Chapter 1

On my birthday, I was kidnapped—held captive and tortured for three days and nights.

By the time my husband Ian Cohen finally found me, I was practically naked and covered in filth.

Ian showed up at the scene, shouting at reporters to get the hell back. His eyes were full of genuine pain as he pulled me into his arms.

Right there, in front of everyone, he proposed.

On the ride home, I fell asleep in Ian's car. Somewhere between sleeping and waking, I caught bits of his conversation with his bodyguard Kurt Delapore.

"Ian, getting your wife drugged and hiring those guys... you know... Wasn’t that a bit much? I mean, if you wanted to ruin her reputation for that woman, there had to be another way, right?”

Ian kept rubbing my back gently as he answered, his voice low and calm.

"For a woman, chastity is everything. If you want to destroy her, there's no other better way."

“But it’s fine. I can give her the marriage she's always wanted. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to her. That should be enough..."

Burning tears slid down my face. But inside, all I felt was cold.

The fairytale marriage I'd dreamed of was nothing but a lie.

A grave I dug with my own hands.

...

"Ian, let's take her to our Cohen hospital. Everyone there’s our own staff...”

"No. Public hospital." Ian said coldly.

"Seriously? Public is crawling with people. Reporters are probably already camped out. God knows what kind of crap the media will start spinning!”

"That's exactly what I want. This thing's almost wrapped up. We need to stick the landing. That way, Simon’ll finally give up on Aurora, and Veronica can relax about being his wife..."

"Enough. I'm tired. Let me rest."

I bit my lip hard, forcing myself not to make a sound. The familiar warmth of Ian’s body terrified me now.

The car, once filled with our laughter, had become my personal hell.

Everything finally clicked into place. After Simon cheated and we divorced, golden boy Ian had pursued me relentlessly.

But it was never about love. It was just his way of clearing the path for his first love Veronica Ashton.

The two men I'd loved with my entire heart both fantasized about the same woman. And that woman wasn't me.

The nausea hit hard, twisting up my stomach with each passing thought.

I couldn't hold it back anymore. Gripping the seat, I doubled over, retching violently.

The noise instantly woke Ian. He quickly leaned over, patting my back gently while asking in a soft voice, "Babe, what's wrong? Just hang in there a little longer—we'll be at the hospital soon."

He reached for the cup I always used and handed it to me. The water was the perfect temperature. Ian always nailed those little details.

"Babe, take it slow," he murmured, leaning closer.

Every time he called me “babe,” it made the nausea surge back stronger.

A few minutes later, I finally felt a bit better. I pushed myself up and glanced outside. And right then, we drove past the Cohen Group’s private hospital.

Ian tensed slightly but quickly recovered, pulling me close as if nothing had happened. He gently tucked my hair behind my ear and explained softly.

“Babe, the doctors at our place… they’re not good enough. You’ve already been through hell. I don't want to take any chances. I've booked the best specialists for you. Let’s do a full check-up, alright?”

"Don't worry, I’ll keep the reporters out. I won’t let them get to you.”

He placed a soft kiss on my cheek. I turned my head toward the window and sighed quietly to myself.

What could I say? Three years of marriage, and I was just Ian's caged canary. Aside from the credit card with a six-figure monthly limit, I had no control over anything in my life.

I forced a smile and gave the response he expected. "Okay. Whatever you think is best."

My usual docile compliance seemed to please him. He shifted in his seat and looked at his bodyguard through the rearview mirror.

“Kurt, make sure Aurora’s protected once we get to the hospital.”

Kurt met Ian's eyes in the mirror and nodded. But a few seconds later, he gave me a meaningful look.

I knew exactly what was behind that look. It was the guilt of someone who still had a conscience.

Chapter 2

The car quickly pulled up to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, the most prestigious medical center in Manhattan.

A swarm of reporters and onlookers had gathered outside. The moment I stepped out of the car, the swarm descended.

Kurt and Ian positioned themselves in front of me, but two men couldn't hold back the mob. Within seconds, Kurt went down in the crowd.

And then—flashbulbs. Microphones. Questions like bullets.

“Mrs. Cohen, mind telling us were you targeted on your birthday because your outfit was too revealing?"

"Mrs. Cohen, your husband claims the kidnappers didn't sexually assault you, but those marks on your body tell a different story. Was he just trying to protect your dignity with a white lie?"

“Mrs. Cohen, do you think what you went through will affect your marriage?”

“Mrs. Cohen, if Mr. Cohen still loves you after this—wouldn’t you owe him for the rest of your life? You agree, right?"

Their questionscut like a blade to my heart.

I watched Ian desperately trying to shield me from the reporters. But I’d heard him in the car, and hot tears streamed down my face.

The man I trusted with my entire life... was the same one who orchestrated the worst thing that ever happened to me.

How fucking ironic.

I curled up in the crowd like a stray dog nobody wanted, letting those reporters step all over my clothes and body.

"Kurt Delapore, what the hell are you doing?!"

With Ian's furious shout, Kurt finally managed to get back on his feet.

What a perfectly coordinated act...

I'd accompanied Ian to deal with these reporters countless times, so I knew exactly how this worked. The journalists had already gotten the shots they wanted.

It didn't matter that I hadn't said a word—their stories would say exactly what Ian wanted them to say.

The unfaithful socialite wife and the devoted billionaire husband. That narrative sold papers every time.

The reporters knew better than to truly piss off Ian, so after his angry outburst, they gradually dispersed.

Ian immediately helped me up from the ground, brushing dirt off me while whispering comfort.

"Babe, don't take their words seriously, okay? What happened doesn’t change anything. If anything, I love you even more.”

Then he turned and kicked Kurt hard.

“I told you in the car to protect her! One fucking job! One more slip-up and you're fired—get your ass back to wherever you came from! Useless piece of shit!"

Oscar-worthy performance.

The hospital specialists were already waiting. The moment I arrived, they swept me off for a barrage of tests.

Hours later, they kept Ian alone in the room. While Kurt was away paying the bill, I stood by the door and overheard the doctor's words.

"Her uterus is irreparably damaged. Your wife was actually pregnant, I'm afraid. Unfortunately, she'll never be able to have children again..."

“Your wife’s showing severe psychological trauma. She talks to herself and fears contact with strangers. Beyond PTSD. You’ll need to manage public exposure very carefully to avoid retraumatization. But for the Cohen family, that shouldn’t be hard, right?”

I couldn't hear the rest of what the doctor said.

I had been pregnant when this happened...

I touched my flat stomach. So Ian hadn't just destroyed me—he'd murdered our child too.

I stumbled down the hospital corridor and collapsed against the wall.

Minutes later, I heard Kurt's familiar voice in the hallway.

“Just like you wanted, Ian. She can’t have kids anymore. But... she already was pregnant. That's another life on our hands. This is... this is too far.”

Ian didn't respond.

After a moment of silence, Kurt stuttered, “So... the media. You still want them to run the story?”

"Yes."

Then they both walked away.

When I'd calmed down, I took out my phone and accepted a job offer from a London art studio that had contacted me six months ago.

Within minutes, I received a confirmation email. And I booked myself a flight for two days later.

A love cage without love is just a prison. There was no reason to stay any longer.

Chapter 3

Just as I booked my ticket, my phone lit up.

It was Ian.

His voice on the other end was laced with panic. "Babe, where are you? I can't find you anywhere..."

“I’m still at the hospital,” I said quietly. “Stepped out for some air. I can see you now."

The moment I got into the car, Ian pulled me tightly into his arms.

"Aurora, please don't scare me like that again, okay? Please…”

I forced back my tears and nodded.

Ian had Kurt drive us home. The moment we passed through the gates, I spotted Ian's mother Wren Elliott arranging flowers in the garden with Veronica dutifully assisting her.

"Aurora," Ian said sweetly, “Mom was so worried when she heard what happened—she insisted on coming over. You know Veronica studied psychology? I asked her to talk to you a bit, help you process everything.”

If my mother-in-law had to name the person she hated most in the world, it would undoubtedly be me. There was no way she'd come out of genuine concern.

Sure enough, the second I stepped out of the car, Wren glided over with Veronica on her arm, looking at me with pure disgust.

"How dare you show your face here after being defiled by another man? You should have died out there and made room for our Veronica!"

Ian put his arm around me protectively.

"Mom, you're always so harsh. I know you care about Aurora, can't you say something nice for once?"

Wren flicked her sleeves in contempt.

“Care about her? In her next life maybe. I’m only here to ask when the divorce is happening. I just want Veronica to be my daughter-in-law.”

With that, she physically pushed Veronica toward Ian, admiring them like a masterpiece.

"Look how perfect they are together!"

Veronica was already pressed against Ian's chest.

"Mom, come on. Veronica is married," Ian protested weakly, though his body unconsciously leaned toward Veronica.

Veronica just giggled without saying a word.

Watching the three of them looking so cozy together, I couldn't stand it anymore.

“Ian, I’m tired. You should stay and spend some time with your mom and Veronica.”

Ian was clearly already lost in Veronica's charms. He barely acknowledged me with a grunt of agreement.

Later, from my bedroom balcony, I saw Veronica had linked her arm through Ian's. Wren's shrill voice carried up to me.

"Ian, hurry up and get that woman out of this house! Just looking at her makes me sick. Veronica’s fiancé is a nobody anyway. You two should get married as soon as possible!”

Hearing his mother's words, Ian gazed at Veronica with such longing. But Veronica's averted eyes filled Ian's face with unmistakable pain.

I couldn't bear to watch anymore. I crawled into bed and curled under the covers.

By the time I woke up, darkness had fallen. Through my foggy consciousness, I heard Ian's voice outside my door.

"Veronica, you know how happy I was when Mom pushed you toward me today? I've dreamed of that moment countless times. I’ve always gotten everything I wanted in this life. Everything… except you.”

Ian's voice cracked with emotion. I'd never heard him so vulnerable.

I quietly slipped out of bed and cracked open the door. Veronica had Ian in her arms, gently stroking his back.

“Ian… I’ve had my own battles, too. But I just never imagined you'd sacrifice so much for me. I'm sorry, Ian, you've suffered because of me..."

Before she could finish, Ian kissed her with desperate intensity.

Veronica froze for half a second. Then tipped her head back and kissed him back.

After a tangle of bodies and gasps, Ian whispered, "“It’s not a sacrifice, Veronica. If you’re happy, it’s all worth it..."

Before he could finish, Veronica tore open his shirt and kissed him feverishly.

I couldn't bare anymore and closed the door.

Minutes later, I heard the guest room door creak open, followed by the unmistakable sounds of their lovemaking.

My stomach churned violently.A fire exploded in my chest. I couldn’t breathe.

I stumbled toward the wall and slammed my forehead against it.

After the momentary dizziness passed, the feeling subsided slightly. I turned to look at my disheveled reflection in the mirror and broke down sobbing.

I sat there in a daze until dawn. Ian never returned. The sounds of pleasure from the guest room continued all night.

As daylight began to break, my bedroom door opened.

It wasn’t Ian.

It was Veronica.