A Lie He Chose to Love

I waited all day for my fianc, only to witness him gambling with his life in an underground casino for another woman.

I had given up my wealthy family for him and endured three years of hardship, believing it was true love.

But he pushed me into the snake pit and destroyed my wedding dress with his own hands.

In despair, I fled to New York, married into a top-tier elite family, and became the sole heir of a prestigious dynasty.

When Harrison Quinn finally came to his senses and desperately chased after me, he discovered it was too late to make amends.

But the truth was, three years ago, the one who truly saved his life had been me all along.

And the woman he had protected with every means at his disposal was nothing but an elaborate lie.

Lily's POV

I waited until nightfall, and when my fianc still hadn't shown up, my phone rang:

"Lily, something terrible happened! Harrison's lost his mind! He's betting his life at an underground casino."

My heart lurched.

Harrison Quinn used to be the living devil everyone feared.

To seize territory, he fought for three days and nights straight, carving out his place through blood and violence.

But at the peak of his power, he met me.

From then on, he gave up everything, promising me a clean future.

He disbanded his crew, stopped fighting, retired from the frontlines, and became an ordinary man.

Everyone said Harrison was madly in love with me!

Even I believed it myself.

How could he be gambling with his life?

I was about to rush out when I saw a staff member walking in from outside.

"Did you hear? Harrison just got married to some woman at the underground casino!"

My steps froze. The hand clutching the marriage application trembled.

I'd been left here all day, only to learn that my boyfriend of three years was marrying someone else?

By the time I reached the underground casino, a crowd had already gathered outside.

Inside the casino was chaos. Harrison sat quietly at the gambling table, holding a marriage certificate.

All his attention was fixed on the college girl being restrained by the casino boss, Derek.

"Vivian Taylor is my wife now. If you dare touch her, I'll shut down your casino!"

The word "wife" hit me like a knife, cutting deep.

The casino boss slammed Vivian onto the gambling table, his expression vicious.

"Harrison Quinn, Vivian's brother already sold her to me to cover his debt. You went and married her just so you could claim her as your wife and buy her freedom?"

"But if you want to take her, you have to follow the casino rules."

The casino boss, Derek, pulled a gun from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"This gun can fire five rounds, but there's one real bullet in the chamber. If you survive to the end, you can take her with you."

Vivian looked at Harrison, already sobbing uncontrollably.

"Don't do it. I'm not worth it."

Harrison's eyes filled with pain as he looked at Vivian's tears.

Then, without hesitation, he picked up the gun and pressed it against his temple.

Bang.

An empty click!

My heart nearly stopped. I clenched my palms so tightly that my nails dug into my flesh.

Harrison had once sworn never to fight or kill again because I said I was scared.

Yet now, for another woman, he could risk his life without a second thought.

How ironic!

Three empty clicks in a row. The final round.

Derek looked at Harrison with a mocking smile.

"Harrison, this is getting boring. How about we raise the stakes? If you win, Vivian's brother's debt is completely erased, and Vivian's contract is permanently voided."

Harrison's brow furrowed slightly.

"What stakes do you want to add?"

Derek chuckled lightly.

"If you lose, you give me Lily Sullivan. Let me have her for one night. How about it?"

In that instant, I stared at Harrison's impassive face.

His expression remained calm, his lips barely moving.

"Fine."

That single word, like a poisoned blade, slowly sliced through my bones.

I felt like a clown. Three years of love had become so cheap and worthless!

I couldn't watch anymore. I turned to leave.

Just as I reached the door, I heard a gunshot behind me. My heart stopped for a moment!

The next second, Harrison's men rushed in from outside and clashed violently with Derek's crew.

I panicked, trying to get away from the battlefield, but in the chaos, someone swung a baseball bat that struck me hard on the back.

Instantly, I collapsed to the ground. Piercing, bone-deep pain swept through my entire body.

At that moment, someone set the entire casino on fire. Flames spread rapidly, and the whole place descended into chaos.

I tried to get up, but suddenly the crystal chandelier above me crashed down, pinning my leg beneath its weight.

"Harrison!"

I struggled to push the chandelier away, but in the distance, I saw Harrison holding Vivian tightly in his arms.

"Vivian, I won't let anything happen to you. I'm getting you out of here."

With that, Harrison strode toward the exit without hesitation.

My raised hand slowly fell. I laughed bitterly at myself.

Harrison's love for someone was truly obvious!

Thick smoke filled the air. My consciousness grew weaker and weaker.

Before being sent to the emergency room, I vaguely heard a familiar voice.

"Didn't you used to love Lily so much? You were ready to give up everything for her. Why would you risk your life for a college girl today?"

Harrison looked at me lying on the hospital bed, his expression unreadable.

"Vivian saved my life five years ago. I owe her this."

The person glanced at me with sympathy.

"But your wedding with Lily is in a month. Now that you've married Vivian, aren't you afraid Lily will be angry?"

Harrison lit a cigarette, his face showing absolute confidence in his prey.

"She loves me so much. She'll understand."

When I woke up again, I called my family in New York.

"Grandpa, I agree to the match the family set up for me."

There was a long sigh on the other end.

"You should have listened to the family long ago. Harrison's tangled up in things that will catch up with him. If you hadn't threatened to die and made us Sullivans back him all this time, he'd never have gotten this far."

"You gave him everything, and all you got in return was betrayal!"

I gripped my phone tightly, saying nothing.

Grandpa finally spoke with sympathy.

"The marriage has already been arranged by the family. We were just waiting for your consent. In a month, I'll send someone to bring you back to New York."

Lily's POV

After hanging up, the hospital room door swung open. Before I could react, someone pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Lily, I didn't know you came to the casino that day."

Harrison's voice was as gentle as always, but it only made me feel cold and hopeless.

I pushed his hands away.

"Mr. Quinn, you're already someone else's husband. Please show some restraint."

Harrison's hands froze mid-air, panic flashing in his eyes. He quickly grabbed my hand.

"Lily, I only married Vivian to save her. You're the only one in my heart."

"Don't worry, I've already filed for divorce. Our wedding will still happen in a month as planned."

As he finished speaking, Vivian burst through the door, tears streaming down her face.

Seeing Harrison, she threw herself into his arms, eyes red.

"What am I going to do? My mother's critically ill. The doctor said she only has a month left. Her dying wish is to see me get married."

She then turned to me and grabbed my hand.

"I know this is all my fault, but please, can you lend him to me for just one month? I just want my mother to pass away in peace."

I looked at her:

"Let go of me. This is Harrison's business. It has nothing to do with-"

Before I could finish, Vivian suddenly stumbled backward.

Before I could react, a force shoved me aside. I fell from the bed.

My barely healed wounds tore open again. Bright red blood soaked through my hospital gown, shockingly vivid.

Vivian leaned against Harrison, looking pitiful.

"I just wanted to honor my mother before she dies. Why did you push me?"

Harrison held her hand tenderly, but when he looked at me, his eyes held only coldness.

"Lily, when did you become so callous and cruel? Vivian just wants to give her mother peace before she dies. What's wrong with that?"

The word "cruel" pressed on my chest like a boulder, suffocating me.

I clenched my palms, swallowing the metallic taste in my throat.

"Aren't you two already married? Why are you asking me?"

Harrison froze, guilt flashing in his eyes, but he quickly covered it up.

"Lily, I already explained. The marriage license was forced by circumstances. Can you stop being so aggressive?"

"Now, apologize to Vivian immediately!"

I struggled to pull myself up from the floor and looked at him.

"I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?"

Harrison stared into my eyes, his anger intensifying.

"Lily, it seems I've spoiled you too much, turning you into this."

He waved toward the door, and two subordinates walked in.

"Lock her and her dog in the snake house. When she admits her mistake, let her out."

Hearing "snake house," my eyes widened in horror.

This area bordered mountains where snakes were common. Harrison had once organized people to capture them and release them in the wild.

"Harrison, you can't do this to me! You know I'm terrified of snakes!"

But he didn't even glance at me, walking out with Vivian in his arms.

"I'll go with you to see your mother. With me there, she'll be at ease."

Watching his retreating figure, I fell into complete despair.

Soon, I was dragged into the snake house.

Pushing open the door, the entire room was filled with snake cages, densely packed with writhing serpents.

My whole body trembled. I could barely stand.

Lily's POV

I turned to run, but then I saw my dog thrown in with me.

It was a Labrador that had been by my side since I was nine years old-fourteen years now.

He was my closest friend and family!

I never imagined Harrison would use even my dog to force me to apologize.

I held Max tightly, trying to find some sense of security from him.

Just then, I heard a strange noise. Suddenly, the python cage at the front burst open, and a massive python charged toward me at terrifying speed!

Trembling, I pulled out my phone and called Harrison.

"Harrison, the snake got out! Let me out, please!"

On the other end, Harrison fell silent for a moment. Before he could speak, Vivian's voice came through:

"I heard those cages were locked tight. Without keys, the snakes can't possibly get out."

Harrison laughed coldly.

"Lily, you'd even lie like this just to avoid taking responsibility?"

His words poured over me like ice water, chilling me to the bone.

The next second, I heard a fierce bark!

Max rushed forward to protect me and was instantly caught by the python around his neck, whimpering in pain.

"Max!"

I screamed and tried to rush forward, but countless cage doors sprang open simultaneously. Snakes poured out like a flood.

Max struggled, using his last bit of strength to shield me, like a true warrior!

I collapsed to my knees in despair, watching Max lose his life before my eyes, completely helpless.

"Harrison, I was wrong! I know I was wrong! Please let me out!"

Desperation made me abandon all pride.

Before I finished speaking, a venomous snake bit into my leg.

Excruciating pain hit me. I slowly collapsed.

Before losing consciousness, I vaguely saw the door kicked open. Harrison rushed in like a madman and held me tightly.

"Lily, I'm sorry!"

I wanted to laugh, but as I laughed, tears fell.

When I woke again, the sharp smell of disinfectant told me I was in the hospital.

I was about to sit up when Harrison walked in with Vivian.

Seeing I was awake, Harrison quickly came forward to support me.

"Lily, you're finally awake. The snake house incident was an accident. The security system suddenly malfunctioned. I've already dealt with the guards."

I laughed coldly.

"One word, 'accident,' and I lose my family?"

Thinking of Max's death, my chest tightened, like something was crushing me from the inside.

Vivian stepped forward carrying a thermos.

"This is all my fault. I made soup especially to apologize."

I pushed the container away.

"I don't need it."

Vivian immediately looked at Harrison with wounded eyes.

"Did I make something she doesn't like? Tell me what she likes, and I'll remake it."

Harrison ladled out a bowl of soup, his gaze pressuring me.

"Vivian got up before dawn to make this soup for you. She even burned her hand."

I was about to refuse when he swept me with a cold glance.

"Lily, have you forgotten about the snake house?"

My hand froze. I looked at him in disbelief.

"Are you threatening me?"

Harrison shoved the bowl into my hands.

"Lily, be good. I'm just teaching you to be obedient."

Not wanting more trouble, I reluctantly took the bowl. But the moment the soup touched my lips, a fishy smell made me want to vomit!

Just then, Harrison's phone rang.

"I have a conference call."

The moment he left, Vivian dropped her pitiful act and looked at me mockingly.

"I heard your beloved dog died protecting you?"

I watched her warily.

"What do you want?"

Vivian smiled lightly, pointing at the soup bowl in my hands.

"How does it taste? Eating soup made from your own dog."

Lily's POV

I looked at the bowl in my hands, trembling uncontrollably. My stomach churned violently. I grabbed the trash can and vomited.

"Vivian Taylor, how could you?"

I stood up and raised my hand to strike her.

Before my hand could land, a heavy force knocked me aside. My back slammed into the bedside table. Piercing pain shot through me. I could barely stand.

Harrison shielded Vivian behind him, looking at me with a dark expression.

"Lily, I thought after the snake house incident, you'd learned your lesson. I didn't expect you to escalate and try to hurt Vivian."

I pointed at the thermos on the table with trembling fingers, tears streaming down.

"Harrison, do you know what she used to make that soup?"

His expression turned cold.

"Whatever Vivian used to make the soup, it was her gesture. That doesn't give you a reason to attack her."

Harrison turned away, refusing to look at me.

"This time you've gone too far. If I don't teach you a lesson, you'll never learn to behave."

With those words, Harrison's former subordinates entered from outside and quickly restrained my hands.

"Take her to the attic for punishment."

Only then did I realize. The man who once knelt before God and swore to treat me well had returned to his old ways for Vivian!

Gang rules dictated that rule-breakers must receive ninety-nine lashes before witnesses.

When Lily was brought to the attic, everyone had already gathered.

I was forced to the ground. I stared at Harrison.

"Harrison, you can't do this to me. I'm not part of your gang. I don't accept this punishment."

Harrison's gaze swept over me coldly.

"Lily, you're going to be my wife. You must follow the rules. Today you must accept punishment."

He waved to his subordinate, and someone approached with a whip.

The whip fell. A burning pain seared my palm. I looked at Harrison in despair.

"Harrison, you're already married to Vivian. I won't be your wife. You have no right to punish me."

Harrison's hand holding his tea paused. The anger on his face deepened.

"Add ten more lashes."

He strode toward the main hall.

Watching him leave, I plunged into absolute despair.

The whip kept falling on my palms, like a knife carving open my heart piece by piece, making me wish for death.

In the main hall, Harrison celebrated Vivian's birthday. Cheerful birthday wishes formed a stark contrast with my screams of agony!

When the final lash fell, I could no longer hold on and collapsed slowly.

As I closed my eyes, I thought I saw Harrison knock the cake to the floor and rush toward me desperately.

"Who told you to actually hit her that hard?"

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the familiar room.

I tried to sit up when the door suddenly burst open.

Harrison stormed in with a dark expression and grabbed my hand forcefully.

"Why did you order people to kidnap Vivian's mother?"

What was he talking about?

I struggled to push Harrison's hand away.

The wound on my palm tore open. Bright red blood soaked the white bandages, but Harrison acted as if he didn't see it.

Vivian helped her mother inside, her face streaked with tears.

"Miss Sullivan, I know you're upset about my mother's last wish. To force me to divorce Harrison, you had my mother kidnapped."

"But my mother doesn't have much time left. Can't you even wait one month?"

Vivian's mother leaned weakly against her daughter, pointing directly at me.

"When the kidnappers abducted me, I heard them on the phone. They called out Lily's name."

Lily's POV

I looked between Vivian and her mother.

"I've been unconscious since returning from the attic. When would I have had the chance to arrange a kidnapping?"

Harrison's brow furrowed slightly. He was about to speak when Vivian stepped forward and took his arm.

"Forget it. My mother is dying anyway. Since Miss Sullivan can't tolerate me, I'll just leave with my mother."

Vivian turned to go, and Harrison quickly pulled her into his arms, then looked at me coldly.

"Lily, kneel and apologize to Vivian's mother."

I looked at Harrison in disbelief.

"You want me to kneel and apologize to someone who's falsely accusing me?"

I grew up in a prestigious family, cherished and protected all my life. I'd never suffered such humiliation.

But now Harrison was trampling all my dignity underfoot.

I clenched my palms tightly, digging my nails into my flesh.

"What if I don't apologize?"

Harrison gestured toward the door with a sinister expression.

"That's not up to you!"

With those words, two bodyguards immediately stepped forward and restrained my hands. One kicked hard at my knee.

The pain made me unable to stand. I fell straight to my knees before Vivian's mother.

I bit my teeth hard, my voice barely escaping through clenched jaws.

"Harrison, are you satisfied now?"

Harrison put his arm around Vivian's waist and headed out.

"Don't worry. I'm holding a press conference right now to publicly announce that you've already obtained a marriage license with me. That should put your mother's mind at ease."

I watched their retreating figures-like a family of three-my heart sinking completely into the abyss.

Harrison moved fast. That same afternoon, he held a press conference in the estate's courtyard.

I stood by the window, watching Harrison and Vivian sitting before the cameras, smiling sweetly. I turned and left.

I'd just reached the back door when a pair of hands suddenly locked me from behind in a tight grip.

I struggled, trying to call for help, but a cloth covered my nose and mouth.

Then I was dragged into the storage room.

I was pinned in the corner of the storage room. Only then did I see the person's face clearly.

It was Vivian's brother, Marcus Taylor!

My body went limp. I had no strength left, yet I still watched Marcus warily.

"What do you want?"

Marcus looked at me lewdly.

"Everyone says Harrison has a pure woman by his side. I want to taste you too."

With that, Marcus roughly tore at my dress.

I struggled desperately and bit down hard on his hand.

The next second, I heard a loud slap as Marcus struck my face viciously.

"Bitch, let me tell you. Harrison's already married to my sister. You're just an unwanted whore. Why not come with me?"

As he spoke, Marcus pinned my hands against the wall and leaned in to kiss me.

At that critical moment, the storage room door was kicked open.

Harrison rushed in with a dark expression and kicked Marcus away.

The moment I saw Harrison, the word "Harrison" died on my lips as I watched Vivian arrive with countless reporters and media personnel, all pointing their cameras at me.

"Miss Sullivan, are you having an affair right under Mr. Quinn's nose to get revenge for him marrying someone else?"

"Miss Sullivan, Mr. Quinn just announced his marriage and you've already found your next man. Does this mean you've been cheating all along?"

"Miss Sullivan, did Mr. Quinn marry someone else because of your moral problems?"

Each sharp question was like a needle, stabbing viciously into my heart.

Vivian also looked at me with feigned shock.

"Miss Sullivan, I know you resent me and him getting married, but you don't need to seduce my brother to get revenge!"

Marcus looked at Harrison's terrifying gaze and knelt on the ground, trembling.

"Lily seduced me."

I raised my head to look at Harrison, fighting to keep the tears from falling.

"I didn't!"

Harrison looked at me darkly.

"Lily, are you that desperate for a man?"

Then Harrison roughly pulled me up and dragged me toward the swimming pool, shoving me violently into the water.

"Wash yourself clean!"

The icy water quickly submerged me. The drug's effects hadn't worn off yet. I didn't even have the strength to move my arms.

"Harrison, if you don't believe me, why won't you let me go?"

Harrison's steps faltered. He then crouched by the pool, roughly grabbing my collar, his gaze fierce.

"Lily, let me tell you-I will never let you leave."

With that, Harrison released me with disgust.

"Wash yourself clean. I find you filthy."

Those words fell like a boulder crushing my heart.

The early winter wind cut sharply. The icy pool water was like a knife, slicing through every inch of my bones.

After being locked back in my room, I developed a high fever. Even my consciousness began to fade.

In my delirium, I thought I saw Harrison. He gently caressed my face with tender affection.

"Lily, what am I supposed to do with you?"

I woke the next day, still in the familiar room.

Just then, the door opened.

Harrison strode in quickly and grabbed my hand forcefully.

"Come with me somewhere."

Before I could ask, Harrison had already pulled me into the car.

When we reached our destination, I was shocked to discover Harrison had brought me to the casino.

"Harrison, what are you doing?"

Harrison looked at me with an unreadable expression.

"Derek kidnapped Vivian. His condition is to exchange her for you."

Lily's POV

I looked at Harrison in disbelief.

"So you brought me here to trade me for Vivian and hand me over to Derek?"

Harrison turned his head away, unable to meet my eyes.

"Vivian saved me once. I can't just abandon her."

All the grievances I'd accumulated erupted in this moment. Tears streamed down my face.

"So you're using me to repay your debt?"

"Harrison, what am I to you?"

Harrison's brow furrowed.

"I've already made arrangements. I won't let anything happen to you."

With that, he pulled me forward without hesitation and walked inside.

Upon entering the casino, we saw Vivian with her hands bound, kneeling on the ground.

When she saw Harrison, she immediately showed a pitiful expression.

"You finally came. I was so scared!"

Seeing Vivian like this, Harrison's eyes filled with concern:

"I've brought the person. Release Vivian now."

Derek sat in his chair, looking at Harrison mockingly.

"They say men forget old lovers when they get new ones. I didn't think Mr. Quinn would actually bring Lily here."

As Derek spoke, he lifted Vivian up.

"One for one. Fair trade."

I wanted to run. Harrison gripped my hand tightly and shoved me forward.

The moment he pushed me with his own hands, my heart completely plunged into the abyss.

Just as Vivian and I passed each other, Derek suddenly pulled out a gun and aimed it at us.

Harrison rushed forward, pulling Vivian into his arms and shielding her with his entire body.

Then I heard a bang. The bullet grazed my temple. Crimson blood dripped down my cheek.

I watched Harrison anxiously protecting Vivian, my heart pierced with pain.

I'd known the answer all along, yet it still hurt so much I couldn't breathe.

The scene quickly descended into chaos. I curled up in a corner, blood having already stained my white dress red.

Harrison started to walk toward me, but Vivian suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Mr. Quinn, I don't feel well!"

Harrison immediately lifted her in his arms and headed out without looking back.

"I'll take you to the hospital right now."

Watching them leave, I laughed bitterly at myself.

I would never be his first choice.

I returned home in a wretched state. Before even entering, I saw wedding decorations throughout the courtyard.

When the servants saw me, their eyes filled with contempt.

"Tomorrow is Mr. Quinn and Miss Taylor's wedding day..."

"How shameless..."

I froze in place. Harrison had already planned to give the wedding that should have been ours to Vivian.

A month ago, I was still dreaming about our wedding.

Now, I-the bride-to-be-didn't even know when I'd been replaced.

I was about to pack my luggage when the door was suddenly kicked open.

Harrison threw a pile of shredded fabric in my face.

"Lily, what a vicious heart you have! Knowing I'm marrying Vivian, you cut up her wedding dress. When did you become so scheming?"

Watching Harrison and Vivian play their coordinated act, I found it laughable.

"Harrison, I just got home. How could I possibly have had the chance to destroy Vivian's wedding dress?"

Harrison froze, about to speak, when Vivian stepped forward and grabbed his hand.

"Since Miss Sullivan hates me so much, let's cancel our wedding! Let my mother leave with regrets!"

Harrison immediately pulled her into his arms tenderly, looking at me coldly."Lily, I remember you have a rare haute couture wedding dress. Since you destroyed Vivian's dress, give yours to her as compensation!"

I stared in disbelief:

"Why should I? That's my mother's keepsake! It's a symbol of her hope for my happiness!"

Harrison's eyes darkened:

"When you do wrong, there are consequences."

With that, he walked straight to my closet and took out the wedding dress.

I tried desperately to rush forward, but the bodyguards pinned me to the ground. I couldn't move.

"Harrison, you can't do this to me!"

I screamed in anguish.

Harrison looked at me with disgust, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

"Lily, since you refuse to repent, go kneel at the gate. You can get up when you admit your mistake."

Then he put his arm around Vivian and headed out:

"Come on, I'll take you to try on the dress."

The bodyguards quickly dragged me to the courtyard. When I refused to kneel, they kicked my knees viciously.

Under the mocking gazes of all the servants in the yard, I fell heavily to my knees.

From evening until late night, I knelt until my body went numb. Finally, the main gate opened.

The butler Adam came out carrying a suitcase, looking at me with sympathy:

"Miss Sullivan, tomorrow is Mr. Quinn and Miss Taylor's wedding. Mr. Quinn is afraid you'll cause trouble, so he's asked you to return to your hometown for a while. He'll bring you back after the wedding."

Looking at the suitcase, I felt relieved.

I could finally leave openly!

I stood up trembling, took one last look at the house that had imprisoned me for three years, and turned away without hesitation.

Just outside the gate, a black luxury car stopped in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing a chiseled face.

"My dear fiance, I've come to take you home!"