I Married the Devil Instead

I was Ethan's secret lover for five years, his chief designer for five years, and all I got in the end was: You think you deserve love?

The day he got engaged, he forced me to design the ring for his fiance. Then my father came for his debt and put my sister in the hospital.

With nowhere left to turn, I made a phone call

Julian. A one-billion-dollar bride price. He was looking for a woman with the right birth chart to marry into his family for a spiritual cure.

They said Julian was crippled. Vicious. A devil crawled up from hell.

But the moment I signed that agreement, I realized

At the end of hell stood my god.

The day Ethan announced his engagement, Los Angeles was hit by a heavy downpour.

I stood in a corner of the ballroom, nursing a glass of flat champagne.

"Everyone, let me introduce you to Chloe," Ethan's voice, unusually gentle, echoed through the microphone. "Our engagement party will be early next month. Please honor us with your presence."

The room erupted in applause.

All eyes were on the golden couple beneath the spotlight.

Chloe wore a pure white haute couture gown, appearing so innocent and fragile as she leaned shyly into Ethan's arms.

And Ethan, Los Angeles's youngest and most promising mogul, his usually cold, stern eyes had softened like water.

No one looked at me.

No one knew that I was Ethan's secret lover for five years, kept hidden in the shadows.

I was also the sharpest blade in his hand, his company's chief jewelry designer, Jade.

"Ms. Jade."

A mocking voice rang in my ear.

A few of Ethan's close friends, champagne glasses in hand, walked over, their eyes full of malicious amusement.

"Ethan's getting engaged. You, the big contributor who's been with him for five years, why aren't you going to toast them?"

"Exactly, Jade. Weren't you always sticking to Ethan? Now that his legitimate fiance is taking over, your heart must be bleeding, right?"

They chuckled, making no effort to hide their disdain for me.

In their eyes, I, Jade, was nothing more than a shameless gold-digger who clawed her way into Ethan's bed for money and status.

I didn't say a word, just tilted my head back and gulped down the bitter wine in my glass.

Five years ago, my mother fell critically ill, and my father ran off with her medical funds.

It was Ethan who descended like a god, handing me a card, buying out five years of my youth and talent.

I accompanied him to business dinners, took the brunt of the drinks for him, and in bed, I did everything I could to please him.

I thought five years would be enough to warm his heart.

But a month ago, Chloe appeared.

She was just a new intern at the company, clumsy and even making mistakes with simple photocopying.

Yet, Ethan shielded her, and for her sake, he publicly reprimanded me for the first time.

He said, "Jade, you're too cold-blooded, too worldly. Chloe isn't like you, she's pure. Don't scare her."

Pure.

I mulled over those words, finding them damn ironic.

I collected my thoughts, looking coldly at the rich kids in front of me. "Mr. Ethan's engagement? Of course, I'll prepare a grand gift. Don't you worry about that."

With that, I turned to leave.

I hadn't taken two steps when my wrist was suddenly grabbed with immense force.

I was forced to stop, colliding with a pair of deep, cold, dark eyes.

Ethan had come down from the stage at some point and now stood before me.

Behind him, Chloe remained by his side.

"Where are you going?" Ethan stared at me, his voice tinged with displeasure.

"Back to the office to work overtime." I tried to pull my wrist free, but couldn't. "Do you need something, Mr. Ethan?"

Ethan's eyes narrowed. He seemed utterly displeased by my business-like attitude.

His grip tightened, threatening to crush my bones.

"Chloe said she really likes your design style," Ethan said, enunciating each word. "Our engagement rings will be designed by you personally."

I snapped my head up, staring at him in disbelief.

He wanted me to design the engagement rings for him and another woman?

Ethan, do you even have a heart?

"I apologize, Mr. Ethan," I took a deep breath, suppressing the tremor in my heart. "I'm tied up with next season's main product line. I simply don't have the time."

"Jade" Chloe spoke timidly, her eyes instantly welling up. "Are you angry with me? I know you and Ethan used to if you don't want to, I won't force it. We can just buy a pair."

Her act of aggrieved concession instantly ignited Ethan's fury.

"Jade, what's with the attitude?" Ethan sneered, his gaze cutting across my face like a knife. "Don't forget the binding contract you signed. You only have one role in company arrangements: obedience!"

"I said you're designing them, and you will draw out every single line!"

The air around us seemed to freeze instantly.

Everyone was watching me, enjoying the spectacle.

Watching how I, the woman once so favored by Ethan, was being trampled underfoot, my dignity crushed.

I looked at Ethan's face, a face I had loved for five years, and suddenly found it utterly unfamiliar.

My chest ached, as if countless needles were pricking me.

But I didn't cry.

My tears, Jade's tears, had long since dried up on that desperate, rainy night five years ago.

"Fine," I forced out a flawless professional smile. "Since Mr. Ethan has spoken, I will comply. It's just designing a pair of rings. I'm sure Ms. Chloe will be satisfied."

Ethan's brows furrowed even deeper.

He seemed surprised I agreed so readily.

In his mind, I should have been mad with jealousy, should have hysterically questioned him, or even humbly begged him not to be so cruel.

But I didn't.

I was as still as a dead pond.

"You'd better keep your word," Ethan abruptly flung my hand away, coldly tossing out, "Tomorrow morning, bring your tools to my villa and take Chloe's measurements."

With that, he wrapped an arm around Chloe's waist and walked away without looking back.

I stood rooted to the spot, rubbing my wrist, which was now marked with a red imprint, and watched their receding figures coldly.

Five years.

Ethan, it's time to settle our accounts.

Coming out of the ballroom, the rain outside was even heavier.

I had no umbrella, letting the cold rain pelt down on me, soaking my expensive gown.

It was late when I returned to my tiny, 30-square-meter rental apartment.

I rented this place myself. Ethan owned countless mansions, but I never asked to move in.

I knew my place: a hidden lover, unworthy of entering his formal world.

Just as I pulled out my keys, the door was suddenly yanked open from inside.

A strong smell of cheap cigarettes and alcohol wafted out.

My heart sank. "Oh no," I thought.

"You little brat, you finally decided to come home!"

A scruffy, fleshy-faced middle-aged man grabbed my hair and violently dragged me inside.

It was my father, Frank.

"Where's the money? Hand over the money now!" Frank's eyes were bloodshot, like a madman who had lost everything gambling, as he frantically patted me down.

"I don't have any money!" I struggled desperately, my scalp screaming in pain. "Last month's salary was already taken by you to pay off gambling debts! Where would I have any money?"

"Bullshit!" Frank slapped me hard across the face.

With a sharp "smack," I staggered, falling to the floor, instantly tasting blood in my mouth.

"Do you think I'm a fool? You're with that big boss, Ethan. He wouldn't give you less money, would he? You unfilial daughter, living it up, enjoying the good life, watching your old man being chased by loan sharks, aren't you?!"

Frank yelled, frantically ransacking the room.

My design sketches, brushes, and paints were strewn across the floor, trampled to pieces.

"Stop it! Don't touch my things!" I rushed forward, my eyes red, desperately shielding the scattered designs on the floor.

Those were my life's work, sketched out over countless sleepless nights!

"Get lost!" Frank kicked me hard on the shoulder.

I gasped in pain, cold sweat breaking out.

"I'm telling you, Jade, if you don't come up with five hundred thousand today, I'll sell your sister, Stella, who's still in high school, to a club to settle my debts!" Frank threatened viciously.

"You wouldn't dare!" I snapped my head up, glaring at him. "Frank, are you even human? Stella is your own daughter!"

"So what if she's my daughter? I brought you into this world, you owe me!" Frank sneered. "Three days. I'm only giving you three days. If you don't come up with the money, just wait to pick your sister out of a club!"

With that, he slammed the door and left.

The room was a mess, as if ransacked by thieves.

I curled up on the cold floor, my shoulder aching as if it would split, and tears finally began to fall.

Why?

Why, despite my desperate efforts, could I never escape this swamp?

Just then, my phone vibrated in my bag.

"Ethan" flashed on the screen.

I took a deep breath, wiped my face frantically, and answered the call.

"Where are you?" Ethan's voice was cold and commanding.

"Home." I tried to keep my voice steady.

"Half an hour. Get over here."

"Mr. Ethan, it's one in the morning," I bit out. "I'm a person, not your on-call machine."

There was a two-second silence on the other end, followed by a cold scoff.

"Jade, your temper's really grown, hasn't it? What, still upset about the engagement rings?"

"No, I'm not."

"Good," Ethan's tone was full of condescending generosity. "Come over. Chloe can't sleep and wants to look at your old design drafts for inspiration. Bring them over and explain them to her yourself."

My hand, gripping the phone, tightened, my nails digging deeply into my palm.

He wanted me to brave the heavy rain in the middle of the night, just to explain design drafts to his fiance?

"I'm sick. I can't go," I refused coldly.

"Jade, don't make me angry," Ethan's voice darkened. "Your sister, Stella, is taking her college entrance exams next month, isn't she? I heard she wants to get into NYU? What do you think would happen if I made a call to NYU? Would she still get in?"

It was always like this.

For five years, he always knew my weaknesses, forcing me to bow, to compromise.

He knew Stella was my life.

"I'll be right there."

Hanging up, I numbly got up from the floor, picked up the scattered designs, and put them back in my bag.

The rain continued to fall.

I stood by the road, waiting half an hour before finally getting a taxi.

By the time I reached Ethan's villa in the hills, I was shivering uncontrollably, my lips blue.

The villa was brightly lit, warm as spring.

I pushed open the door and saw Ethan lounging on the sofa in loose pajamas.

Chloe was nestled in his arms like a lost puppy, wearing a silk slip dress, a warm glass of milk in her hand.

Seeing me standing at the door, drenched like a drowned rat, Chloe gasped.

"Oh my god, Jade, why are you so soaked? Come in and dry off!"

She made to get up, but Ethan held her down.

"Don't worry about her. She's perfectly fine," Ethan said, not even lifting an eyelid, his gaze sweeping coldly over me. "Did you bring the designs?"

I stood in the entryway, not changing my shoes.

Cold rainwater dripped from my hair, spreading a dark stain on the carpet.

I took out the stack of designs, slightly soiled by Frank's footprints, from my bag and walked over to place them on the coffee table.

"They're all here," my voice was hoarse.

Ethan glanced at the footprints on the designs, his brows instantly knitting into a tight knot.

"Jade, what kind of attitude is this? Are you trying to fool me with this garbage?"

He violently threw the designs at my face.

The sharp edges of the paper grazed my cheek, leaving a faint scratch that bled slightly.

"Ethan, don't get angry. Jade didn't mean it," Chloe quickly hugged Ethan's arm, her voice soft and coaxing.

Then she turned to me, looking with those innocent eyes, "Jade, are you upset about designing my ring, that you deliberately soiled the drafts? It's really okay, I can find someone else"

"Shut up," I cut her off coldly.

Chloe flinched, her eyes welling up again.

Ethan stood up abruptly, grabbing my throat and pinning me against the cold wall.

"Jade, you dare to yell at her?!"

His grip was incredibly strong; I instantly struggled to breathe, my face turning crimson.

"Ethan" I choked out, forcing the words from my throat. "Five years even if you kept a dog it would have some affection, wouldn't it?"

"Affection?" Ethan laughed, as if he'd heard the biggest joke, his eyes full of mockery. "Jade, do you really think you're worthy of talking about affection with me? You're just a tool I paid for, a plaything for my amusement. Did you actually think you were special?"

His words were like a blunt knife, slowly cutting open my heart.

In the face of such extreme pain, I actually smiled.

"Yes, I'm not worthy," I looked at him, my eyes growing colder by the second. "Mr. Ethan is right. A tool should know its place."

"Let me go. I'll explain the designs to Ms. Chloe."

Ethan stared at my eyes, so calm they held no ripple of emotion, and a flicker of irritation crossed his face.

He suddenly released me.

I slid down the wall to the floor, clutching my throat and coughing violently.

"Jade, remember your place," Ethan looked down at me. "Dare to disrespect Chloe again, and I'll make you regret it."

For the next two hours, I sat kneeling by the coffee table like a soulless puppet, explaining each design draft, which I once cherished, to Chloe.

Chloe listened intently, occasionally offering naive and ridiculous suggestions for modifications.

Ethan sat nearby, playing with Chloe's hair, his eyes fixed on me with an oppressive gaze.

He was trying to find a hint of jealousy, grievance, or even collapse on my face.

But I disappointed him.

My face remained expressionless the entire time, my voice so steady that not a single note wavered.

"This 'Starry Night' piece, I think the diamond is too small, not sparkly enough. Ethan, don't you think a ten-carat pink diamond would be better?" Chloe pointed to one of my proudest works, asking sweetly.

That was the wedding ring I had designed for myself.

I had once fantasized that one day Ethan would hold it, kneeling on one knee to propose to me.

Now, it had become a commodity to be picked apart by someone else.

"Fine, if you like it, we'll change it," Ethan said, dotingly pinching her nose, then turned to me, his eyes instantly turning cold. "Did you hear that? The main diamond will be a ten-carat pink diamond, surrounded by pav diamonds, the most luxurious possible."

"A ten-carat pink diamond requires extremely high hardness and cutting precision; this setting design cannot support it," I pointed out the technical issue in a purely business-like tone.

"That's your problem," Ethan said coldly. "If you can't do it, get out of the company."

I was silent for two seconds, then nodded. "Okay, I'll modify it."

At four in the morning, the explanation finally ended.

Chloe yawned, leaning softly into Ethan's arms. "Ethan, I'm sleepy."

"Go to sleep," Ethan kissed her forehead, then scooped her up and carried her upstairs.

He never looked at me again.

He didn't ask how I would get back so late, with the heavy rain still falling outside.

I gathered my design drafts alone and walked out of the villa with heavy steps.

The cold wind, mixed with rain, blew against me, but I no longer felt the cold.

Because my heart had long since died completely.

The next morning, I arrived at the villa promptly with my toolbox.

Today, I was here to take Chloe's measurements.

As I walked into the living room, I saw Ethan and Chloe eating breakfast on the sofa.

The atmosphere was sickeningly cozy.

"Jade, have you had breakfast? Would you like to join us?" Chloe greeted me enthusiastically.

"No, thank you, I've eaten." I opened my toolbox and took out the measuring tape. "Ms. Chloe, please extend your hand."

Chloe obediently held out her hand.

Her hand was fair and delicate, never having done a day of hard work.

Unlike my hands, which were calloused from years of drawing and polishing jewelry, and had a bruise on the back from Frank's kick last night.

I lowered my head, carefully measuring her finger and noting down the data.

"Hiss" Chloe suddenly gasped, snatching her hand back. "Jade, you hurt me!"

I paused.

I was clearly using a soft measuring tape; it was impossible to hurt her.

"What's wrong?" Ethan immediately put down his knife and fork, anxiously grabbing Chloe's hand to examine it.

On the back of Chloe's hand, a tiny red mark had appeared at some point.

"I'm fine, Ethan, don't blame Jade. She definitely didn't mean to." Chloe bit her lip apologetically, tears welling in her eyes.

Ethan's face instantly darkened to an alarming degree.

He stood up abruptly and kicked my toolbox, sending it flying.

Various precise measuring tools scattered across the floor with a harsh clang.

"Jade, are you looking for a death wish?!" Ethan grabbed my collar, lifting me clean off the ground.

"I didn't hurt her." I met his furious gaze, my voice calm. "That red mark, it wasn't from me."

"Still trying to argue?!" Ethan was enraged. "Are you taking advantage of Chloe's kindness to deliberately vent your anger on her? I warned you, put away your petty jealousy!"

Jealousy?

I looked at Ethan and suddenly found him utterly ridiculous.

How could he possibly think I would still be jealous?

"Mr. Ethan," I took a deep breath, fighting the suffocating grip on my neck. "If you believe I'm not suited for this job, you can easily replace me. There's no need to make false accusations."

"Are you threatening me?" Ethan's eyes narrowed, staring at me dangerously.

"I wouldn't dare. I'm merely stating facts."

The two of us stood locked in a standoff, the air thick with tension.

Just then, my phone rang.

It was the hospital.

"Is this Stella's family? Stella was injured in a fight at school and is now in the emergency room. Please come immediately!"

My mind buzzed, instantly going blank.

Stella!

"Let me go!" I struggled violently, with surprising strength, actually prying Ethan's hand off me.

I didn't even bother picking up my tools; I dashed out like a madwoman.

"Jade, where are you going? Stop!" Ethan roared behind me.

I ignored him, my mind fixated solely on Stella.

When I rushed into the hospital emergency room, Stella was lying on the bed, her face covered in blood, her forehead wrapped in thick bandages, already unconscious.

"Doctor, how is my sister?" I grabbed the doctor's arm, my voice trembling uncontrollably.

"You're the family, right? The patient suffered a severe blow to the head, resulting in a mild concussion, multiple soft tissue contusions on her body, and also" The doctor paused, his eyes looking complex. "The patient has lacerations in her lower body. We suspect she may have been sexually assaulted, and we've already called the police."

Sexually assaulted?!

Those words struck me like a lightning bolt, splitting my very being.

My legs gave out, and I collapsed directly to the floor.

How could this happen?

Stella was so well-behaved, so obedient. How could something like this happen to her?

"Frank it must be him!" I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my flesh, drawing blood.

He had threatened me just yesterday, and today Stella was in trouble.

That bastard! How dare he!

I stayed by Stella's bedside for an entire day and night.

When she woke, she saw me and recoiled into the blankets like a frightened animal, trembling violently.

"Jade Jade, I'm scared" she cried heartbrokenly, her eyes hollow and terrifying.

I held her tight, my heart twisting in agony.

The police came to take her statement, confirming my suspicions.

It was Frank.

To pay off his gambling debts, he had actually brought the debt collectors to the school gates and dragged Stella into a van.

If not for a kind passerby who called the police, Stella might not have been alive right now.

"Where is Frank?" I gritted my teeth, asking the police.

"He ran off. We're actively pursuing him," the police sighed. "Ms. Jade, your father owes three million to an underground casino. Those people are desperate. You and your sister should be extra careful recently."

Three million.

I closed my eyes in despair.

Where was I going to get three million?

In the past five years, I had only earned a fixed salary at Ethan's company, most of which went into Frank's bottomless pit of debt.

Ethan, though wealthy, never gave anything for free; he demanded my unconditional obedience and flattery.

Now, he was busy getting engaged to Chloe. How could he care about my survival?

Besides, I no longer wanted to ask him for anything.

I was too tired.

After settling Stella, I walked out of the ward, leaning against the cold hallway wall, and pulled out my phone.

In my contacts, I couldn't find a single person I could borrow money from.

These past few years, confined by Ethan, I had cut off almost all social connections.

Just as I felt I had nowhere left to turn, a news notification popped up.

[New York's Julian family is offering a massive reward for a bride! Rumors say that Julian, the family's young master, suffers from a hidden illness, is crippled, and has a violent temper. Multiple former fiances have been driven to madness by his torment. The Julian family is now offering an astronomical ten billion in wedding money, seeking a lucky bride whose presence would bring him healing!]

Julian.

A man who held immense power in New York.

I heard he was a madman, a devil. No woman who fell into his hands ever emerged whole.

But that was ten billion.

With that money, I could completely escape Frank, take Stella out of Los Angeles, and start over somewhere no one knew us.

As for whether Julian was crippled or a devil, I didn't care.

I was already in hell; what difference would another hell make?

Without hesitation, I dialed the contact number listed below the news article.

"Hello, my name is Jade. My birth chart indicates"

The Julian family moved quickly.

Less than two hours later, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up to the hospital entrance.

A middle-aged man in a tuxedo, looking like a butler, approached me, his demeanor respectful yet distant.

"Ms. Jade, you and Mr. Julian are a perfect match. As soon as you sign this prenuptial agreement, the ten billion in wedding money will be immediately transferred to your account. Furthermore, the Julian family will handle all your troubles, including your father's gambling debts and your sister's safety."

He handed me a thick document.

I didn't even look at it, flipping directly to the last page and signing my name.

"Okay, I'll marry him."

A flicker of surprise crossed the butler's eyes; he hadn't expected me to agree so readily.

"Ms. Jade is a decisive woman," the butler said, collecting the agreement. "The Julian family still has affairs to settle in Los Angeles for a few days. In three days, I will send someone to pick you up for New York. During these three days, you may attend to your private matters."

"Ding." My phone chimed with a text message notification.

Ten billion, transferred.

Looking at that long string of zeros, I suddenly felt incredibly ironic.

I had sold myself for five years, gaining nothing but scars.

Now, I sold myself to a crippled madman and instantly owned the world.

I immediately contacted the best security company to provide Stella with twenty-four-hour protection.

Then, I returned to my rental apartment and began to sketch, polish, and set jewelry day and night.

Ethan's engagement rings, I had to finish them before I left.

This was what I owed him; once I paid it back, I could leave cleanly.

After two consecutive sleepless nights, my eyes were bloodshot, and my fingers were covered in cuts from the engraving tools.

Blood seeped into the pink diamond ring setting, but I didn't even flinch, just wiped it away expressionlessly and continued working.

On the evening of the third day, a pair of exquisitely luxurious pink diamond rings were finally completed.

I placed them into a beautiful velvet box.

Then, from the deepest part under my bed, I pulled out a dusty metal box.

Opening it, a black card lay inside.

Five years ago, Ethan had casually tossed it to me when he first took me to his house.

"Take this. It's my black card, unlimited credit. If you're with me, don't embarrass me."

In these five years, I had never once used it.

I placed it with the rings, packed everything up, and dialed Mark, Ethan's assistant.

"Mark, the rings are done. Please come pick them up."

Half an hour later, Mark's car pulled up downstairs.

He looked at my pale, haggard face, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"Ms. Jade, why bother so much?" Mark said, taking the box with a sarcastic tone. "Mr. Ethan's completely focused on Chloe now. Even if you work yourself to death, he won't notice. Take my advice, just humble yourself, admit your mistake. If Mr. Ethan softens, he might even keep you around as a lover."

"You misunderstand," I said, looking at him plainly. "My task is complete once I hand this to you. Also, there's something else in the box. Please make sure to deliver it to Mr. Ethan personally."

Mark scoffed. "Another love token? Jade, Mr. Ethan is tired of your manipulation tactics."

I ignored his mockery and turned to leave.

"Jade!" Mark called out behind me. "Tomorrow night is Mr. Ethan and Ms. Chloe's engagement party. Mr. Ethan said you must attend. He wants you to see him put the ring on Ms. Chloe's finger with your own eyes!"

My steps paused for a moment, and a mocking smile touched my lips.

"Alright," I said without looking back. "I hope they're utterly miserable and their line end."

Back at the hospital, I immediately arranged for Stella to be transferred.

The Julian family's efficiency was remarkable; they not only arranged a private jet but also secured a spot at New York's top private hospital, complete with a leading medical team.

Sitting in the car en route to the airport, watching the Los Angeles nightscape recede outside the window, I let out a long, heavy sigh.

This city, which had trapped me for five years, which held all my humiliation and despair, I was finally leaving it.

"Jade, are we really going to New York?" Stella leaned on my shoulder, her voice still weak. "That person Mr. Julian, will he really be a good person?"

"No matter who he is, as long as he can protect you, I'm not afraid of anything," I said, stroking her hair, my eyes firm.

I had nothing left to lose.

The worst-case scenario was simply death.

At the same time, in Los Angeles's most luxurious five-star hotel, Ethan's engagement party was being prepared.

Ethan sat in the VIP lounge, toying with the velvet box Mark had just delivered.

"She really said that?" Ethan's face was cold, his brows furrowed as he listened to Mark's report.

"Yes, those were Jade's exact words," Mark said, cautiously observing Ethan's expression. "Mr. Ethan, it seems Jade is truly determined this time. She even returned your black card."

Ethan violently opened the box.

A pair of dazzling pink diamond rings lay quietly inside, next to the black card he had given her five years ago.

The card was spotless, without a single scratch, as if in these five years, she had never once touched his world.

A strange irritation inexplicably filled Ethan's chest.

He slammed the box shut, letting out a cold laugh. "Playing hard to get. She thinks by returning the card, I'll beg her to come back? Dream on!"

"She'll definitely come tomorrow," Ethan's tone was assertive. "She loves me so much she's thrown away her dignity. How could she possibly stand by and watch me get engaged to Chloe? She's just trying to force me to give in this way."

"You're right, Mr. Ethan," Mark quickly agreed. "A woman like Jade, without you, she wouldn't even be able to eat. How could she truly leave?"

Ethan leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes, trying to suppress the strange panic in his heart.

Yes, she couldn't leave him.

With just a flick of his finger, she would crawl back to him, begging, just like before.

The next evening, the engagement party officially began.

Almost all the prominent figures in Los Angeles were present.

Chloe, in a dreamy wedding dress adorned with pav diamonds, looked like a true princess, walking arm-in-arm with Ethan, accepting everyone's blessings.

Ethan, in a tailored suit, was exceptionally handsome.

But his gaze kept sweeping towards the ballroom entrance.

Time ticked by.

The ballroom was filled with a glamorous atmosphere, clinking glasses, and dazzling lights, yet the familiar figure never appeared.

"Ethan, what are you looking for?" A friend walked over with a drink, following Ethan's gaze, and chuckled knowingly. "Waiting for Jade? Don't bother. I bet she wouldn't dare to come today. She'd only humiliate herself."

"Exactly, Ethan has a legitimate fiance now. How could a hidden mistress have the nerve to show up at an event like this?"

The surrounding crowd chimed in, their words full of contempt for Jade.

Ethan said nothing, his face growing darker and darker.

It was almost time for the ring exchange.

Was she really not coming?

How dare she not come?!

"Ethan, it's time, we should go up," Chloe reminded softly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Once he put the ring on her finger, she would be Mrs. Ethan, officially.

Ethan took a deep breath, suppressing the anxiety in his heart, and walked onto the stage with Chloe.

The emcee delivered an enthusiastic speech, then announced: "Now, please, the groom-to-be will place the engagement ring, symbolizing love, on the bride-to-be's finger!"

Ethan took the velvet box from Mark and slowly opened it.

Under the lights, the pink diamonds shimmered dazzlingly.

He took out the women's ring, about to slip it onto Chloe's finger.

Suddenly, his gaze froze on the inside of the ring.

There, engraved in tiny letters, were two initials: G.D.

Go to Death.

Ethan's pupils contracted sharply, and his face instantly turned ashen.

"Ethan? What's wrong?" Chloe, seeing his hesitation, asked with a hint of confusion.

Ethan slammed the ring box shut and roughly pushed Chloe aside.

"The engagement party is canceled!"

He tossed out the words, then strode off the stage amidst the stunned gazes of the entire room.

"Ethan! Where are you going?!" Chloe cried out frantically from the stage, tears instantly streaming down her face.

Ethan ignored her. He grabbed Mark by the collar, his eyes bloodshot. "Find out! Find out where Jade is immediately! Bring her back to me!"

Mark trembled in fear, quickly pulling out his phone to make calls.

A few minutes later, Mark, pale-faced, rushed back to Ethan, his voice shaking.

"Mr. Mr. Ethan Jade she's not in Los Angeles anymore."

"What do you mean?" Ethan's hand clamped around his throat.

"She canceled her apartment lease, and the hospital said she transferred her sister Immigration records show that she she flew to New York last night!"

New York?!

Ethan was struck as if by lightning, freezing in place.

She was gone.

Gone completely, without a trace of lingering affection.

She had even slapped him hard at his most anticipated engagement party.

"Jade" Ethan muttered her name, gritting his teeth, and a sharp pain suddenly pierced his chest.

He thought everything was under his control.

But only at this moment did he realize, with horror, that the string tying Jade to him had broken.

The flight to New York landed smoothly.

I pushed Stella in her wheelchair out of the VIP channel.

At the channel exit, a line of black-suited bodyguards stood ready.

Leading them was the butler I had met at the hospital that day.

"Ms. Jade, welcome to New York," the butler bowed slightly, his demeanor more respectful than before. "Mr. Julian is already waiting for you at the manor."

Now, I had suddenly become a stranger's wife.

"Thank you," I nodded faintly.

The motorcade drove out of the airport, heading towards the winding mountain roads on the outskirts of New York.

The deeper we went, the more secluded the scenery became, even taking on a hint of eerie silence.

Rumor had it that the Julian family manor was built halfway up a mountain, and for miles around, it was all private Julian land; not even a fly could get in.

Half an hour later, the cars drove through a massive black iron gate.

The castle-like manor stood in the night, like a slumbering beast, exuding a suffocating sense of oppression.

I took a deep breath, tightening my grip on Stella's hand.

"Don't be afraid," I whispered, reassuring her.

The cars stopped in front of the main building.

The butler led me through a long corridor to a heavy mahogany door.

"Ms. Jade, Mr. Julian is waiting for you inside. I will arrange for someone to look after Ms. Stella; please don't worry."

I nodded, watched Stella being led away by a maid, and then pushed open the door.

The room was dim, with no main lights on; only the flickering fire in the fireplace provided illumination.

The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood mixed with herbs.

I stood at the doorway, trying to adjust to the indoor light.

"Come here."

A low, hoarse, yet profoundly penetrating voice came from the depths of the room.

I looked towards the sound and, in the shadows by the fireplace, saw a wheelchair.

A man sat in the wheelchair.

Most of his body was hidden in the darkness, making his face indiscernible.

But I could feel an intensely predatory gaze fixed on me.

Like a hunter staring at its prey.

I suppressed the tension in my heart and stepped forward.

I stopped two steps in front of him.

By the firelight, I finally saw his face.

It was an impossibly pale, yet devilishly handsome face.

His features were deep and defined, his jawline sharp as a blade, and his eyes, especially, were as black as a bottomless abyss, exuding a chilling ferocity.

This was the rumored cruel and bloodthirsty young master of the Julian family, Julian.

"Jade," he parted his thin lips, slowly enunciating my name, with an indescribable tenderness.

"Mr. Julian," I slightly bowed my head, my tone calm.

"Are you afraid of me?" He raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on my unconsciously clenched hands.

"No," I met his eyes directly. "Since I've taken the Julian family's money and signed the agreement, I am now a member of the Julian family. Whatever Mr. Julian wishes me to do, I will cooperate."

Julian suddenly let out a low laugh.

The laughter echoed in the vast room, sending shivers down my spine.

"Cooperate?" He abruptly leaned forward, grabbed my wrist, and pulled hard.

Caught off guard, I tumbled into his arms.

His chest was hard and cold, like a stone without warmth.

"Jade, did you think you married me just to be a decoration?" Julian gripped my chin, forcing me to look up, his warm breath fanning my face. "What I want is all of you, from inside out, a complete and utter surrender."

His gaze was terrifying, like a burning black fire, threatening to consume me entirely.

I didn't struggle, just looked at him quietly.

"Okay," I said softly. "As long as you can protect my sister, my life is yours."

Julian's movements abruptly froze.

He stared intensely into my eyes, as if trying to find a trace of fear or hesitation.

But in my eyes, there was only dead silence.

After a long moment, he released me, coldly uttering a single word: "Get out."

I stood up, straightened my disheveled clothes, and walked out of the room.

The moment I closed the door, I felt all the strength drain from my body.

Julian was a thousand times more dangerous than Ethan.

But I had no way back.

Over the next few days, I was settled in a guest room in the manor. Aside from meals delivered by a maid, I didn't see Julian again.

Stella was enrolled in New York's best private high school, with dedicated transportation, safe and sound.

I finally lived the most peaceful days I'd had in five years.

No more debt calls from Frank, no more humiliation from Ethan, no more manipulative tricks from Chloe.

I spent my days in the room drawing, occasionally taking walks in the garden.

Until a week later, the butler suddenly knocked on my door.

"Ms. Jade, Mr. Julian would like you to go to the basement."

The basement?

My heart skipped a beat. Rumor had it that Julian's basement was a living hell.

But I still obediently followed the butler downstairs.

The basement was vast and dimly lit.

As soon as I entered, I smelled a strong scent of blood.

Julian sat in his wheelchair, his back to me.

Before him, a man knelt, beaten to a bloody pulp.

"Jade, come see who this is," Julian turned his wheelchair, revealing the man's face.

My pupils constricted sharply, and all the blood in my body instantly froze.

It was Frank!

The man who was once so arrogant, who used to beat and kick me without hesitation, now lay sprawled on the ground like a dead dog.

His face was covered in blood, and all ten of his fingers were brutally broken, twisted into grotesque shapes.

Hearing footsteps, Frank laboriously lifted his head.

Seeing me, an intense survival instinct erupted in his cloudy eyes, and he scrambled towards me, crawling on his hands and knees.

"Jade! Jade! Save your dad! Quick, save your dad! This madman is going to kill me!"

He hadn't even touched my clothes before a bodyguard next to him kicked him down.

"Stay still!" the bodyguard snapped.

I stood rooted, coldly watching Frank's pained wails on the ground, feeling not a shred of sympathy, only deep disgust.

"Mr. Julian, what is the meaning of this?" I turned to Julian.

Julian leaned back in his wheelchair, toying with a sharp dagger, and said nonchalantly, "Don't you hate him? I brought him here for you to deal with. You can torment him however you wish."

He tossed the dagger to my feet, where it landed with a crisp clink.

"Kill him, or cripple him, whatever makes you happy," Julian's eyes sparkled with bloodlust, as if watching an entertaining play.

Frank was terrified, his liver and guts churning, and he desperately knelt down to me.

"Jade, I was wrong! I truly know I was wrong! I'm your biological dad, you can't kill me! When you were little, I even bought you candy, don't you remember?!"

Bought me candy?

I only remembered him getting drunk and whipping me with a belt until I was covered in wounds; I only remembered him trying to sell Stella into a fire pit for gambling money.

I bent down and picked up the dagger from the floor.

The dagger was heavy, its blade gleaming coldly.

Frank's wails instantly ceased. He stared at me in terror, his pants instantly wet.

"Jade you you wouldn't dare"

I gripped the dagger and walked step by step towards him.

Julian watched me from his wheelchair, a playful smile on his lips.

He seemed to be anticipating the insane sight of me personally taking my father's life.

I looked down at Frank, at his face distorted by fear.

"Frank, you should have died long ago," my voice was icy, devoid of any warmth.

I raised the dagger and plunged it down forcefully!

"Ah!" Frank let out a pig-like shriek, tightly closing his eyes.

"Clink!"

The dagger grazed his cheek, embedding itself deeply into the concrete floor beside him, sparks flying.

Frank convulsed in fear, passing out cold.

I released the dagger, stood up, and turned to Julian.

"Mr. Julian, it's not worth getting my hands dirty," I said calmly. "The money he owed the underground casino, the Julian family has already repaid. From this day forward, I cut all ties with him. Throw him out. Whether he lives or dies, it has nothing to do with me."

The playfulness in Julian's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deep, probing look.

He stared at me for a long time, then suddenly chuckled softly.

"Jade, you're even more ruthless than I imagined."

Killing a man is easy, but breaking his spirit is far more terrifying.

Throwing a crippled, penniless gambler back onto the streets was a fate far worse than death.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Julian," I bowed slightly. "If there's nothing else, I'll return to my room."

"Wait," Julian called out to me.

He maneuvered his wheelchair and slowly glided in front of me.

"Over in Los Angeles, Ethan is searching for you everywhere," Julian stared into my eyes, his voice carrying a hint of danger. "He even put out a word that anyone who dares to hide you is making an enemy of the Ethan family."

Hearing Ethan's name, my heart skipped a beat, but my face remained impassive.

"I'm already married into the Julian family. Los Angeles affairs have nothing to do with me."

"Is that so?" Julian suddenly reached out and pinched the back of my neck, pulling me closer to him. "Jade, you'd better remember what you said today. If you dare betray me, I'll show you what true living hell feels like."

His hand was cold, wrapping around my neck like a snake.

I didn't flinch, meeting his gaze. "Mr. Julian, don't worry. I, Jade, never go back on my word."

Los Angeles.

Ethan hadn't slept for three days.

He had turned all of Los Angeles upside down, even using all his connections, legitimate and otherwise, but still couldn't find a trace of Jade.

She had vanished into thin air.

"Mr. Ethan, still no news" Mark reported, trembling. "Ms. Jade's flight information was erased. We can't trace where she went."

"Useless! All of you are useless!" Ethan roared, smashing the computer on his desk. "A living person can't just sprout wings and fly away, can they?!"

Chloe stood nearby, her eyes red, not daring to speak.

For these three days, Ethan had been ice-cold towards her, refusing to even spare her a glance.

The man who was once so compliant with her now had only one woman on his mind.

"Ethan, don't be like this" Chloe bravely walked over, trying to embrace him. "If Jade wants to leave, let her go. You still have me"

"Get out!" Ethan violently shoved her away, his eyes terrifyingly sinister. "Who told you to touch me?"

Chloe fell to the floor, staring at him in disbelief.

"Ethan, I'm your fiance! You're doing this to me for a woman who doesn't want you?"

"Fiance?" Ethan sneered, looking down at her. "If it weren't for your face bearing a slight resemblance to her when she first started with me, do you think you'd be standing here?"

Chloe was struck as if by lightning, her face instantly turning chalk-white.

A stand-in.

Her proud love was nothing more than a pathetic stand-in!

Ethan no longer paid attention to the distraught Chloe. He turned to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the gray sky.

Jade, do you think you can escape?

Even if I have to turn this city upside down, I will find you, break your legs with my own hands, and lock you by my side forever!

My days at the Julian family manor were surprisingly peaceful.

Although Julian's temper was unpredictable, he never inflicted any substantial harm on me, aside from occasionally staring at me with that intensely predatory gaze.

He spent most of his days in the study or the basement.

As for me, I poured all my energy into new design sketches.

I needed money.

Although the Julian family had given me ten billion in wedding money, that was money to buy out my entire life. I didn't want to depend on Julian forever; I needed my own career and my own foundation.

That afternoon, I was sketching in the glass conservatory in the garden when the butler suddenly entered.

"Ms. Jade, Mr. Julian would like you to go to the front hall."

"Guests?" I put down my paintbrush, a little puzzled.

Julian was reclusive; hardly any outsiders ever came to the manor.

"Guests from Los Angeles," the butler said, his eyes lowered, his tone respectful yet with a hint of something unusual.

Los Angeles.

Those two words felt like a thorn, sharply piercing my nerves.

I took a deep breath and stood up. "I understand."

When I reached the front hall, the air pressure was suffocatingly low.

Julian sat in his wheelchair at the head of the table, toying with an antique signet ring, his expression inscrutable.

Across from him stood a man with bloodshot eyes and a scruffy beard.

Ethan.

He had lost a lot of weight, his once tailored suit now looking somewhat baggy, and his entire being exuded a sense of decadent and madness.

The moment he saw me, Ethan's eyes instantly lit up.

"Jade!"

He rushed forward, trying to grab my hand.

"Bang!"

A gunshot.

A bullet grazed Ethan's foot and embedded itself in the expensive carpet, releasing a wisp of blue smoke.

Julian calmly blew the smoke from the gun barrel, his eyes coldly fixed on Ethan. "Mr. Ethan, on my Julian family's territory, touching my wifeare you tired of living?"

Ethan's steps abruptly halted.

He stared intensely at me, his eyes bloodshot, his voice hoarse and broken. "Jade, come here. Come home with me."

Home.

Those words, coming from his mouth, were utterly ironic.

I stood by Julian's side, looking at him coldly. "Mr. Ethan, please show some respect. This is the Julian family residence, and I am Julian's wife."

"Wife?" Ethan laughed, as if he'd heard the biggest joke, his voice rising sharply. "You'd rather marry a cripple, a madman, than stay by my side?!"

"Ethan!" I sharply cut him off. "Shut your mouth!"

I would not allow him to insult Julian.

At least, Julian, in my most desperate moment, had given Stella and me a way out.

While Ethan had only pushed me towards death.

"You're defending him?" Ethan looked at me in disbelief, his eyes filled with hurt and rage. "Jade, you were with me for five years! Our five years of affection mean less than this cripple's dirty money?!"

"Affection?" I let out a cold laugh, my eyes full of mockery. "Ethan, do you really think you're worthy of talking about affection with me? When you forced me to design engagement rings for your fiance, did you think about our affection? When you allowed Frank to almost destroy my sister, did you think about our affection?!"

"I didn't!" Ethan quickly explained. "I didn't know Frank would do such a thing! If I had known, I would have"

"Would have what?" I cut him off coldly. "Would have acted just like before, condescendingly bestowing a little pity, and then using that as leverage to force me to continue being your obedient dog?"

Ethan was left speechless, his face ashen.

"Ethan, we're long past due on settling our accounts," I looked at him, my voice as calm as still water. "Those rings were the last thing I owed you. From now on, whether you live or die, it has nothing to do with me, Jade. Get out. Don't ever appear before me again. You disgust me."

"I'm not leaving!" Ethan suddenly pulled out a gun and pointed it directly at Julian. "Jade, you're coming with me today! Otherwise, I'll kill him!"

He was insane.

He actually dared to point a gun at Julian on Julian family territory.

The bodyguards around us instantly drew their guns; dozens of black barrels were pointed at Ethan.

With a single command from Julian, Ethan would be riddled with bullets.

But Julian merely smiled.

He casually tossed his gun onto the table, then maneuvered his wheelchair and slowly glided right in front of Ethan's gun barrel.

"Shoot," Julian tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with contempt and provocation. "Ethan, let me see how much guts you have, daring to steal a woman from me, Julian."

Ethan's hand, holding the gun, trembled violently.

His veins bulged on his forehead as he stared intensely at Julian, yet he hesitated to pull the trigger.

He didn't dare.

Because he knew that if he fired, the Ethan family would face devastating retaliation from the Julian family.

"Useless," Julian scoffed, then suddenly reached out and grabbed the hot gun barrel.

"Crack!"

A sickening crunch of bone echoed.

Julian had actually broken Ethan's wrist with his bare hand!

"Ah!" Ethan shrieked, the gun falling to the floor.

Bodyguards swarmed him, pinning him to the ground.

"Throw him back to Los Angeles," Julian took out a pristine white handkerchief and calmly wiped his fingers. "Tell the Ethan family patriarch that if he can't control his grandson, I don't mind teaching him a lesson. But next time, it won't just be a broken wrist."

Ethan was dragged out by the bodyguards like a dead dog.

He struggled desperately, his eyes fixed on me, still desperately screaming my name.

"Jade! Jade!"

His voice grew fainter, until it completely disappeared.

The front hall returned to a deathly silence.

I stood rooted, looking at the spot where Ethan had stood, my heart utterly calm, feeling only the satisfaction of avenging a great wrong.

"Did that hurt you?"

Julian's voice suddenly sounded by my ear.

I turned my head, meeting his deep, dark eyes.

"No," I said calmly. "I just found him pathetic."

Julian stared at me for a long time, then suddenly reached out and pulled me into his arms.

I fell into his lap, my nostrils filled with the cool, sandalwood scent of him.

"Jade," he gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Remember what you said today. You are mine. This life, next life, you'll never escape."

He lowered his head and kissed my lips fiercely.

A kiss filled with punishment, possession, and reckless abandon.

I closed my eyes, offering no resistance, submitting to his plunder.

I knew that from this moment on, my life, Jade's life, was completely bound to this man named Julian.