Chapter 1

Two years ago, in an attempt to save my boyfriend, I was severely burned on my back, leaving behind terrifying scars.

A week before our engagement, I finally completed the last round of scar treatment surgery.

Excited, I rushed home, eager to tell my boyfriend that I could finally be his perfect bride.

But I accidentally stumbled upon something I wasn't supposed to see—our little maid, laughing as she pulled my boyfriend into our master bedroom.

"It's been three months now. The doctor said it's fine, the baby will be okay."

"The master bedroom's bed is so big. You've never used it, right? Didn't you say seeing her scars disgusted you?"

I didn't hear my boyfriend's answer, but the sounds of moans and passionate water noises from the room made everything clear.

The man who once claimed he couldn't bear to touch me had already had a child with someone else—and they were making love on the very wedding bed I had carefully chosen.

In that moment, I didn't want to tell him I had healed, and I didn't want to go through with our engagement anymore.

As I listened to their hurried breathing, I sent a message to my father.

"Father, I won't marry Adam Brown anymore."

"I'm going to marry his older brother, Carme Brown."

I don't know how long I stood there at the door, but gradually, the dirty sounds inside the room ceased.

Sweety Swift's pretentious voice rang out again.

"Adam, you really need to control yourself. I'm worried it'll affect the baby."

"Well, it's not your fault. You've been holding it in for three months. I bet you're about to explode."

"Chill Mone is also to blame. Her whole body is covered in scars, it's been hard on you to have desire for her."

I clenched my fists involuntarily, my whole body freezing like I had fallen into an ice pit.

The scars on my body were from a fire two years ago when Adam Brown and I were trapped inside a burning building.

In a life-or-death moment, I pushed Adam out of the room to save him. But as I tried to escape, a burning beam fell heavily on my back.

Had the rescuers not arrived in time, I might have died that day.

Though I survived, my back was severely burned, and I had to stay in bed for three months to recover.

I still remember the day I woke up to find Adam by my bedside, tearfully making a promise.

"Chill, you saved my life. Without you, I wouldn't have made it out."

"When I saw you crushed by the beam, I thought I had lost you forever."

"I, Adam Brown, will only have you, Chill Mone, in this life. I'll never let you down."

His vows were still fresh in my ears, but the man who made those vows was now on our wedding bed, tangled up with another woman.

Just as I was lost in thought, Adam's deep voice came from inside the room.

"Sexy, are you ready? Give me one more time."

"She's out for the moment, but she'll be back soon. We'd better make the most of this time."

"You really are insatiable. These three months have left me yearning for you."

A few moments later, the disgusting sounds of their intimacy started again. My nose tingled with bitterness, and I turned to head into the bathroom.

Staring at the smooth skin of my back in the mirror, I was momentarily dazed.

Over the past two years, every time Adam sees the scars on my back, he feels guilty and tears up.

It wasn't until a year ago that Mom told me she had met a brilliant plastic surgeon, someone who was exceptionally skilled in scar revision.

To avoid worrying Adam, and to surprise him, I've secretly been receiving treatment for the past year, without him knowing.

I didn't expect much from the scar revision, but the doctor was truly remarkable. In just a year, my back was as smooth and flawless as before.

But, Adam and I could never go back to the way things were.

Chapter 2

I soaked in the large bathtub, trying to push away the dirty sounds cluttering my mind.

I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but by the time I finally stood up, the water had grown cold.

After changing into some clothes and stepping out of the bathroom, I saw Adam sitting on the couch.

The moment he saw me, there was a flicker of panic in his eyes.

"Chill? Didn't you go out?"

"When did you get back? Didn't you hear anything."

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? I would've gone to pick you up."

My gaze shifted to Sweety, who was cleaning nearby, and I smiled lightly.

"I went shopping with Mom, and the driver dropped me off, so I didn't ask you to come."

"I just got home, washed my face in the bathroom."

"Why are you asking this? Did something happen at home?"

Seeing my calm expression, Adam let out a sigh of relief and pulled me to sit beside him on the couch.

"Next time, just tell me when you're going out. I'll worry if you don't."

"Are you hungry? What would you like to eat? I'll have the housekeeper make it."

"In a week, we'll be engaged, Chill. I've been waiting for this day."

Adam's face was filled with sincerity, as if he truly loved me down to my very bones.

He pulled me into his arms, his right hand gently rubbing my shoulder.

I secretly lifted my eyes to look at Sweety, and saw the fleeting flash of malice in her eyes.

Sweety had been the daughter of the housekeeper at my family's old home. She grew up there, living with her mother.

Later, when Adam and I started living together, she volunteered to come along and help take care of me.

At 10 PM, as usual, Adam brought me a glass of milk.

"Chill, take the medicine first, then drink the milk."

"You must be tired after shopping with Mom. The milk will help you sleep better."

"Don't worry, I'll stay with you."

Since I was burned, I had been on medication regularly.

But I had fully recovered now, and I didn't really need to take the medicine anymore.

However, I didn't want to tell him I was better, so when he wasn't paying attention, I secretly hid the pills beneath the mattress.

Maybe it was because I was tired from shopping, or maybe it was the shock from what happened today, but before long, I fell asleep.

I was awakened by a soft conversation.

"We just did this in the afternoon. Why are you thinking about it again?"

"Be quieter, don't wake her up."

"Adam, be gentle, don't touch there."

Adam's voice was urgent, completely different from his usual gentle tone when speaking to me.

"It's not the first time, you know I've give her medicine so she won't wake up."

"I've been holding it in for three months. The two times this afternoon weren't enough."

"It's not my fault, you little devil is just too tempting. Stop talking, hurry up."

I lay there, side turned, silently feeling the tremors behind me. Tears slid down my face without a sound.

Adam Brown, how could you do this to me?

The next morning, Adam made breakfast. When I woke up, he carefully handed me a peeled egg.

"Today's Sweety's birthday, so I gave her the day off."

"I made breakfast—your favorite seafood porridge. Let me know if it's to your liking."

"Why do you have such dark circles under your eyes? Didn't sleep well last night?"

I glanced at him briefly.

"You know it's Sweety's birthday?"

Adam froze for a moment, his expression awkward.

"She mentioned it when she took the morning off."

"Besides, she's been with you since you were little. You two are more like sisters."

"Okay, let's not talk about her. I'm staying home today, just to keep you company."

At 6 PM, I was watering the flowers in the garden when I saw Adam holding his coat, ready to leave.

"Chill, the company called. I need to handle something, so I can't stay with you."

"Don't wait up for me tonight. I might have to stay late at the office."

I nodded, watching him hurry out the door.

I had already anticipated that he would leave today.

After all, it was Sweety's birthday. How could Adam not spend time with her?

Not to mention, the Brown family business had always been run by his older brother, Carme Brown.

Adam hardly ever took part in the company's affairs, so how could he suddenly need to work overtime?

With this thought in mind, I put the watering can down and quietly followed him out of the house.

Adam didn't head for the underground parking lot. Instead, he walked straight into a villa diagonally across from ours.

My heart sank.

Chapter 3

The house Adam and I lived in was one he arranged for us, but now I realized he hadn't just bought one, but two—

one for us, and the other for Sweety, right across the street from our wedding home.

After watching Adam enter, I carefully approached the villa.

Peering through the gaps in the iron fence at the entrance, I saw several people in the yard, clearly having an outdoor party.

A man's voice rang out, teasing from inside.

"Adam's late, come on, let's drink!"

"Sweety, it's your birthday today, how can you let him come so late?"

"Come, come, drink up, we're not letting you off the hook!"

Adam affectionately pulled Sweety Swift into his arms.

"I'm sorry, babe. I'm late."

"You know how troublesome Chill can be. It was a struggle just to get out."

"But don't worry. Tonight, I'm all yours."

The last sentence from Adam was particularly suggestive, and the teasing laughter of those around them grew louder.

"Wow, wow, wow, our Sweetie here sure has Adam completely enchanted."

"Chill, aside from her family background, what does she have to compare to Sweetie? Always acting so much like a young girl!"

"Exactly. And don't even get me started on how she almost burned to death. I heard the scars on her body are as terrifying as snake skin."

As I listened to their words, my nails dug into my palms, the pressure so intense it almost drew blood.

These people were Adam's friends—a bunch of second-generation rich kids.

They'd always been friendly to me in front of Adam, calling me "Miss Mone" as if they couldn't wait to get in with the Mone family.

But now, behind my back, they were mocking me, calling me a spoiled young girl?

Adam's voice rang out with disdain.

"Why bring up bad luck on such a great day?"

"If it weren't for her being Mone family's eldest daughter, who would you to get engaged to her?"

"What does she have to compare to Sweetie?"

Hearing Adam's words, Sweety's face bloomed into a sweet smile.

The crowd laughed and teased even more.

"Only Adam could handle it. Chill is utterly devoted to you, and yet you're also winning Sweetie over. You're amazing."

"Once you two are engaged, your brother might even step down from the Carme Group."

"With the Mone family backing you, no matter how capable Carme is, he'll have to hand over Carme Group. It'll be all yours."

I felt increasingly disgusted and turned to leave the villa.

Tomorrow was supposed to be my engagement day with Carme.

Adam, enjoy yourself.

The next morning, Adam didn't return until just before noon.

He rushed into the walk-in closet the moment he entered the house. I sat at the dining table, quietly waiting for him to come out.

When he was dressed, he walked over to me and planted a kiss on my cheek.

"Today is my brother's engagement day. You could only stay home and be good."

"I've been really busy these past few days. Once I'm done, I'll spend more time with you."

"If you're bored, you can ask Mom out for shopping. Don't stay cooped up at home."

Ever since I was burned, I'd rarely attended these kinds of events.

After all, my body was covered in hideous scars, and not only could I not wear a beautiful dress, but I also had to endure the strange glances of others.

Watching Adam hurriedly prepare to leave, I spoke softly.

"Adam."

"What if I told you that the person getting engaged today is me?"

Adam froze in his tracks, then turned to look at me, his gaze filled with affection.

"Don't joke, Chill. Our engagement party is in a few days."

"Why are you throwing a tantrum? Is your wound bothering you again? You should go soak in the medical hot spring in the garden. It'll help ease the pain."

"Be good, I'll come back after the engagement. It won't take long."

Looking at Adam's retreating figure, I lowered my head softly.

The medical hot spring in the garden was something Adam had ordered to be installed during the renovations.

It drew from a natural spring rich in minerals and had therapeutic properties, which helped relieve the pain in my back.

Those gentle moments still felt close, but the one who once showed me such gentleness no longer loved me.

I stood up and dialed my father's number.

"Dad, please send someone to pick me up."

Adam, I told you, today is my engagement day.

Why won't you believe me?