Wearing Maria's work uniform, I walked barefoot out of the Croft mansion.

The stretch Lincoln parked just down the street was my ticket to a new life.

I quickened my pace, but a group of men grabbed me, dragging me back into the house.

Apparently, Julian and Tanya's games had gotten out of hand. A drop of hot wax from a candle had set the bedsheets on fire, burning the girl's arm.

Tanya looked at Julian, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Julian, my arm is burned! How can I be a leading lady now? You have to do something!"

My gaze swept over the red marks covering Tanya's body and the scattered items on the floor: a dog chain, a whip, and red candles.

So this was what the famously cool and controlled Julian Croft was into behind closed doors.

I let out a bitter laugh, my heart twisting in pain.

Tanya noticed me looking. Whether it was intentional or not, she shifted her body.

A plush bunny tail fell from the bed.

She covered her mouth apologetically. "Oops. Julian really loves his little bunnies."

"You don't mind, do you, Clara? After all, you're getting older. You can't really keep up with these games anymore, can you?"

I looked at her face, so young and fresh you could pinch it and expect water to come out, and at her smug expression.

What a pity she didn't understand that no one stays young forever.

I was bored by this whole ridiculous drama. I glanced at my watch.

"Julian, did you drag me back here just to watch this little show?"

"I have urgent business to attend to. I don't have time to play house with you."

Julian's temper flared. He grabbed my hand, his face a mask of arrogance.

"Who said you could leave? Do you really think I can't bear to part with you?"

"You think far too highly of yourself."

"I brought you here because I need to borrow a piece of your skin for Tanya."

My eyes widened in disbelief.

"Do you know what you're saying? What right do you have to harm my body?"

Julian leaned down, his eyes glinting with malice.

"You're just a dog I keep. What right do you have to talk about rights with me?"

"Tanya's skin is too delicate to be scarred. We'll just have to borrow yours."

"Dr. Evans, you can begin."

A group of people rushed forward and held me down. I struggled with all my might. "No!"

But the needle plunged into my skin without mercy. My consciousness began to fade.

When I opened my eyes again, everything was white. The sharp smell of antiseptic filled my nose.

A searing pain shot through my arm. Red blood was seeping through the white bandage.

I gasped in pain.

Hearing the sound, Julian looked up from his laptop.

He pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up his nose. "You're awake. Feeling any better?"

"I hired the best plastic surgeon to do the skin graft. You just need to rest for a few days, and you'll be out of the hospital soon."

I weakly grabbed the glass of water on the bedside table and threw it at him.

"Who gave you permission to touch my body?"

But instead of getting angry, he was uncharacteristically gentle, taking my hand and cooing at me.

"Alright, alright, I went too far this time. But I've invested a hundred million in that movie, and I signed a billion-dollar bet on its success. I couldn't let her be permanently disfigured. I would have lost a fortune."

"If you're still upset, how about we get remarried next month?"

Just then, a nurse rushed in.

"Miss Tanya is awake! She's making a huge scene in her room. Mr. Croft, she's asking for you!"

Julian answered impatiently. "There are plenty of doctors here. What good am I?"

He dismissed the nurse and turned back to me, his voice soft again.

"We only signed the divorce papers. We never filed them with the court, so it doesn't count."

"We've been married for years. Are you still playing these games of running away from home? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

"If you don't like living with Tanya, I can arrange another house for you. How about that?"

How laughable. The mistress moves into the main house, and the wife is expected to hide away somewhere else?

I pulled my hand back coldly. "That won't be necessary."

It won't be necessary, because we will never have anything to do with each other again.

Just then, the nurse burst in again, frantic. "It's bad! Miss Tanya is on the roof!"

Julian shot up, ready to run, but he didn't want to leave me. He insisted on pushing my wheelchair as he rushed to the rooftop.

The young woman stood on the edge, her body swaying precariously in the wind.

Tears streamed down her face. "I heard everything! You weren't serious about the divorce! You were lying to me!"

"But I'm pregnant! How could you do this to me?"

"I won't let my child be a bastard! If you don't file the divorce papers and marry me, I'll jump right now!"

I had never seen Julian so panicked.

His eyes were red as he took slow steps toward her.

"Tanya, come down. You and our child are my treasures. I'll give you anything you want!"

"If I'm lying, may I be struck down where I stand!"

Julian raised his hand and swore an oath, his words sincere, his expression one of deep love.

I glanced up at the sun. It was so bright it made my eyes water.

So love doesn't disappear. It just transfers.

Hearing his words, the girl who had been threatening to end her life threw her arms open and leaped into his embrace.

He held her tightly, as if he were holding the moon itself.

"We'll file. We'll file tomorrow. I'll give you anything as long as you're happy."

I watched this scene, my own eyes turning red.

Her child was a treasure. Then what was mine?

A week ago, I had just found out I was pregnant. Julian was in a hurry to leave for the starlet's birthday party.

I stood in his way, trying to stop him. He pushed me. I fell down the stairs. When I woke up, the baby was gone.

He showed no remorse. "So fragile. How could it be worthy of being my child?"

"It's gone. It was just a cell. We can just have another one."

But now, he treasured Tanya's child as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

I wiped away my tears and silently left.