On a private island in Italy, surrounded by the deep blue ocean, a profound silence prevailed inside a European-style mansion. In the upper part of the mansion, the cool breeze from a large window gently swayed the black canopy of a bed. The atmosphere inside the room felt like a mysterious painting.

Amid the rustling curtains around the bed, a small girl could be seen, curled up in her school uniform — frightened and anxious. Her eyes glimmered with helplessness, as if she was battling some unknown fear. Her gaze was fixed nervously toward the door.

Suddenly, the heavy, intricately carved door creaked open — "Wheeze..." The sound echoed, breaking the room's silence. Near the door stood a man in a black suit, stepping aside to make way for someone.

A man entered the room with firm steps. There was a chilling coldness in his eyes and a deep sternness on his face. He leaned closer to the trembling girl on the bed, as if trying to read the depth of her eyes. The girl's face was wet with tears, but fear had sealed her voice.

In a cold, detached voice, the man asked, "Is this the one the young woman arranged for?"

Without hesitation, the person standing behind replied, "Yes, sir, this is the one."

The girl's mind flooded with questions — what did "the young woman arranged for" mean? Were they here for a kidney transplant? If so, why wasn't a doctor called? What was this man doing here? Could he be the doctor?

For a moment, a deep contemplation appeared in the man's eyes. He rested his hand carelessly on his thigh and said, "You all may leave now."

At his command, everyone quietly exited. Now, only the man and the terrified girl remained in the room. The girl's blurry vision tried to focus on him, but exhaustion and weakness weighed her eyelids down. She recalled that a woman had given her water earlier — had there been something mixed in it?

A sense of helplessness, like being trapped in a predator's snare, gripped her heart with terror. Her breathing grew rapid, and her heartbeat echoed loudly. The man didn't move from his spot, his gaze still fixed on the girl.

"Ah—no!" she suddenly screamed and woke up with a jolt. Her eyes opened, realizing she was safe in her room. It was all just a nightmare, but its intensity still lingered in her soul. For a while, she panted, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

Since Ruby had gone to Italy for her studies, that nightmare had haunted her for four long years. Each time, the dream felt so real that its impact lingered even after she woke up. That morning, too, when she woke up drenched in sweat and fear, she realized that she had been trapped in the same terrifying dream once again. Steadying her heartbeat, she shook her head and went to take a cold shower.

After the shower, Ruby tried to compose herself. As soon as she stepped out of her room, she heard some commotion from the study room. Drying her wet hair with a towel, she walked toward the study.

"Jackson?" she called softly, but there was no response.

As soon as Ruby opened the door to the study, her heart began to pound loudly. The room looked like a twisted romantic disaster—books scattered everywhere, clothes carelessly tossed on the floor, and a thin, trembling black leg half-exposed from behind the bookshelf. And at the center of it all was her husband—Jackson Parker.

Ruby's eyes froze as she took in the unexpected scene. Ella Reed, bent in Jackson's arms and about to kiss his neck, stopped abruptly when she saw Ruby standing at the door. In a fluster, she tried to gather her clothes, but Jackson calmly helped her cover herself with a detached ease.

While panic was clear on Ella's face, Jackson stood there unaffected and steady. Adjusting his trousers, he fearlessly placed his hand on Ella's slim waist and turned to face Ruby.

Ella's gaze fell on the tissues and condoms scattered across the floor, and her face flushed with shame. In a desperate attempt, she placed her hand on Jackson's chest and stammered, "Sister, this... this isn't what it looks like. I can explain…"

A bitter smile appeared on Ruby's lips. Explain what? Would Ella claim she was collecting used condoms? That the tissues were there for blowing noses?

Ignoring Ruby's silence, Jackson casually patted Ella's shoulder and said to Ruby, "Clean up the study before Grandma arrives."

Ruby's heart crumbled inside, her voice carrying both pain and anger. "If you're so scared of getting caught, then stop bringing people here in secret."

Jackson considered her words for a moment before letting out a self-satisfied smirk. "In secret?"

Jackson, holding Ella in his arms, slowly walked over to Ruby.

Grabbing Ruby's chin firmly, his sharp, furious eyes locked onto hers. “I almost forgot I was married,” Jackson said coldly, his words stabbing at Ruby’s heart. “But Ruby, what right do you have to blame me? You’re no saint yourself.”

Ruby’s lips trembled as she bit them, her eyes welling up with tears.

Her pain was met with Jackson’s disdainful shove.

He gently caressed Ella’s chin. “Darling, the air here has become toxic. Let’s go outside and get some fresh air.”

Ella smiled softly and grabbed Ruby’s arm. “Sister, please let me explain. There’s nothing going on between Jackson and me. What you saw was just…”

Just as Ruby was about to jerk her arm away, Ella screamed and fell to the side.

Jackson’s eyes flared with rage. Without hesitation, he grabbed Ruby by the neck and slammed her against the bookshelf.

“Ah…” Ruby groaned, her brows furrowing from the sudden tightness around her throat.

Ella ran over, grabbing his arm. “Jackson, please! I fell down by accident. It’s not my sister’s fault.”

“You—leave now!” Jackson barked.

“I will go, Jackson, but please don’t hurt my sister,” Ella pleaded, her voice drenched in worry.

Jackson’s expression darkened—it looked as though he truly wanted to kill Ruby.

Ruby let out a cold laugh, her eyes shimmering with humiliation and heartbreak. Her voice trembled, but her words were firm. “You love Ella, don’t you? Fine. I’ll step aside. Let’s get a divorce!”

Jackson’s grip tightened as he stared into her eyes. “Divorce?”

“Yes.” Ruby smiled faintly, as if fear no longer had any place in her.

Her smile only fueled Jackson’s fury. With a swift motion, he grabbed her dress collar. Three buttons popped off, revealing her delicate collarbone.

Jackson’s heated breath fell against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. She instinctively reached to fix her clothes, but Jackson caught her hand and pinned it above her head.

“Jackson, let me go!” Ruby cried out.

“You want to divorce me so you can sleep with other men?” Jackson’s voice dripped with venom. In his eyes, Ruby was no better than a filthy, shameless woman.

Ruby had had enough of this man’s torment.

“Yes!” she shouted, her voice trembling yet determined.

His hand slid down from her collarbone.

“Jackson!” Ruby screamed. The hand that touched her still carried the sickening stench of another woman’s vomit—Ella’s. It made Ruby want to throw up.

“Do your new lovers start like me,” Jackson hissed, “or do they just get straight to the point?”

“Jackson, you disgust me!” Ruby shouted, full of rage. Once, she had longed for this touch, dreamt of moments like this. But now, it made her skin crawl.

“And I’m less disgusting than the one you were sleeping with,” Jackson spat. “Once, you were the most sacred woman in my heart.”

But everything changed a year ago—on their wedding night—when he saw Ruby with his own brother…