhood, how can she endure such hardship!" I was unusually calm. "Gabriel, believe it or not, I didn't do anything." "Her charge is theft!" Gabriel took a deep breath. "If not you, who else could it be?" I just felt absurd. "Why do you think it's me? Just because she stole my sister's painting?" "Don't forget I am the victim. I thought you had a brain!" Gabriel's forehead twitched slightly, and he took a deep breath to suppress his anger. He held my body, word by word, "Lydia, you just need to go to the police station and admit that you gave her that painting." Hearing this, I trembled with anger. "What if I die and don't go?" My eyes were red, staring at him fiercely. "What if I die right now?" Gabriel's brow twitched slightly, falling into a long silence. Finally, he took a deep breath. "You can't bear to die." He sighed, his tone certain and pitying. "You worked so hard to marry me, how could you bear to die?" He clearly knew... clearly knew how much I loved him and how much effort I put in to marry him! But he only used my deep love as a blade to threaten me! I suddenly calmed down, closed my eyes, and smiled gently. "Yes, I can't die." But not for you. But because I have decided to leave you and start life anew. Gabriel breathed a sigh of relief: "Then let's go now..." But the next second, I kicked Gabriel hard in the leg and broke free from his arms. "But I still won't save her." Gabriel's anger could no longer be suppressed. "Lydia, you've really gone too far this time." He clenched his hands into fists, veins bulging on the back of his hands. "Lock the madam in the confinement room." He turned and strode towards the door. "Contact me when you are willing to cooperate."
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