1 "I’m going to kill myself! My husband doesn't love me anymore!" The moment I stepped into the clinic, I heard the shrill, tearful scream of a woman. I looked toward the source. A girl in a fluffy pink designer dress was standing by the window, holding a diamond-encrusted box cutter against her wrist, threatening to slice it open. My colleague pushed me forward, clasping her hands in a pleading gesture. "Wendy, thank God you’re here. This is Mrs. Sterling, wife of the Sterling Group heir, Gavin Sterling. She’s demanding a therapist with a happy marriage. You’re the best we’ve got. Please." "Who?" I asked, a frown creasing my forehead. My husband’s name was Gavin, too. But he wasn’t an heir to a billion-dollar empire. He was just a long-haul trucker. It had to be a coincidence. Same name, different world. I suppressed the unease rising in my chest and took the clipboard. I scanned the intake form. Name of Spouse: Gavin Sterling. Seeing those two words in black ink made my heart lurch. A bad feeling wrapped around me like a cold mist. "Ms. Shaw, please come with me to the consultation room," I said, forcing my best professional smile. Luna Shaw saw me and immediately dropped the cutter. She ran over, linking her arm through mine as if we were old friends, tears streaming down her face. "Dr. Sage, you have to help me. My husband has changed. I can't lose him." Her movements were natural, the actions of a girl who had been pampered and spoiled her entire life. Once inside, Luna whipped out her phone and shoved a photo in my face. "Look at him. Isn't he gorgeous?" She beamed with pride. "We grew up together. He’s been following me around since we were four, calling me his 'wifey.' He used to be obsessed with me. I said I wanted the stars, so he bought me a star registry certificate for ten of them." "I said I wanted the moon, so he sponsored a lunar mission just to get me a vial of moon dust." "No matter how busy he was, he was always there. But two years ago... he went missing for three months. When he came back, he was different. He’s always 'busy' now. He goes on business trips for days at a time. I tracked him to this city, but when I called him thirty minutes ago, he let it ring twice before answering..." Luna kept rambling, but her voice turned into a dull buzz in my ears. My world was spinning. I stared at the man in the photo, my vision blurring with tears. It wasn't a coincidence. The billionaire heir, Gavin Sterling, was my husband of nearly two years. Two years ago, on a rainy night, I found a man unconscious on the street. He’d been hit by a car. When he woke up, he remembered nothing but his first name: Gavin. I felt sorry for him, so I took him in. For those three months, his entire world revolved around me. We fell in love. Hard. He treated me like I was made of glass. He burned his hands making my favorite beef stew. He delivered food day and night just to buy me a birthday gift. He took nine stab wounds protecting me from a violent patient at the clinic. That was the day I agreed to marry him. We didn't have a wedding. Just a pair of cheap pawn shop rings and a marriage license that I now realized was probably fake. The first month of marriage was bliss. He couldn't keep his hands off me. He’d whisper in my ear, "I can never get enough of you, Wendy. I'd die for you..." Then, he disappeared for a whole day. When he came back, he was different. Polite. Distant. Even our intimacy became restrained. He told me he got a job as a long-haul trucker. He was gone twenty days a month. It turned out, he had just regained his memory. The time he wasn't with me, he wasn't driving a truck. He was being the Sterling heir, pampering his little princess. "Dr. Sage? Are you listening? Do you think if I actually kill myself, he’ll love me again?" Luna pouted, wiping a tear. Then she looked at me. "Oh my god! Dr. Sage, are you crying? You feel bad for me too, right? You’re such an empathetic doctor!" I quickly wiped my face. I hadn't realized I was crying. Before I could speak, the clinic door slammed open. Gavin Sterling stormed in, shoving a nurse aside. When his eyes met mine, he froze. The color drained from his face. But it only took him a second to compose himself. He shot me a glare—a silent warning—before rushing to Luna and pulling her into his arms. "Hmph! What are you doing here?" Luna struggled, pounding his chest. "You don't love me anymore!" "You're killing me, Luna! My love for you is written in the sky! You are my everything!" His voice was low, magnetic, charming. I dug my nails into my palms. My chest felt like it was stuffed with cotton—suffocating, painful. I hadn't heard him use that tone in so long. The last time was when we were newly married, arguing over whether to buy a roasted sweet potato on the street corner because we were broke. He had hugged me and said, “Wendy, I’m sorry I’m making you suffer. I swear, when I’m rich, I’ll buy you an island just to grow your favorite food...” We never bought that potato. But I was so moved I cried. Now, my eyes burned. I turned my head away. "Baby, if I ever have a change of heart, may lightning strike me down..." Gavin raised three fingers, swearing an oath. Luna immediately covered his mouth. He kissed her hand, completely ignoring my existence. Luna giggled, her anger gone, and let him carry her out of the room. I stood there, frozen. My heart felt like it was being sliced into ribbons. I don't know how long I stood there. Eventually, I pulled out my phone and called my mom in Vancouver. "Mom... I'll do it. I'll immigrate." "Really? Oh, honey, finally! Bring your husband. Your stepdad and I can support you both until you get settled." "He's not coming. I'll file the paperwork tomorrow. See you next month." I laughed bitterly. The heir to the Sterling empire didn't need us to support him. I hung up, packed my things, and walked out of the clinic. Gavin was waiting for me by the entrance. "We need to talk." 2 He was leaning against a Maybach, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black slacks, holding a cigarette that was burning down to the filter. The smoke obscured his expression. I paused, curled my fingers into fists, and nodded. It was my first time in his car. The passenger seat was clearly Luna’s territory—custom pink leather, completely out of place in the sleek vehicle. There was a pillow printed with their wedding photo. Acid rose in my throat. I moved the pillow to the back seat. Top-tier billionaires apparently liked tacky romance too. But he hadn't taken a photo with me in over a year. We drove in silence to a high-end French restaurant. I recognized it. I’d seen it on TV. I used to tell Gavin how much I loved the décor, and he promised he’d save up to take me here for our anniversary. We were here now, but there was no joy. Only dread. Gavin ordered in fluent French, snapped the napkin onto his lap, and finally looked at me. "When did you find out who I was?" His voice was calm. No love. No guilt. I gripped the hem of my dress under the table. "Today. When I saw you." "Hm." He poured me a glass of wine. "Keep quiet. Don't let this get back to Luna, and I'll consider keeping the status quo." What? I stared at him, unable to process the words. "You... you want me to be your mistress?" "Mistress? I don't have romantic feelings for you, and frankly, your body isn't that appealing..." He scoffed, swirling his wine. "You took care of me. I was repaying a debt. But now? It's unnecessary. Five million dollars. To buy out the 'life-saving grace.' Is that enough?" My heart stopped. Even expecting the worst, his words were daggers. To him, I wasn't even worthy of being a mistress. "What about our marriage license?" I asked, biting my lip until it tasted like iron. "I had amnesia. I made up an identity. That license is legally void," he frowned, looking annoyed. "The feelings I had when I lost my memory were real, sure. But look at us. We aren't from the same world. If no one had popped this bubble, I might have kept playing house. But now? I don't want Luna to be sad." Tears welled up, but I pinched my thigh to stop them. The happiness I cherished was just charity to him. "Fine," I whispered, swallowing the blood from my lip. "Five million. To buy out my saving your life." I wasn't going to be stupid. I deserved that money. To pay his medical bills back then, I worked three jobs. I sold the only thing my late father left me. If we were cutting ties, we were cutting them clean. Gavin nodded, satisfied. "I'll have the lawyers draft it. Eat. Didn't you always want to come here?" He brought me here on purpose? I picked up my knife and fork. The silence was deafening. I cut the steak, my knuckles white. Suddenly, his phone rang. It was a custom ringtone of Luna’s voice. “Hubby, pick up the phone!” He answered on the first ring. "Luna? Don't be scared, I'm coming!" Panic flooded his face. He stood up immediately. He took two steps, then turned back and grabbed my arm. "You're coming too!" "What?" "You're a therapist. Luna had a nightmare. You need to comfort her!" He dragged me to the car and sped up the mountain to his private estate. He dragged me into Luna’s bedroom. She was crying hysterically. Seeing us, she ignored me and threw herself into his arms. "Gavin, I was so scared! I dreamt you left me!" He held her like she was precious porcelain. "I won't leave. Don't be silly. You are always in my heart. Look." He pulled down his collar, revealing a tattoo under his left collarbone. An artistic letter 'L'. "My heart only has you." He guided her hand to the tattoo. The sight blinded me. I had always thought the 'L' was a stylized 'W' for Wendy. I used to cry while putting ointment on it, touching it tenderly while he slept. He must have been laughing at me the whole time. I turned to leave. "Where are you going?" Gavin’s voice was ice cold. "I told you to comfort her." I wiped my eyes. "Sorry. Not my job." "You don't want your father's watch back?" he threatened. I spun around. "You found the watch?" I had sold my father's vintage watch to pay for Gavin's surgery. It was my biggest regret. "Did you find it?" I asked, my voice trembling. He stared at me coldly. "Comfort her." I compromised. I walked to the bed. 3 As soon as I got close, Luna threw a pillow at my face. "Why were you with my husband?" she shrieked. "I don't want you near him!" Gavin hugged her tight. "Luna, shh. I thought you’d like a story from a professional. That’s why I brought her." "I don't want other women around you! Get her out! Get out!" She threw another pillow. "Okay, okay." Gavin kissed her forehead, then turned to the bodyguards. "What are you staring at? Throw her out!" Before I could say a word, two men grabbed me and dragged me out of the villa. It was late autumn. The mountain air was freezing. I stood outside the gate, shivering. I couldn't get a cab up here. I had to walk down. I remembered when we first met. We went to the mountains to volunteer. We missed the last bus. Gavin carried me on his back for two hours. His cheap shoes gave him blisters, but he didn't complain. “Blisters heal, Wendy. As long as you’re okay. I’ll never let you suffer.” That Gavin was dead. My heel got stuck in a crack in the asphalt. I tripped, skinning my palms. Pain shot through me. I sat on the cold road and wept until I had no tears left. I limped down the mountain. By the time I got back to the city, the sun was up. I went straight to the immigration office and paid for the expedited processing. Fifteen days. Then I resigned from the clinic. Just as I walked out, Gavin called. "Go pick up Luna's evening gown and bring it to me. I sent the address. You have forty minutes." "Gavin, we're done. I don't work for you," I said. He laughed. "Don't want the watch? Luna knows about you now. Come apologize to her. Now." He hung up. I gritted my teeth and went. I found them in the VIP lounge of the hotel. The door was slightly ajar. Gavin was on the sofa. Luna was straddling his lap, teasing him. "Luna, let me..." Gavin groaned, his voice thick with lust and love. "No! I'm still mad you were with that cheap woman, Wendy!" Luna sobbed. "I was ambushed by my brother, I had amnesia! I really didn't know," Gavin explained hoarsely. "Since I got my memory back, I only touched her once. And that was because I was drunk and thought she was you..." "She means nothing to me. I'm giving her money to disappear. Believe me, I only love you. If you don't let me have you, I'm going to explode." Outside the door, my face went pale. When he was with me, he never asked. He just took. He used to say, “Wendy, I love you too much, I can't control myself.” I thought it was passion. It turns out, when he truly respects a woman, he begs for permission. "Just... just once then," Luna whispered. I watched them. I listened to them. "What about Wendy? How should we punish her for stealing my husband?" Luna panted. "Whatever you want, baby. Make her your dog if you want. Just let me love you..." 4 My blood turned to ice. I bit my tongue until I tasted copper to keep from screaming. I placed the gown box on the floor and walked away. Around the corner, I collapsed against the wall, clutching my chest. It hurt. It physically hurt to breathe. I cried until I felt empty. Then I washed my face, fixed my makeup, and texted Gavin. I was getting that watch. "Wendy Sage! You bitch! Liar!" The moment I entered the ballroom, a slap echoed across my face. Luna stood there, furious. "You stole my husband! Were you laughing at me in the clinic?" "I didn't know," I said, holding my stinging cheek. "Until I saw him, I didn't know. It was a misunderstanding." "If I hadn't come here and investigated, you two would have kept sneaking around!" Luna’s eyes were red. "You stole him! You deserve to die!" She signaled the bodyguards. They surrounded me. "What are you doing?" I backed up. "I hate when people touch my things. Especially my men. Wendy, get on your knees, slap yourself, apologize, and lick my shoes clean!" Luna demanded, chin high. "No. That’s unreasonable..." "She can do whatever she wants." Gavin walked over, looking elegant and cruel. He wrapped an arm around Luna. "My Luna gets what she wants." He nodded to the guards. They forced me down in front of Luna. I looked up at him. "I did nothing wrong. I won't apologize. Gavin, I agreed to leave..." Slap. Luna hit me again. "Apologize!" I turned my head, refusing. She hit me again. And again. Gavin watched coldly. Only after the third slap did he catch her hand. "You feel bad for her?" Luna pouted. "Your hand is getting red. It hurts me to see you in pain," he said tenderly. "Let the guards do the dirty work." Luna giggled and snuggled into him. "Okay. Beat her until she apologizes." Gavin smirked and nodded at the guard. The guard was heavy-handed. Two slaps and I tasted blood. But I wouldn't break. Luna stomped her foot. Gavin narrowed his eyes and pulled a worn leather watch from his pocket. "Still won't apologize?" He dangled it in front of me. My eyes burned. "Dad's watch! Give it to me!" So he had it the whole time. "Give it back!" I screamed. Gavin looked at me without emotion. My strength left me. I slumped to the floor. "I'm sorry, Miss Shaw. Two years ago, I shouldn't have saved him. I shouldn't have loved him. It was my fault. I was wrong..." Gavin’s hand stiffened. His chest felt tight. Before he could speak, Luna snatched the watch. "Is that an apology or a demand? You want this trash?" She threw the watch into a large decorative display filled with cacti. "No!" I screamed, pushing past people, diving into the planter. Thorns pierced my skin instantly. "Whoever finds it first gets fifty thousand dollars! Find it and smash it!" Luna yelled. The crowd surged forward. I found the watch, curling around it to protect it. People stepped on me. They tore at my clothes. Thorns dug deeper. Blood soaked my dress. Someone ripped the watch from my hand. He ran to Luna, smashed it on the marble floor, and stomped on it until the face shattered into dust. My heart shattered with it. I truly regretted it. I regretted ever loving Gavin Sterling.
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