Chapter 3

The attending physician was right.

I remembered everything.

I remembered the six months of my missing memory.

I remembered that in five years of marriage, Julian had kept 99 mistresses.

99 times of his outrageous behavior, and I forgave him.

But the 100th time, I'd gathered enough disappointment and left.

When he heard I was gone, Julian wasn't panicked at all. He called me.

"Clara, be a good girl. Do you really want to divorce me?"

"After all, I'm the man you chose to marry, even if it meant abandoning your parents."

He sounded so confident when he said that.

I could hear another woman's soft, playful voice in the background.

Five years of marriage.

He was certain I couldn't leave him.

So, time and time again, he carelessly twisted the knife in my heart.

But I had already decided I no longer wanted him.

"Julian, once we're truly over, please just let me go."

Even when he had the butler and maids lock me in the villa, not allowing me to leave, I still jumped out the window and ran.

But then, I got into a terrible car accident on the road.

I fell unconscious and was brought back by Julian.

I had amnesia, forgetting who Julian was, forgetting his 100 betrayals.

Julian stayed by my side, coaxing me with gentle words.

"Clara, you had a car accident on your way to buy clothes for me. We're very much in love."

"Clara, we've been married for five years, a model couple everyone envies."

"Don't you remember? You even cut ties with your family to marry me. You said you'd be my little sunshine forever..."

"And I loved you just as much. The house decor was all your design, and the passenger seat is filled with your presence."

I was moved by his seemingly deep affection.

He took advantage of my amnesia, skillfully manipulating me like an idiot.

But now, I remembered everything, and the hand wearing my wedding ring trembled violently.

Julian came home around eight that evening.

He hugged me from behind.

"Are you angry?"

My body stiffened, and I avoided his touch.

Julian chuckled softly, looking at me as if I were a pet throwing a tantrum.

He leaned in, carefully examining the injury on the back of my head.

"I had no choice today. I had to put on an act."

"Chloe Monroe is the daughter of the Monroe Group's CEO. If I can keep her happy, I can secure the contract her father is holding."

I remained silent.

Julian still didn't know I'd already regained my memory.

All these years, he always had various excuses to justify or embellish his relationships with those mistresses.

I had been a good wife for five years.

Helping him manage everything.

Compromising for him, time and again.

But this time, I refused to yield anymore.

I pulled out a divorce agreement. "Julian, let's get a divorce."

Julian rubbed the papers in his hand, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Clara."

"I advise you to calm down."

"If we actually divorce, you'll regret it."

He claimed I had used every means to marry him.

He also said I'd hit my head and forgotten everything, forgotten how much I loved him.

To placate me, he bit my ear, whispering seductively.

"Clara, good girl."

"She's just for my... urges. There's no real affection. She's not like you. You're my family."

Family?

I scoffed. Was family just someone you could easily fool?

Yet his mistresses outside got whatever they wished for.

"Then did you hear? Chloe caused a scene at my workplace today, threatening my boss to fire me."

"Julian, I'm in trouble now. Shouldn't you, my 'family,' do something?"

I stared into Julian's eyes.

He sighed slightly, brushing my eyelashes.

"That job of yours was too tiring anyway. This is a good chance for you to rest."

"Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll open a truly *your own* aesthetic hospital for you."

After saying that, Julian took off his jacket and went to shower.

He thought I was so easily appeased.

That he could dangle a carrot occasionally, and I'd be eternally grateful.

I was inexplicably drawn to the safe, the one he usually never let me touch or go near.

I hesitated for a few seconds.

Then I entered my birthday.

"Ding—"

The safe door opened.