Chapter 3

Inside, I saw his forgotten phone on the table. Ignoring my wet clothes, I unlocked it with Cora's birthday. Their sweet wallpaper stung my heart.

In Snapchat, a pinned chat caught my eye. I clicked it. The screen was filled with their conversations about me.

The man I was to marry caught Cora’s eye. Unable to take him openly, she used underhanded means.

My fiancé’s father was indeed murdered. But evidence was fabricated to frame my family, leaving my father restless in his grave.

Further down, I saw videos of my intimacy in Cora’s hands, and Finn’s message crushed me.

“She’s not as good as you. You know how to please.”

Cora: “Then come over tonight. It’s your good brother’s turn there.”

I pressed on, anger fueling me, ignoring the cold.

Two days ago, I learned they long targeted my dog.

Cora: “Your dog always barks at me. I’m scared.”

Finn: “Come here, then I have a reason to deal with it.”

I never imagined those words came from him.

Seeing the chat album made my blood freeze.

He once urgently needed a necklace for his younger cousin. I agreed, except for my most cherished one.

He said, “Wife, you’re so kind. She’s lucky to have a sister-in-law like you.”

Now, the necklace hung intact around Cora's neck.

Disbelieving, I checked the cabinet. It was gone. It was my mother's gift for my 18th birthday.

Staring at the photo, Cora’s arm bore a scar similar to mine. I knew her well, she never had scars.

Before, we were the closest of cousins. I shared everything with her.

After telling her about saving a bloodied Chinese in the Boundless Country, she distanced herself.

Busy with work, I didn’t investigate. When we met again, she was Finn’s sworn sister, harboring hatred for me.

I finally understood, “So that’s it.”

Finn never knew my arm bore a scar, hidden with foundation. Checking the time, I guessed he’d soon return for his phone.

I called his business rival.

I used to be closest to my cousin, sharing everything with her first.

But ever since I told her I saved an injured person in the Boundless Country, she grew distant.

Busy with work, I didn't look into it, and when I saw her again, she had become Finn's adopted sister, looking at me with deep resentment.

I instantly understood, "So that's how it is."

Finn never knew about the scar on my arm, concealed with foundation. I glanced at the time, knowing he'd soon return for his phone.

I dialed his business rival. "I can give you what you want and a million-dollar deal.

Are you interested?" "What's the catch?"

"Kidnap me the day after tomorrow." I gently touched my belly, "Finn will willingly pay for it."

Just as I put the phone down, he walked in, glaring at the phone.

He hated anyone messing with his belongings.

His demeanor was hostile as he looked at me, "You know everything?" I feigned ignorance, "What should I know?"

Finn, seeing my soaked clothes, urged me to change.

He didn't forget to mention he had just taken Cora for a rabies vaccine.

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, I pulled at my skin, unable to smile.

Messages on the phone replayed in my mind. I scrubbed myself clean, washing for an entire hour. Just as I came out dressed, I ran into Finn heading in.

"I was worried you'd faint since you were in there so long." "You're not alone now, you're two people. Don't be reckless next time."

Before I could respond, he left in a hurry with his men. I started preparing the divorce agreement and recording.